ROCKLAND HIGH WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

On Monday, guidance counselors took students to Bridgewater State University. They had a beautiful day to tour the school and learn about various programs.

On Tuesday, speaker Kaleb Joseph addressed the entire Rockland High School student body. He shared his struggles with mental health and addiction as a collegiate and later international athlete. He encouraged students to be honest about feelings and being resilient. His message resonated with students who found him "relatable" and "inspirational". Huge thanks to the Brockton Area Prevention Collaborative for sponsoring this important event and Ms. Leahy for coordinating it.

On Wednesday evening, the annual Spellman Oratorical contest took place (see photo above). Eight seniors competed for $4500 in scholarship money. The contest, open to all seniors, had a theme of Nature v. Nurture this year. The top eight were selected after writing and reciting an essay about whether characters are shaped by their inherent traits or their environment and experiences. The awards were given to the following participants:

In a tie for 5th place, each winning $200

• Lily O'Connell
• Kailani Farrell
• Mohammed Asad

In 4th place, winning $300

• Jax Leduc

In a tie for 3rd place, each winning $650

• Corinne Medford
• Katherine Mini

In second place, winning $1050

• Emilie Trainque

And the 2025 Spellman Oratorical champion, winning $1250

• Luciana Burns

Congratulations to all participants for their outstanding work. The essays and their recitation were incredibly impressive. Thanks to the English department for preparing the students, Ms. Donovan for coordinating the event, and especially Ms.Walsh for planning and emceeing the event! Thanks also to Ms. Diver, Mr. Lordi, and Ms. McDonough for cheering the students on along with their friends and families!

Finally, Thursday was Autism Awareness Day at RHS. Students collaborated and created a large poster and signed a pledge to be inclusive of all members of the school community and wore gold or rainbow to participate. Thanks to Ms. S. McShea and Ms. Decina for coordinating activities.

4/18 - No School, Good Friday

4/21-4/25 - No school, April Vacation

4/29 - Site Council meeting, 7:30 AM

4/30 and 5/1 - RPS Arts Festival, 6:00 - 8:00 PM

5/1 - Early release PD day, 11:25 AM dismissal

5/5 - Department Head meeting, 2:50 PM

5/5 - AP Exams - Biology, 8:00 AM, European History, 12:00 PM, Microeconomics, 12:00 PM

5/6 - AP Exam - Chemistry, 8:00 AM

5/7 - Crisis Team meeting, 9:20 AM

5/7 - AP Exam - English Literature and Composition, 8:00 AM

5/8 - AP Exam - Statistics, 8:00 AM

5/9 - AP Exam - US History, 8:00 AM

5/12 - AP Exam - Calculus, 8:00 AM

5/13 - Term 4 Progress Reports posted

5/13 - AP Exam - Environmental Science, 12:00 PM

5/13 - Music Department Banquet

5/14 - New Teacher Induction meeting, 2:50 PM

5/14 - AP Exam - English Language and Composition, 8:00 AM

5/14 - SGC Banquet, 6:00 PM

5/15 - AP Exam - Computer Science, 12:00 PM

5/16 - AP Exam - Physics 1, 8:00 AM, Psychology, 12:00 PM

5/19 - Last Day of Classes for Seniors, Senior Class Meeting, 1:00 PM

5/20 - Site Council meeting, 7:30 AM

5/20 - Math MCAS Session 1 - Grade 10 only

5/20 - Senior Final Exams

5/21 - Math MCAS Session 2 - Grade 10 only

5/21 - Senior Final Exams

5/22 - Senior Issues 8:10 - 12:30 followed by Senior Cookout

5/23 - Junior/Senior Prom, Grand March (Seniors), 5:45 PM

5/26 - No School - Memorial Day

5/27 - Graduation Rehearsal, 9:00 AM, caps and gowns distributed

5/28 - Senior Academic Awards Banquet, 7:00 PM

5/29 - Senior Breakfast and Parade, 8:15 AM

5/30 Graduation Rehearsal, 9:00 AM, Graduation, 6:30 PM

5/31 (Sat) - Graduation Rain Date, 11:00 AM

John Vaz was selected to perform in the Massachusetts Music Educators Association (MMEA) All-State Chorus. John represented Rockland on March 27 and 28, performing at Symphony Hall in Boston.

Allyson Leary was selected for the NAfME All-Eastern Honors Chorus, which features the top high school singers from 11 states across the Eastern region of the United States. Her selection places her among the top musicians in the country. Allyson will be representing Rockland at the 2025 All Eastern Music Festival in Hartford Connecticut over Spring break.

Congratulations, Allyson and John!

Rockland High School's Cross Country and Track & Field teams are gearing up for an exciting event to support our athletes and programs. Lace up your running or walking shoes and mark your calendars for our 2nd annual 5K Fundraiser on June 7th! There will also be music, a kids table with coloring and Raffle prizes!

This fundraiser is dedicated to raising money for essential equipment and apparel for the Rockland High School Cross Country and Track & Field teams. As these sports rely heavily on proper gear and clothing, your support will directly impact the athletes' performance and overall experience.

Participation is easy! Simply show up at Rockland High School on June 7th, where registration will commence at 8:00 AM, right in front of the high school. Whether you're a seasoned runner, a casual jogger, or someone who just loves to walk, we welcome everyone to join us for this exciting event. If you would like to contribute to the cause without participating in the 5k you can donate on this website or come cheer on the runners and walkers while they finish their race and participate in some raffle prizes!

Website Link: https://runsignup.com/Race/MA/Rockland/RocklandXCTF5K

See the attached flyer about an upcoming can drive.

There will be an informational meeting about the Travel Club tours to the Galapagos Islands in 2026 and Berlin, Krakow, Budapest and Prague in 2027 on Tuesday, May 6 at 7 p.m. in RHS room 121 (near WRPS).

If you plan to attend this meeting or can't make it but want more information, please fill out the information at this link:

https://bit.ly/3Ebqs6P.

Don't hesitate to get in touch with Travel Club advisor Kristen Walsh at kwalsh@rocklandschools.org with questions.

Scores from the March 25th School Day SAT should be released to students today.

Students can access scores through their College Board account. The SAT score report contains more than a score. It includes what the assessment measures, how it is scored, and it provides personalized feedback on how to improve skills in certain areas.

Sign in to your online score report now.

Here is a resource to help you understand scores and the score report.

Warm weather Tips

We are expecting some warm, sunny weather over the break. Finally! Spend time outside enjoying, but make sure to stay safe.

The American Skin Cancer Foundation estimates 80% of lifetime sun exposure occurs during childhood. Reduce your risk:

• Limit outdoor time between 10am-4pm when the sun’s rays are strongest

• Apply sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher 30 minutes before going into the sun and re-apply every 2-3 hours

• Cover up with protective clothing, hats with brims, and sunglasses

Ticks and mosquitoes can spread vector-borne infections such as Lyme disease, babesiosis and anaplasmosis. Reduce your risk:

• Wear long sleeves and pants

• Use insect repellent on exposed skin and clothing when mosquitoes are active

• Check your body for ticks after spending the day in wooded or tall grassy areas

• If you find a tick, remove it with tweezers and disinfect the area

Consider reaching out to your medical provider for treatment if you are bitten by a tick. Find more information on tick borne illnesses here.

Have a wonderful vacation week!

Please see the attached flyer about a program through MassHire called Girls with Impact (GWI). This program is designed for young women aged 18-22, so it will not be relevant to most of our students. It looks like a great opportunity to develop career-building skills. The program is free.

Reminder that the RPS Arts Festival falls the week after break on April 30 and May 1 from 6:00 - 8:00 PM. The event will showcase student work from art to music to poetry and more! See the attached flyer and save the date!

Have a wonderful April vacation. School resumes on Monday, April 28.

Sincerely,

Cheryl Schipper

Principal