ROCKLAND HIGH WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

It was a fun and spirited week at Rockland High School! Students and staff had a great time participating in Spirit Week, showing off their creativity and Bulldog pride throughout the week. We wrapped things up on Friday with our Fall Sports/Homecoming Rally, bringing students and staff from all grade levels together for a fun event filled with school spirit and enthusiasm! Thank you to the Student Athletic Advisory Council for organizing the rally, and a special shout-out to Tommy Welch and Mr. Kimball for doing a great job as our emcees!

We had a wonderful turnout for our ELPAC Resource Night October 15. It was great to see so many families come together, connect with one another, and enjoy the evening. While parents had the opportunity to mingle and explore resources, students enjoyed games and activities. Thank you to everyone who helped organize this successful event and to all the families who joined us!

On Wednesday, October 21, we hosted an Open House for eighth-grade students and their families. RHS student volunteers served as tour guides and panelists, doing a wonderful job sharing their experiences and representing our school community. We are grateful to these students for their enthusiasm, leadership, and Bulldog pride! A heartfelt thank you to our faculty and staff who gave their time to welcome families, answer questions, and showcase all that Rockland High School has to offer. We truly appreciate their dedication and willingness to go above and beyond for our school community!

New this week in The Veritas: Check out stories about new school policies, the GSA, Travel Club, and more!

OCTOBER

October 24 (Sat) - Homecoming Dance 7:00 - 9:00 PM

October 26 - Pink Out Day

October 27 - Site Council Meeting, 2:45 PM

October 28 - Picture Retake Day - See info below

October 29 - Dog Block

NOVEMBER

November 2 - Department Head Meeting, 2:50 PM

November 3 - No School, Election Day

November 4 - MCAS ELA Retest Session 1

November 5 - MCAS ELA Retest Session 2

November 9 - Term 1 ends

November 11 - No School, Veteran's Day

November 12 - MCAS Math Retest Session 1

November 12 - Dog Block

November 13 - MCAS Math Retest Session 2

November 16 - Term 1 Grades available

November 17 - Senate Leadership Council Meeting, 7:30 AM

November 17 - Fall Sports Banquet, 5:30 PM

November 18 - Crisis Team Meeting, 9:20 AM

November 19 - Early Release Day, 11:25 AM dismissal, Parent Conferences 1-3 PM and 6-8 PM

November 19 - Credit For Life Fair

November 20 - Fall Play, 7:00 PM

November 21 (Sat) - Fall Play, 7:00 PM

November 23 - Powderpuff Game, 5:30 PM

November 24 - Site Council Meeting, 2:45 PM

November 25-27 - No School, Thanksgiving Break

Student IDs were distributed during lunches throughout the week. Students who were absent for the original Picture Day will have their photos taken on Retake Day. Students who would like a new photo may also participate in Retake Day. All students who have their photos taken that day will receive a new school ID at no charge.

Please see below from Geskus Studios:

Retake day is for new students and staff members, transfer students, or for anyone who may have missed the initial picture day. Additionally, we welcome anyone who was unhappy with their original picture and would like to give it another try. Retake photos automatically replace original photos in school services and yearbook. If a student chooses to retake their photo, please have them return the original picture package to the photographer on picture day. We will replace it at no additional cost.

If this is the first time being photographed, just have the student/staff go to the camera and we’ll create a proof for them that will be sent to the school (and/or to their family email if we have that information). These proofs will be delivered approx. 4 weeks after picture day. An order code will be on the proof along with ordering instructions.

Please see the attached schedule for club meeting times. Students - pick a club that interests you and get involved!

The newly formed RHS Medicine Club is organizing a Pink Out Day on Tuesday, October 27! Students and staff are encouraged to wear pink in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and to show support for all those whose lives have been impacted by breast cancer.

Submissions for the upcoming edition of Images are due by December 4. See Mrs. Thompson or Ms. McDonough for any questions about how to submit writing or artwork to Images Magazine.

On Saturday, October 17, SGC hosted its annual Project Pumpkin community trick-or-treating event. It was a fun and spooky time for all! A big thank-you to our SGC students and advisors, Ms. Lipson and Ms. Burgos, for making this special community tradition possible.

Please refer to Dan Kimball's Athletics Newsletter for updates.

Congratulations on taking the PSAT/NMSQT! Your scores are available online. Your score report has valuable information on your areas strengths and areas for improvement. You will also be able to access free SAT prep through Khan Academy with your PSAT score results - a great resource for Juniors who should plan to take the SAT this spring. RHS will be offering a School Day SAT in March (details will be shared later).

How to Access Your Scores

All students should have provided an email address on their answer sheet. Students will receive an email notifying them that their scores are available. You will access your scores through your College Board account (https://studentscores.collegeboard.org/home). All students should have set up a College Board account (using a personal email). If you didn’t set up an account (which you will need to access your scores), you can see details for creating one here.

If you didn’t provide an email address on your answer sheet or if the email you provided is incorrect, you will not get an email with an access code. You can get your access code from Mrs. Black in Guidance next week.

If your name or other personal information was bubbled incorrectly on your answer sheet, you may still be able to access your scores, but you should correct any errors as soon as possible. You may be able to edit the information in your College Board account. If you can’t, you will need to contact the College Board: 866-433-7728 or psathelp@info.collegeboard.org.

Here is a short video on how to access and understand your score report.

Understanding PSAT/NMSQT Scores - a comprehensive guide for students and families to help understand and interpret score reports.

Practice hub: If you/your student plans to take another test in the SAT Suite of Assessments, the practice hub can suggest study activities and confidence-boosting exercises to help prepare. In addition to full-length practice tests, students taking the SAT Suite in March 2026 or later can practice with questions tailored to their test day score. They'll also find tons of tips on how to use our practice tests effectively, including how to customize their own practice based on their scores. Visit sat.org/practice for more information.

Here is a list of online and in-person SAT and ACT test preparation resources to support your academic planning. Please note: This list is provided for informational purposes only. Rockland High School does not endorse or officially partner with any specific test preparation program or provider.

For those of who attended the College Affordable webinar - I completed my FAFSA - Now What? - we hope it was helpful!

The recording of the webinar, along with a FAFSA & CSS Profile Tutorial, is now available. To access the recordings, please click here. You can also access the Slide deck

Students will be applying for financial aid if they plan to attend a four-year college, a two-year college, including community college, and some trade and technical schools. College Affordable is here to support everyone through the financial aid process.

Here is another great resource - Understanding the Student Aid Index and Cost of Attendance.

All families who are new to College Affordable should visit this link to register. Registering with College Affordable ensures that students and families do not miss out on any webinars or one-on-one services that provide for our students and families. This page is also a great resource for you and will contain information related to the program you can take advantage of.

All questions can be directed to College Affordable via email at financialaid@collegeaffordable.org or call/text 781-343-1941.

STUDENTS WHO TOOK SATs

Congratulations on taking the School Day SAT. Your scores are now available..

Students can access scores through their College Board account. Your SAT score report shows you how well you did on your assessment. It also provides you with personalized feedback on how to improve your skills so that you'll be ready for college and career.

You can sign in to your online score report here.

Here is a short video on understanding your score report.

Understanding School Day SAT Scores - this a comprehensive guide for students and families to help understand and interpret score reports.

If you are applying to a college that requires you to submit test scores or you are choosing to send them to a college, review the information here.

As the weather gets colder, we’re turning on the heat at home and at school. While staying warm is important, indoor heating can make the air dry and circulate dust that has collected in vents. This change in air quality can affect how you feel during the school day.

Dry air can cause chapped lips, dry skin, itchy eyes, and a scratchy throat. It can also dry out the inside of your nose, making the tiny blood vessels more likely to crack and bleed. If you experience a nosebleed, sit upright, lean slightly forward, and pinch the soft part of your nose continuously for 10–15 minutes. Avoid tilting your head back. If the bleeding doesn’t stop after 20 minutes of firm pressure, or you feel faint, seek medical attention. You can always visit the school nurse for help!

Here are a few ways to stay comfortable and healthy this season:

• Drink water: Staying hydrated helps your body function at its best.

• Use a humidifier in your bedroom: Adding moisture to the air while you sleep can help prevent dry skin, chapped lips, scratchy throats, and nosebleeds. Keep humidity between 30–50%, and clean your humidifier regularly according to the manufacturer’s instructions to prevent mold and bacteria from growing.

• Moisturize: Use lip balm and a gentle moisturizer to prevent dry, cracked skin.

• Protect your nose: Saline nasal spray can help relieve dryness. Avoid picking or rubbing your nose.

• Keep your surroundings clean: Dust around vents can irritate allergies and breathing.

• Speak up: If you’re experiencing frequent nosebleeds, persistent coughing, wheezing, or worsening allergy symptoms, check in with the school nurse.

A few simple habits can help you stay comfortable, focused, and healthy as we head into the colder months!

Please refer to the links below for your convenience.

School Website

Aspen Student & Family Portal

Arbiter Live- Athletic Schedules

Breakfast & Lunch Menus

Best wishes for a safe and fun-filled homecoming weekend!

Sincerely,

Cheryl Schipper

Principal