ROCKLAND HIGH SCHOOL WEEKLY UPDATE
May 19, 2023
The Principal's Corner
The Week Ahead
Dates to Remember
5/23 College Fair and Campus Tour at Bridgewater State University
5/23 Last Day of Classes for Seniors
5/23 NHS Ceremony 7:00 PM
5/24 Senior Final Exams 8:00-11:00 AM
5/25 Senior Issues 8:00 AM-11:30 AM
5/26 Senior Class Meeting 9:00-10:30 AM
5/26 Senior Grades available
5/26 RHS Junior & Senior Prom
5/29 No School Memorial Day
5/30 MCAS Science Grade 9 Training 8:10 AM
5/30 Graduation Practice 9:00 AM
5/31 Senior Breakfast, Parade to Elementary Schools & RMS, Yearbook Distribution 8:15 AM
6/1 Early Release PD @11:20 AM
6/1 Senior Academic and Athletic Banquet 7:00 PM
6/2 Graduation Practice 9:00 AM
6/2 Graduation 7:00 PM
6/3 Saturday School 9:00-12:00 PM
6/3 Rain Date for Graduation 11:00 AM
6/6 & 6/7 MCAS Testing Science for Grade 9 Students
6/7 Academic Hall of Fame and Underclassmen Award Ceremony 7:00 PM
6/12-6/16 Final Exams
SCIENCE MCAS Information
On Tuesday, June 6th and Wednesday, June 7th, all grade 9 Rockland High School students will take the Science portion of the MCAS Exam in the morning. Passing the exam is a high school graduation requirement.
Test-takers need to bring a charged Chromebook and their power cord to school on the dates of testing. The tests are taken on their Chromebook so this is very important. We do not have extra Chromebooks or power cords.
Given the high-stakes nature of the MCAS, the State Department of Education requires that we provide students with an extremely strict testing environment. For students, this means:
Headphones, iPods, or electronic devices may not be used during the testing period. All cell phones will be collected by test proctors before the exam and returned to the student at the end of the exam period. No exceptions. Students may bring books and school work to do should they complete the exam before the end of the testing period.
Students must be in their assigned exam room no later than 7:55 a.m.
Passing the MCAS Exam is a high school graduation requirement. You can help your son or daughter prepare for this state-wide assessment by reinforcing the importance of:
Giving your best effort on each test question
Being on time
Getting a good night’s sleep and eating breakfast
Students not taking the Grade 9 Science MCAS Exam (primarily grades 10 & 11) must report to their first class of the day by 10:38 a.m.
Please feel free to contact me should you have any questions.
Teacher Appreciation Week
Prom Information & Prom Dismissals
For any student attending the Junior & Senior Prom, the earliest a student can get dismissed on the day of the Prom is 10:55 AM (assuming the student is on time for school). We would like families to send notes in by Thursday, 5/25, so that we can handle the large volume of anticipated student dismissals. Families may also email a dismissal request to rhsabsences@rocklandschools.org. These dismissals are not considered excused absences from school.
The schedule for Prom is as follows:
5:15 PM: Seniors and dates should arrive at the back gym at 5:15 PM. If you do not want to participate in the Grand March, seniors do not need to arrive until 6:00 PM. Juniors do not participate in the Grand March unless they are date of a senior.
5:45 PM The Grand March (Parents & Friends are invited) will start at 5:45 PM in the Gym.
6:00 PM Juniors should arrive at the RMS Gym and will depart by approximately 6:15 PM.
6:15 PM Seniors will depart to the prom venue, The Tirell Room in Quincy, MA, following the Grand March.
7:00 PM Students should return by bus by approximately 11:15 PM-11:30 PM to the Gym Parking Lot.
Proper dress is required by juniors and seniors attending the prom.
Before entering the dance, all students will be asked to open their suit coats, empty pockets and/or display contents of their purse.
Students leaving the dance will randomly be administered a breathalyzer test as well as any student who appears impaired.
*Refusal to take breathalyzer is a violation of the RPS controlled substance/alcohol policy and will result in immediate suspension from school and school activities.
Senior Road to Graduation Information
During the first week of May, a mailing was sent to all seniors with important information about senior events, including graduation. The mailing included a calendar of events, expectations for school-sponsored events, an explanation of the summary of the process for distribution of senior folders and health records, a copy of the graduation protocol contract, a safety expectations memo co-signed with the Police Chief, and a summary of pre-and post-dance procedures.
Our seniors are approaching their final few days of classes next week. Seniors are reminded to continue with the positive behavior they have demonstrated throughout this year. Any misbehavior or conduct that violates our student handbook expectations could result in a student not walking at graduation. We appreciate everyone’s cooperation as we head into the final two weeks of the school year.
Below is a look at the responsibilities over the next 2 weeks ahead for seniors.
Monday, 5/22
Junior & Senior Staged Mock Drunk Driving Crash Programming (Programming Against Drinking & Driving Ahead of Prom Season) 9:00 AM-10:30 AM
Tuesday 5/23
Seniors should clean their lockers during a directed study or before or after school.
A Senior class meeting will be held at 1:00 PM. Seniors will pick marching partners during the senior class meeting (held in the gym). After the meeting, we will let seniors leave, most likely by 1:40-1:45 PM.
Teachers will notify seniors by Tuesday, 5/23, if the senior has to take the final exam. Seniors should prepare to take the final exams unless told otherwise by their teacher. Teachers have the final say based on the student's attendance and conduct/effort in class (student classified as “good standing”).
Senior obligations are due. Any student with a question on senior obligations (detention hours, attendance credit recovery, community service, book balances, food service balances, library book balances, etc.) should contact Assistant Principal Kathy Paulding.
The National Honor Society Induction Ceremony is held at 7:00 PM in the Auditorium for those who are involved in the National Honor Society.
Wednesday, 5/24
Senior final exams are held in the Lecture Hall from 8:00 AM- 11:00 AM. Seniors only need to be present in school during this day if they have final exams.
Thursday, 5/25
Chromebooks will be returned to Ms. Black at one of the stations during Senior Issues. You cannot return your Chromebook earlier since you need your Chromebook during Senior Issues. Please bring your Chromebook and Power Cord!
Senior Issues is held from 7:55 AM-12:30 PM, followed by a cookout. During senior issues, seniors will attend programming throughout the morning, including receiving their CPR certification.
Thank you to the parents for organizing a senior cookout for students at Veterans Memorial Stadium, beginning at 12:30 PM. Seniors can leave school grounds after the cookout.
Seniors will also receive their cumulative records folders. Parents should remind their seniors to give them these records since they include all their important academic files from Kindergarten through Grade 12! Sometimes these records end up in the senior’s car for far too long!
Friday, 5/26
Seniors do not need to be present during the school day. If Juniors & Seniors attend the prom, seniors, and dates should arrive at the back gym at 5:15 PM. The Grand March (Parents & Friends are invited) will start at 5:45 PM. Juniors should arrive at the RMS Gym by 6:00 PM and will depart by approximately 6:15 PM. Seniors will depart to the prom venue (Tirrell Room Quinch, MA) following the Grand March. The prom begins at 7:00 PM. Proper dress is required by juniors and seniors attending the prom.
Monday, 5/29
There is no school on Memorial Day!
Tuesday, 5/30
There is a mandatory graduation practice at 9:00 AM in the RHS Gym. Being on time for the practice is critical! Seniors should plan on the practice going until 11:00 AM, but it may be shorter or longer depending on how engaged everyone is.
Graduation caps and gowns will be distributed after the graduation practice only if the senior has fulfilled their obligations. These debts include students returning their Chromebooks and power cords during Senior Issues.
Students should try on their cap and gown when they get home and hang them up. Seniors can contact class advisor Ms. Leighton if there are any issues with the cap and gown. Seniors are allowed to decorate their caps (must be decorated appropriately) but they cannot decorate their gowns.
Wednesday, 5/31
Seniors should arrive (bringing their cap and gown) for breakfast at 8:15 AM in the cafeteria and then we will depart at 9:00 AM to each elementary school and Rogers Middle School. This parade is an opportunity for seniors to say goodbye to their elementary and middle school teachers and for the younger students to see the graduates in action! We will return by 10:30-10:45 AM. Yearbooks will be distributed at the Senior Breakfast. This event is optional. Seniors cannot receive their yearbooks in advance of the breakfast.
Thursday, 6/1
Families should have received an invitation to the Senior Academic and Athletic Awards Night if their senior is getting recognized via email and the mail. Please tell your child that they are getting recognized so you can both plan on attending. Seniors join us for dinner at 6:00 PM in the cafeteria and families join us for the recognition ceremony inside the auditorium at 7:00 PM. Proper dress (business casual) is required for seniors. Any senior, even if they are not getting recognized and family members, are welcome to attend!
Friday, 6/2
Graduation practice will be held at 9:00 AM. Seniors should meet in the RHS gym. The practice should go until about 11:00 AM, assuming seniors are on time and engaged.
Seniors need to report to the Gym by 6:00 PM. Graduation begins at 7:00 PM. There is no ticket for graduation; each graduate can bring an unlimited number of guests!
Proper dress is required for graduates (no flip flops, no sandals, no sneakers, no shorts, no jeans, no heels with spikes (hard to walk across the grass), and gowns must be zipped). Students may decorate their caps but cannot have anything on their gowns except for school-issued National Honor Society or school-issued military chords.
If the weather is not good for graduation on Friday, the rain date is Saturday, June 3rd, at 11:00 AM.
Simulated Drunk Driving Accident At Rockland High School
On Monday, May 22, 2023, Rockland High School, in collaboration with the Rockland Police Department and the Rockland Fire Department, will hold a staged drunk driving accident outside the RHS West Entrance by the Gymnasium. The collision will begin at approximately 9:15 AM. The mock crash will take approximately 30 minutes. However, access to the high school campus will be limited for set-up and clean-up. During the simulation, several emergency vehicles (including Boston Medflight) will be located on the high school campus. We want the public to be aware that no real emergency exists, and we ask that you refrain from entering the area.
Before the mock collision outside the high school, juniors and seniors will report to the auditorium to watch a video that sets the stage for the mock accident. Current students were involved in the writing, filming, and editing of this video and other current students will be featured in the film and participate in the mock crash. WRPS will be recording the mock crash. Following the conclusion of the simulated driving collision outside the high school, students will report back to the auditorium to debrief the experience with local law enforcement and school officials. Counseling services will be available throughout the day as we realize programming such as this can trigger an emotional reaction.
This programming is being completed thanks to the efforts of School Resource Officer Ethan Schnabel, Athletic Director Dan Kimball, the Rockland Fire Department, the Rockland Police Department, and several students who have been involved in the progress. The programming aims to remind students of the dangers of drinking and driving.
Zine Contest Winner
RHS Celebrates Intergenerational Day!
Cameron earns Global Ambassador Distinction
The RHS Global Learning Program offers Rockland High School students an opportunity to earn a special designation on their academic transcript for their participation in an international travel experience offered through the school. The RHS Global Learning Program recognizes high school students for demonstrating an exceptional understanding and appreciation of global learning evident through participation in school-sponsored international learning opportunities abroad, completing a significant research project before the trip, and a follow-up presentation centered on reflective learning.
Construction Technology Showcases Work from Waisgerber Grant!
Bulldog Buddies Participate in Pottery & Paint Night
Athletic Updates
Community Resource
Quick Links
Rockland High School
Principal
Email: jharrison@rocklandschools.org
Website: https://www.rocklandschools.org/o/rockland-high
Location: 52 Mackinlay Way, Rockland, MA, USA
Phone: 781-871-0541
Twitter: @RocklandHS