Dear Elementary School Families and Caregivers,
What an incredible week we have had! We were so fortunate to enjoy warm, sunny weather that allowed our students to get outside for PE, recess, and many SELA classes. The fresh air and sunshine did our students and staff a world of good, offering a wonderful break from the recent chilly temperatures.
Earlier this week, our students in K- 5 participated in bus evacuation drills. We extend our sincere gratitude to our amazing bus drivers for leading these practices with patience and dedication. Each day, we are reminded of their kindness and the care they provide in keeping our children safe.
Our Grades 3–5 students were also treated to a beautiful musical experience thanks to Ms. Shaw-Reese, who organized a lovely jazz concert featuring talented guest musicians. It was a highlight of the week for students and staff alike.
Please remember that there will be no school on Wednesday, November 11, in observance of Veterans Day. On this day, we pause to honor and express our deepest gratitude to the brave men and women who have served in our nation’s armed forces. We thank all the veterans in our school community for their dedication and sacrifice.
And...good luck to our students who play for Cape Ann Youth Hockey and are heading to Canada for a tournament this weekend!
Thank you for your ongoing partnership and support. I wish you and your family a wonderful, restful weekend!
Amy
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November 9th:
- Picture Retake Day
- Math at Home: Strategies for K-3 Families 5-6pm, RES Library
November 11th: No School-Veteran's Day Holiday
November 14th-PTO Holiday Fair, 9-1pm RMHS
November 16th-19th: RPS Super Summit(Band, Chorus & Orchestra)-See music section for more information
November 17th: Ye Olde Colonial Faire-Gr 5, 4-6pm
November 25th: 1/2 day of school
- PK Dismissal 11:30am
- K-5 Dismissal 12pm
November 26th: No school-Happy Thanksgiving
November 27th: No school, Buildings closed
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*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.
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Math at Home:
Strategies for K-3 Families
November 9th, 2026
Time: 5:00 - 6:00pm
Location: RES Library
The Math Acceleration Team would like to invite parents and guardians of K-3 students to a Math at Home Night! We’ll share practical strategies to make at-home math learning easy and stress-free for both students and parents, along with fun math games and activities you can use at home.
At this meeting, we will explore:
Creating a supportive space for math learning at home
Building strategies to manage frustration during math homework
Exploring helpful resources, tools, and games to use at home
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The children at Rockport Elementary School have the opportunity to participate in a special project for our PTO Holiday Fair to be held on Saturday, November 14th. This is a long-standing and popular tradition! Each year the children are asked to spend some time with their families filling and decorating “surprise jars” to donate to the fair. The children take great pride in their jar creations and it teaches them a valuable lesson about giving.
We are asking children to bring in 2 containers filled with a “surprise” if your family is able. Following are helpful suggestions for this activity.
- Please use plastic containers, tins, jars or decorative boxes. For safety and health issues, please do not use glass or peanut butter jars.
- Please decorate the containers and make them pleasing to the kids.
- See list on other side for surprise suggestions.
- Please ensure any food items are commercially wrapped (no nut products).
- Please bring the jars to school anytime between November 3rd- November 13th.
At the fair, each jar will have a number. Children may purchase tickets to draw a number, which will determine which “surprise” jar they will win.
This activity has been a sell-out in the past and the jars are usually gone by mid-morning so come early!!!
Thank you for your cooperation with this activity. The students love having their own table at the fair. We hope to see you there!
Thank you!
Suggestions for Jars
- Stickers
- Super balls
- Legos
- Marbles
- Small toys/games
- Store-wrapped treats
- Beads and string
- New hair elastics and barrettes
- Stamp pads and stamps
- Small toy cars
- Magnets
- Decorative shoelaces
- Eraser tops
- Markers
- Craft items
- Toy animals
- Playdough
- Puzzles
- Or any other fun idea you may have!
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With the temperatures dropping we are beginning to collect lots of sweatshirts and light weight jackets. The table will be placed outside by the K/1 drop off area on Monday, 10/9 & Tuesday, 11/10 weather permitting. All items remaining items will be donated at the end of the week. |
RES is pleased to offer a Fall session of before/after school activities. The classes will meet once per week for 6 weeks beginning the week of October 19th. Before school classes meet from 8-8:40am and after school classes meet from 3-4pm. Students will be brought to the RES lobby at 4pm to meet parents. Students will only be released to their parent/caregiver unless an email or note has been sent before hand to the instructor.
Please remember to send a note in with your child stating they will be attending an afterschool class. One note with all dates is fine. Please be aware there is no school nurse on duty during before/after school activities and transportation home is not provided for afterschool classes.
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Rockport Public Schools Art Show
Saturday, February 27 – Sunday, March 7, 2027
Reception: Tuesday, March 2, 2027, 5:30-7:00pm
(NAHS Induction Ceremony: 5:00-5:30pm)
MCAS Testing Dates
April 6-7, 2027-Gr. 3-5 ELA
May 4-5, 2027-Gr 3-5 Math
May 18-19, 2027-Gr 5 STE
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SEPAC: Thursday, Nov. 19, 2026 5:30pm-RES Library
What is SEPAC?
A SEPAC is a Special Education Parent Advisory Council.
Since 1986, every public school district in Massachusetts is required to establish a SEPAC. Massachusetts state law assigns both an advisory and participatory function to SEPACs. Membership is open to all district parents of children with disabilities (IEPs and 504 plans) and other interested parties.
SEPAC works with the Director of Student Services, School Committee, district leadership, and teachers to advise and promote a successful educational environment for our children.
SEPAC is dedicated to ensuring all children have equal access to educational opportunities in a safe, nurturing, and engaging environment. The Rockport SEPAC sponsors monthly meetings, family events, and presentations throughout the year. All events are open to the public.
What is SPECIAL EDUCATION?
Special Education is a term used to describe services beyond the general classroom education and curriculum. It is implemented for students with qualified identified disabilities Types of disabilities include health, developmental, physical, sensory, intellectual, neurological, emotional, speech & communication, and specific learning disabilities. Special Education services and support vary and consist of specifically designed instruction.
Massachusetts law requires special education plans provide “free and appropriate public education” (FAPE) in the “least restrictive environment” (LRE).
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If your child will need a medication, inhaler, or Epi-Pen in school for the 2026-2027 school year, new forms are required to be filled out. The Medication Administration form, Authorization To Treat form, Asthma Action Plan form (for inhalers), and Allergy Action Plan form are all available under the Health Services link on the District website.
Please contact your pediatrician’s office for a copy of your child’s most recent immunizations or log on to your pediatrician’s office portal and look for the “school letter” or “school forms” tab.
Thank you,
Nurse Tara RN, BSN
RES School Nurse
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Click on image to enlarge |
Click on image to participate in the survey. |
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The Saving Makes Cents program offered by Cape Ann Savings Bank, is for students in grades 3-5, it makes learning to save money fun and rewarding!
This non-competitive program encourages children to build smart savings habits while celebrating milestones along the way.
Students discover the value of saving, setting goals, and taking pride in watching their savings grow. Today, student bankers participate in all Gloucester Public Elementary Schools,
as well as the Rockport Elementary School and the Manchester Memorial Elementary School. Each school has dedicated Cape Ann Savings Bank employees who visit the elementary schools
once per week to collect deposits, returning the students banking bags to the school the following business day.
For questions regarding the Saving Makes Cents program, please reach out to the Bank’s program leader, Glenda Zink with Cape Ann Savings Bank at 978-283-0246..
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Click on menu's below to enlarge.
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November 16-19-RPS Super Summit(Band, Orchestra and Chorus)-Information sent directly to music families from the music department.
November 19: Super Summit Finale Concert-6:30pm, RMHS Auditorium
Before school music contacts:
Orchestra-Mr. Cohen, ncohen@rpk12.org
Band-Ms. Weaver, dweaver@rpk12.org or Ms. Shaw-Reese, kshaw@rpk12.org
Chorus-Ms. Shaw-Reese, kshaw@rpk12.org
Get more involved in music
In addition to music classes during the school day, there are lots of avenues to take lessons, hear concerts, and participate in ensembles outside of school.
Gloucester Music Works is a brand new brick and mortar music school started by the Brace Cove Foundation on Maplewood Ave in Gloucester. They offer free lessons and instrument use to those in financial need. Their opening session of lessons starting in November is free to all! For future sessions, if you don’t qualify for assistance through them, reach out to music teacher Nathan Cohen at ncohen@rpk12.org and he may be able to help you get access to scholarship lessons there. See their info flier and map for more info or reach out directly at lessons@glostamusic.org, call them at 351-217-6599, or visit their website.
Alexandra Grace Music Studio offers private instrumental and vocal lessons, group classes, and songwriting and recording workshops. They also offer internships. Located on Railroad Ave in Rockport, you can contact them at alexandra@alexandragracemusic.com, 978 879-7179, see their info flier or visit their website.
Independent Instructors are available as well, either in home studios or after school at RPS. Speak to one of the music teachers at RPS for help finding an appropriate teacher.
Ensemble Opportunities are available outside of RPS. Cape Ann Youth Chorus, which is open to students 8-18 years old, is directed by Thom Smoker and Kristina Martin and rehearses Monday afternoons at the Shalin Liu Center. Rockport Legion Band rehearses Thursday evenings and is directed by Logan LaRue. Northeast Massachusetts Youth Orchestras meet Mondays and have multiple ensembles available to wind and string players at different ability levels.
Live Music and Educational Opportunities abound through organizations like Rockport Music and Cape Ann Guitar Society. In addition to the world-class music that Rockport Music brings into RPS classrooms, students under 18 years old can receive free tickets to almost every concert at the Shalin Liu Center. Call the box office at 978 546 7391 and ask for free tickets!
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Rockport PTO Board
Sarah Brown, Co-Chair
Maria DiStefano, Co-Chair
Gaby DeBenedictis, Membership Chair
Katie Elwell, Fundraising Chair
Kristine Ellingsen, Secretary
Alyssa Teixeira, Treasurer
Don't have Venmo and want to donate?
Send a check or cash to either school in an envelope marked PTO (checks payable to Rockport PTO)
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Rockport Public Schools
STUDENT PERSONAL ELECTRONIC DEVICES IN SCHOOL (BELL-TO-BELL)
Expectations & Procedures
RSC Policy Language
The Rockport Public Schools is committed to fostering a school environment that prioritizes engaged learning, supports the development of social skills, and promotes the overall well-being of our students. To achieve this, Rockport Public Schools is a student personal electronic device-free community. This means that, subject to the exceptions/accommodations outlined below, cell phones and other personal electronic devices are not accessible to students during school hours. Implementation of this policy may vary by grade level or school based on the expectations and procedures developed by the Superintendent or their designee.
Personal electronic devices (“devices” as used herein) are defined as any student/family owned electronic device utilized to access the internet, wi-fi, cellular telephone signals, or to capture or play images or video. These include, but are not limited to, smartphones, mobile phones, smartwatches, tablets, laptops, smartglasses, gaming devices, and in some cases headphones and earbuds. The District reserves the right to classify additional devices as personal electronic devices.
Districtwide Common Expectations & Procedures
- All students, with the exception of those with formal accommodations, will not be permitted to access their devices during the school day.
- If a student has a disability or medical condition that requires a cell phone or other personal electronic device, the accommodation will be noted in the student’s IEP, 504 Plan, health plan, or other District approved plan. The appropriate administrator or nurse will notify appropriate staff of the necessary accommodations.
- Parents/caregivers needing to reach their student during the school day should call the school’s main office. The school will ensure that all calls are answered or returned in a timely manner and that urgent messages are promptly relayed to the student.
- Students needing to contact a parent/caregiver/family member or other person(s) outside of school during the school day may do so with the permission of a school administrator. Each school’s main office will have a dedicated landline for students to make outgoing calls. In specific instances, the student may be permitted to use their personal electronic device.
RES Specific Expectations & Procedures
- Students are not permitted to bring devices to school.
- If a student brings a device to school, they must turn it in at the main office upon arrival or upon realizing they have it. The device will be stored securely for the remainder of the school day and returned to the student at the end of the day. The student’s parents/caregivers will receive a call from the school requesting that personal devices be left at home in the future. Subsequent occurrences will require the parent/caregiver to pick up the device at school.
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School Safety Reminder: The school campus is closed to the public when school is in session and after 10:00pm nightly. This includes the use of the tennis courts, track, playgrounds, athletic fields and all other parts of the campus. This does not include families and community members attending events in our schools or on our school grounds. We appreciate the community's understanding and support as we continue to prioritize the safety of RPS staff and students. |
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Students should be dropped off at 8:45 am when they can proceed to their classrooms. Students can enjoy breakfast in the cafeteria beginning at 8:30 am. Students can enter the building at 8:00 am to attend any RES before-school programming. Music programs begin at 7:35 am.
RES Drop-Off Procedures
Parents/guardians should drop students off in the “drop-off lane” located on the right, curbside, at the front of the elementary school. Pull your vehicle up as far as possible so other vehicles can join the drop-off line. Please pull over to the right and allow a staff member to assist your child exiting your vehicle. Stay to the right, as traffic may pass you in the left-hand lane. Please remain in your car when dropping off your child; there is no parking in the drop-off zone. When pulling away from the school, please look to your left; other cars may already be in the traveling lane.
RES Pick-Up Procedures
Students who take the bus will be dismissed immediately at 3:00 pm. The buses will be in front of the school, please do not idle, park, or block the pick-up lane, as buses have the right of way at school dismissal time.
Students who are “walkers” who walk home or are being picked up at school will be dismissed at 3:03 pm from the following areas:
Kindergarten and Grade 1:East side doors (F3) near the RES gymnasium.
Grades 2 and 3:East side recess doors (F8) near the basketball court and the school playground, closest to the 2nd grade classrooms.
Grades 4 and 5:North side doors (H2) at the rear of the building, closest to the 5th grade classrooms.
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When visiting RES please park in the visitor spots(#'s 46-48) as you enter the lot from Ramsden Way or the visitor spots located outside of the Superintendent's office. We thank you for understanding. |
The Rockport Public Schools are excited to announce the launch of the Rockport Hall Of Fame! The Hall Of Fame currently showcases past yearbooks, student athletes, In The Loop editions and the performing arts. We will be working to expand the showcase throughout the year so check back often! Scan the QR code to be taken to the Hall of Fame. |
- Any elementary, middle, or high school positions that are open in Rockport Public Schools are posted here.
- Click here or scan our QR code to see all available positions.
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Click the links below to access the various resources:
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