Welcome back, Rockport Elementary School families! I hope you’ve had a wonderful summer filled with fun, adventure, and plenty of time to relax, explore, and make special memories with your children.
We are so excited to begin a new school year and welcome back our returning students and caregivers, as well as our new students, caregivers, and staff. There is always something special about the start of a new school year—the excitement, the possibilities, and the opportunity to begin a new year together.
Our teachers are excited to welcome their new classes and are returning refreshed, energized, and ready to kick off the 2026–2027 school year. A huge thank-you goes to our amazing custodial staff for all of their hard work and diligence in preparing our school for the year ahead. Their efforts have made our classrooms and hallways look terrific, and we are so grateful for everything they have done to help make RES ready for our students!
I am incredibly excited for the year ahead and for all of the amazing things we will accomplish together as an RES community. I know it is going to be a wonderful year filled with learning, growth, friendship, laughter, and many moments to celebrate. Most importantly, I look forward to working together with our students, staff, and families to make this a fantastic year for every member of our RES community.
We will see you soon on September 2nd for our opening day! We can’t wait to welcome everyone back and get the 2026–2027 school year started!
Amy Waterman
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August 31st-First day all staff
September 1st-Second day all staff
September 2nd-First day students
September 4th & 7th-No School
September 17th-Gr 1- 5 Back to School Night
- Watch for more information
September 21st- Gr 5 Field Trip
September 22nd-1/2 day of school
- Preschool dismissal-11:30am
- K-5 dismissal-12pm
September 25th-School picture day
- Watch for more information
- Retakes-November 9th
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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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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, and Asthma Action Plan form (for inhalers) are all available under the Health Services link on the District website.
Please remember to turn in a copy of your child's latest annual physical and immunization record.
Thank you,
Nurse Tara
If you have any questions or to report an illness, please call the RES health office at 978-546-1223.
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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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Amanda Jylkka
Amanda Jylkka will be joining the Elementary Team as the new Supervisor of Students! She brings over 30 years of experience as an educator, having spent the majority of her time as a Health & Wellness Educator for youth and the past few years as a Middle/High School Administrator. She is excited about working alongside our elementary students in this incredible new chapter in her career. When she is not at school, she loves running, hiking, mountain biking, creating new recipes, and spending as much time as possible with her four adult children. She can't wait to partner with our amazing staff, students, and families for a fantastic year ahead!
Mike Chinault
Born in Fredericksburg, Virginia, but a Gloucester native for most of his life, Mike is thrilled to join Rockport Elementary School and step into a role filled with endless possibilities. He will be working as a paraprofessional this year. He’s especially excited to support students as they grow, challenge themselves, and achieve goals they once thought were impossible. This summer, Mike enjoyed spending lots of time with his children and celebrating a very special milestone—his daughter Lennon’s first birthday! Mike is looking forward to an exciting year ahead and becoming part of the Rockport Elementary community.
Kaitlyn Feeney
Kaitlyn Feeney joins Rockport Elementary as a school psychologist and is excited to support students, staff, and families. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Massachusetts Lowell, where she developed a passion for addressing students' behavioral health needs through school-based research. She completed her graduate studies in School Psychology at Northeastern University and has trained in both suburban elementary and urban high school settings. Kaitlyn is passionate about helping students recognize their unique strengths and creating systems of support that help every child succeed. Originally from Melrose, Massachusetts, she was also a competitive Irish step dancer. She looks forward to building meaningful relationships with students and staff while collaborating to meet the needs of all learners.
Whitney Higgins
Whitney is joining Rockport Elementary School as our health teacher! She lives in Lanesville with her husband, 5-year-old son, and black lab. She brings 11 years of experience at Shore Country Day School, where she taught in a variety of roles, including 4th- and 5th-grade science, health, and homeroom, and served as the garden coordinator. Before that, she taught science and social science at an international boarding high school in Newton. Outside of school, she loves spending time on the water—swimming, snorkeling, paddling, and boating—as well as gardening and cooking. She is excited to learn more about the Rockport community and looks forward to working with students across every grade level!
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Ella Marshall
Ella is excited to join the Rockport Elementary School staff this year as a paraprofessional in ILP. She recently graduated from Fitchburg State University with a degree in Business, concentrating in Management and Marketing, and is continuing her education there while pursuing her master’s degree. Ella has spent the past two years working in Rockport’s ESY program and looks forward to continuing to build relationships with students and becoming an even bigger part of the school community. A fun fact about Ella is that she played softball at Fitchburg State and now enjoys coaching youth softball!
Melissa Menicocci
Melissa Menicocci brings 27 years of educational experience to Rockport Elementary and is excited to begin this new chapter in her career and to work with students as a math interventionist. She earned her Master's in Mathematics Education from Lesley University and has taught in a variety of roles, including middle and high school math, math intervention, fourth-grade mathematics, and most recently serving as a 504 Coordinator. Melissa and her husband recently returned to their hometown of Gloucester to be closer to family. In her free time, she enjoys collecting sea glass and creating unique pieces of art. She is thrilled to join the RES community and looks forward to getting to know our students, families, and staff.
Jillian Osmond
Jillian Osmond joins Rockport Elementary after serving as a substitute teacher in the district for the past two years as our 5th-grade special education liaison. She earned her bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and Moderate Disabilities from Emmanuel College and is currently completing her Master of Education with a concentration in English Language Learners, which she will finish this coming May. Outside of school, Jillian enjoys visiting the beach in every season and is the proud owner of new tortoise shell kitten, Winnie. She is excited to join the RES team officially!
Caroline Teague Swartz
Caroline Teague Swartz is excited to join the Rockport Elementary team after spending the past several years teaching sixth-grade math at the middle school. She is joining us as a math interventionist. Before that, she taught at Landmark School and spent seven years teaching in Scotland. Outside of school, Caroline enjoys spending time outdoors, paddleboarding, running, hiking, sketching, and gardening. She and her husband are currently renovating a historic (and reportedly haunted!) home in Georgetown. She is looking forward to a wonderful year with the RES community!
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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. |
SEPAC: Watch here for 26/27 meeting schedule
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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. |
Watch for more information.
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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Click on picture to enlarge. |
Click on picture to enlarge. |
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- 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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