Our school has been filled with happy children, laughter, curiosity, and lots of hard work. Students are getting comfortable in their new surroundings, learning new routines, reconnecting with friends, and getting to know their teachers and classmates. It has been wonderful to see the excitement throughout the building! I have especially enjoyed spending time in classrooms, at lunch, and out at recess. Students have been eager to share what they are working on in class, show me what they are learning, and even teach the adults how to play some of their favorite recess games. I have also had the chance to help some of our youngest friends open their milk cartons at lunch—and who knew chocolate milk could be such a treat?! 😊
A big thank you to all of our RES families for helping make the transition from summer schedules to school schedules as smooth as possible. Your support with morning routines, getting everyone out the door, and helping the kids feel ready for school makes such a difference.
As we continue to settle into our routines, please remember to communicate any after-school plans or changes directly with your child's teacher. Having a clear plan for dismissal helps us make the end of the day as smooth and predictable as possible for everyone.
And, of course, a huge thank you to our incredible RES staff! They have truly been all hands on deck in every way. From welcoming students at the door and helping with arrival and dismissal to supporting students in classrooms, at lunch, and on the playground, our staff has gone above and beyond to make every student feel welcome, safe, and ready to learn.
It has been a wonderful start, and I am looking forward to all that this year will bring. Thank you for being such an important part of our RES community! Have a wonderful weekend, and we’ll see everyone back at RES on Monday!
Amy
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September 17th-Gr 1- 5 Curriculum Night, 6-7:30pm
September 21st- Gr 5 Field Trip
September 22nd-1/2 day of school
- Preschool dismissal-11:30am
- K-5 dismissal-12pm
September 24th
September 25th-School picture day
- Watch for more information
- Retakes-November 9th
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Thursday, September 17th
6:00 pm to 7:30 pm
- 6:00 pm to 6:30 pm Grades 1-3
-classroom meeting with teacher
- 6:45 pm to 7:15 pm Grades 4-5
-classroom meeting with teachers
- Specialists will be available to meet parents during the open house, stationed at tables near the front office. Feel free to visit them before or after your classroom visit.
A friendly reminder:
This is a caregiver-only evening.
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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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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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SEPAC: First Meeting of the year-Thursday, Sept. 17, 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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Click on picture to enlarge. |
Click on picture to enlarge. |
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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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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. |
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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- 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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