Rockland public schools

PHOTOS: Rockland’s Esten Elementary School Celebrates Memorial Day with Patriotic Celebration

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Rockland Public Schools
Superintendent Dr. Alan Cron
34 MacKinlay Way,
Rockland, MA 02370

For Immediate Release

Saturday, May 25, 2019

Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: [email protected]

PHOTOS: Rockland’s Esten Elementary School Celebrates Memorial Day with Patriotic Celebration

ROCKLAND — Principal Marilyn Smith is pleased announce that the Esten Elementary School held its annual Memorial Day celebration on Friday in the gymnasium. 

The ceremony was hosted once again by retired Massachusetts State Police Sgt. Daniel Clark. Known as “The Singing Trooper” this was Sgt. Clark’s 14th time hosting the Memorial Day ceremonies at Esten.

Sgt. Clark travels throughout New England and performs for many groups. His next stop will be on Memorial Day, May 27 at Fenway Park, where he will sing “God Bless America.”

Sgt. Clark said that his goal in coming to the school each year is to give the children an understanding of the role each branch of the military plays in our country, as well as an appreciation for our country’s traditional patriotic music.

“It’s a rich tradition that I hope to expose them to,” Sgt. Clark said.

Presenting the opening welcome address was Principal Smith, who introduced the service men and women, parents, grandparents and great grandparents of the students who were present.  

“Memorial Day is the day that we stop to remember those who have served and given their lives for our country,” Principal Smith said.

Sgt. Clark then introduced the Rockland Fire Department’s Honor Guard to present the colors.

After singing a stirring rendition of the National Anthem, Sgt. Clark led the school children and guests in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Next, Jeffrey Najarian, State Senior Vice Commander of the Massachusetts Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), introduced Vincent Fontaine, Rockland’s Veteran’s Agent. Najarian also spoke to those in attendance about the importance of remembering those who have served in the military.

Sgt. Clark then introduced each grade as the students recited poems and sang patriotic songs.

Leading the children in their performances was Rockland music teacher Jeffrey Popadic.

  • Kindergartners sang “You’re a Grand Old Flag”
  • First graders recited the poem “For Memorial Day” and sang “My County Tis of Thee”
  • Second graders recited the poem “The Little Flags” and sang “America the Beautiful”
  • Third graders sang “This Land is Your Land”
  • Fourth graders recited the Gettysburg Address and sang “Stars and Stripes Forever”

Following the student performances Popadic played taps on a bugle.

The final performance of the event was Sgt. Clark singing “Proud to be an American and “God Bless America.”

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Rockland Public Schools Announces Temporary Location, Dates for Daycare Program

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Rockland Public Schools
Superintendent Dr. Alan Cron
34 MacKinlay Way,
Rockland, MA 02370

For Immediate Release

Monday, May 13, 2019

Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: [email protected]

Rockland Public Schools Announces Temporary Location, Dates for Daycare Program

ROCKLAND — Superintendent Alan Cron is pleased to share an update with parents and residents regarding the temporary relocation of the Rockland Daycare program this summer.

The Rockland Daycare will be located inside of the Memorial Park School, 1 Colonel Brian Duffey Way, Rockland, in rooms 3B, 5, 5A, 5B and 6. The first day of the daycare’s Summer Session will be on Monday, June 17.

“My staff has been working very hard to find a summer home for the daycare program and we are extremely appreciative to the parents and families who utilize the program for their patience and understanding throughout this entire process,” Superintendent Cron said. “I am pleased to share that there will be no disruptions to the daycare schedule and the summer program will begin at its regularly scheduled date and time on June 17.”

The Rockland Daycare will be moving out of the McKinley Community Center in June and will be housed temporarily at the Memorial Park School while construction is being done to repair the Community Center’s sprinkler system.

The following are important dates for Rockland’s daycare parents:

  • June 13-14 – The Rockland Daycare will be closed on these two days to allow for daycare staff to move everything to its new location at the Memorial Park School, 1 Colonel Brian Duffy Way in Rockland.
  • June 15-Aug. 7 – The proposed timeline that the Rockland Community Center will be closed for sprinkler system repair work.
  • June 17 – The first day of the Rockland Daycare’s Summer Session is Monday, June 17, and daycare staff will be on hand to direct parents to their childrens’ new classrooms. A Daycare Open House will be held from 7-10 a.m. for parents who would like to see the temporary summer home of program. The program will run on its normal schedule that day from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
  • Aug. 12– The Rockland Daycare is scheduled to reopen at the Community Center location on Monday, August 12.

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Rockland High School Environmental Club Receives Excellence in Environmental Education Award

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Rockland Public Schools
Superintendent Dr. Alan Cron
34 MacKinlay Way,
Rockland, MA 02370

For Immediate Release

Thursday, May 2, 2019

Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: [email protected]

Rockland High School Environmental Club Receives Excellence in Environmental Education Award

The 2018 Rockland High School Environmental Club. Back row, from left: Tyler Gambon, Zack Webb, Hannah Wyllie, Sean Sugrue, Michelle Ramoska and Angela Armstrong. Front row, from left: Ronan McNally, Joe Naughton, Lizzie McGaffigan, Jad Bendakawi and Saoirse McNally. (Courtesy Photo Rockland Public Schools)

ROCKLAND — Superintendent Alan Cron is pleased to share that the Rockland High School Environmental Club has been awarded the 2019 Secretary’s Award for Excellence in Environmental Education.

The award is given annually by the Massachusetts Envirothon Steering Committee and the Massachusetts Envirothon Council to recognize educators and schools for their exemplary support of environmental and energy education initiatives.

The award recognizes the Environmental Club, which is coached by Rockland High School science teacher Angela Armstrong, for its research of the North/South Rivers watershed and efforts to improve water treatment. The students learned that their town is located at the headwaters of the watershed and worked to find ways to improve water quality for downstream communities. Local officials later gave the students guidance on how they could put their ideas in place to improve treatment.

The students began studying sustainable development pertaining to watersheds for the 2018 Massachusetts Envirothon, an annual competition that tests students on their knowledge of the environment through a researched presentation, written questions and hands-on tasks such as soil analysis or tree identification.

Later this month, students will compete with approximately 30 schools in the 2019 Massachusetts Envirothon on May 17 at Sholan Farms in Leominster.

The award also recognizes the club for its efforts to encourage the Massachusetts Envirothon Steering Committee to improve composting efforts at workshops preparing students for the Envirothon. As a result of the club’s initiative, the committee worked to reduce its waste and use less harmful products. The students also brought lunch fixings for everyone at the workshops in an effort to reduce waste.

“These students feel it’s their responsibility to protect our natural resources, and it’s remarkable how knowledgeable they have become about a range of complex environmental topics,” Superintendent Cron said. “They’ve made a significant impact by educating the community to reduce waste and become more environmentally conscious, and it’s great to see them recognized by this award.”

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Rockland Education Foundation Awards $45,000 in Grants

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Rockland Public Schools
Superintendent Dr. Alan Cron
34 MacKinlay Way,
Rockland, MA 02370

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, May 1, 2019

Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: [email protected]

Rockland Education Foundation Awards $45,000 in Grants

ROCKLAND — Superintendent Alan Cron is pleased to share that the Rockland Education Foundation has awarded $45,000 in grants to the school system to support new programming, events, technology and materials.

Rockland educators and staff apply to the foundation each September for grants, and funds are awarded based on originality, diversity and alignment with Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s School Core Curriculum.

This year, the foundation awarded $18,440 to Rockland Public Schools through the A. Scott MacKinlay Impact Grant, which is given annually in honor of retired Rockland High School Principal and Co-Founder of the Rockland Education Foundation A. Scott MacKinlay. The grant allowed Rockland Public Schools to purchase 85 Chromebooks, one for each eighth grade student at John W. Rogers Middle School.

Rockland High School technology education teacher Bryan Conklin was also awarded $4,000 by the foundation this year to purchase a Woodworking Share II CNC Machine to support vocational education. The machine is a state-of-the-art tool that will enable students to complete high quality woodworking projects.

The grants have also funded various events, programming, equipment and materials at Rockland Public Schools this year.

This Tuesday, April 9, a “Top Secret Science” night was made possible by the grants at Memorial Park Elementary School, and Scientist Michael Bergen spent three days at the school doing experiments with students in each grade.

“Rockland Public Schools is so fortunate to have this foundation to support our students,” Superintendent Cron said. “These grants have funded an incredibly diverse range of programs, materials, technology and events for students at all grade levels and in all subject areas. Thank you to the Rockland Education Foundation for their continued work to support our schools.”

Additional initiatives this school year made possible by the grants include the purchase of assistive technology for students with communication disabilities at Rockland Preschool, 10 iPads  for art and music at Jefferson Elementary School, a live performance about Ben Franklin at John W. Rogers Middle School and a parent academy at Memorial Park Elementary School to familiarize parents and guardians with the curriculum.

About the Rockland Education Foundation

The Rockland Education Foundation was formed in 1996 by graduates of Rockland High School and community members. The foundation raises funds through private donations and an annual gold tournament each June at the Riddler Country Club. This year’s tournament will take place on Friday, June 21, and registration will soon be available at the foundation’s website at rocklandeducationfoundation.org.

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