Rockland

Rockland Public Schools Participate in “Hour of Code”

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

For Immediate Release

Monday, Dec. 12, 2018

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003

Rockland Public Schools Participate in “Hour of Code”

ROCKLAND — Superintendent Alan Cron is pleased to announced that the Rockland Public Schools will once again participate in this year’s Hour of Code, celebrating computer science and technology.

The Hour of Code is a worldwide event that has been held annually in December during “Computer Science Education Week” since 2013 and Rockland Public Schools has participated every year since inception. The 2018 Computer Science Education Week was December 3-9, and Rockland has been celebrating with a variety of projects at all of its schools.

“It is so important to nurture the interest of our students in computer science and programming,” said Rockland STEAM Coach Lisa Ryan. “As students persevere through coding challenges, it nurtures critical thinking, logic and creativity that will help them now and in the future.”

Rockland’s Hour of Code Events:

Elementary Schools

Schools: Esten Elementary School, Jefferson Elementary School, Memorial Park Elementary School. STEAM Teachers: Mrs. Rachel Mack and Mrs. Deb Hogan

  • Kindergarten and Grade 1: Introduction to coding with hopscotch coding using laminated coding tiles on the floor; students lay out the coding order which includes arrow tiles and motion tiles like clap, stomp and pat knees; their partner performs the code.
  • Grade 2: Students will expand on sequencing, use loops for repeated patterns of code, and write code to draw a picture on the screen to match the one they have drawn on paper using activities from code.org.
  • Grade 3: Learn the fundamentals of game-based design to create a Star Wars game with events and commands; students can choose a main character, characters to chase, sounds to play, point values to win the game, and new characters to “spawn” using code.org.
  • Grade 4: Use a sandbox coding environment to create an animated Google Doodle with events and commands; students create loops to make their images rotate, bounce, change colors and size, say words and make sounds using MIT’s Scratch.

Rogers Middle School

Technology Teacher: Mrs. Debbie Orth

  • Grades 5-8: Students used Code.org’s new Dance Party theme using events and commands; students chose from a variety of dancers, moves, dances, background effects and more to create unique dance parties.

Rockland High School

Teacher for all classes: Mrs. Angela Armstrong

  • Computer Science: Created a game using Code.org App lab
  • AP Biology : Use Google’s Create a Logo activity to make a logo that relates to a current course topic (MIT’s Scratch)
  • AP Computer Science Principles: Programmed the NAO robot

“The Hour of Code is designed to demystify code and show that computer science is not rocket science—anybody can learn the basics,” said Hadi Partovi, founder and CEO of Code.org. “Over 100 million students worldwide have tried an Hour of Code. The demand for relevant 21st-century computer science education crosses all borders and knows no boundaries.”

About Hour of Code:

The Hour of Code is about more than celebrating computer science and coding. It’s about inspiring students to try something that’s challenging. Engaging in computational thinking helps nurture critical thinking, logic and creativity. The iterative and problem-solving methods are related to growth mindset and reinforces skills that will make students successful in other curricula areas and in life. It’s also an excellent career choice for our students.

  • Nationally, 58 percent of new STEM jobs are in computer science while only 8 percent of STEM graduates are in computer science
  • Massachusetts currently has over 19,000 open computing jobs.
  • The average salary for a computing occupation in Massachusetts is $103,278, which is significantly higher than the average salary in the state: $62,110.

About Code.org:

Code.org is a 501c3 public non-profit dedicated to expanding participation in computer science and increasing participation by women and underrepresented students of color. Its vision is that every student in every school has the opportunity to learn computer programming. After launching in 2013, Code.org organized the Hour of Code campaign – which has introduced over 100 million students to computer science to date – and partnered with 70 public school districts nationwide to expand computer science programs. Code.org is supported by philanthropic donations from corporations, foundations and generous individuals, including Microsoft, Facebook, Infosys Foundation USA, Amazon, and others. For more information, please visit: code.org.

REiMAGINE ROCKLAND Board of Directors Hold First Meeting

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Town of Rockland
Interim Town Administrator Marcia Birmingham
242 Union St.,
Rockland, MA 02370

For Immediate Release

Monday, Dec. 3, 2018

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

REiMAGINE ROCKLAND Launches Effort to Become Nonprofit Organization

Newly Elected Board of Directors will Continue Leading Revitalization of Union Street

ROCKLAND — Interim Town Administrator Marcia Birmingham and the Rockland Board of Selectmen are excited to announce that REiMAGINE ROCKLAND has launched an effort to become a nonprofit 501c3 organization, thanks to work made possible by a Massachusetts Downtown Initiative (MDI) grant awarded to the town last spring.

The leadership of REiMAGINE ROCKLAND, which met last week on Nov. 26, has elected its inaugural Board of Directors, installed its first set of officers and voted unanimously to approve its new bylaws as it begins taking the appropriate steps to become a nonprofit organization.

“The election of REiMAGINE ROCKLAND’s Board of Directors and the approval of our bylaws is an important next step in solidifying the foundation of our group,” said Board Chairman Mike Mullen, Jr., a member of the Rockland Board of Selectmen. “We understood early on the importance of establishing REiMAGINE ROCKLAND as its own entity to achieve our goals related to the revitalization of Rockland Center, and we’re very appreciative that the MDI grant and our continued partnership with the state have allowed us to do that.”

The mission of REiMAGINE ROCKLAND is to lead a community-based effort to create a vibrant downtown on and around Rockland’s Union Street corridor. It will continue to be led by a diverse group that includes town officials, business leaders, local artists, residents, neighbors and volunteers. The group is committed to revitalizing downtown Rockland as a destination that is welcoming, economically robust and an active gathering place.

The new board members were nominated at the group’s meeting in October and last week’s meeting was their first meeting as a board.

REiMAGINE ROCKLAND’s newly-elected Board of Directors includes:

  • Michael Mullen, Jr. – Chairman
  • Trish Pierce – Vice Chair
  • Patricia Foley – Clerk
  • Meghan Dunphy – Treasurer
  • Christine Flaherty – Marketing and Social Media Committee Chair
  • Emily Harrison – Events Committee Chair
  • Donna Roine – Arts and Culture Committee Chair
  • Jeff Phelps – Finance Committee Chair
  • Laurie Campbell – Member
  • Alan Curtis – Member
  • Tiffanie Needham – Member
  • Michael O’Loughlin – Member

The group is also currently pursuing a partnership with the South Shore Economic Development Corporation and the South Shore Chamber of Commerce while working to become a nonprofit organization, which will help provide additional structure and support for REiMAGINE ROCKLAND.

Those who are interested in joining REIMAGINE ROCKLAND or wish to provide feedback can reach out through email at [email protected]. News for REiMAGINE ROCKLAND can found on their Facebook page here.

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Rockland’s Rogers Middle School Hosts ‘Hidden in Plain Sight’ Exhibit

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

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2018

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Rockland’s Rogers Middle School Hosts ‘Hidden in Plain Sight’ Exhibit

ROCKLAND — Principal Beth Bohn is pleased to announce that Rogers Middle School hosted a “Hidden in Plain Sight” exhibit during parent-teacher conferences earlier this month.

The demonstration, held on Nov. 15, displayed a mock teenager’s bedroom that parents and guardians were able to view with the assistance of a Rockland Police officer.

The fake bedroom had several items that could be used as drug paraphernalia, as well as hiding places for drugs, drug paraphernalia and alcohol. The program, created by Power to the Parent, helps parents to recognize potential signs that their teens could be using drugs or alcohol.

“This display was a great way to show parents some of the things that they might ordinarily pass over when in their child’s room, not thinking that they could be linked to drug or alcohol use,” Principal Bohn said. “Keeping our students drug and alcohol free is a priority of the district and parents at home are our partners in reaching that goal.”

In addition to the exhibit, Rockland’s Photovoice Project was also put on display. Photovoice was created by the Brockton Area Prevention Collaborative. It is a community art project that uses photography to describe the strengths, weaknesses and overall health of a community. Poster boards of some of the photos were on display next to the mock bedroom.

The overall display was put together by Rockland Community, Awareness, Resources, Education and Support (CARES). Rockland CARES provides resources, information and support for people suffering from addiction. The group also makes resources available for families looking for support.

The event was part of Rockland Public Schools’ ongoing efforts to prevent drug and alcohol use among students.

On Oct. 11, members of Rockland CARES presented “Prescription for Education” to Rogers Middle School seventh and eighth grade students. The presentation included topics such as substance abuse, overdose prevention and current trends highlighting the increase in underage vaping.

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Work Begins on Final Section of Rockland’s Rail Trail Project

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Town of Rockland
Interim Town Administrator Marcia Birmingham
242 Union St.,
Rockland, MA 02370

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2018

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

Work Begins on Final Section of Rockland’s Rail Trail Project

ROCKLAND — Interim Town Administrator Marcia Birmingham and the Rockland Board of Selectmen are pleased to announce that construction on the final section of the Rockland Rail Trail has begun.

Rockland’s Highway Department began clearing brush and grading the path last week on the unfinished section of the Rail Trail, which goes from Howard Street to the Hanover town line.

The section of the trail, which stretches for more than two miles, will be paved allowing for a smooth walk or ride for those using the trail. The project is expected to be completed in the coming weeks, weather permitting.

On Aug. 20, the town of Rockland was awarded a $100,000 grant from the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) through its recreational trails grant program.

The town has received grant funding over the past three years from DCR in order to complete the project.

“Once this portion of the project is done, the entire rail trail in Rockland will be paved,” Interim Town Administrator Birmingham said. “The trail truly is a hidden gem that runs through the town from the Hanover town line into Abington. We are thankful to DCR for their efforts in helping to fund the project over the past three years.”

Last year, Rockland received a grant to pave a section of the trail from Plain Street to Monroe Street in Abington. In the fall of 2016, the trail was graded and paved from Howard Street to Plain Street.

“We have been extremely fortunate to receive this funding over the past three years and completing the trail has been a goal of the town for many years,” Selectman Chairman Larry Ryan said. “Hopefully once it is done, our residents and visitors will be able to enjoy this leg of the trail even more.”

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