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Rockport Middle School Recognized by DESE as a School of Recognition

~ rockportpublicschools

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 10/12/23

Mark Branco

Rockport Public Schools

978-546-1200

mbranco@rpk12.org

Rockport Middle School Recognized by DESE as a School of Recognition

Districtwide results show positive growth at all grade levels

ROCKPORT, MA – Rockport Middle School is one of only 66 schools statewide to be recognized by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) as a School of Recognition for demonstrating high achievement and strong growth under the state’s MCAS accountability system. Districtwide results show that all grade levels demonstrated strong growth, particularly in mathematics at the elementary, middle and high school levels, and in English language arts at the middle school.

“Over the past few years, we have been focused on curriculum implementation, strengthening instructional practices, and providing targeted supports for students. This recognition is extremely appreciated by all of us at Rockport Public Schools. Our students’ success is a result of the determination and commitment of our talented educators who, in partnership with our families and community members, make RPS a fantastic place to learn” said Superintendent Mark Branco.

The District’s 2023 MCAS Results Summary and Results Overview Community Presentation are both available on the RPS website. 

Notable Mariners, Historians, Philanthropists & Artists    

~ cmaney27

At Oak Grove Cemetery on Saturday, October 21st, from 3:30 to 5PM the free 400+ cemetery tour, “Notable Mariners, Historians, Philanthropists & Artists” will provide you with stories of a number of notable individuals and families who called Gloucester their home such as Ben Pine, James Pringle, Samuel Sawyer, the Davis sisters, and Fitz Henry Lane.

The 0.5 mile walking tour will meander through the cemetery stopping to pay homage at select gravesites as well as giving you the opportunity to appreciate the lovely landscape and the variety of unique gravestones in Oak Grove. The guides for this walking tour are Courtney Richardson and Katy Marques.

Oak Grove Cemetery is located at 177 Washington Street, Gloucester, MA 01930.  The Saturday tour will meet at the main entrance of the cemetery near the Bradford Memorial Chapel. Street parking is on Washington Street since there is no parking in the cemetery. The cemetery is a 0.3 mile walk from the MBTA commuter rail station in downtown Gloucester. Please wear comfortable walking shoes. The cemetery is wheelchair accessible by using the paved and dirt packed byways. Rain date Sunday, Oct 22nd, 3:30PM.

For registration and details please go to the Eventbrite link below

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/notable-mariners-historians-philanthropists-artists-tickets-738247246387?aff=oddtdtcreator

Join Us Tomorrow at Hammond Castle Museum for a fun-filled day!

~ Hammond Castle Museum
Join us tomorrow, October 14th as we Return to the Renaissance on our oceanside lawn with a live musical performance, a demonstration of a Knight’s battle, and improv by none other than Shakespeare himself!
The Brotherhood of the Arrow and Sword, an educational-based medieval reenactment group will perform an armored fight demo as well as explore life on the medieval battlefield. The Brotherhood is dedicated to the presentation and practice of historical European martial arts and other facets of medieval life. Their armored fight demonstrations are high energy and entertaining. The Penniless Jacks is a high-energy folk-rock band that focuses on livening up traditional “tavern” music. Shakespeare Approves will keep the kids giggling with his family-friendly antics and improvisational banter.

Guided Tours will not be offered, allowing our guests the freedom to explore the Museum at their own pace. FREE Off-site parking at Stage Fort Park (24 Hough Ave, Gloucester) will be required.  Two free “Yellow School Bus” shuttles will run continuously from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. between the Park and the Museum. There will be a Hammond Castle Museum staff member at the park & ride site in State Fort Park to assist with questions. 
(This program was originally scheduled for Saturday, October 7th. All original reservations will be honored at the original times.)  
Photo by CMO Photography.
Two Sessions: 10:30 am & 1:30 pm.  Doors open at 10:00 am.
Adults: $35 / Kids 5 -12 yrs: $10 / Ages 4 & Under are FREE with Ticket.
Hammond Castle Museum member savings apply!
Reserve Your Tickets Here!

CAPE ANN CLASSIC CARS ON THE GREEN

~ chasnaz

This Saturday, October 14th, the Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation presents its fifth annual classic car show on the green in front of the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church from 10am to 2pm. The event was postponed due to bad weather from last Saturday. The show is free and open to the public. You vote in nine categories for the trophy winners, including Best in Show. There are tours of the historic Meetinghouse, an art show and a 50/50 raffle to add to the excitement. Proceeds benefit the ongoing restoration of the building and grounds. Show cars (entrance fee $20) should arrive around 9am. Preregistration is recommended due to limited space on the green, but not required, email: c.nazarian@gloucestermeetinghouse.org Coffee, pastry and sandwiches available nearby on Main Street. The green is located at the corner of Middle and Church Streets, with the show car entrance between the stone pillars. GPS: 50 Middle Street, Gloucester, MA

This is the best little autumn classic car show in New England! More info at: http://www.gloucestermeetinghouse.org

Host a Food Drive for The Open Door this Holiday Season

~ todtheopendoor

Autumn is here, and along with apples and pumpkin spice, it’s time for The Open Door to start preparing for the holidays. The Open Door has seen a 28% increase in the number of requests for food assistance this year at its Food Pantries alone.

Want to help? Please consider hosting a collection site at your workplace, school, place of faith, or other organization for the Thanksgiving Food Drive (November 1-18) to stock the shelves. 

With your support, we can make sure our neighbors have good food for the holidays and beyond.

Life happens. We can help.

Visit FOODPANTRY.org/fooddrive for The Open Door’s Food Drive Toolkit, complete with:

Flyer Template

Facebook Graphics

Instagram Graphics

Tips for a Successful Food Drive

and more!

Please also your group’s collection site here, so that we can schedule a pick-up for your donation.

THANKSGIVING FOOD DRIVE: Saturday November 18

You can also donate food at The Open Door’s Thanksgiving Food Drive collection sites on Saturday November 18 from 9 a.m to 3 p.m.! Participating sites that day include:

Market Basket
101 Gloucester Crossing Road, Gloucester
Stop & Shop
6 Thatcher Road, Gloucester
Shaw’s
127 Eastern Avenue, Gloucester
Shaw’s
146 High Street, Ipswich
Crosby’s Marketplace
3 Summer Street, Manchester-by-the-Sea
Market Basket
231 Newburyport Turnpike, Rowley

A no-appointment needed clothing drive will also be held on Saturday November 18 at Second Glance (2 Pond Road, Gloucester MA).

THANK YOU!

BAD CHOICES, BAD LUCK

~ cmaney27

At Seaside Cemetery on Saturday, October 14th, from 2 to 4PM the free cemetery event, “Bad Choices, Bad Luck”, will give you the opportunity to meet a group of people who died in Gloucester between 1905-1933 and were buried in the City Home Lot of Seaside Cemetery.

In appearance the City Home Lot is a grassy, open field with slight undulations that shelters the bodies of 118 individuals.  Only 5 individual burial markers currently exist. The stories you will hear involve those individuals that died in the Gloucester almshouse or were unclaimed at the time of death or died as unknowns.

Present day Gloucester locals will assume the persona of those interred in the City Home Lot so that their individual stories can be shared with you.

The stories told come from extensive research by Sharron Cohen who unearthed the details of those buried in the City Home Lot.

To enter Seaside Cemetery (88R Langsford Street, Gloucester, MA 01930) from Lanesville, take the second left off Langsford Street or to enter from Rockport, take the second right off Langsford Street. Attendants will direct you to a parking spot. The cemetery’s roads are narrow and uneven so please be patient and drive slowly. The terrain in the cemetery is irregular, so be cautious when walking. Rain date Sunday, October 15, 2023, at 2PM.

For more details and registration go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bad-choices-bad-luck-tickets-726363772597?aff=oddtdtcreator

See you on the 14th!

Tomorrow Night!

~ Hammond Castle Museum

Step into the extraordinary as we embark on a journey through the ancient art of Tarot, guided by the seasoned intuition of Annette Dion. As a gifted psychic Tarot reader, Annette will lead you through the veils of divination, helping you access profound wisdom and insight.

The Hammond Castle Museum creates a unique setting that harkens to the vibrant depictions of the Ride-Waite Tarot deck, enhancing the experience. Under Annette’s guidance, the 2-hour class will unveil the essence of each card, unraveling each of their meanings and mysteries. For an immersive and interactive experience, we encourage you to bring along your own tarot deck. Uncover the magic that lies within its cards, and let Annette guide you on a transformational journey.

Attend in person or participate online as this program will be streamed live. A digital copy of the program will also be emailed to all participants.

In Person: $99, Virtual Participation: $77.

Reserve your spot in class here!

October 13 Meeting of the Gloucester Area Astronomy Club

~ Michael Deneen

Our 8:00 Friday October 13 GAAC meeting, at the Lanesville Community Center, will feature a wide-ranging talk by UMass Lowell Physics Professor Supriya Chakrabarti, director of the Lowell Center for Space Science and Technology.

Professor Chakrabarti, who’s made a career of explaining science, will review a series of UMass Lowell astrophysics and space science research projects, including the development, with student participation, of new instruments that are used with ground, balloon, and space-based platforms (including the Hubble), and MASTS, a “one-stop support system for innovators working on small spacecraft,” with partners from academia, industry and government.

We hope you can join us at 8:00 pm on October 13 at the Lanesville Community Center. There’s plenty of free parking, and there is no cost. This promises to be a really fun night, with an accessible, varied program on current science, great snacks, great conversation, and friends old and new. If skies are clear, you’ll get a chance to view Saturn and (possibly) Jupiter after the meeting.

~ Hammond Castle Museum

With more rainy weather expected tomorrow, we have postponed tomorrow’s Return to the Renaissance.

Join us next Saturday, October 14th as we Return to the Renaissance on our oceanside lawn with a live musical performance, a demonstration of a Knight’s battle, and improv by none other than Shakespeare himself! All reservations will be honored at the original times.

The Brotherhood of the Arrow and Sword, an educational-based medieval reenactment group will perform an armored fight demo as well as explore life on the medieval battlefield. The Brotherhood is dedicated to the presentation and practice of historical European martial arts and other facets of medieval life. Their armored fight demonstrations are high energy and entertaining. The Penniless Jacks is a high-energy folk-rock band that focuses on livening up traditional “tavern” music. Shakespeare Approves will keep the kids giggling with his family-friendly antics and improvisational banter.

Guided Tours will not be offered, allowing our guests the freedom to explore the Museum at their own pace. FREE Off-site parking at Stage Fort Park (24 Hough Ave, Gloucester) will be required.  Two free “Yellow School Bus” shuttles will run continuously from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. between the Park and the Museum. There will be a Hammond Castle Museum staff member at the park & ride site in State Fort Park to assist with questions. 

Two Sessions: 10:30 am & 1:30 pm. Doors open at 10:00 am.

Adults: $35 / Kids 5 -12 yrs: $10 / Ages 4 & Under are Free with Ticket.

Reserve your tickets here!

Hammond Castle Museum member savings apply!