Note from School Leaders

Dear Rising Tide Students and Families,

The next few weeks mark the final stretch for the second term (and the first semester) which ends on Friday, January 26. We will release one more snapshot of current grades for the term next Tuesday, and the next report cards will be issued on Wednesday, February 7. As we prepare for the second semester, our Upper School students have an exciting selection of elective courses for the second semester. Later this week, we will be able to share Middle School Discovery selections for the third term.

Have a wonderful week.

Sincerely,

Michael O'Keefe

Head of School

Zahra Williams

Interim Principal/Assistant Head of School

Monday, January 8: The Rising Tide Board of Trustees will have its meeting that was postponed from December at 7:00 pm at 59 Armstrong Road. This in-person meeting will be held in the School Library and is open to the public. It will also be accessible via Zoom.

Wednesday, January 10: Prospective Rising Tide families are invited to join Michael O'Keefe at 8:30 am for Coffee & Conversation to learn about the school's curriculum and programs.

Thursday, January 11: There will be an Italy Trip Pre-Departure Meeting at 6:00 pm in the Atrium for parents/guardians of eighth-grade students traveling to Italy in April. (Please note the updated, correct time.)

Thursday, January 11: The next SEPAC (Special Education Parent Advisory Council) meeting will be held at 7:00 pm via Zoom here (Passcode: 781843).

Monday, January 15: School will be closed in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

Wednesday, January 17: Rising Tide's National Honor Society will host a bake sale for middle and upper school students. Proceeds will benefit the Red Cross.

Wednesday, January 17: Rising Tide will host a Winter Arts Show featuring the creative work and performances of students in grades 5-12. It will take place at 6:00 pm at Rising Tide.

Thursday, January 18: Rising Tide will host a College Financial Aid & FAFSA Information Meeting for parents of seniors (and curious juniors) at 6:00 pm at the school.

Saturday, January 20 and Thursday, January 25: Rising Tide will host Enrollment Open Houses for prospective students and their families interested in applying to Rising Tide for the 2024-2025 school year. The Open House on Saturday will begin at 9:00 am and the Open House on Thursday will begin at 6:30 pm in the School's Atrium.

Monday, January 22 - Friday, January 26: Students identified as English Learners will participate in ACCESS testing during this week.

Friday, January 26: The Upper School Student Government will host a Winter Formal for upper school students at the American Legion Post 02360 at 7:00 pm.

2023-2024 School Calendar

Announcements

Pre-Departure Meeting for Grade Eight Students Traveling to Italy

Parents/guardians of eighth-grade students traveling to Italy in April are invited to attend this first of two pre-departure meetings on Thursday, January 11 at 6:00 pm in the School's Atrium. We will go over the expectations for the trip and how best to prepare. Staff members will also collect medical forms, any missing paperwork, and copies of passports.

Second-Semester Elective Course Choices Due on Thursday

Upper school students need to turn in their Elective Course choices to their Advisors by this Thursday, January 11. Families should review and discuss the course options with their children. Students will be advised of their placement on Thursday, January 25 during Advisory, and electives will begin on the first day of the second semester, Monday, January 29. Elective courses offer students choice beyond the core program offerings and introduce or allow them to explore in greater depth topics, fields, or skills in a cohesive manner.

Important Reminder About Dismissals

As a reminder, aside from truly exceptional situations or for sports dismissals, dismissals are not accommodated after 2:30 p.m. on regular school days, nor after 11:30 a.m. on early dismissal days.

ACCESS Testing to Take Place January 22-26

For students identified as English Learners, ACCESS testing will be conducted during the week of January 22-26, with makeups scheduled for the following week. ACCESS measures students' skills in the domains of Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking.

Yearbook Club Seeking Parent Page Submissions

The Yearbook Club is looking forward to our seniors' parent page submissions, which are due Tuesday, January 30th. Please reach out to Ms. Martz, hmartz@risingtide.org, or Ms. Llera, ellera@risingtide.org, if you have any questions. Directions for submitting a parent page are located in the Senior Packet here. 

Save the Date: College Financial Aid & FAFSA Info Meeting

Rising Tide will be hosting a College Financial Aid & FAFSA Information Meeting for parents of seniors (and curious juniors) on Thursday, January 18 at 6:00 pm at the school. FAFSA is (finally) open, and the financial-aid application process is underway. Join us for a quick walk-through of the FAFSA and CSS Profiles. Understand the terms that financial-aid offices will use in their financial-aid decision letters, and learn how to approach the financial-aid appeal process. Ask any question, big or small, about the college process and financial aid. 

Rising Tide to Host Enrollment Information Sessions and Open Houses

Rising Tide is currently accepting applications for enrollment for grades 5-12 for the 2024-2025 school year. The school will be hosting events for those interested in learning more about Rising Tide. Please encourage interested families, friends, and neighbors to attend one of our Information Sessions or Enrollment Open Houses:

• In-person Coffee & Conversation: Wednesday, January 10, 2024 at 8:30 am (RSVP here.)
• In-person Open House: Saturday, January 20, 2024 at 9:00 am
• In-person Open House: Thursday, January 25, 2024 at 6:30 pm
• Virtual Information Session: Wednesday, February 7, 2024 at 7:00 pm

Enrollment applications are due by Tuesday, February 13, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. All applicants, including siblings of current students, must submit the one-page application by the deadline to be eligible for enrollment. The application is available both online and through a paper form. Students can apply online by clicking here. Students can also download a paper application here, or get an application at the Main Office of the school. Completed paper applications can be faxed to (508) 747-1826, emailed to mjackson@risingtide.org, mailed, or dropped off to the front desk.

Athletics Update

Weekly Athletic Schedule

Monday, January 8th

Middle School Girls' & Boys' Basketball hosts Falmouth Academy

Girls at 3:45 pm, Boys at 5:00 pm

Site: Village Sports Club, Pine Hills, Plymouth

Varsity Girls' Basketball at Nantucket at 5:00 pm

Site: Nantucket High School

Wednesday, January 10th

Middle School Girls' & Boys' Basketball hosts Cape Cod Academy

Girls at 3:45 pm, Boys at 5:00 pm

Site: Village Sports Club, Pine Hills, Plymouth

Friday, January 12th

Varsity Boys' Basketball hosts Falmouth Academy at 4:00 pm

Site: Wolves Den, Pembroke

Recent Happenings At Rising Tide

Alumni Visit Rising Tide

Rising Tide welcomed recent graduates back to school for several alumni panels for current students. Alumni discussed college life, their work and educational experiences, and how Rising Tide helped them explore their interests and prepare them for their future.

Quick Links and Contacts

Breakfast and Lunch at Rising Tide: Rising Tide's breakfast and lunch program, catered by the Plymouth Public Schools, offers free breakfast and lunch for students each day at Rising Tide. Check out January's lunch menu here.

Attendance Line: Call (508) 747-2620, ext. 102 to report your child's absence from school. You can also complete a Notes from Home to Rising Tide Office Form to report an absence or share other daily communication with our office staff at Rising Tide, including dismissal information.

Health Questions: Contact Nurse Leader, Lisa Hughes, at lhughes@risingtide.org. You can also call (508) 747-2620 x115.

Monday Memo Translated: If you are interested in translating the Monday Memo into another language, you can do so by clicking on the button below for instructions. Each issue of the Monday Memo will be added to this website page the day after an issue is published.