Note from School Leaders

Dear Rising Tide Students and Families,

Today we have released the first snapshot of current grades for students in their courses through the Community Portal. Our goal is to promote academic rigor and transparency through regular communication with students and their families of how the students are growing in their development of skills, content knowledge and understandings.

Please keep in mind that it is still early in the first term and the grades listed are reflective of assessment on the assignments through the first three weeks of school. This release of grades is an opportunity to let students and their families see the current grades and discuss progress within the courses. The Google Classroom for each course is another great resources for parents, guardians, and caregivers to review together. If you are having any trouble accessing the Community Portal, please let us know here.

Through the year, the snapshot of grades will be released every two weeks, with some exceptions due to the way school vacations fall within a term.

Upper School Back to School Night

We look forward to seeing our Upper School families this Thursday at 6:30 p.m. for our Upper School Back to School Night. For those new to Rising Tide, this is an event for parents, guardians, and caregivers to come meet with teachers and school leaders and learn more about the program and goals for the year. Please note that this event is only for parents, guardians, and caregivers due to the volume people at the event.

Rising Tide's Cultural Calendar

To celebrated the variety of cultural traditions within our school community, Rising Tide has a Cultural Calendar in addition to the academic and event calendars for the school. We want each of our students and family members to be seen, and we want all of us to get better at understanding more about one another's cultural traditions.

Ways for Parents, Guardians, and Caregivers to Get Involved

As we shared in person with Middle School Families last week, and will share in person with Upper School Families this week, there is a wide range of opportunities for parents, guardians, and caregivers to get involved with the Rising Tide school community this year. Below are examples of ways to get involved:

• Support Students at Home
• Attend School Events, Competitions, Performances
• Participate in the Rising Tide Parent Group, as a Grade-Level Ambassador or a volunteer
• Participate in the Rising Tide Special Education Parent Advisory Council (RTCPS-SEPAC), as an officer or participant
• Participate in the MCPSA Advocacy Training Program: Our Communities SPEAK
• Join a Rising Tide Board of Trustees Subcommittee
• Volunteer at special events, e.g. Book Fair

If you have interest in getting more involved with our school community this year, please let us know through the following form:

Rising Tide Parent/Guardian/Caregiver Involvement Form 2024-2025

Have a wonderful week.

Sincerely,

Michael O'Keefe

Head of School

Zahra Williams

Principal/Assistant Head of School

Monday, September 16: The Rising Tide Board of Trustees will have its monthly at 7:00 p.m. This meeting is virtual open to the public.

Thursday, September 19: Auditions for the middle school play, Show and Spell, will take place from 3:15-4:30 pm in the Upper School Theatre Room.

Thursday, September 19: Back to School Night for Upper School (9-12) families at 6:30 p.m.

Monday, September 23: Annual vision and hearing screenings will begin for students in grades 5, 7, and 10.

Wednesday, September 25: Rising Tide’s Health Advisory Committee will meet virtually from 2:00 - 3:00 pm.



Monday, September 30: Students' pictures will be taken by LifeTouch from 8:00 am - 2:00 pm.

Thursday, October 3: The Rising Tide Parent Group will hold the first meeting of the year for Grade-Level Ambassadors at 6:30 p.m.

Announcements

Middle School Play Auditions Begin This Thursday

Auditions for the Middle School play, Show and Spell by Julia Brownell, will be this Thursday. This after-school play is about "five middle schoolers who take on overzealous parents, crazy coaches, and nostalgic relatives as they prepare for the annual spelling bee. With contestants that range from an unflappable cheerleader who cheers all her words to the anxiety-prone daughter of a movie star, spelling the words correctly may be the least of these kids' worries."

Auditions will be Thursday, September 19 from 3:15-4:30 pm in the Upper School Theatre Room right behind the white barn doors. Auditions are open to students in grade 5-8. In order to audition, you will need to have a completely filled out packet (complete with parent/guardian signature). You will also need to prepare one monologue. Options for that will be provided for you inside the audition packet.

If you are interested in working on tech crew, you must be in grade 7 or 8. You must also complete a Crew Info Packet (also with parent/guardian signature) and return it to Mrs.Tew. All packets will be available beginning tomorrow morning! If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Tew at rtew@risingtide.org.

Update from the Health Office

Vision and Hearing Screenings for Students in Grades 5, 7, and 10

We will be conducting the annual vision and hearing screening program for students in grades 5, 7, and 10 beginning the week of September 23rd. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health requires schools to screen students at regular intervals throughout middle and high school. Early detection of visual or auditory changes is important to ensure the success of your child at school. If you have any questions or if you would like to opt your child out of the screening, please contact our school nurse, Lisa Hughes, at LHughes@risingtide.org.

Be A Part of Rising Tide's Health Advisory Committee

There is still time to join Rising Tide’s Health Advisory Committee. Our first meeting of the year will take place virtually on Wednesday, September 25th from 2:00 - 3:00 pm. If you and/or your child would like to be a part of the Health Advisory Committee, please reach out to our school nurse, Lisa Hughes, at LHughes@risingtide.org or call 508-747-2620 ext. 115.

College Visitors This Week

Representatives from college admissions offices visit Rising Tide to meet with students throughout the fall. These meetings are open to upper school students in all grades. Upcoming visitors include:

• Colby-Sawyer College on Wednesday, September 18, 2024 from 11:25 am - 12:00 pm in Room 190
• Suffolk University on Friday, September 20 from 11:00 - 11:30 am in Room 190
• University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth on Monday, September 23 from 11:00 - 11:30 am in Room 190
• Wheaton College on Friday, September 27 from 11:00 - 11:30 am in Room 190

Rising Tide Opens Additional Enrollment Period for Grades 5, 9, 10, and 11

Rising Tide currently has an Additional Enrollment Application Period open for the 2024-2025 school year for grades 5, 9, 10, and 11. The application deadline is Tuesday, October 1, 2024 at 3:00 pm.

Rising Tide will accept applications for a waitlist pool for grade 5, as there is a possibility that the current waitlist for grade 5 may be exhausted. If the current waitlist for grade 5 is exhausted, the school will schedule a lottery drawing for the grade 5 waitlist pool at that time. Rising Tide will also accept applications for students in grades 9, 10, and 11.

Families interested in applying for enrollment, can do so by completing an online application here or downloading the application here. Completed paper applications can be faxed to (508) 747-1826, emailed to admissions@risingtide.org, mailed, or dropped off to the school’s front desk. Applications must be completed by October 1. All applicants, including siblings of current students, must submit the one-page application by the deadline to be eligible for enrollment.

If you have neighbors or friends who may be interested in Rising Tide, please forward them this email or have them reach out to us at (508) 747-2620.

Celebrating Hispanic American Heritage Month

To celebrate Hispanic American Heritage Month (September 15 - October 15), the Rising Tide Library is highlighting books written by Hispanic American authors, showcasing their lives and their stories. In addition to resources in our library, be sure to explore Sora's Hispanic Heritage Month Collection, which can be found at www.soraapp.com or via the app. In this collection, you will find nearly 900 ebooks and audiobooks that you can read as a family. 

Athletic Games This Week

Monday, September 16th

Varsity Boys' Soccer v. Avon at 4:00 pm

Site: Forges Field, Plymouth

Varsity Golf at Sturgis West at 3:30 pm

Site: Bayberry Hills Golf Course, Yarmouth

Varsity Volleyball at Nauset at 4:00 pm

Site: Nauset High School

Tuesday, September 17th

Middle School Boys' & Girls' Soccer v. St. Pius X

Girls at 3:30 pm, Boys at 4:45 pm

Site: Rising Tide

Boys' & Girls' Cross Country v. Cape Cod Academy at 4:00 pm

Site: Morton Park, Plymouth

Varsity Boys' Soccer v. Monomoy at 4:00 pm

Site: Forges Field, Plymouth

Varsity Golf at Saint John Paul II at 3:30 pm

Site: Wianno Country Club, Osterville

Varsity Girls' Soccer at Monomoy at 6:00 pm

Site: Monomoy Regional High School

Wednesday, September 18th

Varsity Volleyball at Sturgis West at 5:30 pm

Site: Hyannis Youth & Community Center (HYCC)

Thursday, September 19th

Varsity Girls' Soccer at Carver at 4:00 pm

Site: Carver Middle/High School

Middle School Boys' Soccer at Trinity Christian Academy at 4:00 pm

Site: Trinity Christian Academy, Barnstable

Friday, September 20th

Varsity Volleyball v. Cape Cod Academy at 4:00 pm

Site: Wolves Den, Pembroke

Varsity Boys' Soccer v. Carver at 4:15 pm

Site: Forges Field, Plymouth

Varsity Golf at Upper Cape Tech at 3:00 pm

Site: Sandwich Hollows Golf Course, Sandwich

Homecoming is Scheduled for Friday & Saturday - October 18th & 19th

Recent Happenings

Boat Dance

Last Friday, Rising Tide hosted the annual Boat Dance for upper school students.

Upper School Students Kicked Off the Year with Community Building

On September 6, all upper school grades participated in an off-site Field Work Day as a component of their community-building programming to start the school year. Grade 9 students enjoyed a day of team-building with a trip to Adventure Park at Heritage Museums in Sandwich, MA. They participated in ropes courses, ziplines, and leadership development activities. Grade 10 students completed local beach clean-up. They visited Nelson Park and Seaside Trail in Plymouth, MA, and also traveled to the Plymouth waterfront. Grade 11 students also participated in community service with a trip to Tidmarsh Wildlife Sanctuary to help collect data on various plant and wildlife species. Lastly, our seniors traveled to Newport, RI where they explored The Breakers Mansion and enjoyed a self-guided tour along the Cliff Walk.

Quick Links and Contacts

Rising Tide's breakfast and lunch program, catered by the Plymouth Public Schools, offers free lunches for students each day at Rising Tide. Check the September lunch menu here.

Please note that even though meals will be free for all, it is very important for families to still complete the Household Application for Free and Reduced Price Meals for the 2024-2025 school year in order to qualify for free or reduced fees for bus, athletic, testing, and many club fees. You can view and complete the application 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.

Stay Connected with Rising Tide!

Don’t forget to connect with Rising Tide on social media. We post news and photos on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.