Prom is one of our favorite non-traditional traditional events at Rock Point School. While most high schools have a prom, ours is an original event that, in typical RPS fashion, does not take itself too seriously. Staff members and students wear everything from traditional black tie to goofy costumes. Students are treated to a ride in a thematic vehicle dubbed the "lame-o" and served milkshakes and smoothies by staff at the Hydration Station. There's often an ice cream truck, an appreciation of seniors, a fancy dinner, and there is always a lot of dancing.This year, we were challenged to bring together these elements of silliness, celebration, community, and tradition while we are all staying home! 

While students are engaged in distance learning, as part of our history classes, they are being asked to keep journals in order to create primary sources for future generations. These journals include documenting their own experiences (through writing, art, and music), documenting the experiences of the people they live with, and documenting (through remote Question & Answer) the weekly experiences of two people with whom they do not live. Students also will record a "news item of the day" and a photo of the day. We hope this assignment will help students reflect on their own experiences during the pandemic and see how their own experiences fit in with the larger trends in society at this time.

Since its inception in 1995 by Jake Burton Carpenter, The Chill Foundation has worked with over 25,000 young people to help them overcome challenges through boardsports. Rock Point School has been participating in Chill, almost since the beginning. This past year, the program selected four of our students to participate in a leadership program and be featured in a film, "Built on Boards." 

On Tuesday, September 17, local artist Emily Anderson brought her “Fairies & Demons Workshop” to Rock Point School. All of our students took part in this drawing workshop, which encouraged them to draw their ‘demons’, or challenges they face, as well as their ‘fairies’, or positive energies that they want to call toward them. In addition to giving students a platform to discuss what’s hard in their lives and what helps them through, they got to practice Emily’s signature drawing style, which involved drawing with their non-dominant hand. The technique allowed them to let go of the pressure to make their work perfect, and simply see what comes out when given a channel.

Presentation by Maya Christobel on Sept. 25, 2019, 6 - 7:30pm RPS Library Maya Christobel is a Harvard Psychotherapist, having done her Master’s and Doctoral work and Harvard Graduate School of Education in Marriage and Family Therapy. She has practiced privately for 33 years focusing on teens and young people on the spectrum. Maya is also a pioneer in the field of bio-technology and trauma, as well as a writer, author and filmmaker.

On June 8th, we held graduation for the class of 2019. These exceptional students inspired so many people to speak on their behalf during the ceremony, with moving stories of their growth, strength, and talents. We are forever grateful to their families for sharing these wonderful students with us.

As part of our ongoing visiting writer series at Rock Point School, we invited Rachel Lindsay, local artist, writer, and cartoonist, to share her expertise with our students. Lindsay is the author of RX: A Graphic Memoir about her experience working in the pharmaceutical industry and coping with mental illness. She also writes a weekly comic strip called Rachel Lives Here Now in Seven Days and was named an "Artist to Watch" by the Comic Report!