8:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Freshman Orientation: What to Expect & Bring

We can't wait to welcome the newest members of the Rocket family! Our incoming freshmen will split their day between key indoor orientation steps and high-energy outdoor activities:

• Inside the School: Students will spend a portion of the day working directly with their School Counselors and our student Rocket Ambassadors to get acclimated to the building, walk their schedules, and learn the ins and outs of RMHS life.
• Outdoor Teambuilding: For the other portion of the day, students will head outside for an exciting, interactive teambuilding experience run by Wingspeed.

What to Wear & Bring:

• Active Clothing: Dress comfortably for the outdoors and wear sneakers suitable for movement and teamwork.
• Sun Protection: Apply sunscreen before arriving and consider bringing extra for the day.
• Water Bottle: Bring a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated throughout the activities.
• Pack a Snack: Don't forget to pack a small snack to refuel during our breaks!

Parents or guardians must report any student absence or tardiness using one of the three options below before 9:30 a.m.

• Option 1: Complete the online Attendance Reporting Form. (Note: Must be submitted using the parent email registered with RMHS).
• Option 2: Email rmhsattendance@reading.k12.ma.us or laura.chisholm@reading.k12.ma.us.
• Option 3: Call Laura Chisholm directly at 781-670-2819.

Important Policies to Remember:

• Late Arrivals: Students arriving late must sign into the Main Office to get a pass before heading to their classroom.
• Planned Dismissals: Students must pick up a dismissal pass from the Main Office the morning of the dismissal. A parent/guardian must have already provided permission via email, phone, or a written note. The student will present this pass to their teacher at the dismissal time. Please note: To minimize classroom disruptions, the office does not call up to classrooms except in emergencies.
• Mid-Day Illness: If a student feels sick during the school day, they must report directly to the School Nurse to be evaluated and officially dismissed.

RMHS Attendance Policy & Credit Loss (Important!)

Reading Public Schools has a district-wide daily attendance goal of 97%. Missing school or cutting classes can have a major impact on your student’s high school career:

• Credit Loss: Exceeding unexcused absence limits can directly result in a student losing course credit, which can delay graduation timelines.
• Unexcused Absences: Family vacations, oversleeping, missing the bus, or staying home tired are considered unexcused and count toward credit loss limits. Teachers are not required to provide advance assignments or makeup work for unexcused absences like vacations.
• Credit Recovery: Students who exceed absence limits may be placed on a "buyback plan" or required to complete specific after-school credit recovery assignments to earn back their course credits.

🔗 For the complete text on unexcused thresholds, credit buybacks, and sports eligibility requirements, review the full RMHS Attendance & Credit Recovery Policy Page.

Guest Permission Forms (For Non-RMHS Students)

Planning to bring a guest who does not attend RMHS to a school dance, prom, or function? You must submit a completed Guest Permission Form before you can purchase your event tickets.

Quick Submission Checklist:

• Deadline: The complete form and all required documents must be submitted to your Class Advisor at least 72 hours before the ticket sale deadline.
• Photo ID Required: You must attach a clear photocopy of a valid picture ID for your guest. Note: The guest must also bring this exact physical ID to present at the door of the event.
• Approval: Tickets will not be sold until the form is reviewed and approved by an RMHS Administrator.

Required Signatures on the Form:

1. School/Employer Recommendation: If your guest attends another high school, their school principal must sign the form verifying good citizenship. (If your guest is no longer in high school, you must speak directly with an RMHS Principal or Designee first).
2. Guest Agreement: Your guest must sign acknowledging they will follow all RMHS Student Handbook and Dance Contract policies.
3. RMHS Student & Parent/Guardian Agreement: Both you and your parent/guardian must sign. Parents must provide a working phone number where they can be reached during the hours of the event.

📥 Download the Guest Permission Form Here

Second Floor

1001-1116 (Near Rooms 201-209)

1117-1148 (Near Room 213)

1162-1205 (Near Rooms 200-208)

1210-1310 (Near Center Balcony)

1311-1336 (Near Ramp on Right Side)

1337-1371 (Near Rooms 223-225)

1372-1445 (Near Rooms 227-233)

1446-1471 (Near Ramp on Left Side)

1472-1507 (Near Rooms 235-237)

1508-1589 (Near Rooms 232-226)

A3228-A3246 (Near Room 213)

3247-3258 (Near Room 213)

Third Floor

2001-2117 (Near Rooms 301-309)

2118-2149 (Near Rooms 311-313)

2150-2207 (Near Rooms 300-308)

2208-2289 (Near Rooms 312-321)

2291-2312 (Near Room 318)

2313-2385 (Near Center Balcony)

2386-2419 (Near Rooms 323-325)

2420-2464 (Near Rooms 327-337)

2465-2500 (Near Rooms 339-341)

2501-2582 (Near Rooms 338-326)

3259-3276 (Near Rooms 312-314)

3277-3295 (Opposite Elevator)

Fourth Floor

3001-3030 (Near Rooms 401-403)

3031-3055 (Near Corridor to Library)

3056-3071 (Near Room 405)

3072-3119 (Top of Stairway 6)

3120-3156 (Near Rooms 407-409)

3157-3227 (Near Rooms 400-406)

3296-3325 (Near Rooms 408-410)

The Senior Internship Program is an opportunity for students to gain real-world job experience before graduation. Through this program, you will:

• Build valuable job skills
• Develop interpersonal and professional communication skills
• Give back to your community through meaningful work

Instead of attending a full school day, you will spend approximately 100 hours (20 hours per week) at your internship site.

Exceptions for AP & Dual Enrollment Students Students enrolled in AP or Dual Enrollment (DE) classes will have reduced internship hour requirements as outlined below. To ensure equity, no senior student will be permitted to switch their AP or DE class time to accommodate their internship schedule. Students are responsible for coordinating their availability directly with their internship mentors. AP and DE students are to remain in the classes until the last day of students for seniors as their internship requirements have been reduced for these classes.

Internship Hour Requirements:

• 0 AP/DE Courses: 100 hours
• 1 AP/DE Course: 80 hours
• 2 AP/DE Courses: 60 hours
• 3 AP/DE Courses: 40 hours
• 4 AP/DE Courses: 20 hours

Seniors on an internship do not take final exams unless in AP or Dual Enrollment classes.

Eligibility

To participate in the Senior Internship Program, students must meet the following requirements:

• Grades: Maintain an average of C- or better in all classes for Q1, Q2, Q3, including your midterm (which counts for 10%). If your grade falls below this requirement, you must remain in that class and cannot participate in the internship.
• AP Students: Must remain in their AP course until the AP exam. Students cannot switch AP class times due to an internship.
• Attendance: You may not have more than 5 unexcused absences in any class. Note: Two tardies = one absence (no exceptions).
• No Buy Back Plans: There are no attendance buy back or attendance credit recovery options for Quarter 3.

Finding Your Internship

• RMHS is not responsible for finding your internship site
• We are here to guide you and help you brainstorm where you would like to intern
• Tap into your social networks!!
• Get out into the community and market yourself

Internship Fair

During October (TBD), representatives from local organizations and businesses will be here at RMHS!

Take this opportunity to:

• Walk around and explore internship opportunities
• Talk to different businesses and community partners
• Ask questions and learn more about possible placements

Get the most out of your time at the fair by coming prepared!

• Practice Your Elevator Pitch – Be ready to introduce yourself: Who are you? What are you interested in? What do you want to do in the future?
• Dress Appropriately & Professionally
• Ask Questions – Show curiosity and interest in each organization.
• Take Business Cards – Collect contact information for follow-up.
• Send Follow-Up Emails – A thank-you note makes a strong impression.
• Bring Your Resume – Highlight your skills, experiences, and interests.
• Be Yourself – Confidence and authenticity go a long way!
• Practice with a Partner – Run through your elevator pitch with a classmate.

Sample Elevator Pitch: “Hi, my name is __________ and I’m a Senior at Reading Memorial High School. I am interested in __________ as a possible career path. I enjoy __________ in my free time. One skill/attribute I think I could bring to an internship with your company is __________. One thing I hope to get out of my senior year internship is __________.”

Sample Questions to Ask Employers:

• What type of work does your business do?
• What do you like about your job?
• How do you see an intern contributing to your work?
• What types of projects would an intern work on?
• What skills could I develop through an internship at your company?
• How could I best prepare for an internship with your organization?

The April Break Advantage

April break is an ideal window to "rack up" hours and make significant progress on your project. However, planning is key:

• Going Away? If you have travel plans during the break, you must account for that missed time in your master schedule.
• Proactive Planning: Ensure your schedule is calculated to reach the 100-hour requirement regardless of vacation time.

Note to Students: Your success depends on clear communication with your supervisor. If your schedule needs to shift due to school breaks, discuss this during your Pre-Internship meeting.

What Are Senior Privileges?

Senior privileges refer to the special freedoms and advantages granted to high school seniors, often as a reward for their years of hard work and as preparation for increased independence. At RMHS, these privileges are designed to help students develop responsible habits as they transition into adulthood.

Privileges are a reward for meeting expectations—not a guarantee—and must be applied for and officially approved.

Purpose: The intent of Reading Memorial High School is to teach students to make good choices and to use their time wisely. Senior Privileges help prepare students for life after high school by offering opportunities for independence, provided they maintain academic, attendance, and behavioral standards.

Privileges

Year-Round (Quarters 1–4)

• Seniors with a study during the first block (B1, A2, A3, A4, A5) may arrive up to five minutes before the start of their second block and must sign in at the Main Office.
• Seniors with a study during the last block (G1, G2, G3, G4, F5) may leave after their last class.
  • If remaining on campus, they must check in with the Main Office.

Quarter 2

• Seniors approved for privileges will have Ms. Theriault as a Flex teacher.
• They may sit at the Main Street tables during Flex supervised by Ms. Theriault.
• Seniors wishing to meet with a teacher or go to the library during Flex must notify Ms. Theriault in advance by email/Remind or in person.

Quarter 3

• Seniors with senior privilege may leave the building/campus during Flex.
• Seniors who are not leaving campus during Flex must report to Main Street with Ms. Theriault or email her if they are attending a club meeting or working with a teacher.
• Seniors must not have any outstanding detentions.

Quarter 4

• Seniors may leave the building/campus during both Flex and Lunch.

Eligibility requirements

To qualify for senior privileges, students must:

• Maintain passing grades in all classes with at least a 2.0 weighted GPA (reviewed at the midpoint and end of each quarter).
• Maintain a clean discipline record (no suspensions or major infractions).
• Submit completed forms including the parent/guardian permission form in the Portal.
• Follow all school attendance policies, including Flex and lunch attendance (no skipping classes, Flex, or leaving campus for lunch unless permitted).
• If beginning the day with a study hall, arrive no later than five minutes before the second block and sign in at the Main Office.

Loss of Privilege

Privileges may be revoked for:

• Failure to maintain a passing grade in a course or a 2.0 weighted GPA.
• Skipping classes, leaving the building, or failing to serve assigned detentions within one week.
• Any disciplinary incident resulting in suspension, or any incident deemed by administration to warrant loss of privilege.
• Failure to sign in at the office upon arrival (immediate loss; reinstatement at administrator’s discretion).
• Taking a student without senior privileges off campus.
• Leaving school or campus during the day without permission (including lunch, Flex, or study periods).
• Violation of the student motor vehicle policy.
• Parent/guardian rescinding permission.

Duration of loss may range from one week to the remainder of the school year, depending on circumstances. Privileges may also be removed if interim reports or teacher feedback indicate poor classroom performance.

Important Notes

• Seniors arriving late or leaving early must sign in and out in the Main Office with their Senior Privilege Badge.
• Privileges are introduced in stages and are contingent on maintaining eligibility.
• Students may not use senior privileges until they are approved.

• Registration: To register your vehicle for school parking, please complete the Student Parking Registration Form.
• Parking Locations: There is no assigned student parking. Students may park in the PAC lot, the Field House lot, or along the street.
• Restricted Areas: Students are not permitted to park in the Teacher Lot or in the very first row of the PAC lot.
• Why register? Registering your car ensures that front office staff can quickly look up your vehicle and contact you if an issue arises during the day (e.g., headlights left on, a running engine, or a parking lot emergency).

To request a transcript, please email Julie Haley at julie.haley@reading.k12.ma.us with your full name and Year of Graduation (YOG). She will notify you when it is ready for pickup or confirm when it has been sent directly to your specified school.

• Complete the official Guarantee of Employment Form.
• Ensure all required sections are fully signed by the Employer, Student, and Parent/Guardian. (Note: Students under the age of 16 also require a physician's signature).
• Once the form is complete, email it to julie.haley@reading.k12.ma.us to officially obtain your work permit.