The Rockbrook Study Center
A Safe Resource for the Children of District Staff
We Look Forward to Working With Your Child!
Dear Families,
Thank you for confirming your intent to participate in the Westside Community Schools K-8 Independent Study Center. We are excited to have your child in our school where they will be provided a safe and productive place to work and learn while you assist the students you serve.
This will be my 7th year as the Principal at Rockbrook and while we all wish the circumstances were a little different, I'm glad to have the opportunity to work with your family in this way.
Below are a few details to help keep you in the know about how we will be operating at Rockbrook. We hope this information will help put you and your child(ren) at ease in joining us at Rockbrook
- Location: We will be located in the school's Art & Multi-Purpose Room, practicing safe distancing efforts and requiring students to wear masks (breaks will be provided throughout the day).
- Restrooms: Students will use the health office bathroom, just across the hall and under consistent supervision.
- Distancing and Surfaces: We have large tables with plexiglass dividers. Students will be asked to select a consistent spot for each week and surfaces will be cleaned regularly.
- Lunch: Whether students bring a lunch or get one from the cafeteria, we will be eating in the Study Center space. Plexi shielding is similar to that used in the lunchroom.
- Recess: We know it will be important to give the students at the study center opportunity for fresh air and activity. At this time we will plan to provide recess times separate from the main school recess times.
- Hours: As you've seen in your enrollment, the study center will be staffed from 7:30-4:30. Study Center families may use the front circle drive for drop off and pickup. We are still working out whether staff badges will be activated at Rockbrook or if students and parents will use the entry intercom.
- Breakfast: Breakfast access is not currently being provided, but your child is welcome to bring breakfast with them.
During our first few days we will have some getting to know you kinds of activities, but students should also plan to bring books, school work if they are remotely attending school, and fun activities they can work on individually. We are exploring options for games that can be easily cleaned or used only by one student, but sending a variety of things for your child to do will be important.
Finally, if you haven't yet done so please take a moment to complete the "Hot Sheet" to let us know a bit more about your child, and any information we may need to support them when they are participating in remote learning.
Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.
Email: higginbotham.garret@westside66.net
Phone: 402-390-6476
Sincerely,
Garret Higginbotham, Principal
Visitors
Preparing Your Child for School and Wearing Masks
As you have likely seen in our Superintendent, Dr. Lucas's emails, all school-age students and staff will be wearing masks. It is important that families begin talking with their children about how to safely wear a mask, why it is important, and practice mask wearing for gradually longer periods of time. Students will be allowed socially distanced mask breaks throughout the day, but practicing ahead of time will help greatly.
Below is a link for an article that was featured in the World-Herald that may help to address any concerns families have about their child and wearing masks.
https://www.omaha.com/momaha/worried-about-your-child-wearing-a-mask-at-school-this-fall-this-omaha-pediatrician-has/article_8e7c3c12-d33c-550b-a201-fa67796f949f.htmlIn addition, through our partnership with Children's Hospital, here in Omaha, we are able to provide two helpful videos, one for younger students and one for older students to begin learning safe ways to wear and handle masks. Our current plan is to provide students a lanyard with clip to help keep track of their mask during times they are allowed to take it off.
Cell Phones and Smart Devices in School
Our expecation is that all cell phones are turned off and placed in a student's backpack once they enter the building.
In the event students need to contact their parent, calls can be made from classroom or office phones.
Students use of smart devices such as watches, fitness bands, smart headphones, etc. are handled on a case by case basis. Typically students are allowed to have these devices so long as they are not a disruption to learning or used in a way that distracts the student or others. Note: During state testing and other assessments, students may be asked to store their smart devices at the teacher's desk to ensure they are not used as part of testing.
Welcome to Rockbrook Elementary - Home of the Bulldogs
The mission of Rockbrook Elementary School, a diverse community of learners, is to foster learning by providing a quality educational experience within a secure and challenging environment.
Rockbrook School Design Goal:
At Rockbrook we will increase student engagement and achievement through Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports for social, emotional, behavioral, and academic needs.
Email: veldhuis.courtney@westside66.net
Website: http://rockbrook.westside66.org
Location: 2514 South 108th Street, Omaha, NE, USA
Phone: 402-390-6475
Facebook: facebook.com/RockbrookElementary
Twitter: @Rockbrook66