Rockbrook Express
ROCKBROOK ELEMENTARY'S NEWSLETTER - KINDERGARTEN EDITION
Principal's Welcome
Welcome to Rockbrook. I hope this message finds you well and enjoying time with your child and family. Due to the current school closure, we are sending you some of the information we would typically share at the Spring Parent Meeting digitally. Please take some time to review, get to know more about us, and to learn a little bit about what your child will experience next year.
Important Forms & Information:
(We recommend that you bookmark this newsletter. Links will be live and updated if any information changes.)
Student Skills Assessments - Learned in Kindergarten
*Please note, while we are providing registration forms the Westside Welcome Center is currently closed. We will notify families as soon as they are able to take this in.
Since we are unable to hold Round-Up this Spring, we will be using a process some of our other elementary schools have used for a while. This summer your family will receive a letter indicating if your child will attend the first two days or the third and fourth days of school. Following the fourth day of school we will call and email all families to let them know their child's kindergarten teacher. (Either way you'll be getting a great one!)
Also included with this newsletter is a google form that you can use to submit any further questions you may have and to tell us a little about your child and your family! There are yet many unknowns about how school will look exactly, but we are committed to making sure your child has an amazing year in Rockbrook's Kindergarten and to offer any support we can.
Sincerely,
Mr. Higginbotham
Ms. Miller
Hi, my name is Ann Miller and this will be my 10th year teaching kindergarten. I am also a team leader here at Rockbrook. I have known that I wanted to be a teacher since I was a kindergartner myself! I feel so fortunate to have a job that I love so much.
When I’m not planning for the next school project with my students, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, going to as many concerts as possible, anything in or around the water, and all things involving glitter!
Mr. Carlson
My name is Dustin Carlson. I am a National Board Certified Teacher who has taught kindergarten for 12 years and love enhancing student learning through the use of technology. I have a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction, with endorsements in Elementary Education, Early Childhood Education, and Reading. I lead an after school, K-3 STEAM and K-6 Robotics Club. I am an Apple Distinguished Educator and Seesaw Certified Educator. Most importantly, my true passion is creating a classroom of life long, passionate learners.
Outside the classroom, I love spending time with my wife, Melissa, and our daughter, Mae, on our acreage in southwest Iowa. We are constantly finding projects outside or new ways to have fun.
Ms. Veldhuis
Ms. Seward
Mr. Higginbotham
Our Educational Assistants
Club66 Before and After Care
Rockbrook's Director is Ms. Julie Kathol. If you would like to get information about before and after school care for your child, you can contact her at kathol.julie@westside66.net.
Rockbrook Community Club
Important Traffic Routes for Safe Arrival and Dismissal
Q&A Zoom
Q: How and when will you decide which teacher my child will have?
A: Students will attend either the first 2 days or the second 2 days of the school year. Following the 4th day of school, our staff will meet and discuss which class we think would be the best fit. We consider your child's learning style, how they interact with other students, and try to make sure our classes are well balanced.
Q: Are the first 4 days Kindergarten Roundup?
A: While we've traditionally done roundup in the spring, many of our Westside schools have used the first 4 days to make placement decisions for several years with great success. We will not have students attend before school begins for a separate roundup time and will contact parents after day 4 to let them know their child's class placement.
Q: When will I know whether my child attends the first 2 days or the second 2 days?
A: Typically we let families know in July, about the time our summer newsletter comes out. We try to give families plenty of advance notice so they can arrange child care on the days they do not attend. Due to current unknown factors, we will let families know if it seems likely that decisions would be delayed.
Q: My child is still 4 but will turn 5 in time, is it the right time for Kindergarten?
A: You know your child best. Kindergarten is a transitional year for all children. Our district does offer more academic-focused 4-year-old programs as well as our early childhood program at Rockbrook which has part-day academic skills and part-day social focus. If you're still uncertain give us a call and we can talk further to discuss any concerns you may have.
Q: How big are class sizes?
A: We value keeping class sizes small in Westside and our classes at Rockbrook are often 20 or less. Some years we do have slightly larger class sizes, but when they get much larger we begin having conversations with the district about how to best support young learners. Both of our Kindergarten classes have an Educational Assistant that is in the room most of the day helping to support our learners.
Q: Where will I turn in health forms?
A: All paperwork is turned in to our Westside Welcome Center at the ABC Building, 909 South 76th St. Currently their office is not open and accepting paperwork. That said, we encourage you to be making your child's Kindergarten Well-Check and vaccination appointments so that you will have this ready to turn in when they reopen. Due to Doctor's Offices being closed we expect there may be a longer than usual wait to get an appointment.
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