Rockbrook Reminder
Rockbrook's Weekly Updates | 02-24-2023
Learning Community Site to Serve Westside, Ralston, Millard and Papillion La Vista
The Learning Community of Douglas and Sarpy County is seeking input from Westside families regarding a recently announced Elementary Learning Center to be located at 96th and M and available to serve the students and families at Rockbrook. This would be the 3rd Elementary Learning Center, adding to locations currently in North Omaha (24th and Hamilton street) and in South Omaha (23rd and M street), that have gotten outstanding results on their positive impact on parents and children.
To assist in planning for this new West Omaha location, they are seeking your feedback to highlight parent's voices through Parent Listening opportunities. Please consider taking a few minutes to complete either the linked online survey or one of paper copies (available in multiple languages) at the main office. Ms. Nayeli Lopez will be our guest at our March Community Club Meeting to provide initial findings and gather further input.
Thank you to those that are remembering to use our North and South Parking Lots as the drop-off and pick-up locations for their children. Please help us ensure the safety of our students by following these expectations. We appreciate your support.
Reminders:
- The front circle is reserved for our bus, van, and accessibility drop-off and pick-up only.
- Please use the north or south parking lot loops for all other children, or make arrangements to park in or meet your child in the neighborhood.
- Using these loops reduces cross traffic that occurs when families use the front circle drive.
- The front circle sidewalk can also be a busy area at arrival so we want to minimize vehicles in that area.
Clear here for further details to help us keep these busy times safe.
Class Placements for 2023-2024
We are fortunate at Rockbrook to have a high-quality, caring, and dedicated staff of educators who strive to meet the needs of every child. Our teams of teachers are insightful and qualified and put a great deal of care and effort to best fit each child’s educational needs with the right teacher.
During the last quarter of the year, our staff begins the challenging task of creating the class lists for the next school year. This task involves many people and a great deal of thought, as we do our best to:
Balance
When a classroom is balanced, the students are more successful, learning is easier, and the teacher is able to meet the needs of the learners in attendance. Teams of teachers go over criteria such as male/female ratio, academic needs and talents, and special programming to ensure classrooms have even and diverse representation.
Build Equity
We also work to see that all classrooms resemble each other in leadership abilities, social skills, peer relationships, individual learning styles and teaching styles, and classroom dynamics (behavior, social, emotional, and personality considerations among students).
Finding the Right Match
We recognize that parents are an important part of our team and a crucial advocate for their child’s success. With so many variables, granting every teacher request would not be possible and might not match with the careful planning teachers do in preparing suggested lists. In addition, children need to work in and with a variety of circumstances now and in the future, in terms of personnel, peers, and environment.
If there is a circumstance you feel we should consider, please do the following:
• Make a formal request in writing (by email to higginbotham.garret@westside66.net is acceptable) no later than March 16th, 2023
• Requests should reference your child’s learning style and type, not the specific teacher you wish them to have.
• If there has been a request made in a previous year that still applies, such as not placing your child with another particular student, please include this in writing to make sure we are aware of the necessary details again, for placement in the 2023-2024 school year.
Thank you for your continued partnership in your child’s education. Class assignments will be mailed individually during the summer, prior to the start of school.
Kindergarten Enrollment 2023-2024
KINDERGARTEN ENROLLMENT FOR 2023-24
Kindergarten enrollment for District residents for the 2023-24 school year begins approximately Feb 1, 2023. Please check our website at westside66.org as soon as possible after Feb 1st to start your enrollment online.
- Children entering kindergarten must be 5 years old on or before July 31, 2023. Parents may wait to enroll their child(ren) in kindergarten for an additional year. However, Nebraska law requires that child(ren) who reach the age of six prior to Jan 1st of the then current school year must be enrolled in school.
- For questions about enrollment, please contact the Westside Welcome Center at 402-390-2100 or
- enrollment@westside66.net
KINDERGARTEN OPTION ENROLLMENT
If you live outside of the Westside district and have a child eligible for kindergarten in 2023-24 who has a sibling attending our schools through the Option Enrollment program, you must submit an option application for your kindergartener. The deadline to apply for Option Enrollment is 4:00 pm on March 15th.
In addition to kindergarten, you can apply for any other grade level by the same deadline, 4:00 pm on March 15th.
Option Enrollment forms can be completed using this link:
https://forms.gle/FvsmAEBqRpcePEKg9
Questions about Option Enrollment, please contact Student Services at 402-390-2107.
IN-DISTRICT TRANSFERS FOR 2023-24
Are you a District resident and would like your K-6 grade child(ren) to attend an elementary school in Westside other than the area where you live? The deadline to submit an In-District Transfer request for the upcoming school year is 4:00 pm on March 15th.
An In-District Transfer request form must also be completed for any child starting kindergarten next year who has a sibling attending an elementary school outside of their home attendance area.. The deadline to submit this request is also 4:00 pm on March 15th.
In district transfer forms can be completed using this link: https://forms.gle/EHgruZWb9MH1UBtH8
Questions about In-District Transfers, please contact Student Services at 402-390-2107.
EARLY ADMISSION FOR KINDERGARTEN
Children of District residents who wish to be tested for early entrance to kindergarten must turn 5 years old between August 1 and October 15, 2023.
For further information regarding early entrance testing, please contact Early Admissions at
402-390-3303.
ROCKBROOK PBIS SKILLS FEB. 21st - 24TH
Each week we focus on a Social Skill and a School-Wide Expectation as a part of PBIS (Positive Behavior in School) program. Reviewing these expectations and using similar language at home can help to reinforce your child making positive choices both at school and home.
Medication at School
For you child’s safety and for the safety of others, all medication, even cough’s drops, must be kept locked in the health office, it must be in the original package. All medication, including cough drops, needs to be accompanied by a medication form signed by the parent or guardian, all prescription medication forms must be signed by the doctor. Whenever possible, medication should be administered at home.
Bundle Up...
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.
Email: rockbrook.66@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