Rockbrook Express
Rockbrook Elementary School's Monthly Newsletter | 2-1-2019
Rockbrook Valentines Parties will be Thursday, February 14th from 2:45-3:15
Next Community Club Meeting - February 5th @ 6:00pm
HyVee Totals
Rockbrook SkateDaze Party - February 7th
2018-2019 Yearbooks
Great Kindness Challenge
Thanks to all who participated in this week's "Great Kindness Challenge." The positive feelings shared have made a cold week feel much warmer at heart. Week's like this are a reminder to us that every week can be filled with kindness and that it is our challenge to make a positive difference in the lives of those around us. Doing so not only makes our world a better place but makes us feel better as well. If your child or family would like to continue to challenge themselves to share acts of kindness be sure to visit the website of the "Great Kindness Challenge."
The original list with all 50 tasks can be found at https://thegreatkindnesschallenge.com/tools-2/.
Student Council
Parent's Night Out - February 9th
Rockbrook Unified Champions - The Power of Teamwork
Are you planning to watch the Super Bowl? No doubt we’ll see lots of examples of excited fans and stories about how the players must work together to win the game.
As a Special Olympics Unified Champion School, we work together and cheer for one another. Take a few minutes this month to talk with your child about teamwork:
• Talk with your child about a time you were a member of a team. How did teamwork make the group stronger? Has your child been on a team? What was the experience like?
• The letters in “team” just happen to stand for “Together Everyone Achieves More.” Talk with your child about how that saying applies to school.
• Have you heard about Fans in the Stands? This program encourages students and families to attend a local Special Olympics event. Does this sound like something our family could do together to have fun and make a difference?
Mr. Higginbotham Takes Polar Plunge Challenge
Elementary Unified Activities - Unified Floor Hockey
What Are Unified Activities?
The Special Olympics Unified Schools Program is a fast growing initiative that brings students with and without
intellectual disabilities together. This year we are excited to bring a Unified Floor Hockey opportunity to our
schools.
Westside Community Schools is excited to offer our fourth Unified Activity this year.
Where: Sunset Hills Elementary 9503 Walnut St, Omaha, NE 68124
When: Saturday, February 9th at 11:00am
What: Come enjoy a variety of hockey activities. You can try shooting, dress like a goalie, play tabletop hockey, play a game of floor hockey, or do a craft.
RSVP Needed for Participation
If you and your child(ren) are interested in participating, please download the following linked informational flyer to learn more and to let us know if you are planning to attend.Gallup Parent and Child Night
Sixth graders and their parents are invited to an interactive evening to further explore the Gallup Strengths Explorer tool and your child’s strengths. A Gallup representative will facilitate this event, and you will receive your child’s full report along with your Parent Playbook. You and your child can enjoy discussing the report together. If your child is unable to attend, you are welcome to come on your own.
The Gallup Parent/Child Night will be held on Monday, February 11th from 6:00 to 7:00 in the Westside Middle School cafeteria. Please contact your child’s school counselor if you have any questions. We hope to see you there!
Winter Wear and Snow Gear
To ensure that students can both enjoy the snow and keep warm and dry once they come inside, we wanted to remind you of a few expectations for students wishing to play in the snow.
• Students need to wear proper coats, gloves, and hats. When temperatures are above 10º we will typically be going outside.
• If students wish to walk in deep snow, they will be expected to wear snow boots.
•For very deep snow or if students wish to roll and play in in the snow, students will need snow pants to ensure they stay warm and dry.
• If students wish to build with snow they must have gloves or mittens.
• When recess equipment is slick or wet, access may be restricted to promote student safety.
We appreciate your support in going over these expectations with your child. Teachers will do so as well so that students may have a fun and safe time during winter recess.
Change of Dates
School Wide Enrichment Clusters (SEM) Begin February 1st.
K-1 Lunch: 11:11-11:36
2-3 Lunch: 11:36-12:01
4-5 Lunch: 12:01-12:26
6 Lunch: 12:26-12:51
Kindergarten 2019-2020
Student In-District Transfer Requests for the 2019-20 School Year
If you are a District resident who would like your K-5 child(ren) to attend an elementary school other than the school that serves your attendance area for next school year, you must submit a completed In-District Transfer (IDT) Request form to the Office of Student Services for review.
The District gives priority to families living within the District prior to placing Option Enrollment applicants who reside outside the District. We must receive a Student In-District Transfer Request form no later than 4:00 p.m. on March 15, 2019, for your request to be considered prior to our placement of Option Enrollment students.
IDT forms are available at the ABC Building and on the District website. An IDT request form must be completed for any child starting kindergarten next year who has one or more siblings currently attending a school outside their home attendance area. Transfers are approved or denied based on available space and other resources. If you have questions about the in-district transfer process, please call 402-343-2603.
Kindergarten Enrollment for District Residents: January 10th - February 15th
Do you live in the District and have a child who will be ready for Kindergarten this fall? Do you know of other Westside residents with children who will be ready to start school in August?
Kindergarten enrollment for 2019-20 begins January 10, 2019. Parents of eligible students should go to westside66.org to begin the enrollment process as early as possible.
Students entering kindergarten for 2019-20 must be five years old by July 31, 2019. Parents may opt to hold their children out of kindergarten for an additional year. However, Nebraska state law mandates that a child who reaches six years of age prior to January 1 of the then-current school year must be enrolled in school.
If you have questions, you may call the Westside Welcome Center at 402-343-2603.
Requirements for Early Admission to Kindergarten
In accordance with Nebraska Statute 79-214, the Westside Community Schools allows for admission of children residing in the District as early entrance kindergarteners through a locally designed testing program. Children of District residents who wish to be tested for early entrance must turn five between August 1 and October 15, 2019. For further information regarding early entrance to kindergarten, please call 402-390-3303.
Kindergarten Enrollment for Non-District Residents
If you live outside the District and have a child eligible for kindergarten who has a sibling currently attending a Westside elementary school through the Option Enrollment program, you must submit an Option Enrollment Application. Option Enrollment Applications must be received by Westside’s Office of Student Services no later than 4:00 p.m. on March 15, 2019. The application form is available at the ABC Building (909 S. 76th Street) and at westside66.org.
Under Option Enrollment statutes, first priority for admission is given to siblings who seek to attend in the District where an older sibling is already enrolled, provided an Option Enrollment form is submitted by March 15 and provided that there is space available in a requested building and grade level.
Dropping Off Your Child? Please Bring Them In & Sign Them In
TeamMates Mentoring Program
This month is Mentor Recognition month with TeamMates of Nebraska. The positive impact of TeamMates Mentoring on a student/mentees’ levels of hope, engagement in school, and well-being have been well researched. In a recent school year,
· 75% of TeamMates mentees had fewer unexcused absences
· 84% of TeamMates mentees experienced fewer disciplinary referrals
· 55% of TeamMates mentees improved their academic performance
Please consider making a 1-hour a week commitment (meeting at school, only during the school calendar) to make an incredible difference in a child’s life. TeamMates prefer mentors to be able to commit to the program for at least 3 years to make a lasting impression. If you are interested in learning more about TeamMates Mentoring, contact Meghan Martin (402-408-8785). The comments below from mentees reveal how this touches a child’s life
Lunch Times
Lunch Times
Joining your child for lunch is a fun and enjoyable tradition that Rockbrook is pleased to support when your schedule allows. For this purpose we have designated a guest table during our lunch period where you and your child can share a meal and each other’s company. To ensure that there is enough space for our out-of-school guests we ask that families eat with their own children only. When room allows, guests may also sit at the regular lunch table with the class. If you would like a school lunch, please make your reservation with the office before 9 a.m.
Lunch Times
K-1 Lunch: 11:35-12:00 (11:24-11:48 on Wednesdays)
2-3 Lunch: 12:00-12:25 (11:48-12:12 on Wednesdays)
4-5 Lunch: 12:25-12:50 (12:12-12:36 on Wednesdays)
6 Lunch: 12:50-1:15 (12:36-1:00 on Wednesdays)
Dining Out for Education
Our Next Dining Out Event is Planet Sub, 2/5
Raising Canes, 2/12
Students and Cell Phones / Smart Devices
Medication at School
When Is My Child Too Sick for School?
Send me to school if...
- I have a runny nose or just a little cough but no other symptoms.
- I haven't taken any fever-reducing medicine for 24 hours and I haven't had a fever during that time.
- I haven't thrown up or had any diarrhea for 24 hours
Keep me at home if...
- I have a temperature higher than 100 degrees even after taking medicine.
- I'm throwing up or have diarrhea.
- My eyes are pink and crusty.
Call the doctor if...
- I have a temperature higher than 100 degrees for more than two days.
- I have been throwing up or have diarrhea for more than two days
- I have the sniffles for more than a week and they aren't getting better.
- I still have asthma symptoms after using my asthma medicine (and call 911 if I'm having trouble breathing after using my inhaler.)
Important Dates
February
5 Planet Sub Dining Out for Education Night
5 Community Club Meeting - 6:00 pm
7 Skate Daze Skating Party (Updated Date)
9 Parents Night Out
11 Gallup Parent/Child Night 6-7 pm
11-15 Beat the Winter Blues Week
12 Raising Cane’s Night
12 District Strings Solo & Ensemble Concert @ WMS, 7:00 pm
14 Valentine Parties 2:45 pm
18 President's Day - NO SCHOOL
19 1st-3rd Vocal Music Concert
20 Don & Millie's Dining Out Night
26 Zio's Dining Out Night
28 Read-A-Thon - Family Reading Night
Safety Patrol
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