Rockbrook Reminder
Rockbrook's Weekly Updates | 03-18-2022
Battle of the Books
Good luck to the following teams:
- The Literary Agency 2.0
- The Crazy Reading Tacos
- The Rad Readers
- Pirates of the Pages
- The Sparks
- The Rockbrookers 2.0
- The Fab Four
- Disco Dogs
- The Tubular Turtles
- ReadWings
- The Dancing Pugs
World Down Syndrome Day - March 21st
World Down Syndrome Day is marked each year on March 21, beginning in 2006. The 21st day of March was selected to signify the uniqueness of the triplication of the 21st chromosome which causes Down syndrome. Every year on March 21, World Down Syndrome Day is observed to create awareness about Down syndrome.
We hope that you'll join us wearing blue and yellow and/or crazy socks (The Lots of Socks Campaign is another way we show our appreciation of Down Syndrome Awareness) on Monday as part of our recognition of World Down Syndrome Day.
Westside families,
We are fielding questions from students who have concerns about the war in Ukraine and what it could mean for both Europe and for us here in the United States. Children have expressed worries about everything from World War III, to nuclear bombs, to Ukrainian children they have seen on TV; we want to help create welcoming environments both at school and at home for students to share their fears and talk.
The National Association for School Psychologists shares the following tips:
FOR ELEMENTARY LEARNERS
Let your child’s questions tell you what information they need. Remember their age and where they are at developmentally; their concerns may not be the same as yours.
Avoid offering frightening, unnecessary details.
Provide brief, simple information with reassurance, and specify the protective actions of adults.
UPPER-ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY LEARNERS
Answer questions; clarify misconceptions or misinformation.
Emphasize your child’s safety at home and at school, and how to access additional support (example: school counselor or Boys Town hotline)
Validate your child’s feelings and thoughts.
If your child requests it, allow for open conversations (even sensitive conversations related to politics and world debates)
Our award-winning school counselors are always here to help and to provide additional support. We especially recognize this may be a difficult time for our students with connections to the Ukraine and/or Russia, those with loved ones in the military, refugees, and our students dealing with emotional trauma or distress. We are attaching a full document below from the NASP with additional details to help your family.
You now have the convenience to place an online order for School Pictures. The order must be placed by midnight the night before (March 22nd) your picture date (March 23rd) since not every child will have an individual picture taken.
Please click the link below to place your order.
Thank you!
Student Council Pantry Drive
The student council pantry drive will be March 23rd to the 25th. Here’s the items for each grade. Kindergarten will be fruit snacks and goldfish. 1st grade will be popcorn and crackers. 2nd grade will be pancake mix, cereal and oatmeal. 3rd grade will be flour and sugar. The 4th graders will have to be cooking oil and spices. 5th graders will be assigned toilet paper and paper towels. Finally 6th graders are supposed bring deodorant, soap, toothpaste, and toothbrushes.
Come join the Rockbrook Running Club!
4th - 6th grade students received an information packet about signing up for Running Club this week. If you are interested in joining, please fill out the registration form and return it to Ms. Akers by Wednesday March 23. You can email Ms. Akers with any questions at akers.camille@westside66.net
Our next round of Martial Arts classes is coming up. Kids have really enjoyed this opportunity and your registration fee gets donated entirely back to our school! Click here or on the image to register your child.
Important Information for Current 6th Grade Families
Attention 6th Grade Families: There are several important dates we hope you mark on your calendar. Your first event is 6th Grade Parent Information Night, an event organized to help introduce you and your student to their future school. Both students and parents are invited to 6th Grade Information Night; you may pick the night that works best for you. When you arrive, you will report to the Performing Arts Center (PAC).
Monday, April 4 at 6:00 - 7:30pm
Tuesday, April 5 at 6:00 - 7:30pm
Families will be attending three break out sessions in order to gain more information about WMS.
Middle School 101: Find out about dress code, expectations, bus, after school library program, ipads.
Grading: Learn from teachers about grading at Westside Middle School
Athletics/Clubs/Activities/Involvement: During this session, staff will discuss the different opportunities for students to be involved with at WMS.
The second event is Warrior Walkabout. This event, involving students only, allows current 6th graders to meet each other and explore Westside Middle School through fun activities. It will take place in the afternoon of Friday, May 13th during the normal school day. Students will eat at their elementary school and then travel by bus to Westside Middle School. This has been a very positive event in helping our students feel better about heading to middle school.
We can’t wait to welcome you to Westside Middle School! Please contact your child’s teacher or principal if you have additional questions. We will see you in April!
Kim Eymann
Principal, Westside Middle School
NSCAS - Nebraska Annual State Testing
The Rockbrook Read-A-Thon, March 14-April 1st
Drop Off and Pick Up Times
Breakfast: Students may enter at 8:05am
Drop Off: Students may arrive at 8:10am
(Please do not drop students off before this time unless they are coming in to eat breakfast.)
School Entry: Teachers bring students in at 8:20am
Our School Day Begins at 8:30
Dismissal: Regular Dismissal is at 3:30pm, 3:00 on Wednesdays (starting 1/20)
ROCKBROOK PBIS SKILLS Mar 14th - Mar. 18th
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.
Class Placements for 2022-2023
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 25th, 2022
• 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 2022-2023 school year.
Thank you for your continued partnership in your child’s education. Class assignments will be mailed individually in August, prior to the start of school.
Rockbrook is Hiring!
The Education Heroes Award is Back! Rockbrook Teacher Tammy Lewis was a previous winner of this award and we'd love to recognize another of our Amazing Education Heroes here at Rockbrook. Click below to nominate your child's teacher for this well deserved recognition!
Kindergarten Enrollment for District Residents
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 2022-23 school year begins January 24. Parents of eligible students should go to westside66.org to begin the enrollment process as early as possible on or after January 24. Students entering kindergarten for 2022-23 must be five years old by July 31, 2022. 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 402-390-2100.
Student In-District Transfer Requests for the 2022-23 School Year
If you are a District resident who would like your K-6 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 for your request to be considered prior to our placement of Option Enrollment students. IDT forms are available at the ABC Building and our District website. Click here to complete the form electronically.
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 402-390-2107.
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, 2022. 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. Westside’s Office of Student Services must receive Option Enrollment Applications no later than 4:00 p.m. on March 15. The application form is available at the ABC Building (909 S. 76th Street) and our district website or Click here to complete the form electronically.
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. In you have questions, please call 402-390-2107.
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