Rockbrook Reminder
Mid-Summer Edition
Welcome to the 2020-2021 School Year!
We're excited to be preparing for your child to return to Rockbrook and working hard to make sure the school is cleaned and ready to bring students back.
As a reminder, the first day of school has been moved to August 18th. For kindergarten families you should be receiving a letter in the mail indicating if your child will attend August 18th and 19th or 20th and 21st. All students would attend on the 24th.
In addition to our supply list I'm excited to again introduce you to our new Rockbrook Staff members, Ms. Hillary Ibarra, joining us in 6th grade, and Mr. Jerod Schoneman, joining us in our Special Education Department.
Whether a new family to Rockbrook or returning, I look forward to working and learning with you and hope you will become involved in the many opportunities available at our school. Enjoy the remaining weeks of summer and feel free to call us if you have any questions regarding the start of school.
Sincerely,
Mr. Higginbotham
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.
First Day of School
Tuesday, Aug 18, 2020, 08:30 AM
2514 South 108th Street, Omaha, NE, USA
Classroom Assignments
Rockbrook Elementary, Early Childhood, and Club66 - Safe and Welcoming Inside and Out
The safety of our students and families is our top priority at Rockbrook. The best security, however, is only as good as the practices we implement in using it. Please help us in adhering to policies regarding student Drop Off and Pick Up.
Both Early Childhood (ECC) and Club66 Policy requires that all students be checked in to these programs by an adult, by walking children to the south entrance. As ECC and Club66 staff operate from the south end of our building, we ask that all Early Childhood and Club66 attendees enter through the south end of our building unless stair access prohibits doing so.
All exterior doors at Rockbrook will remain locked except when being monitored by Rockbrook Staff during arrival and dismissal. School age students may be dropped off starting at 8:20 a.m. This year students will be asked to gather at de-densified locations where staff can monitor and support a staggered entry to the building.
Before 8:20 - All entrances are locked, students and families must use the buzzer to request entry.
8:20-8:30 - North and south entrances will be open and supervised by Rockbrook Staff.
8:30-3:25 (2:55 on Wednesdays) - All entrances are locked, students and families must use the buzzer to request entry.
3:25 (2:55W) - 3:45 (3:15W) - North and south entrances will be open and supervised by Rockbrook Staff.
3:45-6:00 - All entrances are locked, students and families must use the buzzer to request entry.
If you will be dropping your child off after 8:35 you will also need to walk them in to the office and sign them in for the day. If students arrive without an adult between 8:35 and 3:30, parents will be contacted to remind you of this expectation.
If your child has forgotten something at home and you are quickly dropping this off, we are happy to accept this at the office and deliver items to the classroom.
Thank you for your support to keep Rockbrook Safe and Welcoming Inside and Out.
Your Partners in Education,
Mr. Garret Higginbotham, Principal & Ms. Julie Kathol, Site Director RBECC and Club66
Welcome Ms. Hillary Ibarra - New Rockbrook 6th Grade Teacher
We are excited to welcome to our team at Rockbrook 6th Grade Teacher Hillary Ibarra. Ms. Ibarra comes to us from Scottsbluff Public schools where she has worked as a 6th Grade English Language Arts Teacher.
Ms. Ibarra will be joining us for the start of the new school year and we wanted to offer a chance to introduce her. We are excited to get to know her in the coming months and for the new opportunities, she will offer our students and staff at Rockbrook. Welcome, Ms. Ibarra!
Welcome Mr. Jerod Schoneman - New Rockbrook Resource Teacher
"Thank you for the opportunity to join the Rockbrook family. I am extremely excited to be joining the team at Rockbrook Elementary. I am coming up on my fourth year of teaching. I have previously been teaching sixth grade in St. Paul. During my time in St. Paul, I had the opportunity to coach Jr. High track as well as Jr. High boys basketball. I have a really deep passion for coaching youth sports which allows me to continue my love and enjoyment of all different sports. In my free time, I enjoy golfing, hiking, and being on the lake with family and friends. I am lucky to be married to my wonderful wife, Taylor, who is also joining the Westside district as well this upcoming school year. We are extremely excited to be welcoming a baby boy this summer as we grow our family. I look forward to meeting everyone this upcoming school year."
2020-2021 Rockbrook Staff
Mr. Higginbotham- Principal
Ms.Veldhuis - Administrative Assistant
Mr. Carlson- Kindergarten
Ms. Miller- Kindergarten
Ms. Lewis-1st Grade
Ms. Whitney- 1st Grade
Ms. Kyle- 2nd Grade
Ms. Raphael- 2nd Grade
Ms. Davenport- 3rd Grade
Ms. Rice-3rd Grade
Ms. Conyers- 4th Grade
Ms. Madson- 4th Grade
Ms. Chouinard- 5th Grade
Ms. Smith- 5th Grade
Ms. Akers-6th Grade
Ms. Ibarra-6th Grade
Ms. Cramer-Brink- Learning Circles
Ms. Josten-Learning Circles
Ms. Manzo-Learning Circles
Mr. Schoneman-Learning Circles
Ms. Davis- School Psychologist
Ms. Sharkey- Speech Clinician
Ms. Safranek- Reading Coordinator
Ms. Montgomery- Media Specialist
Mr. Pribnow -Vocal Music
Mr. Glanzer- P.E. / Health
Ms. Sindt-EY Coordinator
Mr. Freeman- Instrumental Music/Band
Ms. Matheson- Instrumental Music/Strings
Ms. Johnson- ArtTeacher
Ms. Biodrowski- Educational Assistant - Kdg.
Ms. Padios-Educational Assistant - Kdg.
Ms. Mellick- Educational Assistant
Ms. Hurlbut -Educational Assistant
Ms. Seward- Health Assistant
Ms. Dickinson- Educational Assistant - Learning Circles
Miss Wolbach- Educational Assistant - Learning Circles
Ms. Johnson- Educational Assistant - Learning Circles
Ms. Kaufman- Educational Assistant - Learning Circles
Miss Lewis- Educational Assistant - Learning Circles
Ms. Smith- Educational Assistant - Learning Circles
Ms. Larsen- Educational Assistant - Learning Circles
Ms. Kirwan- Educational Assistant - Learning Circles
Ms. Preininger- Head of Food Service
Ms. Pineda- Food Service
Mr. Preininger- Building Services - Engineer
Ms. Malone - Building Services - Day Custodian
Mr. Hamilton- Building Services - Night Custodian
Mr. Willits- Building Services - PT Custodian
District Approved Snacks
be safe for all students to eat. When deciding what to send, please choose from the list attached and remember the following guidelines:
Click the Images Above to Download
Annual Updates
Note: Personal snacks for your child may include items not on this list, but are only for their consumption.
What We Do in the Event of Weather
We are lucky in Nebraska to get to enjoy all 4 seasons. This also means that at times the weather gets in the way of our fun and plans. Below is a brief description of our procedures when the weather is not cooperating:
Cold Weather: So long as temperatures are 10° or warmer, students will be outside for recess, arrival, dismissal, safety patrol, and other outdoor activities.
Rain: When rain is heavy enough that students would get considerably wet, or when there is thunder or lightning, students will be kept inside or brought inside. In addition, if conditions have been such that fields are muddy, access to dirt and grass areas may be restricted as well as playground equipment if it is deemed too slick for safe play.
Severe Weather: If the National Weather Service issues a Thunderstorm Warning students are kept inside. In the event of a Tornado Warning, students are moved to our area of refuge at the south end of the building. Families coming to the school during this time are encouraged to take shelter with us until the warning has passed.
Notice of Nondiscrimination
Westside Community Schools does not discriminate on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, race, color, national origin, religion, disability, age, marital/parental status, military/veteran status or any other category protected by law in its programs and activities or in admission or access to, or treatment in, hiring and employment, and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups.
The following District personnel have been designated to coordinate compliance and can address inquiries about the District’s nondiscrimination policies and procedures:
For questions or concerns by students, parents or others:
• Coordinator of Student Services/Title IX Coordinator – ABC Bldg. 909 So. 76th St. Omaha (402) 390-2100 E-mail: titleixcoordinator@westside66.net
• Director of Special Services/ADA & 504 Coordinator (disability/accommodation) ABC Bldg. 909 So. 76th St. (402) 390-2100 E-mail: ADAcoordinator@westside66.net
For questions by District employees or applicants:
• Ass’t Supt. for Human Resources/Lead Title IX Coordinator - 909 So. 76th St. Omaha, NE (402) 390-2100
Annual AHERA Notice
The Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act of 1986 (AHERA) requires each public school district to annually notify parents, staff, and employee groups of its asbestos management plans. A management plan is in place for Rockbrook and is available for review either at the school building or at the Westside Service Center, 9437 J St. Omaha, NE.
This school was originally inspected in the 1980’s and re-inspected by a certified inspector every three years thereafter. The three-year re-inspection was conducted in 2018, a ceiling tile inspection in 2019, and periodic surveillance will be conducted as required. No abatement activities are currently in progress or scheduled for the 2020-2021 school year at this building.
The Designated Person responsible for managing the District’s AHERA compliance and the contact person for questions or to review a management plan is the Director of Facilities, Russ Olsen (402) 390-8331.
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