Rockbrook Reminder
Rockbrook's Weekly Updates | 02-25-2022
Interested in grabbing a treat for your child? Check them out at 2821 S 108th St Suite 1.
Kindness Champions
This week and last our school too part in our Kindness Challenge. This year we focused on showing gratitude and kindness to all the staff across our school. Below are students nominated from their class as "Champions of Kindness, going above and beyond to support staff and students at our school!
#SpreadTheWord Inclusion
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.
Cross Age Buddies
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)
Dr. Higginbotham takes the Polar Plunge... Feb 26th
Not up for the cold but still want to show your support? You can donate directly to Dr. Higginbotham's donation page (https://give.classy.org/ghigginbotham) or to the WE-SIDE UNIFIED Team (https://give.classy.org/wesideunified). Thanks to those who have already shown their support. #BeBoldGetCold
Water Bottle Reminder
A reminder that due to health precautions we currently do not have drinking fountains available to students. We ask that students bring a water bottle with them daily. Especially as we approached dry, winter air, keeping well-hydrated is important. When students do not have a water bottle with them one is provided, however, we need your help to ensure we do not run out of our reserve supply. Please be sure to send a clean water bottle with your child each day and remind them to bring it home for regular cleaning.
ROCKBROOK PBIS SKILLS FEB 22nd -25th
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.
Inclusion Week - Feb 28-Mar4
Rockbrook is Hiring!
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.
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