Rockbrook Reminder
Rockbrook Elementary School's Weekly Updates | 03-12-2020
Movie Night Success!
Class Placements
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 27th, 2019
• 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 2020-2021 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.
Original Artworks is Coming. Click below for ordering information.
Band and String Parents TAKE NOTE!
Strike up the band because our BAND-O-RAMA EXTRAVAGANZA is quickly approaching! Band-o-rama will feature our district wide fifth grade, sixth grade, seventh grade band students as well as our award winning WHS Concert Jazz Band! Students will have a rehearsal during the school day for this event on March 26 and the concert will be the same day at 7:00 pm at Westside High School. Detailed information will be sent home about this concert as the date approaches. For now, please mark your calendars and make this evening a priority for your entire family. Please let your child's band teacher know if you have any questions!
String Solo and Small Ensemble Night:
Sixth grade string students have an optional performance opportunity on Monday, March 16! The event will be held at Westside Middle School at 6:30. More information from your strings teachers will be emailed to you. Please let your strings teacher know if you have any questions and if your child will be performing on this event!
Rockbrook Read-A-Thon 2020
Camp Out For Reading
Book Drawings
Book Drive
STEAM Hour
Note: We will not need to adjust lunch schedules this year on these days as we have shifted to morning hours and will simply adjust the classes during this time.
Safe2Help Nebraska Hotline
NSCAS Testing 3rd through 6th Grade
The second semester is an especially important time for our students as they focus their efforts and attention on school. Important assessments will be administered between March 16th and May 1st. Your child’s teacher will have specific dates they will communicate when students are taking assessments.
The State Accountability Tests (NSCAS) are given to students in grades 3-6. Students are expected to read on grade level, problem solve, and respond to critical thinking questions. Families can access the Nebraska Department of Education Website at:
http://www.education.ne.gov/ to learn more about the assessments.
Simple things your family can do to support your child during these tests are:
- Ensure a regular bedtime and plenty of rest.
- Make sure students get breakfast in the morning either at home or at school. Our breakfast program begins serving at 8:15am.
- Talk with your child about strategies they've learned to do well. Encourage them to do their best and to know that adults are proud of their efforts at school.
If either you or your child has additional questions please don't hesitate to ask your child's teacher or contact Mr. Higginbotham.
Grandfriends Day 2020
- We know Grandfriends are eager to get a good seat. Our concert will begin at 2:40 so we request that Grandfriends not arrive until 2:15.
- With many guests at our building and some unfamiliar with our parking and traffic, please be patient during dismissal.
- Provided weather is good, consider parking in the neighborhood or having your child walk home this day to help relieve some of the congestion.
- IMPORTANT - If your child will be leaving with a Grandfriend, please complete the linked permission form and return with your child as soon as possible. This helps us know that all students will get home safely following this fun event.
Morning Arrival Reminder
It is very important for the safety of children that they not arrive to school before 8:15am. This is when outside supervision begins and breakfast is served. Students not coming to breakfast should be dropped off as close to 8:30 as is possible, as this is when they are allowed to go down to class. Thank you for your support in the safety of our students.
3. Make appropriate comments about the topic. 4. Choose words that will not be confusing to others. 5. Give other people a chance to participate.
Lost & Found
Vocal Music Concerts
Hello Bulldog Parents! The music class has been off to a good start. The students are already preparing for their programs. Below are the program dates this semester.
3rd-4th Grade Vocal Music Concert—Thursday, March 19th, 7:00PM WMS Performing Arts Center
6th Grade Vocal Music Festival—Tuesday, March 31st, 7:00 PM, WHS Gymnasium
1st-2nd Grade Vocal Music Concert—Thursday, May 7th, 7:00PM WMS Performing Arts Center
Kindergarten—Thursday, April 30th, 2:40 PM, Rockbrook Gymnasium
We look forward to seeing you at our performances!
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, 2020. The application form is available at the ABC Building (909 S. 76th Street) and our district website. 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. If you have questions, you may call Julie Fumagalli at 402-390-2107.
Important Dates
March
13 No School
16 Strings Solo and Small Ensemble Concert @ WMS
16-20 Inclusion Week (See Flyer)
18 Don & Millie’s Dining Out for Education Night
19 3rd & 4th Grade Vocal Music Concert 7:00 pm @ WMS
21 Down Syndrome Awareness Day (recognized at school 3/20)
25 Spring Pictures
26 Band-O-Rama Rehearsal WHS 5th 9:30-11:10 am 6th 1:00-2:45 pm
26 District 5/6 Band-O-Rama, WHS 7:00 p.m.
26 Jones Bros Dining Out for Education Night
27 Spring Community Breakfast 7:45 a.m.
30 All Staff Appreciation Week - District Wide March 30-Apr. 3
31 6th Grade Vocal Music Festival
Dropping Off Your Child? Please Bring Them In & Sign Them In
Students and Cell Phones / Smart Devices
Rockbrook Field Day 2020
Save the Date: Art & Pizza Night, April 28th
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