I Am Thankful

THANKSGIVING

As Thanksgiving approaches, this provides a time for us to reflect upon the things for which we are most thankful. For what are you most thankful? I am thankful for being a part of Carroll ISD. Tradition, excellence, innovation, integrity, communication, and honesty are qualities woven into the fabric of Carroll ISD that cause me to give thanks on a daily basis!

PARENT INVOLVEMENT

The most effective learning environments for student success are when the teacher, child, and parent are equal shareholders, investing in the decision-making, work, and assessment of the child. I had the opportunity this week to talk to several parents regarding parent participation at Rockenbaugh Elementary. Parents are invited and welcomed. We want parents involved in the educational process. The teachers and I will try to communicate clearly when is the ideal time for parents to visit the school.

CALLING ALL DADS

Rocken’ Dads, please consider volunteering two hours a year. Rocken’ Dads is starting a new program called Dad of the Day. Dads will sign up to come either a Monday or Friday morning to greet and open car doors in the drop off loop, make an appearance on the Dragon Tale News with their child/children, visit the classroom, and help around the school for a total of two hours. If you are able to donate two hours a year, please talk to the Millican family or the school office. Rock on you Rocken’ Dads!

LEARNING WALKS ON DRAGON DAYS

Dragon Days are special days at Rockenbaugh. Students from different grade levels come together for a unique learning experience with our Encore teachers during students’ regularly scheduled special/Encore time. While students are experiencing engaging and fun learning, classroom teachers are participating in learning walks. We identify a content or strategy of focus for the campus and walk through classrooms to observe and discuss. Small groups of about seven staff members spend ten minutes in a classroom, then we spend about five minutes in the hallway debriefing what we observed. Ms. Bruder-Aster, the reading specialist, lead the discussion this last time since we focused on best practices regarding the teaching of reading. If you have any questions about our learning walks, please let me know.

VETERAN’S DAY

Rockenbaugh will be celebrating Veteran’s Day on Tuesday, November 13, at 7:00 p.m. with a third grade performance in the cafeteria. Please come and honor the many veterans that we know at Rockenbaugh. Thank you to Ms. Smith and the parent committee for the many hours they pour into this program for the students, parents, and United States Veterans!

Rocken Dads' Club!

You and your children are invited to attend Rocken Dads' Breakfast this coming Thursday, November 1, at 7:00 a.m. in the Rockenbaugh Cafeteria. Head Football Coach, Hal Wasson, and Athletic Director, Kevin Ozee, will be speaking! Thank you to the Millicans, Foremans, and Penningtons for all of their work and preparation in organizing this event. Chick-Fil-A breakfast will be available. Please RSVP to the Millicans by Tuesday, October 30.

This week’s Young@Heart blog is dedicated to all of our Rocken Dads and all they do for their family and kids. Having the privilege to be a daughter, wife, and educator, I have a front row seat that allows me to witness the excellent love shown by dads to their kids. Many men I know read a daily article that teaches about family values and unconditional love which gives points as to what a dad can do to be the best dad. In the spirit of that daily article, I am sharing my thoughts about dads.

Upon occasion I have been asked to verbalize the things, attitudes, and actions that create a successful child and eventually a contributing and accomplished citizen. In my opinion, which is heavily influenced by statistics and research, the top five things that help a child develop into a successful adult include the following:

• Tell your child what you love about them. Say it. Often. Dads give directives or corrections statistically more than they tell their children what they love about them. Take time daily to share the love.
• Let your children know you. Kids love to hear stories about their parents’ childhood and adulthood. Tell your children about your successes and defeats.
• Get to know your children and listen to them. One strategy that works for us is to ask our sons each day to tell us what their high, medium, and low was for the day. I don’t know why it works, but it works. If we ask, “Tell me about your day.” Crickets. But, high/medium/low, we have words! I also recommend you follow your children on all social media. More about that in a future post.
• Show your child unconditional love. Your children will disappoint you. Gross negligence and mistakes on their part requires a consequence; through it all, make sure you express how your love has no limits.
• Have a fun-loving nickname for your child. I have done this since my first year of teaching. I found that having nicknames for children creates a unique bond. Many things annoy my teenage sons, but calling them by their nicknames seems to conjure up feelings of warmth and childhood. Yes, my Pookie and my Love Bug smile! If you don’t have one, try one of these that I have heard this week: Sweetie, Cool Breeze, T Man, Grahamster, Honey Bunch, or Boo.

I realize that parenting is no easy task! I have an 18 and 15 year old. I speak from experience! However, no matter your children’s ages, at the end of each day, if a child is loved for what and who he or she is, research says they will not only be successful in life but also as a future parent and leader!

Thank you for allowing me to love your kids with you!

Rock on you Rocken Dads! 

From your principal, a believer in your child, a mom, wife, daughter and fellow Dragon,

Mrs. Young

 Sources: National Fatherhood Initiative and Family First

Social Media Revolution

This has been a week of reflection for many of our students, staff members, and families. Many people told me they have given extra hugs and enjoyed the sweet moments of life a little more this week.

My desire is that each day is a special one for the students at Rockenbaugh, excited about school and learning. Our teachers have been working diligently to maintain the high standards of excellence while creating engaging and meaningful learning experiences. Below you will see a few updates on our educational programs.

SECOND CUP OF COFFEE

Wow! I enjoyed our conversation on Thursday at our Second Cup of Coffee. Thank you to the parents who attended. I feel it is good to learn about things prior to them becoming an integral part of life. For those that missed it, I recommend you watch the following videos and begin to have conversations with your elementary students about the power of social media: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_RU5OCYYYw&feature=youtu.be and this one http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JaDiBiAnv8

TO WHOM DO I ADDRESS MY QUESTIONS

If you have a question, this explanation may help guide you to whom the questions should be addressed. We are here to help. Let us know what you need!

Lisa Young, principal, will answer questions regarding the following: curriculum, school improvement, personnel, instruction, professional development, special education, and serious discipline issues.

Janet Blackwell, assistant principal, will answer any questions regarding the following topics: resources (textbooks, etc.), buses/car loop, discipline, facilities, preschool, and special education (shared with the principal).

Brittany Connolly, counselor, will answer any questions regarding the following topics: school guidance lessons, student planning, responsive services (these can be necessitated by events and conditions in students’ lives), and group counseling/lunch bunch.

SCIENCE EXPLORATION DAY

On Friday, October 19, all of Rockenbaugh will be participating in a fun-filled day of science.  Classes will rotate within their grade level to 5 or 6 science activities with parents helping the teachers.  The schedule is as follows:          

           Preschool – 8:30 – approximately 9:45

           Kindergarten – 8:30 – 10:35

           1st Grade – 8:30 – 10:35

           2nd Grade – 8:30 – 11:00

           3rd Grade – 8:30 – 11:00

           4th Grade – 8:30 – 11:30

In the afternoon the PTO will provide a program, Snake Encounters, for our students.  The assemblies are as follows:

·      12:45-1:35: Kindergarten, 1^st Grade, and 2^nd Grade (Hadwin, Villarreal, and Freden)

·      1:50-2:40: 2^nd Grade (Marshall and Wommack), 3^rd Grade, and 4^th Grade

We still need two liter bottles (clear or green, emptied and rinsed.) Please contact Ginger Jones at ginger.jones@southlakecarroll.edu if you can: prepare supplies at home, help with set-up the week of Oct. 14-18, or help with clean up Friday afternoon. This is an engaging and fun day for all!

RED RIBBON WEEK

Red Ribbon Week is Oct. 22-26. This is the largest drug prevention campaign in the country. If interested read more at http://drugfreetexas.org/red-ribbon/ .

OLD BOOKS NEEDED

Have your children outgrown some of their books you have bought at previous book fairs? Please consider donating them to Rockenbaugh! We have some new teachers that could use books to develop their classroom library. Thanks to the Silfies and the Moses families for donating big sacks of books!

TREE PLANTING CEREMONY

Please join Mrs. Jones, Mrs. Young, Mrs. Blackwell and other staff members at the Tree Planting Ceremony on Tuesday, Oct. 23 at 3:15 p.m. Meet us in the Rockenbaugh Elementary Native Garden and Wildlife Sanctuary. We are so excited to plant 2 Bur oaks received from the People’s Garden Grant submitted by Bob Jones Nature Center to the Alliance for Community Trees (ACTrees).  The Bur oaks will provide some much needed shade, food, and shelter in the bird sanctuary of our outdoor learning center. This area was actually shady a few years ago, but insects damaged the Western Soapberry trees and they had to be removed.

DRAGON TALE BOOK CHARACTER PARADE

Our annual Dragon Tale Book Parade is being held on Friday, Oct. 26 when students come dressed as their favorite book character. Ask your child what his/her favorite book character is and help them prepare a costume. Since the PTO made a bulletin board of me as Youngalicious, I will be dressing up like Pinkalicious, pigtails and all. Parents are invited on this special day. Elementary school days are the greatest of life! Come and take pictures of your special little one dressed up and proudly walking the halls.

BOOK FAIR

Our book fair is Oct. 29-Nov. 2, and our Book Fair Family Night is Nov. 1 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. in the library. Donuts with Dads is Friday, October 26 from 7:00-8:00 a.m.. The book fair closes on Friday, Nov. 2 at noon. Thank you to Mrs. Green and the PTO for bringing the book fair to RES!

One six weeks down and five more to go. That statement makes me feel like life is a checklist. Someone in my family reminds me frequently, "Lisa, life is a journey, not a destination. Enjoy the ride." As I think about that, I believe the elementary school years are the sweetest rides in life. As the time flies this year, my desire is that each child, parent, and staff member loves the journey. Relish this precious time and gift of life. Take time to stop and smell the roses. I say all of this to you because I need the reminder myself. :)

Our ride at Rockenbaugh has been a fun and exciting one thus far. Our students and staff members are settling into a new routine. This past week, Carroll Education Foundation (CEF) week, our students and staff brought in their change. CEF is matching up to $500, all of which will remain at Rockenbaugh! Monday on the Dragon Tale News we will be announcing the class that brought in the most change and wins a Chick-Fil-A party. We collected over $3000 in change this week! Thank you to all parents for caring about your child's education. Last Friday our kindergarten team hosted the Teddy Bear Tea and Parade. It was a magical day for our students. Thank you to the kindergarten teachers for scheduling a memorable event for our students, families, and staff!

NEW PROGRAMS FOR OUR STUDENTS

Go to www.brainpop.com and view amazing videos. This educational site has over 1000 short animated movies for students in grades K-12 (ages 6-17) covering the subjects of science, social studies, English, mathematics, arts, music, health, and technology. This program is used in over 25% of U.S. schools. If you have a tablet or smart phone, try downloading the app as well! Thank you to Mrs. Featherston, our GT teacher, for facilitating this program! She is always trying to find ways to reach all students.

Campus username: rocken 

Password: reader 

Another program available to all students this year is First in Math Online Program. Each student brought home a flyer this weekend. On the flyer you will find individual student log ins. This program offers comprehensive content ranging from single-step addition to complex algebra in an engaging format for our students. Students progress at their own pace to master basic advanced math skills. Thank you to Mrs. Featherston for bringing and facilitating these robust programs to our students!

ROCKEN DADS
Our first official Rocken Dads event is scheduled for Thursday, November 1, at 7:00 a.m. in the Rockenbaugh Cafeteria. We are working on getting several of our Carroll Dragon football coaches and players. Our very own preschool teacher, Mrs. Langford, is married to the Carroll Dragon receiver coach, Coach Stephen Langford. This event is a time for all of our dads to come together with their children. We will be selling Rocken Dad t-shirts at this time. Thank you to the Millicans and other families for coordinating this time! We appreciate you!

PROFESSIONAL LEARNING UPDATE

Our third and fourth grade teams met in professional learning communities this past Monday. We set group norms, analyzed our students' assessment data, and set goals for our students. I continue to be amazed by the dedication of the staff; these teachers stay late, work on the weekends, and have such passion for doing what is best for each and every student. Their words match their actions.

BOOK STUDIES

We will be meeting on Wednesday afternoons twice a month to discuss specific books. Teachers will read the books on their own time then will discuss during our Weds. book study meetings. Preschool is reading a book designed specifically for preschool and early childhood, Practical Solutions to Practically Every Problem: The Early Childhood Teacher's Manual by Steffen Saifer.

• Kindergarten through second grade will be reading Comprehension from the Ground Up by Sharon Taberski. This book cuts through the pressurized, strategy-overloaded atmosphere surrounding the teaching of reading and lays out the reading and writing workshop practices that are most effective with primary-aged students. 

• Our third and fourth grade teachers will be reading The Book Whisper by Donalyn Miller. This book teaches to affirm the reader in every student, allow students to choose their own books, carve out reading time, model authentic reading behaviors, discard timeworn reading assignments, and develop a classroom library filled with high-interest books. Carroll ISD Language Arts Coordinator had the author, Donalyn Miller, come and speak to our teachers this summer. 

• Our encore and special education teachers will be reading the book our superintendent, Dr. David Faltys, purchased for all of our district administrators and counselors, The Bully, the Bullied, and the Bystander: From Preschool to High School --How Parents and Teachers Can Help Break the Cycle by Barbara Coloroso. The author explains the three kinds of bullying, and the differences between boy and girl bullies. She offers tools to stop the cycle of violence and emphasizes the need to teach empathy to our children.

Our book study for the next semester will center around STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics).

SECOND CUP OF COFFEE

You are invited to attend our Second Cup of Coffee meeting scheduled for Thursday, October 11 at 11:00 in the Rockenbaugh library. We will sip some coffee while we discuss educational programming at Rockenbaugh and in Carroll ISD. I want to hear what you envision the ideal school to be for your precious children.