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.