All children have a distinctive sparkle, and we need to help
them find it. Each child can succeed at high levels in all areas:
academic/mind, body/physical health, and emotional/social health. Teachers must
engage students in new and unique ways to help them fine their shine. Today’s
learners prefer to learn digitally, with others, online, in their own time, and
in their own way. I am seeing more kids than not, interact with digital
devices.
21st
Century Skills
While we need to certainly stay focused on the core content and
what has been referred to as the three R’s (reading, writing, and arithmetic),
we must also embed the teaching of critical thinking, creativity,
collaboration, communication, and compassionate service. These skills are
essential in being successful in today’s highly global economy. This is the
world in which our students live. Reaching them where they are and engaging
them is essential to their current and future successes.
We also focus on the
social/emotional development of each child. Carroll ISD’s core values include
the following: excellence, relationships, character & integrity,
innovation, open & honest communication and compassionate service. Our
counselor, Mrs. Coffman, will be coordinating many different initiatives and
programs where students can develop and show these core values, including
focusing on these during our Dragon Tale News. Ethics and values are essential
in future success. We teach our RES Conflict Resolution Wheel and ask that you
support us at home by discussing the different components and options to solve
conflict. We always stress that the goal of conflict is to resolve and maintain
the friendship.
RES Accomplishments
Rockenbaugh has moved forward in the area of creating an engaging,
digital learning environment. A dedicated group of parents and staff members
served on our 21st Century Learning Committee that wrote a
three-year plan of which we are moving into the third year of implementation. Thanks
to our PTO and parent donations, we have five iPads in each grade-level
classroom! Our teachers have attended a year-long iPad Academy training on how
to effectively use iPads in the classroom. We have initiated a digital
citizenship program including an Internet safety program using the NetSmartz
curriculum to teach about the “web outlaws” to our students. We also have begun
including STEM/STEAM (see http://www.ed.gov/stem, http://stemtosteam.org, http://steamedu.com, for more information)
learning into our day. Mrs. Green has created a Makerspace in our Media Center where students can go to create, collaborate and
innovate. Again, our generous PTO and parents donated items for STEM carts for
our teachers to check out and use. This year we are forging ahead with a
continued focus on STEM/STEAM and engagement with digital learning.
We invite you to become involved in our vision! Please join us in
our efforts!
To the greatest of days,
Mrs. Young
