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. 

Professional Learning Communities

Teacher Professional Learning Communities
This morning after Dragon Tale News our 2nd grade teachers met with the administrative team to analyze the student assessment data. In the afternoon, our 1st grade team met. It was a beneficial time with no interruptions for us to study our children. We set goals for our students in specfic content areas. I look forward to seeing the progression throughout the year. Since 65% of a child's achievement is attributed to the teacher, I feel time learning together is essential. Our teachers and administrators must be learners themselves in order to continually improve their practice and craft.

If you are interested in learning more about the research behind professional learning communitites (affectionately PLCs), please read more at Learning Forward.

 If you have any questions about our PLCs, please let me know. I love to talk about learning!

Young@Heart Update

We have many exciting things happening at The Rock! I am amazed every day by the staff's focus on doing what is best for children. If I have not met you yet, please stop by and say hello!

ROCKIN' DADS START A NEW PROGRAM
Mr. Millican and our Rockin' Dad Leaders will be starting a new program next month: Dad A Day (DAD). We are looking for some great dads that are willing to spend the day at Rockenbaugh. They will start the morning off opening doors in the parent loop and talking to the kids on the Dragon Tale News. You might see them working in classrooms, serving in the cafeteria, playing at recess, working in the computer lab, or possibly assisting Ms. Paula in the front office. More information to come soon! Thank you to our Rockin' Dads.

BOOK CAMP for 3rd and 4th Grade

Book Camp is a new program to incorporate fitness and web 2.0 technologies with reading. Mrs. Green is kicking off Book Camp on Sept. 18, 3:00-4:00pm in the library. This is for 3^rd and 4^th graders only. Students bring their own technological device (iOS device or Adroid device that allows for apps). If you are interested in attending, please contact Mrs. Green. Students must pre-register to attend. Way to go Mrs. Green! (Photo courtesy of http://bit.ly/QkfEnz)

ROCKENBAUGH ELECTRONIC BOOKSHELF (Thanks, Mrs. Green!)

We have a new program this year called Follett Shelf. More information will be coming home soon on a bookmark from the library. This allows students to download books from the internet. Any place you have internet access, you can check out an eBook! Read to lead.

TEACHER LEARNING COMMUNITIES

Our teachers will be meeting 1/2 day, four times a year. We have gracious parent volunteers that will be watching students. On these days, we will analyze student data, monitor progress of teacher goals, evaluate lessons, and learn. They will also be having lunch together as a team on these days. As we meet, I will update you on our new and exciting learning!

NEED BOOKS

We have some new teachers here at Rockenbaugh that need to develop their classroom libraries. If you have any books that your children or neighbors may have outgrown, please bring them up to Rockenbaugh. We will put them to good use! Thank you!

INTERNATIONAL DOT DAY

We will be celebrating International Dot Day on Friday, September 14. The Dot, a book by Peter Reynolds, will be read aloud and all students and staff will celebrate by making their own dot. Wear dots, eat dots, connect the dots on this day! Want to read more? Dot Day Website

Welcome Back to School 2012-13!

Welcome to a new and exciting school year at Rockenbaugh! I hope you had a fun-filled, relaxing summer.  It has been a great first week!

Allow me to introduce myself; my name is Lisa Young, and I am the new principal at Rockenbaugh Elementary School. I know some of you from Carroll Leadership Academy for Student Success (CLASS) and Carroll Education Foundation (CEF) events, not to mention Dragon sporting events. I look forward to getting to know those of you that I do not know.

When I found out Rockenbaugh needed a new principal, I jumped at the opportunity. This is a special school in a unique district with an amazing, dedicated staff! I believe that every 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. Today’s learners prefer to learn digitally, with others, online, in their own time, and in their own way. While I perused the halls this week during assessments, I noticed many younger siblings in the hallways quietly waiting, with more students than not, interacting with an electronic device to pass the time.

While we need to certainly stay focused on the core content, we must also embed the teaching of critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and communication. 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.

Carroll ISD’s core values include the following: excellence, relationships, character & integrity, innovation, and open & honest communication. Our new counselor, Mrs. Connolly, 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 will also be discussing at length the issue of bullying. All CISD administrators are reading and studying this important issue.

After a rigorous hiring process, we have 14 new outstanding staff members! They all attended extra professional development and training this summer to learn best practices in teaching and to prepare to meet the Carroll ISD standard. Please welcome them to Rockenbaugh and get to know their awesomeness. I will be highlighting different staff members in my blog throughout the year.

This first semester we will all be getting to know one another. I invite you to stop by so that I may meet you. Most importantly, I will be focusing on knowing our children. I will be visiting each classroom, roaming the hallways, greeting in the car loop, studying student data, and doing my best to get to know children and their families. During the second semester, we will continue focusing more narrowly on our curriculum and engaging our students in meaningful ways. I welcome your thoughts, dreams, and ideas for what you envision the ideal school to be.

I am passionate about learning and growing. I am pursuing my doctorate degree at the University of North Texas; however, after being named principal, I have decided to take the year to learn Rockenbaugh. I have been reading many administrative books this summer. My favorite has been Strengths Based Leadership by Tom Rath and Barry Conchie. Leaders must focus on people’s natural talents and balance their leadership teams with diverse strengths. I am also passionate about being a good mom and wife. I have two wonderful sons and a supportive husband. Striking the balance between work and home is a goal….not always obtained but a constant target.

I invite you to join me in continuing the strong traditions created at Rockenbaugh all while discussing what the new and exciting possibilities might include. Seeing ideas to fruition motivates and excites me!

Honored to serve the Rockenbaugh community,

Lisa

Meet the New RES Administrative Staff

August 27 is right around the corner! We are all anxiously preparing the arrival of our learners. We look forward to getting to know the families at Rockenbaugh. Here is a little information about us...

Ms. Lisa Young

Principal

I grew up in the metroplex and graduated from L.D. Bell High School. I graduated from Baylor University with a B.S. in Education and married a Baylor graduate, Matt Young. I began teaching in Coppell ISD where I taught 5th grade, 4th grade, and was then an assistant principal at the middle school and elementary level. I received a M.S. in Educational Administration from the University of North Texas where I am pursuing a doctorate degree.

I am passionate about 21st century learning and making learning an engaging experience. My passion and mission as an educator is to develop the whole child: mind/academics, body/physical health, and heart/emotional health.

YELLOW is Ms. Young's favorite color because it reminds her of the sun, bright and cheery. In her spare time, she loves photography, scrapbooking, and watching her boys run. The Young family likes to escape to their family ranch in Springtown, Texas when they get the chance. Sitting on the porch, riding four wheelers, and building camp fires refuels them.

Ms. Janet Blackwell

Assistant Principal

Ms. Blackwell grew up in the small town of Pleasanton, thirty miles south of San Antonio. She attended Pleasanton High School where she displayed athletic prowess in several sports. She received a B.A. in Education from Southwestern Assemblies of God University in 1990; the same year she married her husband, Dawain Blackwell. She has taught 2nd, 3rd, 4th, as well as Gifted & Talented and Special Education. She received her M.S. in Educational Administration from Concordia University Texas. 

Her desire is to guide students to look at their life like a race. They must run their own race, meaning that they should not compare themselves to others but instead embrace their unique talents and abilities. If they are distracted by how others are running, they will not discover the course for their life.

PURPLE is Ms. Blackwell's favorite color, which denotes good judgment and/or happiness. In her spare time, she and her husband love to train for marathons. She has completed eight marathons and is currently training for the Chicago Marathon. Her dream is to qualify for the Boston Marathon. When she is not running, she also enjoys reading or watching movies curled up with her three dogs: Wylee, Bo, and Belle.

Ms. Brittany Connolly
Counselor

Ms. Connolly has spent most of her childhood and adulthood in the DFW metroplex and attended Colleyville-Heritage High School. She graduated from The University of North Texas with a B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies with an Early Childhood through 4th grade Teacher Certification.  She began teaching in Keller ISD, where she taught 4th grade and 2nd grade. She received her M.S. in School Counseling from Dallas Baptist University, where she hopes to pursue her LPC in the future.  She has been married to Sean Connolly for 13 years, and they have a wonderful son, Kaden.

Ms. Connolly is passionate about learning and considers herself a lifelong learner.  She is always striving to find ways to learn and better herself as an educator so that she can give her absolute best to students and their families.  It fills her heart with joy when she sees children grow and flourish.  She loves experiencing life through the eyes of children and enjoys helping them discover their world.  Ms. Connolly treasures watching her own son grow and learn each day and equally seeing how her students grow into unique and special individuals.


GREEN is Mrs. Connolly's favorite color because it reminds her of nature and calm.  She is so excited to be a Dragon now and live GREEN!  In her spare time, she loves reading, listening to music, and watching movies and sports. The Connolly family loves baseball, and especially the Texas Rangers!  They also love to take road trips and discover fun and new places.