Mar. 2 Godfathers Slice of the Pie Night 6 Planet Sub Dining Out Night 6 Spring Pictures, 9 am 6 Community Club 6 pm 13 Runza Dining Out Night 13-14 Parent Teacher Conferences 16 Intersession- NO SCHOOL

Rockbrook Calendar 20 5/6 Warrior Band-O-Rama WHS 7:00 pm 21 Don & Millie’s Dining Out Night 21 Down Syndrome Awarness Day 23 Spring Community Breakfast 7:45 am 27 Zio’s Dining Out NightApril 2-6 Spring Break 3 Planet Sub Dining Out Night

MissionThe mission of Rockbrook Elemen-tary School, a diverse community of learners, is to foster learning by providing a quality educational experience within a secure and chal-lenging environment.

School Improvement GoalAt Rockbrook we will increase student engagement and achieve-ment through Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports for social, emotional, behavioral, and academic needs.

News Briefs

Mosaic If your child’s lunch account is negative, you will receive

an e-mail form Mosaic. please check your junk mail.

Tardy ReminderSchool begins at 8:40 a.m. Students who are not in the classroom at that time are marked tardy. Please arrive early enough to make it to the room before 8:40. Thank you.

Spring Portrait DayMartin Photography will be taking Spring Portraits for anyone who is interested at 9 a.m. on Thursday, March 6th. Your student should have the order form in their backpack today. This must be returned with payment by the day of the photos.

Community Breakfast

Rockbrook & Prairie Lane Music Position: As you may have seen recently on the district website there is an opening for the Music Teacher position for Rockbrook and Prairie Lane. While sad on our part, we wanted to communicate to you a bit about this. Mrs. Swanson has been an amazing addition to our schools and will be sadly missed. For those unaware, Mrs. Swanson’s husband has been away in Canada throughout the year for his job. Opportunities are such that it is in the best interest of their family to be together, and this means that Mrs. Swanson will be moving and unable to teach with us next year. We appreciate her letting us know this as early as possible so that we have plenty of time to hire a new music teacher to take on this role. Please contact the principal if you should have any questions. Mrs. Swanson is committed to completing this year with the same enthusiasm, excellent instruction, and caring she has shown for our students and we wish her and her family the very best.

Kindergarten Music ProgramThursday, April 26, 2:39 p.m.

Please join us for our annual Spring Community Breakfast on Friday, March 23rd at 7:45 a.m.

School Phone Numbers

Office/Attendance402-390-6475

Pre-School/Club 66402-390-8208

Save the DateArt and Pizza Night Rockbrook’s Community Club is sponsoring Art and Pizza Night on April 19th from 6-7:30pm. Pizza order forms will be sent home and can be turned into the office. Please have order forms turned in by April 13th, 2018.

2514 South 108th St. Omaha, NE 68144 (402) 390-6475 Info Line: (402) 390-3399 www.westside66.org

Rockbrook ExpressRockbrook Elementary School Newsletter March 2018

Notice of Nondiscrimination - Westside Community Schools does not discriminate on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, race, color, national origin, religion, disability, age, marital, parental or pregnancy status, military/veteran status or any other category protected by law in its programs and activities or in admission or access to, or treatment in, hiring and employment. Retaliation is prohibited. The following persons coordinate our compliance and can assist with questions or filing a concern or report:

- For students, parents or others: Coordinator of Student Services/Title IX Coordinator – ABC Building, 909 So. 76th St. Omaha NE 68114 (402) 390-2100 or via e-mail: titleixcoordinator@westside66.net

- For staff members or applicants: Ass’t Superintendent for Human Resources/Lead Title IX Coordinator – ABC Building, 909 So. 76th St. Omaha, NE 68114 (402) 390-2100 or via e-mail: titleixcoordinatorHR@westside66.net

Jump on the Wellness Wagon! This month’s tip: Limit Screen TimeNo doubt about it- TV, interactive video games, and computers can be great sources of education and entertainment for kids. But excessive TV and screen time cuts into family time and contributes to an un-healthy lifestyle. Watching more than 1-2 hours of TV per day has been associated with lower academic achievement. That’s why it’s a good idea to monitor and limit your child’s “screen time,” the time spent watching TV or DVDs, playing video games and using the computer.

Counselor’s Corner“Conflict is inevitable, but combat is optional.” Max LucadoStudents are constantly working on making friends and resolving conflict. Conflict is a part of life, and it isn’t always a bad thing. This is especially true when we work to find a solution to which both parties can agree. This is when we use our problem-solving skills to the best of our abilities.First, if you are angry, you need to cool off! Some of the ways you can regain self-control are counting to 10, taking deep breaths and walking away from the situation. Then, when you are calm, you can identify the problem and recognize the different points of view. Using the problem solving steps, you can decide what the best solution is for both of you. Some students use I-messag-es to work out their conflict. They tell the other person how they feel about the situation and what they need or want to happen to change it. Students are encouraged to ask an adult for help if they cannot agree. This is managing conflict with a “win-win” goal and without losing friendships.Meghan Martin School Counselor

STRIKE UP THE BANDBecause Band-O-Rama Is Coming!!!!!!Fifth and Sixth Grade Band students will present a district wide musical extravaganza on Tuesday, March 20, at 7:00 p.m. Please mark your calendars and help reward your child for their hard work by making this event a priority for your entire family. Students will attend a rehearsal during the school day and will need to report to Westside High School at 6:30 p.m. A detailed letter about the days events will be e-mailed to band parents, and sent home with band students the last week of February. Questions about this event or anything else band related, please e-mail freeman.michael@westside66.net.

Rockbrook Staff Appreciation Week“Bloom Where You Grow”Celebrating Rockbrook’s Staff!Staff Appreciation Week is next week (March 5-9). We are celebrating all that Rockbrook’s Staff does for our students! We would love it if you could have your child write a note and deliver it to their favorite staff members telling them why they are special! Thanks! RBCC Staff Appreciation Committee

Please remember to call the school office at 390-6475 before 9:00 a.m. if:

Often times parents will tell the teacher when their children are going to be gone, but sometimes the teacher is gone as well. The office really needs to know. We would appreciate your help with this anytime you know your child will be out of school.

Also, please let the office know if you are going to be out of town and someone else will be taking care of your children. In the case of an emergency, we want to reach someone as soon as possible.

Community ClubCommunity Club meets once a month and we would love to have you join us on Tuesday, March 6, at 6:00 p.m.

Rockbrook Community Club is made up of parents who come together to support our school. Being a part of Community Club provides a great opportunity for parents to be involved in their child’s education, and to meet other parents and families.

When Is My Child Too Sick for School?Proper care in the early stages of an illness can reduce recovery time for the ill child and reduce the possibility of spreading the illness to others. Proper diet, adequate rest, and good personal hygiene (especially frequent hand wash-ing) can assist the body’s ability to fight infection.The following are guidelines to assist you in deciding when your child should stay home from school:Irritability, poor appetite, tiredness, achiness are vague symptoms. Changes in a child’s normal behavior can often signal the beginning of an illness.Fever of 100 degrees or higher. Take your child’s temperature if he is complaining of feeling tired, headache, sore throat or stom-ach ache. A child should be fever-free for 24 hours without the use of medication before returning to school.

Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Keep your child at home for the duration of these symptoms. No vomiting or diarrhea for the past 24 hours is recommended. Be sure your child is able to tolerate food without difficulty before returning.Nasal secretions and coughing/sneezing spread respiratory infections easily when these symptoms can’t be controlled.Suspected communicable conditions such as undiagnosed rashes, pink eye, ringworm, or chicken pox. A child must be sent home until identified symptoms are evaluated and conditions for return to school are provided by a health care provider.

Assessments and SupportThe 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 19th and April 27th. Your child’s teacher will have specific dates they will commu-nicate 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.

Requirements for Early Admission to KindergartenIn accordance with Nebraska Statute 79-214, the Westside Community Schools allows for admission of children as early entrance kindergarteners through a locally designed testing program. Children of District residents who wish to be tested for early entrance must turn five between August 1 and October 15, 2018. For further information regarding early entrance to kindergarten, please call 402-390-2108.

Kindergarten Enrollment for Non-District ResidentsIf you live outside the District and have a child eligible for kindergarten who has a sibling currently attending a Westside elementary school through the Open or Option Enrollment program, you must submit an Option Enrollment Application. Option Enrollment Applications must be received by Westside’s Office of Student Services no later than 4:00 p.m. on March 15, 2018. The application form is available at the ABC Building (909 S. 76th Street) and at westside66.org. 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.

Rockbrook Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports(PBIS)Throughout this year we’ve brought you monthly tidbits about our implementation of PBIS at Rockbrook. This is a district wide process and includes working with the Nebraska Department of Education to have our entire district certified.One of the key tenets of PBIS is that we have to define expectations and teach expectations if we want students to be successful in their behaviors at school. To do so, we focus on two important kinds of skills - Social Skills and Building Expectations. Each week we have an alternating focus on one or the other. Starting on March 12th, students will focus on the skill of “Accepting No for an Answer.” When students learn to accept being told no, they look at the person, say “Okay,” remain calm, and if they disagree, check back later. When we accept no, we’re more likely to have our view listened to later. The second kind of skill is building expectations. We post our building expectations throughout our school in the three categories of Be Safe, Be Respectful, Be Responsible. Building expectations look different in different parts of the building, but all areas follow these three basic rules. During the week of March 19th, our focus area will be hallway expectations. In classrooms, teachers discuss the specific expectations for their room as it also fits into these categories. We encourage families to take some time and discuss what it means to be safe, respectful, and responsible, not only at school but at home as well. Using this common language can help students understand and show the positive behaviors we want them to have.

Education Assistants NeededAre you or someone you know looking for a flexible way to put some extra money in your pocket? Would you like to be on the same work schedule as your children? Westside Community Schools are seeking applicants searching for a flexible, part-time position to fit into your busy schedule. Applications can be submitted online through the “Job” area found on our district website.

Rockbrook PromSaturday, April 28, 7-10 p.m.The annual Rockbrook Family Prom will be on Saturday, April 28, from 7-10 p.m.

Classroom PlacementsWe 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:

BalanceWhen 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 diverse representation.

Build EquityWe also work to see that all classrooms resemble each other in leadership abilities, social skills, peer relationships, indi-vidual learning styles and teaching styles, and classroom dynamics (behavior, social, emotional, and personality consider-ations among students).

Finding the Right MatchWe 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:

not the specific teacher you wish them to have.-

lar student, please make sure we are aware of the necessary details again, for placement in the 2018-19 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.

Delivery of Medicines All medications (including prescribed, over-the-counter, inhalers, and cough drops) must be delivered to the school and picked up from the school by the parent/guardian. (See District Medication Authorization form.) This is a requirement that helps safeguard all of the students. All medication needs to be labeled with the student’s name, and must be in the original package or bottle. The Medication Authorization form (available at the office) must be signed by the prescribing health care provider and parent for prescribed medication. For over-the-counter medication, the parent only needs to sign the form so it can be administered during a two week period. Medication Authorization must be completed before any medication can be administered. (Nebraska Medication Aide Act). Thank you for your assistance in keeping our students safe and healthy.

Lunch Guests Joining your child for lunch is a fun and enjoyable tradition that Rockbrook is pleased to support when your schedule allows. For this purpose we have designated a guest table during our lunch period where you and your child can share a meal and each other’s company. To ensure that there is enough space for our out-of-school guests we are asking that families eat with their own children only. If you would like a school lunch, please make your reservation with the office before 9 a.m.

Rockbrook Year Long Calendar 2017-2018August January10 Sneak Peek Night--Safe Walk to School- Open House 6-7 p.m. 2 Planet Sub Dining Out for Education Night15 First Day of School 8 School Resumes16 Don & Millie’s Dining Out for Education Night 15 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - no school22 Kdg. Curriculum Night 6:00-6:30 16 Community Club Meeting - 6:00 p.m.

Gr. 1 Curriculum Night 6:30-7:00 p.m. 17 Don & Millie’s Dining Out for Education NightGr. 2 Curriculum Night 7:00-7:30 p.m. 19 Family Movie Night, 6:30

24 Gr. 3 Curriculum Night 6:00 p.m. 25 4-6 Vocal Music Concert at WMS - 7:00 p.m.Gr. 4 Curriculum Night 6:30 p.m. 30 Jones Brother’s Dining Out NightGr. 5 Curriculum Night 7:00 p.m.Gr. 6 Curriculum Night 7:30 p.m. February

29 School pictures 1 Rockbrook / Oakdale STEAM Night @ Oakdale31 5-6 Instrumental Band Curriculum Night WMS 6-7:30 p.m. 6 Planet Sub Dining Out for Education Night

6 Community Club Meeting - 6:00 p.m.September 8 Skate Daze Skating Party,1 No School – Professional Development 12 Raising Cane’s Night4 Labor Day - No School 14 Valentine Parties5 Community Club Meeting - 6:00 p.m. 15 1-3 Vocal Music Concert at WMS - 7:00 p.m.5 Planet Sub Dining Out for Education Night 19 Presidents’ Day - no school7 6th Grade Outdoor Ed Parent Mtg @ WMS, 6:30 p.m. 21 Don & Millie’s Dining Out for Education Night12 Runza Dining Out for Education Night 27 Strings Solo/Group Night at WMS, 6:30 p.m.20 Don & Millie’s Dining Out for Education Night22 Fun Run / Fall Fling, 2:39 (Rain Date 9/29) March25-26 Outdoor Ed for 6th grade 1 Read-A-Thon, Family Reading Night

2 Godfathers Slice of the Pie NightOctober 6 Spring Pictures 9 a.m.3 Community Club Meeting - 6:00 p.m. 6 Planet Sub Dining Out for Education Night3 Planet Sub Dining Out for Education Night 6 Community Club Meeting - 6:00 p.m.6 Westside Foundation VIVI 13 Runza Dining Out for Education Night10 Raising Cane’s Night 13-14 Parent/Teacher Conferences12 Rockbrook / Oakdale STEAM Night @ Oakdale 16 Intersession - No School17-18 Parent/Teacher Conferences & Book Fair 20 5/6 Warrior Band-o-rama WHS 7:00 p.m.17-18 Book Fair 21 Don & Millie’s Dining Out for Education Night18 Don & Millie’s Dining Out for Education Night 21 Down Syndrome Awareness Day19 Picture retakes 9 a.m. & staff photo 23 Spring Community Breakfast 7:45 a.m.20 No School – Intersession 26 6th Grade Middle School Info Night, 6:0023 No school - Professional Development Alternate nights: March 22nd and March 29th23-31 Red Ribbon Week 27 Zio’s Dining Out Night24 Children’s Presentation on Bullying, 6:0026 Godfather’s Slice of the Pie Night April27 Fundraiser Kick Off Assembly 2-6 Spring Break31 Halloween Parade & Parties - 2:39 p.m. 2 Autism Awareness Day, 201831 Jones Brother’s Dining Out 3 Planet Sub Dining Out for Education Night

9 Raising Cane’s NightNovember 12 Rockbrook / Oakdale STEAM Night @ Oakdale7 Planet Sub Dining Out for Education Night 17 Community Club Meeting - 6:00 p.m.7 Club Meeting - 6:00 p.m. 18 Don & Millie’s Dining Out for Education Night.8 4th Grade Kindness Retreat 19 Art & Pizza Night 6 - 7:30 p.m.10 Veteran’s Day Breakfast 7:45 a.m. 26 Kindergarten Vocal Music Concert - Time TBA.14 Runza Dining Out for Education Night 27 Godfather’s Pizza Slice of Pie Night15 Don & Millie’s Dining Out for Education Night 28 Rockbrook Family Prom - NEW DATE!21 Elem. Band Concert at WMS, 7p.m. 28 District Big Band Dance - 5:30 p.m.22-24 Thanksgiving - No school29 Zio’s Dining Out Night May

1 Planet Sub Dining Out for Education NightDecember 1 Community Club Meeting - 6:00 p.m.5 All School Instrumental Concert, 2:40 p.m. 8 All School Instrumental Concert, 2:40 p.m.5 Planet Sub Dining Out for Education Night 10 West Fest - Instrumental Performance @ WHS5 Family Coding Night 5:00 pm 11 Grandfriend’s Day5 Community Club 6:00 p.m. 16 Don & Millie’s Dining Out for Education Night12 Jones Brother’s Dining Out Night 18 Field Day19 Elementary Strings Concert 22 All School Picnic20 Don & Millie’s Dining Out for Education Night 25 Last Day of School - 1:00 dismissal25 Winter Break begins- No school

Rev 03-04-2017

Rockbrook Dining Out for Education Calendar 2017-2018August 2017 January 2018Su M Tu W Th F Sa Su M Tu W Th F Sa

1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 6 1/2 Planet Sub Night6 7 8 9 10 11 12 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 First Day of School 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 1/17 Don & Millies Night20 21 22 23 24 25 26 21 22 23 24 25 26 2727 28 29 30 31 28 29 30 31 1/30 Jones Bros Night

September 2017 February 2018Su M Tu W Th F Sa Su M Tu W Th F Sa

1 2 1 2 33 4 5 6 7 8 9 9/5 Planet Sub Night 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 2/6 Planet Sub Night

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 9/12 Runza Night 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 2/12 Raising Canes Night17 18 19 20 21 22 23 9/20 Don & Millies Night 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 2/21 Don & Millies Night24 25 26 27 28 29 30 25 26 27 28

October 2017 March 2018Su M Tu W Th F Sa Su M Tu W Th F Sa

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 10/3 Planet Sub Night 1 2 3 3/2 Godfathers Night8 9 10 11 12 13 14 10/10 Raising Canes Night 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 3/6 Planet Sub Night

15 16 17 18 19 20 21 10/18 Don & Millies Night 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 3/13 Runza Night22 23 24 25 26 27 28 10/26 Godfathers Night 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 3/21 Don & Millies Night29 30 31 10/31 Jones Bros Night 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 3/27 Zios Night

November 2017 April 2018Su M Tu W Th F Sa Su M Tu W Th F Sa

1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 4/2 - 4/6 Spring Break5 6 7 8 9 10 11 11/7 Planet Sub Night 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 4/9 Raising Canes Night

12 13 14 15 16 17 18 11/14 Runza Night, 11/15 Don & Millies Night

15 16 17 18 19 20 21 4/18 Don & Millies Night19 20 21 22 23 24 25 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 4/27 Godfathers Night26 27 28 29 30 11/29 Zios Night 29 30

December 2017 May 2018Su M Tu W Th F Sa Su M Tu W Th F Sa

1 2 1 2 3 4 5 5/1 Planet Sub Night3 4 5 6 7 8 9 12/5 Planet Sub Night 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 12/12 Jones Bros Night 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 5/16 Don & Millies Night17 18 19 20 21 22 23 12/20 Don & Millies Night 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 5/25 Last Day of School24 25 26 27 28 29 30 12/23 - 1/7 Winter Break 27 28 29 30 3131 31

Rockbrook Community Club Meetings 2017-2018September 5th, 6:00pmOctober 3rd, 6:00pmNovember 7th, 6:00pmDecember 5th, 6:00pm (Canceled)January 16th, 6:00pmFebruary 6th, 6:00pmMarch 6th, 6:00pmApril 17th, 6:00pm

Thanks to these partners for supporting our school! May 1st, 6:00pm

ART AND PIZZA NIGHT

Thursday

April 19th 2018

6:00-7:30pm

Pizza order forms will be available at the office

Family Nature NightsMetro Omaha Resources for Exploring Nature (M.O.R.E. Nature) is hosting family nature nights in the Omaha area this school year. The school provides the location and the tables, and we do the rest! We bring in 15-20 Nature-based organizations to provide hands-on experiences for your school families, and a healthy snack. Each nature night runs approximately two hours, and we ask that all students be accompanied by an adult. At M.O.R.E. Nature our goal is to get metro area families outside and enjoying nature. Contact us today if your school is interested in a Family Nature Night.

402-315-1713 or cjacobsen@papionrd.org

Rockbrook Nature NightTh

ursd

ay, M

arch

8, 5

-7pm

NightTuesday, Mar 6th, 2018 from 3:30pm to 8:00pm

15% of your purchase of Any order this night will be donated back to the school When you mention RockbrooK.

Be sure to try “The Bulldog,” a custom Rockbrook student creation!

The Bulldog Sandwich

by Wilson & GrantTurkeyBaconSalami

PepperoniLettuce

Pepper JackCheddar

Mayo