News from THE ROCK!

We have enjoyed a wonderful start to our 2024-2025 school year. Thank you so very much for your cooperation and flexibility as we begin our year together.
Just a few reminders that children can be dropped off beginning at 7:15 each morning and our building opens to welcome students at 7:30. Our school day begins together at 7:55 each day. If you arrive after 7:55, you will need to park in the front parking lot and escort your child to the main office to sign them in for the day. Leaving home a little early each day surely helps with the heavy traffic!

We are so very fortunate at RQE to have the support of an incredible PTA! You all are simply the best in supporting our teachers/staff/students, and our school. I hope that you will join PTA.

Additionally, I hope that every family will consider "INVESTING" in our school through a contribution to INVEST. This is the only fundraiser that we promote and funds raised are used throughout the year to support our students. Special events like ROCKFEST, INTERNATIONAL Day and Spring Fling are supported using INVEST FUNDING. In addition, materials for instruction, technology and teacher appreciation are all sponsored for our school through INVEST funds.

Thank you in advance for your support!

We will begin having safety drills at RQE. Please discuss with your child the importance of practicing drills to ensure safety at all times.

Please note the following upcoming dates:

Tuesday, August 20th - Elementary Open House (Times will be sent closer to the date.)

Monday, September 2nd- Labor Day Holiday (No School)

Wednesday, September 18th- Kindergarten, Second and Fourth Grade Vision Screening

Tuesday, September 24th- Vote for Tax Referendum

Monday, September 30th- School Day Pictures

The yearbooks from the 2023-2024 school year have arrived. If you ordered a book last year, it will be delivered to your child. Our PTA will devise a plan for yearbooks ordered by children who are no longer students at RQE.

Did you know? The last time the ad valorem tax rate was increased for the Tuscaloosa City Schools was 1986. Inflation has risen by 187 percent since then, significantly impacting the purchasing power of the district. Revenue has not kept up with inflation, and we've tightened the budget as much as possible without impacting instruction. The time has come for a long-term solution to the district’s needs.

If voters approve the proposed 11.5-mill increase to the ad valorem tax rate on September 24, it would mean guaranteed pre-K for all, the expansion of art and music to year-round in elementary schools, plus driver's ed in high schools, investment in school safety, and more. If the referendum fails, it means TCS will have to make difficult budget cuts that will impact every school.

For more information, watch the video and visit www.tuscaloosacityschools.com/referendum. Strong schools mean strong communities.