Rockbridge Newsletter

Principal - Lissette McRea

Assistant Principal - Staci Gelbaum (Special Education)

Assistant Principal - Luana Lu (2nd and 3rd)

Assistant Principal - Erica Sanchez (Kinder and 1st)

Assistant Principal - Lauren Watson (4th and 5th)

Our students ended the month of August with a Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) Pep Rally! Students reviewed what R.E.S. meant and our music teachers, Mr. White and Mrs. Rackley, led a beautiful chant to help students remember the rules of Rockbridge Elementary School.

Families, try saying this chant at home with your students!

Rockbridge Mustangs, hear us cheer,
RES – loud and clear!
We show respect in all we do,
Engaged and learning, it's our crew!
Safe and sound, we lead the way,
Rockbridge Mustangs, hooray!

Thank you to our Meadowcreek High School cheerleaders for bringing the energy and cheer for our special event!

Thank you to those who attended our Family Engagement Workshop explaining the reasons why student attendance in school MATTERS! Here's an excerpt about absences from our student handbook:

ABSENCES

In the case of an absence from school, a student is required to bring a written excuse from his or her parent/guardian stating the reason for the absence. This excuse must be submitted to the front office.

State law recognizes the following reasons as excused absences:

1. Personal illness

2. Serious illness or death in the immediate family

3. Recognized religious holidays observed by your faith

4. Absences mandated by governmental agencies

5. Instances where attendance would be hazardous

6. Students who are serving as a Page in the Georgia General Assembly

7. Students whose parents are being deployed or on leave from military service

When absent, students need to make up work or follow other arrangements granted by the teacher. In case of an extended illness, parents should contact the counselors to determine if the services of a teacher are required. Family trips and outside extracurricular activities (i.e., piano competitions, soccer tournaments, family vacation, scouting events, etc.) are deemed unexcused and must be recorded as such. Students will be considered truant after 5 unexcused absences. Parents and students will receive notification by letter if chronic absentee problems occur.

This year our Title I The Plan/The Promise is available through Parent Square. You have received a notification via Parent Square to view these important Back to School Forms.

Please complete the following steps to sign-off on The Plan / The Promise

- Click on the link for The Plan / The Promise to view the document

- Confirm that you have viewed the document by clicking "YES" on the input form

- Enter your name as your digital signature

Get ready for Fall pictures! An envelope with different packages for sale were sent home with your student. If you decide to purchase pictures, please put the money inside the envelope with the exact amount, and send it with your child to school.

Wednesday, October 2nd:

Grades K-2 and Special Education classes will take pictures on this day.

Thursday, October 3rd:

Grades 3-5 classes will take pictures on this day.

Monday - Flag Day - Represent a Spanish Speaking Country

Tuesday - Jersey Day - Wear a jersey from your favorite sports team

Wednesday - Ties & Tiaras - Wear your best quincenera outfit

Thursday - Vaquero Day - Wear your favorite cowboy clothes

Friday - Heritage Day - Wear clothes to represent your heritage (traditional clothes or colors to represent your culture, your country, your state, or your school)

All families are invited to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with us at Rockbridge. Join us for an evening of Music, Dance, Food, Art & Crafts. Friday October 4, 2024 from 5:30 - 7:30 PM

The Book Fair is HERE! Students were able to attend a preview session to find books that they'd wish to purchase. Students can begin purchasing items on Monday, September 30th. Cash is accepted. Consider creating an e-Wallet. See the instructions below.

Students in grades 3-5 will take their first interim district assessments for math, science, and social studies beginning on Monday, 10/7/2024 at 8:30 am.

Testing Schedule:

Monday, 10/7 - Mathematics: 8:30 - 9:30 am

Tuesday, 10/8 - Science: 8:30 - 9:15 am

Wednesday, 10/9 - Social Studies: 8:30 - 9:15 am

Schools will be closed for Fall Break from Thursday, October 10 - Monday, October 14, 2024.

Students return to school on Tuesday, October 15, 2024

LEARN how to be your child's first and best teacher through PLAY!

Gwinnett County Public Schools offers a BIRTH TO FIVE program for you and your child at elementary schools across the county!

‐Learn how to find the teachable moments in everyday activities

‐Learn how to engage with your child in play

‐Learn how to continue the learning at home or anywhere

‐Learn about your child’s educational milestones

‐Learn how to get your child READY FOR SCHOOL!

Classes will be held at Rockbridge Elementary School on Tuesday OR Thursday from 9:00 am – 10:30 am. Come to our orientation to learn more!

Learn more actiities linked below

Parents are invited to the Family Center to learn more about technology and how to use technology to support student learning at home. The focus for this month will be

- Websites to practice reading

- Typing Games & Activities

Parent teacher conferences are scheduled for October 23 - 24th for you to meet with your child's teacher. If you want to learn more about what to expect at these conferences, families are invited to the Family Center to prepare for Parent-Teacher Conferences. During this session families will learn more about:

• iREADY
• Progress Reports
• Effective Conferences tips
• Questions you can ask your child's teacher

Parent Teacher Conferences are

Wednesday October 23, and Thursday October 24, 2024.

Information will be sent home to schedule a conference with your child's teachers. Students will be dismissed from school at 11:45 AM on these days. Please make sure someone will be at the bus stop for your child.

Come learn through play with your youngest children (birth - pre-k).

Registration is not required for Little Learners Academy!

Theme for October - Dress Up Play

We're so excited to provide a fun event for our students to TRUNK OR TREAT! Students can participate by wearing their costume! Candy and treats will be passed out.

This workshop is highly recommended for families of students at all levels (elementary, middle, and high school). “Families Engaging in Education” is a four-session workshop that aims to nurture and develop engaged families, by helping them to positively support their child’s academic success.

In this workshop, we will discuss:

• The Individual Education Program (IEP) process.

• The components of the IEP.

• Your role as a member of the IEP Team.

• The Effective Communication Skills needed to help build collaborative relationships.

Dates: 9/10/24, 10/1/24, 10/31/24, and 11/14/24

Families may choose either an in person or virtual session to attend

10:00am – 11:30am Session - In Person

J. Alvin Wilbanks Instructional Support Center, 437 Old Peachtree Road, NW, Suwanee, GA 30024, Building 200, Central Gwinnett Room 2.111

Registration link for 10:00am session:

https://forms.gle/bhtMzxXUr9gbi8MR7

OR

6:00pm – 7:30pm Session – Zoom

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Registration link for 6:00pm session:

https://gcpsk12-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJUpf-uhqjkoGtzvxhEZfGExfidgFqhMEGCS

We welcome you to visit your child for lunch. Outside food may not be brought in the cafeteria. The cost of an adult lunch is $4.00.

October Family Lunch Dates

Kindergarten & First Grade - Monday, October 28, 2024

2nd and 3rd Grade - Wednesday, October 30, 2024

4th and 5th Grade - Friday, November 1, 2024

Visiting the School

•To ensure the safety of our school, all visitors need to press the bell at the main entrance and state their purpose for visiting.

•All visitors must sign-in at the front desk with a valid physical ID and wear a visitor’s pass in the building at all times.

Student Check-Out

•You must bring a valid physical ID and be on the emergency list to check students out early. There is no student check-out after 2:15 pm.

Changes in Transportation

•Changes in transportation can only be made in person or by sending a written note to school.

•Include a phone number to confirm your request.

We are looking for parent volunteers. If you are interested in supporting our school as a volunteer please contact the Family Center (770) 326-8090 or (770) 417-2433

All parents must have a myPaymentsPlus account to receive important Title I Documents. Make sure to add all of your students to your account.

Visit www.mypaymentsplus.com to register.

Call or email the Family Center for assistance.

Stay Informed

Website: www.rockbridgees.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/resgcps

Instagram: www.Instagram.com/resmustangs

Twitter: www.twitter.com/rockbridgegcps

Parent Square: Parent Communication App – GCPS is moving to Parent Square as the main form of communication with families. Please scan the QR code for more information.

Contact the Family Center to receive academic support for your children. Make a visit to check-out books, access resources, and get information about your child’s learning.

The Family Center is located on the main level. Our hours are 7:30AM- 3:30PM.

Parent Instructional Coordinator: Kyla Ramsey

Phone: 770-326-8090 / E-mail: kyla.ramsey@gcpsk12.org

Parent Outreach Liaison: Ivan Cerda

Phone: 770-417-2433 / E-mail: ivan.cerda@gcpsk12.org