Dear Rock Creek Parents and Guardians,

I hope this message finds you well and enjoying the beautiful fall weather! As we step into October, it’s exciting to reflect on the progress our students have made and to look forward to the engaging activities and learning opportunities we have planned for this month. In case you missed it, click HERE for our virtual Back-to-School Bytes.

Highlights of the Month:

1. Fall Fun and Learning: October is a fantastic time to integrate seasonal themes into our curriculum. Our teachers are incorporating fall-inspired projects and lessons that will capture the imagination of our students. Kindergarten and First grade are even visiting Tubbs Berry Farm.

2. Halloween Parade: We will be hosting a Halloween Parade on Thursday, October 31 at 2:05 PM on the walking path. Students are encouraged to dress in their costumes, but please ensure that they are school-appropriate and can be put on independently. Masks, weapons, and extensive make-up will not be permitted.

3. Parent-Teacher Conferences: Parent-teacher conferences are scheduled for October 21-24th. This is a wonderful opportunity to discuss your child’s progress and any areas where additional support might be needed. Be sure to sign up for a time slot by clicking on the link: https://ptcfast.com/schools/Rock_Creek. The Book Fair will be happening during this time too. Stop by room #134 to check it out.

4. Health and Wellness: As we enter flu season, we want to remind everyone of the importance of good hygiene practices. Please ensure that your child washes their hands frequently and gets plenty of rest. If your child is feeling unwell, we kindly ask that you keep them at home to prevent the spread of illness. Not sure if they should go to school or stay home? Click here for a good resource: How Sick is Too Sick. Always communicate with your child's teacher and provide a note if your student is seen by a doctor.

As always, thank you for your continued support and involvement in your child’s education. We are thrilled to partner with you to ensure a successful and enjoyable school year. If you have any questions or need further information, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.

Wishing you and your family a wonderful October filled with fun and learning!

Warm regards,

Mrs. Gebbie

Do you love your child’s teacher? Has your child had a teacher who made an impact or who went above and beyond?

The Twin Falls School District is lucky to have an Education Foundation that helps recognize our outstanding educators. To do this, they organize a Teacher of the Month program that names one elementary teacher and one secondary teacher for this honor. If you know a great educator, please take a moment to nominate them for this award. The nomination application is open now and can be accessed here: https://forms.gle/Hc52jFpyeRV8TKKW8

• When dropping off and picking up your student, please pull as far forward as possible each day. If a staff member is motioning for you to pull down further, please do so. This helps keep the flow of traffic moving.
• Always use the crosswalk for safety and to help us set a great example for our students.
• Never allow your student to get out of the car in the left lane.
• The side parking lot and drop off/pick up lanes is for buses only. Do not use this area to drop off your child.
• Please be kind and courteous to others.
• Don't park in handicapped spots if you don't meet the requirements. This takes away those spots from others who truly need them.
• Never leave your vehicle unattended in the drop-off lane.
• Parents are not allowed past the gate. You are more than welcome to stay behind the fence and observe until students are brought inside, but please do not go onto the playground.
• If you have family members or friends picking up/dropping off your students please remind them of these procedures too.

Thank you for your cooperation. If you have any questions, please contact administration. Click HERE for a presentation on our drop-off and pick-up procedures!

October 7-11th- Bully Prevention Week

• Tuesday, Oct. 8th- Don’t stand by. Stand up, Stand Strong, Stand Together! Wear wacky shoes and socks.
• Wednesday, Oct 9th- Ignite your super power of RESPECT! Dress up as a superhero.
• Thursday, Oct. 10th- Dress Nice. It is picture day but also You Matter, We all Matter so take care of yourself.
• Friday, Oct. 11th- Color Day. Wear as many colors as you can or a kindness shirt. Let us color the world with joy and kindness.

Wednesday, Oct. 9th- National Walk to School Day! Meet at Northern Ridge Park at 7:15 AM to walk to school as a group with police escort.

Thursday, Oct. 10th- Individual Picture Day (Class pictures will be in the spring)

Tuesday, Oct. 15th- Chick-Fil-A Spirit Night from 6:00-8:00 PM

Thursday, Oct. 17th- Fall Choir Concert at 7:00-7:30 PM 🍁🎵

Friday, Oct. 18th- End of 1st Quarter. Early Dismissal at 12:45 PM & Spirit Day

Monday, Oct. 21-Thursday, Oct. 24- Parent-Teacher Conferences and Book Fair

Tuesday, Oct. 22nd- Moms & Muffins from 7:15-8:00 AM

Wednesday, Oct. 23rd- South Central Public Health will be here giving the flu mist to students who have parental permission. Your student will NOT be given the mist without prior consent.

Thursday, Oct. 24th & Friday, Oct. 25th- No School

Thursday, Oct. 31st- Halloween Parade at 2:05 PM. No weapons, masks, extensive make-up. Students should be able to put costumes on by themselves over a base layer of clothing

Rock Creek's Average Daily Attendance for August was 96.025%. This marks a 2% increase compared to last year and a 3% improvement from two years ago. Thank you for seeing the value in your child's attendance.

Did you know that missing 10 percent (that’s one or two days every few weeks) of school can have a detrimental impact on student learning, especially in the early grades?

Chronically absent students may find it more difficult to:

• Establish solid early reading and math skills
• Build and maintain social relationships
• Engage with their teachers, peers and school environment
• Feel secure in their daily schedule

Creating solid routines and a healthy relationship with punctuality and attendance is a great way to establish good habits that will carry young learners throughout their scheduling and beyond.

We were excited to kick off a new school year at Rock Creek Elementary, focusing on creating a productive and engaging learning environment. This year, we launched a fun initiative called Attendance Taters to encourage consistent student attendance. We are proud to say Attendance Taters are up and running!

Each classroom was assigned its own Potato Head, and students have the opportunity to add a new piece each week based on their class’s attendance. Research showed that students who missed even a few days each month were at a higher risk of facing academic challenges, so we designed this initiative to make attendance enjoyable and motivating.

Classroom Potato Heads are showcased in the hallway to celebrate our students’ efforts. This is a fun visual representation to help inspire everyone to attend school regularly and enhance their academic success.

Monday (early release): 8:00AM to 2:00PM

Tuesday - Friday: 8:00AM to 3:00PM

Breakfast opens at 7:35 AM daily and supervision on the playground begins at 7:35 AM.

The safety of our students is very important to us, please do not drop students off at school before 7:35 AM and be timely picking them up at the end of the day.

Counselor Lessons: This year the special teachers will be teaching lessons every Monday to support your children. The lessons your child will be learning about for the next four Mondays are Bully Prevention, Peer Pressure, Tattling vs Reporting, and Solving Problems. Bully Prevention week will be October 7th to the 11th. Look for fun activities and dress up days come that week.

How You Can Help at Home: Problem Solving

Stop: Identify how you are feeling and calm down using a coping tool

Think: Is this in or out of my control? How can I solve the problem?

Act: Solve the Problem-ask for help if needed. Be a flexible thinker.

Bully Prevention: https://www.pacer.org/bullying/parents/helping-your-child.asp

If your child is experiencing bullying…

When you discover your child is being bullied, you may feel a variety of emotions, from anger to fear to sadness. These reactions and emotional responses are natural for parents who want their child to feel valued, protected, and loved. To become an effective advocate for your child, it is important to acknowledge your emotions and then focus on developing an action plan to help your child.

1. Talk with your child.

When you first talk with your child about bullying, be prepared to listen without judgment, and provide a safe and supportive place where your child can work out his or her feelings. Children may not be ready to open up right away as they, too, are dealing with the emotional effects of bullying and may be feeling insecure, frightened, vulnerable, angry, or sad. When your child begins to tell their story, just listen and avoid making judgmental comments. It’s important to learn as much as possible about the situation, such as how long the behavior has been happening, who has been involved, and what steps have been taken. Encourage your child to talk, and let them know they are not alone and you are there to help.

Make sure your child knows:

1. It is NOT their fault. They are not to blame.
2. They are NOT alone. You are here to help.
3. It is the adults’ responsibility make the bullying stop.
4. Bullying is never okay and they have the right to be safe.
5. No one deserves to be bullied.
6. They deserve to be treated with respect.
7. They have the right to feel safe at school.

Other Resources

• How to Tell an Adult When youth see bullying or are being bullied, they are often given the advice, “Tell an adult.” That is great advice, but how do kids do that? You can help them!
• Help Your Child Recognize the Signs of Bullying This resource helps parents prepare themselves to talk with their child about bullying and includes tips on how to respond to their child’s questions and emotions.
• Safety in the Online Community: A conversation with your 13-year-old about Facebook and Instagram This guide helps parents talk with their teens about using the popular social networking sites Facebook and Instagram. It covers setting up a new account, safety tips, and frequently asked questions. This guide is accompanied by discussion points for talking with your child and steps for responding to harassing content.
• Reasons Teens Don’t Tell This page provides reasons why teens may not tell a parent or an adult about a bullying situation.
• Advice Gone Wrong When talking about bullying, it’s important for parents to give good advice and provide solutions that work. This page shares examples of advice that adults should avoid giving to teens.
• Speaking Up About Being Bullied Isn’t “Tattling — and Our Kids Need to Know the Difference Younger children often don’t recognize bullying behaviors, and may be afraid they’ll be called a tattletale, or worse, if they tell an adult. It’s especially important to talk openly with your young child about bullying behavior, and to explain the difference between tattling and telling.

Peer Pressure: https://cookcenter.org/9-ways-to-teach-children-how-to-handle-peer-pressure/

Learning how to handle peer pressure empowers children to make independent decisions, build resilience, and develop healthy self-esteem. This skill is essential because it helps them stay true to their authentic selves and make choices that align with their beliefs and aspirations. Here are nine things you can do to help your kids grow from the challenges of peer pressure.

9 Ways to Teach Children How to Deal with Peer Pressure

1. Encourage Open Communication

Encourage them to share their experiences, good or bad, and ask open-ended questions to delve deeper into their world. This not only helps you understand their perspective but also makes them feel valued and heard, strengthening the bond of trust between you and your child.

2. Teach Critical Thinking & Decision-Making Skills

Teaching critical thinking helps your child develop the internal compass that guides their decisions based on reason, logic, and an understanding of consequences. Encourage your child to question and analyze information rather than just accepting it at face value. One way to instill critical thinking is by posing open-ended questions that encourage them to consider different viewpoints and potential outcomes.

3. Help Them Define Their Values

Helping children define their values helps them visualize what they stand for, and they’ll be better equipped to make choices that align with their beliefs.

4. Role Play Peer Pressure Situations

This kind of practice boosts their confidence and helps them feel more prepared when the actual situation arises. And like anything in life, the more you practice, the more it becomes muscle memory and automatic.

5. Build Self Esteem

When kids have a healthy sense of self-worth, they’re less likely to seek validation from their peers and more inclined to make decisions that align with their own values and beliefs.

Offering praise and encouragement for their efforts and achievements, no matter how small, can help boost their confidence. Supporting their interests and hobbies is another way to foster self-esteem.

6. Set Clear Boundaries

Setting boundaries is crucial for children as it provides them with a clear understanding of what is acceptable and what is not. When setting boundaries, it’s important to involve your child in the process. This creates a sense of ownership and understanding.

7. Guide & Support Friend Selection

Encourage your child to be mindful of the company they keep. Talk to them about what makes a good friend: someone who shares their values, treats them with respect, and supports their growth (NIH, 2021). Emphasize the importance of surrounding themselves with friends who uplift and inspire them, rather than those who might lead them down a negative path.

8. Empower with “No” Strategies

Emphasize the importance of respecting their own boundaries and values. Let your child know that it’s okay to decline an invitation or a request if it makes them uncomfortable or goes against their beliefs. Additionally, help them come up with alternative ways to say “no” that feel authentic to them, so they can be assertive while still maintaining positive relationships.

9. Be A Role Model

Kids often look to their parents or caregivers for cues on how to handle difficult situations, and peer pressure is no exception. So, one of the most effective ways to guide them is to demonstrate positive decision-making in your own life.

Community Supports:

• Resources for Families- The district is offering the Student and Family Assistance and Program (free counseling sessions) for our students and their families again this year.

• Need Help? Idaho Lives Project Website http://www.idaholives.org Idaho Suicide Prevention Program (208) 258-6990 Idaho Crisis and Suicide Hotline 988

• Food Bank: Rock Creek partners with Robert Stuart and Harrison Elementary. Community food bank information and resources are available.

• Hygiene Kits: comes with a towel, soap, deodorant, shampoo, tooth brush, etc.

• Coats for Kids: The Twin Fall Optimist Club sponsors getting free coats or winter gloves and hats for families in need.

Will you be volunteering this year for field trips, classroom parties, etc.? Get a jump start and complete the background now check https://apps.raptortech.com/Apply/MjYyOmVuLVVT

Lunch is not free to all students at Rock Creek. If you have any questions about payment or completing the application for free or reduced lunch call 208-733-0134. We encourage you to complete the form as soon as possible because there is not back payment once you qualify for free and reduced lunch. You can also pay lunch balances online or at the office.

Lunch account balances add up quickly. It's important to keep up on payments to avoid a large bill at the end of the school year. Unpaid account balances also follow your student from year to year.

Breakfast Prices: $1.65 students

Lunch Prices: $3.00 students

60¢ extra milk

Follow the link to complete the free and reduced meal application and/or pay online: https://www.tfsd.org/departments/federal-programs/food/

Rock Creek Elementary School is looking for Reading Corps tutors for the 2024-25 school year. You can take action in our community by giving your time and talent to help students build their skills and confidence!

Tutors work one-on-one or in small groups with students during school hours throughout the school year. Whether you are a recent grad, career changer, stay-at-home parent or retiree, you can make a great tutor! No experience? No problem. With training and on-site coaching, our tutors are prepared to help kids succeed.

Part-time and full-time positions are available beginning in August, October and January. Tutors receive a paycheck every two weeks plus up to an additional $5,100 for college tuition or loans (tutors 55+ may gift the education award to their child, grandchild, stepchild or foster child).

Ready to put your passion in action to help to help more children succeed? Learn more or apply at Join.ReadingandMath.org.

Questions? Email join@ampact.us or call 866.859.2825.

Email: honasli@tfsd.org
School Website: rc.tfsd.org

District Website: tfsd.org
Location: 850 Federation Road, Twin Falls, ID, USA
Phone: (208)732-7565
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/prfile.php?id=100063781904437