

The Rock Creek Parent Reader
April 2024
Thanks for Attending & Welcome Back
Thank you for taking the time to meet with us during Parent-Teacher Conferences. Your involvement in your student's education contributes greatly to their progress in school and beyond. We are happy to be a partner in your child's success.
Welcome back from Spring Break!
Upcoming Events & Important Dates
Stay up to Date and In the Know!
Monday, April 1st-
- School Resumes
- Kindergarten Registration is Now Open for the 24-25 School Year. Click HERE
Wednesday, April 3rd- Class & Individual Picture Day
Thursday, April 4th- Family STEAM Night in the gym from 5:30-7:00 PM (See the flyer below)
Tuesday, April 9th- Chick-fil-A Raptors Family Night from 5:00-8:00 PM
Friday, April 12th- No School (Teacher Work Day)
Thursday, April 25th- Kindergarten Open House from 4:30-6:00 PM
Friday, April 26th- Spirit Day! Mochi's sold for $1.00
Wednesday, May 1st- Engage in Education at the Twin Falls City Park from 4:30-7:00 PM. Rock Creek will have a table set up for activities and our musical group will be performing a scene from their performance at 6:00 PM on the main stage. We hope to see you there!
Friday, May 3rd- No School (Teacher Work Day)
May 6th-10th- Teacher Appreciation Week
Friday, May 10th- PTO Carnival from 5:00-7:30 PM
Monday, May 13th- Field Day
Thursday, May 16th-
- Kindergarten Graduation in the gym at 1:00 PM
- Annual Musical Performance at 7:00-7:45 PM
Wednesday, May 22nd- Last Day of School! Early release at 12:45 PM
School Attendance 📅
School Hours
Monday: 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.
Attendance Matters
Studies show that students who miss even a few days of school each month are at far greater risk of academic failure and dropout than students who attend regularly.
We have set a goal that every student in our school attends regularly (has nine or fewer absences in a year). Please send your child to school every day unless he/she has a contagious illness or is running a fever. Please see the attachment below titled “How Sick Is Too Sick” when deciding to keep a student home.
Click HERE for How Sick is Too Sick to come to school.
What do I need to do if my child is not feeling well
1) Notify child's teachers prior to the school day beginning
2) If your child saw a doctor for illness, please provide doctor's note when student returns
*Students with chronic absences (students who miss 10% or more days school is in session) will receive attendance letters through email and communication from the Assistant Principal, Ms. Snyder. Possible recommendation to truancy court can take place for chronic absences, especially those that are not verified.
Housekeeping Items
Volunteering for Field Trips, etc.: With the warmer months comes exciting events and field trips. If you are interested in attending your child's field trip or volunteering for various activities, please complete the background check by following the link HERE. It takes time to be cleared so don't delay!
Lost & Found: Please remind your students to keep track of their coats and other items such as gloves, hats, and water bottles. Unclaimed items are donated at the end of every quarter.
Spirit Gear: Rock Creek wear can be purchased through the link. Follow the link HERE to place an order.
Drop Off & Pick Up Procedures: We know this can be a source of frustration. When dropping off and picking up your student, please pull as far forward as possible each day and remind family or friends about this too if they are picking up your students. Never get out of your car in the pick up/drop off lane during those times. This helps keep the flow of traffic moving and cuts down on back-ups. Avoid letting your students out in the left lane. This is for safety. Please reminder family members and friends about the procedures as well if they will be picking up your students.
Dress Code: The weather is getting warmer! Please ensure your student adheres to the dress code. Clothing should cover the torso from armpit to armpit and extend down to mid-thigh. Tops must have shoulder straps that are at least two inches in width. See-through, torn, or mesh garments must have appropriate coverage underneath that meets the minimum requirements described above. These are the most common violations we see. You may be asked to bring a change of clothes if your student is not dressed appropriately.
To read the complete dress code click HERE for our Student Handbook
Breakfast & Lunch
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 the lunchroom 208-733-8642. 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.
Pay lunch balances online by clicking HERE. If you need your student's ID number, please call the office and we would be happy to provide that to you.
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.
Breakfast Prices: $1.55 students
Lunch Prices: $2.90 students
45¢ extra milk
Follow the link to complete the free and reduced meal application: https://www.tfsd.org/departments/federal-programs/food/
Parent Teacher Organization (PTO)
Are you looking for volunteer opportunities? We need your help!
Field Day Sign up! May 13th- We are needing some help to make this a great day for the students!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094DAFAB28A0FACF8-48666730-field
PTO parent survey,
Please take a few minutes to read what all the PTO has done this year and leave your thoughts/ideas on the link below. Thanks!
Vertical Teaming Days: We need some parents help on the Vertical teaming days! Bring your talents to share with students. Check in at the office and please have your back ground check updated before the date. Please review the available slots below and click on the button to sign up. Thank you!
Parents on Patrol: We need parents help on the playground during recess. Please review the available slots below and click on the button to sign up. Thank you! Younger children are not permitted. Apologies for any inconvenience.
ML Snippet
At Rock Creek Elementary we strive to create a welcoming and inclusive space for all learners and from all backgrounds. When we don’t feel like we are in our comfort zone, whether it’s because of a language barrier, being in a new setting, or trying something new, our confidence can be a bit shaky.
Here are ways you can help people from all backgrounds feel accepted and welcome:
-Learn how to pronounce their names properly
-Use positive and welcoming body language-don’t forget to smile!
-Be curious of and discuss with your kids other cultures’ traditions
We all have so much to learn from one another and as we make people feel more welcome and part of the community, we are better together!
Raptor Counseling
Self Control and What Do I Want To Be When I Grow Up?
School Resources: Check out these brochures located in the front office for ideas and activities to help support your children.
Counselor Lessons: March's Counselor Lessons will be Self Control and What do I want to be when I grow up?
Teaching self-control: Evidence-based tips
© 2011 – 2023 Gwen Dewar, Ph.D., all rights reserved
Teaching self-control? Studies confirm that it’s possible. Kids benefit when we remove temptations and distractions, and create environments that reward self-restraint. Kids also need timely reminders to stay on track, and concrete, practical advice for staying motivated, overcoming obstacles, and sticking to a plan.
Here is the background, and 12 tips for making it happen.
What is self-control, and how much does it matter?
Self-control has been defined in many ways–as willpower, self-discipline, or conscientiousness. But however you define it, self-control is about being able to regulate yourself. Can a child resist distractions? Inhibit impulses? Bounce back from difficult emotions? Delay gratification and plan ahead? Obviously, a lot depends on the child’s age. Toddlers lack the self-control of older kids. Self-control develops over the years, with some of the biggest changes happening between the ages of 3 and 7. But there is a lot of individual variation too. Some kids have more trouble regulating themselves, and they suffer for it. Young children with poor self-regulation skills tend to make less academic progress (McClelland et al 2007; Welsh et al 2010; McClelland et al 2014). Throughout the school years, they are more likely to experience anxiety, depression, and aggressive behavior problems (Martel et al 2007; Eisenberg et al 2010; Raaijmakers et al 2008; Ellis et al 2009).
12 tips for teaching self-control
1. Help kids avoid temptation: Out of sight, out of mind
High-functioning adults have been known to lose their will-power at the sight of a doughnut. So one of the most important tools for maintaining self-control is to change the environment (Duckworth et al 2016). Keep temptations hidden! For young children, this might mean putting away a toy that is likely to cause conflict during a playdate; or avoiding the sweets aisle of the grocery store when you are shopping together. For older children, it might mean keeping electronic distractions away from areas where children do homework. But you can go further with older kids: Teach them how to identify temptations on their own, and take the necessary action to eliminate them.
2. Create an environment where self-control is consistently rewarded
If experience has taught you that adults don’t keep their promises, or that institutions don’t enforce the fair allocations of rewards, why should you wait patiently for a hypothetical prize? Subsequent studies confirm that our willingness to wait depends on how we weigh the risks and benefits.
3. Support young children with timely reminders
It’s hard to stick with the program if you don’t remember the rules, and young children have more trouble keeping our directions in mind. They are easily distracted. So it’s helpful to remind young children about our expectations. When an adult reminded children of the rules, kids were more likely to check their impulses.
4. Play games that help preschoolers practice self-control
Any time we ask kids to play by the rules, we’re encouraging them to develop self-control. But some games are more challenging than others.
For instance, take the traditional game, “Red light, Green light.” When a child hears the words “Green light!” she’s supposed to move forward. When she hears “Red light!” she must freeze. In this classic form, the game is about following directions. But with a twist, it gets trickier: After the kids have adjusted to the rules, reverse them. Make “Red light!” the cue to go and “Green light!” the cue to stop. Now the game tests a child’s ability to go against habit. She must inhibit her impulses, practicing what psychologists call “self-regulation.” The game sessions featured the modified version of “Red Light, Green Light” and other games designed to give kids a self-regulation workout:
The Freeze game. Kids dance when the music plays and freeze when it stops. Dance quickly for fast-tempo songs, slowly for slow-tempo songs. And then reverse the cues: Fast music = slow dancing. Slow music = fast dancing.
Color-matching freeze. In this variant of the freeze game, kids don’t just stop dancing when the music stops. First, they find a colored mat and stand on it. Then, before they freeze, they perform a special dance step. There are several, differently-colored mats on the floor, and each color is linked with a different dance step.
Conducting an orchestra. Kids play musical instruments (like maracas and bells) whenever an adult waves her baton, increasing their tempo when the baton moves quickly and reducing their tempo when the baton slows down. Then the opposite rules apply (e.g., kids play faster when the baton moves slowly).
Drum beats. A teacher tells kids to respond to different drum cues with specific body movements. For example, kids might hop when they hear a fast drum beat and crawl when they hear a slow drum beat. After a time, kids are asked to reverse the cues.
5. Give kids a break
Kids benefit when we allow them downtime — breaks from following directions and working hard. Why? Studies show that people don’t maintain the same levels of self-control over time. If you give them two, demanding tasks to complete — one immediately after the other — people usually show less self-control during the second task. There are at least two possible reasons for this. One popular account is that self-control gets used up during the day. We literally lack the energy to keep going. Giving kids a break can help them re-charge, and it’s also a good way to learn. Studies suggest that kids learn faster when lessons are shorter and separated by some downtime (Seabrook et al 2005).
6. Encourage preschoolers to engage in cooperative, pretend play
When we talk about improving children’s self-control, games of “make-believe” might not immediately come to mind. But if you think about it, playing games of pretend with other people requires a lot of self-regulation. You need to keep track of the informal rules of play, and inhibit your normal reactions (e.g., “this isn’t the sofa, it’s the cockpit of our spacecraft…”). These are skills that contribute to self-control, and there is reason to think preschoolers can improve them if they engage in regular, cooperative, make-believe activities. In experiments, kids who engaged in guided, cooperative, pretend play showed subsequent enhancements in certain self-regulatory skills, such as the ability to repress their natural impulses in order to get a reward (White and Carlson 2021; Thibodeau et al 2016).
7. Be aware of the links between screen time and poor self-regulation skills
When researchers track young children over time, they keep seeing the same, worrying pattern: The more time kids spend in front of screens, the worse they tend to perform on subsequent tests of self-control. For example, in one study, 2-year-olds who spent more time engaging with televisions and touch-screens ended up – one year later – with lower scores on tests requiring focus, concentration, and inhibitory control (McHarg et al 2020). Why does this happen? In part, it might be that screen time displaces other activities – activities that help kids hone their self-regulation skills. It also appears that the type of content matters. Kids may be at less risk if they consume only age-appropriate, educational programs. But note that even background TV seems to contribute to the problem (e.g., Portugal et al 2022), and – overall – kids who meet current screen time recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics (less than 60 minutes per day) display better self-regulation (McMath et al 2023).
8. Turn “must do” tasks into “want to” tasks
A student who won’t cooperate in the classroom might seem like the poster child for poor self-regulation. But give him his favorite set of Legos or a beloved video game, and he’s all focus, persistence, and drive. He doesn’t lack self-control. He lacks motivation. He needs to find enjoyment in the things he’s asked to do, and that’s where he needs our help. Turning a chore into a game takes time and energy. Discovering the right hooks to get kids interested may require a lot of patience, observation, and flexibility. But as many successful teachers and therapists know, it’s an investment that pays off. And it may be the key to beating “self control fatigue” (Inzlicht et al 2014). It’s much easier to plow through a pile of homework when you’ve learned to find at least some of it enjoyable.
9. Instill the right mindset for tackling challenges and learning from failure
Many people think of intelligence and talent as “gifts” that we inherit and can’t improve upon. When these people fail, they feel helpless and give up.
By contrast, people who believe that effort shapes intelligence and talent are more resilient. As I explain elsewhere, they are more likely to take on challenges and learn from their mistakes. We can help kids develop this sort of resilience and determination by being careful with our feedback. Experiments show that praising kids for general traits (“You’re so smart!”) makes them adopt the wrong mindset. So does general criticism (“I’m disappointed in you”). What works better is praise for effort, and feedback that encourages kids to try different strategies (“Can you think of another way to do it?”) For more information, see my articles about praise and intelligence and the best way to counteract helplessness in children.
10. Help children develop their attention and working memory skills
Even if you have the right mindset, it can be hard to follow through. What if you have trouble staying on task? Paying attention? Remembering what you’re supposed to do next? Many distracted, impulsive kids suffer from low working memory capacity. That’s the mental workspace or notepad we use to keep information “in mind.” When you are trying to solve a math problem…or trying to remember those verbal directions to the post office…you are using working memory. Young children don’t perform as well as adults on working memory tasks. That’s normal. But some kids struggle more than others, and while there is no single, magic cure-all for working memory deficits, there are many things we can do to help. For more information, see these evidence-based tips for enhancing working memory performance in children.
11. Be an “emotion coach”
Adults react in different ways to a child’s negative emotions. Some are dismissive (“That’s no reason to be sad.”). Others are disapproving (“Stop crying!”) These approaches aren’t helpful, because they don’t teach kids how to regulate themselves. By contrast, kids benefit when parents talk to them about their feelings, show empathy, and discuss constructive ways to cope.
Researchers call this “emotion coaching,” and it’s associated with better child outcomes. For instance, in one recent study, adolescents who had been coached by their mothers showed a pattern of decreasing behavior problems over time (Shortt et al 2010). What’s the best way to proceed? See these evidence-based tips for being an effective emotion coach. For additional information about the benefits of talking with kids about their emotions, see this article on mind-minded parenting.
12. Encourage children to practice planning
Planning is an important component of self-discipline. People are more likely to succeed when they think about the obstacles they face, and come up with specific steps about when, where, and how they will take action (Duckworth et al 2019). Can we teach kids to plan? I haven’t seen any experiments testing the idea. But everyday experience suggests that practice is helpful, and research offers relevant insights.
13. Take stock of the way you handle misbehavior
Many researchers suspect that parenting styles have an influence on the development of self-control. For instance, a study of American preschoolers (Piotrowski et al 2013) found that kids were more likely to exhibit poor self-regulation skills if they had parents who agreed with statements like
“I ignore my child’s bad behavior,” and
“I give in to my child when he/she causes a commotion about something.”
Other research suggests that permissive parenting during middle childhood puts kids at greater risk for social aggression (Ehrenreich et al 2014). It makes sense. How do you develop self-restraint if nobody ever asks you to practice it? But it seems likely that parents can also go too far in the other direction. In the preschool study, kids with parents who took an “obey me without question” approach weren’t as badly behaved as were children with permissive parents. But they were still lacking in self-regulation skills. Other research suggests that corporal punishment–when used as a routine method of control–may interfere with the development of self-regulation. It may also encourage children to tell lies.
14. Remember that kids need autonomy
All around the world, kids experience similar feelings about adult authority. They are ready to cooperate with some of our rules and requests. But there are limits. If you seem to be locked in a battle of wills, it’s helpful to consider your child’s needs for autonomy. If you talk with your child, and consider his or her perspective, you may find ways to adjust your demands, and inspire more cooperation.
How to encourage your child to develop Passion and Purpose by Andrea Gibbs
Helping Children To Discover Their and Their Purpose
Although we are all born with different abilities, the desire to excel in something brings success. What you need to do most is to help your children find their passions and support them as they discover their purpose.
Here are a couple of things you can do together:
1. Teach them to explore their interests.
Encourage your child to explore a variety of activities. Let them try new things, and if they're interested in something, encourage them to practice it regularly. This will help them discover what they're passionate about, making it easier for them to find their purpose later in life. Make sure you give them space to figure this out on their own—don't push them toward any particular activity, but if they find something they like, support them. We often force kids to do something we want them to do, not what they like. If that is the case, your child will feel pressured and stop enjoying their activity.
2. Focus on their strengths.
When you ask them what they like to do, what they're good at, and what they enjoy, it's not about helping them find a passion or their purpose. It's about helping them discover what they are good at and giving them the confidence to pursue opportunities related to their strengths. We all have different passions, but we also have other interests and skills that we can use in many different ways. If your child is good at math, help them explore careers such as accounting or engineering. If your child loves animals, encourage them to volunteer at an animal shelter or take a class in veterinary medicine.
3. Show them the world and what it offers.
The world is a big place, and it's filled with so many possibilities. When you take your kids out into the world and expose them to everything it offers, they'll be able to see what they're interested in, what they enjoy doing, and who they want to be when they grow up. This will help them discover their passion and purpose for themselves—and who knows? Maybe they'll find something that you never even imagined!
4. Express your belief in their abilities.
When you believe in your child's abilities, they will believe in themselves even more. Encourage them to be the best version of themselves that they can be, and support them every step of the way. It will help them grow in confidence, see what makes them special—what makes them different from the other kids—and develop a deep love for who they are. This will give new meaning to their lives, making them more fulfilling and meaningful.
5. Create opportunities to nurture their interests.
One of the best ways to nurture your child's passions and help them develop a love for something is to create opportunities for them to pursue it. If they are interested, establish time and space for them to do it. If you're unsure of their passions, take them out and expose them to many different activities. The more opportunities they have, the more likely they'll discover something they enjoy doing. Don't limit them to one thing and make them narrow their scope. If they love painting, don't limit it to just painting and encourage them in other activities related to the medium, such as decorating, drawing, or even cooking!
6. Don't forget to celebrate their successes.
Success is a wonderful thing, but it's not something you should push onto your kids. While we like to see them succeed, you should always celebrate the good things they do and help build up their confidence and self-esteem. They'll be able to see how you feel about their success and will get encouragement and motivation from you—whether it was a great art project, a good test score, or just being happy that they're doing something they love.
7. Allow them to fail.
Sometimes, growing up means taking chances. We can work so hard at something that we get in our way and never learn from our mistakes. If you always make your child feel like they're perfect and never make mistakes, they'll never know how to deal with failure—which will prevent them from excelling in the long run. When we try something new, we may sometimes fail—but that doesn't mean it's a failure. It's better to have tried something, fallen short, and learned from it—and be able to apply the lessons we've learned later on—than never have even tried in the first place.
8. Teach them how to be authentic to themselves.
Being true to yourself is an essential skill that children need to find their purpose. It's not easy to always be true to yourself, especially around people who don't accept who you are or hold different views than you. When your child knows how to be true to themselves, they'll have a strong sense of identity and self-awareness. They'll know what makes them happy and will stick with it even if others don't agree with it.
9. Always be available for them.
While we're busy trying to fulfill all our own dreams, it's easy to forget about our kids and what they need. Always ensure you're available for them and their needs and wants in life. This will help them feel secure and loved, making it easier for them to focus on what they want in life. Let them know that you're there for them and will support them no matter what happens. Tell them that you love them and you're proud of them. You don't have to be there every second of your life, but it's important to be there when they need you.
Conclusion:
As you can see, helping your child discover and follow their passion doesn't have to be difficult. You have to look for the signs and become more observant in your interactions with them, what they like and don't like, how they express themselves and what you can do to support them. Doing this will help them discover what makes them special and give them the confidence they need to pursue their goals. Never forget that being a parent is a challenging but rewarding experience: helping your child discover their passion and purpose in life is one of the most important things you can do.
Community Supports:
Coats For Kids is a community support for families in need of warm coats for their kids.
BPA- every student and family can receive 5 free community counseling sessions per incident. Let me know if you need information on this. (it is equivalent to $500+ dollars of counseling)
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: we partner with Robert Stuart and Harrison Elementary. Community food bank information and resources are available.
Hygiene kits: we have hygiene kits at our school containing shampoos, soaps, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and washcloths.
Please contact your child’s teacher or Mrs. Alexander if you have any of these needs. We are here to support you and your children. Please contact Mrs. Alexander (school counselor) if you have any questions. alexanderda@tfsd.org or (208)-732-7565 ext. 5703
Our Mission
Rock Creek’s mission is to develop kind, safe, respectful lifelong learners who strive to always be their best.
About Us
Email: honasli@tfsd.org
School Website: rc.tfsd.org
Location: 850 Federation Road, Twin Falls, ID, USA
Phone: (208)732-7565
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/prfile.php?id=100063781904437
District Website: tfsd.org