Rockburn Report
September 30, 2024
Game On! Rockburn
For another language, click "Translate Newsletter" tab and select the language of choice in the upper right-hand corner.
Spanish
Para otros idiomas, haga clic en Traducir Newsletter y elija el idioma que prefiera.
Korean
다른 언어의 경우 뉴스 레터 번역을 클릭하고 원하는 언어를 선택합니다.
Chinese
对于其他语言，请单击翻译新闻通讯，然后选择所需的语言。
Urdu
دوسری زبانوں کے لئے ، نیوزلیٹر کا ترجمہ کریں پر کلک کریں اور اپنی پسند کی زبان کا انتخاب کریں۔
Hello Rockburn Families!!
Our FIRST SPIRIT DAY is FRIDAY - 10/4 - Wacky-Tacky or Backwards Day!
October 8th is picture day...more information will be coming home soon.
Just a reminder, RES Flu/Covid Vaccine Clinic will be held on October 15th.
Below is the link to register. Registration will close 5 days before the clinic date.
https://www.marylandvax.org/appointment/en/reg/7614929052
As a reminder if you are coming for lunch or to volunteer (like the prize cart) please make sure to complete the volunteer training which can be found here: https://www.hcpss.org/parents/volunteer-information/
Please email your paper work to Nicole_wolf@hcpss.org
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month
Every year, Americans observe National Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month from September 15 - October 15. We celebrate the histories, cultures, and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.
Please see the PDF of what our students have been learning this month.
Attendance is Important!
Research is clear that showing up for school has a huge impact on a student’s academic and social success, starting from kindergarten and continuing through high school. Absences can be a sign that a student is losing interest in school, struggling with school, or even facing social challenges.
Missing 10% (or about 18 days of a school year) can drastically affect a student’s academic success.
By the 6th grade, absenteeism is one of three signs that can indicate if a student is at risk for dropping out of high school.
In the 9th grade, regular and high attendance predicts graduation rates better than 8th grade test scores.
Student attendance is a major point of focus for the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE). Starting in the 2023-2024 school year, MSDE lowered the chronic absenteeism rate from 20% to 10%, meaning that at 10%, a student should receive support and interventions to improve their absenteeism.
Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) believes that attendance is key to student success. Maryland's attendance rate represents the average daily attendance rate of students in grades 1-12, including special education students. The state's proficient standard for attendance rate is 94%, and the advanced standard is 96%."
In support of achieving Exemplary Attendance for all students, we are sharing with you a comprehensive approach to attendance supports and interventions.
If a student has missed 5% of their monthly attendance days (as few as 1-2 days a month), parents/guardians will receive a Care and Concern Phone Call and letter from their school. This step will allow staff members to coordinate with families to determine how the student can be supported for better attendance.
If a student has missed 10% of their monthly attendance days (this is defined as chronic absenteeism by MSDE), parents/guardians will receive a 10% Chronic Absenteeism Attendance Letter. Parents/guardians and students may be scheduled for an attendance conference. Other interventions and supports may also be used in an effort to assist the student.
If a student has missed 15% of their monthly attendance days, in addition to the interventions and supports at 5% and 10%, these students may require an attendance support plan. Students may also be referred to the Central Attendance Team.
If a student has missed 20% of their monthly attendance days, parents/guardians will receive a 20% Emergency Chronic Absenteeism Letter or Habitual Truancy Letter. Students may be referred to Project Attend and/or the State’s Attorney’s Office for habitual truancy.
With the collaborative effort of HCPSS parents/guardians, staff, and students, we are confident that all students can have successful attendance. This will improve student success in school and future life.
Phones and Smart watch usage
Phones and Smart Watch Usage
We are noticing a significant increase of students wearing and using smart watches to school during the day. Additionally, parents and children are communicating during the school day using smart watches and phones. Use of a smartwatch and phone by an elementary school child during the day is a violation of HCPSS Policy 8080. Students should not be wearing smart watches during the school day. Any phone or watch should be placed in the student’s backpack at the beginning of the day and stay there until after dismissal. Thank you for your support. Please encourage your children to reach out to adults at school when needed.
Fundraising for an electronic sign!
New year - New sign!!!!
This year we are going to work with PTA to try to raise funds for a new electronic sign out front. Our sign is looking a little dated and old. One way we're going to raise funds is to sell spirit wear. Please click on the link to check out our amazing store! Shop away!!!
Family File - it's that time again!
It's that time again- FILL OUT YOUR FAMILY FILE
Please fill out your Family File today!
It is very important that each year, every family update their Family File. Please make sure all
Here is a direct link to HCPSS Connect. The Family File tab will be on the left hand side once you have logged into HCPSS Connect.
Thank you for taking the time to complete the Family File.
Rockburn Updates
From Our School Counselors
Prize Cart Help
We will once again be doing prize cart at recess! If you are able to help out, please sign up. Each slot is 30 minutes.
Counselor Corner
Please click here for our Counselor Corner, this will be continually update by Mrs. Clark and Mrs. Braxton-Cheek
HCPSS UPDATES
Important Dates
Important Dates
October
3 - Rosh Hashanah - Schools and Offices Closed
4 - FIRST SPIRIT DAY - Wacky-Tacky or Backwards Day
8- Picture Day
18- Professional Work Day - Schools Closed for students
31- Professional Work Day - Schools closed for students
Spirit Days
10/4 - Wacky-Tacky or Backwards Day
11/8 - Rainbow Riffic Day {wear bright or neon colors}
12/13 - Hat Day / Holiday Hat Day
1/10 - Pajama Day
2/5 100th Day of School - Any shirt with numbers or math-related [To be modified if we have snow days]
3/7 - College Shirt or Career Day
4/4 - Culture / Heritage Day
Past Rockburn Reports
September 3- https://secure.smore.com/n/h82jt-rockburn-report
September 16 - https://secure.smore.com/n/0bwz9f-rockburn-report
PTA Updates and Information
PTA Updates
Walk to School Day
Please join us for the National Walk & Roll to School Day on Wednesday, October 9th! Please arrive by 8 am at one of our 4 meet-up locations:
1) Bellanca Drive, west end near footpath connecting to Avalon Drive
2) Rockburn Branch Park Playground, accessible from both Landing and Montgomery Road entrances to the park (parking available nearby)
3) Gardenview Drive, near intersection of Bellanca Drive
4) Rockburn Drive, near intersection of Sandstone Court where we will walk through the Rockburn park trail that comes out by the old schoolhouse.
Show your school pride by wearing your Rockburn t-shirt if you have one!
This event depends on VOLUNTEERS to help safely lead the walking/rolling groups to school. Please consider signing up at https://bit.ly/WalkorRolltoSchoolDay2024
Volunteer Raffle:
The RES PTA has expanded the Volunteer Raffle this year! The 1st place winner will receive a FREE Bundle Membership for the 2025-2025 school year (or PTA membership at another school). AND, the 2nd and 3rd place winner will receive a FREE classwear t-shirt. Please consider signing up as a volunteer for the events.
Join the PTA
The 2024-2025 PTA Membership Drive has begun. Your PTA contribution and membership helps fund many programs throughout the year such as Cultural Arts assemblies, Family Involvement events, Back to School Celebration, Fall Festival, Holiday Shop, Bingo Night, Movie Night, Sports Park NIght, 5th grade signature shirts, school gifts, staff appreciation, and enhancements to our recess and PE programs. All parents are encouraged to join the PTA.
You can pay your annual membership dues and order classwear t-shirts online via our MemberHub store (https://tinyurl.com/joinrockburnpta). You can also make a direct donation to the PTA there.
Choose “Bundle Membership” when purchasing your Rockburn PTA membership to get the best deal. This includes a joint membership for two, no entrance fee to PTA events (October Fall Festival, February Bingo Night, and May Rockburn Sports Park Night) and ONE FREE CLASS WEAR T-SHIRT!
Additional classwear is $12 each. T-shirt colors are based on the grade. Your child will wear their class t-shirt at events like: Rocky Run, Field trips, Walk to School Day, etc.
All memberships include the traditional benefits on National PTA’s partners (see pta.org) and help to enrich our students, families and staff. Good through June 2025.
You can also download the membership form and mail it to the school (Attn: PTA Treasurer). The school address is 6145 Montgomery Rd, Elkridge, MD 21075. You can also send it in with your child and have them give it to their teacher.
