Oak Leaf Weekly Update

River Oak Charter School

The season of autumn is a time that colors our world and feels like a comforting embrace from Mother Nature. As a community, we are so fortunate to share the beauty of the Ukiah valley landscape that surrounds us!

As we adjust to learning during COVID, our teachers and students have adapted and enjoyed walks to the library, Grace Hudson Museum, picnics at Oak Meadow Park and visits to the pumpkin patch. Included in these outings is a thriving volleyball team and soon to be another season of basketball! Thank you to our teachers and parent volunteers for making this happen!

Jack Frost is making his way to our valley! We will start to move indoors on the days when the cold gets to us, and it is important for your child to wear layers of clothing, winter shoes and have rain gear.

Coming up, our students will be celebrating Halloween and the Day of the Dead at school. Please see the information below.

I wanted to do a special shout out for the dedication and commitment that our entire staff has for our school as we open during a pandemic, readjust to a teacher shortage, and emerge out of distance learning. Everyone has been affected by worldwide upheaval on a variety of levels, and yet, we are all showing up for our children with full hearts.

Thank you ROCS Staff and community!

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Halloween Parade

On Friday, October 29th, our children will have a Halloween parade on campus. Families are invited to park along Leslie street and stand on the sidewalk to watch your child walk with the grades in a loop around the parking lot of the school between 8:30-9:00am.

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Dia De Muertos

During the week of October please send your child to school with a photo or drawing of a loved one (person or pet) that has passed, to honor them on the Day of the Dead, November 2nd. Our staff is creating an Ofrenda in the small commons throughout the week with our students, and on Tuesday, November 2nd, we will be celebrating our loved ones.

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Check the Lost and Found

Our lost in found is growing larger with each passing week. Please take a look in the small commons to see if your child's sweater, backpack, water bottle, etc. is missing.

Please consider labeling your child's clothing before sending them to school. Staff is thrilled when we find a name and can return to the rightful owner.

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Pumpkin Fest was a success!

Last weekend our school participated at Ukiah's Pumpkin Fest. It was a great outreach event and children in the community enjoyed making acorn bell necklaces and learning more about our school.

I want to share a special thank you to our parent and student volunteers. Thank you to Esteban, Aria, Violetta, Cecilia, Nettie, and Talena! We could not have done this without your support.

ROCS Volleyball Report

River Oak defeated the Pomolita Panthers on Wednesday (October 21st), winning with a set score of 2-1.

The first set began with the Firebirds and the Panthers going back and forth. Eventually, the Firebirds were able to jump out to a big lead of 14-7. The Firebirds closed out the set with a score of 25-10. Varsity Gaches had 2 aces and 2 strategic tips. Adia Davis had 3 aces. Lola

Pearson had 1 ace and 4 digs.

In the second set, River Oak lost 25-17. There was a point where Pomolita had a really good server at the line. The Panthers scored 7 points in a row giving them a 16-11 lead. River Oak was able to score the next 4 points, but Pomolita went on a 9-2 run and won the set.

The third set began with Pomolita rushing out with a 7-1 lead, but River Oak stayed resilient, they clawed and scratched their way back into the game. The Firebirds still found themselves in an 11-8 hole. River Oak stayed poised, they went on a 6-1 run and had 2 set points with Lola Pearson serving. The Panthers answered with 2 straight points of their own, tying the game at 14-14. Pomolita had a good opportunity to spike the ball, but they hit it out of bounds. Coach Rebekah Martinez made a substitution sending in Sydney Koeppel to serve. The Pomolita gymnasium was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Her serve grazed over the top and dropped in bounds on the Panthers side for the game winning ace! Koeppel was met with a cheer of excitement from her teammates. “I was caught off guard, being put into the game unexpectedly. I didn't want to miss and let my team down.” Koeppel said later.

When asked how the team was able to erase a 7-1 deficit (in the third set), Coach Martinez said, “I have to give all credit to the players, they just didn't give up. They worked together, they faced that adversity. I possibly called a strategic timeout and made a few substitutions. But that's all I did, they got that win.” When asked what was important to winning that third set, Lola Pearson said “Trying to cover blocks more and serving well.” Adia Davis said, “Consistent serving and just going for the ball, no matter what.” Varsity Gaches said, “I think that we weren't really calling the ball which means we needed to do that more. But getting a few blocks helped us so we could get those points to win.”

~Kaleo Olson