Educational Equity and Access
February Newsletter - Rockwood School District
February Newsletter
Happy February!
We have a very full and fun newsletter this month! Inside you will find out about some student internship opportunities, special EEA We Find A Way grants, REEAD visits, a new podcast, and a message to our building Principals! We hope you enjoy the newsletter as much as we did putting it together for you!
~Dr. Cassandra Suggs
Hosted by Dr. Cassandra Suggs and Emily Walshaw, each podcast episode inspires to engage, educate, and entertain. This episode we spoke to Ivy Hartman from Rockwood Summit as she details how her department helps students plan out life after high school. Ben Hebisen, coordinator for our PIE department also shares how his department provides internships and learning opportunities for Rockwood Students. Please visit Rockwood School District on Youtube to view and listen to all past podcasts.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day Across the District
Mrs. Modica's 5th grade class at Chesterfield Elementary took a dive into analyzing some of Dr. MLK's Words and exactly "what they mean". Students read and explored common quotes by this influential leader and interpreted what they thought for them to mean.
In Ms. Frye's class at Westridge Elementary, students took a quote by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., had to pair an illustration with it, and provide an explanation. This student in particular had the quote "Everyone can be great."
Calling all HIGH SCHOOL students! 🔊
Spring Semester 24' Shadow Experiences
Below is a message from Matt Schindler; our Partners in Education Career Shadowing Facilitator. There are some wonderful opportunities for our Rockwood high school students. If you have questions or would like more information you can visit the Career Shadowing webpage or reach out to him directly via phone at 636-733-2123.
Students, I hope 2nd semester is treating you well so far. Just wanted to tip you off that we have some cool experiences in the engineering spectrum this spring. Boeing, Ameren, Tarlton, and SWT Design are all on the books to name a few. Boeing is requiring students to be US Citizens and be at least 17 years of age and they encourage students interested in trades to attend as they have a couple of really cool training programs that often lead to full time jobs and college tuition reimbursement.
Another cool opportunity is the Soar into Stem program through Wings of Hope. This program is more intensive as it requires attendance on five consecutive Saturdays starting in March, see the PDF flyer below.
If you are into the trades, but not big on the aviation field, we will have the Build My Future event in April.
If you have already applied for spring shadows, you are all set, I'll send out the Sign Up Genius on 2/15 to Juniors and Seniors, Freshmen and Sophomores have to wait until 2/19. If not, the application will close 2/9.
For the Soar Into Stem Program, the application is separate from spring shadows, it's the second application listed under forms on the website and requires a short essay to tell us why you are interested. We are only able to send six students to this program so we need to know why this program is important to you!
We are very excited to share these opportunities with you.
Summer Business Program Opportunities
Attention High School Students
- Indiana University MEET Kelley is a five-day program for underrepresented students to get introduced to IU's business program. Costs covered for tuition, food, housing. Transportation scholarships are available. Students need to be juniors and have a 3.2 cumulative GPA.
- Kelley also hosts Women's Leadership Institute, a one-day in person or multiple day virtual program for women interested in business. 10th -11th grade women with a 3.5 or higher may apply.
If you have questions, please reach out to Jessica Williams at Eureka High School (636)-733-3129
REEAD Visits
During the month of February, Ms. Walshaw and Dr. Suggs have been making visits to elementary schools for their REEAD visits.
Green Pines Elementary
Ridge Meadows Elementary
Fairway Elementary
Also known as Chinese New Year;
The Lunar New Year begins on Saturday, February 10th for the year 2024. Beverly Tronicek, ESOL teacher and students in the Rockwood School District have worked hard to create a PowerPoint that outlines some facts and information about Lunar New Year, take a look below.
View the video below to see how "Asians celebrate Lunar New Year worldwide".
EEA, "We Find a Way" ⭐
Spring Book Fair Funding
Attention Principals
Chronic Absenteeism in Students
Try these accommodations for chronically absent students
Chronic absenteeism is an urgent concern for districts across the country. The situation is especially critical for students with disabilities, who may accumulate more absences, compared to peers without disabilities, due to their conditions.
School teams should do everything possible to support students with attendance concerns even if they had excused absences, said Melissa Musslewhite, director of student support services at Pasco County Schools in Land O Lakes, Fla. For example, districts must investigate attendance issues for students with disabilities and respond with appropriate supports to avoid impeding FAPE. See Cesar Chavez Cmty. Sch., 124 LRP 1149 (SEA NM 10/31/23) (finding that the district should have convened IEP teams to address the chronic absenteeism of three teens identified with specific learning disabilities).
Chronic absenteeism demands a quick response. To help school teams ensure that students with disabilities continue to access the curriculum, learn about accommodations that aim to prevent and counter the effects of frequent absences.
Explore barriers, solutions
Examine absences -- including excused ones -- to determine how to best support students with disabilities, said Musslewhite. This means meeting with families as early as possible to identify barriers. Community resources such as transportation services and afterschool programs can also be used to encourage attendance.
In terms of accommodations, try adjusting your approach to attendance promotion based on the student's grade level, said Musslewhite. For example, in elementary school, concentrate on parent and home needs. In middle school, zero in on peer relationships and build a sense of belonging, she said. In high school, focus on the student's relationship with school and showing the connection between school and life.
Next, check fidelity of IEP implementation and amend plans when necessary to meet student needs, Musslewhite said. Provide flexibility for students with disabilities to complete academic work when they are able. An absence intervention plan may be necessary.
In addition, explore other academic platforms such as home education or online learning, she said. Pair online classes at the beginning of the day with in-person classes later in the day to give students participation options. A modified or flexible schedule, through hospital or homebound instruction depending on the student's needs, may offer another solution, said Musslewhite.
Musslewhite also said that onsite support to reduce student absenteeism could look like behavioral health and medical support. This can include providing skilled medical support for students who need breathing treatments or G tube support.
Additional accommodations districts might consider providing for chronically absent students with disabilities include:
· Testing in a different area.
· Taking frequent breaks.
· Modifying a presentation to alleviate anxiety.
· Showing mastery of skill for grading purposes.
· Getting time back for medical issues that arise during timed assignments.
· Classroom environment changes such as various types of seating.
Black History Month is an annual observance that originated in the United States. It is also known as African-American History Month. February is the month where we celebrate and remember important people and events in the history of the African culture. Throughout the district many lessons are being taught to students of all age and we look forward to sharing in our next newsletter what activities took place.
February 11th-17th; Random Acts of Kindness Week 😀
EEA on ParentSquare
Did you know the Department of Educational Equity and Access has a public group in ParentSquare?
Parents, guardians, staff members, and students have the option to join public groups in ParentSquare.
To join our group on ParentSquare, follow these 3 simple steps:
- From the home screen on ParentSquare, click "Groups" in the left sidebar under the "Participate" section.
- Look for "Public" groups with the people icon.
- 3. Click "Join Group" next to the group that interests you.