October 2024

Happy Fall! As the leaves begin to change and we enjoy more outdoor activities in this hopefully soon-to-be cooler weather, I’d like to take a moment to thank each of you for the continued support of our students and schools. The fall season also brings exciting opportunities and events throughout RCSD that I hope you and your family will participate in and enjoy.

First, I’d like to talk about the importance of school attendance. Every day your child is in school, they are building habits that will help them succeed academically, socially, and emotionally. Regular attendance ensures they are gaining the knowledge and skills needed to progress. We understand that there can be challenges to consistent attendance, and we are here to help. Whether it’s transportation concerns, health issues, or any other barrier, please know that we have resources to support your family. We are committed to partnering with you to ensure every student has the opportunity to attend school daily and be successful. You can find out more about the resources available to you at rcsdk8.org/every-day-matters.

I also want to highlight a fantastic way to get a head start on a child’s educational journey in our Preschool Program, specifically the program located at Stoneridge Elementary. We currently have ten (10) openings in our peer preschool program for 3-year-olds (offered Tuesdays and Thursdays for $150/month) and ten (10) openings for 4-year-olds (Tuesday through Friday for $300/month). Preschool is a wonderful opportunity for young children to develop foundational skills, such as early literacy, social-emotional development, and a love for learning that will support their success in Transitional Kindergarten, Kindergarten, and beyond. If you or someone you know is interested, please contact our Preschool Program Office to sign up or learn more by visiting rcsdk8.org/preschool. 

As we enjoy this beautiful season, please take advantage of the many fall events throughout our schools and district. Whether it’s a fall festival, a family fun night, or an informational community offering, these moments are a fantastic way to come together and celebrate our amazing community. 

Wishing you and your family a fantastic fall season filled with joy, learning, and connections!

September 2024

Happy September. I want to sincerely thank our staff and families for working so hard to get school up and running in RCSD. By creating consistency in morning and classroom routines, classrooms and campuses are positive, orderly, focused, and ensuring student success. 

One effort we’ve focused on across the District is in embracing our modified mobile device policy. It’s been a few weeks since we implemented the changes, and I am truly impressed with how our communities have adapted. The goal of this policy has always been to create distraction-free school environments, and it’s already making a positive impact. I’ve been delighted to see our students focusing more during class and actively engaging during break times. It’s wonderful to observe them playing games, meeting new friends, and building their social skills. This shift is a testament to our community in prioritizing the well-being and growth of our students.

This month we have several opportunities for families to become more involved with their school(s) and RCSD. They include: 

Exploring the resources available through our partnership with SmartSocial. This comprehensive platform offers valuable information to help families learn about keeping students safe online. We are committed to supporting you in this journey and will begin sharing a monthly webinar series this month, focusing on various topics related to online safety and digital well-being. I encourage you to participate in these webinars and take advantage of the resources offered.

Attending one of our ParentSquare Information Nights on September 4th or 5th. These sessions are a great opportunity to learn more about ParentSquare and how it can enhance communication between our schools and families.

Joining our district as an employee. If you have ever considered becoming an employee, now is a great time! We have several options available, including part-time opportunities that might be perfect for your schedule. To learn more, please join us at our Classified Job Fair on Wednesday, September 11th, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at the District Office. We would love to see you there and answer any questions you might have.

Ensuring your student(s) and your family have everything needed to attend school each and every day. Visit our Every Day Matters Attendance page to learn about the importance of attendance and the resources available to our families.  

Thank you for your ongoing support and commitment to our students’ success. Your involvement and engagement are what make our community so special. I look forward to the many wonderful things we will accomplish together this school year.

August 2024

As we approach the beginning of the 2024-25 school year, I am thrilled to welcome you all on our first day of school, August 8th. We have a full and positive year ahead, and I want to take this opportunity to share some important updates and highlights with you.

At the heart of the RCSD is our mission and vision. Our mission is to maximize learning for each and every one of our students. Our vision is to become a collaborative community of professional learners that is: focused on learning, results-oriented, and committed to the continuous improvement of each student and staff member. With this in mind, we are making some important changes and additions this year to ensure our students can thrive academically and personally.

Our dedicated staff have been working tirelessly over the summer, especially in these last few weeks, to prepare for the start of school. Their commitment to creating a welcoming and productive learning environment is truly inspiring. I wish to sincerely thank them, and am confident that their hard work will set the stage for a successful school year for all.

Beginning the first day of school, we are implementing a revised policy regarding student use of personal mobile devices. Students (grades TK-8) will not be allowed to use their phones or personal tablets, or wear their smartwatches or Bluetooth headphones (such as AirPods) once they have entered campus for the instructional day. These items must be turned off and put away during the school day. They can resume using these devices only after the last period of the day. This change is based on research indicating that mobile devices can be a major source of distraction during school hours. We are attempting to increase the amount of time our classrooms have for teaching and learning by creating distraction-free classrooms and providing opportunities for our students to engage in technology-free social interactions during breaks and lunch time.

We understand that this change may require some adjustments. To support our families, we have created a Family Information webpage (rcsdk8.org/digital-resources) with more details on the policy, the research behind it, and answers to frequently asked questions. We also look forward to sharing even more about our new partnership with SmartSocial (sign-up for your free account here), which offers programs that teach adults the essentials of social media, smartphones, internet usage, and how to work with students to stay safe online.

To enhance communication between the District, our schools, and families, we are excited to have recently launched ParentSquare, our new two-way communication tool. I encourage all families to download the app and set their communication preferences to stay informed and engaged with school activities and updates. You can learn more about ParentSquare by visiting rcsdk8.org/parentsquare. 

Lastly, I want to emphasize the importance of regular school attendance. Last year, we launched the Every Day Matters Attendance Campaign to highlight the critical role that consistent attendance plays in a student’s academic success. Research shows that students who attend school regularly are more likely to perform well academically and develop healthy social and emotional skills. With your help, we saw dramatic increases in our students’ attendance, allowing them more time to learn, grow, and flourish in our classrooms. We ask for your continued support in ensuring that students attend school every day and arrive on time, ready to learn. To find out the ways our schools and District can help support you and your students, including in assisting you in removing barriers to attendance, visit rcsdk8.org/every-day-matters.  

As we embark on this new academic year, let us remember our mission: to maximize learning for each and every one of our students. With your continued support and partnership, I am confident that we will achieve this mission and provide our students with the best possible educational experience. 

Thank you and welcome to RCSD!