Paw Print Press

Using Argument-Driven Inquiry (ADI) in elementary science instruction encourages students to think critically, ask questions, and use evidence to support their ideas. This approach helps students develop a deeper understanding of scientific concepts while strengthening their communication, collaboration, and reasoning skills. ADI fosters curiosity and ownership of learning, making science more meaningful and engaging for young learners.

Respect means treating others the way you want to be treated. It’s about using kind words, listening when someone is talking, and taking care of people, places, and things. When we show respect, we make everyone feel valued and safe.

Congratulations to all of our RWE winners! We are incredibly proud of the students who earned this award and we look forward to celebrating all of the pillars of character this year.

As part of our 2nd grade “Early Asian Civilizations” unit, students have been learning about several holidays, including Diwali. We were thrilled to welcome RWE’s fabulous Miss Dhana to our classroom! She read us a wonderful story and taught us how to make flower rangoli — a beautiful traditional art form created to celebrate Diwali.

Math – Students will continue to develop their problem-solving skills with fractions, focusing on multiplication and division. They will also practice using the standard algorithm and partial products to solve multi-digit multiplication and division problems with whole numbers.

Science – Students will be investigating changes in matter through hands-on activities and observations.

Reading – Our next reading unit will focus on poetry! Students will explore different types of poems and creative expression, culminating in a Poetry Slam at the end of the month.

Social Studies – Students will be learning about the causes leading up to the Civil War, exploring key events and perspectives from this important time in history.

Congrats to our Marking Period 1 Grounds of Greatness Winners: Ms. Terra & Mrs. Gay! This award is given to two staff members per Marking Period to recognize those who go above and beyond for students. Congrats to Ms. Terra and Mrs. Gay!

As you tidy up closets this fall, consider donating to help us replenish our Health Office’s supply of extra clothing for students in need. We're currently looking for the following items:

• New underwear and socks

• Gently used:

  • Leggings

  • Loose-fitting shorts or pants

  • T-shirts

  • Sneakers

Please ensure all items are freshly washed before donating. Donations can be sent to Nurse Regan.

Also, as a helpful tip: it's a good idea for students to keep an extra set of clothes in their backpack in case of accidents or spills. Thank you for supporting our students!

In Kindergarten Skills, our students are beginning to make connections between sounds and symbols. (We call them symbols instead of letters and might say, “Draw a picture of the sound /m/.”) They’re continuing to practice blending sounds to make words and learning several of the symbols we use for reading and writing. Students are also learning to read and spell simple CVC (Consonant–Vowel–Consonant) words. By combining vowel and consonant spellings, they can now build and read short words like cat and map!

In Knowledge, we finished our Nursery Rhymes and Fables unit and have started learning all about the Five Senses.

In Science, we’ve been exploring different types of weather and noticing patterns—such as how it changes from morning to afternoon and from summer to fall. We’ve also talked about how important the sun is in our daily lives.

In Math, students are learning how to answer “how many” questions, connect quantities with spoken and written numbers, and compare groups within 10 using words like more, same, and fewer.

We had so much fun at our Kinder Konzert trip to Spooky Strings and are already looking forward to hearing Peter and the Wolf in November!

Rockland’s youngest learners enjoyed an exciting Pre-K Career Day, thoughtfully organized by our amazing Pre-K teachers! Students had the opportunity to explore a variety of careers and discover the many possibilities the future holds. A heartfelt thank-you goes out to the wonderful parents who volunteered their time to share their experiences, inspiring our students with their knowledge and enthusiasm.

We’d also like to extend a special thanks to Ms. Alyssa Root, Athletic Director from Saint James School, and the Norris family, owners of Appalachian Reptiles and Aquatics, for their engaging and informative presentations!

As a fun follow-up, our Pre-K students dressed up to share what they want to be when they grow up—among them were doctors, a nurse, a paleontologist, a hair stylist, a construction worker, and even a video game maker!

We can’t wait to see the bright futures ahead for our amazing Pre-K students!

Professional development is a cornerstone of fostering excellence in elementary education, and under the guidance of Lead Teacher Mrs. Dawson, our faculty is empowered to grow, innovate, and inspire. Through her leadership, teachers engage in meaningful workshops, collaborative learning, and reflective practices that directly enhance classroom instruction. Mrs. Dawson’s dedication ensures that professional development is not just a requirement, but a transformative experience that enriches both educators and students, cultivating a vibrant, dynamic learning environment where every child can thrive.

Rockland Woods Elementary hosted a spooktacular Trunk or Treat event that brought our school community together for a night of fun and festivity! Over 500 students joined in the celebration, enjoying creative trunks, candy, and lots of smiles. A huge thank-you to our amazing teachers, dedicated PTO, and wonderful families for making this event such a success. Your creativity, support, and enthusiasm made the night one to remember!