The Rock Creek Parent Reader
November 2025
Dear Rock Creek Families,
November is a special time of year at Rock Creek — a season for gratitude, kindness, and giving. As we look ahead to the holidays, we’re taking time to reflect on all the things that make our school community so wonderful: caring students, supportive families, and dedicated staff who go above and beyond every day.
A heartfelt thank you to all who donated food for the teacher dinners during Parent-Teacher Conferences — your generosity truly helped our staff feel appreciated and cared for during those long evenings. We also want to thank everyone who joined us for Moms with Muffins and Family Movie Night. These events were a huge success because of your participation and support.
As our mornings and afternoons continue to be busy, we want to remind everyone that safety during drop-off and pick-up remains one of our highest priorities. Please continue to follow staff directions, drive slowly, and model patience and kindness. Our students are watching how we handle these routines, and together we can keep everyone safe while setting a positive example.
In the spirit of giving, we’re excited to support the Project Succeed Book Drive, running from November 1st–15th. Families are invited to donate new or gently used books that will be shared with students and classrooms across the district — a wonderful way to spread the joy of reading.
And don’t forget — Coin Wars will run from November 3rd–19th! This fun, friendly competition is a great way for students to work together, show school spirit, and raise funds for a good cause.
Thank you for your continued partnership and for modeling compassion, gratitude, and generosity at home. Together, we’re helping our students grow not just in knowledge, but in heart.
Wishing you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving season filled with warmth, laughter, and connection.
With gratitude,
Principal Lisa Gebbie
With close to 600 students, it takes all of us working together to keep our school safe. Thank you to the many families who consistently follow our drop-off and pick-up procedures and help us maintain a safe, smooth, and respectful environment.
Important Reminder: Safety and Courtesy During Drop-Off and Pick-Up
We’ve recently seen an increase in traffic violations, unsafe behaviors, and even instances of unkind or rude conduct from adults during drop-off and pick-up. Please remember—we are all role models for our students, and they learn from the way we handle busy and stressful moments. Let’s work together to demonstrate patience, kindness, and respect.
To ensure everyone’s safety and keep traffic flowing smoothly, please follow these procedures:
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Pull forward as far as possible in the drop-off/pick-up lane. If a staff member signals you to move forward, please follow their direction.
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Always use the crosswalk for your safety and to model safe behavior for students.
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Do not let students exit from the left lane—this is unsafe.
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The side parking lot and bus lane are for buses only. Do not use this area for drop-off or pick-up.
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Be respectful and courteous to others during busy times. Our children are watching!
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Only park in handicap spaces if you have a valid permit. These spaces are reserved for those who truly need them.
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Never leave your vehicle unattended in the drop-off lane.
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Parents must remain outside the gate. You’re welcome to wait behind the fence and observe, but please do not enter the playground.
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If someone else is dropping off or picking up your child, please share these procedures with them.
Thank you for helping us keep our school safe, positive, and welcoming for everyone. If you have any questions, please reach out to the school administration.
Thankful for Learning: Simple Ways to Support Learning at Home
As we head into the season of gratitude, it’s a great time to pause and be thankful for the gift of learning—and for the family moments that make it happen! Even with busy holiday schedules, a few minutes of fun, low-stress practice at home can make a big difference. The goal is to keep learning light, meaningful, and full of connection.
Easy (and Festive!) Ways to Support Learning at Home:
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Recipe Reading: Have your child help read recipes, measure ingredients, and follow directions while cooking Thanksgiving favorites.
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Thankful Writing: Encourage your child to make a “Gratitude Journal” or write thank-you notes to friends, family, or teachers.
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Board Games & Card Games: Classics like Uno, Scrabble, or Yahtzee build math, spelling, and problem-solving skills—without feeling like schoolwork!
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Story Sharing: Take turns telling family stories or retelling a favorite holiday memory to build vocabulary and sequencing skills.
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Grocery Store Math: While shopping for your feast, have your child estimate totals, compare prices, or count items.
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Word of the Day: Pick a new word each day (maybe something holiday-themed!) and challenge your child to use it in a sentence.
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Nature Numbers: Go on a fall walk and count leaves, estimate distances, or describe what you see using descriptive language.
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Reading Traditions: Cozy up together and read a favorite holiday or fall-themed book before bedtime.
Remember, learning happens everywhere. A few minutes of shared time and encouragement each day helps your child grow academically and strengthens family bonds.
Healthy Habits, Happy Attendance!
Our average daily attendance slipped from 96.2% in August to 95.8% in September. We encourage students to practice good hygiene habits, such as handwashing and covering coughs and sneezes, to help prevent the spread of illness.
Parents are encouraged to provide a doctor’s note any time their child is seen in a clinic; these absences are counted as excused and do not negatively affect a student’s overall attendance. If a child is not seen by a doctor, parents should at least contact the teacher to verify the absence. Please remember that even a verified absence is still counted as an absence.
School Hours:
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Mondays (early release every Monday): 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
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Tuesday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
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Breakfast opens at 7:35 AM daily, and playground supervision also begins at 7:35 AM.
Safety First: For your child’s safety, please don’t drop off before 7:35 AM, and be sure to pick up right at dismissal time.
Lunch is not free for all students at Rock Creek. The 2025–2026 Free and Reduced Meal Applications are now available and must be completed each year, even if you qualified last year. Submit your application promptly, as assistance only applies after approval.
Free & Reduced:
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Apply online: Free & Reduced Application
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Print an application: English | Spanish | Other Languages
Meal Prices at Regular Rate:
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Breakfast: $1.65
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Lunch: $3.00
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Extra Milk: $0.75
Need Help? Contact Jennifer Hutton at 208-733-0134 or huttonje@tfsd.org for questions, assistance with the application, or your child’s student ID.
Know an extraordinary Rock Creek teacher who goes the extra mile for students?
Now’s your chance to recognize them! Your nomination celebrates their dedication and inspires excellence across our schools.
We’re proud that Ms. Meredith Haney was named Elementary Teacher of the Year at last year’s Red Apple Gala—let’s keep that momentum going!
Anyone can nominate a K–12, vocational, or special education teacher in the Twin Falls School District. Winners are recognized monthly and honored at the Red Apple Gala, with all honorees eligible for Teacher of the Year.
If your nominee doesn’t win right away, you can nominate them again—as often as you’d like!
Let’s celebrate the amazing work happening every day at Rock Creek.
👉 Click HERE to nominate your favorite teacher!
Reach out!
Email: gebbieli@tfsd.org
School Website: rc.tfsd.org
District Website: tfsd.org
Location: 850 Federation Road, Twin Falls, ID, USA
Phone: (208)732-7565, Fax: (208)732-7566
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/prfile.php?id=100063781904437
Rock Creek's Student Handbook: Click HERE
