The Rock Creek Parent Reader

Dear Rock Creek Families,

October is shaping up to be a busy and exciting month at Rock Creek!

National Walk to School Day: October 8th
We invite all students and families to join us on Wednesday, October 8th for National Walk to School Day. This event is a fun way to promote healthy habits, community spirit, and safe routes to school. We’d love to see as many students as possible walking or biking that morning!

Parent-Teacher Conferences:
Parent-Teacher Conferences are just around the corner. This is such a valuable opportunity to connect with your child’s teacher, celebrate progress, and discuss ways we can continue to support learning at home and at school. We look forward to partnering with you to ensure your child’s success. Sign up online! All conferences will be launched by teachers on Friday, Oct. 6th.

Report Cards: Grades 2–5
This year, students in grades 2–5 will return to the traditional report card system. This change will provide clear feedback on student progress while continuing to align with grade-level standards. We believe this shift will help families better understand their child’s performance and growth throughout the year.

As always, thank you for your continued support and partnership. Together, we make Rock Creek a wonderful place for students to learn and grow!

Warmly,
Lisa Gebbie
Principal, Rock Creek Elementary

Be a Raptor Hero: Volunteer Opportunities This Month!

• Vertical Teaming on Monday, Oct. 13th: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094DAFAB28A0FACF8-59322382-parent

• Moms with Muffins on Tuesday, Oct. 21st from 7:15-8:00 AM: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094DAFAB28A0FACF8-59307895-moms

• Can’t Volunteer but still want to help? PTO will be providing dinner to teachers during Parent-Teacher Conferences on Tuesday, Oct. 21st! Please sign up to bring something: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0F45ADAE2AA7F58-59381190-teacher#/

This year, report cards for grades 2–5 will look a little different. Twin Falls School District is returning to the traditional 100% A–F grading system. For the past several years, we have used a standards-based grading system, which provided detailed feedback on specific skills and learning targets. While that system had benefits, we also heard feedback from families and staff about the value of a more familiar format.

Under the A–F grading system, student progress will be reported as a percentage and a letter grade. Teachers will continue to provide comments and feedback to give parents additional context about their child’s learning. Our goal remains the same: to provide clear, accurate, and useful information about student growth and achievement.

If you have questions about the updated report card format, please reach out to your child’s teacher or the school office. Sign up for conferences ONLINE.

Thursday, Oct. 2nd-

• National Custodian's Day (THANK YOU to Robert, Sheila, & Marivel)
• Kindergarten Field Trip to Tubbs Berry Farm

Friday, Oct. 3rd- Spirit Day 💚💙

Wednesday, Oct. 8th- National Walk to School Day. Meet at 7:15 AM at Northern Ridge Park to walk to school as a group.

Thursday, Oct. 9th- ALICE Emergency Barricade Drill at 2:15 PM. More information below on how you can talk about/prepare your student(s).

Wednesday, Oct. 15th- Flu Mist Clinic from 8:00-10:00 AM. Your student WILL NOT be given the flu mist without prior parent-signed permission. Permission slips have been sent home!

Thursday, Oct. 16th- 4th Grade Pioneer Days (dress for the weather)

Friday, Oct. 17th-

• End of 1st Quarter. Early Dismissal at 12:45 PM
• Family Movie Night: "How to Train Your Dragon" from 7:00-9:00 PM

Oct. 20th-23rd- Parent/Teacher Conference Week & Book Fair in the Library. See above for NEW 2nd-5th grade report card information.

Tuesday, Oct. 21th- Moms with Muffins from 7:15-8:00 in the gym

Wednesday, Oct. 22nd- Picture Retakes

Wednesday, Oct. 29th- International Cat Day

Thursday, Oct. 30th- Fall Choir Concert at 7:00-7:30 PM in the Gym

Friday, Oct. 31st- Halloween Parade at 2:05 PM on the Walking Path. More information to come!

November 1-15th- Project Succeed Book Drive 📚

Tuesday, Nov. 11th- Veterans Day

Nov. 24th-28th- No School: Thanksgiving Break

Learning doesn’t stop at the end of the school day! Families play an important role in building strong academic skills, and just a few minutes of practice at home can make a big difference. The best part is that it doesn’t have to feel like extra homework—many activities can be built into everyday routines and kept short, fun, and stress-free. A little practice here and there goes a long way, and the goal is to keep learning positive and enjoyable for your child.

Ideas for Supporting Learning at Home:

• Flash Cards: Practice letter names, letter sounds, multiplication facts, or high-frequency words. A few minutes each night adds up quickly!

• Read Together: Take turns reading a book aloud, or have your child retell the story in their own words to boost comprehension.

• Math in Real Life: Practice addition, subtraction, or multiplication during cooking (measuring ingredients) or shopping (adding prices).

• Writing Practice: Encourage your child to keep a journal, write letters, or make lists—it builds spelling, sentence structure, and expression.

• Sight Word Games: Turn high-frequency word practice into a game of memory or bingo for fun reinforcement.

• Mental Math Races: Ask quick math facts in the car or while waiting in line.

• Word Hunts: While reading or out and about, have your child “hunt” for certain words, letters, or sounds.

• Everyday Conversations: Ask open-ended questions (“What was the best part of your day?”) to practice speaking in complete sentences and building vocabulary.

Consistency is key—short, daily practice is more effective than long, occasional sessions.

We’re excited to share that our average daily attendance in August was 96.2%—that’s 0.2% higher than last year! Thank you for helping us start the year strong by making school a priority.

School Hours:

• Mondays (early release every Monday): 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM

• Tuesday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM

• 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.

✅ Missing just 2 days a month adds up to more than 18 days in a school year—that’s nearly a whole month of learning lost.

✅ Students who miss 9 or fewer days in a year are much more likely to stay on track academically and socially.

✅ Good attendance in the early grades sets the foundation for reading success and stronger math skills later on.

✅ By 6th grade, chronic absence (missing 10% or more of school) is one of the strongest predictors of whether a student will drop out.

✅ Even excused absences matter—whether sick days, trips, or appointments, learning time can’t be replaced.

✅ Arriving on time matters too—students who are frequently late often miss important morning routines, directions, and class connections.

✅ Students who attend regularly feel more connected to teachers and peers, leading to greater confidence and better behavior.

✅ Families play the biggest role—helping kids get enough sleep, having a morning routine, and scheduling appointments outside of school hours can make a huge difference.

We love and value our parent volunteers! Your support plays an important role in making Rock Creek a welcoming and successful place for students. At this time, parent volunteers are welcome in the building and on school property, but please remember to check in at the front office upon arrival and wear your visitors badge at all times.

All parents who wish to volunteer, assist with Vertical Teaming, or chaperone field trips must complete a background check at least two weeks before the event.

Click the link below to get started:
https://apps.raptortech.com/Apply/MjYyOmVuLVVT

We appreciate your time and partnership!

Please know that our goal is never to frighten students. All ALICE drills are carefully planned and presented in a kid-friendly, age-appropriate way. We also want to reassure you that we will never hold an unplanned ALICE drill. Students will always be guided by their teachers, and drills are designed to help them feel prepared and confident—not scared.

One way you can support your child at home is by talking with them about these drills in a calm and reassuring way. A helpful resource is the book and video I’m Not Scared, I’m Prepared, which teachers will share with students to help lead the conversations. Watching or reading it together can open the door to meaningful conversations about what your child is learning at school and how they can stay safe. Listen to your child and allow them to ask questions if they have them.

• ALICE Barricade Drill Parent Letter

Here are some other practical, supportive ways you can help your children feel prepared—without creating fear or worry:

• Have calm conversations: Talk about safety in the same way you would discuss fire drills or seatbelts—important and serious, but not scary.

• Practice listening and following directions: Remind your child that during an emergency, their teacher will tell them what to do, and it’s important to listen right away.

• Normalize safety routines: Point out other examples of safety practice, like wearing helmets, looking both ways before crossing the street, or fire drills at home.

• Reassure them: Remind your child that drills are about practice and that there are many adults at school—teachers, principals, and police officers—working to keep them safe.

• Encourage communication: Teach your child to share with you or another trusted adult if they ever see or hear something that feels unsafe.

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:

• Apply online: Free & Reduced Application

• Print an application: English | Spanish | Other Languages

Meal Prices at Regular Rate:

• Breakfast: $1.65

• Lunch: $3.00

• 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 not only celebrates their dedication but also inspires excellence throughout our schools.

We can’t help but celebrate—Rock Creek’s very own Ms. Meredith Haney was honored as the Elementary Teacher of the Year at the Twin Falls Education Foundation’s Red Apple Gala this past April!

Who Can Be Nominated:

Any K–12, vocational, or special education teacher in the Twin Falls School District.

Who Can Nominate:

Students, parents, colleagues, businesses, and community organizations.

Why Nominate?

• Shine a light on the outstanding work happening right here at Rock Creek.

• Encourage excellence—who will follow in Ms. Haney’s footsteps?

• Celebrate educators who make daily differences that matter.

Recognition & Rewards:

Winners are acknowledged monthly and honored at the Red Apple Gala. Plus, all awardees become contenders for the Teacher of the Year title.

Let’s celebrate the legacy started by Ms. Haney—and discover the next educator who’s making a lasting impact. Click HERE to nominate your favorite Rock Creek teacher today!

To ensure the safety of all students and keep traffic flowing smoothly, please follow these important procedures:

• 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.

• Always use the crosswalk for your safety and to model safe behavior for students.

• Do not let students exit from the left lane. This is unsafe.

• The side parking lot and bus lane are for buses only. Do not use this area for drop-off or pick-up.

• Be respectful and courteous to others during busy times. Our children are watching!

• Only park in handicap spaces if you have a valid permit. These spaces are reserved for those who truly need them.

• Never leave your vehicle unattended in the drop-off lane.

• Parents must remain outside the gate. You're welcome to wait behind the fence and observe, but please do not enter the playground.

• If someone else is dropping off or picking up your child, please share these procedures with them.

Thank you for your cooperation! If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to the school administration.

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