RRE Summer Update

Hello Families,

We hope you are having a wonderful summer! It's hard to believe how quickly time is flying. We are excited to welcome everyone back for another fantastic school year and have so many great things planned for our students and families.

Please take a few moments to read through this newsletter carefully, as it contains a lot of important information to help you prepare for the start of the school year. You'll find key dates, reminders, upcoming events, and other details you'll want to know before we begin.

We can't wait to see our students back in the building soon and look forward to partnering with you for an amazing year ahead!

As we get ready to welcome our amazing teachers and staff back for the 2026–2027 school year, we'd love your help with a special surprise!

If you'd like to participate, please email Mrs. Pierik - apierik@dcsdk12.org, a short video of your child answering this question:

"What are some of your favorite things about school?"

I'll compile the videos into a special welcome message to share with our teachers and staff when they return for the 2026–2027 school year. Your child's kind words and excitement will be a wonderful way to kick off the new year!

Thank you for helping us celebrate our incredible school community!

Looking for a fun summer activity? If you're passing by Rock Ridge, stop by and grab a rock (or a few!) from the rock bed by our front entrance.

Take your rock home and paint it however you'd like! When you're finished, bring it back to school so we can display your creativity around campus for everyone to enjoy.

Need a few painting tips?

Wash and dry your rock before painting.

Apply a solid base coat of acrylic paint if desired.

Sketch your design, then paint using acrylic craft paints or fine-tip acrylic paint pens.

Once your masterpiece is dry, seal it with a waterproof, non-yellowing clear coat (such as a spray varnish or a brush-on polyurethane sealer like DuraClear) to help it last outdoors.

We can't wait to see your colorful creations decorating Rock Ridge this fall. Have fun, get creative, and happy painting!

Our office staff will return on Monday, July 27, and regular office hours will resume. If you have questions or need assistance, we look forward to helping you beginning that day. Enjoy the rest of your summer, and we'll see you soon!

Class assignments for the 2026–2027 school year will be shared once our teachers return in August. You can expect to receive a welcome email from your child's teacher by August 7, introducing themselves and welcoming your family to the new school year.

CLICK EACH GRADE TO ENLARGE

If you ordered a school supply kit, it will already be waiting in your child's classroom when you arrive for Meet & Greet/Supply Drop-Off.

Our school day begins promptly each morning, so please plan to arrive on time!

Monday–Thursday

• School Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

• Soft Start: Doors open at 8:20 a.m., allowing students time to enter the building and get settled before the school day begins.

• Students arriving after 8:35 a.m. will be considered tardy

Fridays (except Friday, August 14)

• School Hours: 9:15 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

• There is no Soft Start on Fridays. Doors open at 9:15 a.m., and students should arrive at that time.

• Breakfast will still be served

Thank you for helping your child arrive on time and ready to learn each day!

We are incredibly proud of the growth and achievement our students demonstrated throughout the school year. In April, RRE students in grades 3 through 6 participated in the Colorado Measures of Academic Success (CMAS) where they showcased their knowledge and skills aligned with Colorado’s academic standards. This year, for the first time, DCSD will no longer mail hard copies of CMAS score reports. Beginning on May 29, 2026, you will be able to access your child’s CMAS score reports electronically through the Pearson’s Family Portal.

Click HERE for further directions on how to access your student’s data beginning May 29, 2026.

Beginning in August 2026, DCSD is implementing dedicated Professional Learning Communities (PLC) time for our teachers. This means that DCSD elementary and middle schools will have a 45-minute delayed start every Friday. This is already occurring in DCSD’s high schools.

Teachers working better together for students

We recognize that having a delayed start time on Fridays will require some adjustments for families, however we are certain the trade-off will be worth it. In addition to what we have seen at our high schools, research from across the country shows how much of a difference PLCs can make in the academic outcomes for all students.

DCSD is the highest-scoring school district in the Denver metro area, and until now, the only one without dedicated PLC time. Think of what we’ll be able to achieve when our educators are using their dedicated Friday morning PLC time to full effect!

Your child(ren)’s teachers will gain focused time to work together, analyze data to make student-level adjustments in their teaching, and align their use of our curriculum to ensure learning goals are met.

What about … ?

You may have questions about how this change affects other aspects of the school day, and we have answers for those, too:

• Transportation: All school buses, including special education buses, will start 45 minutes later on Fridays. Bus routes will run exactly 45 minutes later.

• Child Care: Elementary students will still have access to Before and After School Education (BASE) on Friday mornings. Currently, BASE has about 20% fewer students on Fridays. This creates the ability to increase BASE capacity for families needing care on Fridays.

• School Breakfast: Breakfast will still be offered to students.

• Preschool: There will be no impact on preschool schedules. Currently, preschool staff already use Friday mornings for planning and PLCs.

• Charter schools: If your child attends a DCSD charter school, please check that school's website for information on calendars, late starts or early releases. The common Friday late start for neighborhood schools is not an expectation for DCSD charter schools.

• These, plus additional information about special education, inclement-weather delays, instructional time and more can be found on the DCSD PLC webpage.

In case a visual reminder helps you, we also made a downloadable 2026-2027 school-year calendar with the late-start Fridays identified so you can post it on your refrigerator.

We appreciate your support as we get ready to make this change. We hope you enjoy your summer as we prepare for the next level of constant improvement for all DCSD students!

With the passing of Colorado’s new law on student use of personal communication devices, our district is committed to providing families with up-to-date information and resources. This page outlines what the law means for schools, how it will be implemented in Douglas County, and ways families can support students in developing healthy habits around phones, smartwatches, and other devices.

All families are asked to complete Express Check-In before the start of the school year. This annual process is required for every student, not just those who are new to Rock Ridge or Douglas County School District.

Express Check-In allows you to:

• Update your household and emergency contact information.

• Review and sign required district forms.

• Update your child's health information and medical conditions.

• Select and pay applicable school fees.

Completing Express Check-In helps ensure we have the most current information for your family and makes the back-to-school process quick and easy—especially for families with multiple children.

Thank you for taking a few minutes to complete Express Check-In before the first day of school. Your attention to this important annual task helps us prepare for a safe and successful school year!

The Healthy School Meals for All Program provides funding for Colorado public school districts that operate under the National School Lunch Program and/or the School Breakfast Program* to serve free, nutritious meals to all students!

Students must select a meal that meets the requirement for a reimbursable meal.

They must have 1/2 cup serving of either Fruit and/or Vegetables to meet that requirement.*

A La Carte items will still be available for purchase. To add money to your student's account, please visit myschoolbucks.com

Visit the DCSD Transportation website for all transportation information and questions

Need before- or after-school care? The Douglas County School District Before and After School Enterprise (BASE) program provides a safe, fun, and enriching environment for students before and after the school day. Children enjoy a variety of age-appropriate activities, including games, arts and crafts, outdoor play, homework time, and opportunities to build friendships in a caring, supervised setting. Many BASE locations also offer care during school breaks and professional development days. Programs are staffed by DCSD employees and licensed through the State of Colorado Division of Child Care. For registration information, program availability, and site-specific details, visit the DCSD BASE website or contact your school's BASE program directly.

We are excited to announce DC Downbeat, a new opportunity for students in grades 4–6 to explore the world of band and orchestra! Led by the Douglas County High School music department, this program is designed to introduce students to instrumental music and help them discover an instrument they will enjoy playing.

Kick-Off Assembly

August 20/21

Students in grades 4–6 will attend a special assembly featuring performances by the Douglas County High School Band and Orchestra. During this fun and interactive event, students will:

• Experience live musical performances.

• Learn about the DC Downbeat program.

• Discover the different band and orchestra instruments.

• Bring home information to share with their families.

Instrument Play-Test Sessions

Week of August 24–28

One of the most exciting parts of the program is the opportunity for students—especially those in 4th grade—to try different instruments before making a selection. During these school-day sessions, students will:

• Test a variety of instruments.

• Find an instrument that is the best physical fit for them.

• Receive guidance from music educators to help them make an informed choice.

More information about registration, event dates, and instrument selection will be shared with families in August.

We are excited to partner with Douglas County High School to provide this wonderful opportunity and can't wait to see our future musicians discover their passion for music!

As you may have heard, this coming school year, 2026-27 will be your child's last year at Rock Ridge Elementary. Beginning in the 2027–2028 school year, all Castle Rock elementary schools will have 6th grade students attend Mesa Middle School.

Because of this transition, we want to ensure that every current 5th grader has the opportunity to participate in Outdoor Education during their final year at Rock Ridge if they choose. We know this is an exciting experience, and we also recognize that it can be a significant expense. We wanted to give families an early heads-up so you can plan ahead.

Outdoor Education Information

Date: September 16–18, 2026

Estimated Cost: Approximately $360 per student (final cost will be shared as soon as it is confirmed)

Fundraising Opportunity

We're excited to offer an ABC Popcorn Fundraiser to help offset the cost of camp. 100% of the money your child raises will be applied directly to their Outdoor Education fees.

Fundraiser Dates: August 17–21

Important Dates

August 17–21: ABC Popcorn Fundraiser

In situations where the weather is severe or the threat of lightning exists, Rock Ridge will hang a yellow flag on the front flagpole (if safe to access flag pole). Rock Ridge will hold the dismissal of all students until the weather threat has left the area. Buses will be held until it is safe to transport students. Car loop students, walkers and bikers will be released once the severe weather has passed.

In the event that a parent needs to pick up his/her child before the “All Clear” release has been called, the parent will need to park and go to the school door assigned to their child’s assigned grade level entrance/exit. Parents will not be allowed to enter the building. (Due to safety concerns, we HIGHLY recommend waiting until the danger has passed at which time we will return to a normal dismissal)

-Pre-school will be checked out at their outside classroom doors.

-ALL Kindergarten students, including Ms. Watson's class, will be released from the Kindie doors

-1st & 2nd grade will check out at the 1st grade door (southside “K” door)

- 3rd and 4th, will release from the gym doors

- 5th and 6th grade will be checked out at the playground doors.

- Bussers will wait in their classrooms until safe

-SSN will exit through the front doors

Parents should provide the classroom teacher with an emergency release form that indicates alternate adults that can pick up students in the event of emergency/severe weather.

Rock Ridge students will not be released to middle or high school students during severe weather dismissals UNLESS they are 18 years or older.

Morning Drop-Off

Breakfast

Afternoon Pick-Up

Car Loop Procedures

Thank you for helping us keep arrival and dismissal safe, efficient, and smooth for all of our students and families!

To help our youngest learners have a positive start to the school year, Rock Ridge will once again use Balanced Beginnings, a staggered transition designed to build strong teacher-student relationships and ease students into their new school environment.

Balanced Beginnings will take place August 12–13. During this time, each student will attend one half-day session on either August 12 or August 13. These small-group sessions give teachers the opportunity to get to know each child through play-based activities, conversations, and beginning-of-the-year assessments in a relaxed, welcoming setting.

Following the Balanced Beginnings sessions, teachers will finalize class placements, and families will receive notification of their child's teacher on August 14.

Below is the link for signing up for your child's half-day session.

Your child’s transition day choices are:

● Wednesday, August 12th: 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

● Wednesday, August 12th: 12:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

● Thursday, August 13th: 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

● Thursday, August 13th: 12:30p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

We are looking forward to meeting your Kindergartener and making his or her transition a smooth and joyful one!

📅 Monday, August 11

We are excited to welcome our incoming kindergarten families!

3:00–4:00 p.m. – Kindergarten Supply Drop-Off

Bring your child's school supplies, explore the classroom, and help your child become familiar with their new learning environment.

4:00–5:00 p.m. – Parent/Guardian Information Meeting

Join the kindergarten team to learn about classroom routines, daily schedules, school expectations, communication, and what to expect during the first weeks of school. This is a great opportunity to ask questions and prepare for a successful start to the year.

We look forward to seeing you and welcoming your family to Rock Ridge!

Monday, August 17 is the first full day of school for all kindergarten students! We are so excited to welcome our newest Rock Ridge learners.

After dropping off your kindergartener, we invite all kindergarten parents and guardians to join our PTO BooHoo Breakfast on the back playground. Whether you're feeling excited, emotional, or a little bit of both, it's a wonderful opportunity to connect with other kindergarten families, enjoy a light breakfast, and celebrate this special milestone together.

We can't wait to welcome our newest students and families to Rock Ridge!

Please help us welcome Rick Schablitsky (Mr. Rick) to RRE as our new Campus Security Specialist! Rick brings over 20 years of law enforcement experience, including service as a detective with the Aurora Police Department, along with a strong commitment to safety, relationship building, and supporting students and staff. We are excited to have him join the Rock Ridge Family!

Meeting Dates:

We invite all parents, guardians, and community members to join our School Accountability Committee (SAC)! Douglas County School District recognizes that student success is built through strong partnerships among families, schools, and the community. Parent and family involvement plays a vital role in student achievement and creating a positive school environment.

The SAC serves as a collaborative advisory group that:

• Provides feedback on school improvement goals and strategies.

• Reviews and offers input on how school resources and funding are used.

• Strengthens partnerships between families, the school, and the community.

• Serves as a voice for parents and community members in supporting student success.

Whether you're interested in learning more about our school, sharing ideas, or becoming more involved, we encourage you to attend. Your voice and perspective are valued, and together we can continue making Rock Ridge a great place for all students to learn and grow!

To ensure you receive important updates regarding school safety, grades, and events, we recommend checking your Spam or Junk folder periodically.

If you find an email from @dcsdk12.org in your spam folder, please mark it as "Not Spam" or "Move to Inbox." This simple action helps "train" your email provider to recognize our communications as safe, ensuring our future messages reach you directly.

Thank you for helping us stay connected!

Rent Rock Ridge Elementary’s Spirit Rock and paint positive

messages for all to see while supporting your school!

RRE Spirit Rock Info Click Here!

My School Bucks

CLICK ON THE PICTURE TO SHARE YOUR LOVE!