Rocky Branch Mid-Month Newsletter

Important Dates:

• October 22 & 23 - Fire Safety Days
• October 26 - PTO Meeting in the LMC @ 6pm
• October 28 - Student Flu Clinic ( must be signed up ahead of time )

Upcoming November Dates to Remember:

• November 2 - NO SCHOOL, Teacher In-service
• November 2 - Parent / Teacher Conferences from 4pm - 7:30pm
• November 5 - Parent / Teacher Conferences from 4pm - 7:30pm
• November 6 - Buddy Groups, students & staff wear their Character Ed tshirts
• November 20 - Last day of Trimester #1
• November 23 - Math & Muffins 7:50-8:30am
• November 25-27 - NO SCHOOL, THANKSGIVING BREAK
• November 30 - PTO Meeting in the LMC @ 6pm

We look forward to seeing all of you for fall conferences!

Monday, November 2nd and Thursday, November 5

4:00-7:30 PM

We have one time slot available for each student. If you are a separated household, please coordinate with each other to determine if both parents will be attending the conference together, or if one person will attend by phone (or Google Meet). This ensures our teachers get a break for dinner and that both parties hear the exact same information about their child.

If you have questions or run into issues signing up, please contact:

Natalie Benusa at 715-425-1819 ext 3001 or natalie.benusa@rfsd.k12.wi.us

Use the link below to sign up for a 15 minute conference with your child’s teacher.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP

If you are interested in meeting with a specialist teacher, you can reach out to them by email.

Art: Audrey Johnson - audrey.johnson@rfsd.k12.wi.us

Phy Ed: Emily Kolb - emily.kolb@rfsd.k12.wi.us

Music: Emma Cruciani - emma.cruciani@rfsd.k12.wi.us

Media: Erin Fenton - erin.fenton@rfsd.k12.wi.us

Guidance: Amanda Kauth - amanda.kauth@rfsd.k12.wi.us

Orders are due by April 16th, 2027

Students in 4K– grade 5 are invited to enjoy Halloween at UW–River Falls on Tuesday, October 20, from 4:30–6:30 p.m. This year, the event is changing from walking through the residence halls to an outdoor Halloween carnival! Adults must accompany children.

Visit the UWRF Res Hall Facebook page for more details.

We are collecting diapers again this year to donate to local diaper banks. Our goal is 6,000 diapers!

Dates: October 21st - November 2nd.

Goal: 6,000 Diapers!

Accepted Donations:

• UNOPENED boxes of Diapers in any size
• The diaper banks are especially in need of larger sizes (5/6)
• Wipes can also be donated, but do not count toward the diaper total

Do you have concerns about your child’s development? The School District of River Falls offers free preschool screenings for children ages 2.5–5 who live within District boundaries. The screening can help families learn more about their child’s development and whether they may benefit from special education services.

WHEN: October 23, 2026, by appointment only

Please note: This screening is not intended to determine general readiness for 4K or kindergarten. A parent meeting focused on school readiness will be offered at a later date.

To schedule an appointment, contact Ann Nelson at 715-425-1819 ext. 3101 or ann.nelson@rfsd.k12.wi.us.

For developmental concerns about a child younger than 2.5, contact your county’s Birth to Three program: Pierce County: 715-273-6755, St. Croix County: 715-246-8250

Our Neighbor’s Place (ONP) Backpack Program provides nutritious, kid-friendly groceries to families with children in our school district who are experiencing financial hardship. Sign up at any time during the school year by completing this application.

Questions? Contact Shelly: shelly.smith@ourneighborsplace.org.

2026-2027 Backpack Program Application - Spanish

Behaviors by others can impact students in different ways and it can be tricky to know the difference between rude, mean, and bullying behaviors. Here are some tips to help with defining these behaviors:

• When someone says or does something unintentionally hurtful and they do it once, that’s RUDE.

• When someone says or does something intentionally hurtful and they do it once, that’s MEAN.

• When someone says or does something intentionally hurtful and they keep doing it even when you tell them to stop or show them that you’re upset – that’s BULLYING.

Most students have the skills they need in order to address rude and mean behaviors by others. If a situation involves bullying, an adult often needs to step in and help, due to an imbalance of power between students.

What to Do If Your Child is Being Bullied

• Listen actively: Stay calm, validate their feelings, and reassure them that it is not their fault.
• Assure safety: Let them know they have a right to feel safe and that you will work together on a plan.
• Document: Take note if this behavior occurred once, or if it is happening repeatedly to your child (and not to a broader group of students). This indicates targeted behavior.
• Contact the school: Share your concerns with teachers, guidance counselors, or school administrators if the behavior continues.
• Stand up: Share strategies with your child for how they can advocate for themselves and respond to unwanted comments or actions.

What to Do If Your Child is Bullying Others

• Set firm limits: Calmly and clearly state that bullying behavior is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
• Investigate the root cause: Children often bully to gain power, fit in, or react to stress, trauma, or being bullied themselves.
• Model respect: Show healthy, non-aggressive ways to resolve conflicts and manage strong emotions at home.
• Involve professionals: Reach out to a school counselor, pediatrician, or mental health specialist if aggressive patterns continue.

We're here to help!

If your child is experiencing situations that are hurtful, targeted, and repetitive, reach out to your child's teacher or school counselor!

Rocky Branch Counselor - Mrs. Kauth - amanda.kauth@rfsd.k12.wi.us

Link to Rocky Branch Facebook Page