Rockbrook Summer Newsletter 2026

Good Afternoon Rockbrook Families,

We're just a few weeks away from the start of the 2026-2027 school year. Below is an updated version of our summer newsletter. While many of the articles are the same as our July Edition, please take a few minutes to review the updates and additions that have been made.

Worth noting...

• Open House, August 11th 5:30, Ribbon Cutting 6:30
• New Faces and Spaces - Help us "Stock the Break Room" and set staff up for a great start.
• New Staff Introductions
• IXL Bingo Reminder
• and so much more

Sincerely,

Garret Higginbotham, Principal

With the start of the new year we have new faces to introduce and new spaces to welcome staff and families to. In addition to the new gym and preschool rooms we have made some internal adjustments, moving our music room to the former preschool classroom and renovating the former music room to expand our staff work and collaboration space while providing a welcoming space for staff to build community with each other.

We'd love your help in welcoming our staff back to these new spaces. If you would like, we would greatly appreciate your help in stocking the break room with treats and amenities that will help make this space a welcoming place for staff to meet, connect, and collaborate throughout the year.

The Rockbrook Community Club provides monthly expressions of care for our staff, including a periodic stock the break room. We are so appreciative of the Rockbrook Community's support and would be grateful for any contribution our families might be willing to make. To make things easy here's a link to an Amazon Wish List. Items purchased will be delivered directly to the school to share with our Rockbrook Staff Team!

Be sure to save the date for our Rockbrook Open House, August 11th followed by a Ribbon Cutting for our new Gym and Early Childhood spaces.

• Open House, 5:30-6:30
• Ribbon Cutting, 6:30

Families are welcome to visit the new spaces during the Open House, we'll just formally recognize the new addition at the 6:30 ceremony.

I have spent the last three years as a special education educational assistant in our district, and I'm proud to have completed our district's 'Grow Your Own' teacher program. This will be my first year as a special education teacher. I am absolutely thrilled to step into this new role and continue to help students achieve their goals and celebrate their successes!

Outside of school, I love spending time with my family and friends exploring new restaurants and thrifting spots in Omaha. When I'm relaxing at home, I'm typically hanging out with my cat Bug and reading a book.

Fun Fact: A fun fact about me is that I can solve a rubik's cube in under a minute.

Outside of the classroom, you can find me unwinding by sitting down with a good book and a great cup of coffee. I always like to stay busy with creative projects, but I also enjoy catching up on TV shows here and there. My absolute favorite food is any kind of pasta dish. Honestly, I have yet to find one I don't like! I'm also a huge Huskers and 49ers fan, so you can always find me cheering them on during football season.

Fun Fact: I run a small crafting business through Instagram and Facebook!

I recently moved back to Omaha from Arizona this summer with my husband, Andrew. Outside of school, I love playing, watching, and coaching sports, trying new restaurants and coffee shops, traveling, and going on bike rides!

Fun Fact: I love being outdoors- I recently hiked the Grand Canyon (Havasupai)!

I am going into my second year of teaching and am so excited to be teaching 1st grade this year! I love to see the growth in each student from the beginning to end of the year and look forward to making memories, learning new skills, and growing in every aspect with my students!

Fun Fact: I am coaching Freshman Cheer at WHS this year!

Mr. Middleton joins our building services team as a new addition to Westside Community Schools but with prior building services experience. Mr. Middleton previously spent 10 years as a Sanitation Supervisor with PSSI (Now Fortrex) and 4 years as an EVS Lead Technician at Mercy One Hospital.

Prior to this career path Mr. Middleton spent a number of years in aspects of athletics and entertainment, playing football with the Sioux City Bandits indoor football team as well as working as a DJ. This year Mr. Middleton's oldest daughter will start her first year of college.

Fun Fact: Mr. Middleton is new to Omaha, originally from New Jersey. Mr. Middleton also enjoys coaching football.

Please be sure to check your inbox for information regarding Returning Student Verification. All students that were enrolled in Westside for 2025-2026 need to have a parent complete this. This process approves students for many important things like...

• Field Trips (students are not able to attend until approval is received)
• Inclusion or Opt Out of photos in things like newsletters, website, yearbook, etc.
• Updates on any medical needs

Parents of returning students will find their Returning Student Verification in Powerschool.

Whether you're a parent, retiree, college student, or someone looking for meaningful work, becoming an Educational Assistant is a rewarding way to support students, assist teachers, and make a lasting difference in your community. Join our team and help inspire the next generation—one school day at a time. Scan the QR code to view current openings and apply

Have a child that says they're "bored?" Looking for a way to keep minds active or dust off the cobwebs before the start of the new year? Check out our Rockbrook Summer IXL Bingo. A fun way to get ready for the new school year and earn prizes!

As our construction wraps up, we want to again support safe crossing of students before and after school. Safety Patrol at Rockbrook includes students in 5th and 6th grade. Please see the linked newsletter for how to signup for a week-long volunteer spot. Families may signup as many times as they like and students who participate will receive an incentive for each week worked.

You are invited to BE A PART OF THE MUSIC! This fall, you will have the opportunity to do what so many successful students have done before you by being a part of Band and Strings! In the first three weeks of school we will be visiting all the buildings, demonstrating the instruments, and giving students the opportunity to select an instrument of their choice. We will have a parent meeting about our program on Thursday, August 27th at 6:30 pm at Westside Middle School. All are welcome to attend to learn about elementary instrumental music and meet the teachers. We are excited to introduce you to the world of instrumental music!

The Elementary Instrumental Music Staff

Gail Carpenter-Johnson, Tommy Krueger, Viktoria Matheson and Jennifer Johansen

We welcome parents and special guests to join their child for lunch at school! To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience, all visitors must check in at the front office upon arrival. Guests and students will sit together at our designated Guest Table*, reserved just for them- no additional students will join during the visit.

To help us prepare, we kindly ask that parents notify the classroom teacher and/or the front office ahead of time if they plan to join their child for lunch. Thank you for partnering with us to make these moments meaningful and secure!

* In alignment with our district visitor practices, we are no longer seating lunch guests with the classrooms. All lunch guests must sit at the designated Guest Table.

Lunch Costs

We have a computerized meal program in operation in our district that allows parents to maintain an account for their child’s meal charges. Each student has their own account. When students go through the food line, the price of the breakfast, lunch, or any extra items such as extra pizza or extra milk is subtracted from their account. Students on free lunch may keep money in their account to pay for extra food items which are not included in the free lunch program.

Elementary School Meal Pricing:

Student Breakfast=$2.40

Student Lunch=$3.30

If you think you may qualify or are interested in applying for Free or Reduced Price meal benefits, you can fill out an Application for Free/Reduced Meal Benefits. Please remember that this status is always kept private and that there is no way for other students to have access to this information. Please find our application instructions and online link here.

My School Bucks

To deposit money into your child’s account you may bring a check or cash to the office, or you may go to MySchoolBucks.com. We send an email to any student whose account has become overdrawn. Please check your email, spam folder and MySchoolBucks account for your child's lunch balance. We need to have negative balances at zero or positive balances. This balance carries over to the next year. Start 2023-2024 year off right for your child's lunch account.

Running Late

Please let the office know if you are running late or have a morning appointment for your child. If your child plans on eating lunch from the cafeteria that day, PLEASE call and or email your child's lunch choice before 9 am.

Joining Your Child for Lunch

If you are joining your child for lunch, and want to eat lunch from the cafeteria, then you must call before 9 am to order your lunch choice. Adult lunch must be paid at the office.

We cannot deduct your lunch from your child’s account as our computer will not let us charge the adult price on a student account.

If you are coming and bringing a lunch, then there is NO need to call ahead, just let us know when you check-in. Guests are asked to only bring food for their own child when visiting.

Pizza Hut

Students (3rd Grade and up only) may purchase extra slices from their lunch accounts when Pizza Hut is on the menu if they have a positive balance in their account. Extra slices cost $2.00. Parents, make sure you let your child know whether or not you want them to have an extra slice. Extra slices are not included with free or reduced lunch accounts. You need to make sure your child has the $2.00 for the extra slice.

Monthly Newsletters & Weekly Updates

Rockbrook, along with all Westside Elementary Schools, distributes a monthly newsletter, The Rockbrook Express, emailed the first Friday of each month and posted on the school website. We also send a shorter weekly reminder email each Friday to help keep families in the know. Students will still bring home flyers advertising school-related activities, along with a printed monthly school lunch menu. Please make sure we have your most current email address.

Two Parent Households

What if you only see your child a couple of times a week? You can still be involved in your child's education.

• Inform the office of your current phone number, address, and email.
• Inform the teacher you would like to receive progress reports (this may be electronic), conferences signups, and notices about school activities.
• Attend Parent-Teacher Conferences to show your child that both parents are behind him/her - acting as a team.
• Provide your child with a special folder to save school papers for you. That way, you'll see your child's finished work and teacher comments.

Text Messages from the School

Our school uses two systems for sending text messages to families. Both the school and district use the Finalsite Messenger platform to send out one-way text messages to inform families of time sensitive updates. These might include weather updates, changes in times and schedules, or to make families aware of timely information that impacts the school.

We also use the School Status platform to allow teachers and administrators to engage in two-way text messages with families. When you first receive a message from school status it will ask you to save a "contact card." This is optional but ensures messages don't get blocked of flagged as spam. Each user has a unique contact card, so you will receive a message like this from each teacher that uses the platform.

Families are always welcome to opt out of these systems, but we encourage you to keep them active as timely and important ways for us to communicate with you.

Fall Reservations for the Rockbrook Elementary field and gym are now being accepted. To be fair to everyone who may want times, all advance reservations requests must be received by August 6th. Individual coaches should send an email with their first and second choice to: fox.jennifer@westside66.net. Outside available times, 4-5p, 5-6p or 6-7p. Inside available times: 6-7:30 or 7:30-9. Any duplicate requests will be selected via drawing. After August 7th, any additional reservations will be first come, first serve, AFTER the initial reservation schedule has been established and communicated.

*Top priority is simply having your child read every day.

This can include times when someone reads to or with them.

Nebraska Reads: The Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) has provided an extensive list with many online literacy activities.

Free Summer Opportunities for Reading

• Westside Summer School, June 8-26, by invitation only

• Westside IXL: Skill Practice, with home device

• NDE Read-at-Home Program

• Omaha Public Library Summer Reading Program & Kids Resources

• NDE other available resources

Free Online Resources

• Reach has interactive lessons for reading skills for grades Kindergarten through 3rd grade, as well as videos/lessons for all grade levels across a wide variety of topics including reading, math, science, and social studies.

• Storyline Online is a website that has celebrities reading stories aloud and includes activity guides for parents. Reading aloud to children has been shown to improve reading, writing and communication skills, logical thinking and concentration, and general academic aptitude, as well as inspire a lifelong love of reading.

• Storynory is a website that has audio books. It has some original stories, classics, fairy tales, & myths.

• Epic is an app that has both audio and digital picture books and chapter books. There is a wide variety of both fiction and nonfiction.

• Imagination Soup has lists of book recommendations for all ages and by genres, topics, and series, and audiobooks.

Summer Opportunities at Family’s Cost

• Metro Community College--College For Kids

• ABCmouse.com or Starfall.com