We want YOU—our amazing Rock Creek families—to help us recognize the incredible people who make our school shine! Do you know an Educator (certified teacher or professional support staff) or an Employee (support staff member) who goes above and beyond? Now’s your chance to celebrate them!

📅 Deadline to submit nominations: December 19th

💻 Nominate an Educator of the Year: Educator Form
💻 Nominate an Employee of the Year: Employee Form

We would LOVE your voice and input—let’s give our amazing Rock Creek team the recognition they deserve!

If the past couple of weeks had a theme, it would definitely be “busy, brilliant, and a whole lot of fun!” Our halls have been buzzing with the kind of rich learning and joyful energy that reminds us why this community is such a special place.

From our 5th Grade Balloons Over Broadway showcase—picture the Macy’s Parade, but with student-engineered balloons and expertly coded Spheros zipping across the stage—to the hands-on simple machines exploration in our new CKLA units, our students have been diving deep and creating big. Throw in a couple of wild weather days (AMI packets are due December 9th—don’t leave us hanging, folks!), and you’ve got quite the story already.

We also enjoyed a heartwarming Leader in Me family time and student-led assembly, and capped things off with a weekend full of Penguins & Pajamas, pancakes, special guests, and activities that made the building feel extra magical.

And guess what? We’re not done yet! With just a couple of weeks to go before winter break, we’re gearing up to finish strong. Let’s keep the momentum going, Rockets! 🚀

Penguin and Pajamas Festivities

Student Leaders Helping at Rock Creek!

← Leader in Me League Visit from West High School 

Professional Learning with Rock Creek Teachers on the Early Release Day →

Leader in Me Student Lead Assembly and Family Time at Rock Creek!

Balloons Over Broadway 

November and December Student Leaders of The Month! 

We are so proud of our students for showcasing and living out the Habits!  :-) 

• Turn in those AMI Packets BY 12/9 (TUESDAY) to ensure your child is marked present! 
• Dress Up for the FUN Winter Days over the NEXT COUPLE of WEEKS!  See BELOW! 
• Bring in DONATIONS for the Warm and Cozy Drive (By SHARE CLUB)
• Contribute to the PTO Penny Wars! 
• Nominate an Educator or Employee (or BOTH) to WIN for Rock Creek!

🪙 Penny War at Rock Creek!

It’s time… 1–2–3–4, we declare a PENNY WAR!

Rock Creek is kicking off a spirited schoolwide competition from December 1st–12th, and every grade will be battling it out (in the friendliest way possible!) to earn the MOST points for a chance to win a Glow Party.

How It Works

Each grade has its own money jug on the stage. Students can bring in coins and bills to help their grade climb the leaderboard:

💰 Add Points to YOUR grade’s jug:

Penny = +1 point

$1 bill = +100 points

$5 bill = +500 points

$10 bill = +1,000 points

🪙 Subtract Points from OTHER grades:

Nickel = –5 points

Dime = –10 points

Quarter = –25 points

Yes… sabotage is totally allowed—and encouraged! (All in good fun, of course.)

Special Collection Opportunity

We’ll also have collection tables available during Penguins & Pajamas on December 6th, so feel free to bring some spare change along with those cozy PJs.

Why We Do It

Every penny raised supports our PTO’s annual campus enhancement project—helping make Rock Creek an even better place for all students.

The winning grade will be announced on December 15th, 2025.
Let the friendly competition begin… and may the best jug win!

For questions, reach out to the PTO at rockcreekofallonpto@gmail.com.

Here’s what’s coming up this month—mark those calendars and get those spirit-day outfits ready!

Monday, December 8

Mistle-Toes — Wear holiday socks

Tuesday, December 9

Country Christmas — Wear festive country gear

Wednesday, December 10

Snow Day Wishes — Wear white or dress like a snowman

Thursday, December 11

Tropical Tidings — Wear beachwear

Friday, December 12

Trim the Tree — Wear lights, bells, hats, headgear, or holiday hair

Monday, December 15

Reindeer Day — Dress like a reindeer

Tuesday, December 16

Santa’s Helpers — Wear your Elf gear

Wednesday, December 17

Sweater Weather — Wear a holiday or ugly sweater

Holiday BINGO at 3:00 PM

Thursday, December 18

Grinch Day — Wear Grinch gear or green

Friday, December 19

Polar Express Day — Wear your PJs

Winter Parties

Holiday Assembly

Schoolwide Sing-a-Long

Brrr, it's getting cold out there! Rock Creek's SHARE Club is on a mission to help our neighbors. We're hosting our "Warm & Cozy" collection drive to support St. Charles County HOPE Ministries.

Let's rally together to make sure everyone in our community stays warm this winter!

Here’s how you can be a part of it:

WHEN: 🗓️ December 1 - December 19

WHAT WE NEED (NEW items only, please!):

🧤 Mittens

🧣 Scarves

🎩 Hats

🧦 Socks

🧤 Gloves

🎧 Earmuffs

WHERE TO DONATE: 🎁 Just drop your generous donations in the wooden bin on the stage!

Every single hat, scarf, and pair of socks makes a huge difference. Thank you for your kindness and generosity!

Thank you for your interest in becoming a chaperone for our school field trips. It is a very important role as a volunteer to accompany our students while they are off campus. Instructions are linked below for becoming a screened volunteer.  

Want to brighten a Rock Creek staff member’s day? Many families ask about this, so we’ve made it easy!

Check out the link below to see all staff members’ favorite things. Whether it’s a small gift or a simple “thank you,” this is a fun way to show appreciation and make someone smile! 😄

See Rock Creek Staff Favorites Here

At Rock Creek, we talk a lot about the Emotional Bank Account—and no, sadly, it doesn’t come with a debit card or reward points. It does, however, make every relationship stronger.

What Is the Emotional Bank Account?

Think of every relationship—parent to child, sibling to sibling, friend to friend—as having its own “bank account.”

When we show kindness, keep promises, listen, and show respect, we make deposits that build trust.

When we break a promise, lose our patience, or act without listening, we make withdrawals that drain trust.

Just like a real bank account, the goal isn’t perfection—it’s making sure we’re putting in more than we take out, so our relationships stay strong and resilient.

🏡 Helping Families Build Strong Emotional Bank Accounts at Home...

Here are simple, meaningful ways families can make steady “trust deposits” with each other (no ATM required):

💬 1. Listen First

Give your child your full attention—eye contact, patience, and no multitasking (we know… easier said than done).
Kids feel valued when they feel heard.

✨ 2. Keep Small Promises

If you say, “We’ll read after dinner,” do it.
Small follow-throughs build big trust.

❤️ 3. Use Genuine Praise

Point out effort, not just results.
“You worked so hard on that!” carries serious deposit power.

🤝 4. Apologize and Repair

Mistakes happen.
A simple, sincere apology shows kids how to own errors and rebuild trust.

🎉 5. Celebrate Each Other

Leave a sticky note on a mirror, pack a surprise lunchbox message, or give a quick shout-out at dinner.
Mini deposits = major impact.

🧘‍♀️ 6. Show Patience in Tough Moments

When emotions run high, take a breath together before responding.
It’s like the relationship equivalent of adding $20 instead of withdrawing $200.

🧩 7. Create Small Connection Rituals

A nightly check-in, a shared joke, a weekly “family high/low”—all small habits that add steady deposits to everyone’s account.

If every home builds just a few deposits each day, it strengthens not only families but our school community too. Little by little, we grow trust, connection, and leadership—one deposit at a time. 💛

• iReady Diagnostic Testing in Math for Grades 1-5 This Week!  

• Monday, December 8 - B Day

  • Holiday Spirit Days: Mistle-Toes:  Wear Holiday Socks

• Tuesday, December 9 - C Day

  • Holiday Spirit Days: Country Christmas:  Wear Festive Country Gear
  • PTO Meeting at 6pm in the Library 

• Wednesday, December 10 - D Day

  • Holiday Spirit Days: Snow Day Wishes:  Wear white or dress like a snowman 

• Thursday, December 11 - E Day

  • Holiday Spirit Days: Tropical Tidings:  Wear Beachwear
• Friday, December 12 - A Day
  • Holiday Spirit Days: Trim the Tree:  Wear lights, bells, hats, head gear, or holiday hair!
• Saturday, December 13 - Sunday, December 14

• Monday, December 15 - B Day

  • Holiday Spirit Days: Reindeer Day:  Dress Like a Reindeer

• Tuesday, December 16 - C Day

  • Holiday Spirit Days: Santa's Helpers:  Wear Elf Gear!

• Wednesday, December 17 - D Day

  • Holiday Spirit Days: Sweater Weather:  Wear Holiday or Ugly Holiday Sweater
  • Winter Bingo 

• Thursday, December 18 - E Day

  • Holiday Spirit Days: Grinch Day:  Wear Green or Grinch Gear
  • McDonalds Night (PTO Sponsored) 5-9pm 

• Friday, December 19 - A Day  

  • Holiday Spirit Days: Polar Express Day:  PJ Day!
  • Fun Assembly and Sing A Long 
• Winter Break:  December 29th through January 5th!  Return Tuesday, January 6th!

Fort Zumwalt's district, school and activities websites connect you to Student Nutrition Menus, events and celebrations across the district.

Download our app, which is free for Apple and for Android.This app connects you with your school and the district. Click Menu, then Dining to see options for this week, next week or all that are entered. Use the Events feature to download items to your personal calendar. Enable notifications so you are connected to inclement weather notifications. Keep up with your school’s achievements, celebrations and important deadlines for everything from yearbook purchases to finals schedules or community events. Take a quick tour in this video.

FZ App video transcript

Rock Creek Menu

🎄 December

Dec 22–Jan 5: No School (Winter Break) ❄️

⏰ Early Release Days (Wednesdays)

1:10 PM Dismissal ✂️

• January 14

• February 4

• March 4

• April 1

• May 6

May 21: Tentative Last Day 🎓

Find the cafeteria menu on our website or in the free FZ app, along with our calendars for information on Letter Days and Events. You can sync them to your calendar!

Rock Creek Elementary - Office Hours 7:30 a.m. - 4:15 p.m. Phone - 636-980-1800

Email Dr. Wayne Dierker, Principal

Email Bridget McCoy, Assistant Principal

• go.FZSD.us/QuickCalendar (or the Quick Calendar button on any of our websites) connects you with the school year at a glance.

• go.FZSD.us/SyncMyCalendar allows visitors to sync our website, Elementary Letter Days and Middle School Letter Days calendars to their own.

• go.FZSD.us/AMIDays is updated annually with information on inclement weather schedules and procedures.

• go.FZSD.us/Kindergarten connects families with information for Kindergarten Enrollment.

• go.FZSD.us/CSIP provides updates on and access to our Continuous School Improvement Plan.