Rock Creek Rockets

Rock Creek Update 8.24.25

WE BELIEVE WE CAN ACHIEVE. ROCK CREEK STUDENTS WILL SUCCEED.

Celebrations!


🌟✨ Rock Creek’s First Week Was One to Remember! ✨🌟

What an incredible start to our school year! We welcomed our brand-new Kindergarten students 🐻, greeted new families 💛, and jumped right into learning 📚. Students practiced routines 📝, discovered new classrooms 🏫, reconnected with old friends 🤗, and built brand-new friendships.

And of course…we had FUN along the way! 🎶🎨⚽ The week ended on the sweetest note with our PTO Ice Cream Social 🍦🍒 which was a joyful event that brought our entire Rock Creek community together. Seeing students, families, and staff laughing, sharing stories, and enjoying a sweet treat reminded us just how special this community is. 💕

We’re excited for the weeks ahead, filled with more learning, laughter, and Rock Creek pride! 🐾🚀

4

3rd Grade in Reading

3

Students in Music

2

Kindergarten

1

Math: 5th Grade

4

Math Community

3

Expectations in PE

2

Teambuilding in Fitton

1

Carpet Time in 1st Grade

4

Kindergarten in Kern

3

Mrs. Le Teaching Factors

2

Sunflower

1

Students in Library

3

Ice Cream Social: Gaga Ball

2

Ice Cream Social

1

Ice Cream Social

Important Updates:

🚌 Bus 15 Schedule Update 🚌

For the next couple of weeks, Bus 15 will continue to run about 10-15 minutes behind schedule. Our driver is temporarily covering an additional route at another elementary school until transportation is able to onboard a few more drivers.

Thank you so much for your patience and understanding as we work through this transition... we know our families’ flexibility makes a big difference! 💛

📘 2025–2026 Elementary Handbook 📘

The Fort Zumwalt Elementary Handbook for the 2025–2026 school year has recently been approved by the Board of Education. This resource is a great place to find important information, policies, and guidelines that help support our students’ success.

👉 Click HERE to view the 2025–2026 Elementary Handbook

A Note from Dr. Dierker and Mrs. McCoy

Dear Rock Creek Families,

We are thrilled to share that Rock Creek is entering Year Three of Leader in Me! 🌟 This transformational process is built around Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, and it is truly a game changer... not just for schools, but for life.

At Rock Creek, our students are learning to:
1️⃣ Be Proactive
2️⃣ Begin With the End in Mind
3️⃣ Put First Things First
4️⃣ Think Win-Win
5️⃣ Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood
6️⃣ Synergize
7️⃣ Sharpen the Saw

These habits empower our students to take ownership of their learning, build positive relationships, and grow as leaders every single day. But Leader in Me isn’t just for kids... it’s for all of us! Our staff uses the habits to strengthen collaboration, and families can bring them into daily routines at home too. Together, we are raising confident problem-solvers, kind community members, and lifelong learners.

We are incredibly proud of our Rock Creek Leaders and the goals they are setting to make our school and community stronger. These habits really are a game changer for all people... including you! We invite you to join us this year in practicing the 7 Habits at home, celebrating your child’s growth, and modeling what it means to live and lead with purpose.

💬 Talking With Your Child About Their School Day 💬

We know the classic after-school question: “How was your day?” often gets a one-word answer like “fine” or “good.” 😅 Here are a few fun ways to spark real conversations and help your child reflect on their learning:

✨ Ask specific questions:

  • “What was the funniest thing that happened today?”

  • “Who did you sit with at lunch?”

  • “What’s one thing you learned that you’d like to teach me?”

✨ Celebrate effort, not just results:

  • “Tell me something you worked hard on today.”

  • “What’s a challenge you faced and how did you handle it?”

✨ Make it a routine:

  • Talk during dinner, on the drive home, or at bedtime—whatever works best for your family.

✨ Be a great listener:

  • Sometimes kids need a few minutes to unwind before they’re ready to share. A little patience (and maybe a snack!) goes a long way. 🍎

By asking open-ended questions and celebrating the little moments, you’ll help your child build confidence, strengthen communication skills, and feel proud of their school day! 🌟

With Rock Creek Pride,

Wayne Dierker, Principal
Bridget McCoy, Assistant Principal

Remember To:

  • Mark Your Calendar: No School MONDAY, September 1st!

  • Select A Picture Package (information below) - Can only be done and paid for online

  • Mark Your Calendar: PTO Meeting on September 9th at 6pm in the Library (Child Car Provided by High School National Honor Society Students During Meeting)

  • Review Club Information and GET that ELECTRONICALLY submitted when that is sent out via email on Monday (8/25). Must complete by provided deadlines.

Spread The Word ...

🎉 School Clubs Are Coming! 🎉

We are excited to kick off another great year of Rock Creek Clubs! Club information pamphlets went home with your child on Friday, August 22nd. You can also view the pamphlet online here:
👉 Click HERE for the 2025–2026 Rock Creek Club Information Pamphlet

📅 Important Dates to Remember:

  • Friday, August 22nd: Club information pamphlets sent home

  • Monday, August 25th: Club sign-up Google Form sent out

  • Friday, August 29th: Deadline to submit Google Form sign-ups

⭐ Special Note: Students interested in Talent Show, STUCO, Safety Patrol, PPI, Choir, and Strings will receive an additional application and/or information on Tuesday, September 2nd. These forms must be returned by Friday, September 5th.

Families will begin hearing from club sponsors with schedules and expectations starting Monday, September 8th.

🗓️ Stay Connected:
Club calendar dates will be available on the Rock Creek Elementary website and on the new Fort Zumwalt App (select Rock Creek).

💡 Why Clubs?
Clubs allow students to explore their interests, practice new skills, and build friendships beyond the classroom. They encourage problem-solving, creativity, teamwork, and leadership—all while having fun!

Picture Day: September 5th

Picture Day is almost here! This is your opportunity to capture a special school memory of your child and receive high-quality portraits you’ll treasure for years to come. You must PAY online!

Rock Creek Elementary
Picture Day:
Friday, September 5, 2025
Pre-Order Online:
www.WagnerPortraitGroup.com
Pre-Order Password:
8G2W5P4S
Direct link:
https://wagner.portraitpics.co/api/v2/keys/lookup/wagner?key=8G2W5P4S

When families participate in Picture Day, your purchase directly helps provide our school with safety and security tools, student recognition programs, and other valuable photography services.

To ensure your child is photographed and included in these school resources:

  • Pre-order online using the link and password above

  • Send your child ready for photos on Picture Day

Thank you for supporting our school and helping us make Picture Day a success. We look forward to seeing those smiling faces on Friday, September 5, 2025!

Picture Day

🌟 Rock Creek PTO – We Want You!

📅 Next Meeting: Tuesday, Sept. 6 at 6 PM – Library
🎉 Bring your energy and fresh ideas to help plan Fall Festival, Santa’s Breakfast, and Spring Block Party!
🤝 This is a fun way to connect with other families, support our teachers, and make a real difference for our students.

Your creativity and involvement help make Rock Creek an amazing place to learn and grow—we can’t wait to see you there!

Dates

Upcoming Events

  • Monday, August 25 - A Day

    • iReady Diagnostic Testing STARTS for students in grades 1 through 5 in Mathematics.

    • Club Permission Forms Sent Home (Will be Sent Digitally, but some clubs will require a paper application after before final determination on acceptance into specific clubs!)

  • Tuesday, August 26- B Day

  • Wednesday, August 27- C Day (NO JET)

  • Thursday, August 28- D Day

  • Friday, August 29- E Day

    • DEADLINE TODAY: Club Permission Forms Due (Done Electronically)

  • Saturday and Sunday (August 30-31)

  • Monday, September 1

    • NO SCHOOL - Enjoy the LONG Weekend!

  • Tuesday, September 2- A Day

  • Wednesday, September 3- B Day

  • Thursday, September 4- C Day

    • JET Officially Starts! Will be housed at
      Ostmann Elementary School this year.

  • Friday, September 5- D Day

    • Fall Picture Day: Purchase ONLINE Only

  • Saturday and Sunday (September 6-7)

RCE Shout Outs! - PTO :-)

We cannot thank our Rock Creek PTO members (aka our amazing parents!) and volunteers enough for helping us kick off this school year in such an incredible way! From serving breakfast and fueling our staff with food and encouragement 🥯☕, to greeting everyone with warm smiles 😊, to hosting our super sweet Ice Cream Social 🍦🎉—you’ve helped make our first week unforgettable.

You’ve even jumped in with building updates and countless behind-the-scenes efforts that make a big difference for our kids and staff. The truth is—we can’t even list all the wonderful things this crew does, but we can say this: you are the heartbeat of the positive culture at Rock Creek, and the impact you make is felt by everyone.

Thank you, PTO, for making Rock Creek the special place it is! 💙

PTO

🍎Menu This Week At Rock Creek🥪

Monday, Aug 25

Breakfast

Choose one entree: Breakfast Sandwich Muffin Sides: Fresh Fruit 100% Juice Milk

Lunch

Choose one entree: Deluxe Clucks Sandwich Cheese Pretzel Roll Sides: French Fries Baked Beans Fresh Fruit 100% Fruit Juice Milk

Tuesday, Aug 26

Breakfast

Choose one entree: Donuts Muffin Sides: Fresh Fruit 100% Juice Milk

Lunch

Choose one entree: Stuffed Crust Pizza Chicken Sandwich Sides: Broccoli Trees Garden Salad Fresh Fruit Fruit Juice Slushies Milk

Wednesday, Aug 27

Breakfast

Choose one entree: Pop-Tarts Muffin Sides: Fresh Fruit 100% Juice Milk

Lunch

Choose one entree: Mozzarella Sticks w/Marinara Sauce Hot Diggity Dog w/ Bun Sides: Fresh Crunchy Carrots Green Beans Diced Pears 100% Fruit Juice Milk Mini Rice Krispies Treat

Thursday, Aug 28

Breakfast

Choose one entree: Donuts Muffin Sides: Fresh Fruit 100% Juice Milk

Lunch

Choose one entree: Chicken & Waffles Cheeseburger Sides: 100% Veggie Juice Tater Tots Blueberries & Cream Peaches Milk

Friday, Aug 29

Breakfast

Choose one entree: Pancake Sausage Stick Muffin Sides: Fresh Fruit 100% Juice Milk

Lunch

Choose one entree: Chicken Quesadilla Chicken Strips Sides: Golden Corn Refried Beans Applesauce 100% Fruit Juice Milk

🍎 Reminder for Families:

Please talk with your child about whether they will order breakfast or lunch at school so everyone knows their plan each day.

PTO Information:

RCE rockets

PTO

Check out our PTO Headquarters Link Here.  This includes links for spirit wear, PTO Facebook page, and more!

📅Mark Your Calendars: Important Dates Fall 2025

🍁 September

1: No School (Labor Day) 🛑
5: Fall Picture Day 📸
30–Oct 3: 5th Grade Camp Days 🏕️ (on campus)

🎃 October

16: RCE Fall Festival 🎉
17: No School (Records Day) 📝
20–30: Scholastic Book Fair 📚
24: Picture Retake Day 📸
29–30: Parent-Teacher Conferences 👩‍🏫👨‍🏫
30: No School for Students (PT Conferences) 🛑
31: No School 🎃

🍂 November

3: No School (Fall Break) 🛑
4: No School (Election Day / PD Day) 🗳️
26–28: No School (Thanksgiving Break) 🦃

🎄 December

6: Santa Breakfast 🎅 | 8:00–11:00 AM
22–Jan 5: No School (Winter Break) ❄️

⏰ Early Release Days (Wednesdays)

1:10 PM Dismissal ✂️

  • September 10

  • October 1

  • November 12

  • December 3

  • January 14

  • February 4

  • March 4

  • April 1

  • May 6

May 21: Tentative Last Day 🎓

Rock Creek Elementary Staff 25-26:

"Rock Creek Leaders Are Out Of This World"

Rock Creek Staff 25-26

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

Quick links to help you keep up with FZSD

  • 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.