Rockwall ISD

Schools Releasing Students

James VanDyke — Tue, 21 May 2013 20:59:11 +0000

At this time schools are releasing students and loading buses. Secondary students may also leave, however secondary bus routes will be delayed by up to 45 minutes.

Heavy rains continue so we encourage everyone to continue to use caution while traveling.

All after school activities are cancelled, including the Memorial Day Ceremony.

School Release Delayed

James VanDyke — Tue, 21 May 2013 20:15:26 +0000

At this time we will be delaying the release of all schools while high speed winds move through Rockwall County. We will send an update on the revised released time soon. Parents may still pick up their students however they will have to come inside the campus. All after school activities have been cancelled, including... Read more.

Emergency Communications Reminder

James VanDyke — Tue, 21 May 2013 18:42:12 +0000

With the recent severe weather in our area, we wanted to remind you of Rockwall ISD’s Emergency Communication procedures.

During a district-wide emergency, communications are coordinated at a district level so our staff on school campuses can focus on the safety of our students.

We encourage you to use the following methods to stay up-to-date during a emergency situation.

Rockwallisd.com Website: District emergency messages and updates will be posted in real time on the Rockwall ISD home page.
Skylert Email, Text and Phone Messages: We will send out urgent messages to parents via email, text and phone notifications. Parents provide this contact information through Skyward Family Access.
Social Media: We will post all emergency updates to our Facebook (facebook.com/rockwallisd ) and Twitter (@rockwallschools ) accounts
Local news: We will provide emergency information to local news outlets; however, this information maybe delayed. We encourage you to use the methods list above first.

In a true emergency, events happen fast. We will do our best to keep you informed in a timely manner, especially as it pertains to early or delayed dismissal times, transportation issues and any other changes to your child’s instructional day.

We work very hard to keep your children safe at school. In the event of severe weather or other emergency where conditions outside the school are unsafe, we will shelter students and staff in place and avoid sending anyone outside of the building until the threat has passed. During such emergencies, we urge you to avoid coming to the school until you are notified that dismissals have resumed.

Please let us know if you have any questions about our Emergency Communications.

New Trustees Sworn In

James VanDyke — Tue, 21 May 2013 16:49:12 +0000

Jon Bailey and Jim White were sworn in as the newest members of Rockwall ISD’s Board of Trustees on Monday, May 20. Mr. Bailey, who is not related to Rockwall ISD Superintendent Jeff Bailey, will serve as the Place 4 Trustee replacing Doug Hamilton. Jim White will serve as Place 5 Trustee and replace Dr. David Loftis. Both of the new trustees were elected on May 11.

Dr. Loftis and Mr. Hamilton were both long serving board members who decided not to seek re-election.

Hartman Students Connect Cultures with Japan

Jovan Overshown — Fri, 17 May 2013 16:49:25 +0000

Grace Hartman students, in Mrs. Mann’s Kindergarten class, connected cultures with a Journey to Japan program. For the past several months, the children made artwork, learned origami, sang songs and learned many things about the country, the Japanese culture and their ways of life. The students took this information and became instructors for other grade levels, parents and community members. The students taught interesting facts like the location of the Japanese islands, the population and how to count in Japanese. They also shared information about the flag, the formation of continents, the surrounding oceans and a scientific experiment about volcanoes.

Lauren Conselman demonstrated writing with Kanji Characters (Japanese symbols used to write). AnnaBelle Yeo taught the audience how to use chop sticks appropriately and the class demonstrated a dance wearing costumes from Japan. Mrs. Mann had lived in Japan when she was a young girl and used her passion for the country to excite her students about its culture. The children ended the program with songs honoring Mother’s, Texas and our veterans. It was a very moving, colorful and entertaining evening of connecting cultures.

Hartman Students Enjoy Dallas Cowboys Junior Training Camp

Jovan Overshown — Fri, 17 May 2013 13:00:15 +0000

The Dallas Cowboys Football Club provided the Junior Training Camp to Grace Hartman students in the 4^th, 5^th and 6^th grades. The camp is a complimentary 90-minute non-contact football clinic designed to give the students the opportunity to learn more about NFL football, teamwork and personal best while reinforcing the importance of education. The camp also emphasizes the importance of friendly competition versus winning or losing. The students had the opportunity to participate in a fun and interactive series of activities that involve passing, receiving and running elements. One of the highlights of the visit was having RHS football players and Cowboy Rowdy join in on the morning of fun.

Rockwall ISD Advanced Academics Now on Facebook and Twitter

Jovan Overshown — Fri, 17 May 2013 04:02:24 +0000

To better connect parents, students, educators and the community with meaningful resources, Rockwall ISD Advanced Academics has launched a new website, Facebook page and Twitter account. Advanced Academics oversees programs such as Pre-Advanced Placement, Advanced Placement and the emerging International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. In addition to these programs, Advanced Academics is also involved with career and college readiness assessments like the Readistep, PSAT, SAT, ACT and advanced placement exams.

If you or your student is involved in any of these programs or if you just want to stay abreast of Advanced Academics in Rockwall ISD, we invite you to join in the conversation. Please visit our website www.rockwallisd.com/advancedacademics, like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/rockwallisdadvancedacademics, and follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/RISDadvacademic.

Rockwall High School Student Wins 3 Awards at Digital Media Fair

Jovan Overshown — Thu, 16 May 2013 18:37:57 +0000

Elizabeth Burrus, a student in Mrs. McKenzie’s Advanced Graphic Design class at Rockwall High School earned three awards at the Rockwall ISD Digital Media Fair. Elizabeth placed 1st in Single Page Desktop Publishing Design and 2nd and 3rd in Multi-page Desktop Publishing design. Elizabeth also designed the Medical City Children’s Hospital cookbook for Rockwall ISD.

Dobbs Elementary Graduating Seniors Honored

Jovan Overshown — Thu, 16 May 2013 17:45:51 +0000

Thirty-five graduating Rockwall ISD seniors recently returned to their elementary home campus, Howard Dobbs Elementary, to be honored. Dobbs has recognized its graduating seniors for the last seven years.

Rockwall ISD Names District Teachers of the Year at Red Carpet Event

Jovan Overshown — Thu, 16 May 2013 16:47:23 +0000

Rockwall ISD honored the 2013 Teachers of the Year from each of its 18 campuses on Friday, May 10 at a red carpet celebration held at the Hilton Bella Harbor. The highlight of the evening was the naming of the elementary and secondary district Teachers of the Year for 2013. Taking the elementary-level honor was Julie Woodard from Dorothy Smith Pullen Elementary. Brandon Vestal from Herman E. Utley Middle School was selected as the Secondary Teacher of the Year.

Both teachers were awarded a six-month lease on a 2013 Toyota Prius, a vacation package valued at $2,500 and a $500 Visa gift card. Together they will serve as the district’s representatives for the regional Teacher of the Year competition administered by the Texas Association of School Administrators. Additionally, each campuses teacher of the year received a $200 Visa gift card and “swag bag” containing a plaque and other goodies from each of the sponsors.

11 generous sponsors funded the red carpet gala:

Rockwall ISD Education Foundation, Inc.
Rockwall Breakfast Rotary
Toyota of Rockwall
Durham Transportation
SHW Group
Pogue Architects
SSC Service Solutions
PBK
Law Firm Abernathy, Roeder, Boyd & Joplin
Attorneys Linebarger, Goggin, Blair & Sampson, LLP
Horace Mann

To view event red carpet photos please visit: rockwallisd.com/redcarpetphotos