Educational Equity and Access
December Newsletter - Rockwood School District
December Newsletter
We are moving so fast through this year that it's hard to believe it will soon be 2024! Your EEA Department is honored to support all of our Rockwood students, families and staff. This month we will take a look back at all of the amazing school visits we had. We will see who our recent EEA WE FIND A WAY grant recipients are and peek into behind the scenes of our puppet shows with some very special guest. Oh and the new Rockwood Connects Podcast is up and running and you will not want to miss it. Jaime Bayes and Loralee Mondl dropped in to talk. It's a must see :)
On behalf of Emily Walshaw and myself, the EEA Department wishes you a great rest of the year!
~Dr. Cassandra Suggs
Hosted by Dr. Cassandra Suggs and Emily Walshaw, each podcast episode inspires to engage, educate, and entertain. On this episode, we interview School Board President; Jaime Bayes and former Board Member; Loralee Mondl. They join us to provide an inside look of Rockwood Gives Back.
Winter Celebrations
In an effort to ensure that all students feel a sense of belonging, the Educational Equity and Access Department wants to provide you with information about some upcoming winter celebrations, observances, and holidays.
Please note, you will find the dates of these celebrations listed below, they were purposefully left off of the image, as specific dates may change year to year for some of the holidays.
Here are the dates for 2023
Rohatsu: December 8th
Las Posadas Navidenas: December 16th-December 24th
Hanukkah: December 7th-December 15th
Christmas: December 25th
Boxing Day: December 26th
Kwanzaa: December 26th through January 1st
New Years Eve: December 31st
Shogatsu: Most celebrate from January 1st through January 3rd
Character Education Elementary Puppet Shows
Dr. Cassandra Suggs and Emily Walshaw, as the duo of the Department of Educational Equity and Access have finished up their 'district tour' of puppet shows at the elementary schools - for the winter season that is. The puppet show lessons and visits concluded at Kehrs Mill Elementary in December.
As our puppet shows went on, we had the amazing opportunity to have Director of Security and District Safety Officer; Ty Dennis join us. The students loved asking questions about school safety and the importance of being kind.
During our Puppet Show at Kellison Elementary we had the privilege of presenting to Kindergarten, 1st grade, and 2nd grade, and we also had 3 School Board members join us. 2 as audience members, and 1 even got in on the fun!
Here is an article posted by the Rockwood Communications Department; "Puppet Shows Provide Lessons of Kindness, Belonging for Rockwood Students"
We continued to receive wonderful feedback from our teachers, principals, and staff that joined us.
"I loved it! The students were all smiling and the staff was loving it!! Keep these coming! It was great to see you in our school."
"This was GREAT! I love your involvement within our schools and it is so good to feel connected to you and the department. Thank you for all that you do! Your visibility means so much to our students and staff!"
We look forward to continuing our elementary school visits and putting on the puppet shows!
An Opportunity for a Bowles 5th Grader
A Bowles 5th grade student earned a chance to talk one on one with professional basketball player; Scott Suggs. They discussed goals, academics, character, and of course basketball!
"The game has its ups and downs, but you can never lose focus of your individual goals, and you can't let yourself be beaten because of lack of effort." - Michael Jordan
"It's OK to make mistakes. That's how we learn. When we compete, we make mistakes." - Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
EEA, "We Find a Way" ⭐ @ EHS
The next recipient of our EEA "We Find a Way" grant was Eureka High School. We were able to assist in funding a purchase for two of their student groups.
Check out the photo to see this year's edition of the Student Equity Group Sweatshirts.
EEA, "We Find a Way" ⭐ @ Kellison Elementary
Kellison Elementary was also a recipient of the EEA "We Find a Way" grant. We love having the opportunity to provide experiences to students who may not have the chance to due to financial reasons. We try our best to ensure that all students in Rockwood have equitable access to school opportunities no matter their financial status.
Career Shadowing in the Rockwood School District
A Visit to Marquette High School
Dr. Suggs has a wonderful time visiting Marquette High School where she meets with some exceptional students.
Please continue to reach out to our department, should you see a need in your school. As a parent, student, or staff member - we strive to ensure that everyone has equal access to their education, shared opportunities, an equitable working environment, and a safe educational experience in Rockwood.
Equity Ambassadors
More than 40 Rockwood teachers and staff members who are equity ambassadors at their buildings attended a two-day dignity and belonging training session in November.
The training was organized by our very own Dr. Cassandra Suggs, Rockwood director of educational equity and access, and John Krownapple from Dignity Consulting led the sessions. The school-based liaisons engaged in thoughtful dialogue and furthered their understanding and vision to honor dignity and nurture belonging in the district. You can read more about this training on the Rockwood communications website.
A Visit to Green Pines Elementary
Dr. Suggs visits Green Pines and Tests her Basketball Skills
Dr. Suggs recently visited Green Pines Elementary to meet with some students. One student had earned some activity time where he elected to play some basketball with his principal and Dr. Suggs.
Dr. Suggs said she is "always up for some 'hoops' with students who have earned activity time. Although I hope I can win the next time I visit".
EEA on ParentSquare
Did you know the Department of Educational Equity and Access has a public group in ParentSquare?
Parents, guardians, staff members, and students have the option to join public groups in ParentSquare.
To join our group on ParentSquare, follow these 3 simple steps:
- From the home screen on ParentSquare, click "Groups" in the left sidebar under the "Participate" section.
- Look for "Public" groups with the people icon.
- 3. Click "Join Group" next to the group that interests you.