Superintendent
October 2023
Superintendent's Message
Consistency Compounds for our RCSD Champions!
Balancing Fall Festivities and Wellness: Tips from Our School Superintendent
It feels like I’ve been waiting for the start of fall for an entire year – and I absolutely have! Fall signals the holidays are upon us. From our first order of a pumpkin spice latte to the fall festivities, it really is a wonderful time in education. Students and staff are deep into their lessons and curriculum and we can count the weekends until 2024!
What could possibly get us down this time of year? We’ve heard from some families that it could be concerns related to their children’s health (hello, sniffles) and school attendance.
Some common scenarios that may arise include:
- Seasonal Allergies: Fall and spring often bring about seasonal allergies, leading to symptoms like a runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, and itchy eyes. While these symptoms can be bothersome, they typically don’t require students to miss school unless they are severe and interfere with the child’s ability to concentrate or participate in class.
- Common Colds: Colds are more prevalent during the fall and winter months. A mild cold with a runny nose and occasional cough usually doesn’t necessitate staying home from school. However, if the child has a fever, persistent cough, or other severe symptoms, it’s advisable to keep them home until they recover to prevent the spread of illness to others.
- Flu Season: In the fall and winter, the flu season begins. It’s important for parents to be aware of symptoms and consult with a healthcare provider if necessary.
- Other Health Issues: Some children may have chronic health conditions that can be exacerbated during seasonal changes. Parents of children with conditions like asthma or allergies should work closely with healthcare providers to manage these conditions effectively and ensure their children can attend school safely.
We know it can be confusing to know what to do when your little one isn’t feeling their best, so when in doubt, give their doctor a call and maintain open communication with schools. Being able to manage your child’s health means we can reduce the amount of time students miss school. And remember to keep our academic calendar handy to stay informed of no school days, holidays and weekends to help you coordinate your family’s natural ebbs and flows: https://www.rcsdk8.org/districtcalendar
Speaking of our calendar, fall also provides professional development opportunities for our educators, which is why RCSD has no school on Monday and Tuesday, October 30-31. On these days, our educators will gather to learn together and strengthen their Professional Learning Communities (PLC). The learning over these two days will include PLC data analysis to support student achievement, as well as learning and reflection on Tier I Small Groups, Essential Standards, and English Language Development.
So, here’s to fall, our RCSD Champions, our health, and the holidays!
September 2023
Superintendent's Message
Consistency Compounds for our RCSD Champions!
As September unfolds, school morning routines are gradually becoming more familiar and routine for our RCSD Champions. Kindergartners are enjoying smoother drop-offs while our middle schoolers can now recall with ease the location of each of their classes while they learn how to manage their time during the passing period. Resilience and time management: These are just a couple skills our students learn through consistent practice and attendance. Consistency is key!
August 2023
Superintendent's Message
Maximizing The School Year Through Preparation and Partnership
The smell of freshly sharpened pencils, the sound of zipping up a new backpack, the excitement of picking out the first day of school outfit – August has arrived! As over 11,900 students prepare to begin the 2023-24 school year at RCSD, it’s essential for families to stay organized and informed about the various activities and events that lie ahead.
Here are the major details you’ll need to start the school year off like a true #RCSDChampion!
July 2023
Superintendent's Article
Charting the Course: Strategizing for a Successful Start of School
June 2023
Superintendent's Article
Soaring into Summer
As we embrace summer, while the noise level at our school sites is quieter, at our district office, we’re diligently working all summer to ensure our campuses and classrooms are maintained and prepared for August. From thorough classroom cleaning to essential software updates, from hiring talented new staff members to undertaking numerous Maintenance and Facilities Department projects – we leave no stone unturned in our commitment to educational excellence!
May 2023
Superintendent's Article
A Sprint to the Finish
As the school year nears its end, it’s important to pause and reflect on where we are, where we’ve been and where we’re headed. We often talk about the beginning of the school year as the starting line and that’s certainly true. It’s when we implement our plans, strive to reach our goals and put our best foot forward. But just as important is the halfway point, also known as winter break. This is when we take stock of our progress, adjust our plans if necessary and recharge our batteries for the final stretch.
April 2023
Superintendent's Message
A Season of Transition
One of my favorite aspects of April, other than the warmer, longer days, is that spring ushers in a season of transition. All of our students and their families are preparing for transitions from one grade to the next, many graduating from our RCSD middle schools and stepping up to the big league – high school. But as our families enjoy a spring break respite from the hustle and bustle of the school year, our staff are readying themselves for the final push of the year.
March 2023
Superintendent's Message
We are gearing up for what is sure to be a bustling spring on campuses and throughout our RCSD communities!
As we make our way through the second half of the school year, I wanted to share that we are seeing the same trend that school districts across the nation are seeing: increased absenteeism.
February 2023
Superintendent's Message
Have you ever noticed that without a plan, time just starts flying by and we don’t accomplish as much? I have found time and time again that developing and instituting a solid plan helps keep us on track and accountable – both individually and as a whole.
I carry that philosophy through all my work at RCSD, and that’s why I’m ready to help each of you plan for 2023-2024! Yes, it’s already that time: Priority registration and after-school care options for the next school year are officially underway.
January 2023
Superintendent's Message
Welcome to the second half of the school year. Like many of you, I’m eager for a new year and a fresh start.
We have so much to be proud of at RCSD. As we move into 2023, I encourage each of us to keep looking ahead with an eye on how we can work together to best serve our students – not just today but far into the future. We have overcome a lot in recent years, so let’s keep moving forward. There’s no need to look back – that’s not where we’re going!
December 2022
Superintendent's Article
December is truly one of my favorite times of year on campus – excited kids, staff members looking festive, and the general air of joy as we count down to a fun winter break and holiday season.
November 2022
Superintendent's Article
Has anyone noticed how busy life has felt this academic year? Instead of getting caught up in the word “busy,” I like to think of it from the standpoint of life being full. Full of people, full of activity and full of fun! I encourage each RCSD family to make November a month of kindness and gratitude.
October 2022
Superintendent's Article
Professional Development Makes All the Difference!
I’ve always loved watching our school district operate similar to a little city within a city. Each and every one of us–staff, admin, students, educators, volunteers and families–plays an important role in our district. Like cogs in a clock, we all work best when we’re working together and given the tools to do the job. So it’s important to me that everyone receives the support and resources they deserve so they can do and feel their best.
Superintendent’s Article
September 2022
Welcome to the 2022/23 School Year!
I’ll just say it – I love the familiar schedule and predictability of the school year – and I know many families do, too! As we welcome the rhythm of the academic year, I think most of us are feeling a sense of optimism for what looks to be the most “normal” start to school we’ve had in a long time.
Superintendent’s Article
June 2022
The parking lots at each of our school sites look emptier than normal. After all, it is summer! But what you may not see is the work that goes on behind the scenes to keep our schools well kept and ready for fall. Each summer and during most holiday breaks, RCSD staff prepare for students’ return on August 11, 2022. This means classroom cleaning, software updates, hiring of new staff members and Maintenance and Facilities Department projects galore.
Superintendents Article
May 2022
May Means a Strong Finish!
May means many things at RCSD. The school year is winding down, the weather is beautiful and we’re celebrating Staff Appreciation Week throughout the first week of May. Why do we celebrate staff during this week if we truly appreciate them all year long? Well, because they deserve it. This week, RCSD staff are celebrated across the district and throughout each of our departments. It takes a whole lot of us to provide the services, programs, facilities and resources it takes to support nearly 12,000 students.
Superintendent’s Article
April 2022
Spring has sprung and that means we’re seeing growth all around us. The fields at our sites are green, our students are growing in ways we always work toward and our district itself is growing to support the population growth of the City of Roseville. Our growth can be summed up in one of my favorite quotes from author Anaïs Nin, “And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.” This means that when the time has come to grow, we must grow.
Superintendent’s Message
February 2022
I blinked in August and now it’s February 2022. The march of time is never lost on me as I watch each of your children grow up before my eyes at our 20 school sites. And since February is the month of love, I can’t help but become sentimental over how quickly time passes when you’re doing something you love. I love working alongside RCSD staff and administration, watching them dedicate countless hours to professional development, classroom prep, and showing up as their best selves for their students.
Superintendent’s Message
January 2022
There’s something about January that screams “fresh slate.” Maybe it’s the cold, calm mornings or the post-holiday break energy of our students, but each January feels like a new beginning, even though it’s often a mid-way point for our school year. Students and staff are excited to see each other, new projects and units are kicking off in each classroom and our District is preparing for the 2022-23 school year.
Superintendent’s Message
December 2021
If you’ve been a frequent reader of these monthly articles, you’ll know how much the holiday season means to me. Our students are bubbling over with excitement, staff members are filled with the holiday spirit, and my house is filled with too many sweets. This holiday season feels extra special with a renewed sense of gratitude and joy.