Back to School message for RCSD Staff and Families
Roseville, Calif. – As we approach the beginning of the 2024-25 school year, I am thrilled to welcome you all on our first day of school, August 8th. We have a full and positive year ahead, and I want to take this opportunity to share some important updates and highlights with you.
At the heart of the RCSD is our mission and vision. Our mission is to maximize learning for each and every one of our students. Our vision is to become a collaborative community of professional learners that is: focused on learning, results-oriented, and committed to the continuous improvement of each student and staff member. With this in mind, we are making some important changes and additions this year to ensure our students can thrive academically and personally.
Our dedicated staff have been working tirelessly over the summer, especially in these last few weeks, to prepare for the start of school. Their commitment to creating a welcoming and productive learning environment is truly inspiring. I wish to sincerely thank them, and am confident that their hard work will set the stage for a successful school year for all.
Mobile devices policy
Beginning the first day of school, we are implementing a revised policy regarding student use of personal mobile devices. Students (grades TK-8) will not be allowed to use their phones or personal tablets, or wear their smartwatches or Bluetooth headphones (such as AirPods) once they have entered campus for the instructional day. These items must be turned off and put away during the school day. They can resume using these devices only after the last period of the day. This change is based on research indicating that mobile devices can be a major source of distraction during school hours. We are attempting to increase the amount of time our classrooms have for teaching and learning by creating distraction-free classrooms and providing opportunities for our students to engage in technology-free social interactions during breaks and lunch time.
Family information
We understand that this change may require some adjustments. To support our families, we have created a Family Information webpage (rcsdk8.org/digital-resources) with more details on the policy, the research behind it, and answers to frequently asked questions. We also look forward to sharing even more about our new partnership with SmartSocial (sign-up for your free account here), which offers programs that teach adults the essentials of social media, smartphones, internet usage, and how to work with students to stay safe online.
Parent Square
To enhance communication between the District, our schools, and families, we are excited to have recently launched ParentSquare, our new two-way communication tool. I encourage all families to download the app and set their communication preferences to stay informed and engaged with school activities and updates. You can learn more about ParentSquare by visiting rcsdk8.org/parentsquare.
Every Day Matters Attendance
Lastly, I want to emphasize the importance of regular school attendance. Last year, we launched the Every Day Matters Attendance Campaign to highlight the critical role that consistent attendance plays in a student's academic success. Research shows that students who attend school regularly are more likely to perform well academically and develop healthy social and emotional skills. With your help, we saw dramatic increases in our students' attendance, allowing them more time to learn, grow, and flourish in our classrooms. We ask for your continued support in ensuring that students attend school every day and arrive on time, ready to learn. To find out the ways our schools and District can help support you and your students, including in assisting you in removing barriers to attendance, visit rcsdk8.org/every-day-matters.
As we embark on this new academic year, let us remember our mission: to maximize learning for each and every one of our students. With your continued support and partnership, I am confident that we will achieve this mission and provide our students with the best possible educational experience.
Thank you and welcome to RCSD!
Derk Garcia, Superintendent