News

Rockdale ISD is very excited with the new change to the calendar for next year. Thank you to all parents who responded with feedback.

Will there by childcare available on Fridays?

Some parents of younger students have expressed concern over what to do with their children on Fridays when school is not in session. As we have done on Wednesday afternoons, the ACE Tiger grant will help us provide half day sessions on most Fridays for those parents who have no other option. Students will receive academic help and participate in activities. We are currently working through all the details such as: will there be bus service, meals, exact hours and programming. Our campus ACE coordinators are already hard at work to revamp for next year.  Space will be limited and a process for determining eligibility is in development.  Watch for information toward the end of March. All information will go through Parent Square so if you are not receiving texts or emails, please reach out to the school and let them know. 

Next up in the series, what does this calendar mean for extra-curriculars?

Under the new calendar, students will attend school for four days a week most weeks, from Monday through Thursday. This change will allow teachers to use some of the Fridays as a day for planning, professional development, and collaboration, which will ultimately lead to a better educational experience for our students. Teachers will have the remaining Fridays for family time. 

Superintendent Denise Monzingo noted that the decision to move to a 4-day week was not made lightly, but after extensive research and consideration, it was determined that the new calendar would provide numerous benefits for both students and teachers.

"By shifting to a 4-day week, we will be able to provide more focused instruction for our students and give our teachers more time to plan and collaborate," said Monzingo. "We also believe that this change will improve teacher retention and recruitment by providing a better work-life balance and allowing them to recharge and come back to school refreshed and energized."

The new calendar was developed with the support of the RISD Board of Trustees and will be implemented for the first time in the 2023-2024 school year. The district will provide additional information and resources for parents and students as the start of the school year approaches.

"We are excited about the opportunities that the new calendar will bring, and we are confident that it will lead to better outcomes for our students and our district as a whole," said Monzingo.

About Rockdale Independent School District

Rockdale Independent School District is a public school district located in Rockdale, Texas. The district serves students from pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade and is committed to providing a high-quality education to all students. For more information, visit www.rockdaleisd.net.

2023-24 RISD Student Calendar

2023-24 RISD Calendario de estudiantes

2023-24 RISD Teacher Calendar

The $30 million bond will be voted on by Rockdale ISD  residents, who will decide on the proposition.

• Renovations and safety/security upgrades at the elementary school

• Safety/ security upgrades to the intermediate school

• Renovations, expansion and safety/security upgrades at the junior high school 

• Parking expansion and safety/ security upgrades at the high school

Additional details about the May 2023 bond election will be available at www.rockdaleisdbond.net in the coming days when the website is launched for the new referendum.

Long-Range Facility Planning  Committee
The Long-Range Facility Planning Committee, which is composed of 27 community and staff members from across the district, formulated their proposal during five meetings where they analyzed current and future facilities needs and developed a comprehensive plan to address district facility conditions to support quality educational programs and student opportunities.

Tax Rate Impact
The maximum tax impact of the 2023 bond referendum would be an additional 4.48 cents per $100 of taxable property value. The tax impact on the average homestead value of $144,101 in Rockdale ISD would be an increase of $46.64 per year, or $3.89 per month, if the bond passes.

Voting
Voters will have from April 24 to May 2 to cast ballots during early voting, or they can cast ballots on Election Day, Saturday, May 6. The last day to register to vote in time to participate in this election is Thursday, April 6. New residents are encouraged to check their voter registration to ensure their current address is on file. Only registered voters who reside within RISD boundaries are eligible to vote in the May 2023 bond election.

For more information visit the Bond website: RockdaleISDBond.net

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller announced the nutrition team at Rockdale ISD has successfully completed the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) 2022 Fall Farm Fresh Challenge. Throughout the month of October, Rockdale ISD offered locally sourced Texas foods and provided garden-based learning activities to strengthen students’ appreciation for Texas agriculture. Rockdale ISD shared their achievements on social media throughout the challenge to further champion and promote local food for kids in their schools.

“Participating in the Farm Fresh Challenge has a real impact on students, communities, and local agricultural economies,” Commissioner Miller said. “Connecting Texas farmers with school nutrition programs builds healthy habits that can last a lifetime. I am proud of all the schools that participated in this year’s challenge, and I thank them for the hard work they do to keep young Texans healthy all year.”

Rockdale ISD joined 156 other school districts and charter organizations for the annual event, pledging to Eat Local, Teach Local, and Be Social. By serving healthy and balanced meals, offering agricultural and nutrition education, and prioritizing local Texas foods, the school has demonstrated dedication to the well-being of their students while recognizing the efforts of local farmers and ranchers to provide high quality food.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.