Hello ROCS Parents,

I hope you are having a wonderful summer! With the first day of school glimmering on the horizon, I want to give you some updates on information and events that are leading us up to the ‘24-’25 school year.

  • Seats are still available for the upcoming year in most grades, especially odd numbered ones. If you have know of families still considering their educational options, please direct them to our webpage or enrollment@raleighoakcharter.org to apply or attend an info session (next one is Aug 1 @9:30 am). Help us spread the word and fill every seat, as our funding is dependent on how many students attend the first 20 days of school.
  • Supply Lists are posted here. They contain links to suggested vendors, but you may of course choose where to purchase the materials. You will notice that they are divided into categories of “Recommended” and “Nice to Have” to assist you in prioritizing which items are needed for the start of the school year. 
    • We want your child to be ready for school, and are ready to help. Please notify your child’s teacher if you will need some school supplies provided due to financial strain.
    • If you happen to have extra materials and would like to donate them, please begin gathering them so that you can bring them to school on a designated date. Watch for more information on that process soon.
    • Class lists are in development, and will be available later in August.
    • Upcoming Events:
    • Our Enrollment & Outreach Committee, in conjunction with Parent Circle, has organized the Wildflower Gathering to officially mark the beginning of our new school year. This is a great chance for returning and new families to begin building community! Meet at Annie Louise Wilkerson Nature Preserve THIS SATURDAY from 10:30-12:30.
    • Grade level meet-ups: teachers have arranged informal grade-level meetings to provide additional opportunities to meet the teachers and families of your grade. It’s a great opportunity to reconnect with familiar faces and welcome new families to our community. The schedule and locations are below:
      • Kindergarten: August 7, 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM. Location: ROCS playground
      • 1st Grade: August 11, 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM. Location: Pullen Park
      • 2nd Grade: August 10, 10:30 AM. Location: Millbrook Exchange Park
      • 3rd Grade: August 9, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM. Location: ROCS Front Lot
      • 4th Grade: August 8, 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM. Location: Walnut Creek Wetlands Center
      • 5th Grade: August 7, 6:00 PM. Location: Durant Nature Preserve
      • 6th Grade: August 10, 2:00 PM. Location: Shelley Lake Park
      • 7th/8th Grade: August 8, 4:30 PM (new student meet/orientation) and 5:00-6:30 PM (social);. Location: ROCS playground
      • Calendar updates/reminders: Here’s a link to our 2024-2025 calendar, which aligns closely with WCPSS. School starts on Tuesday, August 27 for 1st-8th grades and ends on June 10, which is a change from the previously released version.
      • Kindergarten families: “Staggered Entry,” if you have not experienced it before, is a period during which your child will attend school for one assigned half-day between Aug. 27-29. Class lists will be made during those days, and you will then be invited to a special K Open House night on Aug. 30 to meet your child’s teacher. Kindergarten’s first full day of school will be Sept. 3.
      • New Building construction: The contractor is grading and filling the property in preparation for building construction. Permitting is in its final stages, so as soon as it has been cleared, we will be seeing upward progress!
      • BAC Update: Our Before and After Care program is making some changes, including considerably lower prices and a 7am start this year. Please check our website (under the Parents tab) for more information and registration information coming soon!
      • Engagement opportunities: 
      • We are getting closer to the beginning of the school year, and could use your help in getting ready for it! Watch for volunteer opportunities from our Parent Circle regarding garden/playground cleanup, painting, moving furniture, and any other tasks –  many hands make light work!
      • Calling public health nurses: are you or someone you know a nurse that can help us monitor compliance of our students’ health and medication dispensing plans? If so, we would love to leverage your expertise. Please reach out so we can discuss what we need in greater detail: ejohnson@raleighoakcharter.org

    We’re looking forward to starting a great year with you and your children soon. Until then, I hope you’re having a restful and restorative summer!

    Dr. J