The TORO Bulletin - Week of August 24th, 2026
Upcoming Events
- Monday, Aug 24th
- First Day of School for Prekindergarten
- Boo-Hoo Breakfast @ 7:50 a.m. (MPB)
- Wednesday, Aug 26th
- Early Release @ 1:35 p.m.
- Open-House @ 3:00-4:30 p.m.
- Friday, Aug 28th
- SAC Elections
- Wednesday, Sept 2nd
- Early Release @ 1:35 p.m.
- Friday, Sept 4th
- Special Early Release @ 10:55 a.m.
- Monday, Sept 7th
- No School - Labor Day
A Note from Rota ES School
Rota Elementary Families,
We have had an absolutely amazing start to the school year with our K-5 students! The energy, enthusiasm, and focus in our classrooms have made for a fantastic first week back.
This coming Monday, the excitement continues as we eagerly welcome our pre-kindergarten students to campus. We are so looking forward to having them join us and officially become Toros!
I also want to invite you to our Open House this Wednesday from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. This will be a wonderful opportunity to visit the campus, see the classrooms, and connect with our school community.
Please take a moment to read through all the important updates in this week's Toro Bulletin. It contains essential resources and information for your family, including:
- Safety First: Details on our Standard Response Protocol (SRP) to ensure a safe and secure campus for all students.
- Academic Support: Information on how to access valuable, free learning resources and tutoring through Tutor.com.
- Information Center Updates: The latest news, resources, and operational updates to keep you connected.
Thank you for your continued partnership in making this a wonderful start to the year.
Pictures of the Week
School News & Updates
Welcome to Pre-K: First Day & Boo-Hoo Breakfast! 🍎
We are thrilled to welcome our new Pre-Kindergarten students for their very first day of school on Monday, August 24th!
To ensure a smooth transition for both students and parents, here is everything you need to know for a successful morning:
- Student Drop-Off: The gates at the kiss-and-drop will open bright and early at 7:50 AM. Don't worry about the morning transition—our wonderful staff will be waiting to warmly welcome your little ones and safely escort them directly to the playground.
- Boo-Hoo Breakfast: After dropping off your student, parents are invited to head over to the Multi-Purpose Building (MPB/Cafeteria) for a special morning gathering.
- What to Expect: Sponsored by our amazing PTSA, this event will feature complimentary coffee and light breakfast treats. Whether you are shedding a few tears or celebrating this new milestone, it is a fantastic opportunity to network with other parents and learn more about getting involved with the PTSA!
Quick Details:
- Date: Monday, August 24th
- Time: Gates open at 7:50 AM
- Locations: Kiss-and-drop (Students) | MPB/Cafeteria (Parents)
We cannot wait to kick off a wonderful school year with you and your students!
🏫 Join Us for Open House This Wednesday!
We are thrilled to welcome our families to this week's Open House! This is a fantastic opportunity to meet the teachers, see the classrooms, and hear about all the exciting things we have planned for the year ahead.
Event Details:
- When: This Wednesday
- Time: 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Format: Teacher sessions held every 30 minutes
We know our families have a lot on their plates, especially those with more than one child attending the school. To make dropping by as convenient as possible, the 30-minute session format provides you with three different options to attend.
We look forward to seeing you there!
📚 Introducing the New Rota ES Family Library Portal!
At Rota ES, we recognize that you are your child’s first and most important educator. To help support your reading goals at home, we are excited to launch the new MackinVision Family Library Portal. This secure online tool is designed to give you direct visibility and a greater say in your child's library experience.
What You Can Do with the Portal:
- See Live Checkouts: View a live list of the exact books your child currently has borrowed from the school library.
- Browse the Library: Search through our school's entire book collection online.
- Manage Book Visibility: Confidently select and hide specific books you prefer your child not to view. Once hidden, these titles will completely disappear from your child's search results and will be blocked at the checkout desk.
How to Get Started: Logging in is simple, safe, and doesn't require a password:
- Scan the QR code in the attached RES Portal.jpg flyer, or visit our school's unique library portal link.
- Type in the personal email address you have on file with the school.
- The system will instantly email you a unique 6-digit access code to enter on the screen. (Tip: Check "Remember me on this device" to stay logged in for up to 30 days!)
A Quick Note on Siblings and Book Versions: If you have multiple children attending our school, you can easily switch between their names or apply book-blocking settings to all of them at once, provided the exact same parent email address is listed for each child in our database. Also, please remember that different formats of the same book (like hardback vs. paperback) are listed separately, so be sure to hide all versions of a title if you wish to block it completely.
If you have any questions, need to verify your email on file, or want to add an extra parent/guardian email to the system, please reach out to our Information Specialist, Mrs. Popadines, at lauren.popadines@dodea.edu.
Practicing Our Standard Response Protocols
Making sure our kids are safe and secure is a critical part of what we do every day. To help us prepare for anything from severe weather events to other school emergencies, we use a Standard Response Protocol (SRP).
This protocol breaks our emergency plans down into five clear actions:
- Hold: Students and staff stay in their current location.
- Secure: Used when there is a hazard or threat outside the school buildings or grounds.
- Lockdown: Used when there is a threat inside the building.
- Evacuate: Moving our students and staff to another location.
- Shelter: Taking personal protection for situations like extreme weather or hazardous materials.
Throughout the school year, we will be walking through these drills with both students and staff so everyone knows exactly what to do in a calm, familiar way.
Please take a look at the attached official letter, "SRP Notice to Parents - Rota ES.pdf", for the full breakdown. You can also find more training details online at https://www.dodea.edu/offices/security-management/school-training.
Community News & Resources
Homework Help, Anytime You Need It!
As our kids get settled into their new classes this August, evening homework can sometimes feel like a hurdle. Whether it's tricky new math concepts or practicing writing skills, I want to share an amazing, totally free tool we have access to: Tutor.com for U.S. Military Families.
Because we're living here in Spain, the best part is that this service is available 24/7. Your elementary student can connect with an expert tutor right when they need help, without worrying about stateside time zone differences. The tutors don't just give out the answers; they focus on real conceptual learning to make sure the kids truly understand the material.
It’s completely safe and anonymous, and all the work happens in a recorded digital classroom. They can help with everything from foundational math and science to social studies and English.
It's fantastic for building early confidence. In fact, one parent even shared, "My 7-year-old son is actually motivated to do his homework because of it"! Overall, 97% of students who use the platform report feeling more confident in their learning.
You can check your eligibility and get your family signed up quickly at www.tutor.com/military.
PTSA News & Updates
Welcome to the Rota Elementary PTSA!
The Rota PTSA warmly welcomes our returning and new families to what promises to be an incredible school year! We are excited for this new year and hope to see many friendly faces helping to make a difference for our students, staff, and the entire school community.
What We Do
Your involvement directly supports our school. Through fundraising and memberships, the PTSA is able to provide:
- School Events: We organize fun activities like Field Day, Story Time, the Book Fair, the Fun Run, and the Winter Bazaar.
- Upgrades & Supplies: We use our funds to purchase new learning tools and supplies for our classrooms.
- Programs: We run the Toro Store and make popcorn every Wednesday.
- Teacher Support: We fund classroom needs and host Teacher Appreciation Week to support our amazing educators.
Why Join the PTSA?
Beyond supporting our students and staff, PTSA members enjoy some fantastic exclusive perks! When you become a member, you will receive:
- A free Purple Up shirt in April.
- An official PTSA member lanyard.
- A PTSA spirit stick keychain.
- Exclusive discounts on select events and products throughout the year.
Get Involved Today!
Show off your Toro pride and help us make this year unforgettable. Joining is quick and easy!
Click the link below to sign up and join the PTSA:
https://linktr.ee/rotadgfptsa?utm_source=qr_code
Call for PTSA Volunteers!
Our Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) works behind the scenes to make our school year incredible. From funding essential supplies to hosting our favorite traditions, your PTSA team is always hard at work for our community.
Join the Team!
We are always looking for new members and volunteers to help bring these programs to life. Whether you have an hour a week or an hour a month, we’d love to have you on board to help support our students and teachers.
To sign up today, please click I WANT TO VOLUNTEER or for more information, please contact: rotadgfptsapresident@gmail.com.
Transportation Services
🎒 Getting To & From School: Everything You Need to Know!
Whether your student rides the bus or gets dropped off, here is your quick guide to school transportation policies and procedures!
Contact the Transportation Office 📍 Location: Elementary Main Office 📧 Email: Rota.SBO@dodea.edu
Riding the Bus (PK – 12th Grade)
Need bus service? Step one is to request Form 4500 from the Transportation Office.
- Registration: All families must have an active registration on file. Pick up a form from the office (or request one via email), complete it, and return it to Rota.SBO@dodea.edu. You are also welcome to drop by in person during regular office hours.
- Renewals: Returning families needing to update their information or renew their spot for the current academic year can request and submit a pre-registration form at any time.
- Bus Stops & Passes: Once registered, your bus stop details will be sent via email. Bus passes will be handed directly to students on their first morning ride.
Bus Stop Safety & Buddy System
- 4th Grade & Up: Students are approved to walk to and from the bus stop independently.
- 3rd Grade & Below: Students must have an adult or designated "responsible person" present at the bus stop.
- Responsible Persons: A designated person can be a sibling or helper in 7th grade or above, provided they are authorized by the parents in writing.
Car Riders & Pick-Up Numbers
Safety is our top priority, which means all car-rider vehicles must display a currently assigned car number.
- Annual Requirement: Car-rider numbers are reset every school year. Numbers from previous school years are not valid, and all families must ensure they are using a current-year number.
- How to Get Your Number: Simply fill out your details on the provided spreadsheet or stop by the Transportation Office to complete the quick paperwork.
Student Meal Program
What's for Lunch? A Parent's Guide to the NEX Student Meal Program
Ensure your child's lunch account is always ready to go! The NEX Student Meal Program provides nutritious, balanced meals to help students power through their school day, and managing your account is easier than ever.
Here are the top reminders for parents to keep in mind throughout the school year:
- Pre-Pay & Monitor Online: You can easily fund your student’s account ahead of time through the online family meal portal. The portal also allows you to track exactly what your child is purchasing for lunch each day.
- Balanced, Affordable Meals: A standard meal is $3.50 for elementary students and $3.75 for secondary students. To qualify as a full meal, students receive an entrée, up to two fruits, two vegetables, and ice-cold milk (students must select at least one serving of a fruit or vegetable).
- Free & Reduced Meal Applications: If you believe your family qualifies for free or reduced-price meals, you can submit an application online at any time. Please note that a new application must be submitted annually, as prior-year eligibility expires 30 days into the new school year.
Manage Your Account Today To set up your family portal, add funds, view upcoming monthly menus, or apply for the free and reduced meal program, visit the official hub at: mynavyexchange.com/studentmealprogram
.
School Calendars
Get Involved!
Join the Rota Elementary Team for the 2026–2027 School Year!
Are you passionate about education and eager to support military-connected students? Rota Elementary School is currently hiring for multiple roles with the Department of War Education Activity (DoWEA). Whether you are a seasoned professional or looking for an entry-level position, there is a place for you on the team of Toro educators!
Current Opportunities Include:
- Teaching Positions: Make a lasting impact in the classroom as a full-time federal educator. These roles offer a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, and professional development opportunities.
- How to apply: Use the Employment Application System at webapps.dodea.edu/eas/login.cfm
- Educational Aides & Substitute Teachers: Support student success in flexible, entry-level roles—no college degree required! Enjoy part-time schedules, competitive wages, federal benefits, and room for growth.
- How to apply: Search for openings on USAJobs.gov
Want to learn more? Explore DoDEA careers and resources by visiting dodea.edu/offices/human-resources/work-dodea.
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