Rockwood: What's Really Going On

10/13/2025

THIS IS A HEADS UP FROM A ROCKWOOD TEACHER ABOUT A BOOK THAT STUDENTS FROM ALL THE DISTRICT'S 19 ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS ARE CURRENTLY READING.
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The book is called "Lasagna Means I Love You." The author is Kate O'Shaughnessy.
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This is from the note sent to us about the book:
"I read it this summer. There are at least two references to same s*x marriage and several times when Republicans are mentioned in a negative light (first time I’ve seen this in a kid chapter book). I just think parents should know, but there’s no info on Plugged In or Common Sense Media yet. Sneaky and deceptive and it bugs me."
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Below are screenshots of pages shared with us.
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One quick example of the subtle ways questionable content is woven into the pages...
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A character who is described as one that frequently drinks alcohol, says family is a sham and is divorced, is described as a Republican:
"Bitsy's a Republican," June explained. "Yes, yes, dear, I know how you disapprove." --pages 106 and 107.
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As the young character asks the Republican for recipes, she says she has a recipe for a gin gimlet.
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Again, it's subtle. Other pages casually reference a man's husband and another boy's boyfriend.
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One concern expressed to us is that there's a broad brush casting people with a particular political point of view in a negative light. Replace the word Republican with any "group" -- Democrats, rich people, poor people, Christians, Jews, pro-choice, pro-life, and you can see how it appears to be subtly making a statement.

Another concern is that a book intended to encourage 4th - 6th graders to read would even include more politicized concepts, such as same s*x marriage.
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PROMOTED TO KIDS
The book is being promoted to 4th grade, 5th grade, and 6th grade students in all of Rockwood's 19 elementary schools, with the other nominees for the Mark Twain award. We noticed online that some schools have a google form for kids to fill out and prove they read the books so they can get credit for reading them.
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MARK TWAIN AWARD?
According to the Missouri Association of School Librarians, "The purpose of the Mark Twain Award is to provide children of Missouri with a recommended reading list of literature that will enrich their lives."
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EVERY SCHOOL, CHECKED OUT NOW
Follett Destiny library records online show multiple hard copies, e-books, and audio books of this title are in every Rockwood elementary school library and that many of them are currently checked out. A sampling of screenshots is included below.

09/09/2025

DID YOU SEE ROCKWOOD'S POST ABOUT HIGH SCHOOL RANKINGS?

HERE'S WHAT THE DISTRICT ISN'T TELLING US.

FACTS ONLY. Although it's a "blog" in name, none of this is opinion. It's all verified through Rockwood records and other evidence. In every post, if we say it, we show it; everything is documented. Why do we do this? Rockwood does a good job telling us about the great things it's doing, but falls s...

09/09/2025

CURRENT HIGH SCHOOL RANKINGS:

HOW DOES ROCKWOOD COMPARE TO OTHER LOCAL DISTRICTS?

FACTS ONLY. Although it's a "blog" in name, none of this is opinion. It's all verified through Rockwood records and other evidence. In every post, if we say it, we show it; everything is documented. Why do we do this? Rockwood does a good job telling us about the great things it's doing, but falls s...

08/05/2025

ROCKWOOD TEACHER CONDUCT POLICY

See why a new rule leaves some of the district's teachers feeling like administrators are trying to retaliate against them.

FACTS ONLY. Although it's a "blog" in name, none of this is opinion. It's all verified through Rockwood records and other evidence. In every post, if we say it, we show it; everything is documented. Why do we do this? Rockwood does a good job telling us about the great things it's doing, but falls s...

06/27/2025

PENDING COURT DECISION ROCKWOOD PARENTS MIGHT BE AFFECTED BY
The U.S. Supreme Court justices are expected to hand down decisions in 6 big cases today, the last day of their session.

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Update: The court ruled in favor of parents opting out.
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One is whether parents in Maryland can opt their kids out of LGBTQ themed books read in elementary school classrooms.
This case is of interest to parents in Rockwood, for two reasons:

1) OPT OUT
"Opting out" has been an issue here, relative to surveys with questions that parents feel are too mature for their kids or otherwise inappropriate at school.

Quick example: all middle school students at LaSalle Springs were given a survey in the fall of 2019 that asked kids if they identify as "le***an, gay, bis*xual, transgender, or questioning."
Some 6th graders who took the survey were as young as 11 years old.

Parents did not know about the survey and thus did not have the choice to opt out. The principal apologized and now in Rockwood, parents are supposed to be notified ahead of time regarding surveys or otherwise potentially controversial content.

Currently, districtwide, some parents in Rockwood do opt students out of surveys. Because any court ruling could be used to prompt future court cases, some parents wonder if their ability to opt out here might be jeopardized if the Supreme Court rules against parents being able to opt out in Maryland.

2) MATURE BOOKS
The content of books in classrooms and libraries has been a polarizing issue here, leading to a state law that made it illegal to provide s*xually explicit images to students.

Because of the law, Rockwood has removed at least 26 books from school libraries. (A small number of these s*xually explicit books happened to also be LGBTQ themed.)

Note: the list Rockwood publishes online only lists 25 titles, but, a 26th book, "This Book Is Gay," was also removed in 2023.

According to online catalogs today, the book HAS been removed from the 3 district high school libraries where it had previously been available. Apparently, the district hasn't updated the list it publishes.

Parents have complained about other books still in Rockwood libraries that are s*xually explicit, but allowed, because there are no images in the books. (The state law only bans images.)

Note: Rockwood allows parents to prevent their students from checking certain books out of its school libraries, but does not limit access to any books while children are in the libraries.

Here's a link to an article about the rulings expected today.
https://www.cnn.com/2025/06/26/politics/supreme-court

Here's a link to a post we wrote when Missouri passed the law to ban s*xually explicit images in schools, with some examples of books that had to be removed.
https://whatsgoingoninrw.blogspot.com/2022/07/its-official-governor-parson-has-signed.html

The Supreme Court will hand down its final decisions of the term on Friday, including an expected high-profile ruling on whether President Donald Trump may enforce his divisive executive order curtailing birthright citizenship.

05/20/2025

How to help storm victims...

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16amjKmACu/

Friday’s afternoon storms and tornado have impacted Rockwood staff and families across the area. If you know a Rockwood family or staff member who was impacted by the devastating weather, please contact your school to help connect them with available resources, including Rockwood Gives Back.

As you know, Rockwood Gives Back helps families throughout the year who need assistance. If you would like to help, you can make a monetary donation to Rockwood Gives Back or drop off items to the Rockwood Gives Back Giving Place located at the Early Childhood Center in Eureka at 442 West Fourth Street. You may drop off items at the Early Childhood Center office during normal business hours (8 a.m.-4 p.m. during the school year). Items most needed at this time are:

Laundry detergent
Dryer sheets
All-purpose cleaner
Glass cleaner
Bathroom cleaner
Disinfecting wipes
Sponges
Paper towels
NEW cleaning cloths
Trash bags
NEW twin and queen mattresses
NEW twin sheet sets/blankets/bedding
NEW queen sheet sets/blankets/bedding
Feminine care products

Food items can be dropped at Fairway Elementary, located at 480 Old Fairway Drive in Wildwood. Food items most needed at this time are:

Peanut butter and jelly
Microwavable meals, i.e. Chef Boyardee cups, mac & cheese cups, soup in microwavable bowls., etc.
Granola bars
Protein bars
Cans of fruit with the pop tops/applesauce cups
Tuna in foil packet
Peanut butter crackers
pretzels/snacks in individual serving bags

You may also contact our volunteers at [email protected] to find out other drop off locations and opportunities to help. It is in times like these that the spirit of Rockwood shines through!

03/24/2025

PREFERRED PRONOUNS AT SCHOOL
Students have been asked for their preferred pronouns at school this year and parents have stated they were not notified before it was done. Additionally, they didn't know about it until their students told them.

Missouri House Bill 1085 would prohibit such discussions about gender identity or s*xual orientation at school.

If a student initiates the conversation, it would also require schools to tell the student's parents about such conversation within 24 hours of it happening.

Positive change has a better chance if lawmakers are informed about what's going on.

To share your experiences, contact your state senator and state representative. This is a link where you can find out who they are and get contact info.
https://www.senate.mo.gov/legislookup/default

This is the full bill, if you're interested.
https://documents.house.mo.gov/.../hlrbillspdf/2292H.01I.pdf

03/19/2025

Class act.

Some in our community are kicking her even though she’s already down. We so appreciate that Ms. Boyer does not do that here. Instead, she speaks about it with compassion. 

03/15/2025

SEE WHAT'S PLANNED NOW THAT THEY HAVE AN AGREEMENT

03/12/2025

Amid accusations of theft...

FACTS ONLY. Although it's a "blog" in name, none of this is opinion. It's all verified through Rockwood records and other evidence. In every post, if we say it, we show it; everything is documented. Why do we do this? Rockwood does a good job telling us about the great things it's doing, but falls s...

03/11/2025

TEACHERS ACCEPTED THE CONTRACT

News just came in that the deal is ratified for the 10% raise in 2-year increments.

More details as they come in...

03/10/2025

We're told teachers are voting today and tomorrow about whether to accept the 2-year 10% raise, in increments of 5.25% and 4.75%.

They initially voted to reject a 12% raise over three years, saying their pay would still be ranked low compared to other area school districts.

(The second year of the 10% raise is higher than the second year of the 12% raise. Third year will have to be negotiated later.)

It's been in the news that Rockwood's school board voted to extend Dr. Cain's contract and approved a maximum salary that would be the equivalent of a 17% raise. The district has explained it's not final and is dependent on the teacher negotiations.

The district has said the only way to give teachers the 16% raise they requested is to have voters approve a tax levy increase. A survey to gauge support for the levy is apparently in the works.