notes

Message from Split Rock Elementary School Principal-May 16, 2025

What a fantastic week it has been at Split Rock! We’ve had so many wonderful opportunities to showcase just how amazing our students truly are.

Tuesday evening was a true celebration of talent as our band, chorus, and orchestra students delivered outstanding performances. Each group absolutely knocked it out of the park! The support from our families and friends in the audience made the night even more special.

We kept the momentum going with our Open House and Grade 3/4 Learning Fair last night. It was such a joy to see our Wildcats proudly showing off their classrooms, projects, and school to their families. A big congratulations to all of the students who participated in the Learning Fair. Your projects were thoughtful, creative, and your presentations were simply AWESOME! It was especially inspiring to see our students confidently share their research and findings with peers and adults alike.

Earlier this week, our Grade 1 students ventured out on a special field trip to Hospital Land. This visit gave them a chance to learn about healthcare in a fun and engaging way, helping reduce any fears they may have about hospitals while expanding their understanding of what goes on behind the scenes.

Looking ahead to next week, we will be conducting our Spring Universal Screening across all grade levels. We’re excited to see how much our students have grown and progressed as learners throughout the year. In addition, our Grade 4 students will have the opportunity to visit West Genesee Intermediate School on Thursday, an exciting step as they prepare for their transition next fall. We’re so proud of them and know they will represent Split Rock well!

A friendly reminder that we will also continue to review and carryout our safety drills both evacuation and lockdowns next week as time allows.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership in your child’s educational journey. Let’s keep celebrating all the amazing things happening here at Split Rock!

BE AWESOME!

Mr. Kimpland


Message from Split Rock Elementary School Principal-May 9, 2025

Let’s start off with a huge thank you to our incredible Split Rock PTO and all the families and friends who helped us celebrate Staff Appreciation Week! Your generosity and thoughtful gestures meant so much to our entire team. Your kindness was truly appreciated and recognized by all of us!

This week, we proudly announced our April P.A.W.S. (Positive Action and Wildcat Spirit) award winners. Congratulations to our Wildcats of the Month and all the classroom recipients! It’s always inspiring to see so many of our students working hard, demonstrating positive behavior, and showing their Wildcat pride. Be sure to check out the list of award winners below!

A big shout-out as well to our Grade 3 and Grade 4 students who completed the two-day New York State Math Assessment this week. We were so impressed with their focus, perseverance, and effort! Job well done!

Looking ahead, we are excited to welcome everyone to our Spring Open House on Thursday, May 15! This special evening gives students the chance to proudly showcase their classrooms, learning, and achievements. For your convenience, a shuttle from the Slavic Baptist church to Split Rock is being provided. In addition, the Scholastic Book Fair will be set up in the gymnasium, and our Grade 3 and Grade 4 Learning Fair Showcase will be featured in the cafeteria. It promises to be a night full of celebrations, and we can’t wait to see you there!

Finally, I’d like to extend a very warm Happy Mother’s Day to all of our amazing Split Rock moms. Wishing you a joyful weekend surrounded by love and appreciation.

BE AWESOME!

Mr. Kimpland

open house


Message from Split Rock Elementary School Principal-May 2, 2025

Another week is in the books at "The Rock!" Our amazing Split Rockers continue to work hard and enjoy their time learning and growing together. There’s a positive energy in the air as we move into May!

We look forward to celebrating our Wildcats of the Month with the announcement of our P.A.W.S. Awards, next week! These awards recognize students and classrooms that consistently model what it means to be Present, Respectful, Responsible, Safe and of course AWESOME!

We are also excited to welcome some of our youngest Wildcats to Split Rock as we begin our kindergarten screening process next Wednesday. It’s always a special time as we meet the newest members of our school community!

As the weather continues to warm up, students and staff are spending more time outside and enjoying that spring and even summer vibe. While we embrace the fun that comes with this time of year, we want to remind everyone of the importance of maintaining our building-wide expectations. Having conversations at home about being Present, Respectful, Responsible, Safe, and Awesome can make a big difference and we appreciate your support in reinforcing these values.

Please also be aware that we will continue practicing our safety drills, including both evacuation and lockdown procedures, over the coming weeks. These drills are essential in ensuring everyone knows how to respond safely and calmly in an emergency.

Finally, our Grade 3 and Grade 4 students will be taking the New York State Math Assessment next week. We’re incredibly proud of how hard they’ve worked this year, and we know they are ready to show what they’ve learned.

Have a great weekend! Let’s hope the forecast gives us all a chance to enjoy some sunshine and time outdoors

BE AWESOME!

Mr. Kimpland


Message from Split Rock Elementary School Principal-April 25, 2025

What a fantastic first week back at “The Rock”! The weather was beautiful, and it was great seeing our students and staff return with positive energy and excitement.

I want to take a moment to recognize our Grade 3 and Grade 4 students for their phenomenal effort on this week’s New York State ELA assessment. They showed incredible perseverance, focus, and determination. I couldn’t be prouder of their hard work!

I would also like to recognize Lyla Lockwood. After being inspired by visiting author Stan Tucker, Lyla entered the Young Writers Challenge and was selected as one of the winners. She wrote and illustrated a short story, which will be professionally illustrated and published through the Leap of Literacy publishing program. As a part of this honor, Lyla will receive 20 free copies of her book and be featured on the program's website.

Congratulations, Lyla! We are so proud of your creativity, hard work and passion for storytelling.

As we move forward and enjoy this stretch of nice weather, we will conduct our scheduled emergency drills, including evacuation and lockdown procedures. These drills are a vital part of ensuring that our students and staff know how to stay safe in the event of an emergency. We appreciate your continued support in helping us maintain a secure and prepared school environment.

Wishing you a restful and sunny weekend!

BE AWESOME!

Mr. Kimpland


Message from Split Rock Elementary School Principal-April 11, 2025

As we head into Spring Recess, I want to take a moment to recognize the incredible effort our Wildcats have shown in the classroom. Their hard work, perseverance, and positive attitudes have helped us finish this stretch of the school year strong, and I couldn’t be prouder.

Please note that school will not be in session from April 14 through April 18 due to Spring Recess. I hope all of our students, families, and staff members take this opportunity to relax, recharge, and enjoy quality time with loved ones. We will be excited to welcome everyone back on April 21 as we gear up to finish the school year on a high note!

As shared in previous messages, once the weather begins to consistently cooperate, we will be conducting our remaining safety drills, including lockdown and evacuation procedures. These drills are an important part of ensuring the safety of all students and staff, and we appreciate your continued support and understanding as we carry them out.

Wishing you all a restful and enjoyable Spring Break!

BE AWESOME!

Mr. Kimpland


Message from Split Rock Elementary School Principal-April 4, 2025

A big thank you to Officer Brand and her continued support of the Wildcats and the CODE presentations. Officer Brand's engaging and informative sessions are always a highlight, and we are grateful for the time she dedicates to helping our students grow into responsible citizens.

Our Kindergarten students also had a wonderful adventure this week with their field trip to Crazy Daisies! While the weather was a bit chilly, it didn’t dampen their excitement or curiosity. They had the chance to learn all about the plant-growing process and explore the behind-the-scenes operations at the greenhouse. It was a fantastic hands-on learning experience for everyone involved!

Looking ahead, we are excited for another great week as we gear up for Spring Recess. As the weather begins to warm up, we will also begin our spring emergency practice drills over the coming weeks. This is a great opportunity to talk with your child about what to expect during these safety exercises. Our teachers will be reviewing all procedures and protocols to ensure that our students feel prepared and confident.

Have a great weekend!

BE AWESOME!

Mr. Kimpland


Message from Split Rock Elementary School Principal-March 28, 2025

What a fantastic week it has been at Split Rock!

Another great week at The Rock! Our students continue to impress with their creativity, willingness to take learning risks, and strong work ethic as they embody what it means to Be Awesome!

I would be remiss if I didn’t take a moment to express my gratitude to the Split Rock PTO for hosting the fantastic Rockin’ Saturday event last weekend. It was wonderful to see so many Split Rockers engaged in exciting and collaborative activities, from bracelet-making to SNAG golf. A special thank you to all the community volunteers who helped make the day such a success—we truly appreciate your support!

As a friendly reminder, there will be no school for students on Monday, March 31, as it is a Superintendent Conference Day. Classes will resume on Tuesday, April 1.

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!

BE AWESOME!

Mr. Kimpland


Message from Split Rock Elementary School Principal-March 21, 2025

What a fantastic week it has been at Split Rock!

Let’s start by celebrating last Friday’s incredible St. Baldrick’s Foundation fundraiser. Thanks to the generosity and support of our Wildcats, we raised an amazing $2,473.20 to help fund research for childhood cancer. This event has grown over the years, and to make it even more special, we were thrilled to welcome the Francis Academy of Irish Dance and members of the Syracuse Scottish Pipe Band to showcase their talents and culture. It was a wonderful afternoon, and we appreciate everyone who contributed to this great cause!

This week, we also had the REV Theatre Co. visit several grade levels, bringing their creativity and theatrical expertise into our classrooms. Our students had the opportunity to engage with live storytelling and performance, which is always a highlight at Split Rock.

A quick reminder to all parents and guardians that report cards will be available to view on SchoolTool starting at 5:00 PM tonight. Please take a moment to check in on your child’s progress and celebrate their hard work.

We are looking forward to seeing many of our Wildcats at Rockin’ Saturday tomorrow at “The Rock!” This is always an exciting event, and we can’t wait for another fun-filled morning together.

Have a great weekend!

BE AWESOME!

Mr. Kimpland


Message from Split Rock Elementary School Principal-March 14, 2025

It has been a great week at “The Rock!” Our Wildcats continue to impress us with their work ethic, enthusiasm, and undeniable Wildcat spirit.

Today, our Grade 3 students had the opportunity to experience the world of Orchestra through the "Strings Around The World" presentation. I have no doubt many will come home excited about the chance to participate next year!

As I type this, we are gearing up for our St. Baldrick’s Fundraiser. We are looking forward to performances by The Francis Academy of Irish Dance and the Syracuse Pipe Band before the head-shaving ceremony. Be sure to check next week’s blog for pictures and a full recap of the incredible experiences our Split Rockers had!

Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend, and we look forward to seeing our Wildcats back on Monday!

BE AWESOME!

Mr. Kimpland


Message from Split Rock Elementary School Principal-March 7, 2025

I want to take a moment to congratulate our February Wildcats of the Month! These students have demonstrated great pride in their work, followed through on our building-wide expectations, and served as positive role models for their peers. We are so proud of their hard work and commitment to making our school a great place to learn and grow!

In addition, we celebrated our Golden Awards this past week, recognizing classrooms that have consistently demonstrated positive behaviors in specific areas of our school. Congratulations to Mrs. Carbone’s, Mrs. Jones’, and Mrs. Lockwood’s classrooms for earning this special recognition! Check out the pictures below as we celebrate these classrooms and individual award winners.

As we progress, now is a great time to hit the reset button and refocus on student attendance. With six consecutive weeks of school before Spring Break, it is important that students are present, on time and stay for the entire school day. Regular attendance is key to academic success, helping students stay engaged, and build strong connections with their classmates and teachers. While we do not encourage students to come to school if they are sick, we ask families to prioritize school attendance whenever possible.

Let’s continue to "ROCK" by working hard, supporting each other, and having fun along the way!

Have a great weekend!

BE AWESOME!

Mr. Kimpland


Message from Split Rock Elementary School Principal-February 28, 2025

We had a great first week back from Winter Recess! Transitions can sometimes be a challenge, but our Wildcats proved once again that they are ROCKstars, settling back into routines and embracing learning with enthusiasm.

Next week, we look forward to celebrating our Wildcats of the Month for February and recognizing our classroom P.A.W.S. (Positive Action and Wildcat Spirit) awards. These moments allow us to highlight students who consistently demonstrate kindness, responsibility, and school spirit.

With a solid stretch ahead before Spring Break, we have a great opportunity to focus on academics. At the same time, we will continue fostering a positive, supportive environment where students can grow socially and emotionally.

Have a fantastic weekend, and we’ll see everyone back on Monday!

BE AWESOME!

Mr. Kimpland


Message from Split Rock Elementary School Principal-February 14, 2025

What a fantastic week we’ve had at "The Rock!" I want to take a moment to congratulate our students and staff on another great week of learning, collaboration, and school spirit.

This week, we celebrated Spirit Week in style! It was wonderful to see so many of our Wildcats showing their enthusiasm through:
🏈 Favorite teams and jerseys
🎨 Tie-dye creativity
😴 Cozy pajama day
💙 School spirit gear
✨ And plenty of fun accessories!

As we head into Winter Recess, I encourage everyone to take time to:
✔️ Relax and have fun
✔️ Rest up and do something for yourself
✔️ Focus on health and well-being

Just a reminder that school will be closed from Monday, February 17, through Friday, February 21. We look forward to welcoming everyone back, recharged and ready to go, on Monday, February 24!

Enjoy the break and stay warm!

BE AWESOME!

Mr. Kimpland


Message from Split Rock Elementary School Principal-February 7, 2025

What an exciting week we’ve had at Split Rock!

A huge thank you to our PTO for sponsoring our assembly and bringing in Downbeat Percussion! Their performance was engaging, exciting, and an incredible experience for our Wildcats. A big thank you to Downbeat Percussion for making it so special. Our students had a blast! Oh, and of course, getting slimed was definitely a memorable moment!

Another thank you to Officer Brand, who visited each grade level on Tuesday for C.O.D.E. presentations. She does a phenomenal job with this initiative, and we truly appreciate her time and dedication to our students.

On Wednesday, our Kindergarten and Grade 1 students got a sneak peek of the high school musical Disney’s The Little Mermaid. What a fantastic experience! The students were captivated by the performance, and it was so well received.

Looking ahead, if you have a Kindergarten student starting in the fall, please see the information below about registration. Our Kindergarten team and I are already planning Readiness Night and Kindergarten Screening, and we want to ensure you’re in the loop on all the upcoming details!

Lastly, we know illness has been going around, so as we head into the weekend, please take time to rest and stay healthy. We want to see everyone back in action on Monday as we finish strong leading up to Winter Recess!

BE AWESOME!

Mr. Kimpland


Message from Split Rock Elementary School Principal-January 31, 2025

It was a great week at The Rock! Our Grade 2 students had a fantastic time welcoming Rev Theatre into their classrooms and later enjoying a wonderful play together as a whole group.

To wrap up the week, we’re excited to welcome Downbeat Percussion this afternoon! Stay tuned for next week’s blog, where we’ll share all about the students’ experience.

As we step into February, we look forward to a full week of learning and seeing everyone back on Monday!

BE AWESOME!

Mr. Kimpland


Message from Split Rock Elementary School Principal-January 31, 2025

What an exciting week it has been here at Split Rock! Earlier this week, seeing the second session of our Robotics Club in action was fantastic. The students were engaged, enthusiastic, and eager to showcase their creativity and problem-solving skills. It’s always inspiring to watch our Wildcats explore new challenges and thrive.

As we approach the end of the month, we are thrilled to welcome Downbeat Percussion for an afternoon assembly on Friday, January 31. We’ve heard amazing things about this talented group and look forward to them sharing their energy and rhythm with us.

A friendly reminder that there will be NO SCHOOL on Wednesday, January 29, as we observe Lunar New Year. School will resume on Thursday, January 30. We hope you take the day to reflect, celebrate, and spend time with loved ones.

Have a wonderful weekend, and we’ll see everyone back on Monday, ready to learn and grow together.


BE AWESOME!

Mr. Kimpland