RHS Spotlight:December 7, 2020
Distance Learning # for Redwood Heights: 510-879-2148
New RHS TECH SUPPLY PICKUP HOURS : TUESDAYS ONLY 8:30 - 12 noon. No need to call - just come and ring the doorbell.
Contact our TECH EXPERT: rebecca.weissman@ousd.org
Contact jenniferrhshugs@gmail.com, cynthia.bagby@ousd.org if you have questions.
Mrs.Theresa Sanders' Distance Learning Work Space
Last week teachers received their new Surface laptops and TWO digital monitors. 3rd Grade teacher Ms. Sanders has a new set-up:
"I’m so excited to use my new laptop and extra monitor! Once it’s configured, I’m hoping this setup will enable me to keep an eye on my students while I navigate learning applications and messages from parents.'
Dear RHS Caregivers,
How grateful I am for the families and faculty at Redwood Heights Elementary. You have been resilient, compassionate, patient and caring during these challenging times. Our parents devote time, talent and resources to supporting our work with our students! Your kind gestures of appreciation re-energize us! Our staff is second to none in their commitment to our students. Their passion for bringing the best for our students is inspiring! We love our Sammy Squirrels! Thank you for your help, support, understanding, and friendship. Thank you for sharing your children with us- we are fortunate to be part of their journey through elementary school.
We are here for you. FOOD & CLOTHING DRIVE:
HUGS Counselor Jennifer in partnership with the PTA is coordinating a food and clothing drive.
Families will have an opportunity too share their needs and also some families will have an opportunity to adopt a family. Please complete the new survey below that includes a new clothing and other needs section:
Redwood Heights Winter Distance Learning Technology and Wellness Survey
Together, we build a community for our students that believes in their boundless potential!
We are here for you! Please let us know how we can support you. Contact Cynthia.bagby@ousd.org or our kind and generous HUGS Counselor, Jennifer Wilson @ jenniferrhshugs@gmail.com.
Warmly,
Cynthia
PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDAR:
Winter Break Begins on FRIDAY, December 18th, 2020
LIBRARY SWAG
RHS LIBRARY COMMITTEE MEETINGS (every second Thursday at 7 p.m. @library zoom)
(every second Thursday at 7 p.m. @library zoom)
The library committee supports the programs and funding in our beautiful library. Come learn what we do and how you can help make it even better. December meeting topics will include the Scholastic Book Fair, how to get students reading even more and curbside checkout planning. We meet every month on the second Thursday.
LOL Club (LIBRARY OUTREACH AND LEADERSHIP)
This club for 3rd-5th grades is starting back up. We will meet Tuesdays from Noon to 12:30 in the Library Zoom Room (here). We will share what we are reading and promote the library’s offerings. Our first topic will be the bookfair, followed closely by how to promote reading and our library to all our community. I sent direct invitations to students who were in the club in the past. Please share the time and info with any students who are interested.
RHS LIBRARY STORY TIME
Please help spread the word. Our Monday storytime is very small - only one or two kids come regularly. Ms. Jennifer and I read together and discuss SEL topics. So far our topics included dealing with anxiety and worry with strategies everyone can benefit from. Please join us!
Here is my Announcement. We meet in the Zoom Library three days a week:
- Mondays are SEL readings with Ms. Jennifer and a special guest.
- Tuesdays we are reading the chapter book together: The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street by Karina Yon Glaser. Her book is nominated for a California Young Reader’s Medal this year. I hope to read all the chapter book nominees aloud on Tuesdays.
- Thursday is Picture Book Storytime.
All story times run from 2-2:40
Do you want to volunteer? OUSD Distance Learning Protocols
Here are some relevant updates regarding virtual parent volunteering. The Oakland Ed Fund parent/guardian webpage is here where you can find a new parent/guardian FAQ for virtual volunteering towards the bottom of the page.
https://www.oaklandedfund.org/programs/volunteer/
The way that OUSD legal has outlined virtual volunteering, I've interpreted as follows:
Guardians can become Zoom Assistants, joining educator's zoom lessons. Breakout groups are OK so long as the educators can pop in anytime, it is considered supervised. We would prefer that these volunteers register as supervised with our system (above) so that we can clear them on Megan's law.
Guardians can become 1:1 Virtual Tutors. This requires registration on our website as well as fingerprinting clearance and a parent/guardian waiver through the Oakland Public Education Fund. In this situation, the educators would need to submit a request for individual students to be tutored here.
So far, we are sharing the following information with volunteers that's unique to virtual volunteering:
OUSD Family Central: For anyone who wants to become a virtual academic 1:1 tutor, we do require a volunteer training with more information. All volunteers who complete fingerprints are also required to sign our liability waiver.
MS. WEISSMAN'S TECH CORNER: CLEVER BADGES
CLEVER BADGES:
Students can now download their OWN Clever Badges from their Clever page!!!
Simply click on your child's name in the upper right hand corner of their Clever page and select "Clever Badge" from the dropdown menu. Woo hoo!!!!
MIC ISSUES ON CHROMEBBOOKS:
The OUSD Tech Department has discovered that students with distorted mic sounds have their mic setting up all the way. Reducing it just a bit, or down to 50% and the distortion/crackle goes away.
Video on how to change the setting: https://www.loom.com/share/77c8e5b2b50649b3bb0d190616efbdc0
FLU SHOT INFORMATION
FROM OUR SCHOOL NURSE Avelina Buijs
Hi Redwood Heights Families,
I am sending you the Health Education and Attendance for Life document (HEAL) produced by the Alameda County Public Health Dept. and Center for Healthy Schools and Communication. It's a flyer that is for parents, first page is about COVID which most parents are aware of by now. However, the second page has a list of symptoms and illnesses on the first column and the second column has general guidelines that are in blue which refers to distance learning or learning at home ( whether a child should participate or not in distance learning). Please note these are guidelines and there will always be personal circumstances that have to be considered.
Avelina S. Buijs BSN, RN, PHN
(She, Her, Hers)
Read the Latest Connecting with Kyla: CLICK BELOW FOR THE LATEST MESSAGE.
Dear Oakland Community,
This pandemic has been difficult for all of us and especially hard on some families. It is vital that we hear from those most affected by this situation, namely our families and staff. We will be surveying our staff in the coming weeks.
New Jabber System Phone # for Redwood Heights: 510-879-2148
We have therabands available for our kiddies:). Contact Ms. Jennifer or Ms. Bagby if interested.
These can help relieve tension and are usually wrapped around the legs of students chairs as a sensory tool.
Help students wiggle while they work.
Redwood Heights FOOD DRIVE!!
Hello RHS Community!
I first of all want to say thank you to all of you who have supported the GoFundMe campaign for our families.
Many of you have asked if there are other ways to support families and the answer is “Yes”!
WHAT: Redwood Heights OCTOBER FOOD DRIVE!!
WHEN: Starting Thursday, October 1
HOW: Every Tuesday and Thursday, between 8:30 am -
12:00 pm, there will be bins at the main front
entrance to the school at 4401 39th Ave. You may drop off
food in the bins. Please do not leave food at other times unless you have
arranged it with Ms. Jennifer or Principal Bagby.
WHO: Everyone! Anyone can donate.
We are accepting all non perishable foods. If you want to donate flour or sugar, please make sure it is in secure packaging.
If you want to donate fruits or vegetables, we will make sure these get quickly distributed.
If you have other items you want to donate, please contact: jenniferrhshugs@gmail for further information.
If you are food insecure, please do not hesitate to contact Ms. Jennifer who will arrange a pick up or drop off time.
RHS Cares gofundme Opportunity
During this time of shelter-in-place due to COVID, some Redwood Heights families have been severely impacted and unable to pay rent or buy food. Some are unable to leave their homes to access food banks or other resources due to medical reasons, lack of safe transportation, or other obstacles.
We have been able to provide some cash assistance through our PTA; however, we have realized that the needs are greater than what the PTA is able to provide on its own.
We have been working with RHS parents who need immediate cash assistance to support their families and avoid falling through the cracks.
This cash support will be a lifeline for these parents, allowing them to feed their children, stay in their homes, pay for medical costs, and maintain their utilities. They are so grateful and frequently in tears upon receiving help from the community.
We can all really make a difference here! We are fortunate to have a generous, caring community.
All funds raised from this campaign will go directly to RHS families in need of financial support during this time.
Thank you for supporting these families and showing up in community!
Warmly,
Jennifer Wilson
HUGS (Helping Us Grow Stronger) Update
HUGS (Helping Us Grow Stronger) Update
Greetings Redwood Heights Community.
We have just finished our sixth week of school. For some of us it may feel like six months due to the enormity of what we are experiencing right now. Here at RHS we have been assessing the needs of families and students over the past 6 weeks. We have been talking with caregivers during coffee chats, surveys, Back to School Night, parent/teacher virtual home visits, and 1:1 conversations. Our COST (Care of Services Team) has been meeting weekly to create systems of support and to discuss how we can best support students and families during this distance learning time.
HUGS INTERNS
We are thrilled that once again we will have two HUGS interns. Cierra and Logan, will facilitate small groups and provide 1:1 support to students and families. The interns are eager to get started in getting to know the RHS community.
Due to distance learning, the interns will be offering “Lunch Bunch” small groups for all grades. Initially, they will be starting with Kindergarten. The goal is to bring students together to get to know others in a fun, easy going and connecting manner. Each group will meet for 3 weeks and will have 3 students in each group. A separate email will be sent to Kindergarten families.
Additionally, Cierra and Logan will be inviting 4th/5th graders to participate in a group with 6-8 students. These groups will last 8-10 weeks and rotate through the school year. The goal of these groups is to provide community, support and connection for students outside of the academic Zoom calls. This is our attempt to be proactive regarding what we know about the social emotional development of this age group. We know that for some students it is especially challenging during distance learning and we want to support all students.
SUPPORT for ADULTS
Covid - 19 Related Support Group
This is a group for caregivers who have been personally impacted by a positive COVID 19 test, yourself or family member, and/or experienced a death in their family due to COVID 19. Please join us for this confidential and supportive forum. This is an opportunity to receive support and offer support to others.
Parenting during COVID
Join other parents in supporting each other and learning ways to navigate this challenging time. This group is for caregivers who are feeling stressed as distance learning continues, as smoke from California fires envelopes us and as challenging life situations unfold. Please join us for this confidential and supportive forum.
HUGS Intern: Cierra Ivey
HUGS Intern: Logan Moody
Logan Moody is currently studying Drama Therapy at CIIS in San Franciso. They are excited to be part of the RHS community this year while working as an intern in the HUGS program. They graduated in 2018 from UC Berkeley with a degree in theater and performance studies. Their love for theatre and seeing how it can have a therapeutic effect lead them to their current graduate studies. Their focus both academically and personally has been in social justice art and community building. They hope to bring art, compassion, respect, and a deep sense of community to their work in the HUGS program and school and look forward to learning and growing alongside the kiddos every day.
ZOOM LEGAL RULES for PARENTS
Recording of Class on Zoom by Student or Family Member. Under Education Code section 51512, Students and family members may only take an audio or video recording of a class (or any parts of a class) on Zoom if they have first obtained written permission to do so from both the teacher and the principal.
Interactions with Teacher/Other Students during Class. Family members may observe their own child during a class on Zoom from off screen and are asked to inform the teacher if possible. However, family members should not interact with the teacher or other students, except to briefly address time-sensitive technical issues, and only where not disruptive. Any concerns regarding a teacher’s teaching or student’s learning must be raised outside the Zoom class.
Familial Support for Children during Class. Family members may support their own child during a class on Zoom provided that such support does not take their child away from instruction, and so long as the support is not otherwise disruptive of how the teacher is teaching the class.
our Alameda County Public Health Department website www.acphd.org