Mustang Gazette
October 2021
Message from the Principal
This year, RCSD funded and hired a full-time counselor for each school site in the district. The counselors are here to ensure all students get the support they need to be successful in school.
Our counselor, Ms. Maryann, has spent the last few weeks building relationships with students. She could often be found on the yard playing 4-square or kickball, walking reluctant students to class or holding conflict resolution circles. Starting this Monday, October 4th, she can officially start working with students one-on-one or in a small group setting. Counseling topics are based on the needs of the students (grief, anxiety, social skills..). Students can be referred to Ms. Maryann by parents and/or teachers. A copy of the referral form can be found attached to the newsletter. You can also reach out directly to Ms. Maryann at mnakhla@rcsdk8.net . Every child must have written parental in order to receive services.
In addition counseling services, Ms. Maryann is helping us implement two new, very exciting traditions here at Henry Ford!
Lunch Bunch
Most of our students have made lots of friends. They look forward to playing at recess and lunch. But, some students are more reserved. They may be new to our school, struggling to make friends or prefer a quiet setting. To address this, teachers will complete a weekly referral form to identify any student(s) that are in need of a little TLC.
The identified students will receive a formal invitation to have lunch with Ms. Maryann in her office. The invitation includes a plus one, meaning they have the option to invite a friend to join them. Once in Ms. Maryann's office, students will have the opportunity to play board games and participate in fun, friendship building activities in a safe and nurturing environment.
Morning Minute of Mindfulness
Mindfulness is a life skill that helps reduce stress, enhances performance and can be utilized anytime, anywhere!
Here at Henry Ford, all of our students start their day with a Minute of Mindful Meditation. During morning announcements, Ms. Maryann guides students through simple breathing and body awareness activities. The steps are easy to follow and designed to help students calm their bodies so they can focus in class. Starting each day off with a positive, calming routine helps set students up to be successful in class and on the playground.
Virtual Coffee w/ the Principal
Cafecito/ELAC en español
Lunes, el 1 de noviembre a las 9:00
https://meet.google.com/iie-hook-jbf?authuser=0
Friday, November 5th at 9:00
Make-Up Picture Day
Friday, October 22nd.
Students who were absent, or would like to re-take their photo will be given the option. If photo is a retake, students will need to return their original photos.
Trunk or Treat Parade
Times TBD. Students will parade through the parking lot in their costumes and view all the decorated trunks!
Due to Covid, parents must be next to a car to watch the parade. Please sign up at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdRPT1iaJu_op8maV3HVpgPdq_O_fYJnxoaK3gGN0Uv8BnMvQ/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=0 if you would like to participate. Families are welcome to "share" a car, and decorate together.
Important Information
COVID-19 POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
BayPal will be at Henry Ford every Monday from 10:15 to 12:15 and Thursday from 7:15 - 9:45 to administer the Covid-19 rapid antigen test. BayPal will only test students whose parents/guardians request testing.
Every Friday, parents who have registered with Primary Health will receive a link to a form to sign up for an appointment. If you do not complete the appointment request form, your child will not be tested.
Please note that BayPal is preventive testing. This is different than the testing that is done when there is a positive case on campus. When there is a positive case on campus, parents are notified in writing. If your child is considered a close contact (comes within 6 ft. of the positive community member) and you have provided Primary Health consent, your child is eligible for testing.
Covid-19 Antigen Test Consent Form:
The Covid-19 Antigen test is non-evasive. Students are asked to gently swipe the inside of each nostril for fifteen seconds with a soft swab.
All students must have parental consent to be eligible for testing and to receive an invitation to participate in weekly testing. Please find the Primary Health consent link below:
https://my.primary.health/r/redwoodcity?registration_type=student
COVID-19 Guidelines:
Henry Ford works closely with the district and follows the recommendations outlined in the Pandemic Recovery Framework. A link to the document can be found below. https://www.smcoe.org/assets/files/For%20Communities_FIL/COVID-19%20Resources_FIL/Pandemic_Recovery_Framework.pdf
• More information regarding RCSD COVID-19 Guidelines can be found on the district web page.
DISMISSAL
4th - 5th: Please consider arriving for pick-up closer to 3:00. Upper grade students are dismissed at 2:45, but do not make it out front until much later. Students in 1st - 3rd are dismissed at 2:30, and traffic gets backed up when upper grade parents get in line early.
Thursdays are Minimum Days. Students in grades 1st -5th are dismissed at 1:30 every Thursday. Kinder is dismissed at 1:00.
Student Safety: Please do not block the crosswalks, make U-turns in the middle of the street or bypass the pickup line and pull into an empty spot. The system in place is designed to keep students safe. And, dismissal will go much quicker if everyone follows the rules!
RESOURCES
ClassDojo: Please contact your child's classroom teacher if you did not get an invitation to join ClassDojo. We will be using ClassDojo as our main form of communication, both for classroom information and school wide updates.
Please feel free to reach out to the office if you have any questions or need support.
Henry Ford School
Henry Ford is a neighborhood school that celebrates the diversity of its kindergarten through fifth grade students. Our commitment is to meet the needs of all students by providing the academic, social, and emotional successes that are essential to the development of a child's potential.
Email: jknopf@rcsdk8.net
Website: https://www.rcsdk8.net/henryford
Location: 2498 Massachusetts Avenue, Redwood City, CA 94061, USA
Phone: 650.482.2404
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HenryFordSchool