Dolphin Newsletter
3.13.23
Message from the Principal
It is hard to believe that we have ended our second trimester of the year! This last part of the year has a tendency to fly by, and there are so many upcoming events to put on your radar, so make sure to take note of the dates we have in this newsletter.
I would like to remind parents and students about the importance of attendance. Regular attendance is critical to a student's success in school, and we encourage all students to attend school every day, on time. We will be holding meetings with families whose students struggle with regular attendance. We hope that these meetings will be productive and solutions oriented so that we can partnership on ensuring our students come to school every day and on time.
Family/teacher conferences are upon us, and as partners in your child's education, these conferences provide an opportunity for families and teachers to discuss your child's progress, strengths, and areas for improvement. We believe that these conferences are essential in fostering a positive and productive relationship between families, teachers, and students.
During the conference, the teacher will discuss your child's academic progress, classroom behavior, celebrations, and any concerns. They will also provide recommendations for how you can support your child's learning at home.
We encourage you to come prepared with any questions or concerns you may have about your child's education. Additionally, please inform the teacher if there are any changes or updates to your child's home life that may impact their learning or behavior at school.
By working together, we can ensure that your child receives the best possible education and support. We look forward to meeting with you and discussing your child's progress.
Parking lot safety Reminder
As we strive to provide a safe and welcoming environment for our students, it is essential that we all work together to ensure the safety of our students, staff, and families. One area where we need your help is in our school parking lots.
Please remember to follow all traffic laws, including speed limits, stop signs, and crosswalks. Always yield to pedestrians and other vehicles and be mindful of your surroundings at all times.
In addition, please refrain from using your cell phone while driving in the parking lot. Texting or talking on the phone can be a major distraction, and it is important to remain focused on driving and watching out for pedestrians and other vehicles.
We also encourage families to use designated drop-off and pick-up areas, as they are designed to provide a safe and efficient process for everyone. Please do not park in areas that are marked as no parking zones or fire lanes, as they are essential for emergency vehicles to access the school.
By working together, we can continue to create a safe and secure environment for our students, staff, and families.
School Auction Friday March 17!
Our school auction is an essential fundraiser that supports a wide range of programs and resources for our students. It is also a fun and exciting opportunity to come together as a community, bid on great items, and support our school.
This year's auction promises to be a fantastic event, featuring a wide range of items, including vacations, gift baskets, experiences with teachers/staff, and much more. There will also be served dinner, music, and other activities to keep everyone entertained throughout the evening.
This event is an excellent opportunity to meet other families and get involved in our school community.
I encourage you to mark your calendars for this Friday and make plans to attend our auction. Your presence and participation are essential in making this event a success.
Thank you for your continued support of our school, and I hope to see you at the auction.
Clifford PTO Auction, coming up on Friday, March 17th at 6pm.
This year's auction catalog is available to view on our website!
Questions? Please contact auction@cliffordschoolpto.org
With gratitude,
Jude
Upcoming Events!
- March 13th & 14th 7th/8th grade Unity Day!
- March 17th Sam Drazin from Changing Perspectives Building Empathy/Middle School Activity
- March 16 SEPTAR Association meeting 7:00-8:30 Link to Join Meeting
- Middle School Awards Assembly March 24th.
- Middle School Dance /Spring Fling! 5-7 At Clifford. Tickets 5$ at the door.
- 8th Grade Panorama Picture 4/28/2023
- Clifford School Auction March 17th, 2022! (Buy Tickets) (Event Details)
- 8th Grade Field Trip to Alcatraz Island (San Francisco) March 31st
- Summative ELPAC testing March 27-April 4 Grades 3-8
- Parent Teacher Conferences March 20-24 (Minimum Day all week-Thursday schedule)
- Future SUPER minimum Days 11:30 Release Time: 4/7, 6/9
- After School Enrichment Spring! Enroll Today! Scholarships available!
Clifford Dolphin Promise
To teach students, not subjects or textbooks
To make learning joyful
To be proactive rather than reactive
To teach in ways that respond to our students' needs
To meet students where they are
To keep in mind that learning is a process that takes time and commitment
To keep relationships at the core of how we work together
To help each student feel valued, seen, and heard
To create an atmosphere that welcomes every student to belong
To dream big, have perseverance and grit
To challenge all students to learn at high levels
To inspire and motivate students
To include academic challenges so that all students can explore their potential
To love, protect, and care for our community
To be proud of who we are no matter what adversity we face
To be dependable and reliable
To be an upstander
To be Dolphin proud
The Science of Reading
Clifford is improving reading/literacy instruction for ALL of our students. We are looking at every aspect of our teaching, our schedules, and how students learn to read. In our classrooms, our teachers and grade levels use strategies and practices supported by the Science of Reading. Our teachers have been receiving support from our Literacy Specialist Stacey Chilton who is championing this work at Clifford.
When you hear a school talk about the Science of Reading, what does it even mean? Well, first, it is important to know that students don’t just learn to read by being given books. Kids don’t learn to read by guessing or looking at the pictures on a page. In fact, guessing and relying on photos on a page are not good habits at all because they don’t put any emphasis on sounding out or other research based strategies.
Although some children catch on quicker than others with reading, ALL children need specific instruction each day focusing on the five components of reading.
1. Phonemic Awareness
2. Phonics
3. Fluency
4. Vocabulary
5. Comprehension
Below is a good article on the Science of Reading and some things you can do at home to support your child with reading and learning to read.
Other links for more resources!
Clifford Auction Black and White Gala 2023
Clifford PTO Auction, coming up on Friday, March 17th at 6pm.
This year's auction catalog is available to view on our website!
Questions? Please contact auction@cliffordschoolpto.org
We hope to see you there!
Safe Routes to School Survey
Link for English survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/English22_23
Link for Spanish survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Spanish22_23
Survey ends April 15th
BUY TICKETS: https://bit.ly/notaboutmefilm
RESTAURANT FUNDRAISING PAGE: https://bit.ly/SEPTARdinner
SPECIAL EDUCATION SURVEY:
Help SEPTAR by completing the Special Education Survey! We need your input to provide the best support for your family. Link to the survey: https://bit.ly/SEPTAR_SURVEY
Middle School Dance April 7 5-7! Tickets sold at the door!
Snacks and Water Donations Please!! Bring to the school office and label middle school dance
Unity Day at Clifford
8th Grade Panorama Picture April 28th 8:30 AM
March is Women's History Month
Each year during the month of March, women's history is celebrated. The theme changes annually; however, the foremost goal of the month remains the same: to provide education on how women helped shape the nation and to empower children by introducing them to historical role models.
For more information on women's history month, please visit this website.
Attendance is a critical factor in student success, and we want to ensure that all of our students are able to attend school regularly. Research shows that students who attend school regularly are more likely to perform better academically and are less likely to fall behind in their studies.
It is important for students to arrive to school on time and to attend all classes, as each day of instruction is an opportunity for them to learn and grow. Additionally, punctuality is a valuable life skill that will serve students well beyond their time in school.
We understand that there may be instances where your child is unable to attend school, such as due to illness. In these cases, please make sure to contact the school to report the absence.
We appreciate your support in ensuring that your child attends school regularly and arrives to school on time. If you have any questions or concerns about attendance, please don't hesitate to reach out to us.
Smart Watches at School
Food Delivery at School
Helpful Links
- RCSD Peachjar Fliers
- Clifford is an NUA school. Learn more about NUA here
- Safe Kids Worldwide
Caregiver Referral link for counseling TK-8 https://forms.gle/bvJ5SWaCFbEHq8uq9
- Parent Education Series Free Resources and Links:
The Parent Venture: https://www.parentventure.org/
Video Library (YouTube): https://www.youtube.com/c/ParentEducationSeries
The Parent Education Newsletter (Register): http://bit.ly/ParentEdNewsletter
LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/parenteducation
Clifford School
Jude Noyes-Principal
Tiffany Parrish- Assistant Principal
We ARE the most incredible school in the Inner-Planetary Galactic Solar System...
Email: jnoyes@rcsdk8.net
Website: https://clifford.rcsdk8.net/
Location: 225 Clifford Avenue, Redwood City, CA, USA
Phone: 6504822402