Mustang Gazette
AUGUST 2023
Principal's Message
Welcome to the 2023-2024 school year! I want to welcome back our returning families and
welcome the new students and families who are joining the Henry Ford community. We are all
very excited to have students back on campus and in the classrooms.
The Henry Ford staff has been hard at work the last few weeks attending staff development and preparing the newly adopted RCSD math curriculum. The new program is designed to offer students lots of hands-on opportunities and encourages them to think critically. We have also been working on class schedules. There are so many amazing opportunities this year, it is hard to fit it all into the school day! In addition to all the academic, social and emotional learning opportunities and enrichment classes we had last year, we now have a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Mathematics) class and a Gardening class. Every grade level gets to participate weekly. Both classes will help students master their standards with real life applications.
One of the ways we monitor the success of the programs that we have in place is through state wide testing. Every spring, students in grades 3rd - 5th take the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress or CAASPP. The assessment is designed to measure student growth and mastery of the common core standards. I am excited to share that we had an 11% increase in students performing at or above grade level in Reading, and a 15% increase in students performing at or above grade level in Math!
Individual student scores can be found on the Parent Portal.
I look forward to working together to make this year the best school year yet!
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Note from our new Assistant Principal
Dear Henry Ford,
It is my pleasure to introduce myself as the new assistant principal at Henry Ford. I have heard great things about the school, staff and community and look forward to getting to know you and your children.
I come to you with two decades of experience mainly as an upper grade classroom teacher where I have involved myself in many teaching leadership opportunities. Prior to teaching, I was working in the corporate world. Being a naturally self-reflective person, I thought about how I wanted to spend my life making a positive impact on the lives of others, so I decided that teaching was the perfect way to do this.
I am bay area educated. I have a B.A. in Liberal Studies/ Visual Arts from San Francisco State University and a M.A. in Teaching Leadership from Saint Mary's College. Years ago, my previous principal suggested that I get my administrative credential. When the time was right, I completed the LEAP Program at Santa Clara County Department of Education. Since then, I have worked as a principal for summer school and extended school year programs.
Our school district's mission statement states that "RCSD creates...a joyful and inclusive environment for all learners." All of this is possible when the school, home, and community work together in partnership. I am looking forward to meeting you at school functions, as you volunteer, and as we work together.
Wishing you all a fantastic school year!
Ms. Jemma Sanchez
1st Day of School
Wednesday, 8/16
Minimum Day
Early Dismissal Thursdays
12:00 TK (until 9/1)
12:30 Kinder (until 9/1)
1:30 Dismissal 1st - 5th
Coffee w/ the Principal/Cafecito
Friday, 9/1
8:20 in the staff room
Important Information
BIRTHDAYS
Our district works hard to create balanced lunches that include whole grains, protein, fruits and vegetables. As such, please do not bring sugary treats to school to celebrate your child's birthday. You are welcome to send non-editable items such as pencils, erasers or fidget toys. Student birthdays are announced during our morning announcements.
DISMISSAL:
TK: 12:00 until September 1st
Kinder: 12:30 until September 1st
1st Grade: 1:30 until September 1st
2nd - 3rd: 2:30 Dismissal
4th - 5th: *2:45 Dismissal
*Please do not arrive for pick up before 2:45. The bell rings at 2:45 and it takes the kids at least five minutes to walk to the pick-up zone. We need to keep traffic moving so that our younger students can be picked up. If you arrive before 2:45, you will be asked to go to the end of the line.
Younger siblings can wait on the grass until 4th/5th are dismissed. They will be watched by the teachers on duty. The system only works if we ALL follow the rules.
COVID-19 POLICIES AND PROCEDURES:
Parents are to complete a self-reporting form when a student tests positive for COVID-19 (link below). Our office staff is happy to assist you in filling out the form if help is needed. Once you complete the reporting form, you will receive an automatic response with the isolation guidelines. We do ask that you continue calling the school office to report your child's absences.
Self-Reporting Form:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScjT9TpUXTf0y3VMe5wQVsniMkUB4MWDkd2NlAQJ-BqWYKhPQ/viewform
Covid Test kits will be sent home with students on the first day of school to use as needed.
Feel free to email StudentCOVIDResponse@rcsdk8.net with any questions.
RESOURCES
Henry Ford Parent & Student Handbook:
English: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jwgJaeQMRcZqZ_tro_AL-IHl4R5gNQJH/view
EspaƱol: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mtPQ6CHoJrHwa9rIV3TUmkHsCh2lPOAJ/view
School Breakfast/Lunch Menu
https://www.myschoolmenus.com/organizations/1184
Volunteer Requirements:
https://www.rcsdk8.net/careers/volunteer
After School Programs:
REACH: mstewart@redwoodcity.org
Catalyst Kids: BHuss@catalystkids.org
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