Dolphin Newsletter
January 21, 2022
Clifford families,
We are so grateful for your kindness and warmth during these last couple of weeks. Our staff and teachers have been so hard at work in the classrooms, office and all over campus, and they are making learning fun and engaging even during this surge of Covid that has kept our attendance down much more than usual. Thank you for your encouragement during this time. It's so nice to be a part of a community that recognizes the value, the time, and the effort that our staff always puts into their job, but especially in these harder times where flexibility is the name of the game. We're so honored by the commitment of our staff, and the partnership with our family community. We truly have made the best of a difficult situation, and these pictures demonstrate that the show must go on. Kids are so happy to be at school, and we are grateful and honored to have them here in person. This is just a small snapshot of the beautiful things that are happening in every room on our campus.
If there are things you are interested to see in the Family Connection Corner section of the newsletter, please email Tiffany Parrish @ tparrish@rcsdk8.net, and she will try to include it the next newsletter.
With Gratitude,
Jude Noyes & Tiffany Parrish
Family Connection Corner!
Ms. Mairani's Kindergarten students hard at work on their writing skills before lunch.
TK students created beautiful pieces of art practicing their letters and name
Mr. Reilly works with a small group of students.
Ms. Smith's class works hard on iReady while Ms. Smith meets with individual students.
Mr. Chun Hoon working with students on writing.
Ms. Carolina helps some students in Mr. Chun Hoon's classroom.
Ms. Curtis' class works on independent tasks while some classmates finish a test.
Ms. Chance (our 7/8 grade ELA sub) reads "The Outsiders" with an 8th grade class.
Ms. Costa's 3rd grade class gets a Project Cornerstone lesson from a parent volunteer.
Our 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
Calendar Items
- Mon, Jan 24- 8:30 AM Principal Chat- Link Passcode: Dolphins
- Mon, Jan 24- RCSD Reclassification Ceremony 6:30 PM |Link| Password: rcsd22
- Tue, Jan 25- School Site Council Meeting 6:00 PM |Link| |Agenda|
- Thur, Jan 27- PTO Meeting 7:00 PM |Link|
- Tue, Feb 1- Mar 1- Black History Month
February 18th- Minimum Day- Thursday Schedule
February 21st-25st- President's Week No School for Students
March 8- End of Trimester 2
Mar 22- Clifford Vision Screening
How To Create A Calm Down Corner At Home
Cyberbullying & Internet Safety
As parents/guardians we want to ensure our children's safety in all that they do. In today's world our children have access to technology and with it comes great responsibility. Unfortunately, not all people on the other side of the screen are kind. Cyberbullying can take place in many different ways on the internet. Please use the tips and links below to learn more about how to keep your kids safe on the internet and to protect them from Cyberbullying.
Tips for your kids- 3 Things to Protect Yourself from Cyberbullying:
1. Make sure mom(s) and dad(s) /adult caregiver(s) know every time you are online
2. Only play games online or chat with friends you and your parents/caregivers know
3. Let your mom(s) and/or dad(s)/adult caregiver(s) know any time someone is mean, rude, or uses foul language with you online
Tip for Parents/guardians How to keep your kids safe Online:
1. Keep computer in common area and make rule about your kids not going online without your permission
2. Make it your business to know who they encounter or talk to online - be close by whenever they are online
3. Remind them to come and tell you when someone is being rude, or uses foul language with them. Most social sites have a way to report and that online behavior must be reported.
Internet Safety Sites that help teach kids and parent(s)/caregiver(s) how to protect against Cyberbullying:
Friends For Life If you would like to report Cyberbullying use this link
Netsmartz Videos for kids and information for parent(s)/caregiver(s) on Cyberbullying and Internet Safety
Common Sense Media Videos for parent(s)/caregiver(s) on Internet Safety
Masks Required!
Dolphin Creed Winners for January TK-5
The names of students below were nominated by their teachers for demonstrating excellence in our Dolphin Creed character traits!
Dolphin Character- Students earning this award show concern and/or sympathy for others, are sensitive to the needs of others, offer support & give their time, talents, and resources to help others, talking positively about others, considering the needs of others, not just their own. They show understanding of others by treating them with compassion, generosity, and a forgiving spirit. These students exemplify the Core Value of Care!
Dolphin Respect—Students earning this award have demonstrated respect for self, others, learning environment and learning. They have good behavior, good attitude, and participate in class on a daily basis. Students earning this award are the most improved students. These students exemplify the Core Values of RESPECT
Dolphin Empathy - Students earning this award have demonstrated care and concern towards other Dolphins. They consistently reach out to others and help them feel cared for. These students exemplify the Core Value of EMPATHY!
Dolphin Eager—Students earning this award exhibit leadership among their peers, earn high grades in all content areas, and are considered a positive role model for their peers. These students are also asking for extra credit and go above and beyond when working on projects and/or special assignments. These students are never tardy between classes and are always ready to learn from bell to bell. These students exemplify the Core Value of being EAGER!
Dolphin Dreamer—Students earning this award are helpful to others, consistent with their work ethic, and are students who try hard in classes. These students set goals and are always looking to the future. These Dolphin Dreamers are not only creative, but they are resourceful and inspire others to think outside the box. The Dolphin Dreamer is gentle by nature and loyal. These students live above their background and don’t let hard times change their course. Even in adversity, they believe they will still be successful! These students exemplify the Core Value of DREAMER!
Our Dolphin Award Winners! Congratulations!
TK Winner
Ms. Lauren- Samantha Donahoe- Empathy
Kindergarten Winners
Ms. Mairani's Class: Miki Sagabaen- Respect
Mrs. Wilkerson's Class: Lucian Santamaria- Eager
Mrs. Sterger's Class: Leah Prindle- Respect
Mr. Goity's Class: Johnell Magtang- Respect
1st Grade Winners
Ms. Smith's - Andrew Preciado Estrada- Respect
Mrs. Keithley- Liv Anderson- Eager
Mr. Reilly's Class- Camilo Sherer- Empathy
Mr. Chun-Hoon- Daniel Torres- Respect
2nd Grade Winners
Ms. Collins's- Travis Marpuri - Empathy
Ms. Fowle's- Spencer Averill- Respect
Ms. Bewley's- Lucca Rutherford- Respect
3rd Grade Winners
Mrs. Overbey's Class- Camila Garcia- Dreamer
Mrs. Costa's Class- Leonardo Landa- Dreamer
Ms. Davis's Class-Sophia Becerril- Respect
4th Grade Winners
Ms. Eaton's Class- Bryan Calderon- Respect
Ms. Cody's Class- Avery Surez- Dreamer
5th Grade Winners
Mrs. Zak's Class- Sophia Chocano- Eager
Ms. Curtis's Class- Ross Campbell- Empathy
Message from our Equity Coach, Natalie Delahunt!
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
Last week at Clifford, many classes came to the Equity Room for lessons on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Students learned about Dr. King’s early life and work in the civil rights movement. I used an ebook entitled “More than Dream,” clips from his March on Washington speech, some picture books, and art lessons to try to give the students a good understanding of his life and activism.
Some of the older students also learned about the Children’s Crusade that Dr. King was involved with. It took place in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1963. I wanted the students to understand the power that young people have. Those students in Birmingham helped bring about the end of segregation in the South. We owe those young students a debt of gratitude.
I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.
Natalie
Self Care
Some Helpful Resources:
www.calm.com/ (may still have a free app for students) Helps with anxiety, sleep habits, focus, etc.
my.life/ Mindfulness practice tailored for you to help with what you’re feeling.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEfs5TJZ6Nk An example of a brief mindful breathing exercise. There are many more. Very helpful for moments of anxiety and to practice daily to maintain calm.
youtu.be/Td6zFtZPkJ4: Yoga with Adriene: she has a lot of yoga videos for kids and students, and for beginners.
It is very important to incorporate time for relaxation every day, not just during periods of stress or anxiety.
A handful of buttons: A Children's Book About Family Diversity, Love and Inclusion.
Not all families are the same. Each family is different, unique and special.
This is the beginning of a children's book about family diversity. What types of families are there? And what special thing makes them a family? These are some of the answers we want to offer to encourage tolerance towards others. Link to purchase the book
"Struggling To Discuss Tough Topics With A Kid? Here Are Books That Might Help"
February Break Camp
Register with RWC Little League!
Helpful Links
- Covid testing in our community
- RCSD Covid Testing for Students & Staff
- Roadmap to Learning Safely
- RCSD Peachjar Fliers
- School Lunch Menu
- Clifford is an NUA school. Learn more about NUA here
- 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
Reporting Student Illness/Absences
Help Clifford While you Shop on Amazon!
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://www.rcsdk8.net/clifford
Location: 225 Clifford Avenue, Redwood City, CA, USA
Phone: 650-482-2402