RHS Spotlight: September 21st, 2020
School Site Council Establishment Meeting,THU 9/24, @5:15 pm
AHHH! Breathe in fresh air
Dear Redwood Heights Community,
We hope this message finds you well and that you are taking in some fresh air and outdoor activities under the blue skies. What a relief to see green air quality index rating on Air Now. The good news is that many of the fires burning in the Bay Area are contained. It's a great relief to get a break from the wildfire, orange, smokey, ash filled air that has impacted the Bay Area for a month.
The students' social/emotional connection to their peers and teachers are paramount during distance learning. Even though connections will be through ZOOM, I'm thankful that we have a space for students to hang out, connect with each other and meet peers. The RHS Staff, Ms. Jennifer, and I are excited about our virtual RHS SEL Checkins & Lunch Bunch that will begin with in the next two weeks. We are also excited about our HUGS Interns that will begin connecting with students as well. We are thinking of ways to keep it fun and engaging. Below is a message from Jennifer Wilson, descriptions of our parent support gatherings, and bios of this years HUGS interns.
Thank you again for recognizing the fluidity of the situation as we all continue to adjust and pivot during these relentless challenging times.
Please complete the Parent Engagement and Wellness Survey to help us determine how best to support your wellness too.
Warmly,
Principal Bagby
Dear Parents/Caregivers - You are invited to attend the 2020-21 School Site Council Establishment Meeting,
Join Zoom Meeting https://ousd.zoom.us/j/82923250886?pwd=c2lPTXAxc3Fuc1d3NGdIYS9lZEJRZz09
Meeting ID: 829 2325 0886 Passcode: 377663
Thursday, September 24, 2020 @ 5:15 pm. All are welcome to participate in the election process.
THIS IS A CALL FOR SELF NOMINATIONS: If interested complete the RHS School Site Council (SSC) Nomination Form
School Site Council (SSC) is a mandated advisory body created by the federal government to support students who are most at risk
The SSC is a school-community representative body made up of the Principal, Teachers, Other School Personnel, Parents, Community Members and Students. All schools that receive federal or state categorical funding are required to have a School Site Council to give input and help decide how to spend categorical funds.
We are making an effort to recruit and engage parents from traditionally historically underserved populations identified in our School Site Council Bylaws and
identified by the District and those targeted by LCFF legislation (OUSD LCAP Website ), specifically parents of…
- Foster Youth
- English Learners
- Students with Disabilities
- African American
- Latino
- those eligible for free and reduced lunch.
In light of the recent political tension and racism fueling the Black Lives Matter protest, Our Redwood Heights SSC will be guided by OUSD’s 20/21 Commitment….
We are committed to working relentlessly and unapologetically to become an anti-racist and equity-driven school system. This means that we center our decision-making, resources and instruction to address the needs and lift up the assets of our most marginalized students and families. We hold this stance as we open the 2020-21 school year.
OUSD Equity Goals:
- Eliminate the correlation between social and cultural factors and probability of success
- Examine biases, interrupt & eliminate inequitable practices, and create inclusive & just conditions for all students
- Discover and cultivate the unique gifts, talents, and interests that every student possesses.
During our SSC Meetings we will review the
OUSD Racial Equity and Healing Task Force Focus of Study:
- Bias, Trauma & Relationships
- Culturally Responsive Practices
- Anti-racist Educator Practices
- Equitable Family & Student Engagement
- Healing Centered Restorative Justice
- History & White Supremacy
The School Site Council helps develop and approves the Single Plan for Student Achievement (SPSA), reviews specific goals and school improvements, monitors the implementation of the Single Plan and of student achievement, assesses strategies currently in place, works with other school based Advisory groups, and encourages parent, family, and community involvement.
All agendas and minutes are posted for public information and anyone who wishes to come to a council meeting is welcome.
This SSC offers an excellent opportunity for parents, community members, and school staff and administration to work together and plan for the achievement of all students with a mandate to focus on our LCFF target populations. We encourage you to join us in electing your representatives to our Redwood Heights SSC.
In partnership,
Principal Bagby
California Education Code (Section 64001) requires schools that receive state and federal funding to establish a School Site Council (SSC). The major responsibilities of the SSC include the development of a Single Plan for Student Achievement (SPSA), monitoring its implementation, evaluating the results, and making updates as needed.
California Education Code (Section 64001) requires schools that receive state and federal funding to establish a School Site Council (SSC). The major responsibilities of the SSC include the development of a Single Plan for Student Achievement (SPSA), monitoring its implementation, evaluating the results, and making updates as needed.
Time
Agenda Item:
5:15-5:30 - Welcome, Introductions and Agreements
5:30-6:00 - SSC training/Q&A
- Responsibilities of the SSC
- Composition of the SSC
- Focus on target populations: Low Income, English Learners, Foster Youth, African American, Latino, Asian PI, and SPED students
- Selection of members
- Officers
- Bylaws
- Rules of order
- Records
6:00-6:10 - Peer election of members
6:10-6:15 - Election of officers
6:15-6:20 - Approve bylaws
6:20-6:25 - Confirm schedule of future meetings
6:25-6:30 - Next steps/action items
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.
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 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.
CHROMEBOOK NEEDS AND DISTRIBUTION
Below is the protocol for Chromebook pick up or if you need to switch-out hardware:
- Families complete the RHS DIstance Learning Tech and Wellness Survey for our records.
- Pick up the Chromebook (hotspots if available) MON - THU between 8:30 am - 12 noon ( I'm here at the school during these times).
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.
A Panoramic View of 3rd Grade Distance Learning Supply PickUp
our Alameda County Public Health Department website www.acphd.org