Clifford Newsletter
2.4.22
Principal's Message
Hello Clifford families,
Here we are at the beginning of February, but it has felt so much like spring. It has been great to have the kids eating outside and enjoying the weather that we value so much here in our Bay Area home. We are happy to report that our Covid positive rates have dropped drastically in the last two weeks and we are looking ahead to much brighter days ahead, full of negative tests!
This month, our students look forward to Valentine's Day activities in class to celebrate friendship and kindness, and they also look forward to the break that follows the next week, when we celebrate President's Day. February has just begun, but we know in a blink it will be over and we'll be approaching the end of trimester 2. Please remind your kiddos to keep up their hard work over the next few weeks as they wrap up this second trimester. We have a lot of exciting activities ahead.
This newsletter has important nuts and bolts information, so please make sure you take a couple of minutes to review some important items for your information.
Jude & Tiffany
Covid Testing
Calendar
- Tue, Feb 1- Mar 1- Black History Month
- February 7- Principal Chat 8:30 |Link| Password: Dolphins
- February 8- Disability Awareness Meeting 7:00 PM |Link to reg. and Meeting|
- February 9- RCSD School Board Meeting 7:00 PM |Agenda| |Link|
- February 14-18- Spirit Week!
- February 17- PTO Meeting 7PM |Link|
- February 13-19- Random Acts of Kindness Week! (Start on the 13th! Link)
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 TK/K, 2nd, 5th, 8th
Children’s Books for Black History Month
Brown Girl Dreaming
Dreamland Burning
Chains
Unbound
Gone Crazy in Alabama
Jefferson's Sons
Freedom in Congo Square
Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat
Josephine: The Dazzling Life of Josephine Baker
Hair Love | Oscar®-Winning Short Film (Full) | Sony Pictures Animation
Black Heros
Message from our Equity Coach, Natalie!
Dear parents & guardians,
First, let me wish you a happy belated Lunar New Year to all those who celebrate. Second, happy Black History Month. I’m so excited to share with you all the wonderful things Clifford has planned for the month.
On Monday we began sharing knowledge about notable Black heroes over the loudspeaker. We will be doing this each school day morning in February. Various members of our staff JEDI (justice, equity, diversity, inclusion) team will read information about that day’s hero. While they are reading, teachers will be showing the corresponding images of the person to the students in the classrooms.
As a way for our students to learn more about Black history (and also to have some fun), we will be having a door decorating contest. We will have winners in the following three categories: K-2, 3-5, and middle school social studies. The winner in each category will receive a pizza party. This is an opportunity for learning and creativity. On the 18th of February, right before February break, we will have a school-wide walk to view the doors. The winners will also be announced on the 18th.
Next week, a member of the middle school Black Student Union or I will be going to the TK- First grade rooms to read a story for Black History Month. This picture book will be a story that celebrates Black joy. The Second through Fifth-grade teachers will have other Black History Month learning opportunities with me with lessons around Black artists and inventors.
I’m so honored to be part of a community that is celebrating Black history in such a meaningful way.
Have a great weekend!
Natalie
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
Clifford was recognized as a Kindness Certified School 2022!
SPRING CAMP SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM! Digital Media Academy
One Thousand Full Scholarships Available for Spring 2022!
Digital Media Academy is offering 1000 full scholarships for their virtual spring break camps that focus on various digital enrichment topics from coding to digital music
Supporting talented young learners to level up their tech passion. Don’t miss this opportunity, courses running from March 14th to April 14th, for students ages 9-18.
Application ends on March 4th, 2022
We need new parent members on the Clifford School Site Council for School Years 2022-2024
Interested in helping PTO plan, organize, fundraise or set up for our Annual PTO Auction?
Interested in helping PTO plan, organize, fundraise or set up for our Annual PTO Auction?
All help is needed! Please contact Jennifer Erskine at jennerskine2412@gmail.com.
The PTO would love for more volunteers - Fundraising, Staff Appreciation, Communication Lead, Treasurer, President positions and more are needed for this upcoming year! Please contact Jennifer Erskine at jennerskine2412@gmail.com. Any participation is welcome!
Next PTO Meeting - February 17th. Additional information to follow.
SAVE THE DATE! Clifford School Auction - April 16th. Additional information to follow.
Clifford School and San Carlos Children’s Theater Present Annie Jr!!!
On Stage
March 11-13, 2022
Mustang Hall
828 Chestnut Street, San Carlos
See Flyer Attached Below
The Clifford School's production of Annie could use your business' support. Consider placing a Full Page Ad, Half Page Ad or Business Card Ad in our play program. These ads will help us break even for the cost of the play. For more information email Praj Kulkami at pxk161@gmail.com
YMCA Project Cornerstone 2022 ANNUAL CAMPAIGN
Ms. Smith's Class!
Math Class and Building Arrays 3rd Grade- Mrs. Overbey!
Ms. Collins 2nd Grade! Engaged in NUA work comparing cultures/characters
Clifford Disability Equity Meeting
The committee will be dedicated to raising awareness of the disability experience, learning about disability history and pride, the respecting of people’s identities and dismantling the stigma around disabilities. We will organize in-person and virtual interactive events and activities for students and the whole community. We will also create a library of information, including books, flyers, articles and videos as educational resources for our community. Please join us for our first meeting on Tuesday, February 8th at 7pm. We will have Sam Drazin, a founder and executive director of Changing Perspectives do a short presentation for our community. All are welcome to attend!
Reach a child. Touch a Family. Build a community.
Join our community of volunteers to provide one-on-one tutoring and mentoring to a Clifford 1st grade student for 45 minutes per week. Volunteer tutors work with students after school hours at the school library, helping with reading, writing, math facts, homework, and/or skill building.
Don’t worry if you don’t have tutoring experience, we provide training!
Help a younger Clifford student gain academic confidence and improve their self esteem.
Tutoring hours count for community service hours requirements.
Sign Up NOW!!!
For more information visit https://healthycities.site/ or contact:
Janelle Gibson, HCT Program Coordinator
415-793-1064 / janelle@healthycitiestutoring.org
Alex Otis, HCT Program Coordinator
347-241-7894 / Alex@healthycitiestutoring.org
Earn money for Clifford School when you make purchases on Amazon!
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
Clifford School
Jude Noyes-Principal
Tiffany Parrish- Assistant Principal
"We can help the profession to craft a better hero narrative. In doing so, we can craft better heroes...not just for the students that we hope to teach but for the world that we hope to build." - Cornelius Minor
Email: jnoyes@rcsdk8.net
Website: https://www.rcsdk8.net/clifford
Location: 225 Clifford Avenue, Redwood City, CA, USA
Phone: 650-482-2402