Superintendent's Newsletter
November 2019
From the Desk of Superintendent Dr. John Baker:
Dear RCSD Community,
Every November, the week before Thanksgiving, our nation celebrates American public schools and the job we do setting our students on the path to success.
As we come to the end of this American Education Week, I reflect on the good work we are doing in our school district despite many challenges. This is a very different November for RCSD compared to November of 2018. One year ago, we were working together as one community fighting for the future of our school district. One year later, during this year of transition, our budget is in much better shape. We have earned a positive certification from the San Mateo County Office of Education and we are finalizing agreements to lease our vacant sites. I am aware we still need to move forward towards our goals, which is why I call this 2019-20 school year a year in transition. But we are on our way and we are building a better RCSD.
We are proud of the work we are doing but we also recognize that this work is never done. As educators in RCSD and throughout the nation, communities depend on us to educate the future leaders of tomorrow. This year’s theme for American Education Week is “Reach. Educate. Inspire.” … which are three things our teachers, staff, and leaders truly do in every classroom on every campus. Our teachers reach our students and meet them at their individualized levels in order to support them as well as challenge them. They educate and engage them daily to prepare them for the future. They inspire them to believe in themselves and to reach their full potential. Our teachers do this work with an army of support staff who carry out the daily operations that are the cornerstone for the magical teaching and learning that is happening in the classroom. All of us, including our parents and community members, play a key role in the success of every RCSD child. I am deeply appreciative of the time and effort given to our students. We will always strive to be and to provide the very best for the children in our community.
I would like to close out American Education Week and celebrate Thanksgiving by thanking you - our entire RCSD community - you are the ones who make our school district the great organization it is.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
John Baker
Superintendent
RCSD News and Headlines
District Invites You to Serve on Citizens Oversight Committees
Redwood City School District (RCSD) invites its community to learn more about the operations of the district by serving on oversight committees. RCSD currently has two open seats; one for the Measure T Citizens Oversight Committee and the other for the Measure U Citizens Oversight Committee.
Measure T:
The Measure T Citizens Bond Oversight Committee (CBOC) is to inform the public concerning the expenditure of district proceeds. The CBOC is required by state law to actively review and report on the proper expenditure of taxpayers’ money for school construction.
Measure T is a bond measure that was approved by voters in 2015 to upgrade and modernize schools.
Individuals interested in serving can apply by filling out this application. All applications should be completed by end of the day on Friday, December 13, 2019.
Measure U:
The Measure U Citizens Oversight Committee (COC) is to inform the public concerning the expenditure of district parcel tax proceeds. The COC is required to actively review and report on the proper expenditure of taxpayers’ money for parcel tax funds.
Measure U is a 2016 voter-approved education parcel tax to help continue funding strong academic programs and classroom instruction.
Individuals interested in serving can apply by filling out this application. All applications should be completed by end of the day on Friday, December 13, 2019.
Applicants for either committee must reside within Redwood City School District (RCSD) and must not be an employee, contractor, consultant, or vendor of the school district. The successful applicants will serve a two-year or three-year term that will extend from the date of appointment in 2019.
More than 160 Students Become English Language Proficient
More than 160 Redwood City School District (RCSD) students, who grew up speaking a language other than English at home, participated in the school district’s Reclassification Ceremony this week. This school year, 164 students met the California requirements for English proficiency.
Reclassification is the process in which a student who is classified as an English Learner (EL) demonstrates English language proficiency. Students need to be proficient in English to ensure continued success in school, high school, college, and beyond.
Students in California who receive English Learner services must meet the English Language Proficiency Assessments of California (ELPAC) requirements to be reclassified.
In RCSD, students speak more than 35 languages at home including Arabic, Mandarin, Polish, Russian, Samoan, Spanish, and Vietnamese.
Healthy Schools Initiative: Vaping Prevention and Education
Did you know? Each year, the Sequoia Healthcare District Healthy Schools Initiative provides $1.85 Million in school-based programs to RCSD such as our nurses, counseling programs, physical education, education outside, and much more. RCSD is grateful to this partner as these are services the school district could not otherwise offer from its general fund due to California’s funding challenges. In this 2019 Fall Healthy Schools Initiative newsletter, read about vaping prevention and education as well as some tips for parents.
Key Dates for 2020-21 Enrollment Are Coming Up!
For Your Calendar:
November 25 and 26: Parent Teacher Conferences: No School
November 27: No School
November 28 and 29: Thanksgiving Holiday: No School
December 10: Coffee with the Superintendent: Henry Ford Elementary School - 8:30 am
December 11: Coffee with the Superintendent: Roy Cloud School - 8:30 am
December 11: Board Meeting at District Office - 7pm
December 20-January 6: Winter Break: No School
January 7: Planning Day: No School
January 8: Students Return to School
Redwood City School District
Website: www.rcsdk8.net
Location: 750 Bradford St, Redwood City, CA, USA
Phone: (650) 482-2200
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RedwoodCitySchoolDistrict
Twitter: @RWCSchools