Dolphin Newsletter
5.20.22
Dear families,
We are busy this time of year at school! So much going on! Please make sure to read through this newsletter as it contains a lot of information!
Jude & Tiffany
Calendar May/June
May 1- May 31st- Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Monday, May 16 - School Site Council Meeting
Tuesday, May 24- Open House (in person)
- TK-5th Grade: 6:00-6:45
- 6th-8th Grade: 6:45-7:30
Wednesday, May 25- PTO meeting 7:00 PM in person (Hybrid Link)
Wednesday, May 25- MOVE-A-THON!!
Monday, May 30 - Memorial Day Holiday - No School
Tuesday, May 31- All assignments for 6-8 grade students are DUE
Wednesday, June 1- 6-8th Academic & Character awards 10:00 AM
Friday, June 3- 8TH GRADE CHROMEBOOKS MUST BE TURNED IN TO 1ST PERIOD TEACHERS.
Wednesday, June 1 - RCSD Board Meeting 7PM |Link| rcsdbot (Password)
Friday, June 3- 8th Grade Graduation Dance 6-8 PM
Monday, June 6- 8th Grade Great America Field Trip! 9-5
Tuesday, June 7- 8th Grade Activity/Picnic at the Park!
Wednesday, June 6-8 - Early Dismissal Days (Thursday Schedule)
Wednesday, June 8 - 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony 6:00 PM @ SUHS Gym!
Thursday, June 9- 8th Grade Breakfast in the MUB 8:30-11:30
Thursday, June 9- Last day of school! Super minimum day! 11:30 Dismissal for all!
8th Grade Graduation Details...
About Graduation:
- Wednesday, June 8 2022 at 6:00 PM @ 1201 Brewster Ave, Redwood City, Ca. 94062
- Grads arrive at Sequoia High School Gym 1 at 5:15 to prepare
- Graduation will begin promptly at 6:00 PM
- Parking is available but limited (plan ahead)
- Limit guests to 5-8 guests per family
- Masks are strongly encouraged
Graduation Attire:
Graduates are encouraged to wear the cap and gown for the 2022 Commencement Ceremony, which will be delivered to students either before graduation at Clifford or during their arrival on 6/8 at 5:15.
Day of Graduation:
School will still be in session on the day of graduation. 8th grade students are expected to attend school on 6/8. 6/8 is a minimum day- it will be a Thursday schedule.
Please Note: No air horns, noise making machines or balloons which block others view of the ceremony .
Seating:
Seating at the Commencement Ceremony is on a first come, first serve basis. ADA accessible seating is available. General seating begins at 5:15
Diploma:
Your child will be handed their diploma at the graduation ceremony. However, if your student has not turned in their Chromebook, they won't receive it until their Chromebook is turned in to the teacher or the main office.
**We do our best to ensure all information is accurate on the diploma, however if you see anything that is not correct, please let the Clifford office staff know and it will be corrected.
Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, during which we celebrate the Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders whose rich heritage has shaped the history of the United States while having their lives dramatically influenced by moments in its history.
API Heritage Month - known as Asian Pacific American Heritage month until 2009 - recognizes the 22.2 million Asians and 1.6 million Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander communities in the United States.
In 1992, New York Congressmen Frank Hortin introduced the bill that called for the month of May to officially be designated Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month. The idea for the month originated with Jeanie F. Jew, a staff person on Capitol Hill at the time and a board member of the Organization of Chinese Americans. With celebrations for Black History Month and Hispanic Heritage month already in place, Jeanie F. Jew was concerned about the lack of recognition given to Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.
The month of May was selected for two reasons: first, to commemorate the arrival of the first known Japanese immigrant to the U.S. on May 7, 1843; second, to honor the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869, which upwards of 20,000 Chinese workers helped to construct. The month pays tribute to the generations of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who have enriched United States history and are instrumental in its future success.
Act To Change-#ActToChange-
Have you been bullied or know someone who has? Been teased for the way you look, what you wear, what you eat, where you’re from, how you talk, or other stereotypes? It’s not okay. Know that you are not alone and together we can make a difference. Learn about it. Talk about it. Stop it.
Bullying, including within the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community, has severe social, mental, and physical consequences on youth. These range from feelings of isolation, internalized self-hate, and even suicide.
Eyes that Kiss in the Corners by Joanna Ho
Drawn Together by Minh Le
YouTube Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9o_4YUF-vw
Ojiichan's Gift by Chieri Uegaki
The Move-A-Thon is NEXT WEEK!
The Move-A-Thon!
If you havn't already signed-up, there is still time. Simply visit mybooster.com and register your student(s). Currently leading the classes is 1st grade, followed closely by 4th grade and 2nd grade. Thank you to all our families that are already participating--every donation will support our Clifford PTO to fund programs in the upcoming year!
Move-A-Thon Logistics
On Wednesday, May 25, 2022, send your student in sporty attire with closed toed shoes. Clifford t-shirts and sweatshirts are always welcome as well. Students will go to class as normal and then will attend 1 of 3 sessions in the mid-morning. Parents are welcome to come cheer on their students during the Move-a-Thon sessions.
- Session 1 (Grades 3-5): 10:00am-10:35am
- Session 2 (Grades TK-2): 10:35am-11:10am
- Session 3 (Grades 6-8): 11:10am-11:45am
If you would like to volunteer, we would LOVE your help. We need help with set up (9am-10am), during each session (keep kids motivated and having fun, passing out popsicles at the end), and with a QUICK clean-up (11:45am-11:55am). Sign-up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0C49ADAC28A6F49-moveathon
Thank you to all our families for helping to make this year's Move-A-Thon a BIG success.
For questions, email: Sarah La Torra @ sarahlatorra@yahoo.com
Sincerely,
Clifford PTO
May is Mental Health Awareness Month!
Message from our Mental Health Counselour, Renee
Happy Mental Health Awareness Month! This year returning to campus full time has been a large adjustment for many of our children. Many students had fears and worries about returning to campus from being away for so long. Although fears and worries are typical in children and teens, extreme and persistent fears or worries could be due to anxiety. This year at Clifford it has been a group effort from the teachers, support staff, administration, and mental health providers to help to the students, including mindfulness techniques and calming corners in each classroom, in providing ways and spaces to self-sooth when feeling anxious.
One of my favorite mindfulness practices is Starfish Breathing which uses the sensations of breathing and touch to settle the mind and body. This technique to perfect for children because it can be done anytime and anyplace with zero supplies needs. Once your child first notices feelings of worry, fear, or an “icky” feeling in their stomachs, this would be a good time to prompt them to use Starfish Breathing, or even join in with them to mirror the activity and support them in self-soothing. I have included a diagram below to show the practice, but your child may even be able to teach you!
The CDC also recommends these four things that you as caregivers can be providing outside of the classroom to help in leading a healthy lifestyle which can support in managing anxiety symptoms:
Having a healthy eating plan centered on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes (for example, beans, peas, and lentils), lean protein sources, and nuts and seeds
Participating in physical activity for at least 60 minutes each day
Getting the recommended amount of sleep each night based on age
Practicing mindfulness or relaxation techniques
Hope you all get a chance to put these practices in place. Have a safe one!
~Renee Rodriguez, LCSW, Mental Health Counselor
Parent Education Opportunities
Understanding Severe Mental Health Conditions in Children and Youth
Steve Smith, PhD, Clinical Psychologist, Professor of Psychology, UCSB
Tuesday, May 24, 2022, 5:30pm – 6:30pm PDT, Online Event (Live)
Register: https://stevesmith2022smcoe.eventbrite.com
Mental health is an important part of children’s overall health and well-being. What should parents know about severe mental health concerns like anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, psychosis, and more?
Join Steve Smith, PhD, Clinical Psychologist, Professor of Psychology, UC Santa Barbara, to understand more about severe mental health conditions in children and youth.
Parents/caregivers, educators, mental health professionals, and community members welcome! Free admission. Simultaneous Spanish interpretation will be available.
This special event is sponsored by generous donors from Mills-Peninsula Hospital Foundation and San Mateo County Office of Education, in partnership with The Parent Venture.
Questions? Contact Charlene Margot, MA, Co-Founder and CEO, The Parent Venture (The Parent Education Series), at cmargot@parentventure.org.
June 2, 2022 @ 6PM in the MUB- For new kinder families and Clifford families with new kinders!
Dear new Clifford families! & Families with New Kinders beginning school!
We are excited to welcome you to our in person kindergarten information night! You'll have an opportunity to learn more about Clifford and our kindergarten program. You'll get to meet our kinder teachers and ask them questions! We will have a virtual option for families to log in to view and listen to the presentation. This is such an exciting time for your little one and we are excited for them. This is also a great opportinity to meet other kinder families and make connections before school begins in August.
**Note, that this meeting is not mandatory, however we'd love for you to join if you are able to make it. This is an adult only event as this informational session is geared towards adults.
We are hoping you'll join us either online or in person! Looking forward to meeting you all on June 2 at 5 in the gym at Clifford School!
Virtual Link for Families Logging in!
Join Zoom Meeting https://rcsdk8-net.zoom.us/j/89727067420?pwd=sNLD5NY3wxBAzfx_Doy2lnr0Mqse_h.1
Meeting ID: 897 2706 7420
Passcode: Dolphins
One tap mobile +16699006833,,89727067420#,,,,*04194913# US (San Jose) +12532158782,,89727067420#,,,,*04194913# US (Tacoma) Dial by your location +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose) +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) +1 929 436 2866 US (New York) +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC) +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) Meeting ID: 897 2706 7420 Passcode: 04194913 Find your local number: https://rcsdk8-net.zoom.us/u/kcTGn40iur
Helpful Links
As we have seen a uptick in COVID cases over the past few weeks, here are some reminders:
- Wearing a mask indoors is "Strongly Recommended".
- Stay Home When Sick and get tested (see attached policy).
- Vaccination-see San Mateo County Vaccination Calendar
- Free at home test kits: Order free here
Redwood City Summer Camps 2022
PAL Summer Program: Summer Camp
Submit Student Vaccination Information
If you would like to submit your child's COVID vaccination information to RCSD, please fill out this Google Form.
San Mateo County Pandemic Recovery Framework
The San Mateo County Pandemic Recovery Framework provides school leaders with the health, education, and legal guidance needed to develop local plans for providing safe on-campus instruction and learning. It combines guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), California Department of Public Health (CDPH), and San Mateo County Health to support TK-12 schools in implementing public health guidance.
- 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
Parents/Guardians can now use this Google form to report their child(ren) absent. Please follow this link to the form and bookmark it for easy reference!
Clifford School
Email: jnoyes@rcsdk8.net
Website: https://www.rcsdk8.net/clifford
Location: 225 Clifford Avenue, Redwood City, CA, USA
Phone: 650.482.2402