Mustang Gazette

I hope you enjoyed your Thanksgiving Break and were able to spend time with family and friends. I managed to set aside some time to create a gratitude list and Henry Ford was at the top! Thank you for your partnership and for trusting me to care for your children. I am very grateful to be part of the Henry Ford community.

As you know, this is a very busy time of year. Our 5th graders are currently enjoying their time at Outdoor Ed, our kindergartners are making Gingerbread Houses and we will be hosting our first Winter Concert. Despite the excitement that comes with the holidays, students will continue to receive quality instruction, so please be sure to send your child to school every day unless they are sick.

What is WIN? You may have heard about WIN from your child or from their teacher. WIN, which stands for "What I Need", is a 30 minute block of time dedicated to targeted instruction. We have three WIN periods per day, one for kindergarten, another for 1st - 2nd grade, and a block for 3rd - 5th grade. Each block is 30 minutes long and is held on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays right after lunch.

During WIN, all certificated staff members work with students. This includes our Resource Teachers, Administration and Support Staff. The lessons taught during this time are designed to meet students individual needs and move them to grade level and beyond. There are approximately 30 different "WIN groups", with an average of 3 - 5 students per group. All together, over 120 students receive small group intervention on a regular basis!

Students who are not pulled during WIN receive targeted instruction from their teacher in a reduced class size setting (10 - 15 students). Similar to the intervention groups, students receive instruction designed to meet their current performance levels to ensure growth. Students are assessed every six to eight weeks. Teachers monitor growth and use the data to make changes to the groups and/or instruction accordingly.

COVID-19 POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

Flu and COVID vaccination appointments are available on https://myturn.ca.gov/. You can also schedule vaccination appointments at local pharmacies such as CVS, Safeway, Albertsons, Walgreens, and through primary care providers. If you’re not feeling well, stay home and test yourself for COVID.

AFTER SCHOOL ENRICHMENT

Keep a look for all of the new winter enrichment classes being offered this winter! Information will be posted on Classdojo and sent home in the Thursday folders.

NUTRITION

In addition to creating a nurturing learning environment, Henry Ford works hard to promote healthy habits. Every student receives 40 - 50 minutes of PE twice a week. During PE, students stretch, run and play organized games. Our district is working hard to create balanced lunches that include whole grains, protein, fruits and vegetables. As such, we ask that you avoid sending sugary treats to school to celebrate your child's birthday and consider healthy options or non-editable items such as pencils, erasers or fidget toys.

KINDER TOURS:

Tours for incoming kinder families are being held every Tuesday and Thursday at 8:30. Tours start November 8th and run through January 10th. Please contact the office to register (650) 482-2404.

DISMISSAL

Student Safety: Please use the crosswalk!

RESOURCES

Henry Ford Parent & Student Handbook:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BrtCumS110jSy8bohAcxQgNzxDEZDUB6/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=103157373239344590510&rtpof=true&sd=true

School Breakfast/Lunch Menu

https://www.myschoolmenus.com/instance/1175/district/1184/school/9278/menu/32077

Volunteer Requirements:

https://www.rcsdk8.net/careers/volunteer

After School Programs:

REACH: mstewart@redwoodcity.org

Catalyst Kids: BHuss@catalystkids.org

WINTER CONCERT:

Please join us for our first ever Multi-Cultural Winter Concert! The event is being held at McKinley Middle School (400 Duane Street, Redwood City) in the theater. No tickets required. Each grade level is going to sing one song. Students have been practicing at school. Please plan to arrive early so that students are ready to be on stage promptly at 6:00. Your child's classroom teacher will send home more details as we get closer to show time!

Considerations for school and child care communities affected by COVID, Influenza, and RSV during 2022-23 Winter

Families and schools can successfully prevent upper respiratory infections (URIs) caused by viruses common in colder months. The sharp rise of influenza and RSV activity in San Mateo County, along with increasing COVID transmission in California, will cause many children to feel ill, with some requiring medical attention. The following considerations can inform school policies, procedures, and communications with their communities.

Which viruses are circulating in San Mateo County?

While COVID transmission is still infecting many people in San Mateo County, there has also been a sharp increase of two other important respiratory viruses – influenza (“High” level in CA) and RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus). Other respiratory viruses are typically milder, causing uncomfortable “common cold” respiratory-tract symptoms for 1-2 weeks.

How can we prevent infections and severe disease?

Vaccination with the updated COVID booster and the annual flu vaccine are effective at preventing infections and very effective at preventing severe disease.

Limiting exposure to respiratory droplets is another effective prevention strategy, especially while respiratory viruses are circulating widely.

• Large droplets (carrying influenza, RSV, or COVD virus) can settle onto surfaces and objects and are spread by close contact. Prevention strategies: wash hands, avoid touching your face, cover coughs, and clean surfaces.

• Very small droplets (carrying COVID virus) are exhaled into the air and can travel more than six feet. Prevention strategies: limit the number of people indoors, improve ventilation (opening multiple doors and windows), and wear a mask (N95 mask is the most protective).

  What are the symptoms of respiratory infections?

  Symptoms caused by the many respiratory viruses are similar, which may include runny nose, cough, and sore throat.

  COVID and influenza viruses infect the respiratory tract (nose, throat, lungs) and can also severely affect other parts of the body, causing fatigue, headache, muscle/body aches, nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, and/or fever. For COVID-19 and flu infections, tests and antiviral drugs are available and especially useful for people who are at increased risk of complications (e.g., older adults, people with certain underlying medical conditions, people who are pregnant). People who are concerned with worsening symptoms and those with underlying medical conditions should consult with their health care provider.

RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms. Although most people recover in a week or two, RSV can be serious, especially for infants and older adults. RSV is the most common cause of bronchiolitis (inflammation of the small airways in the lung) and pneumonia (infection of the lungs) in children younger than 1 year of age in the United States. Some may need to be hospitalized if they are having trouble breathing or are dehydrated. There is no vaccine or antiviral treatment for RSV.

What should I do if my school-age child has symptoms of a respiratory infection?

1. Keep your child home until symptoms are mild and improving (and at least 5-10 days for COVID). This includes waiting until 24 hours have passed since resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications. On average, people are contagious with COVID for about 8 days after their symptoms begin. People with flu are most contagious in the first 3-4 days of illness. People with RSV are usually contagious for 3-8 days.

2. Test for COVID. If your child has symptoms, test immediately. There are two main types of viral tests: antigen tests and PCR tests. Antigen tests are more commonly used and do not require a professional to administer.

   • Antigen tests are rapid tests which produce results in 15-30 minutes. These self- tests for COVID are conveniently available, including over-the-counter in retail stores and pharmacies. Tests cost $7 - $12, and are reimbursable through your health insurance. Most schools have antigen tests available for students at no cost.

   • PCR tests are performed in laboratories. Information about PCR tests is available through healthcare providers and https://covid19.ca.gov/get-tested/.

     If your child has worrisome symptoms or is at high-risk for severe disease, contact a health care provider who can test for COVID, influenza, RSV and other illnesses.

3. Wear a mask to protect classmates. While COVID guidelines recommend that infected persons wear a well-fitting mask around others for a total of 10 days, masking also prevents infections by other respiratory viruses. Students who have returned to school with some mild and improving symptoms, such as runny nose and cough, should wear a mask to protect their classmates from respiratory viruses.

Henry Ford is a neighborhood school that celebrates the diversity of its kindergarten through fifth grade students. Our commitment is to meet the needs of all students by providing the academic, social, and emotional successes that are essential to the development of a child's potential.

Email: jknopf@rcsdk8.net
Website: https://www.rcsdk8.net/henryford
Location: 2498 Massachusetts Avenue, Redwood City, CA 94061, USA
Phone: 650.482.2404
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HenryFordSchool