Mustang Gazette
SEPTEMBER 2023
Principal's Message
Dear Henry Ford Families,
Congratulations to a smooth start to the 2023-24 school year. Now that your students have adapted to their new grade levels, their teachers, and their routines, we are ready to start our "during the school day" enrichment classes... which are available thanks to all of you who donate/fundraise with the PTA and support school parcel taxes. Below is a brief description of each program we offer during the school day. Every program and the people that run them play an important part of your child's educational and social emotional development.
STEAM
STEAM is an educational discipline that aims to spark an interest and lifelong love of the arts and sciences in children from an early age. Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Math are similar fields of study in that they all involve creative processes and multiple methods for inquiry and investigation.
Students at Henry Ford will have the opportunity to attend a STEAM class on a regular basis. Our goal is to teach relevant, in-demand skills that will prepare them to become 21st century innovators in our ever-evolving world.
Music for Minors
The benefits of music education are immense. Music positively impacts student's academic performance, assists in developing social skills, and provides an outlet for creativity that is crucial to their development. Music education also improves and develops language skills in children. Music stimulates the brain, and with its varied sounds and lyrics, students are exposed to a large amount of vocabulary in a short amount of time. Music also provides exposure to other languages, which creates a foundation for the student’s ability to understand and communicate in a different language.
Students in grades Tk-5th grade receive one music lesson per week from teachers trained in general music, recorders, and classroom management. The curriculum is sequential and varied, including visual aids, props, and instruments. Lessons include singing, listening, reading, theory, movement, dancing, and playing rhythm instruments and recorders.
Art in Action
As our culture and education increase STEM learning, arts helps students develop creativity, ingenuity, communication, and performance skills that will assist them throughout their education and career.
This year, your child will be participating in the Art in Action arts program run by amazing parents like you. The lessons develop students’ critical-thinking skills, creative confidence, hands-on skills, visual literacy, self-esteem, and an appreciation of other cultures. The lessons consist of a 10-15 minute presentation on the work of art and a 45 minute hands on art project that aligns with their common core history standards.
Social Emotional Learning
Social and emotional learning (SEL) provides a foundation for safe and positive learning, and enhances students' ability to succeed in school, careers, and life. School is just one of many environments that offers children an opportunity to become aware of their emotions, show empathy for others, and contribute to the well-being of the community. At Henry Ford, we strive to make sure our students are not only succeeding academically but also develop strong social-emotional skills. Studies show that people with strong social-emotional skills are better able to cope with everyday challenges and benefit academically, professionally, and socially.
---Connections: Here at Henry Ford, our counselors use Connections to teach social emotional learning lessons or SEL to every class on a weekly or bi-weekly basis . During SEL, counselors focus on five core competencies which include self awareness, self management, social awareness, relationship skills and responsible decision making. The purpose of SEL is to help students develop effective problem-solving, self-discipline and emotion management. SEL provides a foundation for positive, long-term effects on kids, adults, and communities.
---Project Cornerstone:Thanks to our parent volunteers, students gets to participate in guided SEL lesson every month through Project Cornerstone. This partnerships empowers all members of our school community (students, parents, caregivers, teachers and staff) to reduce bullying, promote achievement and help all students feel valued and respected. Project Cornerstone also compliments Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports or PBIS, which is being implemented school-wide.
Gardening
We are excited to introduce our new garden program, thanks to our partnership with Climate Corps Education Outside! Through hands-on experiences in the garden, students will learn about a wide range of topics, from soil composition and plant life cycles to food systems and animal habitats. They will also learn how to plant and care for the garden, and how to harvest and
prepare the food that they have grown. In the garden, students can engage with nature, learn about where their food comes from, and develop important life skills. It is a place where students can explore and experiment, make connections across subjects, and cultivate a sense of wonder and awe about the natural world. We hope to see you at a community workday soon—
Library
We want every child at Henry Ford to develop a love of reading! The benefits of reading extend beyond language and literacy skills. Reading books can encourage children to be intellectually curious, inspire problem solving, promote empathy, increase self-esteem, and help them understand the world and connect with people around them.
Every class get to visit our library for 30 minutes, once a week. Students are given time to select a book of their choice. The teacher and our librarian, Beatriz Cerillo, assist students in finding new genres that they are interested in and that are at independent reading levels. During each visit, Beatriz reads a story . The read aloud align with the topics students are working on in their classroom and/or the Heritage of the Month.
PE+
Physical education provides cognitive content and instruction designed to develop motor skills, knowledge, and behaviors for physical activity and physical fitness. Physical education in schools can provide students with the ability and confidence to be physically active for a lifetime. Studies have also shown that regular physical activity improve grades and standardized test scores and helps students stay on-task in the classroom.
Over the last 10 years, the PE+ Program has used sports and fitness to help develop meaningful connections and healthy habits for every student in grades K - 5th. Our school community continue to grow stronger physically, emotionally, socially, and mentally thanks to this partnership.
Monday, 9/4
No School
Thursday, 9/14
5:00 TK- 2nd
5:40 Everyone in MUR
6:00 3rd - 5th
Friday, 9/22
Important Information
Students in TK, Kinder and 1st grade have regular dismissal starting on Tuesday 9/5. Thank you for your flexibility while teachers assessed every student one one one in math and reading.
TK: 1:30
K 1:45
1st 2:30
SUPER MINIMUM DAY:
Thursday, September 7th is a District Wide Super Minimum day. All staff will be attending professional development.
11:15 Dismissal: TK
11:30 Dismissal: Kinder
11:45 Dismissal: 1st - 5th Grade
MINIMUM DAY:
Friday, September 15th is a Minimum Day, the day after Back to School Night.
12:45 Dismissal: TK
1:00 Dismissal: Kinder
1:30 Dismissal: 1st - 5th
BIRTHDAYS
Our district works hard to create balanced lunches that include whole grains, protein, fruits and vegetables. As such, please do not bring sugary treats to school to celebrate your child's birthday. You are welcome to send non-editable items such as pencils, erasers or fidget toys. Student birthdays are announced during our morning announcements.
DISMISSAL:
Pick up has been going much smoother this year. Thank you to the upper grade parents who have been arriving after 2:45!
COVID-19 POLICIES AND PROCEDURES:
Parents are to complete a self-reporting form when a student tests positive for COVID-19 (link below). Our office staff is happy to assist you in filling out the form if help is needed. Once you complete the reporting form, you will receive an automatic response with the isolation guidelines. We do ask that you continue calling the school office to report your child's absences.
Self-Reporting Form:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScjT9TpUXTf0y3VMe5wQVsniMkUB4MWDkd2NlAQJ-BqWYKhPQ/viewform
COVID-19 Notifications:
In lieu of individual exposure notifications letters from each school site, RCSD will send a general notification to the entire school community during times of elevated community transmission. This communication is an attempt to alert our community of the increased potential of being exposed to COVID-19, to monitor for symptoms, test and quarantine when positive.
For any further questions email: StudentCOVIDResponse@rcsdk8.net
RESOURCES
Henry Ford Parent & Student Handbook:
English: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jwgJaeQMRcZqZ_tro_AL-IHl4R5gNQJH/view
Español: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mtPQ6CHoJrHwa9rIV3TUmkHsCh2lPOAJ/view
School Breakfast/Lunch Menu
https://www.myschoolmenus.com/organizations/1184
Volunteer Requirements:
https://www.rcsdk8.net/careers/volunteer
After School Programs:
REACH: mstewart@redwoodcity.org
Catalyst Kids: BHuss@catalystkids.org
Henry Ford School
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