Dolphin Digest

Dear Clifford Community,

As we approach the winter break, I want to take a moment to extend my warmest wishes to you and your loved ones. The holiday season is a time for reflection, gratitude, and joy, and I hope it brings you all the warmth and happiness you deserve.

It has been an extraordinary journey for our school community this year, filled with growth, learning, and memorable moments. I want to express my sincere appreciation for your ongoing support, collaboration, and partnership in your child's education. Together, we have created a nurturing environment where students can thrive academically and socially.

As we enter this well-deserved winter break, I encourage you to take the time to rest, recharge, and create lasting memories with your family. Whether you're traveling, enjoying festivities, or simply taking a moment of quiet reflection, I hope this break provides the opportunity for relaxation and rejuvenation.

Our school is truly a community, and your involvement and dedication contribute immensely to its vibrancy. Thank you for entrusting us with the education and well-being of your children. It is a privilege to work together to nurture their growth and development.

Wishing you and your family a wonderful holiday season and a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year!

Best wishes,

Kristy Jackson

Monday, December 18

• Kindergarten Recital, 8:30 a.m.

Wednesday, December 20

• Super Minimum Day before Winter Break - 11:30 Dismissal

Thursday, December 21 - Friday, January 5

• Winter Break - No School

Monday, January 8

• No School - Staff Professional Development Day

Tuesday, January 9

• Back to School!

Thursday, January 11

• District Appointed Super Minimum Day - 11:30 Dismissal

Monday, January 15

• No School - Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday

Every year Clifford's 7th grades students attend a week long outdoor education field trip to Westminster Woods. This year we sent both 7th & 8th grade students, since last year's trip was cancelled. Our students had a great time this year as seen in these photos! You can find more information about Westminster Woods here.

Clifford’s counseling team would like to inform you that counseling services are available to your student on campus. Services occur during the school day and are free to all students.

These services can include Social Emotional Learning lessons in your student’s classroom, check-ins, individual therapy, group therapy, and crisis interventions. If you would like to refer your student for individual or group therapy, please use this link https://forms.gle/7ZfwnpfLrqz1mJWGA.

If you have any questions about our school’s counseling services, please contact Renee Rodriguez, LCSW at RLRODRIGUEZ@RCSDK8.NET or 650-482-2402 ex3255

Currently, some families have been using a Google Form from last year to report their child's absences. Starting in the new year, we will be using a new Absence Reporting Link for parents to use if they need to report a student absence. Please bookmark this link to use when reporting absences starting January 9, 2024. Families can also still call the school office to report absences at (650) 482-2402.

Student Absence Reporting Link: https://forms.gle/7CmFsVZ9eET4jeZg6

Hi Clifford families,

I hope everyone is having a great start to the holiday season! I wanted to give folks a few updates on holiday happenings here at Clifford. Please see below for some updates:

• Thank you to all families who signed up for our Adopt a Family campaign! All gifts were distributed last week and they really brightened the holidays for some of our students and families! We will share more information with families who donated in the coming weeks.

• Thank you to all families who donated bags for our Bread and Bag Wednesday! It is really helping to facilitate the process and support families.

• We will start our clothing distribution on 12/18/23. Thanks to everyone who donated to the clothing drive. If you would like to sign up to pick out free clothing for your family please fill out this form.

• We are continuing our weekly food distribution. The last one we will have before the break will be on 12/18/23.

• Thank you to all students who expressed interest in LCAP. We will send out more information to all students who expressed interest about next steps the week of 12/18/23.

As always, please reach out to me with any questions

Best,

Albert

This Month's Curriculum

During this month’s PE module, students in K-2nd will begin our dance unit. Activities in this unit include: mirroring, routine and freeze dance.

Some reasons why dance is an important part to our curriculum:

Physical Fitness: Helps children develop coordination, balance, and overall physical fitness.

Creativity and Expression: Dance allows children to express themselves creatively through movement.

Cultural Awareness: Introducing children to various dance styles can help them appreciate diversity and develop cultural awareness.

Memory and Cognitive Skills: Learning and remembering dance routines involve cognitive processes, including memory, pattern recognition, and spatial awareness.

Fitness Testing

This month coaches will be administering the second round of Fitness Testing for students. Students in 3rd-5th grade will be participating in fitness testing 3 times during the school year.

Fitness Testing includes the following: Trunk Lift, Curl Up, Push Up, Sit and Reach, and the Mile.

Our coaches will be starting fitness testing early in the year so that we are able to set a baseline, encourage goal setting, and can track how curriculum and our instruction are helping kids improve throughout the year.

This data helps our team to make changes as necessary to our curriculum, and share measured growth with our partners and students from all 8 schools.

Frequently Asked Questions

What schools are PE+ serving?

• PE+ is currently serving eight schools in the Redwood City School district: Adelante Selby, Clifford, Henry Ford, Hoover, Orion, Roosevelt, Roy Cloud, Taft

What type of activities will students be doing during PE class?

• We are following a sport based curriculum so students should expect to do activities that involve sports like: basketball, soccer, football, hockey etc.

What should students wear during PE class?

• Students should wear comfortable athletic clothing and appropriate footwear, such as sneakers. They should also bring a water bottle to stay hydrated.

How can I get involved in supporting the PE program?

• You might be able to volunteer for events, provide donations for equipment, or support fitness initiatives at the school.

STUDENT DROP OFF/PICK UP AND PARKING LOT GUIDELINES

Safety around the school and the neighborhood is everyone’s responsibility. Parking rules apply to everyone. Speed limits in school zones are 25 mph or less, if the conditions warrant slower speeds. Use great caution, drive slowly, follow these guidelines and instruct your child to follow them as well. The San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office helps to enforce compliance with the law in and around Clifford School.

The parking lots are reserved for staff, busses, and handicap drivers displaying a valid permit ONLY. Please park along the neighborhood streets and away from the loading zones, bus stops, and red zones.

ARRIVAL/DROP-OFF & DISMISSAL/PICK-UP INSTRUCTIONS

• Follow the guidance of the personnel on duty.

• Obey all posted and painted signs.

• Watch for children walking, biking, or in crosswalks.

• Please follow these lane guidelines between 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. on school days:

  • Right Lane: Cars dropping off or picking up students.

  • Left Lane: Cars driving through (no pick up or drop off allowed).

• Drive slowly in a single file line when entering the parking lot, proceed to white curb drop off/pick up zones.

• Please pull all the way forward to allow for cars to enter the parking lot and to prevent traffic jams.

• Allow your child to exit curbside.

• Remain in your vehicle if you are just dropping off. Do not leave your car unattended.

• Slowly and carefully pull away after your child has exited.

• Exit by following the curve of the parking lot.

• No parking in the loading and unloading zones.

• Students should use the pedestrian crosswalk when needed to cross the parking lot.

• Do not park or drop off in the designated bus loading zone.

• Please share this information with all drivers who may pick up your child.

Please consider taking part in some of these parent volunteer opportunities:

Before & After School Crossing Guard - We are looking for parent volunteers who would be interested in helping us keep the crosswalks on Clifford Avenue safe before and after school. If you are interested, please sign up here. Crossing guard volunteers do not need to have district clearance since they are working before the school day and outside of campus.

Lunch Supervision - We can always use an extra pair of hands and eyes during students' lunch times. If you are interested in volunteering during lunch, please email Vice Principal, Casey Nosky @ cnosky@rcsdk8.net. Lunch volunteers will need Level 2 clearance.

Art in Action - All students in grades TK-8 participate in the parent-volunteer-led Art in Action program. We are in need of more parent volunteers to do Art in Action lessons (especially Middle School) with our students. If you are interested, please sign up here. Art in Action volunteers will need Level 2 clearance.

For more information on how to become a cleared volunteer and what the different levels entail, please go to the volunteers page on the district website. Please note: volunteer clearance can take a few weeks. To check if you are a cleared volunteer, please visit or call the school office.

Clifford School is a jewel of a campus located in the beautiful foothills of Redwood City. Our number one priority at Clifford School is to provide a safe learning environment in which the students, teachers, and staff foster a positive school culture and climate. Clifford is a school with a strong sense of community and pride!

Website: https://www.rcsdk8.net/clifford
Location: 225 Clifford Avenue, Redwood City, CA, USA
Phone: 650.482.2402
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CliffordElementary