Dolphin Digest

Wednesday, August 14

• First Day of School!
• No Backpack Day - Getting to Know You!
• TK & Kindergarten Orientation, 9:00 - 10:00 Last names A-L, 10:15 - 11:15 Last names M-Z
• Minimum Day Dismissal

Thursday, August 15

• Regular Thursday Minimum Day
• No Backpack Day - Making Connections!

Friday, August 16

• Minimum Day Dismissal
• No Backpack Day - Setting Expectations!

Thursday, August 29

• Back to School Night - TK - 5th Grade 6:00 - 7:00 pm, 6th - 8th Grade 5:00 - 6:00 pm

Friday, August 30

• Minimum Day

Monday, September 2

• Labor Day Holiday - No School

Dear Clifford Families,

I want to extend a warm welcome back to all of our students and their families. I hope you have enjoyed a restful and enjoyable summer break and are ready for an exciting year ahead.

Our team has been working diligently over the past few weeks to ensure that the upcoming school year will be both productive and enriching. We are thrilled to welcome back our returning families and to meet our new students. Our focus remains on providing a safe, supportive, and stimulating environment that fosters both academic and personal growth.

Please take note of the following important dates and information:

- Wednesday, August 14 - First Day of School, TK & Kindergarten Orientation

- The first week of school we will run on the Minimum Day Schedule.

- School starts at 8:15 am for grades K-8 and 8:20 am for TK.

- Our campus gates open at 8:00 am - please arrive early to avoid traffic.

- There have been some slight changes to our bell schedule - please review it carefully.

We encourage you to stay engaged with your child’s education by participating in school events, volunteering, and maintaining open communication with our staff. Your support and involvement are key to helping us achieve our shared goal of fostering a positive and successful school experience for every student.

Thank you for your continued partnership and commitment. We look forward to a fantastic year together!

Kristy Jackson

At Clifford this year, we are excited to kick off the school year with "No Backpack Week." During this special week, our focus will be on welcoming students and setting a positive tone for the year ahead.

The aim of No Backpack Week is to prioritize relationship-building, connection, and understanding expectations before diving into academics. Our lessons will center around Social Emotional Learning (SEL), Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports (PBIS), and community building.

While students are welcome to bring a backpack if they choose, the main goal is to concentrate on the whole child, fostering a sense of trust and safety. This approach will help students feel supported as they start the new school year and allow our teachers and staff to build strong, trusting relationships with each student.

We are thrilled to introduce our new team members and announce some exciting role changes for the upcoming school year:

New Team Members

- Gaby Zuk - TK Teacher

- Rita Gould - 2nd Grade Teacher

- Kelsey Fowle - 5th Grade Teacher

- Sebastian Chavez - 6th Grade Math/Science Teacher

- Yidan Sun - Music Teacher

- Andrea Berta-Escobar - Office Manager

- Victoria Valle Remond - Community School Administrator

- Ravin Baker - School Psychologist

- Cristina Prado - .2 School Psychologist

- Zoe Welp - Occupational Therapist

- Gary Henderson & Stacia Reckless - Paraeducators

Role Changes:

- Lauren Tapang - Transitioning to TK Teacher

- Nancy Rodriguez - Transitioning to TK Aide

- Kathy Mejia - Transitioning to TK One-on-One Aide

- Julia Mikulas - Moving to 3rd Grade Teacher

- Debra Lennen - Moving to 3rd Grade Teacher

- Katrina Zak - Transitioning to 6/7/8 Advanced Math

- Edmond Hare - Transitioning to 7th Grade Social Studies Teacher

We are excited about the skills and energy these new and transitioning team members will bring to our school. Here’s to a fantastic year ahead with these wonderful additions to our team!

Hi Clifford!

My name is Victoria Valle Remond (she/her/ella) and I’m excited to be the new administrative secretary for the Family Center. I was born and raised in Mexico City and came to California when I was 8. I’ve worked with the Redwood City School District since I was in high school, from translating parent-teacher conferences to testing students with the ELPAC. I also taught kindergarten and 2nd grade at Big Lift Inspiring Summers, which is run by San Mateo County. This spring, I graduated from Chico State University with a degree in Latin American Studies and a minor in Film.

Learning English and navigating the American school system was very challenging, and I always wished that I had more resources and support. I chose Latin American Studies because I wanted my education in this country to always tie back to my culture, language, and people. I chose to work at Clifford because I wanted to make sure other students and families have the support and resources they need to have a great school year. I’m proud to work in a community as excellent as this one, and I look forward to getting to know you all better this year.

Best,

Victoria

ARRIVAL

• Supervision begins at 8:00 AM. Children are not to arrive at school BEFORE 8:00 AM.

• Parents may park in the neighborhood and walk their child(ren) to their classroom to wait for their teacher. We highly encourage walking and biking if you are able to.

• Beginning at 8:00 AM students may walk to their classroom and line up in the area designated by their teacher.

• Students do not play on the structures, blacktop, fields, or hallways before school.

• When the warning bell rings at 8:12 a.m., students should make their way to the classroom to line up.

• By 8:15 AM when the bell rings, teachers greet students and lead them into the classroom.

• If a child arrives after 8:15 AM (TK - 8:20), the student must first go to the office to get a late slip before going to class.

• Campus gates will be locked at 8:20 a.m. Students arriving after this time must check in at the office.

DISMISSAL

• Students need to leave campus promptly after each dismissal.

• Regular Dismissal: TK: 1:20 PM, Kinder: 2:05 PM; 1st - 3rd: 2:30 PM; 4th-8th: 2:40 PM

• Minimum Day Dismissal: TK: 12:35 PM; Kinder: 1:15 PM; 1st - 8th: 1:30 PM

• Super Minimum Day Dismissal: All students are dismissed at 11:45.

• TK & Kindergarten students must wait with their teacher until a parent/child care provider or other designated adult picks them up.

• Children who are being picked up must wait in the drop-off/pick-up areas.

• Children who walk are to go directly home.

• TK-5 students are not to play on the blacktop after dismissal, due to classes still being in session.

• Parents/Families may not enter campus until the last dismissal of the day.

• TK-5 students are not to be left unsupervised on campus, waiting for older siblings.

• Parents of student(s) who are repeatedly not picked up promptly, will be contacted by the school administration.

• If an emergency prevents you from picking up your child on time, make alternate arrangements and notify the school. Students who are picked up late need to be signed out in the office.

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 handicapped drivers displaying a valid permit ONLY. Please park along the neighborhood streets and away from the red zone.

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, and 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.

BUS RIDING SAFETY & GUIDELINES:

The bus, whether a SamTrans bus, the yellow school bus, or a field trip bus, is an extension of our school environment. This means every passenger will treat fellow passengers and the driver with respect. While on the bus to or from school, students will refrain from any behavior that might distract the driver from safely delivering students to their destinations. The bus driver reserves the right to remove a student from the bus; any reports that come to the attention of the school administration may result in suspension of riding privileges and/or additional consequences.

If your child will be taking a bus to school, please review the following information with her/him:

• Students must arrive 5 minutes before their bus pick-up time.

• Wait safely in the designated area at the bus stop.

• Be calm and orderly while getting on and off the bus.

• Stay in your seat, facing forward.

• Keep your head, hands, and feet inside the bus.

• Follow the bus driver’s directions.

After School Plans:

Please make plans ahead of time. Children are not allowed to make phone calls from school in order to arrange to go home with a friend after school, and we do not have enough staff to take messages for students regarding such plans. When primary grade children (K–2) have made advance plans that differ from usual practice, please send a note to the teacher indicating with whom they will be going after school.

This year Redwood City School District will be using Safe Arrivals; a new, efficient way for parents to report report absences. With SafeArrival, you can report your child’s absence in advance using any of these 3 convenient methods:

1. Using your mobile device, download and install the SM Home app from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store.

2. Report through the SafeArrival website: home.schoolmessenger.com

3. Call the toll-free number 1-800-403-5535 to report an absence using the automated phone

System.

Families can report absences in advance up until 10am. If you do not report an absence, you will receive a text, email and/or phone call requesting the reason for your child’s absence. If no reason is provided, your child will be marked unexcused.

**To sign up for and use School arrival, your email and phone number must match the information you provided to the school during registration. If you’ve changed your email or phone number, please let Office Staff know**

Join SEPTAR, the Special Education Parent Teacher Association of Redwood City, for the first Inclusive Schools Week planning meeting on August 27 at 7pm.

Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83023852109?pwd=ofaTwWKvEvwQKXzlccjSVAl3gqjTCp.1

Inclusive Schools Week website:

https://inclusiveschools.org/inclusive-schools-week/

www.septar.org
SEPTAR is the Special Education Parent Teacher Association for Redwood City.
We bring families and educators together to meet the special education needs of children in Redwood City.

We hope you can attend!

Ellen Cookman, Attorney, Founder of Cookman Law

Thursday, August 29, 2024, 5:30pm – 6:30pm PT, Virtual Event (Live)

Register: https://ellencookman2024ndss.eventbrite.com

Join attorney Ellen Cookman, founder of Cookman Law, for a lively and informative presentation on the basics of special needs trusts, ABLE accounts, and estate planning.

Parents/caregivers, educators, health professionals, and community members welcome! Simultaneous Spanish interpretation will be available. Free admission.

The Neurodiversity Speaker Series is presented by The Parent Venture, Children’s Health Council, Compass High School, REEL2e, and The RILEY Project, with major funding from the Educating All Learners Alliance (EALA).

For more information, please visit www.neurodiversityspeakerseries.org, or contact Charlene Margot, CEO, The Parent Venture, at cmargot@parentventure.org

Kirsten Jones, Author, Speaker, Peak Performance Coach

Thursday, September 5, 2024, 5:30pm – 6:30pm PT, Virtual Event (Live)

Register: https://kirstenjones2024suhsd.eventbrite.com

In her new book, Raising Empowered Athletes, peak performance coach Kirsten Jones offers a timely and down-to-earth guide for parents navigating the difficult decisions and extraordinary pressures of youth sports.

Parents/caregivers, students, educators, health professionals, and community members welcome! Simultaneous Spanish interpretation will be available. Free admission.

This special presentation is sponsored by the Sequoia Union High School District, Sequoia Healthcare District, Peninsula Health Care District, and The Parent Venture.

Questions? Contact Charlene Margot, MEd, Co-Founder and CEO, The Parent Venture (The Parent Education Series), at cmargot@parentventure.org.

We love our parent volunteers! Clifford and Redwood City School District (RCSD) welcomes volunteers and partners in a systematic process to ensure the health and safety of our students. Over many years, volunteers have provided assistance to our school programs and our collective efforts to educate our students in academic, social, and emotional opportunities. School campuses and the Department of Human Resources have an established and thorough process to ensure safety and communicate expectations to our volunteers.

Depending on your volunteer level, you will be required to submit/complete the following items:

• Volunteer Application
• TB Test Result or TB Risk Assessment
• Driver’s License/Government ID
• Livescan Fingerprints- only required for volunteers who will be alone with students

Here are the levels of volunteerism and the level of clearance they require:

Level 1 - Volunteers working under constant direct supervision of an RCSD employee - this includes classroom support or supervision or supervised school event support.

Level 1 Requirements: complete the volunteer application, proof of a valid CA drivers license or US issued ID card, and proof of TB test result/assessment.

Level 2 - Volunteers working under the supervision of an RCSD employee, but may occasionally be unsupervised while working with students - this includes tutoring partners, field trip volunteers on the bus or chaperoning a field trip.

Level 2 Requirements: complete the volunteer application, proof of a valid CA drivers license or US issued ID card, and proof of TB test result/assessment AND LiveScan fingerprinting. If you need assistance with paying the Livescan fee ($45 + Gov. fee) our PTO is able to reimburse you. LiveScan is available at most Redwood City UPS stores.

Level 3 - Volunteers who will be alone working with or mentoring students. The student may be transported by the volunteer. - this includes tutoring partners, overnight field trip volunteers, certain school events, and contracted partners.

Level 3 Requirements: complete the volunteer application, proof of a valid CA drivers license or US issued ID card, and proof of TB test result/assessment AND LiveScan fingerprinting. If you need assistance with paying the Livescan fee ($45 + Gov. fee) our PTO is able to reimburse you. LiveScan is available at most Redwood City UPS stores.

Volunteer clearance is processed through our district office - we are not allowed to clear parents here at school. The process of becoming a cleared volunteer can take a few weeks, therefore, please submit your paperwork several weeks in advance of when you'd like to volunteer. Once you are cleared as a parent volunteer, you do not have to renew your application each year.