Weekly Thunderbolt
February 7, 2019
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Principal’s Message
Dear Roy Cloud Families,
I am writing this week to express my gratitude and acknowledge the contributions of parents and community members in supporting an enhanced learning environment for the students and staff at Roy Cloud.
Recently, I’ve had the privilege of conducting school tours welcoming new families to Roy Cloud. As parents and I walk through campus, I’m proud to highlight myriad aspects that help Roy Cloud stand out as a uniquely enriched learning community. We are enriched as a result of your time, your energies, and your financial contributions.
School tours begin in the library. I’m able to share how our Parent Teacher Organization, through donations from our parent community, provided funds for updated library furnishings, as well as desktop computers and two separate labs. I share that our Technology Integration Coach provides in-class instruction, teacher professional development, middle school enrichment, Coding for Girls, and Scratch workshops. The coach is partially funded through PTO. As the tour continues, I can highlight students digging and planting in the garden under the direction of our knowledgeable instructor from Education Outdoors. EO offers enrichment every other week in the garden for our students in K-3. On the playground, I point out the water filtration system and share approved plans for the fitness station and blacktop stencils, courtesy of last year’s Fund-A-Need. Also on the playground are numerous groups of students engaged in PE activities provided by trained coaches from Legarza. I share that each week four Legarza coaches are on site Monday through Thursday to provide PE instruction to students in grades K-5. Coaches also support with recess and lunchtime supervision, ensuring continuity in student sports, fitness and socialization skills.
The tour continues through hallways, and I expand on the generous donations that gift all Roy Cloud students with guided lessons in art every other week, provided through Community School for Music and Arts. Further, Star Vista counselors are on site three days a week for small group and individualized support in the area of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL). Teachers may also request weekly classroom SEL instruction from a counselor in the use of tools empowering students to monitor behaviors and navigate personal relationships. I explain that class field trips, classroom materials, professional development, and staff appreciation are also integral components of the enhanced opportunities available for all to enjoy.
Returning to the library as the family tour ends, I highlight the outdoor “Fairy Garden” planter and recall the times our community is visited by its own ‘campus fairies’ who silently sweep and plant and beautify our school. There is no doubt that our Roy Cloud community is uniquely enriched through the generosity of families like you and the purposeful allocation of your donations under the direction of our PTO.
I thank each one of you for contributing to and supporting our enhanced learning environment at Roy Cloud.
With appreciation,
Diane Prystas
Roy Cloud Principal
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Today/Tomorrow:
- Valentines Day Grams for sale after school at the Flag Pole
Next Week:
- Tue, Feb 12 - Dad's Club Social, 7:30pm, The Great Entertainer in San Mateo (details)
Upcoming:
- Mon, Feb 18 - No School / President's Day Holiday
- Tue, Feb 19 - PTO Meeting, 6:30pm, Library
- Thur, Feb 21 - ASB Class Rep Meeting, 1:35-1:50pm, Room 41
- Sat, Feb 23 - Roy Cloud Auction, 6-11pm, Domenico Winery
- Mon, Feb 25, Site Council Meeting, 3:15pm, Library
- Thur, Feb 28 - Last Day to Bring Food for ASB Drive
- Thur, Feb 28 - Bolt Buck Assembly, 8:15am
- Thur, Feb 28 - Principal's Meetup, 8:30am, Library
- Mon, Mar 4- Fri, Mar 8 - 5th Grade Outdoor Ed
- Mon, Mar 11- Fri, Mar 15 - Minimum Days, Spring Conferences, All grades released at 1:30pm all week
- Thur, Mar 14 - Science Night, 6:30pm, MUB
- Sat, Mar 16 - Referral window for GATE ends, 5pm
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Check your email and text inbox for the RCSD climate survey. Please take the time to respond....your feedback is valuable.
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Please Don't Leave Your Child Unsupervised On Campus
Please do not leave your child on campus unsupervised outside of school hours. Morning supervision begins at 8am. There is no after school supervision (unless enrolled in after school programs).
Roy Cloud cannot ensure the safety of your child outside of school hours - please don't leave them!
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ASB Food Drive for Second Harvest Food Bank
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February 11th - February 28th
There will be collection boxes in the classrooms and MUB. The most needed items are: canned tuna & chicken, peanut butter, meals in a can (soup, chili), low-sodium canned vegetables, canned fruit in its own juice or water, olive or canola oil, and low-sugar whole grain cereals. Please avoid foods packed in glass and sugar-sweetened drinks.
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Independent Study Packets
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Thank you for making attendance a priority. Our teachers teach every day, and missed days mean lost learning time and can lead to your child getting behind. Please only keep your student home if they are sick.
If missing school is unavoidable, and your child will miss
5 days or more of school for a planned event, you can notify the office at least 2 weeks in advance and receive an
independent study packet. In this way, your student's absence will be not be considered "unexcused".
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1st Grade: Addie M, Zori G, Austen K
2nd Grade: Sean S, Sebastian A, Raelyn F, Colton F
3rd Grade: Carolina O, Riley A, Ithamar E
4th Grade: Tobias B, Djuna W, Ambika V
5th Grade: Caitlin C, Ashlee R, Luke G
6th Grade: Christina T, Addie O, Robby A
7th Grade: Diego J, Vinnie A, Patrick H
8th Grade: Charlotte K, Cassie K, Evan L
Thank you to all students for
Being responsible;
Offering Respect;
Looking for solutions;
Thinking before they act.
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Thunderbolt Valets Needed
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We are recruiting more students for Thunderbolt Valet. We need at least 3 valets Monday – Friday. Students in grades 5 – 8 may apply. You can volunteer to valet from 2 – 5 times a week and valet hours are from 7:55 a.m. – 8:15 a.m. Thunderbolt Valet is a commitment for the year. If your child is interested, please have them see Mrs. Jackson for an application & permission slip.
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Get Your Roy Cloud Spirit Wear!
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Return the
order form to the school office by March 1st.
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Valentines Grams Available Today and Tomorrow
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ASB Students will be selling Valentines Day Grams after school by the flag pole. Last day to purchase is Friday, Feb. 8th. Grams cost $1 or $5. Exact change or checks made out to Roy Cloud, please.
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Upcoming Student Testing Dates
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- ELPAC (English Language Proficiency Assessment for California, K-8): February 1 – March 29
- Fountas & Pinnell Reading Assessment (K-2): February 1 – March 1
- STAR Reading Assessment (3-8): February 19 – March 1
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Come to the Circus and bid on a host of exciting items like a Parisian getaway, 2019 Spring Training tickets in Arizona and court-side Warriors tickets! It's not too late to get in on the action as there are
still a few tickets left
for the Greatest School Dinner and Auction.
Can't make the auction? Please consider purchasing a ticket for a teacher/staff member. Remember the auction raises money for PTO-funded programs like art, music, PE and more. Click
here
to purchase tickets.
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Grandparents' Support Needed!
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This year at the auction, we will be raising funds for social emotional programs such as conflict resolution, anti-bullying, mindfulness, empathy building, positive self-esteem and self-regulation. This is a topic so important to all of us. Let's get grandparents behind this and make it the largest Fund-A-Need contribution yet! Please
ask grandparents to help. They can
donate here
. Contact
Andrea Jones
with questions.
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Back by popular demand! Jim Wilten's Beginning Leadership Class for 4th and 5th Graders
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Starting on Feb. 28th, Jim Wilten is back for Spring sessions. This parent/child class is a wonderful opportunity to build confidence and leadership skills though storytelling, slideshows, and highly engaging activities. If you missed the sessions in the Fall, don't miss this wonderful opportunity, and
join in
this time around. Space is limited, so sign up now! See
attached flyer
, and reserve your spot by emailing
Mary Redner.
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Middle School Quad Beautification
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Last weekend, new drought-tolerant plants and stepping stones were installed in the middle school quad. The new plants will grow and spread to fill in the spaces, and many of the plants will have long-lasting flowers. This project started in the fall with demo and soil amendment. Thank you Allison Benjamin for coordinating this project, and thank YOU for making this possible through your financial support of the PTO.
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The 3rd graders were unfortunately inside for garden time this week, but we made the most of it! The students engaged in a discussion about what NATURE means and watched a Planet Earth episode about animals who use cities as their habitats. We compared "natural" and "unnatural" habitats and talked about whether animals dwelling in urban areas is a good or bad thing.
Our 1st graders became ornithologists this week and embarked on a journey to see some of Roy Cloud's local birds. The students crafted binoculars out of toilet paper rolls and used a local bird guide books to identify birds we found on a walk around campus. I was so impressed by the enthusiasm and teamwork of the kiddos and they should be very proud of what they accomplished. Ask your 1st grade student about their bird watching and binoculars and maybe you all can go on a bird walk of your own!
I deeply appreciate all the toilet paper donations that have been coming in the last few weeks. You are all rockstars and made garden class this week truly special! Because the project has concluded I no longer need toilet paper rolls. Thank you again for bringing them in :)
-Ms. Becca
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Thank You Fund-A-Need 2018 Donors!
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As we get ready for the auction coming up on February 23rd, we'd like to take a moment to update everyone on last year's very successful Fund-A-Need. The need identified last year was "Student Wellness", and together we raised over $68,000!
Here are the items funded:
- Legarza Recess Coaches for all grades for the entire 2018-19 school year, enabling more opportunities for structured recess games, for students to learn new skills, and to foster inclusive play
- New Hydration station
- New Funnel Ball in Kinder play area
- New Lower Basketball Hoop on blacktop
- Colorful Stencils encouraging creative play for the blacktop and kinder areas (funds committed, work will be completed over spring break, barring rain)
- Fitness Playground for blacktop area opposite middle school quad (funds committed, installation scheduled for 1st week in August)
Your financial support makes Roy Cloud a more active, healthful, playful, and inclusive community for all students! Thank you!
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Robot Hopscotch is an example of the colorful, fun stencils that will be installed on the blacktop and in the kinder play area.
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Schematic of Roy Cloud's Fitness Structure, scheduled to be installed the first week in August on the blacktop, opposite the middle school quad.
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Author-Illustrator Fair at Orion
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Saturday, February 9
10:00am – 3:00pm
Orion Elementary School
815 Allerton Street, Redwood City
- Meet the authors & illustrators
- Have your book signed
- Attend a talk, writing or art workshop with the authors & illustrators
- Food Trucks
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Thursday, February 21
7:00pm
Congregation Beth Jacob, 1550 Alameda de las Pulgas, RWC
Learn about
- RCEF's mission
- How they fundraise
- What programs are supported
- How RCEF works with the district
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From the Weekly Thunderbolt Editor:
To submit content for the Thunderbolt, send to
[email protected]
no later than Tuesday midnight for publication on Thursday. Vendors promoting for-cost camps and classes that are not on campus, please publish through
peachjar
.
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here
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