May 14, 2020
Diane Prystas, Principal
Kristy Jackson, Assistant Principal
Principal's Message
Dear Roy Cloud Families,

I hope this finds you well and settled into this routine in which we have been living for the past 8 plus weeks. Each week, each day is different than the one before and depending on how we feel, we may be struggling, coping, managing, or thriving. As we end the school year and prepare for how the new year may be, I am very aware of the importance of supporting our students, families and staff in the re-entry process and beyond. That is to say, supporting the Social Emotional Needs and taking care of one another after experiencing this traumatic event will be of paramount importance. 

I am so grateful for the Fund A Need and the timely direction of funding to support our work in this critical area. If our school community is unfit socially and emotionally, we will certainly not be fit to engage in any academic thinking nor meaningful relationship building. Fund A Need has already allowed us to complete Phase 1 with Todd Armstrong and EQ Vehicle. He has interviewed staff, students, parents, reviewed our climate survey and presented these findings to Mrs. Jackson and me, which we recently shared with the School Site Council, PTO and Staff. We will be sharing Phase 2 of his findings with our teachers this week and Todd will be visiting some classrooms to provide introductory lessons.  

Todd’s Phase 2 proposal is not about replacing existing programs ( the what ) and hoping for the best. It’s about the how and why of SEL and moving towards 100% integration of SEL for school reform. We’ll be looking at an Essential Question: How do students achieve optimal performance? He has proposed an eleven step plan, each with Essential Questions, which includes, in part, committing to a strategy, adopting a long-term perspective, committing to total SEL integration throughout ALL aspects of our day, integrating with Positive Behavior Interventions and Support (PBIS), incorporating data and following a model of Design Thinking, leveraging what already exists and creating spaces for total SEL integration to exist, executing the strategy.  

Some key takeaways I wanted to share with you as we plan for creating a healthy climate and culture at Roy Cloud: 
  • Development of environmental supports to which every staff member, every parent has a responsibility: caring relationships; high expectations; meaningful opportunities for involvement 
  • SEL integration, PBIS adoption and climate improvement take several years to achieve
  • Formation of Focus Teams to support SEL development; PBIS Behavior Management; School Climate and Teacher Wellness
  • How social and emotional competency maximize learning
  • Emotions are biological and a response to our environment; if we perceive them as they occur, we are in a more optimal state to choose; we are responsible for our emotions
  • Growth vs Fixed Mindset (https://g.co/kgs/zZkSxh)
  • Zones of Regulation (https://g.co/kgs/MZHdtB)
  • Planning with a high level Scope and Sequence for K-8: Self-Regulation; Social Awareness; Relationships, Decisions and Mindset; Goals and Purpose

Todd will be guiding us through the design-thinking process, model lessons, provide support with co-teaching, and he will be a familiar adult on campus as we move through the steps of total SEL integration. 

In partnership,

Diane Prystas, Principal
Calendar
This Week
  • Fri, May 15 - Be Kind Online Day

Next Week
  • Tue, May 19 - PTO Virtual Meeting, 6:30pm (Agenda / Zoom link)
  • Wed, May 20 - RCSD Virtual Board Meeting, 7:00pm (details)
Upcoming
  • Mon, May 25 - Memorial Day - No Distance Learning
  • Fri, June 5 - Last Day of Distance Learning for Students
  • Wed, Aug 19 - Students Return to Campus, First Day of 2020-21 School year
School News
National Be Kind Online Day - May 15
Be Kind Online Day is brought to you by Beyond Differences to support students as they learn to be authentic and compassionate online. This Positive Prevention Initiative provides educators and students with curriculum and tools to empower their school communities to be better educated about online behavior, thereby creating online spaces that are powered by positivity and inclusion.

On this day, your child may participate in a classroom lesson or discussion about being kind online when they post on social media, use messaging apps, attend class meetings or playdates in Zoom or Google Meet, or play online games. Students will be encouraged to create a pledge for how they will treat others with respect online just as they do in their daily lives. For additional tools and resources for your family, check out  Google's Be Internet Awesome .
Library Book Return
If you still have library books at home, three days have been designated for drop off at Roy Cloud, May 20, 26, 29 . Please plan to drive by and hand your book to the staff member collecting them. You do not need to get out of your car. 
Internet Safety Parent Education Opportunity
Recommended by Assistant Principal Kristy Jackson,  this newsletter from Common Sense Media includes a guide to over 100 popular teen apps and details for live parent education events on keeping your kids safe on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Youtube, and Netflix.
Garden Corner
Hi Roy Cloud's Naturists,

Hope you all are safe and staying happy! Here's a little update on the plant growth in our garden. Join me on a  garden tour.

This week, we are going to learn more about one of the most important pollinators on our planet. Buzzzzz BEES!🐝
Let's explore bees with Ms. Frizzle, join  the magic school bus  as they adventure into the world of honey bees. 

If you would like to get your creative juices flowing this week, here are some bee related craft projects and printable worksheets. 
Bee Crafts-
Printable Worksheets-

Remember, always bee-lieve in yourself! 🌞

With Joy,
Ms. Yolanda 
Provide Input on School Attendance Boundary Change
RCSD seeks the input of the community as the school district studies its attendance zone to shift the current attendance boundary areas of neighborhood schools. The district’s school boundary change study comes after the moves and mergers of programs and consolidation of schools. A demographer’s presentation to the Board of Trustees will take place on May 20 during the RCSD Board Meeting. Click here to learn more about how you can provide your input. The final Board approval will take effect for the 2021-22 school year registration. 
RCSD Survey for Fall 2020
Parents and guardians are requested to fill out this survey to help RCSD plan for opening schools in Fall 2020. Survey closes tomorrow (Friday, May 15) at 4pm.
Attention Rising 8th Grade Families
It's time to begin planning for the Class of 2021 8th grade promotion celebrations! Interested in helping, have ideas to share? Please contact Nancy Mein. Right now, the last day of school is scheduled for June 10, 2021. 
Resources
From Legarza, click here for detailed signup instructions
Where families can find help with food, counseling, utilities, and more
From Mission Be, part of the PTO-funded social emotional learning program
PTO News
School Supplies for 2020-21
PTO has partnered with 1st Day School Supplies again this year to offer parents the option to pre-order school supplies for 2020-21. Orders must be placed by July 1st.
Items like calculators, computer mice or headphones are available as optional items. Additionally, some teachers have included "Wish List Items" that are available for optional purchase.

Distribution Changes for This Year: Kits and optional items will be shipped directly to your home before school starts. Teacher Wish List items will be shipped directly to school for distribution to your child’s classroom. Shipping costs are built into the cost of the kit.

New this year... Wish Lists for the Makery and the Garden!
Commonly Asked Questions:

Does the PTO mark up the cost of these supplies? No, this is provided as a convenient service for parents.

Do I purchase a separate kit for each student? Yes, one for each student. They are customized based on grade level.

How were the supply kits put together? Each grade level teacher team went through the 1st Day Supplies website and selected these exact supplies (brand, color, etc), to be used in their classrooms for 2020-21.

I prefer to buy my own supplies elsewhere. Can I do that? Absolutely! Click the link and view the list for your grade level. Note the colors for folders and other materials. It's helpful to purchase the same items for consistency in the classroom. School supplies lists will also be on the school and PTO websites in early August.

Is financial support available if needed? Yes, if purchasing supplies is a financial hardship for your family, please  email Marybeth Milionis  by June 26th and PTO will confidentially purchase for your student(s).

More Questions?  email Marybeth Milionis, coordinator for Back to School Supplies.
Vote Here: PTO Officers
Please review the slate of proposed 2020-21 PTO officers and then cast your vote below. Voting closes on midnight Sunday, May 17, 2020. Per our current bylaws, a majority (50% + 1) is needed to officially approve the new officers. The term is July 1, 2020 to July 1, 2021.

  • President: Ryan Flynn
  • Vice President: Alex Dendy
  • Treasurer: Jim Balestieri and Leanna Staben
  • Parliamentarian: Manja McMills
  • Secretary: Christine Schneider and Tiffany Gonzales
  • VP Communications: Alison Oldford
  • VP Fundraising: Julia Swenson
  • VP Programs: Heidi Von Briel
Do you approve the above 2020-21 PTO Officers?
Yes - I approve these officers.
No - I reject these officers.
Committee, Event and Program Leads for 2020-21
Thank you to the following volunteers! These positions don't require voting per our bylaws. If you are interested in one of the OPEN positions, please email Yvonne Sarles.

  • After School Enrichment: Mary Redner
  • After School Sports: OPEN
  • Art Program: Alison Oldford
  • Auction Co-Chair: Tushar Barrak
  • Auction Co-Chair: OPEN
  • Auditor: OPEN
  • Beautification: OPEN
  • Corporate Gift Matching: Tanya Bachniak
  • Dad's Club: Craig "Ginge" Smith and Abe Fong
  • Deputy Treasurer: Stephanie Gotelli
  • Direct Donations Chair: Manja McMills
  • Directory: Jim Balestieri
  • Display Cases: Nichole Kohake
  • Eighth Grade Promotion: Nancy Mein, Yvonne Sarles, and Jim Balestieri
  • Emergency Coordinator: Dave Cirina
  • Facebook Admin: Lindsay Willcox
  • Fall Book Fair: Heidi Walas
  • Family Dance: Kristin Atkins & Yvonne Gumbrecht
  • Garden Program: Effie Milionis-Verducci & Heidi Von Briel
  • Hospitality: Victoria Melamed
  • Jog-A-Thon Chair: Julia Swenson
  • Kinder Liason: Stephanie Gotelli
  • Music Program, K-1: Katherine Machemer
  • No Cost Fundraising: Marybeth Milionis
  • Room Parent Coordinator: Julie Prillinger
  • Safe Route to School: Heidi Von Briel
  • Science Programs: Heidi Von Briel
  • School Supply Program: Marybeth Milionis
  • Social-Emotional Learning: Veronica Spencer-Palmer
  • Spring Play Producer: Jen Clark
  • Technology: Tiffany Gonzales
  • Thunderbolt Editor: Alison Oldford
  • Used Book Fair: OPEN
  • Webmaster: Ben Packer
Volunteer Spotlight: Allison Benjamin
Roy Cloud parent Allison Benjamin has been spending time weekly (even during the summer!) in our school garden for the past three years, keeping it weeded, planted, maintained and ready for students. Allison has also given 5 years on the auction committee, served as science coordinator, taught art (back when parent volunteers did that!), gave many years as a room parent, and the list goes on. Allison will be missed as her last child graduates this year. Thank you Allison!
Bucket Drums from James Henry
Check out this online lesson from our K/1 music teacher, James Henry. James shows students how they can use buckets, kitchen utensils, and other items from around the house to create a drum set. Thank YOU for funding these lessons through your PTO donations.
2020-21 Budget
Thank you to everyone who attended the budget review meeting on Tuesday, May 5th and provided valuable feedback. Special thank you to all the teac hers that joined in. 💙

Please review the updated budget draft and email your questions and comments to Yvonne, Jim, and Amy.

There are significant cuts and reductions, however, no programs are being eliminated at this time. We have not added the new music program that was previously funded by RCEF.

Due to the uncertainty around our ability to fundraise next year and the uncertainty of the viability of programs next year due to COVID, this budget will be re-evaluated this summer and throughout next school year.

If this budget is approved, only the items in blue would be formally committed to now, as required by RCSD. In this way, we can be flexible and prepared for whatever happens next year.

Please join in for discussion and voting at the next PTO meeting on May 19th.
Community News
Fridays For Future #33: Find a Carpool
Many of us are thinking about going back to our previous work locations - do you remember commuting? Currently we are enjoying quiet streets without many slowdowns even during the peak hours.

Unfortunately it is likely that these free streets will not last for very much longer - and experts suspect that once everyone goes back to work, traffic will get worse than ever before. While public transportation had gained popularity during the last few years, it is likely that ridership will remain low even once people go back to work.

So start making plans now on how your daily route to work ideally looks like.
  • Is it close enough to cycle to?
  • Will public transportation still work well for you?
  • Or, if you consider riding in a car, consider inquiring about a carpool now. Single car ridership has gone down in the last few years, and now is the perfect time to reduce it even more.

Sign up here t o find a partner for a long-term rider partnership. Scoop and  waze are two great alternatives also to create carpool arrangements with.  

... and once you are all set.. also already start thinking on how your kids' way to school will look next school year... Consider walking or setting up carpools for them too - Preview our Roy Cloud walking school bus webpage .
Parent Education Opportunity
Diversity & Bias in Schools
Tiffany Hoang, Co-Founder of CircleUp Education
Thursday, May 21, 2020, 12:00pm – 1:00pm, Online Event (Webinar)
Info & Tickets (Zoom link provided upon registration)
Offered through Sequoia Parent Education Series
It's Not Too Late to Take the 2020 Census
Census 2020 is quick and easy to complete. It will only ask for very basic information: how many people live in your home, whether the home is owned or rented, and the name, age, sex, and race of each person. There are only 9 easy questions and it will take about 10 minutes to fill out – but will impact the NEXT 10 YEARS! Filling out your form enables your community to receive up to $10,000 per person until the next census takes place in 2030.

There are three ways to respond:
  1.    Online: my2020census.gov
  2.    By Phone: 844-330-2020
  3.    By Mail

The programs and services you rely on daily depend on it: housing, healthcare, education, childcare, roads, and public transportation. Every person counted makes a difference, so please stand up for the Census 2020 count.
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