May 28, 2020
Diane Prystas, Principal
Kristy Jackson, Assistant Principal
Principal's Message
Dear Roy Cloud Families,

We’ve come to the end of a school year and before we all jump straight into our summer mode, I want to take this opportunity to thank you and commend you for navigating through this unique and eventful school year. It has been a year of growth, opportunity, and learning for us all. We’ve been stretched in ways we never would have expected and I feel very fortunate to be part of such an actively involved parent community, one which perseveres and is so deeply dedicated to the success and well-being of its children.  

Wednesday, the first day of distributing and collecting materials, went very smoothly. It was a joyful time, for the staff and children as we were able to reconnect, even at a physical distance. The staff and I look forward to reconnecting with students in grades 3- 5 on Thursday and with the middle school students on Friday. The schedule is included again for your reference. 
So, what does the future hold for the school year 2020-2021? At this point in time, we simply do not know. Considerations and conversations are currently around the physical health and safety of staff and students, facility requirements at schools, teaching and learning, and social emotional wellness. The week of June 1-5 is set aside for Staff Professional Development and planning in all of these areas. Whatever the situation in August, the intention, districtwide, is to return with confidence in our instructional practices and in the way we provide a safe, nurturing environment for your children, whether virtually, or in person. You will continue to receive updated information from our Superintendent, Dr. Baker regarding all of these matters. 

I wish you a relaxing summer with times for refreshment and rejuvenation and look forward to seeing you, in a format yet to be determined, for our first day of school on Wednesday, August 19.  
 
Take good care,
Diane Prystas, Principal
Calendar
This Week
  • Wed, May 27 - Fri, May 29 - Drop Off / Pick Up per schedule above (printable window sign)
  • Fri, May 29 - Revised Last Day of Instruction for Students (to allow for staff development and planning for 2020-21)
Next Week
  • Wed, June 3 - Special RCSD Board Meeting, Fall Re-Opening Plans (details will be posted here)
  • Thur, June 4 - Report cards mailed home (RCSD grading policy)

Upcoming
School News
Leaving RCSD? Google Takeout
Google Takeout is a service that Google offers its users to make it easy to export your data. 

If you're leaving the district (congratulations to our 8th graders!), RCSD will deactivate your Google accounts. Before they do, you can use Google Takeout to save and download any work you have in Google Drive, Classroom, and more. 

Note that anyone can download their Google data at any time, not just for those who are leaving.

To access Takeout, have your student(s) log into their RCSD email, then Google search Takeout or click this link.

Select what you'd like to keep and choose the destination. 
We Will Miss You, Mrs. OG!
Sixth grade teacher Mrs. Nicole Oliver-Groth (aka Mrs. OG) is leaving Roy Cloud to work closer to her home in the east bay. The commute has become difficult now that she has a new baby at home. We will miss you Mrs. OG and thank you for making a real difference for Roy Cloud students!

"Roy Cloud holds a special place in my heart and always will, it was here that I fell in love with teaching. In 2011, I began volunteering in Mrs. Chappelle's Kindergarten class. At the end of my volunteer work, I remember hoping I would get the opportunity to come back and work at Roy Cloud. Luckily, I did! I have loved every moment of the past 3 years and am deeply saddened to be leaving. This community is one of a kind! I will miss my students, their families, and my colleagues; but I hope that one day our paths may cross again. Thank you for all the love and support you have given me, I have been forever changed by my experience here at Cloud." - Mrs. OG
Library News
Hello Everyone!

Thank you for returning your library books. It's been great to see all the smiling faces. I will be working in the library throughout next week, so there is still time to return your books if you haven't yet. I will leave a box outside the library door in the Red Oak parking lot only when I am inside working 8:00-3:30.

I know that families with young children face many challenges. Here are a couple of things that may be of interest to you and make summer more fun!

JK Rowling New Release!🎆 🔖
JK Rowling!!   is releasing her new book,  Ickabog  online (for free) a few chapters at a time, over the course of the summer. She is also holding an illustration contest for kids to enter, along with the publication. The book is intended for kids 5-9 years old. But we all know everyone enjoys JK Rowling! Check it out!

Redwood City Public Library  is coming back with summer learning soon! 
Here is the link!! 🌻

Hicklebee's Children's Store📚 
A fantastic spring preview booklist!
Always the best of the best titles for all ages.

Ms. Lera's California Young Reader Read Alouds
A little something from my home to yours.  🏡

I hope you all have a good summer and we'll see you in the Fall. 
Don't forget to say Hi👋 anytime!
All the best,
Steffani Lera
School Attendance Boundary Change
The latest RCSD updates can be found here. Provide your input using this form. Deadline is Friday, June 5, 2pm.

There are two preliminary scenerios being studied. Here's how these preliminary scenerios would impact Roy Cloud:
  • Scenerio 1 does not change Roy Cloud's boundaries.
  • Scenerio 2 assigns to Roy Cloud the Woodside Hills neighborhood (currently assigned to Henry Ford) and the area east of Woodside Road/south of Selby Lane (formerly assigned to Selby Lane School). Refer to the blue outline on the image below.
Chromebooks
All students in grades K-7 who checked out a Chromebook and /or hotspot have the option to keep these items over the summer for continued learning and to keep your skills sharp.

Eighth grade students: Our District Technology Department will contact you if you have a Chromebook to return. 
PTO News
From Our PTO President
Dear Parents,

We have come to the end of another school year, a very different school year to say the least. Regardless of the circumstances, volunteers never stopped working on behalf of the students and staff. 

As PTO President, I have been supported, humbled, pushed, motivated, inspired, and simply awed by our volunteers. Now, on behalf of the entire school community, I thank you for your time and tireless work. If you believe your efforts to be small or insignificant, I say take a step back and look at the bigger picture. Each of you has played a vital role in creating this thriving community. Whether you have helped in person or dropped off much-needed supplies, your actions directly connect to the mission of the PTO. Each action, year after year, supports the continuation of this mission.  THANK YOU for giving your time and for strengthening our community! 

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” -Winston Churchill

With sincere appreciation, 
Yvonne Sarles
PTO Officers, Committee Chairs, Program and Event Leads:
Abe Fong, Alex Dendy, Alicia Truby, Alison Oldford, Alison Wiliams, Allison Benjamin, Amy Truesdale, Ben Packer, Casey Wright, Craig "Ginge" Smith, Dave Cirina, Heidi Von Briel, Jen Clark, Jim Balestieri, Jolie Kalvaria, Julia Swenson, Katherine Machemer, Kristin Atkins, Leanna Staben, Lisa Furtado, Manja McMills, Mary Redner, Marybeth Milionis, Meredith McLean, Nancy Mein, Robin Bulanti, Rochelle Romer, Tanya Bachniak, Tiffany Gonzales, Todd Gumbrecht, Veronica Spencer-Palmer, Victoria Melamed, Yvonne Gumbrecht, Yvonne Sarles
Room Parents:
Akiko McKendrick, Alison Oldford, Amy Funge, Annie Hildebrant, Ashley Moffett, Carolyn Simons, Christine Schneider, Claudia Sanchez, Danielle Azem, Emily Chapman, Gail Sheena, Grace Rewak, Holly Roland, Jacqui Buchanan, Jane Lalonde, Julie Brown, Lonnie Gee, Manja McMills, Margaret Lesniak, Mary Hockaday, Mary Redner, Melissa Morey, Meredith McLean, Raisa Meltzer, Renee Schwall, Sarah Strus, Sofia Bresson, Stephanie Ezrati, Tamara Christensen, Tanya Bachniak, Tiffany Gonzalez, Trisha Barrett, Vanya Wester
Class of 2020 - Sign Up for Photos
Due to COVID restrictions, photos on school campus are not permitted, so the 2020 Promotion Committee improvised. Sign up below for off-campus photos with the large 2020 numbers. Please be respectful of neighbors when you park, don't park near the 2020 numbers, and practice social distancing. Thank you Shade Family for hosting.
School Supplies for 2020-21
PTO has partnered with 1st Day School Supplies again this year to offer parents the convenience of pre-ordering school supplies for 2020-21. Orders must be placed by July 1st. Click here for more details. New this year - Wish Lists for the Makery and Garden!
Community News
Fridays For Future #35: Environmentally Friendly Travel
While for many our travel plans had to be canceled or altered this year, many still are planning to spend some days of the summer months away from home and exploring new areas.

Many areas these days suffer a lot from over-tourism unfortunately and our kids may not be able to enjoy them with their families:

  1. Glaciers in Glacier national park will start to disappear by 2030
  2. In just the last 5 years, the great barrier reef lost half of its coral.
  3. Of the 54 of the 209 natural sites on the World Heritage List, are placed on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

While air travel may not become an option this year, it means the worst part in terms of sustainable travel is already taken care of - but what else can you do to reduce your impact?

  • Reduce food and plastic waste also on vacation: According to a 2017 study by Science Advances, only 9 percent of plastic is recycled and nearly 8.3 billion metric tons of plastic has been produced in the last six decades.
  • Limit energy use and conserve water: Limit water usage from long showers and turn off the hotel room air conditioner when you leave the room
  • Leave a place better than you found it: Take a trashbag on your hikes and pick up after your fellow tourists - leave only footprints, take only pictures
Summer Virtual Classes from Ms. Levin
Roy Cloud's After-School Book Club teacher, Sharon Levin, and her daughter Elise are teaching some great classes this summer. 

  • Variety of Math Classes
  • Book Clubs
  • Black Civil Rights History Through the Lens of Children’s Literature

Enrollment information here.
Survey for Rising Woodside HS Freshman
Help the SUHSD leadership team plan for reopening school in the Fall of 2020 by completing this survey.
Free Livestream Film Screening of ANGST: Raising Awareness Around Anxiety - IndieFlix Original Documentary 
Available through Sunday, May 31, Midnight


The goal of  ANGST is to start a global conversation and to raise awareness around anxiety. ANGST features candid interviews with kids and young adults who suffer, or have suffered, from anxiety and what they've learned about it. The film includes discussions with mental health experts about the causes of anxiety and its sociological effects, as well as help, resources and tools.

Presented by Sequoia Parent Education Series.
The last Weekly Thunderbolt of the 2019-20 School Year will be next week, June 4, 2020. Over the summer break, special editions for important updates will be sent as necessary. Have a great summer!
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