We  ❤️ our Teachers and Staff.
Today is Staff Appreciation Day!
May 7, 2020
Diane Prystas, Principal
Kristy Jackson, Assistant Principal
Principal's Message
Dear Thunderbolt Families,

During this particular week, we set aside time and go out of our way to show appreciation for the Roy Cloud teaching and support community and the ones who serve your children every day. This year it is particularly challenging to express our thanks in person, since we are not allowed on campus to decorate doors, deliver fruits and flowers or share delicious coffee and treats. Nonetheless, as we are learning, there are other ways to connect and I encourage you to send a friendly note of thanks via email, or send a positive quote if you are at a loss for words. Naturally, it’s the teaching staff with whom you have closest contact, however, did you know that all other members of our staff are considered “essential workers” and continue to fulfill their tasks in support of your children? Our office staff are working from home and coming in weekly to collect and distribute mail; our custodial staff is cleaning and sanitizing our facilities; our Instructional Associates are joining Google Meets and supporting students with lessons; food service staff continue to distribute food at various RCSD sites; RCSD nurses continue to contact families; music teachers are hosting their online music sessions; and librarians are sharing out stories. I encourage you to share a kind word of appreciation with our staff this week. ( staff email list ) 

One kind word can change someone’s entire day. 
With appreciation for your support,
Diane Prystas
Calendar
This Week
  • Thu, May 7 - Roy Cloud Staff Appreciation Day
  • Thu, May 7 - Superhero Day - Roy Cloud Virtual Spirit Day
  • Fri, May 8 - Fun/Crazy Hair Day - Roy Cloud Virtual Spirit Day
Upcoming
  • Tue, May 19 - PTO Virtual Meeting, 6:30pm (Zoom link)
  • Wed, May 20 - RCSD Virtual Board Meeting, 7:00pm (details)
  • 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
Staff Recommended COVID Resources
The health and safety of the Roy Cloud community is always our first priority. Here are some helpful tips and resources for students and families during Shelter in Place due to COVID 19:


Take good care of yourself!  
Roy Cloud Teachers & Staff
RCSD School Attendance Boundary Changes
RCSD's seven neighborhood schools will enlarge attendance boundaries after moves and mergers of programs and consolidation of schools. The final approved changes will take affect for 2021-22. You are invited to provide input; details here.
Yearbook Cover
Due to leaving school for the Shelter In Place, we were not able to review all of the submissions that were made for the yearbook cover. We appreciate the work of those who submitted a drawing, however, to be fair to all, a standard cover was selected from one of the designs the yearbook company offered. 
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
Volunteers Needed
Auction Co-Chair - We have one volunteer (with auction experience!) that would like to split up duties and share the role. Maybe you could take on 1/2 the auction chair duties? This large fundraising event is scheduled for February and raises appx $150,000 for Roy Cloud programs. A committee of volunteers do work such as donation solicitation, event planning, data entry, invoicing, and decorating. Work begins in August.

Secretary - Takes minutes at PTO monthly meetings and board meetings. Administrator of the organization's shared files. Two people can share the role, and divide and conquer!

To learn more about these positions, please email PTO President Yvonne Sarles and PTO Parliamentarian Alex Dendy.
Officer Nominations Close Today
Nominations close today, May 7, 2020. Voting by electronic ballot will be via the Thunderbolt newsletter on May 14-17. Please email nominations to PTO Parliamentarian  Alex Dendy .

The elected officer roles will include: President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, Parliamentarian, VP Communications, VP Fundraising, and VP Programs. 

If there is more than one candidate for a position, you will be able to select the candidate of your choice.
Volunteer Spotlight: Leanna Staben
Roy Cloud parent Leanna Staben has been steadfastly raising funds for PTO programs for 4 years. During her time as a committee member or chair of the Direct Donations campaign, contributions have increased almost 40%. Leanna also co-led the auction one year and supported it 2 additional years. Thank you Leanna for your incredible work for our students!
2020-21 Budget: Next Steps
Thank you to everyone who attended the budget review meeting on Tuesday evening 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.
Roy Cloud PTO Proud
Here are some highlights of the PTO's work this April. You make all this possible through your financial support and volunteerism:

  • Our STEAM teacher has been providing scratch coding lessons to classrooms virtually. PTO funds our STEAM teacher at 50%.
  • Our Garden Science teacher has been providing video lessons and distance learning activities for classrooms. Check them out here.
  • PE lessons in all grades have been continuing virtually. PTO contracts with Legarza to provide PE for grades K-5, and funds 50% of our middle school PE teacher.
  • Library books were ordered for next year in the amount of appx $2,500 and a new area rug was purchased.
  • Through PTO grants, the PTO funded materials and subscriptions specifically requested by teachers to support distance learning.
  • Thursday folders and middle school planners were ordered for 2020-21.
  • New bylaws were approved.

Read this section each month to learn the incredible impact your support makes for Roy Cloud students.
Community News
San Mateo County Transportation Plan
The San Mateo County Office of Sustainability is looking for methods to promote pedestrian and bike-friendly transportation routes for Unincorporated San Mateo County communities, including Emerald Hills. Your feedback is needed ; please take a few minutes to view their online Open House and share input through the links :   https://walkbikesmc.org/
Redwood City Parks and Recreation Summer Camps
Complete this survey and help RWC Parks and Recreation make decisions about how to move forward with summer camps.
Fridays For Future #32: Bring a Garbage Bag on Your Walks
We are all walking more!! Redwood City last week started closing off some streets for through car traffic, and some parks have also opened back up . It will be our first weekend to enjoy more nature again - so make your walk more purposeful and pick up at least one piece of garbage on every walk! If trash is just left on the trail, it will take months or even years to decompose .
 
Reuse the plastic bags you get with newspapers, bread or fruits as a glove and to dispose of your garbage, so you don’t produce more garbage than you are actually cleaning. Plastic wrappers that have not been used for food can also be returned at these retail locations . 
To subscribe to the Weekly Thunderbolt, click here .

To submit an article, email here . Submissions must be received by Tuesday midnight for publication Thursday, and may be edited. If you are submitting a for-cost program or camp not located at Roy Cloud, utilize peachjar .