RESPECT
RESPONSIBILITY
READY TO LEARN

225 CLIFFORD AVENUE

REDWOOD CITY, CA 94070

Phone: 650.482.2402 ~ Fax: 650.367.4354

In case of an absence, please call our school office by 9:00am

WELCOME TO CLIFFORD SCHOOL!

We are pleased to welcome all of you, both new and returning students, to Clifford School. As a Dolphin, you have the opportunity to become fully involved in our complete and varied curriculum and extra-curricular activities and programs. We at Clifford School look forward to an exciting, positive academic and fun filled year for you. The staff at Clifford School plans to work hard and make this the best year yet.

We will always be here to lend guidance, answer questions, and assist you whenever the need arises. All you need to do is ask.

Our best wishes for a successful and enjoyable school year.

--The Clifford School Staff

Welcome to Clifford School. We are a kindergarten through eighth grade school with a dedicated staff and active supportive parent community.

We have a strong and rigorous, standards based curriculum. As evidenced by the STAR results we have shown continual improvement in student learning and student achievement. Because we believe in teaching the whole child we also incorporate programs such as Art-In-Action, Music for Minors, instrumental music, and various examples of performing arts. We have a wide range of after school enrichment programs including Chess, Mad Science, music lessons, Spanish language, flower arrangement and others. This year we are planning to expand our science instruction and incorporate science into the language arts program.

All of this makes Clifford an exciting place to be. In addition, we are one of the most ethnically and economically diverse schools in the county. As one teacher said when she began teaching at Clifford several years ago - "Clifford is multicultural education in practice."

Bienvenidos a la escuela Clifford.Somos

unaescuelaqueenseñadesde el Kindergarten al octavo grado con un personal muydedicado y unacomunidad de padres muyactiva.

Tenemos un currículofuerte y rigurosobasado en los estándares. Estoesevidente en los resultados de laspruebas STAR quedemuestranunamejora continua del aprendizaje y los logros de los alumnos. Debido a quecreemos en educar al niñoporcompletotambiénincorporamosprogramascomo Art-In-Action, Music for Minors, música instrumental, variosejemplos de lasartes de representación. Tenemosvariosprogramas de enriquecimientodespués de la escuelasincluyendo el ajedrez, Mad Science, lecciones de música, lecciones de español, arreglosflorales y otros. Este añoestamosplaneandoexpandirnuestrainstrucción de ciencias e incorporalascienciasdentro del programa de lasartes de lenguaje.

Todoestohaceque Clifford sea un lugarapasionante. Ademássomosuna de lasescuelasmásdiversasétnica y económicamente en el condado. Cómodijounamaestracuandoempezóenseñando en Clifford hacevariosaños – -Clifford eseducación multicultural en práctica.

MISSION

Students at Clifford will demonstrate the knowledge, skills, competency, and self-esteem to achieve fulfilling personal lives and careers. Empowered with a unique identity, they will possess confidence, discipline, leadership, and productivity that will enable them to become contributing citizens in a democratic society.

VISION

We believe in three themes to carry out the true meaning of what Clifford is all about. We believe that all students, parents, and staff should have respect for themselves and others around them. We should show we are responsible to have a successful day. We want an environment that feels safe and a fun place to want to be.

PLEDGE

Clifford is ready to learn, ready to help, respectful, and always proud. We are Clifford!

ACADEMICS

Books/Textbooks/Fines

Students will be held completely responsible for all books, which have been checked out to them. If any book is damaged, lost, or stolen, the student will be required to pay for it. All fines or debts must be paid before a student receives new textbooks, participates in many school-sponsored activities or receives a yearbook. Debts must be paid to be eligible to graduate from the eighth grade.

PowerSchool

PowerSchool is our student information system. Information regarding your child’s grades, attendance, and homework assignments can be found here. PowerSchool can be accessed at the following web address school only) and by entering your user name and password.

ACADEMIC CODE OF CONDUCT

The faculty and administration of Clifford School expect the highest standards of honesty and fairness from all students. Student responsibility, ethical behavior, and self-discipline are essential to promote the ideals of education.

Parents will be notified by teachers or administrators of any infraction of the following:

  • Dishonesty/aiding on examinations and assignments (including those electronically produced).
  • Altering/falsifying records (for example: modifying progress reports, forging parent signatures, etc.)
  • Plagiarism (the taking of someone else's work or ideas and passing them off as one's own).

Specific actions to include: parent conference, no credit for that work and/or the loss of up to one full letter grade for the trimester, Saturday School, suspension. Repeated violations may result in suspensionand a grade of “F” for the trimester.

See signature page (26)

SCHEDULE

REGULAR DAYS

Dias Regulares

Clifford Bell Schedule/ Horario2015-2016
Regular Days/ Días Regulares
Warning Bell/ Primera Campana: 8:12 AM
Instruction Begins at 8:15/
Las leccionescomienzan a las 8:15

PLEASE BE ON TIME TO SCHOOL EACH AND EVERY DAY. SUPERVISION BEGINS AT 8:00AM. THANK YOU!

POR FAVOR LLEGUE A LA ESCUELA A TIEMPO CADA DIA. SUPERVISION DE LOS ALUMNOS COMIENZA A LAS 8:00AM. ¡GRACIAS!

Kindergarten

1st two weeks all kinder students attend class from 8:15 am-12:30 pm

Orientation is August 24th from 8:30am-9:30am, & first day of school for kindergarten is Tuesday, August 25th

TK

Instruction / 8:30 AM / ~ / 9:30 AM
Recess / 9:30 AM / ~ / 9:45 AM
Instruction / 9:45 AM / ~ / 11:30 AM
Lunch / 11:30 AM / ~ / 12:00 PM
Instruction / 12:00 PM / ~ / 12:30 PM

Kindergarten

Instruction / 8:15 AM / Earlier / 9:45 AM
Instruction / 9:00 AM / Later / 9:45 AM
Recess / 9:45 AM / ~ / 10:00 AM
Instruction / 10:00 AM / ~ / 11:00 AM
Lunch / 11:00 AM / ~ / 11:35 AM
Instruction / 11:40 AM / Earlier / 1:05 PM
Instruction / 11:40 AM / Later / 1:50 PM

1st Grade

Instruction / 8:15 AM / ~ / 9:30 AM
Recess / 9:30 AM / ~ / 9:50 AM
Instruction / 9:50 AM / ~ / 11:30 AM
Lunch / 11:30 AM / ~ / 12:10PM
Instruction / 12:10 PM / ~ / 1:30 PM
Recess / 1:30 PM / ~ / 1:40 PM
Instruction / 1:40 PM / ~ / 2:25 PM

2nd Grade

Instruction / 8:15 AM / ~ / 9:30 AM
Recess / 9:30 AM / ~ / 9:50 AM
Instruction / 9:50 AM / ~ / 11:30 AM
Lunch / 11:30 AM / ~ / 12:10 PM
Instruction / 12:10 PM / ~ / 1:30 PM
Recess / 1:30 PM / ~ / 1:40 PM
Instruction / 1:40 PM / ~ / 2:25 PM

las primeras dos semanas todos los alumnos de kinder asisten clase de 8:15am-12:30pm, orientación toma lugar el 24 de agosto de 8:30am-9:30am y el primer día escolar para los alumnos de kinder es el martes, 25 de agosto

3rd Grade

Instruction / 8:15 AM / ~ / 10:05 AM
Recess / 10:05 AM / ~ / 10:25 AM
Instruction / 10:25 AM / ~ / 11:30 AM
Lunch / 11:30 AM / ~ / 12:10 PM
Instruction / 12:10 PM / ~ / 1:30 PM
Instruction / 1:40 PM / ~ / 2:25 PM

4th Grade

Instruction / 8:15 AM / ~ / 10:05 AM
Recess / 10:05 AM / ~ / 10:25 AM
Instruction / 10:25 AM / ~ / 11:45 AM
Lunch / 11:45 AM / ~ / 12:25 PM
Instruction / 12:25 PM / ~ / 2:35 PM

5th Grade

Instruction / 8:15 AM / ~ / 10:05 AM
Recess / 10:05 AM / ~ / 10:25 AM
Instruction / 10:25 AM / ~ / 11:45 PM
Lunch / 11:45 PM / ~ / 12:25 PM
Instruction / 12:25 PM / ~ / 2:35 PM

6th, 7th, & 8th Grades

Tardy Bell
Period 1 / 8:15 AM / 8:18 AM / 9:03 AM
Period 2 / 9:03 AM / 9:06 AM / 9:49 AM
Recess / 9:49AM / 10:05 AM
Period 3 / 10:05 AM / 10:08 AM / 10:51 AM
Period 4 / 10:51 AM / 10:54 AM / 11:37 PM
Period 5 / 11:37 AM / 11:40 AM / 12:23 PM
Lunch / 12:23 PM / 1:03 PM
Period 6 / 1:03 PM / 1:06 PM / 1:49 PM
Period 7 / 1:49 PM / 1:51 PM / 2:35 PM

SCHEDULE

Minimum Days 1:30 – THURSDAYS

JUEVES- Días Mínimos 1:30

Clifford Bell Schedule/ Horario2015-2016
Minimum Days/ Días Minimos
Warning Bell/ Primera Campana: 8:12 AM
Instruction Begins at 8:15/
Las leccionescomienzan a las 8:15

TK

Instruction / 8:30 AM / ~ / 9:30 AM
Recess / 9:30 AM / ~ / 9:45 AM
Instruction / 9:45 AM / ~ / 11:30 AM
Lunch / 11:30 AM / ~ / 12:00 PM
Instruction / 12:00 PM / ~ / 12:30 PM

PLEASE BE ON TIME TO SCHOOL EACH AND EVERY DAY. SUPERVISION BEGINS AT 8:00AM. THANK YOU!

POR FAVOR LLEGUE A LA ESCUELA A TIEMPO CADA DIA. SUPERVISION DE LOS ALUMNOS COMIENZA A LAS 8:00AM. ¡GRACIAS!

Kindergarten – ALL STUDENTS

Instruction / 8:15 AM / ~ / 9:45 AM
Recess / 9:45 AM / ~ / 10:00 AM
Instruction / 10:00 AM / ~ / 11:00 AM
Lunch / 11:00 AM / ~ / 11:35 AM
Instruction / 11:35 AM / ~ / 12:30 PM

1st Grade

Instruction / 8:15 AM / ~ / 9:30 AM
Recess / 9:30 AM / ~ / 9:50 AM
Instruction / 9:50 AM / ~ / 11:30 AM
Lunch / 11:30 AM / ~ / 12:10 PM
Instruction / 12:10 PM / ~ / 1:30 PM

2nd Grade

Instruction / 8:15 AM / ~ / 9:30 AM
Recess / 9:30 AM / ~ / 9:50 AM
Instruction / 9:50 AM / ~ / 11:30 AM
Lunch / 11:30 AM / ~ / 12:10 PM
Instruction / 12:10 PM / ~ / 1:30 PM

3rd Grade

Instruction / 8:15 AM / ~ / 10:05 AM
Recess / 10:05 AM / ~ / 10:25 AM
Instruction / 10:25 AM / ~ / 11:30 AM
Lunch / 11:30 AM / ~ / 12:10 PM
Instruction / 12:10 PM / ~ / 1:30 PM

4th Grade

Instruction / 8:15 AM / ~ / 10:05 AM
Recess / 10:05 AM / ~ / 10:25 AM
Instruction / 10:25 AM / ~ / 11:45 AM
Lunch / 11:45 AM / ~ / 12:25 PM
Instruction / 12:25 PM / ~ / 1:30 PM

5th Grade

Instruction / 8:15 AM / ~ / 10:05 AM
Recess / 10:05 AM / ~ / 10:25 AM
Instruction / 10:25 AM / ~ / 11:45 PM
Lunch / 11:45 AM / ~ / 12:25 PM
Instruction / 12:25 PM / ~ / 1:30 PM

6th ,7th ,& 8th Grades

Tardy Bell
Period 1 / 8:15 AM / 8:18 AM / 8:52 AM
Period 2 / 8:52 AM / 8:55 AM / 9:29 AM
Period 3 / 9:29 AM / 9:32 AM / 10:06 AM
Recess / 10:06 AM / ~ / 10:22 AM
Period 4 / 10:22 AM / 10:25 AM / 10:59 AM
Period 5 / 10:59AM / 11:02 AM / 11:36 PM
Period 6 / 11:36 AM / 11:39 AM / 12:13 PM
Lunch / 12:13 PM / ~ / 12:53 PM
Period 7 / 12:53 PM / 12:56 PM / 1:30 PM

Parent Partnership

To help every child at Clifford School work towards reaching his or her potential, it is important that parents, teachers, and school staff work together and communicate to achieve this goal. The tone of these interactions, from the casual setting of the playground to the formal parent-teacher conference, all work together to create a positive atmosphere at our school.

  1. Assume Good Intentions
  • What motivates both parents and teachers is their love of children. We all want to create a positive, supportive learning environment.
  1. Build Positive Relationships
  • At Clifford School, we are proud to have thoughtful and dedicated teachers. We are equally as proud of our supportive and caring parentcommunity. We all benefit from building positive relationships. In yourdiscussions with other parents and the community, share good news,and appreciation as often as possible, for this will help buildrelationships. Sharing the positive will lay the foundation for productiveand thoughtful interactions throughout the year, especially when issuesdo arise.We welcome all of our parents to share successes, questions, andconcerns with the classroom teacher and school staff. There are anumber of ways to do this: note to the teacher, phone message, email,visit to the classroom, or contact any of our instructionalspecialists, support staff, and Principal.
  1. Be Respectful When Communicating
  • Drop-off and pick-up times are rarely good times for teachers to hold athoughtful conversation with parents. E-mail is often an effective tool. However, you should avoid using e-mail if the situation isvery complex. When you talk to your child’s teacher:
  • Allow time for dialogue and response. Some problems cannot beaddressed immediately. Schedule a time that is mutuallyconvenient. Let the teacher know what day(s) and times areconvenient for you.
  • Discuss your child – not others. Parent should frame theirconcerns and question in terms of the effect they are having ontheir child only.
  • Use “I” messages that frame your concerns from your perspective.For example, you could say, “I am concerned that Amy has morehomework than she can handle” rather than, “Why are youassigning so much homework?”
  • Follow up with the teacher. If the teacher resolves the problem toyour satisfaction, take the time to thank him/her. If the problem isunresolved or resurfaces, communicate clearly and promptly.
  1. Be a Role Model
  • Help model positive behavior for other parents. If another parent orgroup of parents is sharing rumors or unproductive information about a teacher or staff member, encourage them to approach the teacherindividually with their concerns.Be a champion and play to your child’s strengths. Take a moment toreflect with your child on the best part of their day, and help them focuson the positive. You can ask them questions like, “What made you feelthe most proud today?” “What was the most fun part of your day?”“What was the most interesting thing you learned today?” “How did youmake a difference today?”
  1. Solve Problems Effectively
  • Even in the best circumstances, questions and concerns will arise. The first step you should take is to talk to your child’s teacher. Classroom teachers want to work with you to resolve any concerns. Some examples of common concerns:
  • “My child tells me he/she has no friends.”
  • “My child tells me he/she is being teased on the playground”
  • “My child tells me someone in the class is being mean to him/her.”
  • “The homework is too hard or too easy for my child.”
  1. Guide For Parents
  • If your child is experiencing academic difficulties we encourage you to follow the following steps:

FIRST: ASK YOUR STUDENT

Get as much information from your student as possible about the problem. Check your student’s homework assignment sheets and/or student planner. Help your student organize his/her materials and develop a plan to make up missed assignments by the teacher’s established deadlines. You can reasonably expect that academic subjects have homework assigned nightly. Please refer to each teacher’s individual course outline and classroom expectations for specifics.

SECOND: ASK THE TEACHER

Send an email or leave a message on the teacher’s voicemail asking for more information. The student and teacher’s understanding of the problem may be quite different. The teacher’s email/voicemail numbers are published on our website. It s our policy not to interrupt the classroom during the instructional day. Phone calls and all messages should be left on voicemail.

THIRD: MEET WITH THE TEACHER

A meeting with the teacher should be arranged when the issue cannot be resolved with a phone call. It is valuable for the student to be present at this meeting. If there is a problem in more than one class, follow the same procedure with each teacher. Because of other obligations it is not possible to meet with teachers on a drop-in basis. Please call in advance for an appointment (teachers make their own appointments)

FOURTH: REQUEST A MEETING WITH ALL TEACHERS TOGETHER

A meeting with all teachers together is appropriate if your student is failing most classes and you have met with teachers or there is some outside issue that affects his/her school wide performance. Contact the school office to schedule a meeting with all of your student’s teachers together. This meeting should not be scheduled until the first three options have been exhausted.

If you have an issue that needs immediate attention, please contact an administrator.

  • If you do not feel that your concerns are adequately addressed, make an appointment with the principal or ask the teacher to include the principal or vice principal in your next discussion.

If you follow the processes outlined in the partnership and still feel youhave unresolved issues please refer to the following Web site for Redwood City School District guidelines and procedures:

Attendance Procedures

Attendance:

Regular attendance and arrival on time are crucial to your child’s success at school. We request that you do all that is possible to arrange vacations around the school calendar. Letters will go home to parents for excessive absences, three or more unexcused absences, or excessive tardiness. We strongly encourage daily attendance for your child’s optimal education.

Absence:

Parents are requested to call the school office (423-2209) before 9:00 a.m. on the day of a child’s absence. The office opens at 7:15 a.m., but a phone machine is on for messages when the school office is closed or the secretary is busy.

Please state your name, the name of the child, room number, and reason for theabsence. Please keep your child at home until he or she is completely recoveredfrom an illness and able to participate in school activities.

Excused/Unexcused Absence:

Absences are excused for illness, doctor/dental appointments, or funeral of an immediate relative. Absences for other reasons and unreported absences are considered unexcused. We lose state funds if students do not attend school whether it’s excused or unexcused!

Prior Knowledge of Absences:

Whenever students are away from school, theymiss valuable instruction. If you know in advance that your child will have to misssome days of school, please be sure to notify both your child’s teacher and theschool office well ahead of time.

Tardiness:

Students are considered tardy if they are not in their classroomwhen the bell rings at 8:15 a.m.Any student arriving after 8:15 a.m. mustfirst go to the office for a tardy slip before entering theirclassrooms. Since they will have been marked “absent” when attendance wastaken, this procedure changes that “absent” to a “tardy”. Each student will be given a warning the first tardy, but will receive consequences on the second tardy and each tardy thereafter (see tardy consequences on page 19).

Independent Study:

The school sites report Independent Study (“IS”) Average Daily Attendance (“ADA”) for students taking vacation and other days off away from the regular classroom. Education Code 46300(e) (1) states that ADA can only be generated for independent study for 5 or more consecutive school days. The IS contract must be completely filled out and signed by the student, parent and the administrator in charge. All rules concerning the contract, including the days returned, the materials to be kept, and the date of return apply to IS.

Did you know?

  • The district receives no Average Daily Attendance (“ADA”) funding when a child is not present in school
  • Independent Study is an acceptable means of generating ADA for students who are absent from the regular classroom
  • Independent Study must be purely voluntary
  • Independent Study contracts must be signed by the student, parent, and teacher with beginning and ending dates completed before the work begins
  • A certificated teacher must review a student’s Independent Study work when he/she returns. The teacher, in some reasonable manner, must document: the assignments made, the manner, time and due date of the work, and the time value of academic work performed

Leaving School:

If your child must leave school before the regular dismissaltime, she/he should bring a note to the classroom teacher specifying the purpose ofthe absence, the departure time, and who will be picking up your student. Uponleaving or returning to school for any reason and at any time, the parent mustcheck the student out or in at the school office. The office staff will call the childdown from his/her classroom to be dismissed.During school hours, CHILDREN WILL ONLY BE RELEASED TO PARENTS OROTHER ADULTS WHO ARE LISTED ON THAT CHILD’S EMERGENCY CARD. Therefore, it is extremely important that you remember to inform the office whenthese adults (e.g., babysitter) change so the office can update the emergencycards.

After School Plans:

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

Kindergarten Dismissal Procedures:

Kindergarten students must wait withtheir teacheruntil a parent, childcare provider, or otherdesignated adult picks them up. If the parent is unavoidably detained, the childwill be escorted to the office to wait safely.

Dismissal Procedures:

All students must be picked up by 3:00 or 2:00 on minimum days. There is no after-school supervision on the playground or in front of the classroom. Students must wait to be picked up in front of the school, where a staff member will supervise them until 3:00. Any child who is not picked upon time will be taken to the office to call a parent or guardian. Please call theoffice as soon as you realize you will be unavoidably detained. For safetyreasons any child who is picked up late MUST be signed out in the office by theresponsible adult who picks them up. If this happens more than three times, the staff may call the police to make sure your child is picked up.