Redwood MS - Viking Voice #22

Reminder that there is no school next Monday, January 19th in recognition of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday. Remember Vikings, we lead with kindness. We use academic language only, and we treat others the way we want to be treated. We are in this together Vikings, let's take care of each other!

Dear Redwood Families,

The Redwood faculty has been engaged in thoughtful discussions about how to better support our students through adjustments to our current bell schedule. After extensive collaboration, teachers explored ways to increase consistency for students, ensure that A-period classes meet daily, and allow teachers greater flexibility to provide intervention and enrichment within their own classes.

As a result, the faculty has voted to pilot a new bell schedule beginning in August 2026. This schedule is modeled after the bell schedule currently used at our sister school, Los Cerritos Middle School.

What will not change:

• Student drop-off and pick-up times will remain the same for families.
  

What will change:

• Monday through Thursday will follow the same bell schedule each week, providing greater consistency for students and families.

• Every Friday will be an early-release day for students.

• After student dismissal on Fridays, teachers will use the afternoon time for collaboration and common planning.

• Each Friday will include what we are calling our RISE time. Every Friday we will focus on Redwood Intervention, Support and Enrichment. In addition to normal activities Friday's will also include class specific intervention, academic support, or enrichment. Each teacher and department will tailor supports to the specific needs of their students on a weekly basis.

We believe this structure will strengthen instructional consistency, increase opportunities for targeted student support, and enhance teacher collaboration.

Families are welcome to attend an upcoming Principal’s Coffee and school tour if you would like to learn more or ask questions about the proposed bell schedule.

Our next step will be to present the proposed bell schedule to the CVUSD School Board in March 2026. Pending Board approval, Redwood Middle School will pilot the revised schedule during the 2026–2027 school year. Teachers will then vote again during that school year on whether to continue the schedule or make additional adjustments.

We are deeply grateful for our Redwood community’s continued support as we work to adapt and respond to the evolving needs of our students. Please feel free to reach out with any feedback or questions.

~Redwood Middle School Administration

It's almost time to start thinking about next school year! Course request forms will be available in February for current grade 6 and grade 7 students.

• All families will complete the course request forms via google form.
• Links to the google form will be available on the counseling website and via this newsletter as well as direct email to all students and families in February 2026.
• See information flyer below for additional dates.

SSC meets this Wednesday January 19th. All our welcome to attend! See agenda and all prior agendas and minutes here.

Congratulations to our two amazing Vikings who represented our school at the county level for the Reflections Art Contest. We are so proud of Daxton A. and Hayden L.! Daxton won an Award of Merit for his musical composition piece. Hayden won an Award of Merit in literature and an Award of Excellence in film, which means her film piece will move on to the state level.

Boys Volleyball - Practice every Tuesday 3:30pm-5:00pm Redwood Gym. Games start Wednesday, January 21st.

Girls Basketball- Canceled - Not enough teams from other schools to compete.