Dolphin Digest

Wednesday, August 5

• Class Placements Sent to Families via School Messenger

Thursday, August 6

• Dolphin Day - 3:30 - 5:30 PM - MUB

Wednesday, August 12

• First Day of School - Minimum Day

Friday, August 14

• Minimum Day

Monday, August 24

• Beginning of Year iReady Testing Begins

Wednesday, August 26

• Clifford Families Meet & Greet w/ Dr. Rubalcaba - 8:30 - 10:00 am

Thursday, August 27

• Back to School Night

5:15 - 6:15 pm - 6th - 8th Grade

6:00 - 7:00 pm - TK-5th Grade

Friday, August 28

• Minimum Day

Monday, September 7

• No School - Labor Day Holiday

Dear Clifford Families,

Welcome to the 2026–2027 school year! I hope you and your family had a wonderful summer filled with opportunities to relax, recharge, and make lasting memories. We are thrilled to welcome both our returning Dolphins and the many new students and families joining the Clifford community this year.

Next week our staff will begin preparing classrooms, planning engaging learning experiences, and ensuring our campus is ready to provide every student with an outstanding start to the year. At Clifford, we believe that students thrive when they feel safe, supported, challenged, and connected, and we are excited to continue building a school community where every child can learn and grow.

This year, our district is embracing the motto "All In for Kids." At Clifford, that means working together -students, families, and staff - to create the best possible learning environment for every child. We are committed to high-quality instruction, strong relationships, and meaningful partnerships with our families because we know that our greatest successes happen when we are all working toward the same goal.

Important Reminders:

• School begins at 8:15 a.m. for grades K–8 and 8:20 a.m. for TK.

• Campus gates open at 8:00 a.m. Arriving early helps students begin the day calmly and reduces traffic congestion.

• Please review our updated bell schedule, as there are slight adjustments to this year's dismissal times.

We encourage you to stay engaged throughout the year by attending school events, volunteering when you can, reading our biweekly Dolphin Digest, and maintaining open communication with your child's teacher and our staff. Your partnership is invaluable, and together we can ensure every student has a successful and memorable school year.

Thank you for being an important part of the Clifford community. We are excited to begin another incredible year together and are truly All In for Kids.

Kristy Jackson

We are excited to welcome you to Dolphin Day as we kick off the 2026–2027 school year! This is a great opportunity to prepare for the new school year, connect with our school community, and learn more about the many programs and enrichment opportunities available at Clifford.

Please join us anytime between 3:30–5:30 p.m. in the Multi-Use Building (MUB) to:

• Pick up a packet of important school information, schedules, and your grade-level school supply list

• Learn about Clifford programs, clubs, after school programs, and enrichment opportunities

• Meet members of our school staff and PTO

• Connect with other Clifford families

To make the afternoon even sweeter, we'll have an ice cream truck on campus with free ice cream for all Clifford students and families! We hope you'll stay, connect with other families, and celebrate the start of another wonderful school year together.

Class Placements
Families will receive an email with their child's class placement on Wednesday, August 5. If you do not receive your child's placement email, our staff will be happy to assist you with your child's placement at Dolphin Day.

Campus Access
Please note that campus improvement projects, including possible construction and repaving of blacktop areas, may still be underway. Depending on the status of the work, families may need to enter campus through the Family Center entrance or the upper campus gates. We appreciate your patience and flexibility as we continue making improvements to our campus.

We are excited to introduce the outstanding staff who will be serving our Clifford students and families during the 2026–2027 school year! Our dedicated teachers, specialists, support staff, and office team are committed to creating a safe, welcoming, and engaging learning environment where every student can thrive. We look forward to partnering with you this year as we continue to be All In for Kids!

Administrative & Office Team Members

Kristy Jackson, Principal

Clare Scribner, Assistant Principal (TK-5)

Jennifer Sanchez, Assistant Principal (6-8)

Mayra Guerra Rodriguez, Office Manager

Tatiana Pushugua, Office Assistant

Vicky Alvarado, Part-time Office Assistant II

Diana Allyon, Nurse

Mario Guevara, Lead Custodian

TK-2nd Grade Classroom Teachers

Gaby Zuk, Jeanne Wolfe, Erica Metro, Julia Mikulas, Allison Rhoads, Lisa Sterger, Dione Smith,

Maureen Keithley, Chris Reilly, Kim Bewley, Jennifer Wenzel, Anju Osa

3rd - 5th Grade Classroom Teachers

Kim Gray, Debra Lennen, Jennifer Overbey, Stefanie Eaton, Shannon Cody, Kelsey Fowle, Christianne Kappelle-Curtis, Julia Collins

6th - 8th Grade Classroom Teachers

Mi Pohahau (Math/Science), Heather McQuaid (ELA/SS), Michelle Territo (Science), Dan Rogers (PE), Edmond Hare (SS), Paola Nieto(Math), Jonathan Manion(ELA), Bonnie Finato(AMP), Homer Chavez & Rodelia Abang (SLC)

Specialists

Autumn Pacheco, Malayshia Stone, Robin Campi, Renee Rodriguez, Megan Klein, Savanna Swickard, Zoe Walp, Christina Prado, Crystal Farshchi, Larry Brown, David Hopper, Nina Ivanova, Jenna Perryman, Celestina Siordia, Casia Ravi, Sergio Trejo, Jeremy Ilog

Family Center

Albert Lowe, Allison Palestino

Support Team Members

Jessica Cordier, Nancy Rodriguez, Louisa Hughes, Carolina Herrera Pena, Cheryl Gurat, Ayat Abuirbaileh, Sara Jimenez, Yvette Mitchell, Ryan Moffit, Margarita Garcia, Jose Linares, Julie Harrison, Alicia Bladden, Tamara Mendoza, Hailey Navarette, Kathy Mejia, Keyly Pierson-Mourier, Stacia Rechless, Blanca Chavez, Blanca Villagomez, Liz Garcia, Martha Lopez, Daisy Corona

We invite all Clifford families to join us on Wednesday, August 26, from 8:30–10:00 a.m. in the Clifford Library for an opportunity to meet our new Superintendent, Dr. Rubalcaba, and help welcome him to our school community.

As part of Superintendent Dr. Rubalcaba's 90-Day Entry Plan, the Listening and Learning Tour is designed to help him build relationships and gain a deeper understanding of each RCSD school community. During the visit, he will meet with families, staff, and school leaders, and learn about each school's unique strengths, traditions, opportunities, and aspirations. Insights from these visits will help inform future priorities as he continues to listen, learn, and lead—all In for Kids.

Click here to learn more about Dr. Rubalcaba and his vision for RCSD.

At Clifford, we are excited to kick off the school year with activities and lessons designed to help students thrive in the 2026-2027 school year!

We will start by focusing on building connections and fostering positive relationships in the classroom, an essential part of our Social Emotional Learning (SEL) work. SEL helps students develop the skills they need to manage emotions, build empathy, set goals, and make responsible decisions—laying the foundation for both academic and personal success.

Students will also take part in our Dolphin Bootcamp, which is dedicated to teaching and reinforcing school-wide expectations for being safe, respectful, and responsible. This is a key component of our Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) approach, which promotes positive behavior, prevents problems before they start, and ensures a consistent, supportive learning environment for all students.

In addition, our Back-to-School Assemblies will bring grade-level spans together to celebrate the year’s start, review expectations, and strengthen our sense of community from day one.

Our teachers and staff are looking forward to this important first week and to setting the foundations for a successful year ahead!

ARRIVAL

• Supervision begins at 8:00 AM. Children are not to arrive at school BEFORE 8:00 AM.

• Parents may park in the neighborhood and walk their child(ren) to their classroom to wait for their teacher. We highly encourage walking and biking if you are able to.

• Beginning at 8:00 AM students may walk to their classroom and line up in the area designated by their teacher.

• Students do not play on the structures, blacktop, fields, or hallways before school.

• When the warning bell rings at 8:12 a.m., students should make their way to the classroom to line up.

• By 8:15 AM when the bell rings, teachers greet students and lead them into the classroom.

• If a child arrives after 8:15 AM (TK - 8:20), the student must first go to the office to get a late slip before going to class.

• Campus gates will be locked at 8:20 a.m. Students arriving after this time must check in at the office.

DISMISSAL

• Students need to leave campus promptly after each dismissal.

• TK & Kindergarten students must wait with their teacher until a parent/child care provider or other designated adult picks them up.

• Children who are being picked up must wait in the drop-off/pick-up areas.

• Children who walk are to go directly home.

• TK-5 students are not to play on the blacktop after dismissal, due to classes still being in session.

• To ensure student safety, parents/families may not enter campus until 6:00 pm when all students in after school programs have left for the day.

• TK-5 students are not to be left unsupervised on campus, waiting for older siblings.

• Parents of student(s) who are repeatedly not picked up promptly, will be contacted by the school administration.

• If an emergency prevents you from picking up your child on time, make alternate arrangements and notify the school. Students who are picked up late need to be signed out in the office.

STUDENT DROP OFF/PICK UP AND PARKING LOT GUIDELINES

Safety around the school and the neighborhood is everyone’s responsibility. Parking rules apply to everyone. Speed limits in school zones are 25 mph or less if the conditions warrant slower speeds. Use great caution, drive slowly, follow these guidelines, and instruct your child to follow them as well. The San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office helps to enforce compliance with the law in and around Clifford School.

The parking lots are reserved for staff, busses, and handicapped drivers displaying a valid permit ONLY. Please park along the neighborhood streets and away from the red zone.

ARRIVAL/DROP-OFF & DISMISSAL/PICK-UP INSTRUCTIONS

• Follow the guidance of the personnel on duty.

• Obey all posted and painted signs.

• Watch for children walking, biking, or in crosswalks.

• Please follow these lane guidelines between 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. on school days

• Right Lane: Cars dropping off or picking up students.

• Left Lane: Cars driving through (no pick-up or drop-off allowed).

• Drive slowly in a single file line when entering the parking lot, and proceed to white curb drop off/pick up zones.

• Please pull all the way forward to allow for cars to enter the parking lot and to prevent traffic jams.

• Allow your child to exit curbside.

• Remain in your vehicle if you are just dropping off. Do not leave your car unattended.

• Slowly and carefully pull away after your child has exited.

• Exit by following the curve of the parking lot.

• No parking in the loading and unloading zones.

• Students should use the pedestrian crosswalk when needed to cross the parking lot.

• Do not park or drop off in the designated bus loading zone.

• Please share this information with all drivers who may pick up your child.

BUS RIDING SAFETY & GUIDELINES:

The bus, whether a SamTrans bus, the yellow school bus, or a field trip bus, is an extension of our school environment. This means every passenger will treat fellow passengers and the driver with respect. While on the bus to or from school, students will refrain from any behavior that might distract the driver from safely delivering students to their destinations. The bus driver reserves the right to remove a student from the bus; any reports that come to the attention of the school administration may result in suspension of riding privileges and/or additional consequences.

After School Plans:

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

The Redwood City School District uses Safe Arrivals; an efficient way for parents to report absences. With SafeArrival, you can report your child’s absence in advance using any of these 3 convenient methods:

1. Using your mobile device, download and install the SM Home app from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store.

2. Report through the SafeArrival website: home.schoolmessenger.com

3. Call the toll-free number 1-800-403-5535 to report an absence using the automated phone

System.

Families can report absences in advance up until 10am. If you do not report an absence, you will receive a text, email and/or phone call requesting the reason for your child’s absence. If no reason is provided, your child will be marked unexcused.

**To sign up for and use School arrival, your email and phone number must match the information you provided to the school during registration. If you’ve changed your email or phone number, please let Office Staff know**

Updated Requirements for Level 2 Parent Volunteers

The State of California has implemented new requirements for Level 2 parent volunteers. Please visit the district website to learn more about these updated requirements and the steps needed to remain eligible to volunteer.

https://www.rcsdk8.net/our-programs-and-services/human-resources/volunteer

If you are already an approved Level 2 volunteer, you will need to complete these additional requirements before continuing to volunteer in a Level 2 capacity.