Dolphin Digest
August 10, 2026
Wednesday, August 12
- First Day of School - Minimum Day
Thursday, August 13
- Every Thursday is a Minimum Day
Friday, August 14
- TK-8 Back to School Kick Off Assembly
- 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 - Library
- Back to School Night
5:15 - 6:15 pm - 6th - 8th Grade
6:00 - 7:00 pm - TK-5th Grade
Friday, August 28
- PTO Coffee - 8:15 am - Front of School
- Minimum Day
Monday, September 7
- No School - Labor Day Holiday
Tuesday, September 15
- School Site Council Meeting, 4:00 p, - Library & Virtual
Thank you to everyone who joined us for Dolphin Day! It was so wonderful to see our students and families back on campus and to have the opportunity to reconnect with so many members of our Clifford community. We are getting excited for the start of another great school year!
A special thank you to our amazing PTO for sponsoring the ice cream truck. As you can imagine, it was a HUGE hit with our students! 🍦🐬
If you weren't able to attend Dolphin Day, don't worry! You can stop by the school office any day this week between 7:45 a.m. and 3:45 p.m. to pick up a Dolphin Day packet with important information to help you get ready for the new school year.
If you have questions about the first day of school or anything else, please give our office team a call at 650-482-2402. Mayra or Vicky will be happy to assist you.
You can also find important information about the upcoming school year on our school website:
We can't wait to welcome everyone back on campus and officially kick off the 2026–27 school year!
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.
ARRIVAL
Arrive early to beat the traffic - we suggest getting to school no later than 8:05 am.
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.
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.
Dear Clifford Families,
We are excited to welcome you to our annual Back-to-School Night on Thursday, August 27th! This special evening is a wonderful chance to connect with your child’s teacher(s), hear about classroom expectations, and learn more about the engaging year ahead.
Schedule for the evening:
TK–5th Grade
6:00 - 6:15 pm – Welcome meeting in the MUB
6:15 - 7:00 pm – Visit your child’s classroom
6th–8th Grade
5:15 - 5:30 pm – Welcome meeting in the MUB
5:30 - 6:15 pm - Visit your child's classrooms
Our dedicated educators are eager to share their vision for a positive and enriching school year. We know that strong partnerships between families and teachers are key to student success, and this evening provides an important opportunity to begin those connections.
Please note: Back-to-School Night is for parents and guardians only. We kindly ask that you arrange childcare for your student(s). If you are unable to attend, please reach out directly to your child’s teacher for information shared during the event.
We look forward to seeing you there and beginning another great year together!
The 3rd annual Clifford Campout will be Saturday, October 3 - Sunday, October 4!
Join us for a pizza dinner, an outdoor movie (with snacks!) and camping on the upper field. Both camping and non-camping tickets (dinner + movie only) are available at:
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/2026-clifford-campout
Ticket costs go up September 8!
If you have any questions, need financial assistance, or would like to join the planning committee, contact Stephanie Kulkarni (stephanie.ann.claussen@gmail.com).
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.
The Role AI Should—and Should Not—Play in Education
Rebecca Winthrop, PhD, Global Education Leader, Author of The Disengaged Teen
Thursday, September 10, 2026 - 5:30pm – 6:30pm PT, Virtual Event (Live)
Register: https://rebeccawinthrop2026.eventbrite.com
Rebecca Winthrop, PhD, will explore how generative AI is reshaping learning and how parents and educators can help students maximize its benefits while reducing its risks.
Parents/caregivers, educators, and community members welcome! Simultaneous Spanish interpretation will be available. Free admission.
This presentation is sponsored by the Sequoia Healthcare District, Sequoia Union High School District, and Peninsula Health Care District, in partnership with The Parent Venture.
Questions? Contact Charlene Margot, MEd, Co-Founder and CEO, The Parent Venture, at cmargot@parentventure.org.
Joy Is a Risk Worth Taking
Kelly McGonigal, PhD, Psychologist, Educator, Author, Stanford University
Wednesday, October 7, 2026, 5:30pm – 6:30pm PT, Virtual Event (Live)
Register: https://kellymcgonigal2026.eventbrite.com
As Stanford psychologist and educator Kelly McGonigal, PhD, reveals in her new book, Joy Is a Risk Worth Taking, joy gives life meaning, sustains hope, and helps us feel close to others.
Parents/caregivers, educators, and community members welcome! Simultaneous Spanish interpretation will be available. Free admission.
This presentation is sponsored by the Sequoia Healthcare District, Sequoia Union High School District, and Peninsula Health Care District, in partnership with The Parent Venture.
Questions? Contact Charlene Margot, MEd, Co-Founder and CEO, The Parent Venture, at cmargot@parentventure.org.