We need Maze Days volunteers!

Can you believe summer is almost over?  Maze Days is coming up! For those of you who are new to Roosevelt, or have not experienced Maze Days before, it is where you turn in all school forms (packets will be mailed out soon), learn more about our PTA, pay PTA membership dues and direct donation, pay for/order school spirit wear and once you’ve turned in all forms, and completed the maze you will receive your classroom assignment.

Message from the Principal

Dear Roosevelt Families,

With this letter, the 2020-21 school year that students (and parents) will remember for a lifetime is officially coming to a close. As with all school years, I am exhausted, but with the celebration summer arriving is also a sadness at goodbyes I need to say. If you are not returning to Roosevelt next year, I wish you the best of luck, and please know that once a Roosevelt Raccoon, always a Roosevelt Raccoon!

We are hoping for a much more normal school year next year. We are planning for full day instruction, five days a week. At this point, we are unsure what the physical distancing requirements will be, but we are anticipating that the mask mandate will continue for all students. We are returning to school uniforms next year, however “Free Dress Fridays” will continue to allow for flexibility in clothing choices.

While there are more details in the weekly Raccoon Reporter (also the last of the year), I do want to share a few of the most important highlights:

• Next Thursday, the last day of school, is a minimum day for teachers. This means that for those teachers who have in-person students in the afternoon, their schedule is changing. The details are in the Raccoon Reporter, but I also hope your classroom teacher has shared their revised schedule with you.
• If your child is a distance learner, please ensure they return their technology devices, chargers, and textbooks on Thursday afternoon (12-3:30pm) or on Friday (8am-3:30pm) at the Vera Ave entrance to the library.
• As we make plans for next year, please make sure you complete the district survey as soon as possible if you have not done so already. It is critical, as we make staffing decisions for next school year.
• The first day of school next year is Wednesday, August 18. We have already scheduled our Maze Days for the week prior on Wednesday and Thursday, August 11 and 12 from 3-6pm. As always, we very much appreciate our parent volunteers who help make this work.

I’d like to end with a huge congratulations to all our 8^th grade students who are moving onto high school. They are an incredible group of individuals who I know will do amazing things. We are looking forward to celebrating them at their promotion ceremony on Wednesday, June 9.

Have a safe and enjoyable summer, and I look forward to seeing many of you in person in August.

Tina

This week

• Ongoing
  • Registration open for REACH, see flyer
  • Wed, June 9
    • 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony
  • Thu, June 10
    • Last day of school, minimum day
    • Distance learners return technology 12-3:30pm
  • Fri, June 11
    • Distance learners return technology 8-3:30pm

Upcoming Dates

• August
  • Wed, 11
    • Maze Days 3-6pm
  • Thu, 12
    • Maze Days 3-6pm
  • Wed, 18
    • First day of School!

Have a great summer! See you in Aug!

Dear Roosevelt families,

I hope you are enjoying the long weekend. I know I’m going to relax a little before the final stretch. There are only eight days of school left. With all the changes we have undergone this school year, it feels as if we started the year multiple times. I suppose in some ways we did—in  November with pilot classrooms, January with almost half our classrooms opening, and then again in April with a full reopening that included over half our students. While I don’t want to discount the struggles this year has brought, there have also been so many successes and triumphs. No other generation of students can say they have experienced what this one has, and as our students’ support systems, we thank you for everything you have done at home.

Here is the weekly Raccoon Reporter for reference, although hopefully you received it on Friday afternoon. Among other items, it includes information about the YMCA summer program at Roosevelt, technology and textbook return, and information about the last day of school on June 10.

Wishing you a wonderful week ahead,

Tina

Uniform Donation Drive

This week we will be collecting gently used uniforms. There will be bins at both entrances of the campus during drop off and pick up.

This week

• Ongoing
  • Registration open for REACH, see flyer

• Upcoming Dates

  • Wed, June 9
    • 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony
  • Thu, June 10
    • Last day of school, minimum day
    • Distance learners return technology 12-3:30pm
  • Fri, June 11
    • Distance learners return technology 8-3:30pm

Message from the Principal

Dear Roosevelt families,

We are getting down to our “lasts” of the school year now. This coming week, we have our last PTA meeting of the year, our last Coffee with the Principal, and even our last long weekend! For a year that at times felt never-ending, the last day of school is sure fast-approaching. As far as “lasts” go, this is not my last Raccoon Reporter for the year. You still have a couple more Friday newsletters to come.

A quick reminder that Roosevelt will have a new after-school program partner next year. Registration is now open. For more information and/or to register your child, please see this flyer or contact Scott Rodriguez, Program Coordinator at (650) 333-5724 or srodriguez2@redwoodcity.org.

Also, if you are an 8^th grade parent, please make sure you have completed the survey (this one was sent to parents on Thursday) to let us know if your child will be attending our promotion ceremony.

I hope to see many of you at the PTA meeting and/or Coffee with the Principal. Coffee is on Wednesday next week, which will hopefully make it a little easier for some of you to attend. I’m looking forward to all of these events being in person next year. However, until then, I’m still happy to see you virtually!

Wishing you a wonderful week ahead,

Tina

Uniform Donation Drive

The week of June 1-4, we will be collecting gently used uniforms. There will be bins at both entrances of the campus during drop off and pick up.

Movie Premiere and RCEF Fundraiser – La Familia, La Comunidad

On May 26 at 6:00PM, the Redwood City Education Foundation will be holding a virtual spring fundraising event, debuting a mini-documentary titled La Familia, La Comunidad, one of the first oral histories profiling the resilience of Redwood City families during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Our goal is to raise $100,000 by the end of July. 100% of funds will directly pay for 4,464 counseling hours, or one full-time counselor per school for Hoover, Garfield, and Taft. These three schools serve a student population that is 92% low-income, 61% English learners, and 98% Latino. This population has been hit hardest by the pandemic.

Please Join Us or Learn More About the Event on the RCEF website.

Redwood City Education Foundation works to improve the academic performance of under-served students in the Redwood City School District. 

This week

• Ongoing
  • Registration open for REACH, see flyer
• May 25, 2021 | 07:00 PM
  • Last PTA Meeting of the year| Zoom | Meeting ID: 821 9942 8500 | Passcode: roosevelt
• May 25, 2021 | 03:30 PM
  • Kinder 21/22 Virtual Meet & Greet: Meet the Kinder team | PTA members and fellow kinder parents | Zoom | Meeting ID: 869 7771 3604| Passcode: roosevelt
• Wed, May 26| 6:00pm
  • RCEF Fundraiser and Premier  of mini-documentary La Familia, La Comunidad

Upcoming Dates

• Week of June 1-4
  • We will be collecting gently used uniforms. There will be bins at both entrances of the campus during drop off and pick up.
• Wed, June 9
  • 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony

Message from the Principal

Dear Roosevelt families,

Can you believe we are now down to our final month of school for 2020-2021? Exciting news in San Mateo county, as we are officially in the yellow tier and vaccinations for young people 12 years and older opened up. While masks will continue to be mandatory at school and elsewhere in the county, it does certainly feel like there is light at this end of this tunnel.

This past week, our students worked on their iReady assessments in English language arts and math. While many have finished, some classes are still working. Look for communication from your child’s teacher regarding students still needing to return to campus or changes to the schedule. We will also be doing makeup testing towards the end of the week and will reach out with scheduling needs. It was wonderful to see many more of our students this past week when they came to school to take the iReady. We’ve missed them, and so many of them have grown up in the last year!

This week’s Raccoon Reporter is full of lots of news, so please make sure to read it if you haven’t already. There are a number of links to register for some great events, including My Dream School Project.

Next year, Roosevelt will have a new after-school program partner. We are welcoming REACH to our school. For more information and/or to register your child, please see this flyer or contact Scott Rodriguez, Program Coordinator at (650) 333-5724 or srodriguez2@redwoodcity.org. Registration opens at 9am tomorrow, Monday, May 17, and the program starts on the first day of school, August 18.

I would like to remind you that all library books need to be returned this week. Paulette will have return boxes outside the library on Vera Ave, so please make sure you drop them off if you are still in distance learning. Students who are in person may return them to their classroom teacher.

Wishing you all a wonderful week ahead.

Tina

Movie Premiere and RCEF Fundraiser – La Familia, La Comunidad

On May 26 at 6:00PM, the Redwood City Education Foundation will be holding a virtual spring fundraising event, debuting a mini-documentary titled La Familia, La Comunidad, one of the first oral histories profiling the resilience of Redwood City families during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Our goal is to raise $100,000 by the end of July. 100% of funds will directly pay for 4,464 counseling hours, or one full-time counselor per school for Hoover, Garfield, and Taft. These three schools serve a student population that is 92% low-income, 61% English learners, and 98% Latino. This population has been hit hardest by the pandemic.

Please Join Us or Learn More About the Event on the RCEF website.

Redwood City Education Foundation works to improve the academic performance of underserved students in the Redwood City School District. 

This week

• Mon, May 17
  • Registration opens for REACH, see flyer

Upcoming Dates

• Wed, May 26
  • Premiere of mini-documentary La Familia, La Comunidad | 6:00pm
• Wed June 9
  • 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony

Message from the Principal

Dear Parents,

I hope all of our mothers had a very happy Mothers’ Day! I hope your children showered you with love.

This week, we begin iReady testing. We are replacing the state CAASPP testing this year with these math and English language arts assessments. Classroom teachers should have communicated the schedule with you. All students currently on campus and those who are returning for a proctored testing environment need to make sure they bring a fully charged chromebook/iPad. We are looking forward to seeing some of our distance learners on campus again, albeit briefly.

We are so excited that we can now start planning an in-person 8^th grade promotion ceremony for Wednesday, June 9. While attendance will be very limited, and the event will take place outdoors, we are thrilled we can provide our 8^th graders with a more traditional conclusion to what has been a far from traditional year.

Thank you to our fabulous PTA parents, and especially Josanna Schiele, for showing appreciation to our teachers and staff on Thursday morning with delicious treats and a festive vibe.

I am attaching the weekly Raccoon Reporter here in case you missed it when it was sent out this past Thursday (a day early due to Friday being a holiday). If for any reason you are not receiving the weekly email, please contact the office to update your contact details.

Have a wonderful week, and as always, mask up and stay safe!

Tina

Upcoming Dates

• Wed, May 26
  • Premiere of mini-documentary La Familia, La Comunidad | 6:00pm
• Wed June 9
  • 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony

Message from the Principal

Dear Families,

Happy Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month! On Friday, President Biden made the proclamation designating May as such. Given the ongoing racist actions and rhetoric by some even in the Bay Area, it is important that this month we celebrate the contributions and achievements that Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have made to this country.

This week is also Teacher Appreciation Week. I am so thankful that we have such a dedicated group of teachers at Roosevelt, as they have all demonstrated their flexibility (the only constant this year has been change), compassion, and dedication to our students. Please try to show them some love this week with a note or email. I’d also like to thank all of you as you have also had to take on the teacher role many times this year—not a role most of you signed up for. You are appreciated!

With the move into the Orange Tier, schools were given the option to discontinue mandatory COVID testing for staff and students. We decided that we will continue COVID testing our in-person students every two weeks if you have opted in. If you have not already registered, please do so here to receive the results and complete a permission form. The test is a simple mouth swab.

As the district will not be participating in the California summative assessment (CAASPP) this year, we will instead be using the iReady assessment of English language arts and math starting May 10. All students who are on campus already will be completing the assessment at school. We will also be inviting all of our distance learning students to return to Roosevelt (following all county and state health and safety guidelines) to take their assessment. Please make sure to connect with your child’s teacher(s) for more details about this.

A quick reminder that it is a short week, as there is no school this Friday.

Mask up, stay safe, and have a wonderful week!

Tina

This Week

• All Week
  • Teacher Appreciation Week!
    Don’t forget to show your child’s teacher how much you appreciate them and all they do!
• Tues, May 4
  • Woodside Virtual Live Auction | 6:00pm
• Fri, May 7
  • No School – in lieu of Lincoln’s Day

Upcoming Dates

• Wed, May 26
  • Premiere of mini-documentary La Familia, La Comunidad | 6:00pm

Woodside Families Live Auction This Tuesday

Let’s give a big ROAR for the Woodside High School Class of 2025! As we ramp up for a full return to in-person classes in the fall, we’d like to welcome you to the WHS community and invite you to join our virtual live auction this Tuesday, May 4, from 7-8 PM. You’ll hear from Principal Burbank and teachers about all the programs made possible through parent donations. This includes a closer look at this year’s fund-a-need, which will provide technology crucial for bridging the equity gap and generating enriched learning opportunities for all of our kids. You’ll also get to bid on fabulous getaways and other premium auction items! We look forward to seeing you on May 4. For more information, and to sign up for the Class of 2025 parent party, head to whsfoundation.org today!

Message from the Principal

Dear Roosevelt Families,

I hope this week finds you well. It was a good week for us at Roosevelt, as we found out that we will be able to have an in-person promotion ceremony for our 8^th graders. While there will still be significant restrictions in place, we are excited that in what has been a truly unusual year for our 8^th graders, they still get to enjoy this significant rite of passage. For those of you with 8^th graders, please look for information in the next couple of weeks, as we begin the planning process.

In other exciting news for us, we can now make plans for iReady testing in lieu of state testing (CAASPP) this year. While we will still be following strict testing protocols in order to report valid test scores, it means that we will not be using close to three weeks of the seven we have left testing students. The iReady tests take significantly less time—only a few hours—but still give us strong data regarding student growth in English language arts and math.

I hope to see many of you at the PTA meeting this coming Tuesday at 6pm, which is immediately followed by a Roosevelt SEPTAR meeting for those of you with children with IEPs.

As always, please check out the weekly Raccoon Reporter for more up-to-date news and resources, and please don’t hesitate to reach out (tmercer@rcsdk8.net) with any questions or concerns.

Stay safe, mask up, and hopefully see you on Tuesday!

Tina

This Week

• Tues, April 27
  • PTA Meeting (Elections!) | 6:00pm | Zoom | ID: 821 9942 8500 | PW: roosevelt

Upcoming Dates

• Tues, May 4
  • Woodside Virtual Live Auction | 6:00pm
• Fri, May 7
  • No School – in lieu of Lincoln’s Day
• Wed, May 26
  • Premiere of mini-documentary La Familia, La Comunidad | 6:00pm

PTA Elections This Tuesday

Our PTA Meeting this week is Tuesday at 6:00pm. We will be holding elections for the 21/22 PTA Board, so all members are encouraged to attend or even run for a position!

Involved parents make for involved children!

• Zoom Link
• Meeting ID: 821 9942 8500
• Passcode: roosevelt

An Invitation for incoming Woodside Families

Let’s give a big ROAR for the Woodside High School Class of 2025! As we ramp up for a full return to in-person classes in the fall, we’d like to welcome you to the WHS community and invite you to join our virtual live auction on Tuesday, May 4, from 7-8 PM. You’ll hear from Principal Burbank and teachers about all the programs made possible through parent donations. This includes a closer look at this year’s fund-a-need, which will provide technology crucial for bridging the equity gap and generating enriched learning opportunities for all of our kids. You’ll also get to bid on fabulous getaways and other premium auction items! We look forward to seeing you on May 4. For more information, and to sign up for the Class of 2025 parent party, head to whsfoundation.org today!

RCEF and Bravemaker Present La Familia, La Comunidad

Join RCEF at the premiere of mini-documentary La Familia, La Comunidad on May 26th at 6:00 PM to raise funds for three full-time mental health counselors at RCSD’s most underserved schools. RCEF and Bravemaker present a mini-documentary highlighting the resilience of Redwood City families during the pandemic. This oral history recounts the resilience of the Redwood City families during the COVID-19 Pandemic as they continue to overcome enormous obstacles in order to support their children, learning, and growth. 100% of funds raised will pay for 4,464 counseling hours or one full-time counselor per school. RSVP or learn more today!

Message from the Principal

Dear Families,

April is Autism Acceptance Month, and this past Friday, April 16 was World Autism Day. Many of our staff showed our support for our autistic friends, family, and students by wearing red. The #redinstead movement is a counter-movement to “Light It Up Blue”, which is largely associated with the Autism Speaks organization. Autism Speaks supports ending and finding a cure for autism. This month is all about autism acceptance. A couple of hints when talking to or about autistic individuals:

• Identity-First Language:Autistic Individuals have shared that they prefer identity-first, as opposed to people-first language when being addressed: (i.e, “Autistic Individual” versus “Person with Autism.”) But, you should always ask what an individual prefers!
• Rainbow Infinity Symbol:Instead of the puzzle piece, many Autistic Individuals identify with the rainbow infinity symbol, as it represents neurodiversity and the diversity of the Autism spectrum.

Maya Angelou said it best, “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” Thank you to Alison Sudol, one of our special education teachers, for helping to us know better and do better!

While we have a couple (yes, two!) long weekends in May, our next big break is summer. Some of you may be exploring a variety of enriching activities for your children. In this week’s Raccoon Reporter, we have begun sharing opportunities for summer. Redwood City School District is partnering with the Boys & Girls Club of the Peninsula for summer school across the district this year, including at Roosevelt. We hope to have a couple more offerings at Roosevelt as well over the summer, so keep your eyes posted for more updates in the next couple of weeks.

It is that time of the year when we begin planning for next school year. We anticipate having full day school in-person instruction for all students in the fall and are planning accordingly. At our next School Site Council meeting on Monday, April 19, we will be discussing budget allocations and goals for meeting our student needs in 2021-22. As always, you are welcome to join us at 6:30pm:

Zoom Meeting: https://rcsdk8-net.zoom.us/j/87380409413?pwd=Y3NxYXU1NThuemNRdXZZRy9lc0pRUT09
Meeting ID: 873 8040 9413
Passcode: Roosevelt

We also have Coffee with the Principal this Friday 4/23 at 8:00am:

As always, the most current news and detailed updates are in the weekly Raccoon Reporter, and there are lots of fun pictures on our English and Spanish Facebook pages. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns you may have (tmercer@rcsdk8.net).

As always, stay safe and mask up!

Tina

This Week

• Mon, April 19
  • School Site Council Meeting | 6:30pm | Zoom | ID: 873 8040 9413 | PW: Roosevelt
• Fri April 23
  • Coffee with the Principal | 8:00am | Zoom | ID: 882 5963 5097 | PW: Roosevelt

Upcoming Dates

• Tues, April 27
  • PTA Meeting | 6:00pm (PTA Elections)
• Fri, May 7
  • No School – in lieu of Lincoln’s Day

Message from the Principal

Dear Families,

I hope you had a wonderful week this past week. I know I did! It was so exciting to see so many students back on campus on Thursday and Friday. Roosevelt is starting to feel like a real school again. Check out our Facebook page to see what our classrooms look like now.

Some of you may have noticed that the area where the portables were has now been repaved and grass is now back to where it should be. The fences will come down soon, and the play area on the lower campus will be as it was with the addition of the lunch shelter. The “rainbow stairs” are getting a facelift and are going to look quite different. I am hopeful they will be completed this week too. Maybe we will have to rename them, as the rainbow is being replaced with a stair mural. (I’m not sure if that’s what you call it, but you will understand when I post pictures of the final product!)

Check out the weekly Raccoon Reporter for all the latest news and updates, and please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns you may have (tmercer@rcsdk8.net).

As always, stay safe and mask up!

Tina

Upcoming Dates

• Fri April 23
  • Coffee with the Principal | 8:00am
• Tues, April 27
  • PTA Meeting | 6:00pm (PTA Elections)
• Fri, May 7
  • No School – in lieu of Lincoln’s Day