Superintendent's Newsletter
October 2023
Message from Superintendent Dr. John Baker:
Dear RCSD Community,
In 2023-24, we continue our critical work of addressing the challenges brought about by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, remaining committed to providing the highest quality education to our students. As I’ve shared with you in the past, we have made it our priority to address the learning loss that has resulted from these trying times, and one of our strategies to do so is through the Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS).
The Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) is a three-tier school-wide, data driven, proactive framework for providing universal support for each branch of every student's needs–academic, behavioral, and social-emotional. Each tier uses evidenced based practices and effective systems to improve core instruction and intervention.
Tier 1 includes every student. Teachers use research-based instructional strategies, scaffolded lessons, and differentiated instruction to reach each student in their room each day. Regular assessments provide useful information about student needs.
Tier 2 provides additional assistance for students through small group instruction or other specialized intervention.
Tier 3 provides another layer for students who may need more individual help such as one-to-one support.
As many of you are aware, our district embarked on a journey of MTSS professional development sessions last year, aiming to equip all of us with the tools and strategies necessary to support our students. We recognize that the effects of the pandemic have had a significant impact on our students' academic progress and well-being, and this series of professional development sessions help ensure that we are better equipped to address these challenges.
These sessions initially occurred twice each month, but this year, we have streamlined our approach to monthly sessions to allow for a more focused and in-depth exploration of key areas.
This year, our TK-5 main focus within MTSS is on Language Arts and Mathematics instruction, specifically within Tier 1. We believe that strengthening these foundational skills is essential to addressing the learning loss our students have faced. Our dedicated educators and administrators are actively engaged in the development of personalized and effective strategies to help each student thrive.
At the middle school level, Universal Design for Learning (UDL) lesson design is the area of focus. UDL is an approach that embraces diversity and strives to make the learning environment more accessible and inclusive.
We value your support in this ongoing process and encourage you to engage in open communication with your child's teachers, school principals, and administrators as we continue to implement the knowledge and strategies gained from these professional development sessions.
We remain optimistic about the future of our district and the academic growth of our students. Together, as a strong and united educational community, we can overcome the challenges posed by the pandemic and ensure a brighter future for our children.
Thank you for your continued trust and support in our efforts to provide the best possible education for each of our community’s children.
John Baker, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Celebrating RCSD’s Custodians!
Every day, the Redwood City School District (RCSD) Operations team oversees disinfecting of restrooms, cleaning of classrooms, and making sure grounds are free from debris. The committed crew of custodians cleans and sanitizes around 800,000 square feet throughout RCSD, keeping facilities safe and welcoming for students, staff, families, and guests. We thank these professionals for their contributions to student success. Go #TeamRCSD.
The Student, Teacher, and Family During the Student Goal-Setting Conference
Redwood City School District’s (RCSD) newly formatted Student Goal-Setting Conferences create an exciting opportunity for students to take on a larger role in the meeting as a means of having more agency in their learning path.
The Student:
Rather than the “reporting” style of traditional conferences, the student’s role is to take ownership of their learning. Students are encouraged to make–and share–goals for personal and academic growth. They are active participants in the goal-setting process.
The Family:
Families can support their students by providing input on their child’s strengths, areas of growth, and interests, as well as motivating children to push toward meeting goals with a growth mindset. Parents and guardians are encouraged to participate as active listeners and as advocates for their students.
The Teacher:
Teachers will facilitate discussion about the student’s goals and offer suggestions for further resources that can help the student. Teachers will guide the student in setting realistic and achievable goals related to their school experience. Teachers will provide feedback on the student’s progress and help identify areas of improvement.
Research shows that student goal setting proves to be a highly effective tool, with students making larger strides in achievement.
Student Goal Setting Conferences take place the week of Oct. 23-27. Please check with your school site for Super Minimum Day schedules.
New Phase of Stanford Partnership to Study RCSD Reclassification Best Practices
Always focused on innovation as one of its operational values, Redwood City School District (RCSD) is continuing its long-standing partnership with Stanford in 2023-24 to study implementation of changes to reclassification practices. Reclassification refers to the process in which a student who is classified as an English Learner (EL) demonstrates English language proficiency.
The District will also take part in a project that takes a heightened look at the longer-term multilingual learner pathways of those who are reclassified earlier on in their school career.
This school year, RCSD is among local school districts to benefit from research practice partnerships with the Stanford Graduate School of Education (GSE). The GSE has awarded continued grants to carry out and develop projects with partner school districts in the 2023-24 school year. Topics of projects include the impact of reclassifying multilingual learners as English proficient, strengthening practices of equity, and the academic trajectory of reclassified students.
The existing Stanford-Sequoia K-12 Research Collaborative, which includes RCSD, is a leading model of research practice partnership. Districts can utilize Stanford partners’ research to inform impactful decision-making while facilitating university research.
Another major project for RCSD and Stanford in 2023-24 will examine leadership stance, and how school leaders work together to uphold equity and creatively resolve challenges faced by students.
Previous projects conducted through the RCSD and Stanford partnership confirmed that local high school students who graduated from RCSD’s Dual Language Immersion Program in Spanish are reaching high levels of academic achievement. Researchers performed a longitudinal study following several cohorts of Spanish Immersion graduates into middle school and high school.
Cybersecurity Awareness Month: Basic Steps and Advanced Measures Keep Data and Students Safe in RCSD Schools
Whether on their school campus or at home, Redwood City School District (RCSD) students connect online daily and use a variety of digital tools to complete their school work. The month of October, which is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, highlights RCSD’s digital security systems and measures in place to protect students and staff.
This year, the emphasis is on returning to the basics of digital safety: encouraging the use of strong passwords, password managers, two-step and multi-factor authentication, software updates, and the ability to recognize and report phishing attempts.
In RCSD, the Department of Technology takes cybersecurity seriously, ensuring that students and staff remain protected both within the school network and beyond.
Firewall and Content Filter:
Inside the school district network, a firewall stands guard, providing a first line of defense against digital threats. This protective barrier ensures that all computers and devices connected to the network remain safe from potential breaches. In addition, a content filter is installed on all staff and students' devices, acting as a vigilant watchdog against inappropriate content.
Security at Home:
Families whose students take RCSD devices home need not worry about being their student exposed to digital risks. The district’s content filter continues its protective role even when students are connected to their personal networks at home. This commitment ensures that students remain shielded on RCSD devices, regardless of their home network settings.
Monitoring and Protection:
The school district is not only concerned with blocking harmful content, but also with monitoring for potential cyberbullying and threats. For this, RCSD uses a robust system that promptly alerts administrators to any threats targeting a student or staff member. The system also diligently monitors content within the Google Workspace for Education system, ensuring a safe digital environment for both students and staff.
Classroom Vigilance:
Teachers have an additional tool, a monitoring system that allows them to keep a watchful eye on students using Chromebooks in real-time. If a teacher observes a student straying off-task or engaging in inappropriate online behavior, immediate action can be taken to steer the student back on track.
Google Workspace for Education Security:
The Google Workspace for Education system itself comes equipped with various security settings and tools designed to keep student and staff accounts safe. These measures ensure that sensitive data remains protected and only authorized users have access.
“By fostering a culture of digital security and providing robust protective measures, we empower students and teachers to confidently and joyfully use the digital world to engage in teaching and learning,” concludes RCSD Director of Technology Carlos Reyna.
November 2 is Set as First Day of Enrollment for New 2024-25 RCSD Students
Do you have a child who will be new to Redwood City School District (RCSD) starting in August of 2024-25? Or is your child currently enrolled in the District, but wishing to explore another program?
Mark your calendar! The priority window opens Thursday, November 2, 2023 and closes Friday, January 19, 2024.
What is the Priority Window?
Because placement into a specific program or school is determined based on seat availability, applying during the priority window increases the possibility that a family will be placed in the program or school of their choice. The later the family applies, the less likely seats will be available.
In addition, students who apply during the late spring and summer, which is considered late enrollment, are only temporarily enrolled in their neighborhood school for the first 10 days of the school year, and may be moved if it is determined that there are not enough seats available.
While students can enroll for most schools at any time during the school year, applying during the priority window with all required documents submitted, is highly encouraged as it increases the possibility for placement.
Work at a Nearby RCSD School While Your Child is in School
Do you have some free time and would like to give back to your local school?
RCSD is looking for individuals who would like to support classroom teachers by participating as a paid substitute teacher.
Classroom teachers typically request a substitute teacher when they would like to attend a professional learning event where they will learn new skills and strategies to use in the classroom or when they need time for an unplanned personal or family situation.
The only requirement is to have a bachelor’s degree in any subject area.
The district provides the following compensation to substitute teachers:
$250 per day for TK-5th grade general education assignments
$260 per day for 6-8th grade general education assignments and K-8th grade special education classroom assignments
The long term rate for substitute teachers will be $275 per day starting on the 21st day retroactive to Day 1 of the long term assignment.
$180 for an 8 hour day or prorated for Preschool assignments.
Substitute teachers only work when their schedule allows--any day of the week for either a half or full day shift.
RCSD Milk Dispensers: Doing the Body (and Planet) Good
We all know that milk comes from cows but it also comes from a specialized, chilled dispenser at three Redwood City School District (RCSD) schools. Students have been lining up at lunch for a chance to try the new machine.
Students at McKinley Institute of Technology (MIT), North Star Academy, and Orion Alternative have been filling their cups with cold, organic milk this school year in a District effort to not only encourage healthy eating habits, but to significantly reduce waste.
The dispensers, piloted at MIT and North Star during the 2022-23 school year, have already proved to cut down on wasted product and extra trash.
A study performed by the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) found that milk and milk carton waste declined once the District implemented the bulk milk dispenser. Before the bulk milk dispensers arrived at those schools, around 51 percent of milk cartons were thrown away unopened during meal times.
Child Nutrition Services Registered Dietitian Anna Lague said that the same study is showing that students drink the milk that they serve themselves from the dispenser.
“When students are allowed to self-serve, they generally are more content,” Lague said. “They serve the amount of milk they want. The milk is organic and tastes really good. This encourages more children to drink the milk.”
Lague said that the students at Orion Alternative have shown great interest and excitement about the milk dispenser new to their school this year.
This initiative, funded in part by the California Department of Education (CDE) equipment grants and by Federal funding, is part of a larger undertaking to utilize more eco-friendly processes in District kitchens, Lague said.
Other examples include condiment pumps in cafeterias instead of individual packets. Utensil kits have been replaced with spork and napkin dispensers to eliminate extra plastic and straw use. The napkins are made from recycled fiber.
A number of school site kitchens take part in a composting program, sorting waste between organic and nonorganic. Large cans and cardboard are recycled.
And all kitchens have Share Carts, another important step in reducing food waste. The carts are placed outside the serving line at meal time.
Redwood City School District
Website: https://www.rcsdk8.net
Phone: 650.482.2200
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RedwoodCitySchoolDistrict
Twitter: @RWCSchools