All posts by PTO Communications

Back to School Night

Mark your calendars for Back to School Night, Thursday, September 6!

Schedule is as follows:

Grades 1-5
5:30-5:45 PM: Grade 1-5 families meet in the MUB
5:45-6:30 PM: Grade 1-5 families meet in classrooms

Grades 6-8
6:30-6:45 PM: Grade 6-8 families meet in MUB
6:45-7:45 PM: Grade 6-8 families meet in classrooms

Noche de regreso a clases: Grados 1-8, jueves 6 de septiembre

1° a 5° grado
5:30-5:45 PM: familias de 1° a 5° grado se reúnen en el MUB
5:45-6:30 PM: familias de 1° a 5° grado se reúnen en los salones

Grados 6-8
6:30-6:45 PM: las familias de los grados 6-8 se reúnen en MUB
6:45-7:45 PM: las familias de los grados 6-8 se reúnen en los salones

Art in Action: Top Tips for Clay Classes!

3rd Graders create their own clay shields, and decorate them with beads and feathers, inspired by Native American Art.
Here is a sampling of 3rd Grade artwork inspired by Native American traditions: The students use clay and glazes to create their own shields; then they decorate them with beads and feathers.

WORKING WITH CLAY

Thank you for leading a clay class, as part of Art in Action — or for helping out during a lesson! Clay is such a fun medium to work with; our students love it!

Scroll to the end of this post for some handy definitions.

And have fun!

Firstly, here are some lesson tips:

  • Clay fresh from the bag has been pre-wedged; all of the air bubbles have been removed. Since air bubbles in the clay can cause pieces to break when fired, encourage students not to overwork the clay, and keep this in mind when recycling extra scraps.
  • Try to keep finished pieces not more than about an inch thick. If too thick, the clay may not be able to dry completely and can break when fired. If a sculpture is thicker, you can carve out clay from the base or poke a hole to make it hollow.
  • Etch the students’ initials, name or student number on the bottom of each piece.

After your class with raw clay is complete:

  • DO NOT ALLOW CLAY TO GO DOWN THE DRAIN! Always have students rinse hands in a bucket of water, and dump the bucket outside.
  • Place finished pieces in cardboard flats–extras are available in the art closet–and label the flat with the teacher/grade and the date it was finished.
  • Place boxed pieces on the shelves in the back right of the art closet to dry. They will dry for 2-3 weeks before being bisque fired. When fired, they will be returned to the shelves (leave your name and # on the box if you want to be called when they’re done).
  • After the pieces are fired, if you want to add color, they can be painted with Tempera, then sprayed with a clear varnish, or glazed with the ceramic glaze. When painting with the ceramic glazes, 2-3 coats should be used for best color (the glaze dries very quickly and extra coats can be done immediately).
  • After glazing, the pieces will need to be fired again, so use the same boxes and labeling as described above, and put them back on the drying shelves to wait for the next firing.

Some definitions:

Kiln: The oven used to harden clay. When clay is “fired” in the kiln (typically at 1800-2500 degrees F), all the water is removed and the clay is chemically changed so that it is permanently hardened.

Slip: Clay mixed with a lot of water. Slip can be used as a glue to hold pieces together. First scratch or “score” the clay surfaces to be connected then apply slip like glue and make sure the pieces are well connected so they don’t fall apart as the clay shrinks in the kiln.

Wedging: This is a method of carefully kneading clay to remove any air bubbles . Air bubbles in the clay can cause pieces to explode in the kiln.

Bisque: This is the first firing. After a piece is bisque fired, it can be glazed, painted or left as is.

Glaze: This is like a “liquid glass” that is painted on bisque fired clay to add color and give the piece a smooth shiny finish. After glazing, pieces will require a second firing to finish.

–Rachel Winmill

Clay_shield2

Clifford Art Exhibit Topped with Hot Chocolate

 

Two artists pose for the camera with fun "arty" props during the Clifford event in October 2015.
Two Clifford artists pose with fun “arty” props during our first Peet’s event in October 2015.

 

What do you do on a (potentially) chilly Monday afternoon in March?

Why, you go to Peet’s in San Carlos, of course!

Come soak up our students’ artwork, enjoy fun activities, and sip – or knock back – Peet’s delicious beverages. And/or eat!

Clifford families, teachers, and staff: You are all invited to this special Art in Action show!

Thanks to classes taught by parent volunteers, 2nd and 3rd Grade artwork will be on display.

Here are the details:

What: Clifford Art Show & Cocoa Night
Where: Peet’s Coffee & Tea, 677 Laurel Street, San Carlos.
When: Monday, March 7, 2016
Time: 4:00-6:30PM

2nd Graders and 3rd Graders will be entitled to a coupon for one free hot chocolate to be used on March 7 at Peet’s during our event (check your 2nd or 3rd Grader’s folder for the coupon to bring to Peet’s, closer to the time).

Back in October, Peet’s very kindly let us celebrate 1st Grade and 4th Grade artwork with our debut Art Show & Cocoa Night, so we are grateful to Peet’s for welcoming the Clifford community again.

Questions? Contact us.

Presented by Clifford’s Art in Action team.

4th Grade artwork inspired by Georgia O'Keeffe.
On display at Peet’s during our Hot Cocoa gathering: Artwork inspired by Georgia O’Keeffe (4th Grade, above) and Marc Chagall (1st Grade, below).

Art in Action: Are You Ready for Action?

New_AinA_logo

Art in Action for some classes at Clifford has already begun, and we are excited to have parents sign up to volunteer.

 

What’s it all about? 

In case you are new to Clifford School or haven’t heard about it before, Art in Action is a PTO-funded and parent-driven art program for our students, from 1st Grade through 5th Grade. (We have a plan to bring Art in Action back to Middle School – stay tuned!)

A parent, along with a merry band of helpers, facilitates a brief discussion of a work of art – a painting or a ceramics piece, for example — and then leads the students through a fun creative process. All the art supplies are assembled for you, as long as you give us a few days’ notice. A typical Art in Action class will take about an hour – or less, or more — depending on the amount of time you have and how detailed you want things to go.

It’s a wonderful program; the students dig it. And we need volunteers!

Oh, and in case you’re wondering. . . .

NO: You don’t need to work in design or feel “artsy” to lead a class. Nor do you need to have a background in art history or be a whiz with watercolors – or anything like that!

(Full disclosure: The writer of this post, in fact, can’t draw her way out of a paper bag, and has adored teaching Art in Action for five years.)

All you need is a willingness and enthusiasm for leading students through a creative process — and you can rely on Art in Action’s helpful resources online (and other parents, of course) to make your class happen! Plus, you will have a captive audience. We’ll say it again: Students love having parents teach Art in Action.

Art_Selection_Maze
A selection of artwork on display during Maze Day.

 

You can volunteer in three ways:

  1. Lead or facilitate a class (consider sharing the role with another parent)
  2. Assist during class (hand out art materials)
  3. Help in your own time at home (prepping supplies, mounting artwork, and so on)

To volunteer, sign up during Back to School Night (September 24) and/or tell your child’s teacher that you are interested in leading a class or helping out!

 

New from Art in Action

If you are leading a class and want to access Art in Action’s online resources — video tutorials and lesson guidelines, for instance — you need to create a new account at the new Art in Action website. (Your old login/password won’t work past November 30, 2015, says Art in Action.)

To create a new account:

  1. Visit the Clifford-specific registration page.
  2. Fill out the details.
  3. Enter the access code:  Clifford2015

 

What’s the next step?

After creating an account, you can browse through the respective Grade-level lesson plans if you’re leading a class. You choose the lesson and then coordinate with your child’s teacher. (Some teachers may request specific lessons for their students.)

You can teach in your child’s classroom — or in Room 10 or Room 12 — depending on your preference and the teacher’s. Note: You’ll need to reserve Room 10 and 12 through the school office — and the rooms may not be available when you want them.

Before your class, find fell0w-parents to assist you (your child’s teacher will probably know who has expressed an interest in helping). If you need help recruiting a volunteer or two, contact us.

 

Special plea

If you’ve already assisted in class – handing out paint brushes and refilling water containers, for example – please consider leading a class yourself next time! If you need help figuring this out, contact us.

 

Additional resources

To see an overview of Art in Action lessons, 1st through 5th Grade — and to add your own scheduled classes, when firmed up — please use this online spreadsheet. Thank you.

Check out the PTO’s Art in Action page, where you’ll find details about logistics, links to training info, photos, and more.

Keep an eye out for emails from Clifford’s Art in Action coordinator along with updates in the Clifford School PTO email newsletters (here’s where you sign up to receive the newsletter).

Here’s the latest Art in Action flyer: English and Spanish.

We look forward to a terrific year of Art in Action!

Strike a pose: Each 4th grader had to create a version of themselves with wire!
4th Grade students use wire and other materials to create an upright model of themselves!

 

High School Shadowing for 8th Graders

Parents of 8th Graders:

Even though  the school year has just begun, it is already time to think about high school for our 8th grade students.  All the high schools in our area provide some sort of introduction to their high school program.  Most begin in the fall with Parent Nights, followed by shadowing opportunities through fall and winter and welcome events in the spring.  It is very common for 8th graders to shadow at least one high school.  Shadowing allows eight graders to visit a high school of interest, interact with high school students, and get to know a day in the life of high school student.

Included below are the web addresses of some of the local high schools.  Find the high school home page and look under Parent/Community tabs.  Look for key words such as 8th grade transition or parent information night or student shadowing.  You should find all the information on the website.  Alternatively, you can call the school directly for information.  Please remember that shadowing slots fill-up quickly.

Sequoia http://www.sequoiahs.org/frontpage
Carlmont http://www.sequoiadistrict.org/chs
Woodside http://www.woodsidehs.org/
Menlo Atherton http://www.sequoiadistrict.org/mahs
Everest http://www.everestphs.org/
Summit http://www.summitprep.net/
Serra http://www.serrahs.com/
Saint Francis http://www.sfhs.com/
Mercy Burlingame http://www.mercyhsb.com/
Notre Dame http://www.ndhsb.org/

Clifford Fall Dinner Auction 2015 Update

Tickets

Tickets are selling fast.  Be sure to get yours now!

Volunteer

Want to go to Clifford Fall Dinner Auction 2015 for free and make a meaningful impact for Clifford? Volunteer to be a VIP waiter! No previous waiter experience necessary!

What is VIP waiter?

As a VIP waiter, you will be responsible to assist with set up and clean up of your table, serve appetizers, dinner, desserts, drinks and entertainment to your guests. Guests will be encouraged to “tip” the waiter. All the tips will be collected and allocated to a variety of enrichment programs and educational experiences for Clifford School students!

I want to be a VIP Waiter!

We are recruiting 15 VIP waiters by September 19, 2015. First come, first serve–get your spot now by emailing Trina Licht at cljl06@mac.com.

Sponsors and Donations Reminder

  • All sponsorship to be turned in by September 19th
  • All donation forms filled out and completed by September 19th
  • All donation items to be arranged to be pick up, delivered or mailed by September 26th

Any questions, please email Trina Licht at cljl06@mac.com.

Easy Money: Earn eScrip Dollars for Clifford!

eScrip

Did you know that by changing a few shopping habits, you can help raise money for Clifford with little effort? Anyone can earn eScrip Dollars for Clifford School–you can even rally your friends and family members to help out! Get started by going to www.escrip.com to create your membership profile and select “Clifford School” as your school/nonprofit. Clifford’s eScrip ID is 118392687. Already a member? Please make sure your cards are up-to-date!

After you set up membership for eScrip, be sure to:

  • Register your debit and credit cards (it’s a secure site). Every time you use the cards at any participating store, or online, a portion of what you spend will be given to Clifford School!
  • Bookmark the eScrip Online Mall and shop from 800+ participating stores. Find your fave store and click the “Shop Now” button–this is crucial in providing a signal to the store that you are shopping via eScrip.

There’s a strong chance some of your favorite stores–including major department stores and brands like Target, Nordstroms, Apple, Kohls–are donating portions of sales via eScrip, so we encourage you to make the Online Mall your first stop when shopping online. Whether you’re shopping for products or booking travel, a percentage of your purchases will go to Clifford. Win-win!

Read on to learn how shopping at Amazon Smile and Lucky’s supermarkets can result in even more donations to our school!

 

Cardinal Kids Day

Cardinal Kids Day at Stanford on September 12th!  A family fun day of kid activities, inflatables, virtual reality station, food trucks and more.  The best part is that students will watch a collegiate football game between Stanford and Central Florida for FREE with the purchase of 1 adult ticket!  Please read the flier below and go online to reserve your tickets.  First come, first served, supplies are limited!  Use the promo code on the flier to claim your free tickets!  Hope to see many of our Clifford Community there!!

Cardinal Kids Day

Welcome from Principal Swerdlow

In case you missed it, here’s Principal Swerdlow’s letter that went out the first day of school!

Clifford Elementary sign reading Welcome Back

All,
As we embark on this journey that is the 2015-2016 school year, please know that we will have a great year!

I know that the success of our students depends on the dedication of staff and family members. I would personally like to thank the efforts of each person who makes our school a positive, engaging place to thrive and learn.

Dedicated teachers, secretaries, custodial staff, coaches, and parent volunteers all support the successful learning community that is found at Clifford.

I know that students are all of our top priority and that you will do anything and everything to assist and encourage students so that they become not only great citizens and 21st century learners at Clifford, but also responsible members of our greater community.

If there is any way that I can help you or be of assistance please let me know.

Have a great day,

Josh