White Oaks Weekly - April 17, 2022

From the Principal

Dear White Oaks families, 

Optional Parent Input Form
In the spring, our school staff members work collaboratively to make class placements for the upcoming school year. Each child’s unique strengths, learning style, and academic goals are carefully considered. We aim to create balanced classes that result in a comfortable and enriching classroom community for all. One of the qualities I value most about our school is that our teachers know their students extremely well. I’m confident that a thoughtful and mindful placement will be made for each child. 

If there is specific information that you’d like us to consider during the placement process, make sure to submit this optional form no later than Friday, May 6. Please also remember that requests for specific teachers will not be considered at any time, and comments received after the deadline will not be accepted. 

If you have any other questions or concerns about your child’s transition to the next grade level, please feel free to reach out to me directly. I look forward to continuing to support your student’s educational journey.

Thank you to all our parents, whether at-home or on-site, for your continued support and engagement in your child’s education. Parent involvement in a child’s education has been examined in countless studies and reports, and the research overwhelmingly shows it leads to increased academic achievement, better classroom behavior, and positive teacher morale. It is our goal to partner with parents to provide an enriching whole-child learning experience. 

Parent Involvement
Over the next few weeks, there are several opportunities for you to be part of the conversation and give input on priorities for the next year. 

School Site Council Meeting Thursday at 3 p.m.
A White Oaks School Site Council meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 21, 3-4 p.m. We will be reviewing goals from our strategic plan, reviewing our California Healthy Kids Data (which parents, staff and 3rd-grade students recently completed), and getting input into planning for LCAP goals. We would love to have more people attend and give input, so please reach out if you’d like to attend and I’ll send you the Zoom link.

PTA Meeting Thursday at 7:30 p.m.
Our next monthly PTA meeting will be on Thursday, April 21, at 7:30 p.m.  See details below under School News and Events. Come and hear about the activities that the PTA has planned to continue to support our community.

Warm regards, 
Leah Scholer, Principal
[email protected]

School News and Events

PTA Meeting THIS THURSDAY, April 21 
Please join us for this month’s PTA meeting in the MU at White Oaks at 7:30 p.m. The meeting will also be on Zoom. (The social hour at Jennie Romeo’s house has been canceled because of the weather forecast.) 

We will be discussing our upcoming Walk-a-Thon, Staff Appreciation Week, and movie night. We would also love your feedback on the different ways we can continue to bring our community together and welcome all new ideas. 

We hope to see you there!

Calling All Volunteers: There’s a Walk-a-Thon Job for Everyone!
Make sure your calendars are marked for the White Oaks Walk-a-Thon on Sunday, April 24! And please take a few minutes to check out all the volunteer opportunities to support one of our favorite school traditions. If you haven’t been to a Walk-a-Thon before: The shifts are short, the duties are easy, and it’s a whole lot of fun! Plus, you’ll get a front-row spot to cheer on our kids. Sign up here today!

Honorees for May 4 Founders’ Day Announced
Founders’ Day is right around the corner, and we would love for you to join us on Wednesday, May 4, at 6:30 p.m. This event is a time-honored tradition at White Oaks where we celebrate those volunteers and staff members who have given countless hours to our school community.

We are thrilled to announce this year’s honorees: Laurie Bishop, Stephanie Brill, Paulo Dutra, and Diana Herman. This special event will once again be in person, so please plan to join the White Oaks community on our campus. Click here to RSVP. Any questions? Please email Britta Ellis or Jennie Romeo.

Save the Date! Hometown Days Parade Is May 21
The San Carlos Hometown Days Parade is Saturday, May 21. White Oaks students, teachers, and families will walk or scooter together in the parade to show our school spirit. More details to come!
 

SCEF News and Events

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2022-23 Calendar Approved: First Day of School is Aug. 24
The REVISED 2022-2023 Calendar has been approved by the School Board. The only changes in the calendar from the previously approved draft are the school start and end dates, which are now Aug. 24, 2022, and June 15, 2023. Download a copy on our SCSD Calendar page or subscribe.

Subscribing to School and District Calendars
Never miss a school event again! You can subscribe to the calendars of your school and SCSD so that the events will appear in your favorite supported calendar program (iCal/Outlook, Google, or download ICS).

• Go to our SCSD Events page.
• Check the boxes for the calendars you want to subscribe to.
• Click on Subscribe on the top right of the page and choose your preferred calendar program.

COVID Reminders: Stay Home When Sick and Get Tested
Staying home when sick and getting tested for the COVID-19 virus are two of the most effective ways to keep our community safe. Find details from the SCSD Health & Safety Plan in this document. 

If you have any of the symptoms listed above, call your school office to report an illness, stay home, and take a COVID virus test.
If you need to report a positive COVID test, please call District Nurse Page Pollack at 650-632-8300 (Arroyo office) or Human Resources at 650-590-5922 if the nurse is unavailable. For more information, visit our COVID-19 Resources page and review the SCSD Health & Safety Plan.

Community News and Events

Kidizens Lego Summer Camp at Heather
Would your child like to build and be the mayor of an entire Lego city? Would your child like to leverage their love of Lego to have fun and learn critical real-life 21st-century skills and leadership strategies?

Take your creativity and confidence to towering heights in an immersive journey as a Young Mayor at Kidizens Summer Camps! During the excitement-packed Lego City-Building and Leadership Camps, kids are immersed in a collaborative process of building, problem-solving, and role-playing as responsible leaders in a Lego city that they plan from the ground up.

In a fast-paced environment, our campers develop strong leadership, problem-solving and social-emotional skills while dealing with natural disasters, concerned citizens, and financial crises through fun, immersive role-play in a highly collaborative and engaging learning environment.

Calling all creative builders, responsible thinkers, and future leaders to join us for 1-2 weeks of supercharged and exciting summer fun! At Kidizens, our goal is to inspire kids to become great citizens and future leaders ... one project, one city, one brick at a time! kidizens.com/camps/lego-summer-camps

Parent Education Opportunities
More info: parentventure.org/events

The month’s Spanish Parent Forum features Edwin Fernandez, LCSW, One Life Counseling Center, in Gratitud en la Familia: Un Corazon Agradecido - Foro de Padres #19 (April 19, Online).

What are ways to talk with kids about race, ethnicity, culture, and inclusion? Join Donald E. Grant Jr., PsyD, for an open conversation on Seeing Race: Talking with Your Kids About Ethnicity, Culture, and Inclusion (April 21, online).

Special event! We want our kids to express themselves, but how can you promote good communication? Join us for How to Keep the Lines of Communication Open with Your Child or Teen, hosted by SMUHSD and PHCD (April 26, online).

Art on the Walls Art Show (1-12 Grade Students) - Submissions due April 22. Want your student’s art featured at the San Mateo County Office of Education? Submit their photos or artwork on “Student Voice” for a chance to be displayed in a permanent collection at the County Office of Education! Art can be submitted directly by students or by their teachers. Learn more.

Vaping: What Does it Cost? PSA Contest (6-8th Grade Students)
All middle and high school students are invited to submit a video, poster, or audio about the costs of vaping for a chance to win up to a $100 gift card. Submissions should be aimed toward spreading awareness about the dangers of nicotine and vaping and how one can quit their addiction. Winners will be announced at a virtual hip-hop concert on May 19, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Entries due April 22. Learn more.

No Place for Hate Initiative (All School Communities)
Paperwork due April 29. Registration is open for the Anti-Defamation League’s No Place for Hate Initiative, which provides a proactive and student-centered framework to fight hate and build inclusive and safe communities in which respect and equity are the goals, and where all students can thrive. Learn more.

COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics for Ages 5-11
San Mateo County Health is offering pediatric COVID-19 vaccines at eight sites throughout the county. Free and advance appointments are available, highly encouraged, and may be scheduled through MyTurn. Families may also come without appointments. Learn more here.

COVID-19 PCR Testing in San Carlos
Please take advantage of the free COVID-19 virus testing at one of our school sites or those provided by the San Mateo County Health Department. 

Worksite Labs: Arroyo School, Patio 3, 1710 Arroyo Ave. Make appointment here.

• Mondays and Wednesdays 3:30-6:30 p.m.

Curative: Central Middle School parking lot, 757 Cedar St. Make appointment here.

• Mondays 11 a.m.-6 p.m. 
• Tuesdays and Wednesdays 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Thursdays noon-7 p.m.
• Fridays 11 a.m.-6 p.m.​​​​​

Curative: Tierra Linda Middle School parking lot, 750 Dartmouth Ave. Make appointment here.

• Wednesdays and Fridays 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Saturdays 8 a.m.-3 p.m.

Find other community testing sites in San Mateo County here.