Dear Families,
I wish it wasn't so, but it's true. Without your support of our amazing SCSD schools, we would not be able to do so many of the things we do. The nonprofit San Carlos Education Foundation and its board of parent volunteers work each year to raise funds to support smaller K-3 class sizes, counseling, libraries and literacy, technology, our elementary music program and middle school electives and more. In addition to the educator positions these funds support, White Oaks receives a Principal Flex fund grant. This year, I was able to use my Principal Flex fund to pay for the final phase of classroom monitors. These screens allow teachers to teach their lessons in interactive, engaging ways.
The level of parent engagement and support at White Oaks is truly inspiring and because of you, we do achieve our goals and improve our programs--allowing our students to learn, grow, and shine.
Wednesday, May 8th, is SCEF Day. We will be wearing green to say THANK YOU for your generosity and commitment to our schools. This year, due to the budget challenges in our district, the SCEF board is asking donors to make their donations by May 31, 2018. Your donation, at any level, will help support vital programs at all of our outstanding San Carlos K-8 schools.
There is still time to make a gift to SCEF, most easily here: www.scefkids.org/donate/. As every year, I am sincerely grateful for your partnership. Thank you for all you do for our kids.
Sincerely,
Leah Scholer, Principal
[email protected]
School Site Council Members Needed!
We have two openings for next year’s School Site Council. If you are interested or know of anyone interested in serving on the White Oaks SSC, please email Leah Scholer.
We would like to thank Karla Donohoe and Alana Corso for their service on SSC. Their contributions have made White Oaks an even better place for our children to learn and grow.
Parent News from the School Counselor, Laura Macfarlane, LCSW
Anxiety is the most common mental health issue facing children and adults in the U.S. Here are some strategies parents can use to help anxious kids break the worry cycle.
- Expect worry to show up.
- Externalize the worry/anxiety. Create separation between your child and the worry. Encourage your child to draw the worry. Name it and give it a voice. What does the worry look like? What size, shape and color is it?
- Experiment with ways to deal with anxiety when it shows up (see articles linked below).
- Focus on the process of anxiety rather than the content.
- Content looks like: “What can we do about that worry?” and “How can we get rid of that worry
- Process looks like: “How does worry operate?” and “How are we going to interact with worry when it arrives?”
- Worry likes to create a crisis. Focus on the predictability of the worry. Notice worry’s rules and make a plan ahead of time.
- Anxiety demands two things:
- Certainty: “I have to know what’s going to happen next and I want to control it.”
- Comfort: “I want to feel safe and comfortable...or else I want out.”
- However, breaking the worry cycle requires the anxious kid to learn to tolerate uncertainty and get comfortable being uncomfortable.
To learn more, check out these resources:
http://www.lynnlyonsnh.com/anxiety-makes-forget/
https://childmind.org/article/what-to-do-and-not-do-when-children-are-anxious/
http://www.lynnlyonsnh.com/manage-back-to-school-anxiety-kids/
http://www.lynnlyonsnh.com/how-to-calm-anxiety-in-kids/
https://childmind.org/article/help-children-manage-fears/
School News and Events
Staff Appreciation Week is Coming Up, May 6th-11th
We have lots of great events planned to celebrate our White Oaks staff throughout the week! One of the favorites is covering yard duty. Please help us out and sign up for some time slots. Click here to sign up for yard duty.
For more ways to get involved in the planned events, please contact Co-chairs Lena Grodin ([email protected]), Karen Pachmayer ([email protected]), or Annie Stevenson ([email protected]).
Walk and Roll to School Day - Thursday, May 9
On Thursday, May 9, the students of the San Carlos School District are invited to join in the Bay Area’s 25th Annual Bike to Work Day with our own Walk and Roll to School event. Students and staff are welcomed to walk, pedal, or scoot their way to class. If you would like to join a BIKE TRAIN, please meet San Carlos City Councilwoman, Laura Parmer-Lohan, at 268 Park Ave. at 8:00am in the morning. The bike train will follow this route:
From 268 Park Ave, head south on Park Ave.
Turn right on White Oak Way
Turn right on Oakhurst
Turn right on Belmont
Cross over Cedar
Turn right on Chestnut
Turn left on Belvedere
Turn right on Elm
Turn right on White Oak Way
Turn left on Chestnut (this crosses left in front of traffic)
Turn right on St Francis
Turn right on Cedar
Turn left on White Oak Way into the cul de sac on the east side of the school around 8:20AM
Once our “Walk and Rollers” arrive at school, we will celebrate by handing out prizes right outside the office. Make sure you add your tally mark on the mode chart at school to show how you travelled to school.
Join in the fun and you can even pledge to ride today and possibly win a trip to Alaska!
For more information on safety and preferred routes click here.
Last PTA Meeting of the Year - May 15th 7pm
Please join us for the final PTA business meeting of the year on Wednesday, May 15th from 7 to 9 PM in the MU Room. Learn about the proposed budget for next year and give input on programs and events the White Oaks PTA will support.
Book Donations Needed
Spring cleaning? Our school libraries are looking for a few popular book titles to round out their collections. Click here and take a look at what's needed at your school. If you have any of these books and are willing to donate it, please drop off at the school library requesting the book.
Librarians will update this list throughout the year as donations come in or as new books are needed. Thank you for your support!! Questions? Please email[email protected].
Arroyo Bike Tour - For Outgoing 3rd Graders
Saturday, June 15th Silicon Valley Bike Coalition will be leading a bike tour for all outgoing 3rd graders who will be students at Arroyo school next year. The event will begin 9:00 am at Brittan Acres and will include a brief safety instruction, helmet fitting, bike tune-up, challenging bike course, a fun bike blender, and a bike tour to Arroyo and back* to familiarize students with the best route.
*White Oaks students will return to White Oaks while Brittan Acres students will bike back to their home school.
RSVP Here: http://evite.me/Tk6G3bzTQY
If you have questions or would like more information please contact Mindy Hill[email protected]. Thank you for participating in Walk and Roll to School Day. We appreciate your support. We can’t wait to see pictures of the day at your school!
SCEF News and Events
Make It Happen In May--SCEF DAY IS WEDNESDAY, May 8!
While SCEF’s fiscal year ends in June, we are on a campaign to reach our fundraising goal by May 31st in hopes of minimizing budget reductions. If the School Board has the estimated SCEF Grant for the 2019-20 school year in June, they can consider this estimate in their final budget deliberations.
*Check out our SCEF Day flyer with more information at:
http://scefkids.org/scefday-2019
*To understand how your donation to SCEF makes a difference to your child’s education, watch our video at:
http://www.scefkids.org/2019video
*Go to http://www.scefkids.org/donate to make your donation or add to your gift this year. Gifts of any size are appreciated and will make a real difference for our kids. If you are going to donate via payroll deduction with your employer please act now as it can take up to 8 weeks for funds to be received by SCEF.
June 14, 2019 is San Carlos Night at Oracle Park!
Join parents and community members for the 2019 San Carlos Night at SF Giants.
Hear our students sing the National Anthem before the game & watch the Giants take on the Milwaukee Brewers (gametime is 7:15 P.M.). Stay after the game for FIREWORKS!!!
Tickets available at San Carlos Youth Center from April 8. Cash or Check only.
Purchase your spot for your child to sing the National Anthem at San Carlos Night at the Giants here: https://scefkids2019.ggo.bid
District News and Events
PTACC…. Why you should care... Check it out today!
PTACC stands for PTA Coordinating Counsel. The San Carlos PTA Coordinating Council is comprised of PTA Presidents from each school, Principals, SCEF, Charter and SC District Administration working together to collaborate and support the needs of all of the children in our 9 community schools.
PTACC also is an advocacy organization. During this season with State budget pressures, be sure to check out the PTACC website to find out how you can get involved.
Click here to advocate today.
Safe Routes to School - Upcoming Events
Mark your calendars for several Safe Routes to School events coming up:
- Thur., May 9 National Bike to Work/School Day
- Fri., May 17-19 Hometown Days Bikes & Wheels Events
- Sat., June 15 AM Bike Tour to Arroyo Day
- Sat., June 15 PM Bike Rodeo at Tierra Linda
Weekly Parent Support Group
Thursday May 9th at Heather Elementary School Library from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. This week we delve further into our discussion about raising children here in Silicon Valley. This week the talk is focused on the rapid pace that our children live with, along with the achievement culture. What are the residual effects of this on kids and how do we mitigate this in our families. The group is sponsored by One Life Counseling, and free to parents in the San Carlos School District. This is an opportunity to meet fellow parents in the school district community!
To RSVP, use the following link and purchase your free ticket:https://www.eventbrite.com/e/parent-support-group-san-carlos-school-district-tickets-53717537601
Community News and Events
San Carlos Hometown Days NEW Hours
Friday, May 17 5:00-8:00 p.m.
SCEF Celebrates Music Concert in the Park
Saturday 10:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.
Sunday 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Art, Shopping, Music, Games, Attractions and Food ALL DAY!
http://sancarloshometowndays.com/pen
Tryouts for San Carlos United Soccer Club are coming up!
Open tryouts for San Carlos United Soccer Club are coming up for players born between 2002 - 2012! Players who attend tryouts will be evaluated by our coaching staff and considered for San Carlos United competitive teams starting Fall 2019. Register online:http://www.sancarlosunited.org
Open tryout window dates:
U8 - U14 (Players born between 2012 & 2006): May 3 - May 23, 2019
U15-U19 (Players born between 2005 - 2002): May 10 - May 30, 2019