From the Principal
Dear Families,
Happy Fall! Your children are working hard to learn the routines and expectations that come with a new school year. They are learning classroom rules, expected playground behaviors and how to transition from home to school, from parents to teachers and from siblings to peers. For some children, this settling-in process seems smooth, and for others, it takes longer and may require additional support and effort.
One of the big transitions happens when parents and children say goodbye at the start of each school day. If you notice that your child is currently having difficulty with this transition, here are some tips that may be helpful.
- Say a quick goodbye (kiss, hug, etc,) to your child and if needed, leave your child with one of the staff members who is on yard duty in the morning. You can let the yard duty person know that your child is having a hard time saying goodbye and we can help your child get settled. The tears tend to go away pretty quickly once parents are off-campus.
- If your child is having difficulties with good-byes, I recommend having one good-bye, rather than multiple good-byes. For example, one goodbye at the playground rather than a goodbye at the playground and then another goodbye when your child is walking to class.
- Don’t try to talk your child out of their sad or nervous feelings. Acknowledge that they feel scared, sad, worried, nervous and then go forward with your drop-off routine. Help your child see themselves as being brave despite their worries.
- You can ask your child what they are worried about related to the goodbye. Write down the worries with them and see if any of the worries are a problem that can be solved. If so, decide on a possible solution and test it out.
- You can ask for assistance from me or another adult at W.O. We can create a goodbye transition plan if necessary.
Watching your children stretch and grow these first weeks of school is inspiring.
Helpful Resources:
- I want to send a BIG thank you to our PTA presidents, Debbie Blucher and Britta Ellis, for putting together our beautiful Parent Guide. Please take time to look through it and learn about upcoming events, important information, how to get involved in our school and district.
Reminders:
- The playground opens at 8:15 am in the mornings. Children should not be on the playground beforehand due to safety concerns.
- Starting this Tuesday, 9/3, Late Bird schedule starts for our TK students. On Monday, 9/16, Late Bird schedule starts for Kindergarten. Please review your classroom newsletter for information.
Sincerely,
Leah Scholer, Principal
[email protected]
School News and Events
It’s Walk to School Time!!
Wednesday 4th September is our first Walk to School Wednesday of the new school year. Make a healthy start to the year and walk, roll or bike to school. Collect a charm from our volunteers to start your collection. See you there!
First PTA Meeting
Please join us this Wednesday, September 4 at 7 PM in the MU for our first PTA meeting of the year. We will be hearing about the exciting year ahead from our principal, Ms. Scholer, and our superintendent, Dr. Harmeier. We will also have updates on the family movie night and the walkathon. All parents are invited to attend. Remember to be eligible to vote you must be a member of the PTA. We hope to see you there!
Join us in the classroom - Volunteer for Art in Action
Lead an art lesson or help make sure the lesson runs smoothly. Look for Art in Action messages from the coordinator in your classroom, or email us to communicate your interest.
Tour the Art Closet to learn more about this PTA-funded, parent-led program:
Wednesday, Sept 18 - 12:35-1:00pm
Friday, Sept 20 - 8:20-8:50am
Location: The Art Closet is accessed from the eastern yard, near the AfterSchool portable. Direct gates are on White Oak Way and Cedar.
Your PTA needs you!
We have some open positions on the board and need your help. We are looking to fill the treasurer role and a volunteer to prepare the school directory. The directory role can be done at home in your own time, you can also share with a friend. As a bonus your child can be the artist for the front cover! Contact Catherine Dunne to learn more about all our open positions. There is something for everyone!
Join the White Oaks PTA
Join the White Oaks PTA and help us a create a thoroughly enriching experience for the White Oaks School community. This year, we are hoping you join us in reaching 100% PTA membership.
How Do I Join?
Log on to Totem
What is the Cost?
$20 per family
Why Join the PTA?
- CONNECT with new friends and the White Oaks community
- SUPPORT school-wide events and programs
- MAKE your voice heard in Sacramento
Why is Your Membership Important?
- Members play a role in decision-making at our monthly White Oaks PTA Meetings
- Higher membership gives our PTA a powerful voice in advocating for our children with the California State Legislature
- 100% membership sends a message to Sacramento that our district is made up of voters who are concerned and involved
Thank you for your support!
SCEF News and Events
San Carlos Students Love Our Libraries!
Because of the generous donations to SCEF in the 2018-19 school year, the goal of $2.5 million was exceeded by enough to support an increase in library hours in elementary schools from 16 hours to 24 hours a week for THIS school year. WELL DONE!
Recurring Gifts
Would you like to spread your contributions to SCEF throughout the year? Please consider signing up for monthly donations. A $1,500 donation can be given as a $125 gift each month. Sign up for SCEF’s recurring gift program at SCEFKids/Donate.
Corporate Matching - Double Your Donation
Many Bay Area businesses encourage employees to give back to their communities by offering corporate matching programs for non-profit donations. Remember to ask your employer about donation-matching and double or triple giving months! Google, Genentech, Gilead and other major corporations will match your cash donation to SCEF. In September, Wells Fargo employees can secure a match for their donations. Not sure if your workplace offers matching? Check now.
District News and Events
Join the SCSD School Board!
There is a vacancy on the San Carlos School Board due to a lack of candidates registered for the November 5 election. Therefore, there will not be an election for the San Carlos School District School Board in November. If you are interested in applying to serve on the School Board, there will be an appointment process led by the School Board over the next several months. More information with details of the application process will be shared in the next few weeks through district email and public notifications.
Volunteers Needed for 7-11 Committee
Members of the San Carlos community, parents, and SCSD staff members interested in serving on the 7-11 Surplus Property Advisory Committee to determine the future facility needs for the District are encouraged to contact Cathy Eitel, Assistant to the Superintendent at [email protected] to express interest or learn more about the goals and objectives of the committee.
Community News and Events
Inaugural San Carlos Block Party - SAVE THE DATE
On September 8th, the Chamber of Commerce, with the support of the City of San Carlos, is bringing a new event to downtown next month! Join the community for an outdoor dining event on the 600 & 700 blocks of Laurel Street from 4:00-8:00pm. Following the Sunday Farmer’s Market and Public Safety Faire, the street will be transformed into an outdoor dining area where the community can grab takeout from downtown restaurants and dine in the street with family, friends, and neighbors. The Chamber will be selling beer and wine and there will be a kids zone for play. For more information, visit https://sancarloschamber.org/.