White Oaks Weekly - January 26, 2020 | White Oaks Elementary School

From the Principal

Dear Families,

As we start off a new year, I wanted to take some time to talk about the importance of attendance at school.

Why is Attendance Important?
Research suggests a strong relationship between student attendance and student achievement. Students who attend school regularly have been shown to achieve at higher levels than students who do not have regular attendance. This relationship between attendance and achievement may appear early in a child's school career. A recent study looking at young children found that absenteeism in kindergarten led to greater absenteeism in subsequent years and lower achievement in reading, math, and general knowledge. Showing up for school has a huge impact on a student’s academic success starting in kindergarten and continuing through high school.

What is the Difference Between Unexcused and Excused Absences?
There are valid reasons for excused absences and we don’t want sick children coming to school. Here is a guide to help you decide when to keep your child home due to illness.

Under state law, valid excuses for absences from school include:

illness or health care appointments
funeral services for immediate family members
spending time with an immediate family member in the military who’s leaving for combat duty or has just returned from deployment
other personal reasons like religious holidays or ceremonies, as long as the principal has approved the parent’s request for the absence.

As a clarification, absences due to family travel are considered unexcused absences as this reason does not meet the state's criteria for excused absences. Students who have unexcused absences of 3 days or more are considered truant. Being late or away from school for more than 30 minutes in a day counts as an absence. Truancy notices are sent to families to build awareness and offer support if there are obstacles in the way of your child getting to school that we can address collaboratively.

What is Chronic Absenteeism?
Students who are absent for more than 10% of the instructional days enrolled are considered chronically absent. This is true for both excused and unexcused absences. A student who is enrolled in school all year is considered chronically absent if they miss 18 days of school. Data for chronic absenteeism is one indicator that is tracked for all California public school districts on the California School Dashboard. A high chronic absenteeism rate affects our performance band under California’s Accountability System.

What is an Independent Study Contract?
Students who are away from school for 5 or more days can request an independent study contract. The request for the independent study must be received 5 days before the absence and must be approved by the principal and teacher. The independent study work must be completed during the absence and returned to school on the first day back.

How Does Absenteeism Affect School District Funding?
White Oaks receives funding from the state based on Average Daily Attendance (ADA). Any time that a child is absent from school, whether excused or unexcused, means less money coming from the state to the San Carlos School District. We receive partial funding for students who are on independent study contracts.

In summary, attendance matters and I want to work with you to make this a priority for healthy children to come to school every day at White Oaks.

If you have any questions or need to discuss a potential absence, please contact me or the school office.

Sincerely,

Leah Scholer, Principal
[email protected]

School News and Events

PTA Appreciation
The White Oaks PTA would like to give a huge thank you to Debbie Blucher for organizing a super successful Disco Bingo night! Thank you also to the many families who came together for this fun community event. A groovy time was had by all!

Maverick Jack’s Community Event - January 29
Please join us for a fun night out at Maverick Jack’s (622 Laurel Street, San Carlos), on Wednesday, January 29th. Mention “White Oaks” when placing your order and Maverick Jack’s will generously donate 20% of the total to our school. Dine-in or Take-out anytime between 11am-9pm (3rd party delivery services like DoorDash do not apply). Take advantage of early release day and grab some friends for lunch and/or swing by for dinner. Don't forget to give a shout out to White Oaks so we get credit for your visit. We look forward to seeing you there!

Third Grade Baby Photos for Yearbook
Please submit one baby photo of your child to be included in the Guess Who 3rd Grade Baby section of the yearbook. Please follow the submission guidelines below and email your photo by Friday, January 31.

Rename your image file to include the child’s last and first name (smith_bob.jpg)
JPEG images are highly preferred
Send your image as an email attachment to [email protected]
Use the following format for the subject line: Baby photo: child’s full name, room (number/letter) Example: Baby photo: Bob Smith, Room H

We would love for every 3rd Grader to be included on these pages. Please email Trinity if you have any questions.

Build, Engineer, Invent! Festival - February 12
We are so excited to have the Lawrence Hall of Science visit our school for a hands on assembly on February 12th. The program is called the Build, Engineer, Invent! Festival and will consist of multiple stations where kids can have fun becoming engineers and inventors. We will need a sizeable group of parents facilitating the stations for this assembly, so please see the SignUp here to volunteer. Thank you!

Save the Date - White Oaks 2nd/3rd Grade Sweetheart Dance - Feb 28
The White Oaks Sweetheart Dance is for all 2nd and 3rd graders and their special adult guest. Come celebrate red carpet style where you will be surprised with lots of fun treats, groovy dance tunes, and memories shared with your special guest in the White Oaks MU Room.

When: Friday, February 28 - 6:30-8:30pm.

Tickets on sale soon!

News Team is Starting Up for Third Graders, Parent Volunteers Needed
Acorn Press News is a student-run team that plans, records, and broadcasts a news show for our school community. Interested students apply to join one of three teams: marketing, broadcasting or technology support. Teams are guided by parent volunteers and Mrs. Scholer, collaborating during lunch-time sessions to produce a show within three to four weeks. Students develop leadership and time management skills, while practicing 5Cs such as creativity, communication and collaboration. If you would like to volunteer, please fill out the second sheet of the News Team Application that was sent home with your student.

Attention 3rd Grade Parents - Arroyo Tours are Coming up!
Current 3rd grade families, are you excited to learn more about what our 4th and 5th grade students do in upper elementary school? Student-led tours are available now. Come see our Project-Based Learning, Readers'/Writer's Workshop and enrichment opportunities for your students. Sign up is limited, so reserve your spot now.

Arroyo Tours - 8:45-9:30am
Friday, Jan 31 | Wednesday, Feb 26 | Friday, April 17
Sign Up Here: https://arroyo.scsdk8.org/apps/news/article/1142468

District News and Events

Measure N Parcel Tax Information
The early voting period for the March 2020 election starts on February 3, with four Vote Centers opening in San Mateo, Redwood City, South San Francisco and East Palo Alto.

Are you registered to vote? You can still register online or check the status of your voter registration here - https://www.smcacre.org/register-vote

The last day to register to vote for the March 3, 2020 election is Tuesday, February 18.

The Next Big Think - Mar 15
Tickets now available! San Mateo County Event Center. STEM Fair. Arts Expo. Districts Showcase. Solutionary Expo. And Much More!

The San Mateo County Office of Education (SMCOE) invites you to join us this spring for our upcoming learning extravaganza: The Next Big Think! This FREE public event promises to be our county’s largest-ever gathering of students, parents, educators, and learners of all ages.

New to this year’s event: Our first-ever Solutionary Expo - All students and classes are invited to submit their solutions to global and local problems. Go beyond the tri-fold board - projects can be a poster, video, website, comic, podcast, however your students are inspired to share their solutions with others!

Bring your family, friends, and neighbors to the San Mateo County Event Center on March 15 — with so much to see and do, you’re guaranteed to learn something new!

FREE Tickets available on Eventbrite - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-next-big-think-a-celebration-of-student-learning-stem-art-more-tickets-86975208189

SCEF News and Events

Teacher Outings and Summer Camps Auction
On Monday, January 27, the online auction for teacher outings and summer camps goes live and wait until you see all the fantastic events our teachers have donated this year!

Principal/librarian for a day
Kid VIP Warrior Experience-High 5 the players on 3/10 vs LA Clippers
Bowling/LaserQuest/Escape Room with your teacher
Concert and graduation seats

To learn more about Teacher Outings take a read here: https://www.scefkids.org/scef-online-auction-jan-27-feb-4-2020/.

Lucky On Live
Can’t attend the Starlight Gala, but want to participate, and possibly win your choice of one of the BIG auction items? Attending the Gala (tickets still available here: https://www.scefkids.org/starlightgalatickets/) but want to up your chances to WIN!

New to San Carlos and want to know more? Here is a primer on the LOL raffle - www.scefkids.org/news. To buy Lucky On Live raffle tickets send an email to [email protected].

Community News and Events

Upcoming Parent Education Opportunities
The Sequoia Healthcare District is sponsoring the following parent education events this winter. Please consider attending.

The Self-Driven Child: The Science and Sense of Giving Your Kids More Control Over Their Lives
Dr. William Stixrud & Ned Johnson, Co-Authors
Thursday, January 30 - 7-8:30pm
Menlo-Atherton High School, M-A Performing Arts Center (PAC)
555 Middlefield Road, Atherton
Info & Ticket information - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/m-a-the-self-driven-child-the-science-and-sense-of-giving-your-kids-more-control-over-their-lives-tickets-85192237275

Creating Gender Inclusive Environments for Children and Teens
Joel Baum, Senior Director for Professional Development, Gender Spectrum
Thursday, February 27 - 7-8:30pm
Woodside High School, Multi-Use Room (MUR)
199 Churchill Avenue, Woodside
Info & Ticket information - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/whs-creating-gender-inclusive-environments-for-children-and-teens-tickets-8518192844

Welcome Home San Carlos Meeting - Feb 1
Everyone who lives or works in San Carlos is invited to join a second conversation on housing in the City of Good Living scheduled for Saturday morning February 1. “Welcome Home, San Carlos” is a joint effort between the City and Home for All, a San Mateo County collaborative working on narrowing the gap between jobs created and housing units built. The goal of Welcome Home is to help our community talk more constructively about the shared challenge of housing. The City hopes to listen to the conversation, and to hear about the priorities, concerns, and values of San Carlos community members.

Thank you to those who joined us on November 7, 2019 for our first community meeting where approximately 100 community members, City Councilmembers, and staff gathered at Hiller Aviation Museum for an evening to compare experiences and share their hopes for San Carlos’ future. Community members had dinner and engaged in thoughtful discussions with one another on the issue of housing, while City leaders and staff listened. The summary report from the first meeting can be found on the Welcome Home website.

The second meeting will build on the first conversation and look at ways that we can work together to address our City’s housing needs. A major focus is to continue to connect with community members who have not been regular participants in formal civic processes to listen and learn together. The second community conversation is scheduled for Saturday, February 1, 2020 at the San Carlos Adult Community Center and will be an informative dialogue about people’s personal experience with housing and their goals and aspirations for the future of San Carlos. Doors will open at 9:30 AM and the program will start at 10 AM. Breakfast will be provided and childcare will be available upon request. Because we want this conversation to focus on community perspectives, city staff and elected officials will be present only as listeners. We hope that you can join us!

TO RSVP please go to: welcomehomesancarlos.eventbrite.com
For more information go to: cityofsancarlos.org/welcomehome

San Carlos Little League Tee-Ball Registration Now - Feb 21
Hey Tee-Ball Parents,

The San Carlos Little League Tee-Ball sign-ups are now open thru Friday, February 21. The season kick off will be on Saturday, March 7.

Tee-Ball season (weather depending) runs 8-10 weekends. All games and practices are on Saturdays (practice is 30mins prior to game).

Tee-Ball:
Girls & Boys - Ages: 4, 5, 6 year old’s
Rookie League (first year players: 4yr & 5yr)
Veteran League (returning players: 5yr & 6yr)
San Carlos Little League – Est. 1953

Perfect Pairings Wine Pairing Dinner for Healthy Cities Tutoring - Feb 28
Join Healthy Cities Tutoring for the 6th annual Perfect Pairings wine pairing benefit dinner on Friday, February 28 from 5:30-9pm at Domenico Winery, 1697 Industrial Road in San Carlos. The Perfect Pairings benefit will be a festive celebration with delicious food and wine pairings, special friends and inspiring stories.

Our community of supporters will enjoy passed appetizers and Prosecco followed by a delicious 3-course sit-down dinner prepared by Chef Gino Gramegna and perfectly paired wines from Domenico while helping to make a difference in the lives of children.

Please purchase your tickets by Feb.18 at Perfect Pairings - http://www.healthycities.site/perfect-pairings-2020/
Contact Nancy Bardsley - [email protected] - with questions. Thank you!

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Workshop "How to Support your Student in Math?
Is your student struggling with math? Want to learn how to help them with tips and insights from seasoned math teachers? Join Healthy Cities Tutoring for our Math Tips workshop. Want to tutor? Arrive early to hear about volunteer tutoring opportunities.

Tuesday, February 11
6:30-6:55 pm Orientation "How to become a tutor?"
7:00-8:30 pm Workshop "How to Support Your Student in Math"
Arroyo/Central Middle School Library

Presented by Sheila Sevilla, Kirsty Mooney & Hillary Wiessinger
Open to Healthy Cities Tutors, Parents and Para-Educators
Click here to RSVP.

Additional workshop on Thursday, March 19, 2019. Visit our website for more information.

Make plans to attend the Chickens' Ball Variety Show Fundraiser!
Congratulations to the San Carlos Chickens’ Ball on celebrating its 80th year of raising funds for our local schools’ visual and performing arts!

80 years ago, the show raised milk money for San Carlos students. Now, money raised specifically supports art and music supplies in our schools. For example, Mariposa staff and students now have a beautiful mural to brighten the halls because of the money raised at the last Chickens' Ball. Tierra Linda students gained a ceramics class, supplied with clay and glaze. How much can we raise for our students this time? The goal is to raise over $40K to continue to support our programs. The more money we raise, the more we give back to our students.

Gather your friends and family and come cheer on your community. Tickets are on sale now for our 7 shows! Evening and matinee performances are on March 13-15, March 20-22. Get your tickets today at https://www.chickensball.org/buy-tickets.

School Garden Leaders Workshop - March 21
Welcome to the New Year! We hope to see you at our Spring workshop.

Saturday, March 21
9am-12pm, Arroyo School