From the Principal
Dear White Oaks Families,
This is the LAST principal’s message you will receive from me in 2020! Ah, it feels good to write the words “last” and “2020” in the same sentence! As we sit on the precipice of the new year, I am wondering what all of you would like to take away from this year. Different than a new year’s resolution, what can we say we’ve overcome, and what can we do differently or appreciate more that will make us stronger and more resilient in the future?
2020 has shined a light on many aspects of our lives that we’ve either been previously privileged enough to be able to look the other way or unaware of in the pre-COVID world. We have had to take a good, hard look at our values and what we stand for. While there have been several events throughout 2020 that could have easily torn us apart as a community, we have stayed strong and committed to our children. We have shown gratitude and appreciation towards one another. We have acknowledged the fact that we truly don’t know what others have been going through during this crisis and therefore, we have shown kindness and grace.
I would like to highlight some of the good that has come out of this year at White Oaks and hope that, as we close out this year, we can look back and actually smile a little. Enjoy this “Good of 2020” video!
With all the love and good cheer, I wish you and your family a healthy, safe, and happy winter break. I look forward to new beginnings and a continuation of our amazing community support in the coming year.
Warmest regards,
Leah Scholer, Principal
[email protected]
School News and Events
PTA Appreciation
We would like to send a big thanks to our Holiday Store Team. Every year, this 40+ year old tradition kicks off the magic of the holiday season, and we are so grateful to Kristen Azar, Paulo Dutra, and Sara Ting for keeping this wonderful White Oaks tradition going this year. We also want to thank every single one of our family volunteers who took home projects. Happy Holidays!
Mark Your Calendars for the First PTA meeting of 2021
Please join us for our first PTA meeting of 2021 on January 6, 7:30pm via Zoom. Everyone is welcome and we would love to see you there.
SCEF News and Events
Important Charitable Giving Tax Information for End of the Year Giving
Two important features of the 2020 CARES Act are the Increased Deduction Limits and Universal Deduction Provision. To be eligible, your gift must be made on/before December 31, 2020. For more information about these and other charitable giving benefits, please read our blog post at www.scefkids.org/news. To make a donation and benefit from these new tax rules and support our schools, go to www.scefkids.org/donate.
Shop Local
Need to pick up gifts for the amazing teachers, family and friends in your life? So many great options to choose from--gift cards and goodies from local restaurants, shops and service providers. Shop local and thank our local merchants and restaurants. We count on many local business sponsors each year to reach our goal. See our shopping guide at https://scefkids.org/take-action/families/shop-local/.
Early Bird Gets the Gift Card! The SCEF Read-A-Thon is Coming.
SCEF's first ever Read-A-Thon will encourage students to read as much as they can from January 25 to February 5, 2021; and help raise much needed funds for our schools. Prizes for individuals & classes. Sign up for this district-wide event by December 17 and be entered to win a gift card to The Reading Bug, Crepe Stop, or Boba Guys!
IT'S FREE! SIGN UP NOW: https://app.99pledges.com/fund/SCEF2021/addme
Workplace Giving
Long-time SCEF supporter Maggie Demkin discovered what an enormous impact workplace giving can make when she rallied fellow San Carlos employees around her company’s matching program and helped raise an incredible $90,000! Hear about Maggie’s efforts in her own words at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEP0OlEPppA. Find out if your company offers corporate matching or other workplace giving benefits via your employers website or at https://scefkids.org/donate/.
District News and Events
New Student Registration for 2021-2022 School Year
Each year, the SCSD welcomes our newest families into the district with a Kindergarten Information Night, introducing them to our community partners and reviewing the process for registering for Kindergarten.
This year, we will hold a virtual Kindergarten Welcome Night/Meet the San Carlos School District at 6:30pm on Tuesday, January 19, 2021. The presentation will include a welcome from SCEF, PTA, Healthy Cities Tutoring, Extended Day Programs, Preschool Programs, and district Wellness Programs as well as an overview of the registration process.
On Wednesday, January 20, 2021 the Powerschool Registration Form will open for new students to begin their registration. All registration paperwork will be completed online and parents will be asked to upload their documents into the system. More details will be available on our SCSD website in January. The deadline for priority registration is February 26, 2021.
See our Key Dates for Registration page for more information.
Community News and Events
FREE Subscription to Headspace
Thanks to the San Mateo County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services, the app Headspace is now available for FREE to all San Mateo County residents: www.headspace.com/san-mateo-county You may preview flyers in Spanish and English on this link.
Youth Arts Competition
Creations and Connections (Ages 10-18): San Carlos Youth Advisory Council (YAC) is holding an Arts Competition for San Carlos youth ages 10-18 years. The theme for this year is "Peace, Love and Community." Youth can submit artwork under any of the following categories: Poetry/Short Story, Dance Choreography, Film Production, Music, Photography, and Fine Art. Submissions will be displayed at the Youth Center or at a virtual awards ceremony on February 19. To be considered, students must complete the art submission application by January 15. For more information and to apply, visit: cityofsancarlos.org/yac.
Messages of Support Drop-off at the Youth Center
Throughout the month of December, the YAC is collecting cards and messages of support for COVID patients and frontline healthcare workers at Sequoia Hospital. Cards can be dropped off Monday-Friday from 1-5pm at the San Carlos Youth Center (1001 Chestnut Street).
SCLL invites you to "Meet" a Major Leaguer, Daniel Descalso
Register for an online meet-and-greet with Daniel Descalso. Daniel grew up playing San Carlos Little League and attended St. Charles and St. Francis High School. The St. Louis Cardinals drafted him in the third round of the 2007 Major League Baseball (MLB) draft from the University of California, Davis, and he made his MLB debut for the Cardinals in 2010. He later played in MLB for the Colorado Rockies, Arizona Diamondbacks and most recently the Chicago Cubs. He is now a free agent, so hopefully one of our local Bay Area teams will pick him up. His father, George, a former SCLL coach and Board Member, will also join Daniel for the Q&A. Come prepared with some questions you have always wanted to ask a Major Leaguer or a father of a Major Leaguer. This Zoom will take place on Wednesday, December 16 from 7-8pm.
Please register here to secure your spot.