From the Principal
Dear White Oaks Families,
This coming week is Kindness Week! Our amazing school counselor, Kim Arasato, has prepared a wonderful week full of fun activities for our students. We introduced Kindness Week at last week’s Welcome Wednesday where Mrs. Arasato and SCSD students shared their thoughts on what it means to be kind to others. This week, we’ll continue these discussions and practice acts of kindness that will carry through to the end of the year.
In celebration of this important week, we are launching The Great Kindness Challenge with each day focusing on a different theme that students can participate in.
We encourage all of our families to participate in the challenges each day next week! We would love for you to share with either your teacher or myself what actions your students are taking throughout the week!
In the classroom, teachers will be reading “Have You Filled a Bucket Today?” by Carol McCloud. This book teaches children that showing kindness and appreciation to others goes a long way to making this world a happier place for everyone, including ourselves. When you're a bucket filler, you make the world a better and kinder place to be!
There is no better time than now to be celebrating a week of Kindness! This is a good reminder to all of us, children and adults, that being kind to others goes a very long way. It is important that we, as role models, continue to show our children how we can share different perspectives and ideas while still showing respect and kindness to one another. We never know what other people are going through and showing compassion is what this White Oaks community has always been about. My hope is that we can reflect this next week and become more grounded in the fact that we are a strong community that supports each other and always has our students’ best interest at heart.
Sincerely,
Leah Scholer, Principal
[email protected]
Return to School Update
Per Dr. Harmeier’s email that was sent out on Friday afternoon, San Carlos School District has a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with our teachers to accelerate the timing of when our younger students will return to school. The previous agreement had all students returning under “Red Tier” (or 4-7 cases per 100,000). With this new agreement, the teachers have agreed to start Phase 3 for TK-5 students sooner in the “Purple Tier” when adjusted case rates in San Mateo County are 25 or less/100,000 for at least 10 consecutive days. Please keep an eye out for another update with more details about our return to school this coming Wednesday, 2/10.
School News and Events
PTA Meeting - February 10, 7:30pm - Zoom
Please join us for our next PTA meeting. Dr. Harmeier or one our SCSD School Board members will be attending to answer questions about the SCSD Return to Campus plan. In addition, we will receive a school update from Ms. Scholer and an update on Cultural Arts Day. Everyone is welcome and we hope to see you there.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83635299343?pwd=bUc0enIzNkxwTzloRWpOK1hjZ0xIdz09
Meeting ID: 836 3529 9343
Passcode: 621256
In-n-Out Books Reopens Soon - Call for Volunteers
The pop-up library is scheduled to reopen on Wednesday, 2/24. We’re looking for parent volunteers to help facilitate the event from 1-2:45pm. If you are able to help out, please sign up here.
SCEF News and Events
SCEF Read-A-Thon Thank You
An enormous THANK YOU to our readers, their families and donors, and our teachers for making the first annual SCEF Read-A-Thon take off. With the minutes read, dollars raised and celebration of reading--a big success across the board!
Missed Sunday’s Chinese New Year meal cooking class? There is still time to sign your kids up for the Valentine’s Brunch and Mardi Gras cooking classes. Our Kid’s Virtual Cooking and Baking classesare getting rave reviews. Check out the menu of classes here: https://scefkids.org/upcoming-events.
Congrats to ROPES participants, the annual tradition of our 4th, 6th and 8th graders to show us what they’re passionate about. You truly inspire US and our commitment to supporting every aspect of innovation in our schools.
District News and Events
Check Out Parent Education Offerings
Remember to check out our Pandemic Care & Support website for parent education events and resources, mental health support, and more! You can also add the SCSD Parent Education Calendar to your phone.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Remember to Order Lunch Meal Kits
We have weekly meal boxes available for pick up each Monday (including delivery to Menlo Park and East Palo Alto). Each box includes five meals - an assortment of hot and cold entrees and a variety of fruits, veggies, and milk. Simply order online and safely pick-up your box for the week. To order your student’s Weekly Lunch Box, please log onto LunchIsServed and place your order. You must place your order by 9am on Sunday before the following week.
Community News and Events
Save the Date for Healthy Cities Tutoring's 7th Annual Perfect Pairings Benefit - Feb 26
As always there will be food, wine and stories of our Perfect Student-Tutor Pairings. Be inspired by the impact our tutors make and the connections they share.
This year, there are many ways you can participate:
- Register for and attend our free online event
- Enjoy delicious food and drinks with one of our Perfectly Paired Party in a Box options from Domenico Winery
- Participate in our Fund-A-Pairing & Silent Auction
- Invite your friends and share the fun
- Go to the Perfect Pairings Website to register for free and purchase your Party in a Box by Feb. 17, 2021.
If you are interested in sponsoring this event, please check out the different levels of sponsorship here.
We hope to see you on the 26th!
February 26 from 7-7:45pm.
Please Join the Community Foundation of San Carlos (CFSC) Black History Month Celebrations and Events Throughout the Month of February!
CFSC is launching an inaugural annual poster art contest that is open to everyone in the community.
The theme for this year is racial justice. For those interested, the intent is to design a poster that commemorates one's hopes and dreams for racial justice, a world in which all are respected, valued, and able to thrive. We would love for you to share the details of the art poster contest with your children. If they don't understand the racial justice theme, what a great opportunity to spark discussion.
To learn more about the poster art contest and on how you, your family and others in the San Carlos community can participate, please visit this website.
Sign Up for San Carlos Youth Softball
Interested in playing softball this spring? San Carlos Youth Softball is a great way for girls to get outdoors with friends, have some fun, and develop skills. The 2021 spring rec program is now open for registration. Click here to register online.
Our program is for girls ages 4+ (as of January 2021) at all skill levels. Registration for the season is just $50 for girls in 8U and below, and $100 for girls in 10U and above. The health and safety of our players are a top priority so we have put in place COVID-19 protocols and procedures. We plan to start practices in mid-February so please sign up soon!
Questions? More information online at sancarlosyouthsoftball.com or email [email protected].
IMPORTANT Survey for City Safety Programs
City Hall is asking for residents' input through a SHAPE SAN CARLOS survey (that closes soon, Feb 12 at 5pm). City Hall wants to hear from as many residents (including youth).
- How can the City encourage community members to use more alternative transportation around town (walking, biking, shared transit, etc.)?
- Should the City consider making some streets one-way to improve traffic and enhance pedestrian and bicycle safety?
- Should the City add more buffered bike lanes, paint more red curbs, and add more pedestrian paddles on City streets at the expense of losing street parking?
- What other solutions do you think the City should consider to improve traffic, encourage alternative transportation, and increase safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers in the City of Good Living?
Your feedback is going DIRECTLY to city staff, and all comments, suggestions, and creative ideas are welcome. The survey closes soon, on Feb 12 at 5pm. Go to: www.cityofsancarlos.org/shapesancarlos. Your feedback matters!