From the Principal
Dear White Oaks Families,
I hope you all had a wonderful break and had some time to unplug, relax, and get ready for the next phase of learning! We are incredibly excited to welcome our students back to school starting this week!
As a reminder, our TK - first grade students will have their orientation day this coming week and will start their regular AA/BB afternoon cohorts the week of March 1st. Our second and third grade students will have their orientation day the week of March 1st and will begin their regular AA/BB afternoon cohorts the week of March 8th. Please make sure you are reading through all of your teacher’s communications so you know what your specific classroom plan is for Phase 3.
If you haven’t already, please fill out this form to indicate whether you plan to have your students return to school for Phase 3. Phase 3 is optional for families who are not feeling comfortable sending their children to school due to health reasons and would rather wait until Phase 4 to return to school. It is very helpful for us to know who to expect in the afternoons for planning and safety purposes.
I hope you are all familiar with the Return to School presentation by now, but please take some time to review it, especially the White Oaks Campus Map and Zones List so you and your family can create a drop off/pick up plan. This helpful acronym, PEACE is recommended to ease traffic and ensure the safety of all our students coming to school:
As difficult as it may be, parents will need to say their “Good-byes” from their cars or at your child’s designated gate if walking to campus. No visitors will be allowed past the gates. The same goes for dismissal. Teachers, school personnel, and parent volunteers will be available to assist your children entering and exiting the school campus.
If you plan on driving, we ask that you have this template completed and in your windshield to make pick up and drop off as smooth as possible. Please email Teresa Williams if you are unable to print this template out at home and we will provide a copy for you to pick up.
Please, please, please remember to fill out the FeverFree app for your child(ren) before coming to school. This will make the logistics of the afternoons much easier on everyone. Keep an eye out for an additional message from me this evening that will include more details about the app along with tips and tricks to help make this part of your morning routine.
There have been some discussions around masks lately and I would like to emphasize that, per the guidance from local healthcare professionals, we ask that students are not sent to school wearing neck gaiters or masks with valves. Research has shown these types of face coverings to be ineffective in protecting against COVID. Your child should also bring extra masks with them each dayas masks can get dirty very quickly.
Here again is a helpful Family Checklist for your convenience. Please refer to it until returning to school is second nature!
Sincerely,
Leah Scholer, Principal
[email protected]
School News and Events
In-n-Out Books Reopens - Wed, 2/24
We’re excited to announce that the pop-library will be open on the East White Oaks Way cul-de-sac in front of the library from 1:30-2:30pm this Wednesday. Come by, return your books and check out some new ones. Also, we have quite a few reading options for 4th & 5th graders. White Oaks alumni are welcome to scooter over and pick up some books as well.
We’re always looking for volunteers. If you’re able to help, please sign up herehe 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 News
The recent SCEF Read-a-Thon was a community-wide celebration of reading and literacy. This event was created as a way to keep students motivated and engaged with literature. Literacy is a key to lifelong learning, and SCEF remains committed to supporting literacy in our schools.
"Better Latte Than Ever!” A Latte Art Workshop
Join latte artist Michael Breach for a workshop on Saturday, Feb 27 at 11:00 am. You’ll try some latte art of your own and be dazzled by Michael’s work including portraits of participants and pets! No experience or espresso machine needed to participate in this unique and interactive experience. Registration, recommended supplies, and more details at https://paybee.io/@scef2020-21@7.
Our Kid’s Virtual Cooking and Baking classes are getting rave reviews. Baking with Caitlynn is coming up in March, and it looks delicious! Check out the menu of classes here: https://scefkids.org/upcoming-events/.
Do you have marketing, communications or video skills? Interested in getting involved with district-wide SCEF? Reach out and let us know at [email protected].
District News and Events
Vaccination Update - Phase 1B Will Begin Feb 22
Great News! The County of San Mateo beginning February 22 will expand COVID-19 vaccinations to teachers and child care providers, first responders and food and agricultural workers who are eligible under the state’s Phase 1B as supply allows. Read more here.
In addition, vaccine appointments are now available in California for residents age 65+ through CVS.com.
Student and Community Testing to Keep our Kids On Campus
Please take advantage of the no cost surveillance COVID-19 testing provided by the San Mateo County Health Department.
Please sign up for weekly testing for yourself and your child. Contact your health provider for a test if you have symptoms or know you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19.
Keeping COVID cases off of our campuses will keep our in person learning possible. As a reminder, if a student or or teacher tests positive for COVID, we will need to transition that cohort back to distance learning for at least two weeks to avoid spreading the virus.
Sign up at one of the following locations to begin your regular weekly testing:
- Central Middle School - Thursdays, 1-7pm Register Here
- Other Community Based Testing sites in San Mateo County Here
SMARTE Afterschool Program Registration for 2021-22 Opens Feb 22
We are excited to announce registration for the SMARTE Afterschool Clubhouse for the 2021-22 school year is about to begin!
We are are hopeful our program will return to a regular schedule in the fall and are moving forward with registration for families. Programs will be available to students at all four elementary schools - Arundel, Brittan Acres, Heather and White Oaks. Families new to the program will be able to register starting Feb 22 by going to our SMARTE Clubhouse Registration site.
There is a $75 non-refundable registration fee and once your registration is received, your spot will be secured in the program and an email confirmation will follow.
See our SMARTE Afterschool Clubhouse website for more information or if you have questions, please email [email protected].
Free Dental Clinic
There will be a free dental clinic on SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 27th 10am-12:30pm for children ages 1-18. Appointments strongly recommended
Belle Air Elementary School (Parking Lot)
450 3rd Avenue, San Bruno, CA 94066
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.
Asian Americans for Community Involvement Contest
Hosted by AACI and in partnership with NBC Bay Area, Growing Up Asian in America (GUAA) is an annual art contest, including video and essay, that reaches thousands of Bay Area students, grades Kindergarten to 12. Founded 26 years ago, GUAA encourages young Asian Americans to take pride in their identities, and helps others understand the varied experiences of our youth growing up in the Bay Area’s diverse communities.
This year’s theme is: This is My Time: Exploring the challenges and dreams of a post-pandemic world. Here are the prize offerings:
- One (1) $1,000 Grand Prize winner
- Nine (9) $500 Best in Class winners
Entries are due on Friday, April 2, 2021 by 5pm. and rules and submission instructions are included in the guidelines. To conserve resources, AACI is going paperless. We read the PDF guidelines here: www.aaci.org/guaa.
We appreciate your assistance in outreaching to students and look forward to receiving their entries. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at [email protected].
Sign Up for San Carlos Youth Softball
LAST CALL! 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].