From the Principal
Dear White Oaks Families,
Now that our students are socializing with their peers in person (finally!) they are learning social and emotional skills through regular classroom lessons and reinforcement throughout the school day. Currently, all of our students at White Oaks are learning how to make and keep friends through our Second Step SEL curriculum as well as informal guidance from White Oaks adults.
Disagreements, misunderstandings and conflicts arise in any friendship. Your child’s job is to learn to resolve conflicts and our job is to guide and support them. When you observe your child having a challenge with a friend, allow them to try to solve the problem independently. If they seek your help, don’t take over and fix the problem for them, instead, talk with them about what is going on, including their role in the situation. Encourage them to come up with a plan of action - what to do next to resolve the problem and move forward. Support your child as they develop their plan and put it into action and validate any feelings they may have regarding the situation.
Read about other important ways you can support your child’s friendships and social development.
https://childmind.org/article/kids-who-need-a-little-help-to-make-friends/
https://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/12/20/reading-writing-rithmetic-and-relationships/
https://www.brighthorizons.com/family-resources/school-age-children-and-friendships
https://offspring.lifehacker.com/how-to-help-your-kid-deal-with-social-rejection-1832527176
https://www.parentingscience.com/kids-make-friends.html
Book of the Month
Our next book of the month is titled The Proudest Blue by Ibtihaj Muhammad. In this story we follow two sisters heading off to the first day of school. The older sister, Asiya, is wearing her hijab for the first time. Both sisters are excited and proud of the bright blue hijab, but not everyone sees hijab as beautiful, and in the face of hurtful, confusing words, Faizah and Asiya find new ways to be strong. Teachers will be using this book to facilitate conversations about how the way we look and the way we dress does not define who we are and the belief that school is a place where all cultures and backgrounds are accepted and celebrated. Teachers will also be discussing the definition of empathy and how students can practice showing empathy in their daily lives. This week, ask your child about the story and discuss ways that you, as a family, show empathy toward others and celebrate diversity and inclusion.
Drop Off and Pick up Safety
As we are getting into the groove of dropping off and picking up our students from their zones, we have noticed an increase in cars driving into the cul de sacs at unsafe speeds. It is imperative that parents and guardians maintain a safe level of speed when pulling into zones 1 and 2 as we have students crossing the street all the time. If we cannot guarantee the safety of our students with the procedures we have in place now, we will have to restrict vehicles from driving in those zones during drop off and pick up times. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
With warmest regards,
Leah Scholer, Principal
[email protected]
School News and Events
Come Join our Virtual Founder’s Day Celebration!
Founders’ Day is right around the corner and we would love for you to join us in celebrating this year's award recipients. This event is a time honored tradition at White Oaks where we recognize those volunteers and staff members who have given countless hours to our school community. We are thrilled to announce this year's honorees: Andrea Anderson, Melissa Brenner, Amy Ihde, Trinity Murphy and Jennifer Rudy. Please plan on joining us via zoom on Thursday, May 6 at 7:30pm as we celebrate and recognize the contributions of our award winners. Click here to RSVP. Any questions? Please email Britta Ellis or Jennie Romeo.
White Oaks PTA Volunteer Spotlight - Treasurer Patty Heilman and Financial Secretary Paulo Dutra
Hi White Oaks! We have enjoyed supporting our school community over the past year as the PTA Treasurer and Financial Secretary. The PTA is looking for volunteers to take over these roles for next year so we wanted to take a minute to share a little about these roles and the importance for our PTA.
Here are a few highlights of the roles:
- The treasurer handles all the finances for the PTA. Tasks include processing checks, making deposits and using online MyPTEZ to record income/expenses. No prior MyPTEZ experience is needed.
- The financial secretary works closely with Mrs. Scholer and the PTA to develop a budget and reports on the actual vs. budget results to the membership.
- Both roles have the flexibility of doing tasks on off hours as your schedule permits.
- You don't need to be a finance person to serve in either role. You only need to be organized and have a computer!
The Treasurer role must be filled in order for the PTA to be in good standing. Please consider serving in one of these vital roles to ensure the smooth operations of the PTA. Please reach out to Diana Herman if you are interested in learning more about this role or other ways to volunteer with the White Oaks PTA.
Thank you for considering.
Patty Heilman, White Oaks PTA Treasurer
Paulo Dutra, White Oaks PTA Financial Secretary
SCEF News and Events
SCEF News
SCEF’s annual Starlight Gala is always one of the highlights of the year. There are many ways to join in the gala, even after the event is over--both Fund-a-Need and the Silent Auction are still open for your participation!
This year, the Fund-a-Need is a campaign to FUND-THE-FUTURE. This is a spectacular opportunity to fund science and technology tools, equipment, and teacher training for all San Carlos public schools. SCSD is launching a new science curriculum that will bring science appreciation, critical thinking skills, and hands-on learning to San Carlos students. Take a look at what is in store for our kids here: https://youtu.be/Zb3bceZDShU.
The Online Silent Auction is a fantastic way to support our kids and win some great items. Check out the many teacher items! The auction is open until 9pm on April 30th. To see online auction items go to www.scefkids.org/events. A huge thank you to SCSD parent, Michael Chang, DDS, and Chang Orthodontics for supporting SCEF as the Starlight Gala Online Bidding Sponsor!
District News and Events
PowerSchool Registration / Intent to Return Confirmation Process for 2021-2022
We are happy to announce that the San Carlos School District is planning for a full return to school next year, 5 full-days of on-campus instruction with minimum days on Wednesdays! We are working hard to ensure that next year is an enriching experience for all students as we return to campus for full-time learning.
Each spring, we ask families for assistance in confirming their enrollment for the next school year by completing the PowerSchool registration process online. Your timely completion of this process will assist us in having the most accurate numbers for returning students for the 2021-2022 school year, which is directly tied to the SCSD budget and will allow the District in planning for staffing needs more effectively.
In May, you will receive an email from [email protected] that will provide you with specific directions on how to complete the registration process online, including a link to access the InfoSnap portal, as well as a special ID number for your student, referred to as the “Infosnap Code."
If you are not planning to return to our district next year, please notify your school office as soon as possible.
Thank you for your assistance with this important process.
Nursing Notes - COVID-19 Protocol Reminders for All Families
Please keep your child and all siblings home if anyone in your household is sick.
Please remember to contact your school site if someone in your household tests positive for COVID-19 or if your child has been in close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19. Our district nurses are here to help support you in understanding quarantine lengths and ways for getting your student back to school as quickly as possible within the county health guidelines.
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
Community News and Events
Healthy Cities Tutoring at the San Carlos Farmers Market – May 2
Swing by our booth at the SC Farmers Market the first Sunday in May and win a prize! We’ll be there raising awareness about our program, recruiting volunteers and raising funds for our Give Where You Live campaign. Visit our website to learn more.
Free Mental Health & Wellness Workshops for Youth
The San Carlos Youth Advisory Council (YAC) is hosting a series of free mental health workshops for middle school-age students. The workshop topics include an overview of mental health in COVID, coping skills for teens during the pandemic, and destigmatizing mental health treatment. Workshops will be virtual and led by counselors from One Life Counseling Center on April 20 and May 18 at 5pm. Registration is required. For more information and to register, visit: www.cityofsancarlos.org/yac.
City of San Carlos Summer Camps
Registration is open to residents and non-residents for San Carlos Parks & Recreation summer camps! We are excited to offer a variety of camps including Adventure Camps, Club Ed, and Sports Camps. Additional safety measures will include face coverings for staff and campers, daily wellness screenings and temperature checks. A Fee Assistance Program, funded in partnership with the Parks & Recreation Foundation of San Carlos and the City of San Carlos, is available to help San Carlos residents and students enrolled in a San Carlos-based school participate in Parks & Recreation summer camps. For more information and to register, visit www.cityofsancarlos.org/camps or call (650) 802-4382.
Steve & Kate's Summer Camp
At Steve & Kate’s Camp, kids take chances and take charge, shaping their day, their way. More choices and fewer expectations creates more possibilities, more self-trust, and less self-doubt.
Campers will choose an interest-based, pod-like group, called a Squad. At camp, children will gather with their fellow enthusiasts to immerse themselves in activities, or pursue projects with an emphasis that speaks to their tastes. Squad specialties include sewing, building, performing arts, coding and gaming, sports & recreation, or a mix of everything!
Within squads, campers decide what they want to do, with whom, and for and how long. Whether one is spending the day sampling all activities, or honing in on sewing skills to redesign their entire wardrobe, one thing is for sure: kids are in control.
Campers will also have the opportunity to enjoy outdoor classes, socially distanced indoor and outdoor recreation, performances, fan-favorites like Gameshow, gaga, and wacky or wet inflatables, and a circuit of rotating activities featuring arcade games, clay, sewing, and more.
We’ve also got plenty of perks for parents. Lunch and snacks are included daily, and there’s no risk if your plans change. At the end of the summer, if you have any leftover purchased Day Passes, we’ll refund them in full, automatically.
Dates: June 14 - July 30 - Summer 2021
Ages: Ages 4-12
Location: Arundel Elementary School
Learn more at https://steveandkatescamp.com/san-carlos/.
REDISCOVER SUMMER FUN - Camp Galileo for PK – 8th Grade
Galileo's award-winning camps engage kids in the perfect mix of hands-on learning and unforgettable fun, thoughtfully redesigned for 2021. Small groups and safety protocols keep every Galilean safe. Engaging art, science and outdoor challenges deliver the innovation-igniting experiences kids love. Flexible enrollment policies make planning stress free. It all comes together for a joyful summer.
Limited enrollment—sign up now!
Save $25 per week before May 3rd! When you book for 3 weeks you’ll save $175, that’s $25 per week, plus $50 savings for weeks two and three.
Optional extended care. Learn more at www.galileo-camps.
Poetry, Art and Music Competition
As a part of our Affordable Housing Month in May 2021, the Housing Leadership Council and Poet Laureate Aileen Cassinetto are hosting a poetry, art, and music competition for eligible students (grade 12 and below) in San Mateo County! Students can submit their poem, or musical/art piece to [email protected] by the April 30 deadline! All submissions should be inspired by or touch upon the notion of home in the area. Check out our flyer and submission details here.
City of San Carlos Pedestrian Enhancements
The city’s Pedestrian Enhancement at Arroyo-Cedar and Hemlock-Orange Pathway Project requires roadway resurfacing at the intersections to provide a safe path of travel for pedestrians between the curb ramps.
The intersections require significant grading. Allowing vehicles to travel through the intersection with large drops between the existing and proposed roadway surface can be dangerous. Also, the contractor will use heavy equipment and machinery to resurface the intersection, which requires narrowing of lanes and adding more danger for vehicles travelling through the intersections. Therefore, we are planning the closures of the intersection of Arroyo Ave-Cedar St as well as Hemlock-Orange during the work to keep everyone safe. The closures will also expedite the schedule so the contractor can finish in one week as opposed to two weeks.
The closure of the Hemlock St-Orange Ave intersection will occur during the week of April 26 while the closure of the Arroyo Ave-Cedar St intersection will occur on May 3.