From the Principal
Dear White Oaks Families,
Happy Mother’s Day to all the wonderful mothers and female role models out there, supporting their loved ones every way they can. I wish you all a lovely day!
Our hearts are filled with gratitude for our White Oaks family as we felt completely appreciated this week as a staff by all of your efforts. The notes and cards decorate all of our walls, reminding us how special our relationships are with one another. The delicious snacks, lunch, sweet treats and cold drinks kept us going throughout the week. Many thanks to our PTA and families for always being there for us as partners in educating our students!
New Beginnings and Saying “Good-Bye” to our 3rd Graders
We held our annual TK/Kindergarten Orientation for parents virtually last Wednesday. Thank you to all of the new families who attended. We are excited to have you join us as you begin your child’s educational journey.
We are nearing the end of the school year and although many of our traditional “end-of-year” activities are going to look different, we did want to have the opportunity to say goodbye to our 3rd graders as they transition on to Arroyo. We are collaborating with our PTA and room parents to make it a special last day for them at White Oaks. We will be “clapping out” our 3rd grade students that day with a special ensemble of the infamous Alligator Stomp! Our staff will take numerous pictures and share with the community so everyone can feel part of this traditional event.
SCEF ‘Make it Happen in May’ Campaign Kick-Off
Thanks so much to all of you who contributed to the San Carlos Education Foundation’s annual gala. Once again, this community rallied to support our students and helped the Foundation make progress toward this year’s $3 million goal.
Founded in 1982, the Education Foundation and its board of parent volunteers work each year to raise funds to support key positions and programs not possible with state funding alone. SCEF’s mission is to support equity across the district and benefit every child, every day in every classroom.
Because not everyone is on campus at the same time, we are not holding a traditional SCEF Day. Rather, we are using the week to kick off the ‘Make it Happen in May’ campaign. This is the final push toward the end of the school year deadline which allows SCEF to provide the school board with the most up-to-date information as they finalize budgets for next school year. Since funds raised this year benefit students next year, your gift will help ensure a well-rounded student experience when school resumes in the fall.
This Week We Will Celebrate SCEF!
To learn more about the San Carlos Education Foundation and make a donation please visit www.scefkids.org.
With warmest regards,
Leah Scholer, Principal
[email protected]\
School News and Events
May 12 - Last PTA Meeting of the Year!
It is hard to believe, but this month will be our last PTA meeting of the year. Please join us to vote on next year's PTA board and proposed budget as well as share any hopes you have for next year. There will be lots to talk about so we hope you can join us! Check the most recent WOW for login details.
PTA Appreciation
Thank you to everyone who joined us for our “magical” Founders’ Day last Thursday. And an extra special thank you to our Founders' Day Chairs, Jennie Romeo and Britta Ellis, for organizing this incredible event for our community! We loved celebrating our honorees and it was wonderful to do so with so many of you. Thank you all for helping us keep our over 70-year tradition alive. It was truly special! Thank you!
SCEF News and Events
Make it Happen in May and Wear GREEN to Your Wed. Zoom Classes!
As we approach the end of the school year, and SCEF’s fiscal year, we are asking for your support to meet our fundraising goal of $3 million. We strive to ‘Make It Happen in May’ by asking donors to make or finalize their annual fund contributions during the month of May so that we can provide the School Board with a solid estimated grant amount to aid in their budget planning for next school year.
SCEF is pleased to announce that Premia Capital/Prince St. Partners have created a $100,000 matching pool for all Make It Happen In May 2021 gifts. All gifts to SCEF made before May 31st will be matched by these SCEF Sponsors.
Please consider making your annual donation now. This is especially important if you donate via your employer’s workplace giving program, as it often takes 8 to 10 weeks for these donations to make their way to us. The suggested per student ask is $1,500 and our Leadership Circle begins at $3,500. However, donations of any level will make a difference for students next year.
Join us as we Celebrate our Community and Build for the Future! Our 2020-21 fundraising calendar ends on June 30, 2021. You can make a donation today at https://scefkids.org/donate/. Stock donations and Donor-Advised Fund gifts are welcome too. Contact [email protected] for more information.
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.
Free BMX Bike Show May 9 at 2pm
Join the virtual celebration of bicycle fun with a show from the amazing team from Perfection on Wheels! This is a "live" show being filmed exclusively for San Carlos students and their families.
Join us via ZOOM to see the spectacular stunts the pros can perform and learn about ways to stay safe while cycling.
RSVP here: http://evite.me/PMKZjenUGE to get log in details.
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.
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
Community Foundation of San Carlos Celebrates AAPI Heritage Month
In honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, the Community Foundation of San Carlos has a list of resources as well as events being offered throughout the month of May!
There is also a special spotlight on AAPI members in our community sharing their incredible stories. So proud to see many AAPI community members showing representation to our growing AAPI community and amplifying our voices!
Save the Date - May 28th
Devil's Canyon is dedicating May 28th to honor AAPI Heritage Month. There will be music by a Cali/Island style reggae band and food trucks to support local AAPI businesses! More info can be found on the Community Foundation website. Social distancing and mask rules apply.
The Big Five Art Contest (All K-12 Students and Classrooms)
Due May 21, 2021
The San Mateo County Office of Education is hosting a contest for students to help design the look of two main characters in books on The Big Five, San Mateo County’s five immediate action emergency responses. The winning entries will be put into The Big Five books and will be shared with schools county-wide! Learn more.
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.
SamTrans Survey on School Routes
SamTrans is proposing changes to their bus routes and they need YOUR feedback, especially regarding Route 61 and Route 95 which serve San Carlos. Please take a moment to fill out their survey. This is your chance to be heard! You can also learn more about Reimagine SamTrans by visiting their website and/or joining a regional meeting.