From the Principal
Dear White Oaks Families,
We made it!!!!! It is bittersweet to be writing this last principal’s message of the year. In reflection, the teachers, staff, and I got to know our families in ways that would have never been possible without distance learning (may this be the last time I use that phrase!). We have been able to make connections on a much deeper level with our students because we have essentially been in their living rooms for much of the year. Sharing tips on baking, meeting dogs and other pets, seeing lego creations, and learning about favorite stuffies have surely been highlights for us this year. As eager as we are to say goodbye to this one-of-a-kind year, there will always be those bonding moments we will never forget.
Looking ahead to next school year, we can excitedly prepare for full in-person learning and ease our way back into what would be considered a “normal” school year. I have asked our teachers to envision next year as returning to a “home” that has, frankly, been through a lot and needs to be renovated. We don’t have to go back to “the way it was”, rather, we can transform our learning environment into what we need it to be in order to thrive in this soon-to-be post-pandemic world (fingers crossed). Who better than our strong group of teachers to lead the charge during this pivotal time in education?
While there is still much that is unknown regarding county and district guidelines for the start of the year, I will be sure to communicate updates with you in August so you can be as prepared as possible for the beginning of the year. Many of our procedures will still look different but I am hopeful that things will continue to move in a positive direction.
Tomorrow, I will be sending out an email with a list of summer resources, much of which is online. However, I encourage you to unplug from devices as much as possible this summer, get outside, and enjoy all that summer has to offer. Make play a priority for your children and help them learn about their world in ways they are unable to do in front of a screen.
I am looking forward to seeing you all in August and cannot wait to dive into this next chapter of learning with you all.
With warmest regards,
Leah Scholer, Principal
[email protected]
Dates to Remember:
Last Day of School: Thursday, June 10
Device Return: Wed, June 9 - Friday, June 11
First Day of School: Wednesday, August 18 (8:20am-12:20pm)
Back to School Night: Wednesday, August 25
Minimum Day: Friday, August 27 (8:20am-12:20pm)
School News and Events
In-N-Out Books – Book Return Options
Over 150 pop-up library books are still checked out. We’d love to collect the majority of these before summer. Please look around your home for books marked with colored masking tape. The Book Return Bin will be in front of the office during school and at the device drop off times. Some of the books were checked out early in the school year. Thanks again to everyone who visited, volunteered at and donated to the pop-up library this year!
Extra Yearbooks Available in the School Office
If you forgot to order a yearbook for your child this year or would like to purchase an extra, please contact Mrs. Williams in the front office. We have several copies available for sale.
Sign up to Be a Buddy Family for New Families!
As we get closer to summer, we wanted to reach out and encourage families to sign up to be Kinder Family Buddies. Kinder Family Buddies are a resource in case there are any questions over the summer and/or at the beginning of the year. First time families often have questions or just have normal jitters, and having a particular person/family to talk to helps a lot. This is a great way to help our newest members of our community join our White Oaks family. Please fill out this form here to sign up to be a Kinder Family Buddy.
SCEF News and Events
SCEF Thanks You!
In a year of unknowns and frequent pivots YOU helped us in our work to support students at every San Carlos public school. Thank you for believing in SCEF and showing up for our students this year by participating in our first annual Read-A-Thon, Virtual Gala and online auction, and the Make It Happen in May campaign. You donated, employers matched, community members pitched-in, local businesses sponsored, and new developments and companies committed to sustain the public schools in San Carlos.
We appreciate every single contribution that gets us closer to our $3 million goal. Please check the draft donor roll to review your donations to SCEF this year (fiscal year ending 6/30/2021) and if there are any errors or omissions please let Scott Cleaveland know at [email protected]. You can make a gift to support the 2021-22 school year at https://scefkids.org/donate/.
We Love our Sponsors
As we end the school year, we wanted to say a final thank you to these businesses that supported SCEF during this challenging year: Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Premia Capital and Prince St. Properties, The Partners at DWELL--Bob Bredel, Laura Bertolacci, Alana Corso, Tatum Clarke & Joyce Romeo, Black Mountain Properties, CB Showers, CA Water Service, Chang Orthodontics, Lyngso Garden Materials, Peninsula Chemical Company, Tavarez Orthodontics, Veev, County Consumer Plumbing, John McAfee-State Farm Insurance, Northwall Builders, Sutter Health/Palo Alto Medical Foundation, Roberts Market, Scenic Scapes, Bow Wow Meow-San Carlos, Kindercourt and Murphy Music School. Special thanks to our many in-kind donors including Wendy Wood Design, TOWN, Moquin Press, Representative Jackie Speier, Da Vinci Marble and all of the businesses who donated to our auction. For a list of the many businesses who donated to our auction, and support SCEF year-round, click here.
District News and Events
2021-2022 School Year Calendar
The calendar for the 2021-2022 school year was approved at the Board meeting on Thursday, May 20. The SCSD Calendar is the official calendar for the school year for all schools (except San Carlos Charter), and includes all start and end dates, official holidays, and in-service teacher workdays. The first day of school is Wednesday, August 18. Have a great summer!
Please visit our Calendar page to download a copy.
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.
Community News and Events
San Carlos Park & Rec
The City of San Carlos Youth Center is preparing to resume the After School drop-in program in the fall when school starts. As we move closer to re-opening, we value parent input and would appreciate your feedback by completing our survey. Click here to complete the survey. We appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts with us!
Kamparama!
San Carlos-Belmont After School is proud to be providing a summer camp program, Kamparama, on all four elementary school campuses in San Carlos this summer. Enrollment is limited due to CDC guidelines but openings are still currently available.
Children from 4 ½ to 11 years old are welcome to join in the weekly activities that include arts and crafts, outdoor games, water slides weekly and themes to tie it all together. Kamparama opens at 8am each day and will end at 5pm. Drop offs and pickups are any hours between those times.
We will be preparing healthy and delicious lunches and snacks daily for the kids, one less job for busy parents. We’ll also have a visit from the ice cream truck each week, just to sweeten the day!
Kamparama will provide a fun, safe environment for kids this summer just as it has for 40 years. We invite you to check out our web site for more information and/or to register.
Kamparama 2021 Summer Camp - www.afterschoolkids.net
Legarza Summer Camps
Legarza Basketball, All-Sports, and Volleyball programs give children the knowledge and motivation they need to achieve their personal best in sport and life. Our program is tailored to help your young athlete succeed on and off the court in a safe, professional and encouraging environment of learning and fun.
Summer programs are now enrolling at www.legarzasports.org. We will be offering morning, afternoon, and all day programs weekly from June through August.
We are also currently offering $100 scholarships to families needing additional financial support to attend our summer programs. Those interested in receiving a scholarship can contact [email protected].
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.
Community Foundation of San Carlos 21-Day Social and Racial Equity Challenge
The Community Foundation of San Carlos would like to invite you to take part in a 21-Day Social and Racial Equity Challenge in the month of June. This 21-day challenge was created as an educational and self-reflection tool by Eddie Moore Jr. and Debby Irving, renowned diversity and equity professionals. The challenge has now been adapted across the country in agencies and institutions to provide a self-guided process to learn, reflect and take action on racial and social justice topics. The Community Foundation has adapted it to include some resources and topics of interest for our local community. The City of San Carlos has endorsed the challenge. Mayor Laura Parmer-Lohan, City Manager Jeff Maltbie, and Police Chief Kristina Bell have already accepted this challenge.
For 21 days during the month of June, you will undertake one action each day, usually reading an article or watching a short video, to further your understanding of power, privilege, oppression and equity. Each day will address a specific topic and includes multiple challenge options for you to choose from (an average of 15 minutes per day) and additional “Other Resources” if you wish to continue exploring the topic further. We provide you with a reflection log for you to jot down and process your thoughts along the way.
There are many ways to organize the challenge. We leave it up to you as to how you will structure the timing for your group. Possibilities include:
- 21 days straight (e.g. June 1-21 or June 5-26)
- Five weekdays (weekends off to catch up) for 21 days
- Three days on, two days off, etc throughout the month
- Everyone goes at their own pace but agrees to finish by June 30
- Reflection done weekly, upon completion of the challenge, or however you decide
The challenge can be taken individually, as a group within an organization or as a group of friends. Many of our CFSC Board members and volunteers undertook this challenge together in late 2020 and benefited greatly from this engaging learning experience. It can be a powerful tool to help examine values and goals and encourage dialogue on these important topics.
Our website has all of the materials you will need to begin. If you have questions or would like to chat more about the process, please contact [email protected]. Please let us know if you take it on as we hope to celebrate our community partners joining in this important journey. Register your participation by filling out the Challenge Accepted form. Participants will be posted on our website.