From the Principal
Dear White Oaks families,
I am excited to say my first week as the interim principal was amazing. Each day I note how the White Oaks staff makes sure every child feels connected, comfortable, and supported as we all learn the routines of fall. Our campus is full of smiles!
It is September and, I don’t know about you, but I am eagerly looking forward to the joys of fall. The changing of the leaves, sweaters, scarves (although I think we’ll be waiting on that for a while), and pumpkin-spiced everything!!
We are so fortunate to have Legarza PE coaches assisting on campus with PE and recess! Coaches and staff are taking time to clearly and explicitly teach our White Oaks Expectations in the beginning weeks of school. Our dedicated teachers and support staff seek out “Owls” who are being safe, respectful, and responsible and find ways to celebrate choices with our Owl Bucks. Each Wednesday, we will have Owl Bucks winners drawn at random and announced at our Welcome Wednesday assembly. Our Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support system (PBIS) is a multi-layered approach to support students as they interact with one another, and to create norms within our school for areas like hallways and the playgrounds. We are thrilled to partner with Legarza coaches to support and benefit our students.
Welcome Wednesday
We want Welcome Wednesdays to be student-centered and student-led! There are many ways students can participate this year. Here is the sign-up sheet that we will be using in addition to the clipboard I have set out at lunch. I will reach out to families and students who sign up and will work with you to plan future Welcome Wednesdays on a first-come, first-served basis. Ask your child if they’d like to get involved and help them sign up! Students can put their names under as many categories as they are interested in. I cannot wait to hear from our students!
Parent or Community Member Needed for the
White Oaks School Site Council: One Position Open
The White Oaks School Site Council consists of 5 parent or community members and 5 staff members, including the principal. Parent or community members are selected through an election. About seven meetings are scheduled each year, usually on a Thursday from 3 to 4 p.m. via Zoom until further notice. Please refer to the SSC News September 2021 email that will go out Sept. 16 for more information.
If you are interested in becoming a member of the Site Council, please email Kim Norgaard with a blurb about why, and how you would contribute. If more than one person is interested, we will hold an election to fill the opening.
Upcoming Events
Monday, Sept. 6: No school, Labor Day
Wednesday, Sept. 8: PTA meeting at 7:30 p.m. via Zoom
Thursday, Sept. 9: San Carlos School Board meeting at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom
Monday, Sept. 13: Late Bird schedule starts for Kindergarten
Sincerely,
Kim Norgaard, Interim Principal
[email protected]
School News and Events
Please Join Us for the First PTA Meeting of the Year
Don’t miss our first 2021-22 PTA meeting this Wednesday, Sept. 8, at 7:30 p.m. via Zoom. We will be discussing our incredible year ahead. All parents are welcome to attend! Just a friendly reminder that to be eligible to vote, you must be a member of the PTA. We hope to see you there.
Forms for Our Parent Volunteers
We are so grateful for our parent volunteers. Each volunteer needs to fill out this volunteer form, complete a Self-Certification of Vaccination Form (to be provided by the district), and provide a copy of your vaccination card or show evidence of a weekly negative COVID test. Please see this Google form for descriptions of volunteer roles for parents at White Oaks.
Volunteer Job Spotlight: Help Serve Hot Lunch
Please consider helping to serve hot lunch at school. This is a fun and easy way to be involved and meet students of all grade levels. We need parents to help on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursday, and Fridays from 11:40 a.m. to 12:20 p.m. Most volunteers work 1 to 2 times a month and must be vaccinated per district policy. Email our hot lunch coordinator Minji Enemark for more information.
Become a PTA Member Today!
This year, we are hoping you join us in reaching 100% PTA membership.
- How do I join? Sign up online via Totem.
- What is the cost? $20 per family (plus $1 fee).
- Why join?
- CONNECT with new friends and the White Oaks community.
- SUPPORT school-wide events and programs.
- MAKE your voice heard in Sacramento.
SCEF News and Events
Welcome Back from the San Carlos Education Foundation
Ah, September! The air feels a little different, and we are firmly into the school year. We want to warmly welcome you back with this video. Learn more about how your donations benefit all students at every school at scefkids.org.
Be a GEM: Give Every Month
Did you know that you can make your donation by setting up an automated recurring gift? When you Give Every Month, your support of SCEF is spread across the entire year. If you sign up NOW your donation will be given over 10 months (September-June) — now that makes giving easy! Learn more and join this campaign (at any dollar amount) at scefkids.org/gem.
Give the Gift of Time: Join us! Volunteer with SCEF
People volunteer for all kinds of reasons, so we have all kinds of ways to get involved! Join the SCEF team and make use of your personal skill set — on our governing board, at your school, or on a committee planning events and seeking sponsorships. We are always welcoming new volunteers — and are currently looking for individuals with experience in social media, videography, events, and finance.
Interested in sharing your expertise while supporting our public schools? Please fill out this Google form.
Like our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram @scefkids for all SCEF news.
District News and Events
Additional Masking Requirements Beginning Sept. 7
When your students return to school after Labor Day weekend, we will be instituting additional health and safety layers on our campuses. We know our schools are safe places for all students to learn, and we know masks keep the virus from spreading in the air from one person to another.
In an abundance of caution, following the three-day weekend, we will expect all to wear their masks both indoors and outdoors. When students eat, drink or take a mask break, we will ask students to physically distance themselves from one another as possible. Your school leaders will share more in their newsletters.
Thank you for your support,
Jennifer Frentress
Superintendent
COVID Reminders: Stay Home When Sick and Get Tested
Staying home when sick and getting tested for COVID-19 are two of the most effective ways to keep our community safe. Find details on guidelines from the SCSD Health & Safety Plan in this document.
If you have any of the symptoms listed above, call your school office to report an illness, stay home, and take a COVID test.
If you need to report a COVID case, please call District Nurse Page Pollack at 650-632-8300 (Arroyo office) or Human Resources at 650-590-5922 if the nurse is unavailable.
For more information, visit our COVID-19 Resources page and review the SCSD Health & Safety Plan.
CDC Recommended Travel Guidelines
Per the CDC recommendations concerning travel, SCSD will be using these guidelines from the district Health & Safety Plan for staff and students who travel domestically or internationally. See this California Department of Public Health flyer for additional recommendations on traveling.
For more information, visit our COVID-19 Resources page and review the SCSD Health & Safety Plan.
Schedule Your Appointment at the Curative COVID-19 Testing Van
Please take advantage of the no-cost COVID-19 testing provided by the San Mateo County Health Department.
Sign up online to begin your regular weekly testing at the Central Middle School parking lot, under the solar structure (757 Cedar St., San Carlos).
- Tuesdays and Wednesdays 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
- Thursdays 1-7 p.m.
- Fridays 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Find other community testing sites in San Mateo County here.
Community News and Events
Planning Commission Virtual Study Session Protected Tree Ordinance
Tuesday, Sept. 7, 7 p.m.
The San Carlos Planning Commission on Sept. 7 will hold a study session to allow staff to gather input from the Planning Commission and the San Carlos community for consideration as part of the new tree removal, trimming, and protection regulations. For more information, including how to attend the study session and future updates, please visit www.cityofsancarlos.org/treeordinance.
City Council Virtual Study Session
Wednesday, Sept. 8, 5:30 p.m.
The City of San Carlos has been working with the community and stakeholders to develop urban design strategies for the city’s East Side industrial area from Holly Street to Brittan Avenue, known as the East Side Innovation District. At this City Council Study Session, “10 Big Moves,” or strategies, will be presented. These strategies translate the community’s aspirations for the East Side into a holistic design framework that will inform development and infrastructure improvements for the next 10 to 20 years. Please join us! To learn more and review materials from previous community workshops, visit www.SanCarlosInnovation.org.
Parent Education Series from The Parent Venture
Ready for some back-to-school self-care? On Sept. 9, Mission Be offers a new “Mindful Parent” series featuring Madeleine Pizey in Mindful Parenting: Reducing Covid Stress and Anxiety (Sept. 9, online).
As Olympic athletes pushed mental health to the forefront, we welcome clinical and sports psychologist Steve Smith for a timely discussion on “The Twisties”: Youth Sports, Competition, and Mental Health (Sept. 15, online).
SPECIAL EVENT! Frank Bruni, author of “Where You Go is Not Who You’ll Be,” joins Alice Kleeman, award-winning former college advisor, in Beyond Being Admitted: Making the Most of the College Experience (Sept. 22, online).
September is Suicide Prevention Month. San Mateo County Health, Sequoia Healthcare District, StarVista, and The Parent Venture offer resources for youth mental health and suicide prevention. Mark your calendars! (Sept. 28)
How will the pandemic affect learning and mental health? Anya Kamenetz, NPR education correspondent, will discuss her upcoming book, The Stolen Year: How America’s Covid Response Failed Children, and How We Can Fix It (Sept. 29, online).
Keys: for Parenting is here! Keys is a new communication tool that puts parenting advice at your fingertips — literally, it’s a keyboard! — developed by Charlene Margot and Bev Hartman, co-founders of The Parent Venture. Give Keys a try!
Want more great parenting advice? Follow the Parent Education Series on social media (Instagram and Facebook), or subscribe to our free Video Library (YouTube), a popular and trusted resource with over 21,000 views!