From the Principal
Dear White Oaks families,
In recent days, our staff has been working together to prioritize the needs of our students and provide the integrated support that they need at school. Multi-tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) coordinate the resources available in our school, district, and community to ensure every child has equitable access to an educational experience. We meet regularly as a staff to share expertise, consider data trends, make instructional decisions related to what we see in the classroom, and listen to the needs that are rising to the surface for our students and their families.
Our School Site Council, a group of equal parts community and staff members, met on Sept. 23 to analyze some data points and consider the next steps for our school as we work to create a School Plan for Student Achievement (SPSA). Our staff meetings are also inclusive of this work and the ensuing collaboration that strengthens our MTSS resources for all students.
As we support academic goals in the classroom, we also consider our work centered on the “whole child” and social-emotional development. Each classroom teacher is implementing the new Second Step program, one of our many tools to help promote the well-being of our students and build a strong community of learners. Ms. Kim Arasato is part of our mental health support team for all of our students, families, and staff. Please take a moment to get to know her!
Kim Arasato, Counselor
I started my career as a teacher and taught 6th grade for seven years before becoming a school counselor. I have been a school counselor for 21 years at the middle school and elementary school levels in Ohio, Texas, and California. This is my eighth year as a school counselor for SCSD. I have a BS in elementary education with a minor in psychology and an MEd in school counseling from Bowling Green State University in Ohio. I have PPSC credentials. I love to travel and have been to 24 countries. I am a portrait artist currently experimenting with abstract painting. I also enjoy hiking, beaches, nature, family, and the Ohio State Buckeyes. Together we grow stronger.
Sincerely,
Kim Norgaard, Interim Principal
[email protected]
Upcoming Events
Oct. 4-8: Conference Week, minimum days
Thursday, Oct. 7: School board meeting, 6:30 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 11: Local holiday, no school
Wednesday, Oct. 13: PTA meeting, 7:30 p.m. via Zoom
back to top
School News and Events
School Resource Outreach Officers
The students were excited to meet our school community officers, Sheriff Rodney Reed and Sergeant Sal Zuno. The school resource officers attended our Welcome Wednesday assembly last week.
Volunteers Being Cleared to Help on Campus
Thank you to our White Oaks families who have followed the process of requesting to volunteer and being cleared by HR to help on campus. We are so excited to have you!
If you are interested in volunteering, please remember that you need to complete a two-step process. First, request to volunteer. Once you have submitted the Request to Volunteer form, HR in the district office will send you a Self-Certification of Vaccination Status form for you to submit. Just like employees, all volunteers need to either verify coronavirus vaccination or show a negative COVID test on a weekly basis. Your name will go on our school site list of cleared volunteers, managed by Teresa Williams in our office.
Walk to School Wednesday This Week
Please join us for Walk to School Wednesday on Oct. 6. Charms will be given to students who walk, roll, ride or scoot to school! Walk to School Wednesday takes place the first Wednesday of every month.
SAVE THE DATE: PTA Meeting on October 13
Please join us at our next PTA meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 13, at 7:30 p.m. via Zoom. We will be joined by our superintendent, Dr. Jennifer Frentress, and receive a school update from Mrs. Norgaard.
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.
Meeting ID: 834 9700 0795 / Passcode: 851899
PTA Membership Drive
We are happy to announce that our membership continues to grow, and we now have 43% PTA membership! Thank you to those who have joined. Our goal this year is 100% membership. If we reach 85% membership by the end of October, Mrs. Norgaard will greet the kids wearing a green wig! The details:
- 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.
- Why is your membership important? Members play a role in decision-making at our monthly White Oaks PTA meetings. Higher membership gives our PTA a powerful voice in advocating for our children in the California Legislature. 100% membership sends a message that our district is made up of voters who are concerned and involved.
SAVE THE DATE: Fall Pumpkin Patch Night on October 22
Friday, Oct. 22, 5:30 p.m.
Join the White Oaks PTA on the school playground for this fun outdoor family event with pumpkins, a movie and goodie bags. Kid costumes welcome! More details coming soon.
2021-22 White Oaks Yearbooks for Sale!
You can buy this school year’s yearbook directly from Jostens here. Yearbooks are $26 each, and the sales deadline is Friday, Dec. 24. They will be distributed the last week of school by your student’s teacher. Most teachers give the students time to sign yearbooks, so don’t let your child be left out!
We won’t have a lot of extras to sell at the end of the school year, so buy your yearbook now to reserve your copy. Please contact Teresa Williams with questions.
SCEF News and Events
Appreciation for Our Business Sponsors
We are grateful to the local businesses — large and small — that support our schools. A BIG thank you to Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Black Mountain Properties, California Water Services, Lyngso Garden Supply, Presidio Bay Ventures, and John McAfee of State Farm Insurance, who have already committed to supporting SCEF this fundraising year. Do you have a business, and would like to explore the benefits of being a sponsor? See more details here.
So many ways to give! Your support of our schools is appreciated and necessary, and there are many ways for you to give. Visit scefkids.org/donate.
Like our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram @scefkids for all SCEF news.
District News and Events
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 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.
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
Healthy Cities Tutoring Fall Tutor Orientation and Training
Wednesday, Oct. 13, 10 a.m. or 7 p.m.
10 a.m.: Join us in person at the San Carlos Library, 610 Elm St.
7 p.m.: Join us remotely via Zoom. Meeting link will be emailed to participants who RSVP.
Details:
- 10-10:35 a.m. or 7-7:35 p.m. New Tutor Orientation: If you have not tutored with us, this session covers everything you need to know to get started with a student!
- 10:45-11:30 a.m. or 7:45-8:30 p.m. Tutor Tips Training: Interactive and fun training on how to make the most out of your tutoring sessions in person or over Zoom. Chance to ask questions following the meeting.
Junior Chef Stars is Back! CREATE - COOK - LEARN
Looking for a hands-on, tasty activity for your Junior Chef? We provide junior chefs with the tools necessary to create, cook, and learn. Join us as we celebrate the bounty of fall. Your junior chef will expand their cooking knowledge with our curriculum, which covers nutrition, seasonal cooking, knife skills, the purpose of core ingredients, and the many cultural aspects of food — all while having a blast and making new friends.
Dates: Oct. 14 to Dec. 9
When: Thursdays 2:30-3:45 p.m.
Where: Multipurpose Room
Register today at juniorchefstars.com/
Community Foundation of San Carlos
The Community Foundation of San Carlos is proud to celebrate Latinx Heritage Month! To us, this month is about honoring the diverse cultures and heritages, and celebrating in the joy, strength, and contributions of our Latinx community — as well as continuing to learn more about its rich history.
We have a list of resources to share and are honored to uplift and amplify the voices of our community members.
Parent Education Series from The Parent Venture
Happy National Hispanic Heritage Month! From Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, we pay tribute to the generations of Hispanic Americans who have influenced and enriched our nation and society.
In a new Spanish-language event, Leo Zarazua, mindful educator at Mission Be, presents Crianza Consciente: Reduciendo el Estrés y la Ansiedad para Padres de Familia (Español). Por favor únete a nosotros! (Oct. 6, online)
On Oct. 7, join bestselling authors Dr. Bill Stixrud and Ned Johnson for
What Do You Say? Talking with Kids to Build Stress Tolerance and Motivation.
This special event is hosted by Peninsula Health Care District and SMUHSD (Online).
If you missed last week’s conversation with Frank Bruni and Alice Kleeman,
Beyond Being Admitted: Making the Most of the College Experience, here’s a link to the video. This is a great program to share with your students!