From the Principal
Dear White Oaks families,
We are kicking off November with a new book for our Book of the Month program. This week at our Welcome Wednesday assembly, we will introduce a beautiful book, Eyes That Kiss in the Corners by Joanna Ho. Each class is receiving its own copy of the monthly book selection as a class read-aloud. Our theme(s) this year continue to include diversity, inclusion, and racial awareness, and we are selecting titles that will hopefully reflect the various ethnicities and cultures represented by our school. We are choosing picture books that teach our core values combined with an anti-racism lens.
Eyes That Kiss in the Corners tells the story of a young Asian girl learning to love and celebrate the shape of her eyes. Teachers will be reading this story to their students and facilitating conversations about self-acceptance, respect for one’s roots, and finding beauty in our uniquenesses.
Kelso’s Choices Conflict Resolution Our over 250 students work hard to uphold the White Oak Way. However, conflict or disagreement is normal and often happens when children get together. Starting this month, we will use the Kelso’s Choice program to teach students several positive ways to deal with these difficult situations. To do this, we are asking students who have minor problems to try at least two of the ideas from the Wheel of Choices. This process can be done before asking for adult help.
By using this plan, we believe that our students will develop effective problem-solving skills that they can use again and again. It will help them to deal with conflict in a positive manner and to make appropriate decisions. Knowing what to do will help students reduce the stress and the number of conflicts they have at school and in their neighborhood.
The colorful graphic illustrates ways to deal with conflict and will be posted at school so all children will know their choices. We encourage you to become familiar with this program and use it in your home. By working together, we can develop healthy life skills for young people to use at home and at school.
If you have any questions about the program, please contact our school counselor, Kim Arasato, at [email protected].
Find more information about Kelso's Choices here:
Wheel of Choices: Kindergarten through 3rd grade
Happy November!
Sincerely,
Kim Norgaard, Interim Principal
[email protected]
Wee Care The 3rd-graders at White Oaks are leading a Thanksgiving Food Drive. The students are building empathy and local poverty awareness for all the children at our school through participating in the Samaritan House Wee Care program. Help us bring holiday cheer to our many neighbors in need this Thanksgiving by donating nonperishable items. The collection bins will be near the front office through Nov. 17.
PTA Membership Update
Don’t wait! Please sign up to become a member of the White Oaks PTA by TODAY, Oct. 31, AND ... if we hit 85 percent, I will wear a green wig on Wednesday, Nov. 3.
How do you join? Sign up online via Totem.
The White Oaks Running Club Is Back!The White Oaks Running Club is a non-competitive and FUN way for 2nd- and 3rd-graders to get exercise with their friends in a social, no-pressure setting … plus, it’s an easy way for them to get their wiggles out!
Students who want to participate will run around a designated course on the WO blacktop. Parent volunteers, as well as a Legarza coach, will monitor the course to ensure that the joggers are safe. Students will keep track of their laps with stickers on a banner.
The Running Club will meet Thursdays during lunch, as long as it is not raining or too smoky. There is no cost to participate, and the program is voluntary. Students can choose to run some Thursdays and not others. They can run for as long (or as short) as they want, or choose to cheer on their friends!
There is no need to sign up. Every 2nd- and 3rd-grader will automatically be registered. Running Club will start this Thursday, Nov. 4.
If you would like to help monitor the course or cheer the kids on, please sign up here. Any and all help is much appreciated! Email Stephanie Brill or Nicole Ketterman with questions. We look forward to getting this club back up and RUNNING!
On your mark ... GET SET ... GO!
Dates to Remember
Thursday, Nov. 4: Running Club starts
Friday, Nov. 5: Scholastic Book Fair starts (ends Nov. 10)
Monday, Nov. 8: Makeup Picture Day
Thursday, Nov. 11: Veterans Day, no school
Friday, Nov. 12: End of 1st Trimester
Tuesday, Nov. 23: Report card day
Nov. 22-26: Fall Break
School News and Events
LAST DAY of White Oaks PTA Membership Challenge 2021Our goal: 100% membership
But if we get to 85% by TODAY, Oct. 31, Mrs. Norgaard will greet the kids wearing a green wig on the first Welcome Wednesday of November. AND the class with the highest membership will get to choose the theme for the next spirit day!
As of Friday, we were at 70% membership!
Room A was in the lead with 83% membership. Room 11 and Room G were tied for 2nd place with 82% membership.
- How do I join? Sign up online via Totem.
- What is the cost? $20 per family (plus $1 fee).
PTA mission: PTA is the longest-running advocacy group in the nation. Our goal is to support and celebrate partnerships, programs, and events that enrich the educational experience, community, and overall well-being of students, teachers, and parents. Our goal this year is to advocate for every child locally, state-wide, and nationally and demand for quality education and funding.
Why is your membership important?
- Every PTA membership helps give us a strong, powerful voice in advocating for our children with the California state legislature.
- 100% membership sends a message to Sacramento that our district is made up of voters who are concerned and involved.
- Members play a role in decision-making at our monthly White Oaks PTA meetings.
Thank you for your support!
Family Photos from PTA Pumpkin Patch Movie Night
It was wonderful to see so many smiling faces at our Pumpkin Patch! Families who had their photos taken can access them here.
Walk to School Wednesday This Week
Please join us for Walk to School Wednesday on Nov. 3. 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.
White Oaks Scholastic Book Fair starts THIS FRIDAY!
Dates: Nov. 5, Nov. 8-10It’s that time of year again! The Scholastic Book Fair is just around the corner. The Book Fair raises thousands of dollars in books for the school library. We can’t do it without your help! Please take a look at the many volunteer roles and shifts to fit your schedule, and sign up here. A reminder that volunteers must complete forms to be cleared to work on campus. The fair will run in the MU for four days:
Friday, Nov. 5, and Monday-Wednesday, Nov. 8-10
- 8-9 a.m. (8-8:30 kids only, 8:30-9 adults only)
- 5:30-7 p.m.
Note: Due to COVID there will be no Family Fun Night at the Book Fair.
Make a Poster for the Book Fair!
Make a poster to promote the Book Fair and pick a used book from our gently used collection. White Oaks students only, please. Submit posters to the library anytime this week. Minimum size: 11x17 inches. Posters must include the following information:
- Student’s name and classroom written on the back (to receive the certificate for a gently used book)
- November 5-10, 2021
- Multi-Use Room
- A slogan or message to attract shoppers.
- You can make as many posters as you like, but only one book certificate per student.
- Let your imagination run wild! We can’t wait to see your poster!
White Oaks Holiday Store 2021!The White Oaks Holiday Store is a cherished tradition and will be open on Saturday, Dec. 11!
Pick-a-Project will be on Wednesday, Nov. 10, at 12:25 p.m. After school dismissal, come to the MU to choose a project to take home and complete. For those new to the Holiday Store: Parents select a kit that has all materials and instructions for assembling a certain number of gifts, and return them by Nov. 30. Then on the day of the Holiday Store, these gifts are sold to White Oaks students to give to family members! Most projects require NO crafty abilities and are very easy to put together.
Seeking help with sewing projects: A few Pick-a-Project kits require certain skills. We are specifically looking for help with sewing projects. Please contact Sara Ting if you have sewing abilities to share! There will be more volunteer opportunities, so look for future sign-ups.
Holiday Store Key Dates
Nov. 10 at 12:25 p.m.: Pick-a-Project in the MU after school dismissal
Nov. 30 at 2:30 p.m.: Assembled projects due back to White Oaks
Dec. 10 at 2:30 p.m.: Event set-up in the MU
Dec. 11 9 a.m.-12 p.m.: Holiday Store open!
New Girl Scout Troops Forming
New Daisy Troops for kindergarten and 1st grade are now forming! Email Kari Burchard for more info. If you signed up at the Kinder Playdates over the summer, we have your contact info and will be reaching out soon!
Become a PTA Partner: Donate Today!Have you donated to our White Oaks fall PTA fundraiser? Please help us reach our goal to cover PTA programs and expenses for the 2021-22 school year. Your one-time PTA Partner donation supports amazing programs and activities like teacher stipends and principal site funds, social-emotional education, Art in Action, Makerspace, Holiday Store, artist in residence, Running Club, Movie Night and so much more. PTA funds are already making a positive difference in the daily lives of our students, but we still need your support! Our goal this year is to raise $20,000, and we are about 15% to our goal. Our donation ask is $125 per student or $250 per family. Please click here to learn more and donate by Nov. 19. Thank you for your support! Donate today and reach out to Jennie Romeo or Taylor Simon if you have any questions!
Become a Small-Business Sponsor of the White Oaks PTADo you own a small business, and would you be interested in becoming a small-business sponsor of our PTA? We need your support! Please reach out to Jennie Romeo or Taylor Simon to discuss how you can contribute and help our White Oaks community thrive this year. We are so thankful for our small-business support!
Holiday Shopping Is Just Around the Corner!
AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support the White Oaks PTA every time you shop. While shopping this holiday season, use the link smile.amazon.com and Amazon will donate a portion of your purchase to our school. Create a bookmark and make it easy to remember. If you use Chrome, click here to activate a redirect that will automatically take you to smile.amazon.com whenever you type amazon.com (so easy!). You'll never miss an opportunity to earn money for our school. Thank you so much!
SCEF News and Events
11th Annual Halloween Candy Buy-Back
Drop extra candy Nov. 1-4 at your school’s office and it will be donated to Operation Gratitude and sent to our troops. Drs. Chang, Amin, and Kaher will donate $1 per pound of wrapped candy to SCEF.
Golden State Warriors Games
See the Golden State Warriors while supporting your schools. Learn more and check out upcoming SCEF events at scefkids.org/events.
District News and Events
SCSD Wellness Corner
From Ilana Yakubovich (she/her), Director of Health and Wellness for the San Carlos School District: I wanted to remind everyone that you have access to the Parent Venture series and resources. They explore a wide variety of topics all about caretaking, child development, and well-being for families. They have sessions in both English and Spanish. Please explore their upcoming workshops here, and feel free to take a look at their past videos!
If you have capacity, please sign up to volunteer for a Walk Audit. This will help to ensure getting to school for walkers, bikers, and drivers is easier and safer for all.
Are you interested in joining the Wellness Committee? This is a space for caregivers, teachers, and students to brainstorm and implement health and well-being ideas for the District. Please email Ilana to hear more!
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.
NEW Second Location and More Days for 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.
Central Middle School parking lot, 757 Cedar St.
NEW Mondays 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Tuesdays and Wednesdays 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
- Thursdays 1-7 p.m.
- Fridays 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Book at the Central van here.
NEW LOCATION OPENING NOV. 3!
Tierra Linda Middle School parking lot, 750 Dartmouth Ave.
- Wednesdays and Fridays 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Saturdays 8 a.m.-3 p.m.
Book at the Tierra Linda van here.
Find other community testing sites in San Mateo County here.
Community News and Events
City of San Carlos Flag Football & Basketball Leagues
Flag Football: Friday Night Under the Lights!
This coed youth flag football program is intended for boys and girls of all experience levels and emphasizes skill development, good sportsmanship, teamwork, and fun! The 5-on-5 fast-paced games provide the opportunity for children to experience the fun of football and learn the sport. Games are 40 minutes long with a 5-minute halftime, at Highlands Park on Fridays from 5-9:30 p.m., with the youngest playing first. Practices are held one hour before game time. Game schedules will be available online two weeks prior to the first game at www.quickscores.com/
- Registration deadline: Friday, Nov. 12, at cityofsancarlos.org/
register - Skills evaluations: Saturday, Dec. 4 at Highlands Park
- Season: Jan. 7-March 4 at Highlands Park (no games Feb. 25)
- Cost: $180, $200 for non-residents
Youth Basketball League Information
Recreation basketball is a fun, low-pressure way to learn and enjoy the game of basketball. Equal playing time for all! K/1st grade league is coed; 2nd/3rd and 4th/5th/6th leagues are single gender. Games are at the Youth Center on Saturdays from 9 a.m.-6 p.m., with the youngest playing first. Practices are held one hour before game time. T-shirt uniforms are provided to each participant at the first game. Game schedules will be available online two weeks prior to the first game at www.quickscores.com/
- Registration deadline: Friday, Nov. 12, at cityofsancarlos.org/
register - Skills evaluations: Saturday, Dec. 11 at San Carlos Youth Center
- Season: Jan. 8-March 5 at Youth Center (no games Feb. 19)
- Cost: $160, $180 for non-residents
Parent Education Opportunities
Changing Perspectives Parent Nights for TK-12 Families: First session is Nov. 9, 5:30-7 p.m. The San Mateo County Office of Education invites Sam Drazin, founder and CEO of Changing Perspectives, to lead two virtual family nights on social-emotional learning (SEL) and how to incorporate it at home. He will break SEL down into core competencies and share valuable strategies and resources to support students’ well-being and learning. Learn more.