From the Principal
Dear White Oaks families,
Thank you all so very much for your support this past week with our COVID protocols and safety measures. Thank you for picking up your student’s COVID test and getting regular testing when you discovered an exposure or returned from travel. Thank you for keeping us informed by reporting positive results and close exposures, which is helping us keep our students and staff safe and healthy. Most of all, thank you for your patience in all of this. Our nurses, teachers, and administrative assistant have been swamped with phone calls and emails, and have done their very best to reply in a timely manner and get you the information you need. We know it can be frustrating and confusing when the information seems contradictory or is ever-changing. We are in this together as a school community, and I appreciate you greatly. Also, a big shoutout to our White Oaks students. They have been rock stars in wearing their masks properly and regularly washing their hands.
Already Planning for Next Year
With all that is going on right now with this current COVID surge, I’m excited to be looking forward to next year’s registration already! New Student Priority Registration for all students (TK-8th grade) opened last Tuesday, Jan. 11, and closes Feb. 11. If you missed our Virtual TK/Kindergarten Information Night last week, you may view the presentation slides here and watch the recording on Vimeo here.
I will be conducting my (virtual) school tour this year on Wednesday, Jan. 26 at 4 p.m. Then, in early May, we will offer our White Oaks TK/Kindergarten Orientation to give families a deeper look into our TK and Kindergarten program. If you know of anyone who is interested in this tour, please share this sign-up form so they can receive the Zoom link directly.
Additionally, registration for the SMARTE Afterschool Clubhouse for the 2022-23 school year started last week. See below under District News and Events for more information.
It feels great looking ahead, and I feel optimistic about the coming year and also about what I’m hearing of this surge coming to an end soon.
SCEF Read-A-Thon at White Oaks
It’s not too late to participate in the SCEF Read-A-thon! We currently have 150 White Oaks students registered and counting, and we are going for 100% participation. There are lots of FUN ways to engage on the website (www.scefkids.org/read2022), w
Warmly,
Leah Scholer, Principal
[email protected]
SCEF News and Events
GEM: Give Every Month
Budgeting to support the causes you care about is a great way to start 2022!
Sign up for our Give Every Month Program. By starting now and spreading your contributions across the school year, you are able to plan for and give generously.
Read-A-Thon Continues Through Jan. 21
Our 2nd annual Read-A-Thon continues this week. Keep reading and logging minutes! There are so many great resources to continue to engage in reading for all ages at scefkids.org/read2022.
HUGE Thank Yous to our Read-A-Thon Sponsors:
We are grateful to the following business sponsors whose support helps make the Read-A-Thon possible: Sereno (presenting sponsor), Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Black Mountain Properties, CB Showers, Lyngso Garden Materials, Chang Orthodontics, County Consumer Plumbing, Premia, Prince St. Properties, Presidio Bay Ventures, Peninsula Chemical Company, Tavarez Orthodontics, CA Water Service, Hummingbird Music School, Roberts Market, Northwall Builders, John McAfee-State Farm Insurance, and Wendy Wood Design. To learn how your business can support SCEF, visit scefkids.org/business.
Jan. 23: Author Event with Kate RobinsonThis is an event for the whole family and educators! We are thrilled to announce our SCEF author event with Kate Robinson, author and daughter of Sir Ken Robinson. In the years before he died, Sir Ken had been working on a manifesto, a short book that would pull together all of his key arguments and serve as a call to action for the education revolution he spent his life advocating for. His wish was for his daughter to complete and publish the book after his death. This incredible book, Imagine If … Creating a Future for Us All, will be out March 1 and is available to preorder. We are honored to have Kate join us live from London via Zoom for a Family and Educator Event to talk to us about writing, love of reading, the power of imagination, and her book. Participants are invited to send in questions for Kate beforehand by emailing [email protected]. We look forward to seeing you there. Join via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/
District News and Events
Covid Vaccination Boosters for 12+
The Belmont-Redwood Shores School District has invited all SCSD families to participate in their upcoming vaccination/booster events. They are excited to once again partner with Safeway/Albertsons to provide COVID vaccination (Pfizer) boosters for those eligible age 12 and older on:
Monday, Jan. 17, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Ralston Middle School for booster, ages 12-15. Schedule appointment here.
Tuesday, Jan. 18, 3-7 p.m. at Sandpiper School for booster, ages 12-15. Schedule appointment here.
Monday, Jan. 24, 3-7 p.m. at Ralston Middle School for booster, ages 12-15. Schedule appointment here. The second-dose clinic for ages 5-11 who attended the clinic on Jan. 3 will also be on Jan. 24 from 3-7 p.m.
Jan. 18: Registration Opens for TK Extended Day Program
Beginning next year, we will be offering a NEW Early Learning Extended-Day Program for our TK students. Knowing some families will need afternoon care for their TK students, SCSD will offer an enriching, extended-day program for our littlest students in collaboration with our preschool program from the end of the school day until 5:30 p.m.
Registration for the TK Extended-Day Program will open on Tuesday, Jan. 18. For more information, please visit our Transitional Kindergarten page and reach out to Preschool Director Sue Dawley ([email protected]) if you have any questions.
TK Extended-Day Program Sample Schedule*
1:25-2:00 - Rest Time/Quiet Reading Time
2:00-2:15 - Music & Movement Circle
2:15-3:15 - STEAM Activities
3:15-3:45 - Spanish Language Circle
3:45-4:00 - Snack
4:00-5:00 - Outside Time (soccer, basketball, etc.)
5:00-5:30 - Stories/Library
*Approximate times are given and adjusted based on Early or Late Bird student schedule
Jan. 24: Mental Health Forum for Parents and Caregivers
Please join us for a Mental Health Forum for Parents and Caregivers on Jan. 24 from 7:00-8:00 p.m. Hear from two mental health professionals on high-level themes they are seeing, and ask any questions you may have about supporting your students, and yourselves, mentally and emotionally. Please register here.
ROPES Judges Needed!
We are looking for parents and community members that would like to serve as a judge for the ROPES (Rite of Passage Experiences). ROPES are challenging projects that 4th-, 6th- and 8th-grade students have completed that allow them to learn about their world and themselves in deeper but fun way.
There are 3 opportunities to judge:
- Tuesday, Feb. 8: 4-6:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, Feb. 9: 2-5 p.m.
- Thursday, Feb. 10: 6-8:30 p.m.
We would not be able to maintain this valuable program without the support of our community. We are asking for you to join district staff and other community members by volunteering to serve as a judge on one of our judging panels. Typically, we have two to three judges per room and they judge four to six student presentations in an evening. If you are able to judge on any of those times, please complete this form.
Come Join Your Friends in the SMARTE Afterschool Clubhouse!Registration for the SMARTE Afterschool Clubhouse for the 2022-23 school year is open! The SMARTE program is dedicated to enriching children’s lives after school. We provide a fun, safe, and welcoming place to spend time each day. Through daily homework help, physical activity, and STEAM enrichment, children enhance their academic performance and character development preparing them for future success. Programs are available to all Kindergarten-3rd grade students.
Students/families who are NEW to the SMARTE program can register here.
If you have any questions about the program, please visit our SMARTE Clubhouse page or email us at [email protected].
COVID Reminders: Stay Home When Sick and Get Tested
Staying home when sick and getting tested for the COVID-19 virus 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 virus test.
If you need to report a positive COVID test, 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.
Curative COVID-19 PCR Testing in San Carlos
Please take advantage of the free COVID-19 virus testing provided by the San Mateo County Health Department. Sign up online for your weekly testing.
CLOSED UNTIL MONDAY, JAN. 24: Central Middle School parking lot, 757 Cedar St.
- Mondays 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
- Tuesdays and Wednesdays 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
- Thursdays noon-7 p.m.
- Fridays 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Book at the Central location here.
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
San Carlos Youth Center Closed Through Jan. 28
In a continued response to the current surge in COVID-19 cases throughout the Bay Area, the Youth Center Drop-In Program will be closed through Jan. 28. We apologize for the inconvenience this may cause your family. The health and safety of our Drop-In participants and staff are of the utmost importance to us, and we are hopeful that this modification to the Drop-In program will help mitigate exposure.
TODAY (Jan. 16): Native Species Rock Painting
Come learn about the plants and animals you can find around San Carlos by participating in the Splash of Color native wildlife rock painting event Sunday from 2-4 p.m. through the Week of the Family! Art is a great way to use your creativity to spread awareness about important issues, so stop by to have fun and protect what you love.
Hosted by the Splash of Color Team: two seniors from Design Tech High School who are painting an upcoming mural in San Carlos and are passionate about environmental advocacy. Sign up by filling out this brief form.Jan. 18: Tutor Training for Healthy Cities Tutoring
Interested in helping a child succeed in school? Have a free hour to volunteer each week? Attend HCT's Tutor Orientation and Training on Tuesday, Jan. 18, from 6:30-8:00 p.m. to learn how simple it is to apply and help a local student with reading, writing, math, and study skills.
For more information, visit healthycitiestutoring.org. Register, and if the training is moved online we will notify you. Training will be at San Carlos Library, 610 Elm St., Upstairs Community Room.
Starting Jan. 27: Jr. Chef Classes
Looking for a hands-on, tasty activity for your Jr. Chef? Join us this winter as we provide junior chefs with the tools necessary to create, cook, and learn. Have your junior chef expand on their cooking knowledge as our curriculum 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.
Where: White Oaks Elementary MU
When: Thursdays, 2:30-3:45 p.m.
Dates: Jan. 27 to March 17
Register today at www.juniorchefstars.com/
Through Jan. 23: San Carlos Week of the FamilyThe San Carlos Week of the Family is an annual event organized and run by community volunteers whose goal is to strengthen family relationships by providing a series of activities focusing on family and community interaction. Celebrating 22 years, the Week of the Family committee and its volunteers are proud to contribute to the quality of life and the family-orientated community of The City of Good Living.
Please join the hundreds of families that have enjoyed Week of the Family by participating in one or more of the mostly free activities offered. You’re sure to find something entertaining and fun for your entire family. Learn more.
The goals of the San Carlos Week of the Family are to:
- Strengthen family relationships
- Provide families in our community the tools that help families
- Promote family life
- Honor and pay tribute to families
- Encourage families serving families
- Have lots of fun
Registration: Some events require free reservations or purchased tickets. Links are on the Events page in the event descriptions. Click here for a schedule of events.
For Parents of Current 3rd-Graders: Afterschool Care Enrichment (ACE) Now Enrolling at Arroyo for 2022-23Afterschool Care Enrichment, also known as ACE, offers a flexible, innovative, state-licensed child-care program focused on enrichment and youth development to challenge our upper elementary students. ACE will offer both Morning and Full Time or Part Time Afternoon.
Morning Programming Including Breakfast: Monday-Friday from 7:30 a.m. to the start of the school day.
Full Time (5 Day) or Part Time (3 Day) Afternoon Programming: Monday-Friday from end of school day to 6:00 p.m.
Each day includes a healthy afternoon snack, our Homework Lab with staff-assisted support, STEAM activities and Active Outdoor Enrichment Programming.
Arroyo 22-23 Registration Link
Please visit our website for more information or to register your child at www.acesancarlos.com or contact ACE. Phone: (650) 931-4007. Email: [email protected].
Parent Education Opportunities
Parent Venture Series: www.parentventure.org/
Smoking on Snapchat? Talking about Vapes, E-Cigs, and Tobacco with Teens: What should parents know about teenage trends in vaping, tobacco, e-cigarettes, and social media? Join Erin Vogel, PhD, USC, to learn more. Wednesday, Jan. 19, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Register here.
Valedictorians at the Gate with Author Becky Munsterer Sabky: Offering prescriptive, actionable advice for students and their parents, Becky Sabky illuminates the pathway to finding the ideal college. Wednesday, Jan. 26, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Register here.