White Oaks Weekly - January 30, 2022

From the Principal

Dear White Oaks families,

This coming Wednesday, Feb. 2, is Global School Play Day! White Oaks has signed up for our first Play Day and will join hundreds of other schools around the world to raise awareness about the necessity of play.

Feb. 4, 2015, was the first Global School Play Day. In year one, over 65,000 students worldwide participated! The number jumped to over 177,000 in 2016, over 283,000 in 2017, and over 385,000 students from 58 nations. In 2019, just the fifth year of the event, 535,690 from 72 nations played. In 2020, 563,283 students from 75 nations joined. The goal this year is to have over 1 million kids participate! 

In his TEDx lecture, Dr. Peter Gray argues that today’s kids do not grow up playing enough, and that this has negatively affected them in many ways. It’s time we return the gift of play to this generation. Since the pandemic hit, and after this stressful month in particular, it is more important than ever to allow our students to experience a day of play. 

Our teachers may ask students to bring in games from home. Please refer to your teacher, as they may prefer to use the games they already have in their classrooms. If your teacher would like students to bring in games from home, the only restrictions we ask: These toys may NOT require batteries or electricity. No devices. Some examples include board games, dolls, Lego bricks, blocks, trucks, cars, racetracks, playing cards, empty cardboard boxes, markers, jigsaw puzzles, blankets (for forts), social games (charades, Pictionary, etc.). The only exception to the electronics rule would be a board game that has an electronic timer, an electronics play kit, or similar. Here are photos of past GSPD events.

We, as educators, are very excited about starting this new tradition at White Oaks and joining a movement that we feel aligns with our core values as a district. We hope that your child finds refuge in this day of play, and that this event strengthens their social skills and eases any anxiety they may be feeling. We can’t wait to play!

Warmly, 
Leah Scholer, Principal
[email protected]

School News and Events

Walk to School Wednesday This Week
Please join us for Walk to School Wednesday on Feb. 2. 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.

SCEF News and Events

TK Extended Day Program Registration Open NOW! 
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 is now open! For more information, please visit our Transitional Kindergarten page and reach out to Preschool Director Sue Dawley ([email protected]) if you have any questions.

ROPES Judges Needed!

We are still looking for parents and community members to serve as judges 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.

These are the time slots. We especially need judges TUESDAY and WEDNESDAY!

• Tuesday, Feb. 8: 4-6:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, Feb. 9: 2-5 p.m.
• Thursday, Feb. 10: 6-8:30 p.m. (full)

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.

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.

Community News and Events

For Parents of Current 3rd-Graders: Afterschool Care Enrichment (ACE) Now Enrolling at Arroyo for 2022-23
Afterschool 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].

Feb. 6: SCSD Day at Stanford Basketball
Stanford Men’s Basketball welcomes the San Carlos School District on Feb. 6! Join us at Maples Pavilion as the Cardinal take on the Washington Huskies. Get to know your fellow SCSD families sitting in the same section. All SCSD students in attendance will receive a Stanford T-shirt! Use promo code SCSD to buy tickets at the discounted price, starting at just $12.

ACE Adventures Summer Camp 2022 at Arroyo - Early Bird DISCOUNTED Registration is now open!
This summer our program will be at Arroyo School. We welcome all children  in grades TK-6th. We will be open June 13-Aug. 12, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. We will serve lunch three times weekly (M, W, F) and offer optional field trips twice weekly.

You may register by week as well as have the option of 3 days or 5 days per week. We offer themed sessions packed with STEAM and Outdoor Athletic activities each day. Wednesdays campers are invited to bring in their wheels to enjoy ample riding space on our gated blacktop area. Every Friday campers will enjoy our interactive water slide or Slip N' Slide inflatables, fun water activities, and a visit from the Kona Ice Truck! We are looking forward to a summer full of fun and adventures!

To register or for more information on session themes, field trip options, lunch menus, fees and more, please visit our website. 

Kamparama Summer Camp
Kamparama sessions begin the week after the school year ends and run through the summer, June 13 through Aug. 12, the week prior to the beginning of school.

Kamparama is a fun-filled, all-day program from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Children 4.5 to 11 years old are welcome. Lunch is provided the days we remain on campus (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday). Snacks are provided every afternoon. There are two field trips each week. Tuesdays we explore a park, and Thursdays we head to an excursion. All field trips and transportation costs are included in our fees. The list of field trips can be found on our website: www.kamparama.com.

Parent Education Opportunities
Parent Venture Series: www.parentventure.org/events

Spark Imagination with Art: Raising Kids Who Are Curious and Creative
Feb. 3, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Every child should have the freedom to explore, imagine, and invent. Join us for an inspiring session with Rachelle Doorley, founder of TinkerLab. Online event.

Consent Reframed: Beyond the Affirmative “Yes”
Feb. 9, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Students are taught what “consent” means, but do they have the skills to incorporate consent into everyday life? The “Consent Conversation” is the new “Sex Talk” and just as critical. Join Vanessa Kellam, Family Engagement Manager from Health Connected, for a meaningful conversation about consent and protective behaviors. Online event.

“The M Word”: The Money Talk for the Next Generation
Feb. 16, noon-1 p.m.
Why is money still considered the “M Word”? How can families learn to talk about financial literacy with their children and teens? In this presentation, Lori Sackler, a nationally recognized financial advisor, offers an insider’s look into tackling tough conversations like college planning, philanthropic giving, and family finances. Online event.

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.

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.