White Oaks Weekly - February 13, 2022

From the Principal

Dear White Oaks families, 

February has been FUN! The first week of the month, we celebrated the 100th day of school and enjoyed our first Global School Play Day. The students loved getting to play different games with their friends throughout the day. We saw such great examples of collaboration and cooperation. 

This past week, we celebrated Kindness Week. Students dressed up each day for different themes that promoted kindness, and on Thursday and Friday, they created Peace Flags with our amazing Legarza coaches. Students also created valentines for our local heroes that were delivered on Friday. 

(Photos by Trinity Murphy)

Thank you to all the parent volunteers who made our valentine distributions possible and for bringing in supplies for our Peace Flag project. Thank you to the teachers for making time in their incredibly busy schedules to continue to promote kindness and the 5C’s. Thank you to the students for their enthusiastic participation in these fun and meaningful events. 

This week, we will be celebrating Valentine’s Day together before heading off for our mid-winter break (Feb. 21-25). 

White Oaks Needs Your Input! Please Complete the School Climate Survey.
The annual White Oaks LCAP School Climate survey for families is now available. We’re eager to hear your feedback! Each school has a unique survey address. You can find a link to White Oaks’ survey in an email dated Feb. 16 from Mrs. Scholer or in the email version of this WOW. Please fill out one survey per student, per family.

The survey is an essential part of our school and district improvement process. We use results annually to measure progress and set goals aligned to our Strategic Plan and Local Control Accountability Plan. Families, teachers and staff and students in grades 3-8 will all be completing surveys. Results will be shared with principals, school staff, parent leadership groups, and the Board of Trustees. 

As always, your responses remain anonymous and confidential. This year, we are using the California School Climate, Health, and Learning Survey to assist with managing the survey process to ensure data privacy and security. 

Thank you in advance for taking the time to fill out the survey. 

Warm regards, 
Leah Scholer, Principal
[email protected]
 

School News and Events

Feb. 17: White Oaks School Site Council Meeting
Our next School Site Council meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 17, at 3 p.m. via Zoom. Come learn about our school from the instructional program view, along with our themes and priorities for the school year. Site Council meetings are open to the public, and all are invited to join the conversations.

A Zoom invite will be sent to all SSC members. If anyone else would like to attend, please send Leah Scholer an email by noon by Wednesday, Feb. 16 so that a Zoom invite can be sent to you.

Feb. 17: PTA Social for Parents with Kids in Arroyo/Central Next Year
The Central Arroyo PTA is looking for executive board members! Curious what the PTA does or want to get involved in Arroyo and Central events? Join us for an in-person gathering on Thursday, Feb. 17, at 7:30 p.m. Please RSVP to [email protected] for the address of the location. 

Feb. 18: Weekly Walk after Morning Drop-off
Come meet fellow White Oaks parents during the PTA’s weekly parent walk. The next one is this Friday, Feb. 18, at 8:30 a.m. Meet at the White Oaks marquee at Fairmont and Cedar for a 30-minute loop. Let’s connect and catch up! Thanks to all who joined last week — it was fun! If you can’t walk the whole time, join us for a few blocks. All are welcome, and we’d love to see you!

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SCEF News and Events

Feb 14: Intent to Return Confirmation Process for 2022-23
Each year, we ask families for assistance in completing an Intent to Attend Form regarding your child’s enrollment for the next school year (2022-23). On Monday, Feb. 14, this form will be emailed to you. Your timely completion of this form will assist SCSD in having the most accurate numbers for returning students for next year, which is directly tied to the SCSD budget and will allow District staff to plan more effectively.

Please fill out one form for each child by March 4.

After completing this form, you will receive an email from noreplyregistration@powerschool.com in mid-March that will provide you with specific directions on how to complete the registration process online, including a link to access the InfoSnap portal, as well as a special ID number for your student, referred to as the InfoSnap Code.

If your plans change at any time and you are not planning to return next year, please notify your school office as soon as possible. Thank you for your assistance with this important process.

March 7-11: Get Ready for Ability Awareness Week!
The mission of Ability Awareness Week throughout the San Carlos School District is to promote understanding, acceptance, and appreciation of individual learning and ability differences through fun, experiential activities. The Special Education District Advisory Council (SEDAC) strives to instill in our children that everyone is different and can do different things. It is common to say what a person HAS, but we choose to educate and focus on what a person IS. We emphasize abilities, not limitations.

Students will be engaging in activities throughout the week that give them a chance to experience what it is like to complete a basic task while having a learning or developmental difference. Students will all have a set of common experiences through activities already taking place on campus to spark discussion, increased understanding, and compassion.

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.

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Community News and Events

Feb. 15: Healthy Cities New Tutor Orientation and Training
We can't wait to get started and are looking forward to training and answering your questions about tutoring with HCT on Tuesday, Feb. 15!

Please note the appropriate time for you to log on:
7:00-7:35 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!

7:45-8:30 p.m. Tutor Tips + Tutor Training: Interactive training with strategies for how to teach math to students from K to 8th grade, tips to help your student become a better reader and writer, and more. Chance to ask questions to follow the meeting.

Join via Zoom. Meeting ID: 846 9381 5415 / Passcode: 361034

Feb. 22-25: San Carlos Park & Rec: Youth Center Extended Hours
Looking for something to do during Mid-Winter Break? Come visit the Youth Center Drop-In Program and join us for a variety of games and activities. Drop-In is a free, supervised program for ages 10-17. The Youth Center will be closed Monday, Feb. 21, but open from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, Feb. 22-25. For more information on the Drop-In program, visit www.cityofsancarlos.org/scyc.

Feb. 25 Deadline: SamTrans Art Takes a Bus Ride Contest
The San Mateo County Office of Education is partnering with SamTrans to give students (1st-12th grade) a chance to have their artwork displayed on the side of a SamTrans bus for an entire year. Artwork must illustrate this year’s theme of San Mateo County Reopens. The submission deadline is Feb. 25. Learn more.

Community Foundation of San Carlos Celebrates Black History Month
In celebration of Black History Month, the Community Foundation of San Carlos has curated a list of events, activities and resources offered throughout February and beyond.

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

“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.

Now More Than Ever: Why Family Engagement Is Essential for Student and School Success
Feb. 17, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Special event! Why is it important for schools to engage families? Karen Mapp, EdD, Harvard Graduate School of Education, will discuss the powerful impact of family-school partnerships on students, parents, teachers, and schools. Onlin 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.