Principal’s Message
Happy Fall! Your children are working hard to learn the routines and expectations that come with a new school year. They are learning classroom rules, expected playground behaviors, and how to transition from home to school, from parents to teachers, and from siblings to peers. For some children, this settling-in process seems smooth, while for others, it takes longer and may require additional support and effort.
One of the big transitions happens when parents and children say goodbye at the start of each school day. If you notice that your child is currently having difficulty with this transition, here are some tips that may be helpful.
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Say a quick goodbye (i.e. kiss, hug) to your child, and if needed, leave your child with one of the staff members on yard duty in the morning. You can let the yard duty person know that your child is having a hard time saying goodbye and we can help your child get settled. The tears tend to go away pretty quickly once parents are off-campus.
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If your child is having difficulties with goodbyes, I recommend having one rather than multiple goodbyes. For example, say goodbye once at the playground rather than one goodbye at the playground and then another when your child is walking to class.
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Don’t try to talk your child out of their sad or nervous feelings. Acknowledge that they feel scared, sad, worried, or nervous, and then go forward with your drop-off routine. Help your child see themselves as being brave despite their worries.
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You can ask your child what they are worried about related to the goodbye. Write down the worries with them and see if any of the worries are a problem that can be solved. If so, decide on a possible solution and test it out.
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You can ask for assistance from me or another adult at White Oaks. We can create a goodbye transition plan if necessary.
Watching your children stretch and grow these first weeks of school is inspiring.
Week of Names
Next week is White Oaks’ Week of Names, a week dedicated to learning all about the names of our students: how to pronounce them, the meaning behind it, and what is special about it to them. This project helps build a culture of respect, honors our diversity, and encourages us to feel comfortable sharing our stories.
Reminders
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No school tomorrow (September 5) - Labor Day holiday
Warmly,
Leah Scholer, Principal
[email protected]
PTA News
Join Us for Our First PTA Meeting - Sept. 7
We welcome all parents and teachers to join us for our monthly PTA meeting! Come meet our community of parents and teachers, ask questions about getting involved in the PTA, and stay up to date on White Oaks school happenings.
- When: Wednesday, September 7th.
- Social Hour is from 5:00-6:00 p.m.
- Meeting begins at 6:00 p.m.
- Where: The Blucher's home at 1550 Cedar Street
- RSVP: Evite
- Meeting agenda
First Walk to School Wednesday - Sept. 7
Our very first Walk to School Wednesday will be on September 7th. 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 Family Movie Night & Food Trucks - Sept. 30
The PTA Family Movie Night and Food Trucks event is on Friday, September 30 at 6:30 p.m. The movie, Sing 2, will begin at 7:00 p.m.
Bring blankets, chairs, and a picnic, or buy dinner from food trucks. Enjoy a fun evening with our school community!
Join the White Oaks PTA and Donate to SCEF!
As a member of the White Oaks PTA, you are a voice for our kids and part of the largest child advocacy program in the world. Check the school calendar for upcoming meetings and events. Check out our Membership and Fundraising page on how to contribute and make a difference.
Recruiting Parent Volunteers to Help Serve Hot Lunch
We need parent volunteers to help with lunch service! Duties include assisting the district lunch person and helping serve students hot lunch.
Time commitment is one hour (11:40 a.m.-12:40 p.m.), once or twice a month. Kids love seeing their parents on campus at lunch time, and it’s an easy way to be involved and get to know students from all grades. If you are interested, please email Minji Enemark.
PTA Volunteer Opportunities
The White Oaks PTA needs you! Find a variety of big and small volunteer opportunities here. Sign up for as many areas of interest as you would like; there's a role for everyone. We look forward to bringing back old events and creating new ones. If you have any questions about volunteer roles, reach out to Sara Ting or Amy Kim.
SCEF News
Why Do We Need an Education Foundation in San Carlos?
Since our founding in 1982, the San Carlos Education Foundation (SCEF) has worked to meet the needs of our local students and schools when state funding for public schools has been insufficient. Forty years later, we are still making a difference in our local schools. Watch our video to find out why SCEF continues to work to raise funds to supplement the district’s budget so that our students have access to music, arts, the library, electives, mental health services, technology, and more. We are grateful for all of you who have supported SCEF and strong schools for forty years!
- Remember to join your school PTA on your school website.
- Check out the ways to give to plan your donation to SCEF this school year.
District News
New 15 Mile Per Hour School Zones
The speed limit for 15 streets adjacent to school sites have be lowered to 15 miles per hour. Please be extra cautious and mindful while driving in school zones. The Sheriff’s Office has deployed message boards to communicate the new speed limit in school zones. Please see the City of San Carlos' newsletter for more details. Here are the streets that are affected:
STREET - TO - FROM
Cedar St. - Cherry St. - Arroyo Ave.
Arroyo Ave. - Cedar St. - Elm St.
Chestnut St. - Baytree Rd. - Cherry St.
Phelps Rd. - Arguello Park - San Carlos Ave.
Arundel Rd. - Arundel Elementary School - San Carlos Ave.
San Carlos Ave. - Wellington Dr. - Phelps Rd.
Belle Ave. - Upper Lupin Way - Knoll Dr.
Tamarack Ave. - Elizabeth St. - Arroyo Ave.
Dartmouth Ave. - San Carlos Ave. - Wellington Dr.
Clifford Ave. - Eaton Ave. - Belle Roche Ave.
Melendy Dr. - Portofino Dr. - Hewitt Dr.
Cedar St. - Belmont Ave. - Saint Francis Way
White Oak Way - Park Ave. - White Oaks Elementary School
White Oak Way - White Oaks Elementary School - Chestnut St.
Fairmont Ave. - Park Ave. - Cedar St.
Community News
Give Your Safe Routes to School Feedback Today
The draft plans for our schools' Safe Routes to School plans have been extended until September 16 -- please check out the drafts here to ensure they align with your vision for the areas around schools regarding walking, biking, and driving safely. If they don't, we welcome your feedback and comments.
Diamond Crest Girl Scouts Daisy Kickoff - Oct. 1
Kindergarten and first grade girls and their parent or caretaker are invited to join us for the annual Diamond Crest Daisy Kickoff to learn about Girl Scouts in San Carlos! Local volunteers and Girl Scouts of Northern California staff will provide information and be on hand to answer your questions while girls have an opportunity to try out fun Girl Scouts activities. Please RSVP, as spaces are limited
Saturday, October 1, 3:00-4:00 p.m
Redwood Shores Library
399 Marine Parkway, Redwood City
Contact [email protected] with questions or to get started
Piano and Ukelele Classes at White Oaks with Hummingbird Music School
Does your child want to learn how to play piano or ukulele in a fun group environment? Hummingbird Music School's super popular after-school music classes will be offered again this year at White Oaks
Piano: 2:30-3:20 p.m. on Thursdays
Ukulele: 2:30-3:20 p.m. on Mondays
Registration is now open and classes will fill quickly. Read more and register here
Parent Education Opportunities
Fentanyl Prevention Education - Sept. 6 and Oct. 19
What should parents know about the risks of fentanyl use? This fall, we offer an online workshop in both Spanish (September 6) and English (October 19) by Prevention Solutions and the Hazeldon Betty Ford Foundation
Design for Belonging: How to Build Inclusion and Collaboration in Your Communities - Sept. 8
How can you build belonging in your family and community? Susie Wise, PhD, continues our series with the Stanford d.school in Design for Belonging: How to Build Inclusion and Collaboration in Your Communities September 8, 5:30-6:30 p.m. online
How to Raise Awe-Filled Kids (Even When the World Feels Awful) - Sept. 14
NEW! Want to help your children discover awe and wonder? Join Deborah Farmer Kris, author, developmental expert, and founder of Parenthood365, as she dives into the research on awe. and how to infuse your children's lives with a little more wonder (September 14, 5:30-6:30 p.m. online
Children's Health Council's Parent Anxiety Support Group - Sept. 22
Various stressors as well as consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health have impacted increases of anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and fears in children and adolescents. Parenting during these challenging times has truly tested parents and kids alike. Join other parents to share concerns and strategies in navigating uncertainty and hope. The next meeting is September 22, 12:00-1:30 p.m. online
.Visit the Parent Venture Series of Upcoming Events page for more information