White Oaks Weekly - October 2, 2022

Starting tomorrow, Monday, October 3, our school will be hosting goal-setting conferences focused on building a strong, meaningful connection between staff and families. The teacher and parent(s) will discuss student needs, areas of strength, and learning goals. The conversation may pertain to social/emotional needs, academics, and/or student independence depending on the needs of the child.  This will not be a time to review students’ specific progress in academic areas. Parents will receive a progress report later in November. If a student is not making expected progress prior to report cards being sent home, teachers will reach out to parents to discuss any concerns.

Conferences are different from report cards as the focus is on building a strong relationship and prioritizing the immediate needs of our students.  Please click on this document for more information on the differences: Conference vs. Report Card Expectations. In addition, here is a comprehensive description of conferences that elaborates on the experience we hope to embrace as we partner with you in this year unlike any other.

The picture below is linked to share some helpful ways to support a growth mindset with feedback in your family. Thank you so very much for your continued partnership in the education of your child!

Warm regards,
Leah Scholer, Principal
[email protected]

PTA News

PTA Thank You for Day of Service

It was amazing to see our school community come together to clean up and refresh the White Oaks campus at our Day of Service last Sunday! The PTA is very grateful to Aurelia Abcouwer for leading this event and to our many volunteers who made time to help beautify our school.

Calling All Volunteers: There's A Walk-a-Thon Job for Everyone!

Make sure to mark your calendars for the White Oaks Walk-a-Thon on Sunday, October 23 at 1 p.m. on our campus! And please take a few minutes to check out all the volunteer opportunities to support one of our favorite school traditions. If you haven’t been to a Walk-a-Thon before: The shifts are short, the duties are easy, and it’s a whole lot of fun! Plus, you’ll get a front-row spot to cheer on our kids. Sign up here today.

PTA Membership Drive Now Open

Our PTA Membership Drive kicks off October 1! We currently have 41% of families signed up and our goal is to have 100% of White Oaks families participate. The PTA supports Art in Action, materials, family fun events, and so much more. The cost is $20 per family. Join here.

October 5: Walk to School Wednesday

Please join us for Walk to School Wednesday this week. 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

The San Carlos Commitment to Community

There are many ways, big and small, that we all show our commitment to our community. We are proud to highlight SCEF’s co-hosting of a candidate forum and appreciating some local business sponsors.

San Carlos School Board Candidate Forums

Join one or both forums this Thursday, Oct. 6, starting at 6 p.m. on Zoom. Hosted by SCEF and the PTA Coordinating Council, and moderated by the League of Women Voters of San Mateo County. Please register to participate in each. The forums will be recorded.

Thanks to Our Business Sponsors

Our San Carlos schools are supported by parents and the broader community. We are grateful to the following generous business sponsors who have renewed their support this school year: Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Black Mountain Properties, CA Water Services, and Lyngso Garden Materials. Learn about the benefits of our business sponsorship program.

District News

SLOW the F A S T Down

September was Pedestrian Safety Month in California and October is National Pedestrian Safety Month! In partnership with Safe Routes to School and the California Office of Traffic Safety, we would like to remind families to review the following tips to improve the safety of students walking to and from school and on school grounds.

DRIVERS

• Do not speed and be sure to slow down at intersections!
• Be prepared to stop for pedestrians at marked and unmarked crosswalks.
• Stay off the phone when behind the wheel.
• Avoid blocking crosswalks while waiting to make a right turn.
• Never drive impaired.

PEDESTRIANS

• Be predictable. Use signalized crosswalks where drivers anticipate foot traffic.
• Put down phones, headphones and other devices when crossing the street.
• Watch for approaching vehicles and practice care when crossing the street. At 30 mph, a driver needs at least 90 feet to stop.
• If possible, walk with an adult or older sibling until you’re 10 years old.
• Make it easier for drivers to see you at night: Wear light colors or reflective material and use a flashlight.
• Be careful crossing streets, entering crosswalks at night, and crossing busier streets with higher speed limits.

Watch one of the following videos with your child to help teach them safe pedestrian practices:

• Pedestrian Safer Journey (elementary school) from Federal Highway Administration (English, español)
• Pedestrian Safer Journey (middle school) from Federal Highway Administration (English, español)
• Walk Safely from California Office of Traffic Safety (English only)

Breakfast and Lunch Ordering Reminders

Meal Ordering

Please be sure to order meals by 9:00 a.m. on the Tuesday the week before you need breakfast/lunch on TheLunchMaster website. Or better yet, order ahead for the entire month, then set yourself a reminder for the following month.

Cancel a Week in Advance for Days Your Child May Not Need Meals (Early Release Wednesdays and Conference Week)

Remember to cancel breakfast and lunch orders the week prior if your child is not going to eat a meal at school -- especially on early release Wednesdays and during Conference week when students are dismissed early.

Make Sure Your Child Is Picking Up Meals

As we work to fine-tune the school nutrition program, please let your child know if you ordered breakfast or lunch, as it greatly improves our efforts to reduce food waste.

THANK YOU!

Many thanks to our fabulous food servers and the awesome volunteers who have stepped up to help serve in a more timely manner!

COVID Reminders and Testing Options

If your child is experiencing symptoms, please keep them home and give them a rapid antigen test. Staying home when sick can lower the risk of spreading infectious diseases to other people and testing remains a key mitigation layer to detect and curb transmission of COVID-19.  If your child tests positive for COVID-19 or your household is in need of additional test kits, please contact your school site as soon as possible.

Testing Resources

• Worksite Labs - Arroyo Upper Elementary, patio 3 - Sign up
• Curative - Central Middle School parking lot - Sign up
• Curative - Tierra Linda Middle School parking lot - Sign up
• Other Community-Based Testing Sites in San Mateo County

COVID-19 Testing for Schools and Students - Find up-to-date resources on testing in districts and schools as well as at home.

Follow @scsdschools

Follow the San Carlos School District on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for up-to-date info on events and issues.

Community News

Healthy Cities Tutoring Fall Workshops

New Tutor Orientation on ZoomAre you a new volunteer tutor? Interested in becoming a tutor but want to learn more first? Join other new tutors and learn more about HCT, meet our staff and have all your questions answered! Learn more and RSVP.

Fall Training: Tutor Tips Workshop

Don't miss our Fall Tutor Tips Training led by HCT staff and teachers from our schools. Learn valuable techniques for engaging and supporting your students. Learn more and RSVP. There are two sessions to choose from:

• Wednesday, Oct. 12, 10:30-11:30 a.m., San Carlos Public Library (RSVP)
• Wednesday, Oct. 19, 7-8 p.m., Clifford Elementary School Library (RSVP)

Volunteer and make a difference for students in our community

Become a volunteer tutor and in one hour a week you can change a life! It’s a fun and rewarding way to give back to your community and stay engaged with our local schools.

21-Day Social & Racial Equity Challenge

The Community Foundation of San Carlos invites you to take a visible leadership role in joining the 21-Day Social & Racial Equity Challenge, which runs the entire month of October. The challenge will culminate in a community conversation on Nov. 1 facilitated by two professional community members, Bea Kim and Grace Chen.

Call to Action: We invite you to take on the challenge by submitting your participation via this form and encouraging others in our community to sign up as well. Find more info on our website. #21dayequitychallengeSanCarlos

Parent Education Opportunities

Tony Wagner, PhD, a best-selling author and global education expert, joins us for Learning by Heart: Creating “Innovation-Ready” Students for the Future. Don’t miss this special opportunity! (Oct. 6, online).

NEW! How did the pandemic disrupt our children’s lives? NPR education reporter Anya Kamenetz joins us to discuss her new book, The Stolen Year: How Covid Changed Children's Lives, and Where We Go Now (Oct. 13, online).

On Oct. 19, we continue our fentanyl education series with Stacey Wisniewski, Prevention Solutions, Hazeldon Betty Ford Foundation, in Fentanyl Prevention Education: How to Help Teens Make Healthy Decisions (Oct. 19, online).

Visit the Parent Venture Series of Upcoming Events page for more information.