January 29, 2023
IN THIS ISSUE
- Principal’s Message: Global School Play Day
- SCEF Online Auction
- Plus District and Community News
IMPORTANT DATES
Wed 2/1: Welcome Wednesday
Wed 2/1: Donuts and Coffee to Celebrate Distinguished School Award, 8:30 a.m.
Wed 2/1: Prospective Families Tour, 8:45 a.m.
Mon 2/6 - Mon 2/13: SCEF Online Auction
Fri 2/10: Bingo and Pizza night, 6 p.m.
Principal’s Message
Dear White Oaks families,
This coming Wednesday, Feb. 1, is Global School Play Day! White Oaks has signed up for our second annual Play Day and will join hundreds of other schools around the world for a dedicated day for play to raise awareness about the necessity of play.
Feb. 4, 2015 was the first annual Global School Play Day for students in schools around the world. In year one, over 65,000 students participated! Over 177,000 students took part in 2016. In 2017, over 283,000 kids celebrated Global School Play Day. In 2018, over 385,000 students from 58 nations participated. In 2019, just the 5th 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 one million kids participate!
In his TEDx lecture, Dr. Peter Gray argues the case that today's kids do not grow up playing enough and this has negatively impacted them in many ways. It's time we return the gift of play to this generation. Since the pandemic hit 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, Legos, 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 may be a board game that has an electronic timer, an electronics play kit, or something similar. Here are photos of past GSPD events.
We as educators are very excited about continuing this tradition at White Oaks and joining a movement that we feel aligns with our core values as a district. We hope this is something that strengthens their social skills and eases any anxiety they may be feeling. We can’t wait to play!
Warmly,
Leah Scholer
Principal
PTA News
Celebrating Our CA Distinguished Schools Award
The PTA will host breakfast with donuts and coffee at our next Welcome Wednesday on Feb. 1, 8:30 a.m. to celebrate our school's recognition as a California Distinguished School. Join us in congratulating our teachers, staff and families for making White Oaks a special place!
Welcome Prospective Families!
Welcome to White Oaks School and thank you for your interest in attending our school in the 2023-2024 school year! This year's tour will take place on Wednesday, Feb. 1 from 8:45 a.m.-9:00 a.m. Please RSVP here.
SCEF News
Have you seen the SCEF thermometer?
Wow! We are thrilled that we have reached the 50% mark for fundraising this year. There is still more to raise, and so many fun ways to contribute!
SCEF Online Auction Feb. 6-13: Summer Camps & Teacher Outings
Educators and staff have worked to put together some fun outings for students. Offerings vary by school and include bowling, laser tag, movie and pizza, principal, secretary or librarian for the day, reserved 8th grade graduation ceremony and band concert seats and other activities.
This online auction will also include summer camps. As you begin to plan summer activities for your kids, check out the summer camps that have donated sessions to support San Carlos public schools.
Auction bidding will open at 10 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 6. Bidding will close Monday, Feb. 13 with staggered closing times for:
- Elementary Schools - 9:00 p.m.
- Upper Elementary - 9:15 p.m.
- Middle Schools & Charter - 9:30 p.m.
- Summer Camps - 9:30 p.m.
Stay tuned for the registration information via email and in next week’s newsletter!
(Date Change) Sunday, Mar. 19, Virtual Live Auction: Salute to Educators
SCEF’s annual virtual gala featuring a live auction with Chad Carvey, Fund-A-Need, and a tribute to San Carlos educators
Check out our website for more information.
District News
ROPES Volunteers Needed
We're searching for parents, staff, and members of the community to become panelists for ROPES presentations Mar. 7, 8 and/or 9. Sign up to become a member of our panelist group today! Select one or more days/times to volunteer:
- Tuesday, Mar. 7, 4:00-6:30 p.m. (in person)
- Wednesday, Mar. 8 2:30-5:30 p.m. (Zoom presentations and in person)
- Thursday, Mar. 9 6:00-8:30 p.m. (in person)
The training session for all (new and seasoned) panelists will be Wednesday, Mar. 1 from 7:00-7:45 p.m. on Zoom. The training will be recorded and available on our website. Email for more information.
What is ROPES?
The Rite Of Passage ExperienceS program is an optional enrichment activity for students in SCSD. 4th, 6th, and 8th graders choose a self-directed project that incorporates the 21st-century learning skills of initiative, inquiry, creativity, communication, cooperation, and leadership. The students present their projects to a panel of community members to receive their rope, to be worn at 8th grade graduation.
Community News
Mythbusting Diet Culture & Eating Disorders and How Caregivers Can Help - Feb. 7
For National Eating Disorders Awareness Month, Kindful Body will discuss the factors that contribute to the development of eating disorders, cultural and societal beliefs that reinforce the eating disorder, and how caregivers can push back against harmful messages to support your child with an eating disorder or reduce the likelihood of an eating disorder.
Tuesday, Feb. 7, 7-8 p.m. on Zoom (Register)
Afterschool Care and Enrichment (ACE) is Now Enrolling for the 2023-24!
Afterschool Care Enrichment, also known as ACE, offers a flexible, innovative, California State licensed child care program focused on enrichment and youth development to challenge our Lower & Upper Elementary students. Each day includes a healthy afternoon snack, our Homework Lab with staff-assisted support, STEAM activities and active outdoor enrichment programming.
ACE will offer both morning and full- or part-time Afternoon Programming for the 2023-24 school year. Click here to register at White Oaks.
Please visit our website, email us, or call (650) 931-4007 for more information.
Parent Education Opportunities
Ross W. Greene, PhD, renowned child psychologist and NYT bestselling author, explains how to cultivate better parent-child relationships in Raising Human Beings: Creating a Collaborative Partnership with Your Child or Teen (Jan. 31, online).
On Feb. 9, we host Judge LaDoris Hazzard Cordell (pictured), the first female African American judge in Northern California, for a conversation on her debut book, Her Honor: My Life on the Bench ... (Feb. 9, online). Don’t miss it!
What should parents know about the emerging cannabis industry? Lynn Silver, MD, MPH, Senior Advisor at the Public Health Institute (PHI), presents Health Impacts and Legalities of Cannabis Use in Youth (February 15, Online).
Visit the Parent Venture Series of Upcoming Events page for more information.
PTA CORNER
Join the White Oaks PTA. Your membership matters and helps support programs and events for our students and teachers.
REWARDS PROGRAMS
Participate in our rewards programs and a percentage of your purchases will automatically be donated to the White Oaks PTA — at no cost to you!
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