February 26, 2023
IN THIS ISSUE
- Principal’s Message: Being Kind
- Hot lunch volunteers needed
- Plus SCEF, District, and Community News
IMPORTANT DATES
Today 2/26: Stanford Men's Basketball Community Day
Fri 3/3: Deadline for Intent to Return Form
Fri 3/10: Bingo Night
Fri 3/10- Tue 3/21: SCEF Online Auction (part 2)
Sun 3/19: SCEF Virtual Starlight Gala and Live Auction
Sun 3/26: Family Fun Day at Stanford Baseball Game
Principal’s Message
Dear White Oaks Families,
One of our main focuses this year is what it means to be kind. Our Spotlight on Kindness program has been a great way to highlight the different acts of kindness being shown around school.
Each week, students nominate each other to be honored at Welcome Wednesday for showing kindness towards others. Everything from helping a friend tie their shoe, to inviting someone to come play, to walking a friend to the office, has been recognized and celebrated. Students who have been honored are then placed on our Spotlight on Kindness bulletin board. Our goal is to have all our White Oaks students up there by the end of the year. So far, a quarter of our students have been nominated!
While we continue to model and promote kindness in our school, community, and homes, it is important to understand where our children are developmentally in understanding and implementing empathy. The Washington Post’s article "Are your kids mean - or just acting their age?" shines a light on what should be expected of children at different stages of their development. In conjunction with that, this article shares strategies that we adults can use to help build empathy in our young students.
It certainly takes a village to foster kindness and if there’s one take away I’ve had from working with this age group, it’s that these kids make me a better version of myself each and every day. Kindness goes a long way and in our mission to teach kids what this means, the more we model both our actions and thoughts, the more successful we’ll be.
Warmly,
Leah Scholer
Principal
PTA News
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.
Thank You to Our White Oaks Sponsors!
Shout out to our 2022/23 White Oaks Business Sponsors:
- Chang Orthodontics
- Roberts Market
- Happy Healthy Teeth
- San Carlos IV Bar
We want to acknowledge and thank these sponsors for their dedication to our community by helping to support events this year! We are thrilled to be able to bring back many of our beloved events and could not do it without your support.
Hot Lunch Volunteers Needed!
Please sign up to help serve hot lunch from 11:40-12:40 p.m. We need 1-2 parents to assist with crowd control and ensure each child receives their lunch in a timely manner so they can eat and enjoy recess. You can sign up directly in the Google Doc and email Minji Enemark if you have any questions. She will send out weekly reminders to volunteers.
Volunteers make Universal Hot Lunch a successful program, and kids love having a parent on campus. Thank you!
Last Call for Founders’ Day Award Nominations and Volunteers
Every year for the past several decades, the White Oaks community has celebrated Founders’ Day — a tradition that recognizes volunteers who have gone above and beyond to help build our wonderful school community.
We need your help in nominating some of these very special people. Please use this link to review the award categories and submit your nominations. Nominations are due Friday, Mar. 3. On Wednesday evening, Apr. 19, we will hold our annual PTA Founders’ Day to celebrate the contributions of our award winners. Mark your calendars for the 73rd anniversary of this special White Oaks event. You are all invited!
Also, we are seeking more volunteers to help plan and organize this special event. If you like to party plan and would like to help with food, decor, flowers and more, we need you! Please contact Jennie Romeo for more information or with any questions.
White Oaks Family Fun Day at Stanford’s Sunken Diamond! - Mar. 26
White Oaks Families, ready to watch some baseball? This year, we’re hosting our annual ALL FAMILY baseball event to watch the Stanford Cardinal take on the Utah Utes!
Exclusive to White Oaks, some lucky student raffle winners will get to meet the starting nine Cardinal players and announce the players during the third inning over the loudspeaker. Stay tuned for raffle details! The whole family is welcome-- see you at the ballgame, sports fans! Questions? Contact Jennie Romeo .
- Date: Sunday, Mar. 26, 1:05 p.m.
- Location: Stanford University, Palo Alto (Sunken Diamond)
- Purchase tickets here (promo code: WHITEOAKS ) for $10 each
- Must purchase one ticket for each person attending
SCEF News
Teacher Outings still available!
There were over 700 winning bids in the Teacher Outings and Summer Camps Online Auction. All remaining Outings and Camps are now available at Buy-It-Now prices until Tuesday, Feb. 28. Browse & buy!
Your Chance to Win! Starlight Gala Raffle Tickets on Sale Now.
For the cost of a raffle ticket (1 for $125; 3 for $325 or 6 for $600) you could win one of our fabulous Live or Silent Auction packages. This year raffle prizes include Taylor Swift tickets, BottleRock tickets, Downtown Parking Space, dinner for four at Chez Panisse, Mexico vacation, Harley Farms hayloft dinner for two or private tour & wine tasting for 10 adults during kidding season, and more. See the full list of eligible prizes or order tickets here.
San Carlos Night at the Giants is Back
We have secured a section in the bleachers at Oracle Park for San Carlos Night at the Giants on May 15! Watch the game between the San Francisco Giants and the Philadelphia Phillies with your San Carlos friends while hearing our San Carlos kids sing the National Anthem. The game starts at 6:45 p.m. Purchase Giants tickets and sign up to participate in singing the National Anthem.
Save the Date: SCEF Virtual Starlight Gala is Sunday, Mar. 19
Remember, this year, your donation to SCEF also supports your PTA and their ability to fund teacher grants, assemblies, supplies and materials, library books and more.
District News
Intent to Return Forms for TK-7th Grade
Each year, we ask families for assistance in completing an Intent to Return Form regarding your child's enrollment for the next school year (2023-24). Please look for an email sent on Wednesday, Feb 15 with a link to complete your Google form.
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 Mar. 3, 2023.
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.
Community News
CalKIDS Town Hall - Feb. 28
The San Mateo County Office of Education is hosting a virtual town hall for families to learn about California's new children's savings account program CalKIDS, which can help pay for college and career training. In addition to providing students with a college savings account, the program provides up to $1,500 in free seed money to eligible newborns and low-income public school students.
The town hall will be held on Feb. 28, 6-7 p.m. in English with Spanish translation. Register here or learn more (English | Spanish).
Healthy Cities Tutoring Perfect Pairings Benefit Is Back!
Join us on Mar. 5, 5-7 p.m., at the Skyway Center in San Carlos for delicious hors d'oeuvres, perfectly paired wine, and inspiring stories sharing the positive impact of more than 25 years of supporting students in San Carlos and Redwood City.
Tickets are selling fast! Get your tickets now and donate to support local students. Visit our website to learn more.
Parent Education Opportunities
NEW! How can conscious parenting help you create better communication with your child? Renowned parenting expert Katherine Sellery presents Conscious Parenting: Building Stronger Relationships with Your Child or Teen (March 1, Online).
NEW! Heidi Kasevich, PhD, creator of the Quiet Ambassador Program for Susan Cain’s Quiet Revolution, will explore leadership strategies in The Power of Quiet Leadership: Setting the Stage for Introverts to Thrive (March 9, Online).
Visit the Parent Venture Series of Upcoming Events page for more information.
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