August 20, 2023
IN THIS ISSUE
- Principal’s Message: Welcome Back
- Plus SCEF, District, and Community News
IMPORTANT DATES
Tues 8/22: TK/Kindergarten Meet and Greet, 10:00-10:30 a.m.
Tues 8/22: New Family Lemonade Tour: 1:30-2:00 p.m.
Wed 8/23: First Day of School: 8:25 a.m.-12:25 p.m.
Wed 8/23: Sign up to volunteer and join the PTA! 8:00-8:45 a.m. in the MU
Thu 8/24: First day of regular schedule for 1st-3rd grade, 8:25 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Thu 8/24: “Everybody Day” schedule for TK, K, 8:25 a.m.-1:25 p.m.
Principal’s Message
Welcome back, White Oaks Families!
I hope you all are ready for the first week of school and a year of learning, growth and wonder. I would like to thank our custodians Jesus Muñoz and Felipe Hernandez as well as our district maintenance team for the outstanding job they have done to make sure White Oaks is ready for classes to begin. We are incredibly appreciative of their work on behalf of our students and staff. I would also like to thank our administrative assistant, Annie Stevenson, for the remarkable job she has done to support our teachers, staff, parents and me! Thank you to Amy Kim and Sara Ting, our PTA Presidents, who have worked tirelessly to ensure that our parents and students have a fabulous year ahead. Finally, I would like to thank our amazing teachers for preparing for our students and creating classroom environments that feel so inclusive and welcoming.
We have an exciting and busy week ahead so please take note of the dates and times below. You may also want to refer back to my Welcome Back email that was sent out on Aug. 11 for more details.
Tuesday, Aug. 22:
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TK/Kindergarten Meet and Greet: 10:00-10:30 a.m.
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New Family Lemonade Tour: 1:30-2:00 pm. Meet at the table in front of the office (entrance is on Fairmont Ave.)
Wednesday, Aug. 23:
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First Day of School: 8:25 a.m.-12:25 p.m.
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Sign up to volunteer and join the PTA! 8:00-8:45 a.m. in the MU
Thursday, Aug. 24:
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First day of regular schedule: 8:25 a.m.-2:30 p.m. (1st-3rd grade)
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“Everybody Day” schedule: 8:25 a.m.-1:25 p.m. (TK-Kindergarten)
Family Support
We want to ensure that our families receive the support they need as we transition back to school. Please visit the SCSD website to access resources such as our lunch program, information regarding health and safety, and after school programs.
For scholarship and/or financial support for school materials, etc, please fill out this form.
We also offer Chromebooks to students without devices at home to support at-home learning as needed. We do not currently anticipate a need for at-home devices although students may want one so that they can access Lexia, Raz Kids, and Reflect Math for additional practice at home. If your child does not have access to a device at home and you would like them to have a Chromebook, please reach out to Leah Scholer or Annie Stevenson for more information.
Sincerely,
Leah Scholer
Principal
PTA News
Coffee & Pastries for Parents on the First Day of School
After you drop off your child/ren, there will be coffee and pastries in the Multipurpose Room (MU) on Wednesday, Aug. 23 from 8:00-8:45 a.m. to celebrate the start of the 2023-2024 school year! Our strong White Oaks community begins with getting to know one another, so please come and meet other parents.
SCEF News
Thank You to Our Generous Donors and Welcome to Our New TK and K Families
Your donations last school year to the San Carlos Education Foundation (SCEF) will allow us to grant over $3.2 million to support every San Carlos public school student in the 2023-24 school year. Watch our video to learn why we have a nonprofit, parent-led Education Foundation in San Carlos.
This year’s SCEF grant will support social emotional programs and counselors, access to libraries, PE teachers, technology associates, and devices for students. Music programs for all grade levels, middle school electives, a Principal’s Fund at every school and funding for your school PTA. Your PTA will use these funds to provide classroom/teacher grants, buy library books, fund assemblies, create community-building events/activities, and more. Learn more at scefkids.org.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to SCEF last year. Together, you make a real difference for students. Learn about the many Ways to Give and plan your donation today. Here’s to a great school year!
District News
Get Ready to Head Back to School: First Day Is Wednesday, Aug. 23
Are you excited for new adventures, learning, and reconnecting with friends? Let’s make this school year the best one yet!
Share your back-to-school excitement with us using #scsdproud. To have your photos featured, please tag us in your post or email them. Follow our pages to see your pics: Facebook | Instagram | X
School Breakfast and Lunch Changes
Based on feedback from our springtime surveys regarding our school meal program, our summer school program piloted a new approach to serving breakfast and lunch for all students. It was largely successful in reducing waste and provided more choice for students at the time of service.
School sites will be ordering meals based on consumption patterns and in amounts that allow all students access to California’s Universal Meals Program for breakfast and lunch every school day. There will be no need for families to place orders, as it will be done as a site.
Monthly menus will be shared in school newsletters so that families can discuss options and choices together. There will be cold items served for breakfast such as cereals, muffins, and fruits/vegetables, and two hot options for lunch. In addition, there will be at least one cold item offered for lunch. Vegetarian options will be available at each mealtime, and allergies will be accommodated.
Each site has their own meal location and service times that will be communicated to families.
All Families Asked to Submit EZMeal Application
Each year we ask that all families fill out the EZ Meal Application to benefit your family, school, and community, even if you do not believe you will qualify based on your income. Completing this form helps your school receive more funding to support your child’s learning environment. The application is used to calculate school funding levels from the state and federal level. Please visit SCSD’s Free and Reduced-Price EZMealApp page for more information.
Health and Wellness Letter
Please take a moment to read the Wecome Back Health and Wellness Letter! We discuss mental health, sustainability, Big 5 Safety Protocols, Social Emotional Learning, and more.
Community News
Parent Education Opportunities
To kick off the 2023-24 season, we welcome Michelle Icard, author of the new book 8 Setbacks That Can Make a Child a Success: What to Do and What to Say to Turn “Failures” Into Character-Building Moments (Sept. 14).
This September's Parent Forum (English) discussion group features Eran Magen, PhD, founder of Parenting for Humans, in How to Support Your Upset Child or Teen (Sept. 15). The first Foro de padres (español) will convene on Sept. 19.
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.
A percentage of your purchases will automatically be donated to the White Oaks PTA — at no cost to you!
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