September 3, 2023
IN THIS ISSUE
- Principal’s Message: Saying Goodbye and Week of Names
- Lunch Menu
- PTA Volunteer Opportunities, Spirit Store, Sept. Meeting
- Plus SCEF, District, and Community News
IMPORTANT DATES
Mon, 9/4: No school, Labor Day
Wed, 9/13: First PTA Meeting (social hour at 5 p.m., meeting at 6 p.m.) at Amy Kim's house
Wed, 9/13: Walk to School Wednesday
Mon, 9/18: Late Bird schedule starts for Kindergarten
Fri, 9/29: White Oaks Movie Night
Principal’s Message
Dear White Oaks families,
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, and 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 (kiss, hug, etc,) to your child and if needed, leave your child with one of the staff members who is 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 good-bye, rather than multiple good-byes. For example, one goodbye at the playground rather than a goodbye at the playground and then another goodbye 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, 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 WO. 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!
This Week's Breakfast and Lunch Menu
Reminder: No school tomorrow (9/4) - Labor Day holiday
Sincerely,
Leah Scholer
Principal
PTA News
Walk to School Wednesday This Week
Please join us for our first Walk to School Wednesday on Sept. 6. 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.
White Oaks Spirit Store - NOW OPEN!
Ready to show your school spirit with White Oaks attire? Now that school is in full swing, it’s time to order the latest White Oaks Spirit Wear! There are new pullover hoodies, tees for the kids, and heathered green tees for the entire family. Show your school spirit and order some stylish White Oaks attire. The online store is open NOW through Sunday, Oct. 15.
Calling All Artists for the White Oaks Walk-a-Thon Design Contest - Due Sept. 15
The Walk-a-Thon T-shirt design contest is under way and open to all students. Create a simple, one-color line drawing that represents White Oaks and our Walk-a-Thon tradition, and the winning artwork will be featured on this year's T-shirts! To enter, draw your design using a black Sharpie on white paper, then submit your design to the office or via email by Sept. 15!
September PTA Meeting Wed, Sept. 13
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.
Save the Date - Movie Night on Friday, Sept. 29
Family Movie Night is back! Mark your calendars for Friday, Sept. 29 for our family movie night hosted at the White Oaks playground. We'll have food trucks available to make for an easy, fun night for the whole family. Movie will begin at sundown (around 7 p.m.) with food trucks available starting at 5:30 p.m.
Parents Needed to Help Serve Hot Lunch
We need your help serving hot lunch! This is a great way to get to know kids in all grades and your child will love having you on campus. It's just a one-hour time commitment from 11:40 a.m.-12:40 p.m. All you have to do is report to the MU and our district hot lunch server, Diana, will show you the ropes. Sign up here.
White Oaks PTA Volunteer Roles
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. If you have any questions about volunteer roles, reach out to Sara Ting or Amy Kim.
SCEF News
SCEF Event Season is Here!
Our popular Evening at TOWN dinner is sold out. Please email if you’d like to be added to the waitlist. You can still participate in the Evening at TOWN online auction and raffle. Your chance to win a private dinner for 20 in the TOWN Boardroom, a gift card to TOWN or the Alpine Inn– raffle tickets are available now. The online auction takes place Sept. 25-Oct. 1, with more details coming soon!
Tickets for Golden State Warriors basketball, Friday, Oct. 20. You can attend the highly anticipated preseason game vs. San Antonio Spurs (and first round draft pick and French phenom Victor Wembanyama). Purchase Warriors game tickets– a portion of the proceeds benefit SCEF. And, for a special experience, we only have ten spots left for the Child VIP High-Five Experience, where your child is invited to high-five their favorite players. Space is limited and restrictions apply.
The Industrial Arts Horsepower Car Show returns to San Carlos Saturday, Sept. 9! A portion of the proceeds will benefit the San Carlos Education Foundation. Cars, Carnival Games, Kids Zone, Food Trucks and More! Presented by the Industrial Arts Business Association.
Here’s to a great school year! Learn about the many Ways to Give and plan your donation today. Like the SCEF Facebook page for more upcoming details and news.
District News
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.
Community News
Piano Class at White Oaks with Hummingbird Music School!
Does your child want to learn how to play piano, in a fun group environment? Hummingbird Music School's super popular after-school piano class runs 2:30-3:20 p.m. on Thursdays in the Maker Space. Classes begin in September! Find out more and register here.
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
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