September 10, 2023
IN THIS ISSUE
- Principal’s Message: Zones of Regulation and School Site Council
- Lunch Menu
- PTA Volunteer Opportunities, Spirit Store, Sept. Meeting
- Plus SCEF and Community News
IMPORTANT DATES
Wed, 9/13: First PTA Meeting (social hour at 5 p.m., meeting at 6 p.m.) at Amy Kim's house. See Evite for address.
Wed, 9/13: Walk to School Wednesday
Fri, 9/15: First day of Hispanic Heritage Month
Mon, 9/18: Late Bird schedule starts for Kindergarten
Mon, 9/18: Picture Day
Fri, 9/29: White Oaks Movie Night
Principal’s Message
Dear White Oaks families,
It has been such a smooth start to the year and I hope it has felt that way at home as well. As I mentioned at Back to School Night, if we only have one thing in common, it is our children. They are the bridge that connect home and school. When families, teachers, and staff use a common language to communicate with students, it strengthens that bridge even more.
Helping students identify and name their feelings is the first step towards learning how to consistently regulate their emotions. At White Oaks, we use the Zones of Regulation as a tool for this skill set. The Zones of Regulation is a framework that helps students (and adults!) understand how to articulate, name, and understand their emotions. Through the zones, students learn how emotions show up in their minds, and also in their bodies. We prioritize teaching this because learning happens most effectively when students are in the green zone. It is not possible for us to always exist in the green zone; however it’s important for all of us to be aware of what the blue, yellow, and red zones feel like for us, and what we can do to support ourselves and regulate when we are feeling sad, frustrated, or angry. Everyone is different-- some students want to go for a walk to help, take deep breaths, or drink water. We want to encourage students to manage their stronger emotions in healthy ways, where they don’t harm themselves or anyone else. Learn more here and here, (from the elementary counselor website). Calming strategies will be helpful as well, with a strong emphasis on belly breathing.
School Site Council Parent/Community Membership - 2 Positions Open
The White Oaks School Site Council consists of five parent or community members and five staff members, which always includes the principal. Parent and community members are selected through the election process. There are approximately seven meetings scheduled each year. Meetings are usually scheduled on selected Thursday afternoons at 3-4 p.m. at White Oaks. Please refer to the SSC News Sept. 2022 email that will go out on Sept. 15 for more information about White Oaks School Site Council.
If you are interested in becoming a member of the Site Council, please email Leah Scholer with a blurb about why you are interested in the position and how you contribute to the Council. If there is more than one person interested, we will hold an election to fill the opening.
Upcoming Events:
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Friday, 9/15: First day of Hispanic Heritage Month
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Monday, 9/18: First day of Late Bird schedule for K (9:25 a.m.-2:25 p.m.)
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Tuesday, 9/18: Picture Day
Sincerely,
Leah Scholer
Principal
This Week's Menus
PTA News
Walk-a-Thon Sponsorship
The Walk-a-Thon is White Oaks' biggest fundraising event each year and we count on our local sponsors to help us meet our goals. The White Oaks PTA’s goal is to create a thoroughly enriched experience for the school community by hosting activities and events for the students, families and staff throughout the year. As a corporate sponsor, your company will have prominent placement in all our digital channels, including our website, weekly newsletter and social channels. Most importantly, your logo will appear on all the Walk-a-Thon T-shirts!! Send in your completed form.
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.
SCEF News
Fall into Fundraising Fun
We are kicking off the school year, and welcoming fall with some great opportunities for you to win great experiences and items while supporting your school:
SCEF Raffle: Will you be the lucky winner? Grand Prize is Dinner for 20 in the TOWN Boardroom. Order tickets for yourself and your teachers here.
The Fall Online Silent Auction opens Sept. 25 and closes Oct. 1. We have curated another auction full of fabulous experiences, memorabilia, dining opportunities and more. Once open, you will be able to browse and bid from our event page.
Do you love event planning? Have contacts that might make great auction items? Want to meet new people in town? Join our SCEF Event Committee. Just three meetings a year and you can help us plan our in-person Gala and Revel at Devils spring dance party. To learn more and sign up, visit our volunteer page.
Save the Date for these popular San Carlos Education Foundation Events
- 4th Annual SCEF Read-a-Thon: Jan. 17-31, 2024
- Summer Camp and Teacher Outing Auction: Feb. 8-15, 2024
- Online Silent Auction: Open to everyone, begins Mar. 25, 2024
- SCEF Gala at Hiller Aviation: Mar. 22, 2024
- Revel at Devil’s-Community Dance Party: May 4, 2024
Remember to join your school PTA on your school website and explore the many Ways to Give to plan your donation to SCEF this school year.
Community News
Join Us for Peacebank kidsYoga Through Legarza!
kidsYoga with Peacebank is a playful, active, and engaging experience that invites children to connect with their bodies, minds, and peers with curiosity and compassion. Children will explore yoga asanas (poses) and mindfulness practices through movement, stories, songs, games, partner and group activities, and more.
Though each class is unique, themes and activities are designed to present age-appropriate challenges and opportunities to practice facing obstacles and regulating emotions through intentional movement, breathing techniques, grounding exercises, meditation, and more. Children will learn how to develop essential self-care strategies, gain valuable self-awareness, and build self-confidence that extends beyond the yoga mat and into everyday life. Classes will also include meaningful lessons about respecting oneself, community, and the environment – all while having fun with friends! Register here.
Celebrate Latinx Heritage Month
In celebration and reflection of Latinx Heritage Month, the Community Foundation of San Carlos (CFSC) has curated a list of resources as well as a list of Latinx-owned businesses and organizations to support.
If you are interested to learn more about CFSC, please reach out.
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).
The Parent Forums are back! Eran Magen, PhD, presents How to Support Your Upset Child or Teen (English) (Sept. 15), and Edwin Fernandez, LCSW, offers Preparando a tu estudiante para el regreso a clases (español) (Sept. 18).
What critical skills do students need to thrive? Ana Homayoun, author and academic advisor, will discuss her new book, Erasing the Finish Line: The New Blueprint for Success Beyond Grades and College Admission (Sept. 20).
How can we help our kids navigate today's very public digital world? Devorah Heitner, PhD, author and digital media expert, highlights her upcoming book, Growing Up in Public: Coming of Age in a Digital World (Sept. 21).
NEW! What should you know about e-cigs and flavored vapes? Bonnie Halpern-Felsher, PhD, Stanford Medicine, presents Teen Misconceptions About E-Cigs, Nicotine, and Flavored Vapes: What Should Parents Know (Sept. 26).
NEW! Well-rested students are happier and healthier and do better in school. Lisa L. Lewis, MS, author of The Sleep Deprived Teen, presents Sleep and Well-Being: Sleep-Friendly Changes to Help Teens Thrive (Sept. 27).
Visit the Parent Venture Series of Upcoming Events page for more information.
PTA CORNER
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A percentage of your purchases will automatically be donated to the White Oaks PTA — at no cost to you!
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