November 12, 2023
IN THIS ISSUE
- Principal’s Message: Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day, Holiday Gift Card Donations
- PTA and SCEF: Holiday Store
- Plus District and Community News
IMPORTANT DATES
Tue 11/14: Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day (meet at Brittan/Cedar at 8 a.m.)
Mon-Fri 11/20-11/24: Fall break, no school
Tue 11/21: Day of Giving
Fri 11/24: SCEF Night at Warriors game
Sat 12/2: Holiday Store in the MU 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Mon-Fri 12/11-12/15: Book Fair
Principal’s Message
Dear White Oaks families,
This week we will be participating in Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day on Nov. 14 sponsored by the SMCOE Safe Routes to School Program. We will be handing out bracelets, stickers and buttons to those students who walk, roll, ride, or carpool on this historic day. For those that would like to join, we’ll be meeting on the corner of Brittan and Cedar by the field at Burton Park at 8 a.m. to walk to White Oaks.
Ruby Bridges became a symbol of the civil rights movement at age six, when she was the youngest of a group of African American students designated to integrate schools in the American South. On Nov. 14, 1960, her first day of school at William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans, Ruby was escorted to school by four federal marshals and spent the entire day in the principal’s office as irate parents marched into the school to remove their children.
The inaugural Walk to School Day in San Mateo County was in 2018. Students from Martin Elementary School in South San Francisco were learning about Ruby Bridges and wanted to celebrate her courage. They advocated to their school board to make Nov. 14 Ruby Bridges Day and were invited to do the same at an SMCOE Board meeting. Their passion caught on and 14 schools across the county participated in 2018. Several districts also passed resolutions. Since then the movement has grown. You can learn more about Ruby Bridges and the Walk to School Day initiative on the website.
We are excited to participate and join many other schools around the county in walking to school. Please join us-- we will meet at Burton Park (corner of Brittan and Cedar) at 8 a.m. to walk to school together.
As a reminder, there is no school next week, Nov. 20-24, for our fall break. I hope you have a chance to spend time with family and friends.
We will be back at school on Monday, Nov. 27.
Regards,
Leah Scholer
Principal
Thanksgiving Gift Cards Needed
We currently have several families we hope to be able to help financially during the holiday season. Both the giving and receiving will remain confidential with Mrs. Scholer. We are collecting gift cards now and will distribute them to families for their holiday celebrations starting with the Thanksgiving holiday. Gift cards can be placed in an envelope addressed to Mrs. Scholer and left at the school office. For Thanksgiving gift cards, please drop off by Wednesday, Nov. 15. Gift cards in any denomination are appreciated. Thank you to our community for helping with this yearly tradition to make sure that all families feel supported during the holidays.
This Week's Menus
PTA News
Holiday Store is Coming on Dec. 2: Sign Up to Help!
White Oaks Holiday Store is open on Saturday, Dec. 2 from 9 a.m.-12 p.m.! Your children are invited to participate in this treasured White Oaks shopping experience to choose gifts for their loved ones. We have many volunteer roles and need your help to make our shop a success! Sign up for a time slot HERE. Flyers and gift lists will be sent home in green folders before the event. We also encourage students to bring a canned food donation to Samaritan House food drive bin as they enter the shop. While children are shopping, parents can enjoy a handcrafted espresso beverage or hot chocolate for $1-3. Contact Sara Ting if you have any questions.
Order your White Oaks Yearbook TODAY!
Your time at White Oaks goes fast - Order your child’s yearbook HERE to keep 2023-2024 special memories for a lifetime. Yearbooks are distributed the last week of school. Already have a TreeRing account?
Log in → in My Stuff select Kids → select Settings and Add Kid → select Add New School/Year → enter Passcode for White Oaks (1016947994291205).
Celebrating SCEF and Gratitude
SCEF’s grants are only possible because of the generosity of our donors– parents, community members and businesses. SCEF is simply the vehicle through which people express their desire for quality public schools. Our supporters are being celebrated at all of our school sites by recognizing SCEF Day. Thanks to all for your donations, and learn more at www.scefkids.org.
Easy Ways to Support Your School: Snowfest at Sports Basement and Honey Bear Trees
There are two great opportunities to prepare for winter sports, gifts and the holiday season, AND benefit SCEF.
At Honey Bear Trees, when you shop for a tree or wreath (and mention SCEF) they give 15% back to our schools. Sports Basement’s Snowfest is Saturday Nov. 18 from 12-5 p.m. at the Redwood City store. This event is their kickoff to the winter season and SCEF is the beneficiary of their beer and store sales on that day. Get your shopping done early on this festive day and visit the SCEF table at the event.
Day of Giving is Coming: Tuesday, Nov. 28
GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world. Check your employer’s Workplace Giving program, as many offer special matches and grants to honor this day, and SCEF would greatly appreciate being the recipient of these gifts.
District News
Help Shape the Future of San Carlos School District: Take Our School Facilities Improvement Survey
Your input is important to us. Tell us what you think! Take our short survey to share your priorities on the following facility improvements.
Take our short survey to share your priorities on the following facility improvements:
- Providing clean and safe classrooms, and a quality learning environment for all students and staff
- Repairing aging or deteriorating classrooms, restrooms, and leaky roofs
- Improving fire safety, school security systems and accessibility for students with disabilities
- Upgrading infrastructure such as heating, cooling, plumbing, electrical systems, and gas lines
- Updating science, technology, engineering, arts, and math classrooms
- Providing Transitional Kindergarten to all four-year-olds by 2025 — required by new state mandates
Click on the School Facility Improvement Survey to begin!
Mark Your Calendars for a Community Outreach Event in East Palo Alto!
On Wednesday, Nov. 15 at 6 p.m., join SCSD for an outreach event with our families in East Palo Alto. We will take time to review our Strategic Plan, explain what/why the LCAP is, and empower families to be a part of our ongoing planning and community building. All caregivers are encouraged to attend! Please click here to RSVP.
EZMeal Application
With the introduction of universal meals for all children attending school in the state of California, you may feel that it is not necessary to fill out the EZ Meal Application to benefit your family, school, and community; However, completing this form every year 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, so a few minutes of your time may add to the resources available to our school district. In addition, families that qualify for assistance may be eligible for additional benefits.
Please visit the EZMeal Application website for more information.
Community News
Healthy Cities Tutoring Needs Your Help
Do you have an hour a week to make a difference? Becoming a Healthy Cities volunteer tutor is an incredibly enriching and rewarding experience that has a positive impact for students, families, schools and local communities. Last year, Healthy Cities Tutoring placed 398 students with a volunteer tutor in Redwood City and San Carlos. We've already placed over 150 students this year, but we still have more than 100 students on our waiting list.
Can you sign up now to help us match all students on our waiting list?
- Flexible schedule: 1 hour per week between 3-6 p.m. most weekdays
- Tutors of all ages are welcome (adult tutors are in high demand!)
- Training and support provided
- All San Carlos & many Redwood City K-8 Schools
- High school student volunteers earn valuable service hours, mentoring experience, and HCT will provide references for future job and college applications
- Tutoring only happens during the school year (no tutoring during holidays or summers)
Please take the next step to becoming a volunteer tutor and visit our website. Click the VOLUNTEER button to complete your Healthy Cities Tutoring application. Becoming a volunteer tutor will make a difference in a child’s life and your life. As one of our tutors said, “This has been such a great experience - I don't really have just one word to describe it. That one hour a week is the most important hour of the week for me.” We couldn't agree more, and we hope you will join us!
Thanks for considering becoming a volunteer; please reach out to Janelle with any questions at 650-508-7323.
In celebration of United Against Hate Week (Nov. 12-18), the Community Foundation of San Carlos and Devil's Canyon Brewing Co. is throwing its 3rd Annual 'Stand United Against Hate' Poetry Slam. For the last two years, brave folks (as young as 8 years old) from all over the Bay Area brought their whole selves onto stage and shared their stories of what it means to stand united against hate
- When: Fri, Nov. 17 from 5-6 p.m.
- Where: Devil's Canyon Brewery Co., 935 Washington Street
- Why: Come out and use your voice to tell your story on how you stand up against hate and how we can become more united and build inclusive and equitable communities for all. All ages welcome.
- Prize: The first, second, and third place winners will donate their winning prize to a 501(c)3 nonprofit of their choice that is focused on justice & equity.
Stand in solidarity for UAH and download a San Carlos Stands United Against Hate poster here!
Parent Education Opportunities
NEW! Join us for Finally Seen: A Conversation with Author Kelly Yang, a timely discussion with Kelly Yang, the #1 New York Times bestselling, award-winning YA author of Finally Seen and the Front Desk series. (Nov. 14).
NEW! By Kindergarten, most kids believe that “fat” is bad. What are parents supposed to do? We welcome journalist Virginia Sole-Smith, the New York Times bestselling author of Fat Talk: Parenting in the Age of Diet Culture (Nov. 15).
NEW! Did you know that children's dental health can affect their physical health and development? Dr. Bonnie Jue, Associate Professor, UCSF Dental School, and Director, Sonrisas Dental Health, offers Oral Health Matters! (Nov. 16).
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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