November 26, 2023
IN THIS ISSUE
- Principal’s Message: Trimester Report Cards
- PTA and SCEF: Holiday Store, Book Fair, Giving Tuesday
- Plus District and Community News
IMPORTANT DATES
Sat 12/2: Holiday Store in the MU 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Mon-Fri 12/11-12/15: Book Fair
Thu 12/14: SCSD Board meeting, 6:30 p.m.
Thu 12/21: Minimum day
Fri 12/22-Sun 1/7: Winter break
Mon 1/8: Professional development day (no school)
Tue 1/9: First day back
Principal’s Message
Dear White Oaks families,
Welcome back! I can’t believe December is almost upon us. December signals changing weather, shorter days, and the start of our second trimester. I can’t believe how quickly this school year is progressing.
Our first trimester ended on Nov. 17. Teachers spent some time over the past few weeks assessing students in a variety of subjects to see the progress they have made since the beginning of the school year. This is an opportunity for you to see the standards that your child has already mastered and those that need more work. Teachers use these assessments to make informed decisions on curriculum and instruction, so that students receive work at the “just right” level to continue to progress towards grade level standards. As a reminder, the standards on the report card are year long standards so at this time in the year, we would expect students to be scoring a 2 or “Approaching the Standard.”
Teachers will be informing parents of progress through report cards. Report cards will not be sent home electronically this year but will instead be sent home with your child this week. Please look out for these report cards in student backpacks.
As part of our focus on the whole child, academic standards make up one part of the learning that takes place at White Oaks. We also focus on the skills and conceptual tools that are critical for 21st Century learners and align with our SCSD Strategic plan, including the 8Cs: Critical Thinking & Problem Solving, Communication, Collaboration, Citizenship (global and local), Creativity & Innovation, Composure, Compassion and Curiosity. The 8Cs embody mindsets that are important for our students. The goal is to incorporate the 8Cs into all learning experiences within each grade level.
It’s incredible to watch the growth of our students here at White Oaks, both academically and socially-emotionally.
Regards,
Leah Scholer
Principal
This Week's Menus
PTA News
Holiday Store is Next Saturday, Dec. 2!
The White Oaks Holiday Store is next Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon! Your children are invited to participate in this treasured White Oaks shopping event to choose gifts for their loved ones. We need your help to make the store a success-- please consider signing up to volunteer for a time slot HERE. Students will receive a flyer and gift list in their green folders this week. Please fill out the gift list with the names of each person your child will be shopping for and bring this list, money (small bills, please!) and a reusable shopping bag. We also encourage families to bring a donation of canned food for the Samaritan House food drive bin. While children are shopping, parents can enjoy a hand-crafted espresso beverage or hot chocolate for $1-3. Please bring cash.
In-Person Book Fair in Dec. 11-15
It’s the time of the year again! The exciting Book Fair is coming Dec. 11-15. You can find a variety of books for all ages and interests. It is a great opportunity to support our library and foster a love of reading in our students. Family Fun Night will be on Dec. 13 at 6:30pm, complete with puppet and magician shows. In early Dec, we will share times for volunteer sign ups. So mark your calendars and get ready to dive into the world of books. We can't wait to see you there!
The E-Fair has also started, and you can purchase books and gift certificates now through Dec 15.
Make a Poster for the Book Fair!
We are looking for White Oaks students to make a poster to promote the Book Fair! Participants can choose a book from our gently used collection in the library. Please drop off the posters to the library (or the office if the library is closed) between Nov. 27-Dec. 8. Minimum size is 11” X 17”. Posters must include the following information:
- In-person book fair from Dec 11-15
- Multi-Use Room
- A slogan or message to attract shoppers (this year's theme is "Crack The Case")
- Student’s name and classroom on the back (to receive book prize from Mrs. Gallagher)
Giving Tuesday– Plan Your Tax-Deductible Gift Today
Giving Tuesday is THIS WEEK, Nov. 28. Take advantage of a tax-deductible donation while supporting your child’s education. Join with others in the community to ensure that our schools can offer programs not possible with government funding alone. We can’t do it without you. Check our website for more information and the many ways to give.
Have you made your plan yet to give this school year? Take advantage of end-of-calendar-year tax deductions. Giving in the following ways is easy, but the process takes time, so plan your gift today!
- Appreciated Stock: A gift of appreciated stock (that you have held for more than 1 year) is better than selling the stock and donating the proceeds
- Workplace Giving: Many employers will match your donation to SCEF and some are offering end-of-year matching at 2:1.
- Donor-Advised Fund: Prefer to donate via Donor-Advised Fund from your Fidelity, BNY Mellon or Schwab Charitable accounts? Click here to start your DAF gift.
Holiday Shopping– Unique ways to support SCEF while you shop:
- Honey Bear Trees is back this season and offering a 15% SCEF donation for every tree and wreath purchase– don’t forget to mention SCEF. Details on this flyer.
- Sports Basement supports SCEF. Sports Basement has its Basementeer Program that gives back 10% to the charity of your choice. Register and assign SCEF as your charity of choice, and shop year-round. Last year they gave over $10,000 to SCEF!
District News
New Student Priority Registration Opens Jan. 9
New Student Priority Registration for the 2024-25 School Year begins Jan. 9 and closes on Feb. 9.
Families can learn more about their child’s school by attending a TK/K Parent Information Meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 31:
8:00-8:45 a.m. at Arundel & White Oaks
4:00-4:30 p.m. at Brittan Acres & Heather
Visit our How to Register for the 2024-25 School Year page for more information.
SCSD Special Education Programs
Please join Meagan Vizier, Director of Student Services, and Chrissy Sanchez, special education program specialist, on Tuesday, Nov. 28 at 6:30 p.m. in the San Carlos District Office Board Room. Participants will learn more about parent engagement through the special education district advisory committee and SCSD's special education programs. Please RSVP by Monday, Nov. 27.
It's Time to Enroll Your New TK Student in the TK Extended Learning Program (TKELP) for the 2024-25 School Year!
TKELP is dedicated to enriching our littlest learner's lives after school. We provide a fun, safe and welcoming place for our TK students to spend time each day. Through daily physical activity, Legarza sports, JamaRoo Kids Dance and STEAM enrichment, TKers will explore, invent and discover new ways to create. We provide a developmentally appropriate space with enriching activities where students can thrive. Visit our TKELP website to learn more about our program and meet our staff!
The program is available to TK students at all four elementary schools-- Arundel, Brittan Acres, Heather, and White Oaks-- and students are given priority into the ACE enrichment program in their kindergarten year!
Enrollment for the 2024-2025 School Year is Open! Register here.
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!
Community News
Downtown Ideation Workshops Dec. 6 & 9
The City of San Carlos is excited to invite the community to two upcoming workshops to discuss new ideas for the downtown. There will be a virtual and an in-person option:
- Virtual Workshop on Wednesday, Dec. 6, 6:00-7:30 p.m. on Zoom. Please register.
- In-person workshop on Saturday, Dec. 9, 10:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m. at 677 Laurel Street, next to Peet’s Coffee in Downtown San Carlos. Please register.
This next phase of envisioning our downtown will include:
- Public Space Design
- Program Mix
- Circulation & Access
Join us at one or both workshops to share your ideas and priorities to make our downtown more vibrant, welcoming and equitable. We look forward to seeing you there. To learn more about the Downtown Specific Plan project, please visit the project website.
Art Takes a Bus Ride 2023-2024
We invite all San Mateo County students in grades 1-12 to participate in an art competition sponsored by the San Mateo County Transit District and the San Mateo County Office of Education. This year’s theme is Exploring Nature with SamTrans.
SamTrans provides service to parks and nature preserves all over San Mateo County, and we want to reflect these stunning outdoor spaces on their buses. This year’s submissions will celebrate the environment and the great outdoors.
Student work will be judged against others in the same grade, depending on participation. Artwork must be created by students only. See flyers in English and Spanish 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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