December 17, 2023
IN THIS ISSUE
- Principal’s Message: Winter Break Activities
- PTA and SCEF: January Meeting, Mini Musical
- Plus District and Community News
IMPORTANT DATES
Thu 12/21: Minimum day, 12:25 p.m. dismissal
Fri 12/22-Sun 1/7: Winter break
Mon 1/8: Professional development day (no school)
Tue 1/9: School resumes
Tue 1/9: New student priority registration opens
Wed 1/10: PTA Meeting and Social, 5-7 p.m.
Principal’s Message
Dear White Oaks families,
It is hard to believe that this is my last message of 2023. We are only a few days away from a well-deserved couple of weeks off for both students and teachers. This is a great time for everyone to recharge their batteries and come back ready for school in January.
As a reminder, Thursday, Dec. 21 is a minimum day for all students. All students (including early/late bird K students) will attend school from 8:25 a.m.-12:25 p.m. There will be no school Friday, Dec. 22-Monday, Jan. 8. School will resume on Tuesday, Jan. 9 on a normal schedule.
I hope that during our two week break, your children have opportunities to continue learning and exploring the world. Whether it’s digging in a park or backyard or visiting a museum or reading new books from the library, there are various ways students can be challenged to ask and investigate new wonders. Here are some activities and resources to explore:
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Family storytime at the San Carlos public library (Best for TK/K Students)
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Find a local skating rink and try out ice skating
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Make a fort to cover the living room
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Watch a favorite movie inside the fort
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Go on a night hike
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Build a snowman (real or a craft)
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Donate old toys & books to a local charity or daycare
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Make a gingerbread house
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Do a puzzle bigger than you’ve ever done before
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Write a thank you letter for a favorite gift
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Play dominoes
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Look at photos from the year and create a scrapbook
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Enjoy your time together as a family and share a great book together. Here is a great list from Common-Sense Media on 50 Books All Kids Should Read Before They’re 12.
I am so grateful to come to work every day and work with such a great group of people: talented educators, engaged students, and supportive parents and community members. I wish you all a happy holiday season and a joyous new year! My new year’s wish for our students is to look forward to the upcoming year with confidence and courage, and be prepared to fill a book’s empty pages with all of their wishes and dreams!
All the best,
Leah Scholer
Principal
This Week's Menus
PTA News
Pre-Register for the White Oaks Mini Musical -- Coming this Spring!
To help us finalize the details for this year's mini musical, please complete this pre-registration form if your student is interested in joining the fun. The mini musical is open to K-3rd graders. Rehearsals will be Mondays after school on campus from March to early May for 2 hours each. In addition, there will be 2 performances -- one during school hours and one evening performance. Cost is estimated to be around $375-$400 per student. Final pricing will depend on the number of students who enroll but will not be more than $400. Official registration (with finalized pricing) will open in 2024. Financial support is available for those in the Family Support Program. Reach out to Caroline Gorham if you have any questions.
PTA Meeting and Winter Social on Wednesday, Jan. 10
The White Oaks PTA invites all parents to the next meeting and winter social. Come mingle and find out more about PTA events and programs happening in the new year. There will be snacks and drinks-- we hope to see you there!
Order your 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).
PTA Appreciation for Book Fair
A huge thank you for an amazing Book Fair & Family Fun Night this week! The PTA appreciates all the hard work from our Book Fair Committee: Shuba Carlos, Mingming Li, Corinne Halada, Shruti Gharat, Andrea Mardesich, Caroline Gorham and Tiffany Day for making this week incredible. Also, special thanks for our librarian Mrs. Gallagher for working with the team, and all of the parent volunteers who came to help out. We couldn't do it without you all!
We are all SCEF!
SCEF grants are only possible because of your donations. With your support we have raised over $1 million towards our $3.7 million to support teachers, programs and activities for students at all San Carlos public schools.. Thanks to everyone who has made a contribution. Every new donation will help us achieve our mission of supporting every child, every day, in every classroom. Please take a moment to watch this video we produced last year which illustrates how your gifts impact our school community.
Ways to ways to donate before year-end
Check out our website for more information and the many ways to give.
The Read-a-Thon is coming! Please register your child early and watch your mail in the new year for more information.
Honey Bear Trees continues to support our schools. Just mention SCEF when you buy your tree and wreaths!
Thank you to our generous business sponsors: SummerHill Apartment Communities, TOWN Restaurant, Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Sares-Regis, Black Mountain Properties, Peninsula Chemical Co., Lyngso Garden Materials, Bob Bredel, Alana Corso, Laura Bertolacci, Devil's Canyon, Paris Baguette, CA Water Service, Chang Orthodontics, CA Water Service, Tavarez Orthodontics, Recology, Roberts Market, Happy Healthy Teeth, Sakura Teppanyaki Restaurant, and Murphy's Music Camp. Learn about the SCEF Business Sponsorship program.
District News
New CDPH Guidance: When A Child has Symptoms of Illness
The California Department of Public Health suggestions for when to keep your child home when they are not feeling well. Contact a health care provider if your child needs medical care. A doctor’s note is generally not required to return to school or child care. For more information, please visit the CDPH guidance page.
New Student Priority Registration Opens Tuesday, Jan. 9
SCSD New Student Priority Registration for the 2024-25 School Year is just around the corner! Mark your calendars – registration opens on Jan. 9 and closes on Feb. 9. If you have a future student joining us, secure their spot by registering during this priority window.
Visit our How to Register for the 2024-25 School Year page for al the details. Please see our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) page or email us if you have any questions.
Current TK-7th grade families, please note: New Student Registration is ONLY for students who are not currently attending our schools, students who are in TK-8th grade now do not need to re-register, they will automatically matriculate into the next grade level or feeder school through 8th grade. In Feb., a Google survey will be sent out to all current families regarding plans for fall, and in April, parents will fill out their Back-to-School Forms for 2024-25. However, if your child is in one of our SCSD preschool classes, they do need to register as a new student.
Attention Parents of 4-Year-Olds: Transitional Kindergarten is Expanding!
If your child turns five on or between Sept. 2, 2024 and June 2, 2025, they can attend TK beginning this Aug. 2024. Priority Registration for the 2024-25 school year opens on Jan. 9, 2024.
For all incoming TK and Kindergarten families who will be NEW in the 2024-25 school year, attend your school's TK/K Parent Information Meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 31:
- 8:00-8:45 a.m. at White Oaks
- 8:45-9:45 a.m. at Arundel (note new time)
- 4:00-4:30 p.m. at Brittan Acres & Heather
Visit your school's website in January for more information. Information is also available on the SCSD website (TK, New Student Registration, and FAQs).
Community News
Hummingbird Music School - Classes Starting in January
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 Makerspace. Classes begin in Jan.! Read more and register here.
Junior Chef - New Classes Start In January
Junior Chef Stars is where math, science, reading, and art mix with kids. We’ve been stirring up success since 2002 with this winning recipe. We encourage you to explore new worlds of flavor by painting your plates with imaginative and original recipes. You will learn proper cutting techniques, measurements, how to use different cooking utensils while making new friends and having a blast. Each week we will focus on a different recipe, and you get to take some home to try your delicious creation! So, secure your spot and register today!
Parent Education Opportunities
In our final Parent Education Series events of 2023, we offer two Parent Forums:
Spanish: Michelle Remond, Community Liaison, RCSD, and Edwin Fernandez, LCSW, One Life Counseling Center, present El dolor de migrar y las fiestas navideñas (Immigration grief and the holiday season) (Dec. 12)
English: Eran Magen, PhD, population health psychologist and founder of Parenting for Humans, offers How to Become Your Child's Favorite Conversation Partner. Perfect for winter break! (Dec. 15)
Visit the Parent Venture Series of Upcoming Events page for more information.
PTA CORNER
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