September 1, 2024
IN THIS ISSUE
- Principal’s Message
- Breakfast/Lunch Menu
- School News: Playpod Volunteers, Family Movie Night
- PTA News
- District News: Attendance and EZ Meal Application
- Community News: Parent Education Opportunities
IMPORTANT DATES
Mon, 9/2: No School, Labor Day
Mon, 9/9: Late Bird schedule starts for Kindergarten
Wed, 9/11: First PTA Meeting
Fri, 10/4: Family 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 good-byes, 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.
My Name, My Identity Week
Next week is White Oaks’ My Name, My Identity Week, 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!
Reminders
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No school tomorrow (9/2) - Labor Day holiday
Sincerely,
Leah Scholer, Principal
This Week's Menu
School News
Lunchtime recess volunteers needed for Playpod
Looking for a quick way to spend some time on the playground during lunch recess and see what your students are up to? The White Oaks Playpod is looking for volunteers for two 30 minute shifts each Tuesday of the school year (11:50 a.m. - 12:20 p.m. for TK-1st grade, 12:20 p.m. -12:50 p.m. for 2nd-3rd grade). Please feel free to sign up for both time-slots if you have the full hour to spend.
Come help put out materials and see what these incredible kids build--last year's projects have included marble runs, a fully functioning ship, a working kitchen and a hacker collective! All you need to do is put materials out, watch the kids play, and then help get things back into our Playpod container at the end of the session.
Once you sign up, you'll get an email about a week in advance letting you know the details of what you need to do. Signups are here.
Save The Date - Movie Night 10/4!
Family Movie Night is back! Mark your calendars for Friday, Oct 4 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 around 5:30 p.m.
Art in Action
Our first ever White Oaks Art Fair is happing this September 4-6th (Wed-Fri), 8:10-8:30 a.m. at the log benches between the MU and ACE rooms. This event is to welcome new families to the Art in Action (AIA) program and recruit helpers, docents, and class coordinators to have a successful year.
AIA is run completely through SCEF/PTA funding and with parent and community volunteers. If you have experience or wisdom to share, come join us to welcome new families.
Also, learn about the White Oaks Art Contest, where your child can win one of many prize provided by our fabulous sponsors, including Reading Bug, University Art, and The Toss. Good luck!
PTA News
Join us for the first PTA Social and Meeting of the year! Come meet our community of parents and teachers, learn how to about getting involved in the PTA, and stay up to date on White Oaks school happenings.
Wed, Sept 11 (Social Hour 5-6 p.m., Meeting begins 6 p.m.)
RSVP here
Hope to see you all there!
Aurelia Abcouwer and Mariel Valezzi, PTA Co-Presidents
SCEF News
Fall San Carlos Education Foundation Special Events-Have fun while supporting your student!
This year your donations to SCEF and participation in our Fall events will support social emotional programs and counselors, access to libraries, Elementary PE, technology associates and devices for students, music programs for all grade levels, middle school electives, a Principal’s Fund at every school and funding for your school PTA. Thank you to all who contributed. Learn more at www.scefkids.org
Oct. 6th Evening at TOWN tickets available beginning Weds. 9/4. Join us on Sunday, October 6th for a lovely evening of dinner, drinks and online auction benefiting San Carlos public schools. Tickets go on sale Wednesday, September 4th at 10am. Get yours while they last!
Fall Raffle. Purchase raffle tickets and support your student! Your chance to win a trip to Mexico or Dinner for 20 in the TOWN Board Room. Drawing 10/6/24.
October 18th, Warriors vs LA Lakers. You can attend the highly anticipated preseason game with proceeds benefiting your learner. Purchase game tickets here. Special Opportunity: Anthem Buddies Kids VIP Experience -Only 15 Spots available, Restrictions apply - https://town2024.ggo.bid
Watch our video to learn why we have a nonprofit, parent-led Education Foundation in San Carlos.
District News
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 our Free & Reduced-Price EZMeal Application webpage 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 2:30-3:20pm on Thursdays in Room 5. Open to K-3. Classes begin soon and always fill to capacity quickly! Read more and register here: https://hummingbirdmusicschool.com/after-school-music-classes
Parent Education Opportunities
What's the best way to support your student-athlete? We welcome Kirsten Jones, author, speaker, and nationally recognized performance coach, for Raising Empowered Athletes: A Youth Sports Parenting Guide (September 5).
Join Eran Magen, PhD, founder of Parenting for Humans, for this month's Parent Forum #33 (English), How to Support Your Upset Child or Teen. This is a great back-to-school topic, so don't miss it! (September 6).
What's the best way to cultivate an informed and active citizenry? Join Lindsey Cormack, PhD, professor of political science and author of How to Raise a Citizen (And Why It's Up to You to Do It) (September 11).
In Assembling Tomorrow: A Guide to Designing a Thriving Future, Stanford d.school authors Scott Doorley and Carissa Carter explore how we can use design tools to shape our future for the better (September 12).
Visit the Parent Venture Series of Upcoming Events page for more information. - Parent Venture Series Events -
PTA CORNER
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