November 3, 2024
IN THIS ISSUE
- Principal’s Message
- Breakfast/Lunch Menu
- School News: Author Vicky Fang Visit, Book Fair
- PTA News: Volunteer for the Holiday Store
- Community News: EZ Meal Application, Parent Education Series
IMPORTANT DATES
Mon, 11/4-Wed 11/6: Candy Buy-Back
Mon, 11/11: Veterans Day - No School
Mon, 11/25-11/29: Thanksgiving Week Break - No School
Principal’s Message
Dear White Oaks Families,
Book of the Month
Our November/December Book of the Month is The Collaboration Station by Shannon Olsen.
It is focused around working together as a team in the classroom. Getting students in the best mindset for collaborative learning- in partners, small groups, and as one big class family.
Highlighting the portion of our Learner Profile regarding collaboration and communication, we know there’s a lot that goes into laying the groundwork for productive teamwork at school. For example: clear guidelines and modeling, behavior expectations, cooperative learning strategies, job roles, talking stems, etc.
This book addresses the common challenges that can arise when students work together, and will help inspire kids to want to be a valuable member of their team.
Working well with others is one of the most important skills that children can learn, and continue to apply for years to come. With its beautifully whimsical illustrations and engaging text, Collaboration Station serves as a useful teaching tool in helping students to build that skill.
Warmly,
Leah Scholer, Principal
This Week's Menu
School News
Art in Action Prizes for Parent Volunteers!
Congratulations to Alan Blank, Bri King, and Shannon Fenech for being randomly selected as winners of gift certificates to use at University Art. Alan, Bri, and Shannon were selected from the pool of AIA volunteers who have signed up in the AIA spreadsheet.
We in the White Oaks community sincerely thank all of you volunteers for helping to run Art in Action. All lessons are easy to run and fun for both kids and adults. We can always use more help; please contact Doug at [email protected] to learn more.
Author Vicky Fang visits White Oaks and LAST DAY TO ORDER!
White Oaks is thrilled to host author Vicky Fang on Wednesday, November 6th. For those wanting to pre-order author-signed copies of books by Vicky Fang be sure to use the link below to order from our local Reading Bug bookstore.
While the author assembly will be for our K-3rd grade classes, all families are welcome to order signed copies of the books. Order deadline is November 3rd so TODAY IS THE LAST DAY TO ORDER. Order signed books by Vicky Fang HERE!
Book Fair in Nov 18-22 and Volunteer Signup
Book Fair starts on Nov 18! 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, plus the family fun night with puppet and magician shows.
VOLUNTEER - We look to your help for this big event - please sign up here. All volunteers get a 20% book fair discount.
Here is the detailed schedule:
Mon 11/18: 7:45-8:30 AM; 2:30-3:15 PM Tue 11/19: 7:45-8:30 AM; 2:30-3:15 PM with Family Fun Night* 5:15-7:30 PM Wed 11/20: 7:45-8:30 AM; 12:25-1:05 PM Thu 11/21: 7:45-8:30 AM; 2:30-3:15 PM Fri 11/22: 7:45-8:30 AM; 2:30-3:15 PM
*On Family Fun night the Book Fair opens at 5:15pm and the Puppet Show (TK-1st) and Magic Show (2nd &3rd) begins at 6:00 PM. Shop at the book fair before the show!
Walk to School Wednesday
Please join us for Walk to School Wednesday on Nov. 6. Charms will be given to students who walk, roll, ride, or scoot to school! Walk to School Wednesday takes place the first Wednesday of every month.
PTA News
PLEASE READ THIS! PTA Membership Drive ENDED Oct 31- Please JOIN the PTA!!
Our 2024 PTA Membership drive ended Oct 31, but we are SO CLOSE!! Every family counts!! Please join the White Oaks PTA TODAY!! Did your child come home last week talking about the green wig challenge? As part of our PTA membership drive, if we reach our goal of 85% of families joining the White Oaks PTA, Mrs. Scholer will wear a green wig on the first Wednesday of November! We currently have 84% of families signed up and our goal is to have 85% of White Oaks families participate.
We are so close!! The PTA supports Art in Action, materials, family fun events, and so much more! The cost is $10 per parent/$20 per family. Your membership is crucial and no other commitment is necessary, though we will have plenty of opportunities to get more involved throughout the year. Please join here!!
Calling all Crafters, Tinkerers, and Lovers of Holiday Cheer
Do you knit, build, or craft? Do you enjoy gift-giving, decorating, organizing, or coordinating? Do you love bringing joy to our students and parents through events and get-togethers? The Holiday Store Committee wants you!
The Holiday Store is an annual event where students can shop for their loved ones with the help of big kid helpers while parents enjoy coffee and socializing. Many gifts are hand-made, filling the entire MU with so many unique offerings. Last year, we sold over 1,500 items!
If you’d like to be part of making the magic, fill out the form below or email Aurelia at [email protected]
SCEF News
14th annual Halloween Candy Buy-Back!
Drop extra candy by 10am on November 6th, at your school’s front office, and it will be donated to Operation Gratitude and sent to our troops. Drs. Chang, Amin, and Kaher will donate $1 per pound of wrapped candy to SCEF.
Sports Basement supports SCEF
Just in time for all your holiday/winter needs, Sports Basement is hosting a special Holiday Shopping Week for SCEF.Visit their Redwood City store and take 11% off most items. Basementeers can receive a total of 20% discount on their purchase. Click HERE for the flyer for in-store shopping and coupon codes for online sales.
Community News
LET’S CELEBRATE NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH!
November is Native American Heritage Month! There is no single "Native American" culture, but rather, a multitude of distinct tribes with rich and diverse languages, customs, and ways of life depending on their geographic region. Below you will:
- get acquainted with the local Native American tribe. - find some details of FREE local events like PJ Story Time - get some ideas for keeping the kids amused at home (including some Native American dancing to get those wiggles out) so you can immerse yourself and your families in some Native American culture!
Our school and community sit on Ramaytush Ohlone land. Experts estimate that the Ohlone’s ancestors arrived here at least 13,000 years ago! You can learn more about the tribe here and here
LOCAL EVENTS: - Pajama Storytime with Native American books, Wed 11/5 @ 6.30 p.m. Redwood Shores Library - Annual American Indian Heritage Night Celebration, SF City Hall, 11/7 @ 5 p.m. - Acorn Harvesting for Ohlone @ Quarry Lakes Park, Sat. 11/9 @11 a.m.
GET READING! Children’s Native American picture book list from RWC Library
GET CRAFTY! - Totem Pole Activity - Small paper plate basket weaving with yarn
GET DANCING! Learn some ‘Fancy Dance’ Powwow dancing and some Coastal Wolf Pack dancing from Canadian tribes
SPOTLIGHT: What is the correct term: American Indian, Indian, Native American, Indigenous, or Native? Find out here
Parent Education Opportunities
Mark your calendars for these terrific events coming up in November!
Join us for The Teen Brain: A Conversation with Filmmaker Tiffany Shlain, a short film screening and conversation with Tiffany Shlain, artist, Emmy-nominated filmmaker, and creator of the Webby Awards (November 6).
How does representation shape STEM learning? Christa Jackson, PhD, Professor of Mathematics, Science and STEM Education, St. Louis University, joins us for Fostering Mathematical Brilliance in All Students (November 13)
Visit the Parent Venture Series of Upcoming Events page for more information.
- Parent Venture Series Events
Every Day Counts! The Importance of Regular Attendance
Did you know that student attendance is one of the strongest predictors of academic success? Missing just 10% of the school year—about 15 days—can have a significant impact on your child’s performance. By 6th grade, chronic absenteeism becomes a major warning sign for potential high school dropout. Let’s work together to ensure your child attends school regularly!
Consistent attendance is crucial for developing strong reading and math skills, establishing positive habits, and laying the groundwork for future success in college and careers. Missing school not only disrupts academic progress but also affects social and emotional growth. If your child is sick, please contact our school administrative assistant. If you’re facing challenges getting your child to school, don’t hesitate to reach out to the Principal—we’re here to help.
Additional Resources: Explore these helpful tools from Attendance Works, including a Student Success Plan.
Support Our Schools: Complete the EZ Meal Application Today!
Each year, we ask all families to complete the EZ Meal Application, regardless of income. Even if you think you may not qualify, submitting this form can directly benefit your family, school, and community. By completing the application, you help our school secure vital funding from state and federal sources to enhance your child’s learning environment.
Please visit our Free & Reduced-Price Meals | EZ Meal Application webpage for more information.
Expanded Learning Opportunity Program (ELOP) Assistance Available
SCSD has funding available to support students wishing to participate in our Expanded Learning Program, both before and after school. If you believe your child would benefit from attending one of our before or afterschool programs, grant funding is available to help pay for tuition for qualifying families.
Please reach out to Jesse Torres, Program Supervisor, through email at [email protected] for more information and visit our After School and Extended Learning Programs page.
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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