August 24, 2025
IN THIS ISSUE
- Principal’s Message
- Breakfast/Lunch Menu
- School News: WO Spirit Store, Afterschool enhancement programs
- PTA News: Movie Night
- SCEF News: Support SCEF
- Community News: SCSD Hiring, Parent Education Opportunities
IMPORTANT DATES
Tues, 8/26- Back to School Night
Fri, 8/29: Minimum Day - 12:25 p.m. dismissal
Mon, 9/1: Labor Day - No School
Fri, 9/5: Movie Night
Wed, 9/10: PTA Meeting
Mon, 9/15: Late and Early Bird schedule starts for Kindergarten
Mon, 9/22: School Photos
Principal’s Message
Dear Families,
Thank you all for helping make the first week of school smooth and successful! Our teachers came well-prepared, and it was wonderful to see our students eager and ready to learn. As a principal new to White Oaks, I LOVED watching our students engaged in classroom activities and enjoying themselves on the playground during recess and lunch.
Throughout the week, I observed students playing educational games, creating personalized nameplates, singing number songs, and having exciting conversations about books. They were also busy working on self-portraits and many other wonderful activities. Please take a moment to check in with your child about what they are learning and experiencing at school.
Thank you for being such a vital part of our school's success. Here's to a fantastic year ahead!
September is Attendance Awareness Month. In partnership with the San Mateo County Office of Education and the San Carlos School District, we're emphasizing the critical role that punctual and regular attendance plays in your child's success. Chronic absenteeism, starting as early as Transitional Kindergarten, can significantly impact academic achievement and future graduation rates. The state monitors chronic absenteeism as a performance indicator on the CA School Dashboard and has asked each school to engage its community in an effort to build awareness in regards to attendance.
To support consistent attendance:
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Set and maintain regular bedtimes and morning routines.
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Pack backpacks and select clothes the night before.
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Schedule appointments outside of school hours when possible
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Schedule vacations during district-wide breaks (2025-2026 SCSD Calendar).
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Create a backup plan for getting your child to school in case of an emergency.
Please review how to Build the Habit of Good Attendance Early and Summary of Key Research for more information.
A reminder: absences due to family travel are unexcused. If you need support or have questions, don’t hesitate to reach out. We are here to help.
Thank you for your partnership!
Back to School Night (parents only)
We look forward to seeing you on Tuesday evening, August 26th.
Join me for my Principal’s Welcome from 5:30-6:00 p.m. in the MU and visit your classroom from:
6:00-6:30 p.m. TK, K, and 1st-grade classroom presentations
6:40-7:10 p.m. 2nd & 3rd grade Classrooms presentations
Friday, 8/29, is a minimum day, and dismissal will be at 12:25 p.m. for all students.
Arrival to Campus
To ensure the safety and well-being of our students, please note that our schoolyards open at 8:15 a.m. Please do not drop off your child before this time, as a yard supervisor will not be available until then. This year, our TK students join the school community in the morning to start the day. We are embracing our TK students as being part of all school activities. The teachers and buddy classes are working on ensuring that the TK students have a smooth transition at White Oaks.
Meals
Complimentary Breakfast and Lunch - There is no need to order breakfast and/or lunch this year; however, please discuss with your child whether they would like to eat a lunch from school or a lunch from home. On Wednesdays and minimum days, students will pick up lunch during morning recess.
School Site Council/ELAC Parent/Community Membership - Positions Open
The White Oaks Site Council/English Learner Advisory Committee consists of parents, community members, and staff members, including the principal. Approximately six meetings are scheduled yearly, held on selected Thursdays from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. via Zoom. Participating in SSC/ELAC is a wonderful opportunity to be actively involved in shaping our school's goals, programs, and priorities. It’s a chance to collaborate with other dedicated community members and have a meaningful impact on our students' educational experience. If you want to become a council member, please email Rosina Tong at [email protected].
Upcoming Events:
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Tuesday, 8/26: Back to School Night
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Principal’s Welcome: 5:30-6:00 p.m.
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TK, K, 1: 6:00-6:30 p.m.
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2nd & 3rd:6:40-7:10 p.m.
*Reminder that this Friday, 8/30, is a minimum day with dismissal at 12:25 p.m. for all.
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Monday, 9/01: No School, Labor Day
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Wednesday, 9/10, 5:00 p.m.: PTA meeting
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Monday, 9/15: Late Bird/Early Bird schedule starts for Kindergarten
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Monday, 9/22: School Photos
In community,
Rosina Tong, Principal
Weekly Menu
School News
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.
This message is provided as a quarterly reminder for families.
Subscribing to School/District Calendars
Never miss a school event again! You can subscribe to your school's and the SCSD calendar so that the events will load onto your favorite supported calendar program (iCal/Outlook, Google, or Download ICS).
- Go to our SCSD Events page,
- Check the boxes for the calendars you want to subscribe to (school(s)/district),
- Click on Subscribe on the top right of the page and choose your preferred calendar program
We'll see you back at school on Wednesday, Aug 20!
Join us for Soccer with Stanford Park Youth Sports!
Join the best youth athletics community in the Bay Area this fall with White Oaks Soccer! Our program is the perfect place for kids of all skill levels to learn the fundamentals of soccer, develop teamwork, and build confidence on the field. Afterschool sessions will run for 8 weeks, providing high-quality coaching in a supportive and fun environment. Whether your child is just getting started or looking to sharpen their skills, our program ensures every player gets the chance to learn, grow, and enjoy the game.
Mondays from 2:40-3:40 p.m. starting Sept 8. Cost is $360 for 8 classes. Register HERE
Chess Class at White Oaks Starting in September!
Join Chess Wizards this semester for tons of challenging chess lessons, exciting games, and cool prizes. You'll improve your chess skills, and work out your most powerful muscle - your brain! Our classes are geared to suit children of all skill levels; from chessling to checkmate artist, students will build upon their knowledge through lessons, variation games and more! More than just a game of winning and losing, we make learning chess fun! Class meets weekly on Thursdays from 2:30-3:30 p.m. from Sept 18-Dec 4. Cost is $345. Read more and register at www.chesswizards.com
Piano Class at White Oaks with Hummingbird Music School Starting in September!
Does your child want to learn how to play piano, in a fun group environment? Hummingbird Music School's popular after-school Piano Class is now enrolling for Fall Session! Students will learn the fundamentals of piano, including note-reading, hand position, chord vocabulary, and rhythm, in a relaxed and supportive environment that emphasizes fun. Each child is provided with their own keyboard, headphones, and lesson book. Parents can track their children’s progress online through Hummingbird’s partnership with MySkillChart. Class meets weekly on Thursdays from 2:30-3:20 p.m. Sept 4-Dec 11 in Room 5. Cost is $50 per class and is open to K-3. Read more and register here: https://
White Oaks Spirit Store - NOW OPEN!
Ready to show your school spirit with White Oaks attire? Now that school is in full swing, it’s time to order the latest White Oaks Spirit Wear! There are new pullover hoodies, tees for the kids, and heathered green tees for the entire family. Show your school spirit and order some stylish White Oaks attire. The online store (https://white_oaks_
PTA News
Save The Date - Movie Night 9/5!
Family Movie Night is back! Mark your calendars for Friday, Sept 5 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 as soon as we can at sundown (around 7:30 p.m.) with food trucks available starting around 5:30 p.m.
SCEF News
THANK YOU to our generous donors and WELCOME to all new families.
Your donations last school year to the San Carlos Education Foundation (SCEF) will allow us to grant more than $3.3 million to support every San Carlos public school student in the upcoming 2025-26 school year.
WHY DO WE NEED AN EDUCATION FOUNDATION IN SAN CARLOS? Grab a cup of coffee or tea and watch this 18 minute video explaining California School funding and why your support of the San Carlos Education Foundation and local parcel taxes is so important to maintaining strong San Carlos schools.
Click here to view our video which highlights the many things that your donations make possible during the school year. From supporting additional educators to funding your school PTA, your donations make a difference every day for students. Learn about the many Ways to Give and plan your donation today.
Here’s to a great school year!
Like and follow the SCEF Facebook page for more upcoming details and news: https://www.facebook.com/
Community News
Join our San Carlos Early Learning Team!
We are currently looking for:
- Preschool Aides (12+ ECE units preferred)
- TK Aides
- TKELP After School Program Aides, part-time (All TK schools)
If you or someone you know is passionate about working with young children and creating a nurturing, play-based learning environment, we’d love to hear from you! Apply today or learn more: https://www.edjoin.org/scsdk8#
Universal Meal Program
Did you know that SCSD offers breakfast and lunch at no cost to all TK-8th grade students, regardless of family income? Students have the opportunity to participate in the meal program, but participation is not required.
Meals are ordered by the school site based on student preference and participation. A variety of options will be available for breakfast and lunch for any student who would like a meal. Please visit our School Breakfast & Lunch page for more information.
Parent Education Opportunities
Mark your calendars for these great events coming up in August:
Wondering how to keep your kids safe on an e-bike? Megan Lamb and Stephen McCall of E-Bike Sense share practical tips in their upcoming workshop, E-Bike Safety: What Every Parent Should Know (September 3).
Back to school is a great time to strengthen family connections. Join Eran Magen, PhD, founder, Parenting for Humans, for the fall's first Parent Forum (English), How to Be Your Child's Favorite Conversation Partner (September 5).
Visit the Parent Venture Series of Upcoming Events page for more information.
- Parent Venture Series Events
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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