November 2, 2025
IN THIS ISSUE
- Principal’s Message
- Breakfast/Lunch Menu
- School News: ACE 2026-2027 Registration, Meal Application
- PTA News: Holiday Store Volunteers Needed
- SCEF News: Halloween Candy Buy-Back, Meet your SCEF Reps
- Community News: The Lightning Thief Production, Parent Education Opportunities
IMPORTANT DATES
Mon, 11/3-Wed, 11/5: SCEF Halloween Candy Buy-Back
Mon, 11/3-Thur, 11/6: Día de los Muertos Ofrenda Open in MU
Tues, 11/11: Veterans Day (No School)
Mon, 11/24 - Fri, 11/28: Thanksgiving week (No School)
Principal’s Message
Dear White Oaks Families,
Happy November! I hope you enjoyed a fun Halloween if your family celebrates this holiday!
Thanks to all the teachers, staff, and caregivers for making this holiday a fun and safe time for all. Please help your children leave the Halloween candy at home because the sugar does negatively affect the students’ learning and behavior at school.
Last week at our weekly morning gathering on Welcome Wednesday, our school counselor, Mrs. Garlick, reviewed “expected” and “unexpected” behaviors. Sometimes, when behaviors are unexpected, we (adults and children alike) can have big feelings around them. We went over a couple of scenarios (1. Bumping into others by accident 2. Wanting to be first in line) and considered whether these were “big” problems or “little” problems. We also learned and reviewed that we should “recognize, refuse, and report” unsafe behaviors to trusted adults (teachers, parents, principals, yard duty staff). These behaviors can happen in the classroom, school yard, and any space on campus. Conflicts and problem solving (Kelso’s Choice) are part of the learning that students do at school. You might want to print out the Kelso’s Choice options and use them as a family too! Let’s partner together to help the students build their problem solving skills!
Don’t forget that we have an ofrenda inside the Multi-Use Room (MU), and we invite students and families to bring photos (a copy is best) of loved ones for the ofrenda. The Dia de los Muertos ofrenda at White Oaks will be a wonderful opportunity for our community to learn about and participate in this rich cultural Mexican tradition while honoring those we cherish. I’ll be putting up my dad’s photo and look forward to learning more about your loved ones on the ofrenda.
PS…if I haven’t met you yet, feel free to say “hi” to me in the morning. I’m usually out with the students at 8:15.
In community,
Rosina Tong
Principal
Weekly Menu
School News
ACE IS NOW ENROLLING FOR THE 2026-27 SCHOOL YEAR!
Afterschool Care Enrichment, also known as ACE, offers a flexible, innovative, California State licensed child care program focused on enrichment and youth development to challenge our Lower & Upper Elementary students. ACE offers both morning and Full-time or Part-time afternoon programming and each day includes:
- Healthy afternoon snacks
- Our Homework Lab with staff assisted support
- STEAM activities
- and Active Outdoor Enrichment Programming
To Register, please visit our website at www.acesancarlos.com | Contact ACE: [email protected]
Support Out Schools: Complete the Meal Application Today!
Each year, we ask all families to complete the 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.
This message is provided as a quarterly reminder for families.
PTA News
Join the Holiday Store Planning Committee
Do you knit, build, or craft? Do you enjoy 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 buy hand-crafted items for their loved ones with the help of big kid helpers while parents enjoy coffee and socializing. This year, the event is Saturday, December 13th. If you’d like to be part of making the magic, email Aurelia Abcouwer ([email protected]). Many hands make light work!
SCEF News
15th Annual Halloween Candy Buy-Back!
Were your kids too successful on Halloween? Donate their excess candy to support SCEF. Drop off candy at your school’s front office on Nov 3-5, and it will be donated to Operation Gratitude & sent to our troops. Last year, over 1,200 lbs of candy was collected!!! Thank you to Dr. Mike Chang, Dr. Urmi Amin, and Dr. Nancy Kaher, who will donate $1 per pound of collected candy to SCEF.
Meet Your SCEF School Representatives
Our dedicated school reps at White Oaks help connect SCEF with families and staff at each San Carlos school. They share updates, encourage participation, and make sure every school’s voice is heard. Alex Pavlidakis and Paige Sanks are your SCEF Reps this year. If you need to reach them, email [email protected]
Community News
See Sequoia Drama's Upcoming Production of The Lightning Thief!
Tickets for Sequoia Drama's upcoming production of The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical are now officially on sale. You can purchase tickets HERE.
Our performances run from Friday, November 7 to Saturday, November 15.
Sunday, November 9th's performance is a “pay-what-you-can” show. This performance aims to offer financial accessibility to anyone who might benefit from having more pricing flexibility. This is also a great opportunity to coordinate larger groups to attend together.
Help us spread the word! Share with family, friends, students, and any members of the community you think might be interested.
Join us for PS-3rd grade Family Literacy Night!
Preschool - Third Grade Family Literacy Night
Wednesday, November 5th, 2025 @ 5:30 - 6:30 pm
Tierra Linda Middle School Library
Bring the whole family for some light appetizers and snacks while you learn about how to support literacy at home, gather hands-on resources, and connect with our community.
Community Food Resources for Families
With the recent federal government closure and resulting suspension of SNAP and CalFresh benefits, some members of our community may be experiencing food insecurity. San Carlos School District has compiled a list of local Community Food Resources available to support our families & staff. The list includes information about food pantries, grocery programs, and other ways to access healthy meals — in both English and Spanish.
Flyers were sent home via PeachJar last week and copies are now available in your school’s front office. Please reach out to your Principal if you need additional asssistance.
Thank you for being part of our caring and connected SCSD community!
The City of San Carlos is excited to announce that the Public Draft Downtown Specific Plan is now available! View the Plan online at www.sancarlosdowntownplan.com.
After years of thoughtful collaboration, vibrant community engagement, and careful planning, San Carlos is on the brink of an exciting new chapter! The long-anticipated Downtown Specific Plan - a comprehensive roadmap for the heart of our city - is entering its final stages of completion.
As we approach the final stretch, we invite all San Carlans to stay engaged, share their voices, and help bring this vision to life. Together, we’re creating a downtown that’s not just a place to go - but a place to belong.
Public hearings to consider the Downtown Specific Plan for adoption will take place:
- November 3, 2025, 7:00 p.m. – The Planning and Transportation Commission will consider adopting a resolution recommending the City Council adopt the Downtown Specific Plan
- November 24, 2025, 7:00 p.m. – The City Council will consider adopting the Downtown Specific Plan
To access the agenda packets and Zoom meeting details, please visit www.cityofsancarlos.org/
Comments or questions? Email AdvancePlanning@
Mark your calendars for these great events coming up in November!
How can we support our boys through adolescence? Christopher Pepper and Joanna Schroeder offer Talk to Your Boys: Help Tweens and Teens Grow into Confident, Caring Young Men (November 5).
NEW! The Parents Under Pressure Series presents Tina Payne Bryson, PhD, author of The Whole-Brain Child, in The Way of Play: Using Little Moments of Big Connection to Raise Calm and Confident Kids (November 6).
NEW! How can we keep our kids healthy? We welcome Bonnie Maldonado, MD, Stanford Medicine Children's Health, for The Science of Prevention: Promoting Healthy Practices in Youth and Families (November 12).
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!
FOLLOW
@WHITE OAKS
Follow us on Facebook for up-to-date info on events and issues.