December 7, 2025
IN THIS ISSUE
- Principal’s Message
- Breakfast/Lunch Menu
- School News: SCSD New Student Priority Enrollment, Hummingbird Music Class, Lando Class
- PTA News: Holiday Store - Volunteers Needed
- SCEF News: Early Registration for Read-A-Thon, Honey Bear Trees and Sports Basements Special Promotions
- Community News: San Carlos Little League, Stanford Park Youth Sports, Holiday Lights Bike Ride, Parent Education Opportunities
IMPORTANT DATES
Sat, 12/13/25: White Oaks Holiday Store
Thur, 12/18/25: Minimum Day (12:25 p.m. dismissal)
Fri, 12/19/25 - Mon, 1/5/26: Winter Break
Tues, 1/6/26: Students return to school
Wed, 1/7/26: SCSD New Student Priority Enrollment Opens
Principal’s Message
Dear White Oaks Families,
As we enter the holiday season, I wanted to take this opportunity to thank the San Carlos School Education Foundation (SCEF) for their tremendous partnership and support. Your donation to the Foundation supplements our budget to fund educator positions (library, PE, STEAM, music) and programs not possible with base funding alone.
I met with leaders from our PTA and SCEF to discuss our goals as it relates to the SCEF principal funds, teachers grants, and PTA grants and how best to put them to work at our school. This year we are beautifying our spaces throughout White Oaks. We are updating the library and staff lounge with new furniture to create more welcoming, functional spaces. The new pieces will better support student learning and comfort in the library, while also refreshing the staff lounge to promote well-being and collaboration. These updates replace older, worn items and reflect our commitment to a positive school environment for both students and staff.
Last year we used SCEF funds to purchase supplemental reading materials, as well as classroom and art supplies. We invested in our library and supplemental instructional materials. We also used SCEF funds for class presentations, our artist in residency program, assemblies, and field trips. Next week, we have the Lawrence Hall of Science coming to host their Solids, Liquids, and Gases Science Show, thanks to your SCEF contributions.
I’m proud of the impact that this has on each child’s school experience every day.
We have also enjoyed many PTA sponsored events at our school including Movie Night, the Walk-a-Thon & Family Fun Day, the Book Fair, Art in Action, and our monthly Culture & Belonging Recess Activities. These would not be possible without our PTA volunteers and your SCEF donations.
San Carlos schools are fortunate to have parents engage on many levels, including volunteering on campus and/or contributing financially to supplement our budget. These funds help bridge the gap so that our students receive what they deserve for a well-rounded education.
The support we receive from you via the San Carlos Education Foundation is critical to our focus on the whole-child. SCEF makes it easy to donate at levels that are best suited to your family. Please visit their website, www.scefkids.org, to learn about the many ways you can contribute during the year.
In community,
Rosina Tong
Principal
Weekly Menu
School News
Get Ready for 2026–27 - SCSD New Student Priority Registration Opens January 7!
Planning ahead for next school year? Priority Registration for all new TK–8 students begins January 7 and runs through January 30, 2026. Registering during this window helps ensure your child’s spot and allows us to plan for the year ahead.
Everything you need to get started:
- Visit our How to Register for the 2026–27 School Year page
- Review our 2026–27 Enrollment Guide (English) or Guía de Inscripción 2025–26 (Spanish)
- Check out our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Email [email protected] anytime for support
Reminder: If your child is currently in TK–7th grade, no re-registration is needed.
Parents of 4-Year-Olds: Big News for Universal Transitional Kindergarten
- UTK continues to grow! Children born between September 2, 2021 and September 1, 2022 are eligible to begin UTK in August 2026. Be sure to register during Priority Registration so we can plan classrooms and staffing to best support our youngest learners.
- Need extended care for your TKer after school? Check out our Transitional Kindergarten Extended Learning Program (TKELP). TKELP offers an age-appropriate after-school program for our youngest learners, from the end of the school day until 5:30 p.m. Check out our website for more details.
Incoming UTK/K Families (2026–27): Save the Date for Two Important Events!
- NEW! Join us for a UTK Parent Information Session on Zoom, January 14 at 5:30 p.m. to learn all about our UTK programs. Link will be provided on our website soon.
- Attend your school's Prospective UTK/K Parent Meeting on January 28. More details will be available on your school’s website in January—stay tuned!
Piano Class at White Oaks with Hummingbird Music School - Winter Session!
Does your child want to learn piano in a fun and engaging group setting? Hummingbird Music School’s popular after-school Piano Class is now enrolling for the Winter Session! Students will explore the fundamentals of piano — including note reading, hand position, chords, and rhythm — in a relaxed and supportive environment that emphasizes fun and creativity. Each student receives their own keyboard, headphones, and lesson book, ensuring hands-on learning every week. Parents can easily track their child’s progress online through Hummingbird’s partnership with MySkillChart.
When: Thursdays, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
Session Dates: January 8 – April 2
Grades: K – 3
Cost: $50 per class
Location: Conference Room
For more information or to register, visit https://
Chess Class at White Oaks - Winter Session!
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 Tuesdays from 2:30-3:30 p.m. from Jan 27-Mar 31. Cost is $306.
Read more and register at www.chesswizards.com
PTA News
Holiday Store 12/13 - Volunteers Needed
The Annual Holiday Store is this Saturday, December 13th, from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m., and we need your help!
The Holiday Store is a beloved tradition where our students, with the help of a big kid helper, can shop for gifts for their loved ones. These gifts are mostly handcrafted and range from $1-$5. While kids browse the MU, parents are invited to enjoy a coffee and socialize.
We need cashiers, gift wrappers, label makers, restockers, and line supervisors. If you can, please sign up for a shift: https://evite.me/Bc4yUsdbBC
Questions? Email Aurelia Abcouwer ([email protected]).
SCEF News
Giving Tuesday was a success! Thank you to everyone who donated to SCEF on Giving Tuesday. We are most appreciative of your support for San Carlos students. Donations to SCEF are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. If you haven’t donated this school year, consider giving before December 31, 2025 as there might be tax advantages to giving early this year. Donate today at www.scefkids.org
2026 Early Registration for the Read-A-Thon begins Wednesday. Visit the SCEF event page to register between December 10th and December 18th for a chance to win prizes! The 6th Annual PTA & SCEF Read-A-Thon is back January 15–29, 2026! This fun, free, district-wide event celebrates reading and directly involves students in supporting their schools. All readers are encouraged to participate, and those who register by December 18th will be entered into a special drawing for a new scooter and helmet, gift cards to local businesses, Principal for the Day, and even a special parent prize from Paris Baguette.
Every minute read and every dollar raised helps fund art, music, libraries, assemblies, and community-building programs through SCEF and your PTA. Let’s aim for 100% participation and beat last year’s nearly $200,000 total!
Check out our event page for special promotions from Honey Bear Trees and Sports Basement for opportunities to shop while supporting your school.
Community News
San Carlos Little League (SCLL) has opened registration for next Spring!
SCLL was established in 1953 and provides a positive youth baseball experience to children ages 4 - 16 of all abilities in the San Carlos community. We focus on developing the qualities of leadership, citizenship, discipline, character & teamwork. The 2026 Little League season kicks off the weekend of Saturday, March 7th and runs approximately through the school year. We offer several divisions of play based on Little League Baseball Age Charts and evaluations in the upper divisions (AA up). Learn more and sign-up at www.sancarlosll.com.
Join the fun with Stanford Park Sports Soccer and *NEW* Basketball Program at White Oaks!
Soccer Program on Mondays Starting Jan 12!
Our program focuses on teamwork, skill development, and having fun through creative drills and exciting scrimmages. Whether your child is new to soccer or already loves the game, this is the perfect way to stay active after school in a positive, supportive environment. Class meets weekly on Mondays from 2:40pm-3:40 p.m. Jan 12-Mar 16 for $360. Learn more and register here.
Basketball Program on Thursdays Starting Jan 8!
Kids will build confidence while learning dribbling, shooting, passing, and teamwork through fast-paced, engaging games. This program is designed for all skill levels and emphasizes fun, fundamentals, and sportsmanship. Class meets weekly on Thursdays from 2:40pm-3:40 p.m. Jan 8-Mar 5 for $360. Learn more and register here.
Shop the TL Entrepreneur Fair!
SAVE THE DATE for Friday, Dec. 12, from 5–7 p.m. for our first-ever Tierra Linda Middle School Entrepreneur Fair!
Our middle school entrepreneurs have been hard at work: refining business plans, researching startup costs, setting pricing strategies, and crafting their marketing pitches. We’re so proud of their creativity and drive, and we’d love to rally strong support from our SCSD community. Come cheer them on as they launch their business ventures. Bring friends and family…and get ready to shop!
City of San Carlos Adopt A Drain Program
The rainy season is here, and keeping our storm drains free of leaves and litter is essential to preventing flooding and protecting our neighborhoods!
Adopting a drain is simple:
1. Visit: www.cityofsancarlos.org/
2. Choose a drain and sign up to adopt it
3. Check on the drain regularly and clean when needed — ideally twice a month or after heavy rain.
By adopting a drain near your home, school, or favorite local business, you and your neighbors can make a real difference in your community.
2025 Holiday Lights Bike Ride
Friday, December 12 at 4 p.m.
See twinkling lights and holiday decorations on the famous Eucalyptus Ave by bike! Holiday social in downtown San Carlos afterwards!
Join us for a ride to San Carlos’ famous Eucalyptus Street holiday lights and then a spin through some well-decorated neighborhoods. We’ll start at Burton Park and wind our way downtown to Paris Baguette. All ages welcome. Get a free blinky tail light!
Ride start: Meet up at 4:00 p.m. at Burton Park bocce courts, 900 Chestnut St, San Carlos. Start rolling at 4:15 p.m.
Pace: Easy and family friendly!
Ride ends ~5:15 p.m. at Paris Baguette downtown (622 Laurel St, San Carlos)
Route: We'll wind our way to Eucalyptus Street, and then walk our bikes down Eucalyptus (crowds permitting, we might be able to roll a little), and then visit a few more holiday decorations before returning to Paris Baguette in the San Carlos Laurel Street pedestrian zone, where people can get a hot chocolate or other refreshment.
Don’t forget your helmets and bike lights—decorative lights are encouraged!
We're excited to announce these terrific events coming up in January!
Save the Date l Growing Into Ourselves
The RILEY Project is proud to invite you to an in-person storytelling event at Manny’s in San Francisco on Sunday, January 18th from 3:00–4:30 p.m. This event, Growing Into Ourselves: Stories of Neurodivergent Strength, will feature short stories and poems from youth who have learned to embrace their neurodivergence.
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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