January 4, 2026
IN THIS ISSUE
- Principal’s Message
- Breakfast/Lunch Menu
- School News: SCSD New Student Priority Enrollment, Attendance Matters
- PTA/SCEF News: Registration for Read-A-Thon
- Community News: Parent Education Opportunities
IMPORTANT DATES
Tues, 1/6/26: Students return to school
Wed, 1/7/26-1/30/2026: SCSD New Student Priority Registration
Tues, 1/13/2026: UTK Parent Information Session via Zoom 5:30 p.m.
Thur, 1/15/2026 - Thur, 1/29/2026: SCEF/PTA Read-A-Thon
Principal’s Message
Dear White Oaks Families,
Thank you so much for the warm wishes, delicious cookies, beverages, and treats you shared with our staff in December. Our staff lounge was overflowing with goodies, and even more so with appreciation. We truly felt your kindness and support as we headed into the holiday season.
Happy 2026! We wish you and your families a year filled with happiness, health, and joyful moments.
As a friendly reminder, your child’s regular attendance and punctual arrival are essential to their learning and success. Being at school on time and staying for the entire school day helps students feel confident, connected, and ready for the day’s learning and transitions.
As you plan appointments, activities or trips for the remainder of the school year, we kindly ask that you keep the school calendar in mind whenever possible. Your partnership makes a difference, and we are grateful for your continued support.
If your child will be absent, please email Annie Stevenson at wo-[email protected] or call or call (650) 508-7317. Please be sure to state the reason for the absence.
In community,
Rosina Tong
Principal
Weekly Menu
School News
New Student Priority Registration Opens this Wednesday, January 7
New student priority registration is open January 7-30, 2026 for families with incoming TK and Kindergarten students, as well as any students new to SCSD for the coming fall. Registering during this window helps secure your child’s spot and allows us to plan thoughtfully for the year ahead. Make sure you register during this window to help ensure your child’s spot and allows us to plan for the year ahead.
IMPORTANT: If your child is currently in TK–7th grade, no re-registration is needed. This process applies only to NEW students.
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.
Incoming UTK/K Families (2026–27): Save the Date for Two Important Events!
- NEW! Join us for a UTK Parent Information Session on Zoom, Tuesday, January 13 at 5:30 p.m. to learn all about our UTK programs.
- Attend your school's Prospective UTK/K Parent Tour on January 28. More details will be available on your school’s website.
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
Message from the Lunchmaster
We know breakfast choices matter—for students and parents alike. One common challenge is finding options that students enjoy while meeting parents’ expectations for nutrition.
Starting next week, we’re introducing Honey Bunches of Oats as a lower-sugar cereal choice on our breakfast menu. This is part of our ongoing effort to provide “parent-approved, kid-loved” food choices across breakfast, lunch, and snack programs, while meeting the strict guidelines of the National School Lunch Program.
Thank you for partnering with us to make healthy eating a positive experience for every student.
Every Day Counts! A Reminder About the Importance of Regular Attendance
Strong attendance is one of the most important predictors of student success. Missing even 10% of the school year—about 15 days—can significantly affect learning. By 6th grade, chronic absenteeism becomes a key warning sign for future academic struggles, including the risk of dropping out of high school.
Regular attendance helps students build essential reading and math skills, establish positive routines, and stay connected socially and emotionally. Each day in class strengthens your child’s foundation for future success in school, college, and beyond.
If your child is ill, please contact your school’s administrative assistant. If you’re experiencing challenges that make getting to school difficult, reach out to your site Principal—we are here to support you.
Helpful Resource: Explore these helpful tools from Attendance Works, including a Student Success Plan.
This quarterly reminder is shared to support all families in helping students show up, stay engaged, and thrive.
SCEF/PTA News
Register now for the January SCEF/PTA Read-a-Thon!
This fun, free, district-wide event celebrates reading and raises funds for educators, school programs and your school PTA. Visit the SCEF website at https://www.scefkids.org/
Every minute read and every dollar raised helps fund art, music, libraries, assemblies, and community-building programs through SCEF and your PTA. Fundraising is not required. However, please note that you must register to participate and you must “Join the Fundraiser” for each reader in your family to track minutes and earn rewards. Only minutes read between January 15-29 will count toward reading totals.
For detailed instructions regarding how to create an account, log minutes, and share your personal donation page, visit the SCEF website at www.scefkids.org/events.
Community News
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.
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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