January 11, 2026
IN THIS ISSUE
- Principal’s Message
- Breakfast/Lunch Menu
- School News: Author Kate Messna comes to WO
- PTA News: PTA Meeting
- SCEF News: Registration for Read-A-Thon
- Community News: High School Musical Jr., ROPES Panelists Needed, Parent Education Opportunities
IMPORTANT DATES
Tues, 1/13: UTK Parent Information Session via Zoom 5:30 p.m.
Wed, 1/14: PTA Meeting
Thur, 1/15 - Thur, 1/29: SCEF/PTA Read-A-Thon
Fri, 1/23-Sun, 1/25: SCSD Student Production of High School Musical Jr.
Wed, 1/30: SCSD New Student Priority Registration Ends
Principal’s Message
Dear White Oaks Families,
We’re excited to announce that the San Carlos Education Foundation (SCEF) is sponsoring a Read-A-Thon from January 15th to January 29! This event is a great opportunity to promote a love of reading while raising funds for our school!
Students will have an opportunity to raise money by counting the minutes they read or having books read to them. All minutes will be recorded and if reach we reach our school wide goal of 130,000 minutes total, the children will have a Forts and Flashlights session in the library with Mrs. Gallagher, our school librarian. The Read-A-Thon starts Thursday, January 15th. Registration can be done through the SCEF website.
Participation is free!
Students can track their reading minutes either by reading independently or being read to. Our goal is to achieve 100% participation.
How to Participate:
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Pre-register here.
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Parents can also track the minutes read to their children.
Let’s come together to celebrate reading and make this Read-A-Thon a success!
You’re Invited!!!
We just received our new furniture in the library and I welcome you to visit our library. Join us on Wednesday, 1/14/26 from 8:35-8:50 a.m. after Welcome Wednesday to check out the new furniture and hear from Mrs. Gallagher about White Oaks’ library program
Hearing and Vision Screening- students in kindergarten and second grade students will be participating in a hearing and vision screening on January 21 and February 10. Students should be wearing their glasses or contacts for the screening.
It’s been a great first week of 2026! We are happy to be back!
In community,
Rosina Tong
Principal
Weekly Menu
School News
Author Kate Messner comes to White Oaks!
Author Kate Messner is coming to present to our 2nd and 3rd grade classes on February 5. She will be discussing her brand new graphic novel, Camp Monster. Copies are available to ALL students for purchase and personalization through The Reading Bug bookstore. Please see the flyer for purchase information.The deadline to purchase with personalization is January 30.
PTA News
Join us for our January PTA Meeting
Join us for a PTA meeting on Wednesday, January 14th at 6 p.m. in the White Oaks MU. We will be discussing the upcoming Read-a-thon, spring events, and forming our nominating committee to elect new officers. We hope to see you there.
SCEF News
The SCEF/PTA Read-a-Thon begins on Thursday, January 15th!
Register and join the fundraiser to track minutes. Visit the SCEF website at https://www.scefkids.org/
Every minute read and every dollar raised helps fund libraries, art, music, assemblies, and community-building programs through SCEF and your PTA. While fundraising is not required, 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.
Thank you to everyone who donated in December. We are grateful for your generous support of our San Carlos public school!
Community News
SCSD Students Take the Stage in High School Musical JR.
Bop to the top as San Carlos School District students bring HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL JR. to the stage January 23–25. Based on the smash-hit Disney Channel movie, this high-energy, feel-good musical is produced by San Carlos Children’s Theater and stars an all-SCSD cast of talented 6th–8th graders, plus a spirited 4th–5th grade pre-show chorus that kicks things off in style.
This 60-minute crowd-pleaser is packed with big dance numbers, iconic songs like “We’re All in This Together,” and all the friendship, drama, and laughs East High fans know and love. Whether you’re reliving your own High School Musical obsession or discovering it for the first time with your kids, this show is pure fun from start to finish.
Come show off your school spirit and cheer on our SCSD stars January 23-25 in Mustang Hall on the Central Middle School Campus. Only four performances and tickets are selling fast! Reserve your seats online at SanCarlosChildrensTheater.com.
SHOWTIMES:
January 23 7:00 p.m.
January 24 1:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.
January 25 1:00 p.m.
ROPES Volunteers Needed — Help Inspire Our Students!
The Rite Of Passage ExperienceS (ROPES) program is a beloved SCSD enrichment opportunity where 4th, 6th, and 8th graders take on a self-directed project that showcases key 21st-century skills—initiative, inquiry, creativity, communication, cooperation, and leadership. At the end of their journey, students present to a panel of caring community members (that’s you!). Successful presenters earn their ROPES rope, proudly worn at 8th-grade graduation.
This is where we need your help!
Our community panelists are at the heart of the program, offering support, encouragement, and thoughtful feedback. We’re seeking parents, staff, and community members to join us as judges to evaluate student projects.
Volunteer Opportunities
Choose one or more sessions that work for you:
- Tuesday, March 3 — 4:00–6:30 p.m. (In person at Central Middle School)
- Wednesday, March 4 — 3:30–6:00 p.m. (In person at Central Middle School)
- Thursday, March 5 — 5:00-7:30 p.m. (In person at Central Middle School)
Become a ROPES panelist today! SIGN UP
Panelist Training
Not sure how students will be evaluated? Not to worry, all new and returning panelists are invited to a short training session to go over expectations:
Monday, February 9th | 7:00–7:45 p.m. (on Zoom)
A recording will be available on our website if you cannot attend live.
Questions? Email [email protected]
We're excited to announce these terrific events coming up in January!
How can you motivate your kids? The Parents Under Pressure Series hosts developmental psychologist David Yeager, PhD, leading mindset researcher and author of 10 to 25: The Science of Motivating Young People (January 14).
The Neurodiversity Education Series (NDES) welcomes nonprofit leaders Bryan Neider, Kathleen Foley-Hughes, and Olenka Villarreal for Creating Inclusive Environments for Neurodivergent Communities (January 22).
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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