January 25, 2026
IN THIS ISSUE
- Principal’s Message
- Breakfast/Lunch Menu
- School News: Author Kate Messna comes to WO
- PTA News: Save the Date for Heritage Day
- SCEF News: Read-A-Thon
- Community News: SEDAC, WO Family Bike Ride, Parent Education Opportunities
IMPORTANT DATES
Sun, Jan 25: White Oaks Neighborhood Family Bike Ride
Thur, 1/15-Thur, 1/29: SCEF Read-A-Thon
Wed, 1/30: SCSD New Student Priority Registration Ends
Mon, Feb 16-Fri, Feb 20: Mid-Winter Break - No School
Wed, March 18: Heritage Day
Principal’s Message
Looking ahead, building habits, expectations. Mid-winter break.
Room 2 created this art piece after reading Change Sings by Amanda Gorman. At Welcome Wednesday, third graders shared what equality means to them and showed signs of inspiration and advocacy.
Dear White Oaks Families,
Routines and clear expectations are an important part of our students’ educational experience at White Oaks. At the beginning of each school year in August, we take time to explicitly teach the White Oaks Way: Be Respectful, Be Responsible, and Be Safe.
Now that we are near mid-way through the school year, it is especially helpful for our school community to revisit these shared expectations. I have included the Expected Behavior for Recess at White Oaks in the image below so that you are aware of our recess expectations and can help reinforce them at home. We’ll be going over these expectations this week with our coach and yard duty staff as well.
Many students tell us that recess is their favorite part of the school day, and we want to ensure it remains a fun, safe, and positive experience for everyone. Thank you for your continued partnership and support in reminding our students to follow the White Oaks Way during recess.
In community,
Rosina Tong
Principal
Weekly Menu
School News
New Student Priority Registration Ends Jan 30
SCSD New Student Priority Registration for the 2026-27 school year ends on Friday, Jan 30! Be sure to register future students during this window to secure their spot.
And if you have an incoming TK or K student, attend your school's Prospective UTK/K Parent Tour on January 28:
8:45 a.m. | Brittan Acres School & White Oaks School
9:00 a.m. | Arundel Elementary School
4:00 p.m. | Heather Elementary School
Everything you need to get registered:
- Visit our 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
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.
To purchase use the following link: https://thereadingbug.
PTA News
Save the Date for Heritage Day!
White Oaks Annual Heritage Day returns Wednesday, March 18. From 8:25 a.m. –12:25 p.m., TK–3rd grade families will transform the MU into a kid-first, culture-packed experience. Curious? Info session 2/25 at 7:30 p.m. More details coming soon! Just save the date!
SCEF News
Read-a-Thon ends Friday, January 29th!
SCEF/PTA Read-a-Thon
Keep Reading! Visit www.scefkids.org/read2026 to see the honor roll of readers and check out the reading and fundraising thermometers!
One of the easiest ways to make a big impact is by sharing your student’s Beanstack donation page with friends and family. A quick email or text can help spread the word and invite loved ones to support reading and your school. Every donation—big or small—helps fund important programs and resources for our students. Thank you for being part of our school community and for supporting a love of reading!
Seeking Auction Donations for Spring Online Auction
The SCEF Gala & Auction is around the corner. Our auction team is beginning to solicit items which SCEF uses to raise essential funds for our schools. This year we are seeking Valkyries, 49ers, Warriors and Giants tickets, vacation homes, fine wines and spirits, shopping and dining experiences, concert tickets, get-aways and gift cards to local businesses.
If you have access to these or other items that you think folks would be interested in, please complete this form or reach out to Susan Matsushima at [email protected]
Community News
SEDAC sponsored- Parent Information Night- Special
Education ProgramsPlease join Meagan Vizier, Director of Student Services, and Ali Iglesias, Special Education Program Specialist, on Thursday, January 29, at 6:00 p.m. in the San Carlos District Office Board Room. Participants will learn more about parent engagement through the Special Education District Advisory Committee (SEDAC) and SCSD's special education programs.
~TODAY, Jan 25!~
2026 Week of the Family Fun Ride
Join us for a ride around San Carlos' White Oaks neighborhood on this family friendly celebration on wheels! We will start the ride with a quick safety check of everyone's bike and gear and then wind our way through the flatter sections of San Carlo's most scenic neighborhood. The ride starts and finishes in downtown San Carlos. All ages welcome, all bikes and legal e-bikes are allowed. Participants get a free blinky tail light
When and Where:
● Ride start: Meet up SUNDAY, January 25, at 11a.m. at 760 Laurel Street (in front of Harrington Park). We will roll at about 11:15 a.m.
● Pace: Easy and family friendly!
● Ride ends ~12:45 p.m. at Paris Baguette downtown (622 Laurel St, San Carlos)
● Route: We will wind our way through the White Oaks neighborhood together as a moving celebration of cycling in the neighborhood! See below for turn-by-turn directions.
● Don't forget your helmets and bike lights—decorative lights are encouraged!
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]
SEDAC sponsored- Parent Information Night- Special Education Program
Please join Meagan Vizier, Director of Student Services, and Ali Iglesias, Special Education Program Specialist, on Thursday, January 29, at 6:00 pm in the San Carlos District Office Board Room. Participants will learn more about parent engagement through the Special Education District Advisory Committee (SEDAC) and SCSD's special education programs.
Parent Education Opportunities
Mark your calendars for these informative events coming up in February!
In our first NDES event in Spanish, Silvia Llorente, bilingual learning specialist from Ravenswood City School District, presents Navegando la neurodiversidad y las diferencias de aprendizaje en la escuela (February 4).
Eran Magen, PhD, founder of Parenting for Humans, offers the first Parent Forum (English) of 2026, How to Give Advice Your Child (Might) Listen To. Don't miss this popular workshop! (February 6).
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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