May 10, 2026
IN THIS ISSUE
- Principal’s Message
- Breakfast/Lunch Menu
- School News: White Oaks Art Show Volunteers Needed
- PTA News: 2026/2027 PTA Board Slate, Founders' Day
- SCEF News: Upcoming SCEF Events for Hometown Days
- Community News: Hometown Days, Parent Education Opportunities
IMPORTANT DATES
Fri, May 15 & Sat, May 16: SCEF Hometown Days
Wed, May 20: Celebration of Learning
Mon, May 25: Memorial Day (no school)
Principal’s Message
Dear White Oaks Families,
Gratitude: Thank you all for a wonderful Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week! We were showered with love in so many ways- delicious meals and treats, flowers, and notes of gratitude! Our faculty is so grateful for your generosity and care.
Community Fun:
The Hometown Days Parade is happening next Saturday, May 16, and we would love for you to join White Oaks Elementary as we come together to celebrate one of San Carlos’ most joyful traditions!
This is a wonderful opportunity to show our school spirit and connect as a community. There is a place for us all, and we hope you will walk with us!
Event Details:
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Meet: 9:30 a.m. at Central Middle School
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Parade Start: 9:45 a.m. (please arrive on time!)
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Route: Cedar St → San Carlos Ave → Laurel St (judges viewing) → Burton Park
What to Wear:
Let’s show our White Oaks pride!
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Wear your White Oaks shirts, hats, or school gear
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Or come dressed in green clothing and green and fun accessories
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Add your own flair—beads, hats, face paint, or anything festive!
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And if you don’t have any of these, just come as you are—we’d love to have you
We’ll have green pom poms to share with participants!
What to Expect:
We’ll march together behind our White Oaks banner, led by our spirited community (and maybe even some owl mascots!), with students, staff, and families bringing smiles, movement, and joyful energy to the parade route.
White Oaks has even been recognized in the past for being one of the most spirited groups—let’s keep that tradition going!
Our Parade Energy:
Listen for our chants and join in:
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“There is a place for us all!”
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“Go White Oaks, go!”
We want every family to feel welcome. If you need any accommodations to participate, please don’t hesitate to reach out—we are happy to support you.
Let’s come together to make this a joyful, spirited, and memorable celebration of our amazing White Oaks community. We can’t wait to see you there!
More info on Hometown Days is available here.
In community,
Rosina Tong
Principal
Weekly Menu
School News
White Oaks Art Show 2026: Volunteers Needed!
Help us celebrate our student artists on May 20! We need your energy to make this gallery shine. Shifts are just 20–30 minutes, perfect for a quick contribution.
Open Roles:
• Gallery Creators: Mount artwork and add labels.
• The Hanging Crew: Set up drapes and display the art.
• Digital Lead: Create the event slideshow.
• Rescue Team: Help with tear-down and organization.
No experience needed! Sign up to help our creative community.
PTA News
Celebrate Arab American Heritage Month!
April is Arab American Heritage Month! It’s a time for us to learn about, and celebrate, Arab culture and the contributions of Arabs and Arab Americans past and present. We are proud to have many families with Arabian heritage in our White Oaks community including families with links to Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine and Tunisia!
Your Culture & Belonging PTA Committee wanted to share some free resources to help you and your families honor Arab American Heritage Month which is in April each year. Get your kids ready to sample some tasty recipes, get creative with art projects, and move to the beats! You can also learn more, and get resources from the Arab American National Museum.
Please also visit our vibrant new board display with your kids opposite the MU to get learning and talking about Arab American culture and contributions!
2026-2027 PTA Board Slate and Volunteers Still Needed
Below is our slate for the 2026-2027 school year.
Great news, we were able to fill the position of President (thank you Erinn Steinberg!)
We do still need an Executive Vice President to help our President! There are also 3 more open positions as listed below.
If you are able to help, please email Aurelia Abcouwer at [email protected] or Mariel Valezzi at [email protected]
SCEF News
MAKE IT HAPPEN IN MAY!
Our kids deserve a well-rounded education. Your donations help make this possible. If you haven’t yet, please make your annual fund gift in May. The SCSD school board and PTA’s are beginning to finalize their budgets for next school year. The sooner they know what our grant will be, the better they can plan. Visit www.scefkids.org/ways-to-give to see the many ways to make your annual fund donation. Please note: It takes 8 to 10 weeks for a workplace giving donation to reach SCEF. Early planning helps make sure your donation is collected this fiscal year. Consider donating appreciated stock or setting up a monthly recurring donation. Learn how here: www.scefkids.org/ways-to-give
SCEF at Hometown Days - Come to Burton Park for Middle School Bands & Derby Day
The SCSD middle school jazz band & orchestra will perform at the Bandshell Stage on Friday, May 15, 2026 beginning at 5:30 p.m. Bring a blanket, some chairs, and a picnic dinner for this annual celebration of San Carlos music students.
NEW THIS YEAR: SCEF/SC Charter Derby Race is coming to Hometown Days on Saturday, May 16, 2026. Come cheer on SC Charter students as they race their self-built cars down Arroyo Hill in this exciting STEM showcase. The race starts right after the Hometown Day Parade, approx. 10:15am.
Community News
San Carlos Hometown Days is Almost Here!
Hometown Days returns May 15 - 17 with three full days of festivities! Featuring live music, games, rides, beer and wine gardens, a derby, and several new additions, there’s something for everyone at Hometown Days! To stay up to date and get involved, please visit cityofsancarlos.org/
Family Cornhole Tournament
San Carlos Hometown Days will be hosting its 1st Annual Family Cornhole Tournament on Saturday, May 16 at Burton Park from 12 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Visit our website here for registration.
Ryan Greco Memorial Art and Coloring Contest
Local youth are invited to showcase their creativity at our Annual Art Contest (Grades 6-8 & 9-12) and Coloring Contest (Grades TK-3 & 4-5). Submissions are accepted beginning April 1 at the Youth Center and will close on May 8. Download the coloring pages and submission forms here.
Pet Palooza
Got a cool pet you want to show off? Sign up for the Hometown Days Pet Palooza and enter your pet in one of three categories: Best in Show, Best Dressed, or Most Unique! The Pet Palooza takes place on Sunday, May 17 at the Madsen Field Stage. Check-in begins at 9:45 a.m. Register here.
Fun Run
Celebrate San Carlos pride at the Hometown Days Fun Run on Sunday, May 17 at 8:30 a.m.! Choose a 5K or 10K and enjoy a fun, non-competitive run for all ages, complete with a commemorative medal. Learn More and Register here.
Mark your calendars for these powerful events coming up this spring!
NEW! How can parents stay close with their children through middle school? We welcome Chris Balme, education leader and school founder, for The Road to Middle School: How to Set Kids Up to Thrive (May 13).
NEW! Are we guiding our kids toward their “true north”? Belle Liang, PhD, Professor of Psychology, Boston College, presents How to Navigate Life: The New Science of Finding Your Way in School, Career, and Beyond (May 14).
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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