September 13, 2026
IN THIS ISSUE
- Principal’s Message
- Breakfast/Lunch Menu
- School News: AIA, Day of Service, Family Movie Night, Walk-a-thon t-shirt design contest, Preschool space available
- SCEF News: Fall SCEF Events
- PTA News: Walk-a-thon sponsorship opportunities available
- Community News: Bonds vs. Parcel Taxes, Parent Education Opportunities
IMPORTANT DATES
Sat, Sept 19: Day of Service 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Mon, Sept 28 - Mon, Oct 5: SCEF Fall Online Auction
Fri, Oct 2: Family Movie Night
Sun, Oct 4: SCEF Evening at TOWN
Sun, Oct 18: Walk-a-thon
Principal’s Message
Dear White Oaks Families,
New HVAC System
It was a scorcher of a week, and we were especially grateful to have our new HVAC system in place! Even with the high temperatures outside, our teachers and students were able to teach and learn in comfortable classroom environments.
We’re so thankful for this important investment in our school. A comfortable learning environment makes a big difference, especially on those extra-hot days, and we’re excited that our students and staff can enjoy cooler, more comfortable classrooms this year!
Our Counseling Team
We are fortunate to have a wonderful team of counselors who support the social-emotional well-being of our children throughout the school year:
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Mrs. Vivian Garlick – School Counselor
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Ms. Helen Lee – Mental Health Counselor Intern
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Ms. Mia Levitan – Mental Health Counselor Intern
Our counseling team has been getting to know students in their classrooms, as well as during recess and lunch. Mrs. Garlick is also beginning to teach classroom lessons focused on important social-emotional skills and concepts.
Students are learning about:
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Growth Mindset: I can do hard things! When we face challenges, we can keep trying and remind ourselves, “I can’t do this yet.”
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Understanding Our Brains and Emotions: While reading Hey, Warrior, students learned about the amygdala and how we can learn to manage our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.
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The White Oaks Way / The Three Be’s: Students are reviewing and practicing our schoolwide expectations to Be Respectful, Be Responsible, and Be Safe.
Throughout the year, our counseling team will work closely with teachers and students on a variety of topics and skills. Their work is an important part of how we support the whole child- helping our students feel safe, connected, and confident.
PTA Membership
I’m so proud of our White Oaks community for supporting our PTA! For just $11 a year, your membership makes a meaningful difference for our students and teachers.
Our PTA:
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Supports our students and teachers
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Funds classroom needs and programs
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Enhances school events and activities
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Advocates for our children and school community
And guess what? We’ve already surpassed last year’s membership numbers! We now have 164 members—82% of our 200-member goal!
We’re just 36 members away from reaching our goal. We can do this! 
Scan the QR code to become a member. Every membership makes a difference for our children and our school community!
School Site Council Ballot - vote here Please use this ballot to vote for a parent representative to serve on the White Oaks School Site Council. We have one open parent position for the 2026–27 school year. The School Site Council reviews student and school data, discusses school priorities and goals, and provides input on plans that support the continued growth, success, and well-being of all students. Voting will close on Wednesday, September 16 at 4:00 p.m.
Hearing and Vision Screening - Students in UTK, K, and 2 will be having their hearing and vision screened on Sept 15, 17 and 18 by Nurse Page.
In community,
Rosina Tong
Principal
School Menus
School News
Join us for Day of Service - 9/19
Let's bring our wonderful community together and help refresh White Oaks for the new school year! Meet us on campus at 9 a.m. on Saturday, September 19 to participate in campus beautification projects. The whole family is welcome to come and help! Please consider contributing donations of supplies. Sign up here: https://forms.gle/
Family Movie Night - Fri, Oct 2
Family Movie Night is back! Mark your calendars for Friday, Oct 2 for our family movie night hosted at the White Oaks playground. We'll have food trucks available to make for an easy, fun night for the whole family. Movie will begin at sundown (around 7 p.m.) with food trucks available earlier.
Book Fair Is Open Online — Plus, We Need Volunteers for the In-Person Event!
Book Fair Is Open Online!
This year's Online Book Fair is now open, running September 7 through October 9. Proceeds support our school's library!
Shop the Online Fair Now
Shop an expanded catalog, even if you can't visit in person. Gift cards are also available for easy in-person checkout or teacher gifts!
Volunteers Needed!
We need parent volunteers to help run our in-person Book Fair! As a thank-you, volunteers get a 20% discount on books purchased at the register during the In-Person Fair. Interested? Email us at [email protected].
Versión en Español
¡La Feria del Libro Ya Está Abierta en Línea!
¡Nos complace anunciar que la Feria del Libro en Línea de este año ya está abierta, del 7 de septiembre al 9 de octubre! Las ganancias apoyan a la biblioteca de nuestra escuela. Compre en la Feria en Línea Ahora
Comprar en línea permite que toda la comunidad participe con un catálogo ampliado de libros, incluyendo a las familias que no pueden visitar en persona. También puede comprar tarjetas de regalo, que facilitan el pago en persona o son un excelente regalo para los maestros.
¡Necesitamos Voluntarios!
¡Necesitamos padres voluntarios para ayudar a organizar nuestra Feria del Libro presencial! Como agradecimiento, los voluntarios recibirán un 20% de descuento en libros comprados en la caja durante la Feria Presencial.
¿Le interesa? Escríbanos a [email protected].
Calling All Artists for the White Oaks Walk-a-Thon Design Contest - Due Sept. 21
The annual Walk-a-Thon T-shirt design contest is under way and open to all students. Create a simple, one-color line drawing that represents White Oaks and our Walk-a-Thon tradition, and the winning artwork will be featured on this year's T-shirts! To enter, draw your design using a BLACK Sharpie on WHITE paper, then submit your design to the office or via email to [email protected] by Sept. 21!
Preschool Spaces Available for 2- & 3-Year-Olds!
Looking for a nurturing, engaging preschool program for your 2- or 3-year-old? San Carlos School District’s Early Learning Preschool Program has spaces available now!
Our play-based early learning programs help young children build confidence, friendships, independence, and the foundational skills they need for a successful transition to school.
We offer preschool programs at all four SCSD elementary campuses — Arundel, Brittan Acres, Heather, and White Oaks — with several program options to fit the needs of our families. Attending preschool on an elementary campus is also a wonderful way for children and families to become part of their future school community and start building friendships early.
FREE Preschool May Be Available!
State-funded preschool spaces are currently available at Arundel Elementary School for eligible families. For example, a family of four earning up to $127,338 annually may qualify for FREE preschool — and our team can help you determine your eligibility.
Spaces are limited — learn more and enroll today!
PTA News
PTA Business Sponsorship Opportunity
With the upcoming Walk-a-thon, family members who own small businesses have the opportunity to register to be a PTA small business sponsor for the 2026-2027 school year. Limited spots remain and are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
A $1000 business sponsorship includes the following benefits:
--logo on banners that are prominently displayed on campus --logo on the back of Walk-a-thon T-shirts (there are many opportunities for students to wear their T-shirts throughout the school year) --opportunity to set-up a table at the Walk-a-thon to meet and network with families --logo publicized in the school-wide weekly newsletter --marketing opportunities throughout the school year
If you are interested in being a business sponsor, please email whiteoaksfundraisingvp@gmail.
SCEF News
An Evening at TOWN - Sunday, Oct 4, 2026
Tickets for our annual An Evening at TOWN have sold out. Thanks to everyone who purchased tickets.
Will you be the Lucky Winner? The SCEF Fall Raffle is Here!
Open to everyone –Order raffle tickets and support your student! You could win a Dinner for 20 in the Boardroom at Town, a Bianchini’s Shopping Spree, or a 5-Night All-Inclusive Getaway for Two to Mexico or the Dominican Republic. The second place winner receives a $500 gift card to TOWN Restaurant and the third place winner receives the Alpine Inn. Drawing will be held at 8:00pm at the TOWN Dinner on 10/4/2026. Winners need not be present to win. While raffle tickets are not tax-deductible they do “count” toward your total giving to SCEF.
Remember to mark your calendar for the SCEF Fall Online Auction beginning September 28th and running until the evening of October 5th. Everyone can bid!
Donate to the Fall Auction!
Got a vacation home, sports or concert tickets, a fun experience, or a great bottle of wine to share? The SCEF Fall Auction is looking for donations from generous families like yours! We accept just about anything, from getaways and experiences to spirits and unique finds, and every item helps us raise crucial funds for San Carlos students.
Donate an item here — it only takes a few minutes to fill out the form, and we'll take care of the rest.Thank you for helping make this year's event a success!
Community News
Understanding Local Funding for San Carlos Schools
For many years, locally approved parcel tax funding has helped support teachers and educational programs across San Carlos schools. Our current parcel tax is set to expire in 2028, and San Carlos voters will consider a renewal measure this November.
As families hear more about the upcoming parcel tax, we want to make sure our community understands what parcel tax funding supports, how it differs from bond funding, and why both matter to our schools.
BONDS = BUILDINGS
Bond funding supports long-term facility improvements, such as classrooms, roofs, windows and HVAC systems.
PARCEL TAXES = PEOPLE + PROGRAMS
Parcel tax funding supports ongoing educational programs and services, including teachers and academic programs that directly support students.
Learn more about local school funding and the upcoming parcel tax:
https://tinyurl.com/
City of San Carlos Park & Rec Dept Fall Programs
San Carlos in 2050 Art Competition (Grades TK-3, 4-8, & 9-12)
What would a sustainable San Carlos look like in 2050? Submit original artwork for a chance to be included in the updated San Carlos Climate Mitigation and Adaptation Plan! The top entry in each division will receive recognition from the City and a goodie bag. Submissions with submission form are due by November 20 by 6:00 p.m. to the Youth Center (1001 Chestnut Street). For questions and additional information, call 650-802-4350 or email sustainability@
Parent Education Opportunities
Join us as we kick off 2026-27 with exciting new events!
What should parents know? Join us for an important presentation by Jeremy Latta, MSW, San Mateo Country Children & Family Services, Your Role in Disrupting Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (September 17).
September is National Suicide Prevention Month. Please join us for two informative events in English and Spanish:
What should you do if your child talks about suicide? In this month's Foro de padres (español), Esmeralda Alcala, ASW, marriage and family therapist, presents Qué hacer si su hijo(a) habla del suicidio (September 15).
Awareness can make a difference. We welcome Taylor Mannion-Coutts, ASW, Suicide Prevention Center Director at Felton Institute, for Suicide Prevention: What to Notice, What to Say, How to Help (September 30).
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.