Principal's Message
Dear Arroyo Families,
It’s always so much fun to see our students dressed up for picture day. As you saw in Dr. Frentress’s email on Friday, we will resume optional masking outdoors. As we did at the beginning of the year, we will continue to encourage students to wear their masks, especially when they are playing in close proximity to others.
Last week I told you about the ways we use Sown to Grow for goal setting. We also use Sown to Grow as a Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) program. Sown to Grow provides weekly lessons that align with CASEL’s 5 core competencies of SEL - self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. Each week, teachers deliver lessons and facilitate class conversations that are designed to help students develop strategies and skills in each of these areas. Students then complete a self-reflection online to share how they are feeling social-emotionally and how they have used (or not used) some of these strategies in their lives. Not only does this allow students the opportunity to reflect and see their progress, but it gives teachers a chance to check in on how students are feeling. Our school counselor, Julie Jobak, and I also get a school-wide glimpse of how our students are feeling and what is on their minds.
Over the past few weeks, we’ve been focused on self-reflection, identifying emotions and connecting feelings to actions, and this week we’ll talk about receiving feedback. As I look through our students’ self-reflections, one of the things I’m noticing is that a lot of our students are feeling really good. They have things they are looking forward to, they are enjoying time with family and friends, they have hobbies they enjoy doing, and they like being at school. I’m also seeing that some of our students are feeling stressed. Some of that stress is healthy - they want to do well in school, they want to excel in their sports and other hobbies. Some of the stress is due to getting back in the “normal” routines of life after being locked down for so long. Some of our students are feeling overwhelmed by their schedules - even if they are doing things they really enjoy doing.
I encourage you to take a little time to ask your child how they are feeling, and really listen to their responses. Listen with empathy, not with a goal of “fixing” anything that isn’t working for them, but with a goal of understanding and supporting them, and allowing them to feel heard and take ownership of how they want to move forward. One of the best ways of reducing that stress is helping kids feel both confident and competent, both of which come when they feel heard and valued. This post from Challenge Success has some great tips for parents around raising well-balanced kids.
Arroyo is in need of some additional volunteers. We could use a bit more help during arrival and dismissal time or lunch. Reach out to me if you’re able to help or want more information. We’re also looking for parents to help coordinate Halloween festivities, garden activities and upkeep, and other school events. Contact me or see our PTA section below if you’re interested in getting involved at Arroyo. We’d love to have you!
Announcements & Reminders:
- Student-led goal setting conferences will take place the week of October 4-9. We will have early dismissal at 12:50pm everyday that week.
- Our Book Fair will also be taking place the week of October 4-9. Please stop by the library if you’re on campus for a conference for a bit of book shopping. See below for more information.
- Ms. Jobak, School Counselor at Arroyo and Central will be hosting a zoom for parents and guardians. Please join her on Monday, September 27 from 2-2:30pm to ask questions and hear about the school counseling program at both schools. Please use this link to join the conversation.
- Please continue to reinforce safe travel between home and school. We continue to have students crossing the street in unsafe spots (sometimes even prompted by parents). When driving students to school, remember to take it a little extra slow and be patient and aware of your surroundings at all times.
- We appreciate you continuing to follow our COVID protocols and keeping your child home with any signs of symptoms or after travel or exposure to COVID. If your child needs to be out of school for any reason, please contact Tracey Olazar in our front office ([email protected] or 632-8300). Tracey can help you determine any steps that need to be taken before your child’s return to school.
- There is no school on Monday, October 11 for a local holiday.
Warmly,
Mindy Shelton
Principal
[email protected]
PTA News
Halloween is right around the corner!
We are looking for a few parents to plan a spook-tacular celebration for our Arroyo Students on Friday, October 29th! Please email Alana Corso if you’d like to help!
Let’s Make a Great 2021-22 Arroyo School Yearbook!
Despite all the pandemic challenges, last year’s Arroyo yearbook came together nicely due to great community participation from our yearbook committee, classroom yearbook reps, teachers, administrators, parents & students - all who submitted photos. We’re ramping up for the new Arroyo 2021-22 yearbook and are recruiting parent volunteers:
- We’ll be using Treering again, which requires no prior experience!
- Volunteering is easy and can be conveniently done from home.
- We need 2 types of volunteers:
- Classroom Yearbook Representative (1 per class) to help us collect photos for their class’s montage page. Go to the PTA Volunteer Opportunities page on the Arroyo website and click on your class’s signup site to volunteer.
- Yearbook Committee where we split up tasks like working with Treering, communicating to parents and students, developing the plan for gathering photos, organizing online photo folders, yearbook layout & design, portrait pages, class volunteer coordinator. Please email our PTA president Alana Corso to join the committee.
Our kids are only at Arroyo for a short time. Let’s help them and the school build a nice set of memories with a great yearbook!
Calling All Readers! The Book Fair is Coming!
The Central/Arroyo Book Fair is October 4-8, and we need your help to make it a success! Please visit the sign-up page: Book Fair Volunteering and sign up for a shift (or more!). Parents must fill out a volunteer form with the district in order to be able to volunteer. Please consider signing up soon and filling out this quick form to ensure that you are able to volunteer.
Students will be visiting the Book Fair throughout the week with their classrooms. The Book Fair will also be open after school from 1:15-3pm. Please tell your student to swing by. Parents are also welcome to check it out before or after their parent-teacher Conference.
Thank you in advance for your support! Funds raised from the Book Fair support the Central Arroyo PTA and the Library. If you have any questions please contact Jenny Goines, Lena Grodin or Andrea Mardesich.
PTA Open Positions
The PTA is looking to fill a few more volunteer roles for this year. There are a number of positions we are hoping to fill immediately as well as many more opportunities throughout the year. We can't do it without you! Sign up here to volunteer.
Here are some open positions needed ASAP:
Art In Action Volunteers Needed! Parent volunteers lead lively discussions about artwork done by great artists and civilizations to enhance student's appreciation of art and its history. Students learn art concepts and techniques used in a masterpiece to create their own original art. In the spring, students have the opportunity to showcase a selected artwork in the Open House Art Show. Additional parent volunteers assist with scheduling, set up, clean up, and supporting students with the creative process. We are happy to be able to teach Art in Action lessons in person this year! Learn more and sign up to volunteer on the Art in Action at Arroyo page.
Stampede & Soar Volunteers: Our Stampede & Soar team needs your help! We are looking for volunteers to help plan our Fall Stampede & Soar community event. This is our only business sponsor opportunity of the year and a fun-filled community event! It's a great chance to get involved. Volunteer here!
Each Green Corner Volunteer - Site Lead or Coordinator:
- ECGSite Leader - As an EGC Living Campus Site Leader, you will be in charge of attending, leading, and supervising monthly Living Campus workdays at one of our school garden sites. You will also be responsible for planning workday tasks in collaboration with EGC’s Volunteer Manager and other lead volunteers. This position requires an estimated monthly time commitment of 8-10 hours.
- ECG Coordinator - As an EGC Coordinator you will be supporting the Site Leader.
- For more information please email [email protected].
Fall Fundraiser: How YOU Can Support Our Students
We’re sending a big THANK YOU to the families who have donated to the PTA this fall. Because of you, we are more than one-third of the way to our fundraising goal. Please consider joining this effort to enhance student success and improve the school. We invite each family to support this mission by:
- Becoming a PTA Partner: $250, includes PTA membership
What do these funds support? All donations go toward school assemblies, Art in Action, teacher grants, Healthy Cities Tutoring, staff appreciation, 8th grade promotion, and more! Thank you for your support of Central and Arroyo’s students and teachers.
Are You Ready to Show Your Arroyo School Spirit?
Buy some fun Spirit Wear! Check out our online store and place your orders soon!
SCEF News
San Carlos Education Foundation (SCEF)
SCEF is an organization that relies on volunteers! We are currently in need of volunteers on our finance and marketing teams. Interested in sharing your expertise or passion while supporting our public schools and volunteering with other parents? Please fill out this Google Form.
So many ways to give! Your support of our schools is appreciated and necessary, and there are many ways for you to give (https://scefkids.org/donate/).
District News
COVID Reminders - Stay Home When Sick and Get Tested
Staying home when sick and getting tested for COVID-19 are two of the most effective ways to keep our community safe. Click here for more information.
If you have any of the symptoms listed above, call your school office to report an illness, stay home, and take a COVID test. If you need to report a COVID case, please call our District Nurse - Page Pollack at 650-632-8300 (Arroyo Office) or Human Resources at 650-590-5922 if the nurse is unavailable.
For additional information, visit our COVID-19 Resources page and review the SCSD Health & Safety Plan.
Schedule Your Appointment at the Curative COVID-19 Testing Van
Please take advantage of the no-cost COVID-19 testing provided by the San Mateo County Health Department.
Click on the link to sign up at one of the following locations to begin your regular weekly testing:
- Central Middle School (parking lot, under solar structure)
Tuesdays/Wednesdays 9am-3pm
Thursdays 1-7pm
Fridays 11am-5pm (effective August 17, 2021)
- Other Community Based Testing sites in San Mateo County Here
Community Partner News
San Carlos Children's Theater
Step into the spotlight this school year! It’s time to sign up to join the middle school musical ANNIE JR.
All 4th and 5th graders who register will be part of the singing ensemble that performs at the beginning of the show. No singing experience is needed. Rehearsals begin in just a few weeks. Performances will be in mid-January.
Read all the details and register online at San Carlos Children’s Theater.
Community Foundation of San Carlos
The Community Foundation of San Carlos is proud to celebrate Latinx Heritage Month!
To us, Latinx Heritage Month is about honoring the different and diverse cultures and heritages, celebrating in the joy, the strength, and contributions of our Latinx community as well as continuing to learn more about its rich cultures and history.
We have a list of resources to share and are honored to uplift and amplify the voices of our community members. Happy Latinx Heritage Month!
San Mateo County Reads
San Mateo County Reads fosters community building, enthusiasm for reading, and deep discussions by inviting people to participate in a reading experience across the county. This year, students and families can choose from a range of books under the theme of "Good Trouble." Learn more.
Parent Education Series
Happy National Hispanic Heritage Month! From September 15 to October 15, we pay tribute to the generations of Hispanic Americans who have influenced and enriched our nation and society.
How will Covid impact learning and mental health? Anya Kamenetz, NPR education correspondent, will discuss her upcoming book, The Stolen Year: How America's Covid Response Failed Children, and How We Can Fix It (September 29, Online).