Principal's Message
Dear Arroyo Families,
As we near the end of our first trimester, I want to thank you for the many ways you as parents and guardians make a difference at Arroyo. Whether you are volunteering on campus, supporting your child at home, or attending meetings on Zoom, we are grateful for your partnership. Study after study shows that parent engagement is a key factor in student success and it’s clear that our Arroyo families recognize the value of that.
In addition to the time you give, many of you have supported our PTA and made generous contributions to the San Carlos Education Foundation (SCEF). SCEF helps our school district (and specifically Arroyo) hire teachers for electives, provides funding for student Chromebooks, learning applications and Tech Associates, supports our school counselor and social-emotional programs, and helps to underwrite our PE program. Because of SCEF’s successful Fund-the-Future campaign last year, our new STEMscopes curriculum is being implemented in classrooms with hands-on learning materials and professional development for teachers. Learn more about this exciting new curriculum here. This year I am using my SCEF principal fund to support project-based learning, continue to build our classroom libraries with high-interest and diverse books, support our school safety plan, and build upon our student leadership and ownership opportunities.
Your donations to SCEF during a very challenging year are most appreciated. I encourage you to support SCEF again this year as they kick-off their annual fund campaign this Wednesday, Nov 10, 2021 with SCEF DAY. Encourage your student to wear green on Wednesday to celebrate the wonderful community support that helps keep San Carlos schools strong. If you haven't already done so, I hope you will consider donating to SCEF. Support from parents like you is critical to help sustain and enhance the education we provide to our students. You can learn more at www.scefkids.org.
In addition to supporting SCEF, we are still looking for more volunteers to help supervise our student-led clubs. It’s a fun, easy and rewarding opportunity that is greatly appreciated by our students because it allows them to hold their club meetings in a separate space than the rest of the school. No preparation is required and you can come weekly, every other week or even once a month during the lunch hour from 12-1pm. If you’re able to help, please complete this brief form here. Our students can’t wait to get started but we can’t do it without your help.
Eagle Council is planning our first community service drive for next week. We will be collecting dried food for Samaritan House. Please consider sending items like cereal, pasta, rice, beans, dried soup, packaged macaroni and cheese, etc. Students may bring food to the office or their classrooms by November 12.
Is your child a worrier? Our campus Mental Health Associate is offering a group for students who are experiencing an increase in worrying and/or anxiety. Groups will run for 6 weeks starting November 16th and continuing after Winter Break until January 11, 2022. Students will have the opportunity to process feelings through arts and crafts while they build skills to manage their emotions. A flyer is attached. Please contact Tara Abrams at [email protected] for more information.
Here are a few other reminders for the coming week:
- Sunday, November 7 - Daylight Savings ends - Be sure to turn your clocks back!
- Thursday, November 11 - No School for Veterans Day
- Friday, November 12 - End of Trimester 1 - Teachers will be completing our standards-based report cards the following week which will be sent home no later than November 23rd. Watch for more information next week.
- Monday, November 15 - 4th graders begin their next round of the exploratory wheel. Watch for more information for your child’s teacher soon.
Warmly,
Mindy Shelton
Principal
[email protected]
PTA News
PTA Meeting - Wednesday 11/10 at 8:45am - CMS/Arroyo Library
Please join us in person for our next PTA meeting Wednesday, November 10 at 8:45am in the library. Hear updates from our principals.
Be sure to check out the Agenda before the meeting to see what will be discussed! PTA Meeting Dates & Agenda – PTA – Central Middle School (scsdk8.org). Also, mark your calendars for upcoming PTA meetings in 2021/22. We would love to see you!
**Please note, the meetings will rotate between in person(morning) and Zoom(evening)**
White Oaks Holiday Store is Looking For Big Kid Buddy Helpers
Calling all Big Kid Buddies! The White Oaks Holiday Store is back this year at White Oaks Elementary and we need your help! Big Kid Buddy volunteers will help White Oaks students shop for holiday gifts in the White Oaks Multi-Purpose room on Saturday, December 11 from 8:30am-12pm. Volunteers will need to be either vaccinated OR have a negative covid test 48 hours prior to the event. Sign-up information will come in next week’s communication so be on the look-out.
Fall Fundraiser: November Grade-Level Challenge
THANK YOU to everyone who has contributed to our PTA Partner campaign. In November we have our Grade-Level Challenge! 4th-grade families are leading in PTA Partner donations.
For families of 5th-graders, this is your chance to step up! Your PTA Partner donations help support activities like the Halloween Carnival, as well as scholarships for 5th-grade outdoor education.
We’re just over 55% toward our goal. Our deadline is coming up quickly! Without you, many of our school's wonderful programs would not be possible. Please click here to donate today!
Are You a Business Owner?
Thanks to 2021-22 sponsors San Carlos Orthodontics; Andrews Orthodontics; Chang Orthodontics; Alana Corso, Sereno; and Matt Grodin CPA.
Get the word out about your business AND help provide enriching activities for our students by becoming a local business sponsor! When you join your fellow Central-Arroyo parents/business owners as a PTA sponsor, your business’s name will be featured on a banner during the PTA’s marquee spring event, the Stampede and Soar. Through your sponsorship, you have the opportunity to reach the families of 700+ students in the San Carlos community. Here’s the link to become a sponsor. For more information, email Fundraising Chair Angie Wu at [email protected].
Our Arroyo Yearbook Team Needs You!
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.
SCEF News
SCEF Day is This Week!
Wednesday, November 10 is SCEF Day. For nearly 40 years, the San Carlos Education Foundation (SCEF) has been supporting our schools. Wear Green to show your SCEF pride! Wonder why we have an education foundation in San Carlos? Watch this short Video to learn how SCEF meets the needs of every student, every day, at every school
SCEF Night with the Golden State Warriors
See the Golden State Warriors while supporting your schools. Learn more and check out upcoming SCEF events here: scefkids.org/events.
District News
San Mateo County Office of Education COVID-19 Vaccination Update - Nov 4
It’s been a banner week for vaccination news, creating both excitement and anxiety. This week’s update provides specific information to help ease concerns about access to vaccinations for children and to help families plan how to schedule appointments for their children. Click on HERE to read the full November 4 update from the San Mateo County Office of Education.
Walk Audit Volunteers Needed & Nursing Notes
Health & Wellness Director Ilana Yakubovich is starting to plan Walk Audits at each school site. Please email her at [email protected] if you would like to volunteer to help with a walk audit or with any ideas or questions. She is looking forward to connecting with you soon!
Nurses Notes - The SCSD Nursing Team learned at the county-wide nurses’ meeting last week that respiratory illnesses in schools are on the rise and that a winter surge of the COVID-19 virus is expected. Please refer to this link for suggestions on how to protect you and your family against the COVID-19 virus. Read more from our Nurses on our Health & Safety page.
San Carlos School District SEDAC Invites You to a Fall, Festive, Fun Event at the San Carlos Youth Center - Nov 13
When: Saturday, November 13
Where: San Carlos Youth Center (1001 Chestnut Street, San Carlos in the Dance Studio room)
Time: 2:00-5:00 pm
Who: San Carlos School District Special Education Families
SEDAC (Special Education District Advisory Council) invites our Special Education families to an intimate Fall event at the San Carlos Youth Center. Come join the fun with arts and crafts, sensory station, a fabulous balloon artist (2:30-3:30), and more
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)
- NEW Mondays 11am-5pm
- Tuesdays & Wednesdays 9am-3pm
- Thursdays 1pm-7pm
- Fridays 11am-5pm
- Sign-up for testing at Central here
NEW LOCATION OPENING NOV 3!
Tierra Linda Middle School (parking lot)
- Wednesday & Friday 11am-5pm
- Saturday 8am-3pm
- Sign-up for testing at Tierra Linda here
- Other Community Based Testing sites in San Mateo County Here
Community Partner News
Community Foundation of San Carlos & the United Against Hate Movement Poetry Slam Entries Due Nov 9
The Community Foundation of San Carlos is joining the United Against Hate Movement (November 14-20) and invites you to be part of the movement to help promote acceptance, inclusion, and equity in our town.
Save the Date - Fri, Nov 19
What: Stand United Against Hate Poetry Slam
When: Fri, Nov 19 from 5 PM - 6 PM PT
Where: Devil's Canyon Brewery, 935 Washington Street
Why: Come out and tell your story, use your voice to stand up and share how you combat hate in our community, your experiences with hate, and how we all can become more united. All ages welcome.
How: Deadline for poetry submission is Tues, Nov 9. Register HERE. More details via this link.
Prize: $1500 will be donated to the nonprofit(s) of the winners' choice!
Each Green Corner Needs YOUR Help
Come help Each Green Corner with regular care of our Living Campus! We will start at 9am and work until our tasks are complete (estimated 12:30/1pm). Our Living Campus work days have tasks appropriate for registered volunteers age 5 and up! Please use links below to register. Please bring gloves, snacks and a water bottle. Tasks may include:
- Weeding beds and planting areas;
- Pruning and harvesting;
- Preparing in-ground furrows & raised garden beds;
- Mulching, sheet mulching, and/or other ground preparation;
- Trash cleanup, and/or
- Other special tasks to help grow our Living Campus and further EGC’s mission!
- November 13 Arroyo/Central workday; this workday is a 4H only event
- November 20 Mariposa/TL workday: sign up here
Please check the website for additional workdays and new garden installation days: www.eachgreencorner.org
San Carlos Lions Club Photos with Santa - Nov 13
Prepare for the holidays and get a photo with Santa on Saturday, Nov 13 from 11am-4pm at One Step Beyond - 575 Old County Road, San Carlos. Families, kids, pets, everyone is welcome! No appointment necessary, first come, first served!
$20 donation (cash only) for sitting includes one digital photo sent to you via email. Proceeds go to support Canine Companions and the San Carlos Lions Club. For more information, visit the Lions Club of San Carlos website.
Join Us for Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day - Nov 17
Ruby made a lasting impact on the Civil Rights Movement and paved the way for future generations of students of color. Her courage inspired a group of 5th graders from South San Francisco and with the help of San Mateo County Safe Routes to School, they created Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day.
Walk with us on November 17 to celebrate Ruby’s courageous action and to show support for social justice, equity and inclusion in our schools. Click HERE to watch the promotional video and sign up for Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day. The California State Senate recently passed a resolution about Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day! Click HERE to read it.
Help us take this day NATIONWIDE! Questions? Please contact San Mateo County Safe Routes to School – [email protected].
Parent Education Opportunities
Changing Perspectives Parent Nights for TK-12 Families - First Session is November 9, 5:30-7pm. The San Mateo County Office of Education invites Sam Drazin, founder and CEO of Changing Perspectives, to lead two virtual family nights on social emotional learning (SEL) and how to incorporate it at home. He will break SEL down into core competencies and share valuable strategies and resources to support students’ well-being and learning. Learn more.
What are the myths (and truths) about CA higher education? Join admission experts from UC, CSU, and CCC for an eye-opening conversation, Mythbusters: The Truth About the California Higher Education Systems (November 9, Online).
Eran Magen, PhD, founder of Parenting for Humans, joins us for a new Parent Forum (English), Helping Your Child Build Good Habits (November 12, Online).
City of San Carlos Flag Football & Basketball Leagues
Friday Night Under the Lights! Flag Football This coed youth flag football program is intended for boys and girls of all experience levels and emphasizes skill development, good sportsmanship, team work, and fun! The 5-on-5 fast paced games provide the opportunity for children to experience the fun of football and learn the sport. Games are 40-minutes long with a 5-minute half time. Games are held on Friday evenings at Highlands Park from 5–9:30pm with the youngest playing first. Practices are held one hour before game time. Game schedules will be available online two weeks prior to the first game at www.quickscores.com/cityofsancarlos.
- Registration Deadline: Friday, November 12
- Skills Evaluations: Saturday, December 4 at Highlands Park
- Season: January 7 – March 4 at Highlands Park (no games February 25)
- Resident: $180 Non-resident: $200. Register online at cityofsancarlos.org/register.
Youth Basketball League Information: Recreation Youth Basketball Recreation Basketball is a fun, low-pressure way to learn and enjoy the game of basketball. Equal playing time for all! K/1st grade league is co-ed; 2nd/3rd and 4th/5th/6th leagues are single gender. Games are played on Saturdays at the Youth Center. Games are from 9am–6pm with the youngest playing first. Practices are held one hour before game time. T-shirt uniforms are provided to each participant at the first game. Game schedules will be available online two weeks prior to the first game at www.quickscores.com/cityofsancarlos.
- Registration Deadline: Friday, November 12
- Skills Evaluations: Saturday, December 11 at San Carlos Youth Center
- Season: January 8 – March 5 at San Carlos Youth Center (no games February 19)
- Resident: $160 Non-resident: $180. Register online at cityofsancarlos.org/register.