Principal's Message
Dear Arroyo Families,
I hope you’ve had a relaxing break and enjoyed some extra family time over the past week. If you traveled or spent time gathering with others over the break, please follow COVID safety protocols and consider testing before returning to school. Thankfully we’ve seen a decline in cases but expect that there may be an uptick again after the break. Please continue to monitor your child for symptoms and keep them home if they have any. Contact Tracey Olazar in our front office ([email protected] or 650-632-8300) if your child or another member of your family tests positive, if your child has any symptoms, or if you have specific questions about attendance or COVID protocols. Thank you for doing your part to keep our community safe!
Like many of you, I have spent time this week following the news in Russia and the Ukraine and wanted to share some resources that might be helpful in talking to children about what’s happening. It can be easy to think that our kids aren’t aware of or affected by the news but it’s important to remember that even if they aren’t watching the news or reading the newspaper, news has a way of infiltrating everything from social media to conversations that kids can overhear either at home or out in the community. Children also pick up on the stress and emotions we feel as adults, even when we don’t know it. Taking some time to talk to your child about what’s happening in the world gives you a chance to shape the narrative and respond to their questions. Here are some resources that can help.
- Resilience in a time of war: Tips for parents and teachers of elementary school children (from the American Psychological Association)
- Talking to Your Kids About War (from Verywell Family)
- How to Talk to Kids About Violence, Crime, and War (from Common Sense Media)
Thank you to everyone who submitted the Arroyo parent/guardian survey before the break! If you haven’t gotten around to it yet, it’s not too late, and your feedback matters. Our data shows that it takes an average of nine minutes to complete; thank you for your participation! Please also take a few minutes to submit the Intent To Return form that was emailed to you on February 14.
The period between our February break and Spring Break is fairly short but will be a very busy time as we wrap-up the second trimester and head into the third. Classes will be completing benchmark assessments in reading, writing, and math. March 4 is the last day of the second trimester. We expect report cards to be sent home the week of March 14.
We’ll also be embarking on our school-wide book study of Stamped for Kids. We hope you’ll continue the conversation at home. When you do, remember that it’s important to meet your child where they are in these conversations. Some will want to share what they have learned and discuss it in detail, others may not want to talk as much. Honor your child’s thoughts on that but also let them know you’re available if they have questions or thoughts they want to share.
Finally, I want to give a shout out to SCEF! Thanks to SCEF, we were able to purchase Redcat amplification systems for our classrooms this year. These systems include a wearable microphone for the teacher, a handheld microphone for students, and a speaker to amplify the voices. Even in a regular year, these systems have been shown to increase overall student engagement and to ensure all student voices are heard…but in a year with doors/windows open, teacher and students in masks, and an air purifier and HVAC system blasting, the Redcats are already making a huge difference! Thank you, parents and community members, for your financial support of SCEF so that we can address needs like this at our school! I hope to see you at the Starlight Gala on March 13 (see below for details).
Warmly,
Mindy Shelton
Principal
[email protected]
PTA News
PTA Meeting - Wednesday, March 9 7pm via Zoom
Join us for the next PTA meeting on Wednesday, March 9 via Zoom and hear updates from our PTA presidents and from a school board member.
Be sure to check out the Agenda before the meeting to see what will be discussed!
STAMPEDE & SOAR - SIGN UP TODAY
The 2022 Stampede and Soar Color Run is coming up on Sunday, April 10!
Join the Arroyo Eagles and Central Mustangs as they Stampede & Soar through the City of Good Living! This year’s fun run will be a color chase celebrating community and raising money for our school through business sponsorships.
Event Details
- Sunday, April 10th from 9-11am
- Central/Arroyo Campus
- 1.5 mile laps through 4 color stations
- Run/walk one or two laps
- DJ music and food for purchase
- Liquid food-grade color provided by Chameleon Color
Register by March 15 to guarantee a 2022 Stampede & Soar t-shirt.
Tickets $25 per participant. SIGN UP TODAY! https://centralarroyopta.myschoolcentral.com
Volunteer Spots Still Open, Help Make This Stampede Really SOAR!
Our Stampede & Soar team needs your help! Please check out what is still available.
- Logistics- Course Marshall, walk the route, give letters to the neighbors, hand out orange vests to the route monitors, be a route monitor
- Coordinate student poster making and other ways to increase student participation, Put up banners
- Entertainment Committee, Food, Field Games afterward
If you are interested in helping with this event, please sign up here https://signup.com/go/dDzUeCt.
Looking for Other Ways to Volunteer?
Go to our website and sign up today! Ways to Support your PTA Programs
SCEF News
The Annual Starlight Gala is in TWO weeks - Sunday, March 13th at 5pm–REGISTER NOW
Hear from Chad Carvey, the “Principal Auctioneer” of our family-friendly virtual celebration and fundraiser benefiting all San Carlos public schools. You can participate from the comfort of your own home. All registered guests participating in the event will have the chance to win a 4-night Mayan vacation.
- Register by March 7th to secure your goody bag and TOWN cocktail. Check out the Virtual Gala program to learn more.
- Only 250 tickets will be sold. Your chance to win a live auction package for the cost of a raffle ticket!Starlight Raffle
Not sure what the Starlight Gala is all about? Visit the SCEF website for more information or read our Gala Primer fundraiser summary for ALL you need to know.
District News
Ability Awareness Week starts March 7-11
The mission of Ability Awareness week throughout the San Carlos School District is to promote understanding, acceptance and appreciation of individual learning and ability differences through fun, experiential activities. The Special Education District Advisory Council (SEDAC) strives to instill in our children that everyone is different and can do different things. It is common to say what a person HAS, but we choose to educate and focus on what a person IS. We emphasize abilities not limitations.
Students will be engaging in various activities throughout the week giving them a chance to experience what it is like to complete a basic task while having a learning or developmental difference. Students will all have a set of common experiences through activities already taking place on campus to spark discussion, increased understanding and compassion.
Intent to Return Confirmation Process for 2022-23 - Due Mar 4
Each year, we ask families for assistance in completing an Intent to Return Form regarding your child's enrollment for the next school year (2022-23). The form was mailed to you on Monday, February 14.
Your timely completion of this form will assist SCSD in having the most accurate numbers for returning students for next year, which is directly tied to the SCSD budget and will allow District staff to plan more effectively.
Please fill out one form for each child by March 4, 2022.
After completing this form, you will receive an email from [email protected]om in mid-March that will provide you with specific directions on how to complete the registration process online including a link to access the InfoSnap portal, as well as a special ID number for your student, referred to as the “Infosnap Code."
If your plans change at any time and you are not planning to return next year, please notify your school office as soon as possible.
Thank you for your assistance with this important process.
Join us for an evening of LIVE JAZZ at Tierra Linda Middle School!
This free event is open to the public. The Tierra Linda Jazz Band and A Touch of Brass Big Band from San Jose will be performing LIVE on Monday, March 7 at 6:00pm at the TL Middle School Quad, 750 Dartmouth Ave.
BYO Picnic Dinner (tables available) snacks will be on sale, courtesy of the San Carlos Chicken's Ball.
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.
Community Partner News
A Summer of Imagination Awaits in San Carlos!
Camp Galileo for Pre-K – Rising 10th Graders - Camp Galileo engages kids in hands-on, STEAM-based learning that captures their imaginations and builds lasting skills. Supported by an inclusive environment and the boundless talent of the best staff around, kids get inspired to turn their big ideas into reality—and have the fun-filled summer of their lives.
Every week brings a new adventure, with activities tailored by age and wrapped up in a whimsical theme:
- AMUSEMENT PARK ADVENTURE: Step right up to a playful park of your own design.
- CASTLES AND QUESTS: Embark on an epic journey to medieval times.
- DINOSAUR DIG: Unearth an adventure of prehistoric proportions.
Camp Galileo comes to Mariposa Upper Elementary June 13 to July 29, 2022
Spaces fill fast—sign up now! Enroll by February 28 to save $50/week.
Optional extended care from 8 – 9am and 3 – 6pm.
Learn more at www.galileo-camps.com.
Survey to Prioritize Community Conversation Topics
The Community Foundation of San Carlos serves as a connector for the community and local organizations. By listening to the community we identify community needs and distribute resources.
We have heard around town a set of topics/areas which impact our community and would appreciate your feedback on prioritization. Your feedback will be used to plan community events in the upcoming year. The events will include experts in identified fields and facilitators.
This survey will only take a few minutes. Please note that the deadline to complete the survey is Feb 28, 2022. Take Survey
These events are for the benefit of the community and NOT intended to be used for City or Government Planning.
COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics (Students Ages 5-11)
San Mateo County Health is offering pediatric COVID-19 vaccines at eight sites throughout the county during the month of January. Free and advance appointments are now available, highly encouraged, and may be scheduled through MyTurn. Families may also come without appointments. Learn more.
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
- Mondays 11am-6pm
- Tuesdays & Wednesdays 9am-4pm
- Thursdays 12pm-7pm
- Fridays 11am-6pm
- Sign-up for testing at Central here
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