Principal's Message
Dear Arroyo Families,
I continue to be consistently impressed by the thoughtfulness, creativity, kindness and curiosity of our Arroyo students. I wanted to share a few of the things that made me especially proud of our students just this past week:
- Student ambassadors led outdoor campus tours for third grade parents. Parents arrived feeling nervous about the transition to upper elementary school and left feeling excited after hearing about our students’ experiences at Arroyo.
- It was so much fun to see our Eagles embracing the themes of our spirit days this week. The creative solutions to “anything but a backpack” blew me away with everything from a mini shopping cart, a large pot, a small rocking chair, a hand-built fort cart, pillowcases, a bindle, and more!
- It’s clear that the conversations that classes have been having at school as they read Stamped (for Kids) are having an impact on students. Our students have been demonstrating excellent critical thinking skills as they ponder the book, ask questions, and dig deeper in their personal reflections. I have been able to visit a number of classrooms during their discussions and have been so impressed with the connections being made and ideas being shared.
- Over the past several weeks, I have watched a group of students dedicating their recesses to building forts in some of the trees around our field. Their teamwork, creativity and respect for each others’ ideas has been inspiring and so much fun to watch.
- 42 Arroyo 4th graders were presented with their Ropes on Thursday morning. It is no small feat to take on a project of this magnitude on top of other responsibilities. Our students explored really interesting topics ranging from making slime to learning new soccer skills, to exploring electric cars, and making their own picture books, to name just a few.
- Several of our 5th grade STEM Fair participants went on to earn first and second place ribbons in the county STEM Fair. Congratulations to Raquel and Abi who earned first place for their “Effect of Light Colors on Plant Growth” project, as well as to Gibson, Carter, and Ben for their second place project “Hey Batter Batter!”
- Our Samaritan House bins are overflowing with healthy snacks donated by Arroyo families. I’m grateful for your continued care for our greater community.
This week is Crossing Guard Appreciation Week. If your child benefits from any of our local crossing guards, please encourage them to say an extra “thank you” this week. They love receiving thank you notes from students. I hope we can help them feel appreciated this week (and every week!).
Speaking of crossing guards, please remind your child to take advantage of them and to only cross at crosswalks. I’ve seen an increase in the number of parents parking across the street on Arroyo and encouraging their children to cross in the middle of the street. This goes directly against what we ask them to do at school. Cars exiting the parking lot are looking at oncoming traffic to the left and are not likely to see a student crossing to their right. Unfortunately I have seen a number of near misses and several years ago a student was hit by a car in this exact spot. We have talked to students about this quite a bit. Our students have learned not to cross here but when the adults picking them up are telling them to do it, it puts everyone in a tough spot. Please encourage your child to follow our school rules (and the law) and to use the crosswalk on Arroyo and Woodland instead of crossing in the middle of the street.
Our lost and found is overflowing! If your child is missing anything (particularly jackets, sweatshirts and water bottles), please stop by the office to check the lost and found (or encourage your child to). Items remaining after school on Friday will be donated over spring break.
There are quite a few other things happening in the coming weeks. Please be sure to read the announcements below carefully so you don’t miss anything. It’s not too late to participate in the SCEF silent auction and PTA’s Stampede & Soar. There is also information about volunteer opportunities and completing the district’s InfoSnap registration process for next year. Thank you for your careful attention and timely follow up on this. 5th grade families, please also be sure to look for the emails that have been sent about our upcoming Puberty Talk program and the transition to middle school.
Wishing you a wonderful spring break. If you’re traveling, please follow the latest CDPH travel guidance and consider testing when you return home.
Warmly,
Mindy Shelton
Principal
[email protected]
PTA News
Staff Appreciation
This month we are celebrating our wonderful teachers and staff at Arroyo and Central with a pizza party! Our Staff Appreciation Team will be providing the food but could use your help making the rest of the lunch a success. Please sign up and bring your items to your school office by Wed 3/23 at 11am.
March Staff Appreciation Lunch SignUp
Thank you in advance!
Staff Appreciation Team
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 10 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
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.
Help Make a Difference at Arroyo!
The Central Arroyo PTA is looking for executive board members! Open positions include: Co-President for Arroyo, Communications Director, Events Chair, Fundraising and Membership Chair, and Programs Chair. Email Central Arroyo PTA President Kirsten Kell for more information or to express interest.
Calling White Oaks Alumni Singers
On May 4, White Oaks Elementary is coming together to celebrate our amazing volunteers and teachers at our annual Founders’ Day! We are so excited to not only have Founders’ Day back in person but thrilled to bring back our White Oaks choir for this amazing night, and we would love to include our White Oaks 4th and 5th grade alumni!
Mandatory rehearsal commitments are:
- Tuesdays from 3:30-4:30pm at White Oaks Makerspace (April 5, April 12, April 19, April 26, May 2)
- May 3 - 3:30-4:30 pm
Performance - May 4 at 6:30pm (Arrival time 6pm)
If you would like to learn more and have a singer who would love to join, we are having a parent/child meeting on March 24 at 7pm via Zoom. Please email Britta Ellis ([email protected]) to receive the Zoom link.
Songs will be distributed after the meeting on March 24 in hopes that kids will be ready to rehearse on April 5.
We look forward to seeing you there,
Britta Ellis and Andrea Andersen
Your Photos & Ordering Copies of the Arroyo 2021-22 Yearbook!
Parents & Teachers can now sign into TreeRing and upload photos into shared folders for the various classrooms or themes and also purchase their yearbook. Note that your purchase includes ability to setup personal/custom TreeRing pages. Yearbook orders will be delivered to the school in June.
Our yearbook reps for each class will look through the shared photos folders periodically for use on your classroom’s montage page and the events pages. Deadline to be announced soon, but good to start uploading photos now, including photos from class events, Art in Action, Lunch Clubs, Library, STEM, Ropes, and more.
Quick instructions:
- Goto Treering at https://treering.com/validate Use our passcode: 1014628525232886
- If you’ve used TreeRing before then click the green Log-In button on the bottom right, and if you are new to TreeRing you’ll create a new account.
- Select your teacher’s name
- You can purchase a yearbook now or click the “Buy later” link in the top left
- Scroll down to find Share Photos > “Share Your Photos” button.
- Click Shared Photo Folders icon and find the appropriate classroom or named event folder, then upload by clicking Add Photos button
- More detailed instructions here.
If you have any questions please email [email protected] or [email protected].
SCEF News
Online Silent Auction - Teachers Outings, Summer Camps, Getaways and More! AUCTION CLOSES Monday, March 21 at 9pm
Our generous educators have created outings for you to bid on for your child–these are a fantastic way to have fun and support SCEF. Enter your school’s name in the “Find Auction Item” box, and click to bid.
Did you see some of those great silent auction offerings?
Firehouse dinner and tour, PS4 console & games, orthodontics, wine/beer/whiskey of all types, restaurant gift cards and parties, vacation homes, trips, outdoor activities, cheese and so much more! Take a look and get in your best and final bid before 9pm on Monday 3/21.
Fund a Restricted Grant Dedicated to Supporting Our School Libraries
All 2022 Fund-the-Future of Libraries donations will be committed to maintaining and extending library hours, upgrading and improving media resources, and where possible, incorporating “makers corners” to develop STEM skills and inspire creativity.
- Fund-The-Future an't make it to tonight's SCEF auction event? There are still MANY ways for you and your family to participate and celebrate.
- Fund-The-Future, which is dedicated this year to supporting our school libraries
District News
It's Time to Complete Your InfoSnap Registration Forms for Fall 2022
Each spring, we ask ALL families to complete their annual registration forms through PowerSchool (InfoSnap) online. Your timely completion of this process will assist us in having the most accurate numbers for returning students for the 2022-23 school year, which is directly tied to the SCSD budget and will allow the District in planning for staffing needs more effectively.
This week, you will receive an email from [email protected] with the Subject Line: San Carlos School District - Online Student Information Forms (2022-2023) - Instructions 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."
The deadline to complete your InfoSnap forms is April 1. Please complete your student registration for fall 2022 ASAP. If you are not planning to return to our district next year, please notify your school office as soon as possible.
We are watching enrollment closely to properly prepare for next year. Thank you for your assistance!
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
San Carlos Planning Division is Seeking Input on the Protected Tree Ordinance
Recognizing the importance of trees to our community, the City has prepared a new Protected Tree Ordinance to thoughtfully manage this valuable natural resource. The new ordinance will be presented to the Planning Commission on Monday, March 21, 2022, at 7:00 pm. To participate in the meeting, and to access the agenda, proposed ordinance, and staff report, please visit www.cityofsancarlos.org/agenda.
Find additional information and future meeting dates at www.cityofsancarlos.org/treeordinance. To provide public comment, please attend the virtual meeting or contact the San Carlos Planning Division at (650) 802-4263 or [email protected].
Parent Education Opportunities
What are ways parents can set healthy boundaries for kids' use of technology in a post-pandemic world? Experts from Common Sense Media and Kaiser Permanente present Parenting in a Digital Age: A Conversation with Digital Media Experts (March 24, Online).
COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics (Students Ages 5-11)
San Mateo County Health is offering pediatric COVID-19 vaccines at eight sites throughout the county. 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 COVID-19 testing sites at one of our school locations or those provided by the San Mateo County Health Department. Click on the links below for more information or to sign-up.
NEW OPTION - WORKSITE LABS - Arroyo Upper Elementary (Patio 3)
- Mondays & Wednesdays from 3:30-6:30pm
Sign-up for testing at Arroyo
CURATIVE KIOSK - 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
CURATIVE VAN - 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