Principal's Message
Dear Arroyo Families,
As this edition of our Eagle Eye is arriving in your inbox, a team of volunteers is setting up for our Stampede & Soar color run. I’m so excited that we’re able to continue this tradition at Arroyo and Central and bring our community together for some much needed fun! A huge thank you to everyone who worked so hard to make this happen and to everyone who came out to join in, as well as to our sponsors.
We’re thrilled to be able to include families in more events on campus as Covid restrictions begin to loosen. Our 5th grade band and orchestra will be performing this Wednesday at 6pm in Mustang Hall. Ms. Moulder and Mr. Fischer have shared information with band and orchestra families but I wanted to mention it here as well. If you’d like to see the talent that is cultivated in our outstanding music program, join us for Family Jazz Night at Central on April 21 from 5-7pm. Bring a picnic and enjoy the sounds of the Central Jazz band in the quad.
Please mark your calendars for the evening of Tuesday, May 24 for our Central/Arroyo Celebration of Learning. We are excited to invite families to campus to showcase the hard work our students have done throughout the year. This event replaces our Open House of the past. More details to come as the celebration gates closer but be sure to save the date.
We have a few more events/activities that I would love for us to participate in this spring, but are in need of parent volunteers to help lead. Please email me ([email protected]) if you can help.
- San Carlos Hometown Days Parade on Sat. May 21 starting at 9:45am at Central – we need a parent to take the lead in creating a banner and/or get other pompoms/pinwheels/etc, and to communicate with all students/families who are able to march in the parade as representatives of Arroyo
- Talent Show – date TBD but likely in early June – this is one of our favorite events at Arroyo. It is student led but we need a parent or two to work with me to coordinate acts, run a few practices, and help pull it off.
- Field Day - date TBD but in the last week or two of school - This is our end of year celebration and we are in need of a team of volunteers to help plan at least 6-7 stations/rotations, communicate with room parents to recruit volunteers, and help run the events.
Last week, I shared some strategies for addressing screen time use with your child. This week, I want to continue by sharing more tips related to childrens’ technology use.
When we talk about technology use by tweens and teens, we’re really talking about social media use, particularly TikTok and Snapchat. As Common Sense Media notes, “TikTok is pretty much everywhere these days. Like it or not, TikTok's meme-like videos, songs, and dances aren't just part of youth culture, they basically are youth culture—for both older and younger kids. Sure, there's some decent and entertaining stuff there, but there's also lots of very problematic content. Not to mention an algorithm fine-tuned to keep users entranced and hungry for more.” Common Sense Media has some great resources for understanding TikTok and the parental controls that are available; they also have similar articles available about Snapchat, Roblox, Instagram, and overall parental controls. I encourage you to talk to your child about TikTok; I can almost guarantee that even if your child doesn’t have a personal device, s/he has seen some of TikTok’s content.
Another app/website that we’ve heard about some of our students using is called Omegle. I have mentioned this before but it’s worth repeating. Omegle is a video chat site that allows users to chat online via text or video with strangers around the world. Here is what Common Sense Media says about it. While 9-11 year olds can be very convincing when telling you that "all of their friends use _____" (Instagram, TikTok, Omegle, etc) these sites are not developmentally appropriate for them. I really encourage you to look into the Wait Until 8th campaign and the impact social media can have on kids.
Warmly,
Mindy Shelton
Principal
[email protected]
PTA News
STAMPEDE & SOAR THANK YOU!
Thank you to everyone who came out for Stampede & Soar today to run, volunteer and cheer!!
It was so exciting to see so many people in person. Thank you for helping us kick off “IRL” community events. Thank you to our volunteers who came out early to set up, clean up, monitor the course, spray the runners and keep everyone fed.
A big thank you to our wonderful Stampede & Soar team who put everything together, and put their time and energy into making this a successful event.
A Big Thank You to our Sponsors who made it possible!
- Platinum: San Carlos Orthodontics
- Gold: Andrews Orthodontics; Chang Orthodontics; County Consumer Plumbing Group; Kirsten Kell, Marriage and Family Therapist
- Silver: Alana Corso, Sereno; Joyce & Tatum Real Estate Team; Matt Grodin CPA
“Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?” - HELP NEEDED!
A co-lead is needed for the Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? event. The co-lead will help promote the event to kids and families and coordinate volunteers at the event. The research and initial planning has already been done. Now we need help with execution! Please contact Kirsten Kell if you can volunteer to bring this fun event to the Arroyo community.
PTA Meeting-This Wednesday, April 13 Arroyo/Central Library - 9am
Join us this Wednesday, in the Central/Arroyo Library to hear updates from our PTA Presidents and Principals.
At this meeting we will elect our 2022/23 executive board. Nominations will be accepted from the floor. Want to get involved next year with Central/Arroyo PTA? You can get involved in many ways in addition to Exec Board positions - a few minutes per week, month or year! Please contact Maria Shih at [email protected] to learn more, OR find out about all volunteer roles that are available here! PTA Job Descriptions
Yearbook Ordering & Customization Deadline: Mon, 4/18
Go to www.treering.com/validate
Enter your school’s passcode: 1014628525232886
Yearbook Cover Contest
All students are invited to enter their art in our yearbook cover contest. The winner’s artwork will be displayed on the front cover of the yearbook. Please encourage your child to participate.
Submit Art on:
- 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of paper
- Vertical orientation
All Entries Must Include:
- Our school name
- The school year 2021-22
- Return Entries to the Arroyo Office by: Friday, 4/15
Tips for a Good Entry:
- Use lots of color, including the background. Don’t leave uncolored white space.
- Mix up your medium, use crayons, watercolors, markers, pastels, etc.
- Do not add text too close to the edge of the page. Leave 1 inch of space around the edges, (no text) just color. This will avoid print issues when the art is applied to the cover.
Please share your Stampede & Soar photos with the Yearbook on Treering. Have other great shots of the school year that you’d like to share with us? Please upload those as well! We can accept photos until Sunday, 4/17. Detailed uploading instructions can be found here.
If you have any questions, please email [email protected] or [email protected].
SCEF News
San Carlos Education Foundation
For nearly 40 years, SCEF has worked with our community to raise much-needed additional funding for San Carlos public schools. As we close the books on another successful Gala and auction season, we also reflect on the contributions SCEF continues to make in support of the “Whole Child”:
- StemScopes: with our Fund the Future donations last year we were able to help SCSD launch an amazing 21st century science program
- Music: as spring concerts approach, we reflect on the award winning middle school program and the stalwart Music for Minors curriculum
- Physical Education: the ever present Legarza coaches bring fun, guidance and professionalism to our campuses.
- Social and Emotional Learning: the support that has been offered to our students to acquire the knowledge, attitudes, and skills they need to: recognize and manage their emotions; demonstrate caring and concern for others; establish positive relationships; and make responsible decisions.
Visit scefkids.org/donate to make a donation in support of our schools.
May Day Bouquet Artwork Submissions
SCEF is planning to feature student artwork on an upcoming May Day postcard. Please use this printable template as a canvas for your young artist. Submit photos of their spring bouquet drawings to [email protected] by Friday, April 15.
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.
Community Partner News
Steve & Kate's Summer Camp is Back!
When you trust kids, they trust themselves. Since 1980, Steve & Kate’s has put kids in charge of their own learning experience. They try, fail, and learn on their own. They learn to trust their own judgment, and tackle the challenges of an ever changing world with creativity and confidence.
Campers choose from a variety of activities in real-time including, sewing, stop-motion animation, music, sports & rec, makers crafts, bread making, and more. They'll decide what they want to do, and for how long.
This summer families can buy as many days as they’d like, and use them at any time. No weekly reservations required–just show up! Or, if you need more care, purchase a Summer Pass, which covers the whole season. If for any reason your plans change, we’ll automatically refund any unused Passes in full at summer’s end. Lunch, snacks, and all hours (8am–6pm) are included. Register today!
SAN CARLOS SUMMER CAMP STARTS 6/13!
AGES: 4–12
LOCATION: White Oaks Elementary
Parent Education Opportunities
Raising Healthy Children and Adolescents (TK-12 Families) - Beginning April 14, 2022. The County Office of Education is co-sponsoring a series of parent workshops with Adolescent Counseling Services and the San Mateo County Human Services Agency to provide families with information on how to raise healthy children and adolescents. Spanish interpretation will be provided. Learn more.
NEW! What are ways to talk with kids about race/ethnicity, culture, and inclusion? Join Donald E. Grant, Jr., PsyD, for an open conversation on Seeing Race: Talking with Your Kids About Ethnicity, Culture, and Inclusion (April 21, Online).
Art on the Walls Art Show (1-12 Grade Students) - Submissions due April 22, 2022
Want your student's art featured at the San Mateo County Office of Education? Submit their photos or artwork on "Student Voice" for a chance to be displayed in a permanent collection at the County Office of Education! Art can be submitted directly by students or by their teachers. Learn more.
Vaping: What Does it Cost? PSA Contest (6-8th Grade Students)
All middle and high school students are invited to submit a video, poster, or audio about the costs of vaping for a chance to win up to a $100 gift card. Submissions should be aimed towards spreading awareness about the dangers of nicotine and vaping and how one can quit their addiction. Winners will be announced at a virtual hip-hop concert on May 19th, 5:30-6:30pm. Entries due April 22, 2022. Learn more.
No Place for Hate Initiative (All School Communities)
Paperwork due April 29, 2022. Registration is now open for the Anti-Defamation League’s No Place for Hate Initiative, which provides a proactive and student-centered framework to fight hate and build inclusive and safe communities in which respect and equity are the goals, and where all students can thrive. Learn more
Keep up with the most current offerings on the Parent Venture Series Events.
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