Principal's Message
Dear Arroyo Families,
We have just four action-packed weeks left in this school year! Our 4th graders are done with state testing except for those who have make-up tests to complete. 5th graders will finish up this week with the California Science Test (CAST). Please continue to avoid any unnecessary absences before 10am and make sure students arrive at school on time. Getting a good night's sleep and having a healthy breakfast are also important in helping students do their best. Encourage students to do their best but not to worry if there are questions that feel too hard. Students are not permitted to have electronic devices (cell phones, smart watches, etc.) in the classroom during testing windows. Additional information for parents can be found here.
We look forward to seeing you on Tuesday, May 24 from 5:30-6:15pm for our Celebration of Learning. Families are invited to visit your child’s classroom to celebrate all that our students have accomplished this year. We are excited to be able to welcome parents into our classrooms and students are looking forward to sharing their work with you. Masks are highly recommended as we anticipate classrooms being fairly crowded. In order to limit the number of people in the room, we ask that you only visit your child’s class and the Art in Action Art Show in our Learning Commons. At 6:15pm, please join us in the Central quad for a pizza dinner and our PTA Honorary Service Awards.
Eagle Council is holding our final community service food drive of the year. We will be collecting breakfast items for Samaritan House from Monday, May 16 through Friday, May 27. Please consider donating breakfast items such as cereal, pancake and waffle mix, syrup, cocoa, tea, instant coffee. Items can be brought to the office or classrooms before May 27.
We have a number of other end-of year events happening and I want to make sure they are on your calendar:
- Wednesday, May 18 at 7pm - PTA meeting (see PTA section below)
- Friday, May 27 – Minimum Day - Dismissal at 12:50 pm
- Monday, May 30 – No School - Memorial Day holiday
- Friday, June 3 – Arroyo Talent Show (students only - we may be able to invite parents of performers and will let you know soon if that is possible)
- Monday, June 6 – Field Day – see email from room parents to volunteer!
- Thursday, June 9, 1pm – Last Day of School! Dismissal at 12:50pm
In addition to all of our school events, I’m sure your family is attending all sorts of other spring events. In order to help keep our community safe during the many spring activities, I want to share the most recent SMCOE updates.
COVID Situation in San Mateo County and Schools
According to the CDC website, our COVID-19 community level is moderate, up from low a couple of weeks ago. Meanwhile, schools have also seen an uptick in cases, which have been tied back to large end-of-year gatherings.
Strong Finish to the 2021-22 School Year
We have learned a lot in the last year about COVID, how it operates, and what we can do to keep ourselves, families, and schools safe. Given our shared hope for finishing the school year strong and healthy, we can put that knowledge to good use.
Strategies for Keeping Yourself Safe When Attending Events
- If you’re not feeling well, stay home and take a COVID test.
- Carry a mask with you wherever you go, and slip it on if you are in a crowded space or indoors.
- Know where you’re going. Will there be safety measures in place? Remember that when testing is not required in advance, for example, the risk is greater.
- Consider others in your household. If they are unvaccinated or at risk for severe illness, wear a mask, maintain distance, or consider not attending.
In addition, if you receive a COVID exposure notice for your child, please remind him/her/them to wear a mask for ten days, both at school and at activities outside of school! We want to help ensure that our students finish the year healthy, without interruptions during their last weeks of school. Let’s all do our part!
Warmly,
Mindy Shelton
Principal
[email protected]
SCEF News
San Carlos Education Foundation (SCEF)
This weekend is Hometown Days, and after 2 long years we invite you to the SCEF Celebrates Music concert at Burton Park at 5:30pm on Friday, 5/20. Bring your blanket and picnic and enjoy our amazing middle school musicians!
Thanks to all for your participation in our SCEF Day kick-off for the Make It Happen in May campaign. As we approach the end of the school year, and the end of the San Carlos Education Foundation’s fiscal year, we are asking for your support to meet our fundraising goal of $3.2 million–we still have $1 million to go!. Our suggested donation is $1,500 per student and Leadership Circle begins at $4,000. However, gifts of any amount are valued and help us meet our goal. We strive to ‘Make It Happen in May’ by asking donors to finalize their annual fund contributions during the month of May so that we can provide the School Board with a solid estimated grant amount to aid in their budget planning for next school year.
SCEF, in support of San Carlos schools, has long been committed to nurturing the “whole child.” This includes all aspects of the child's well-being, including: social-emotional, physical, creative, and cognitive capacities, in pursuit of every child reaching their fullest potential. What this means in your child’s school day: smaller elementary class sizes, school counselors and social-emotional programs, libraries and librarians, middle school electives (including band & orchestra), Teacher Innovation Grants, iPads, Chromebooks and the support of a Tech Associate, Music For Minors, Legarza PE, professional development for teachers, support for school-site needs through a principal fund.
Please consider making your annual donation TODAY. Our 2021-22 fundraising calendar ends on June 30, 2022. You can make a donation today at https://scefkids.org/donate/. Matching corporate gifts, stock donations and Donor-Advised Fund gifts are welcome too. Contact [email protected]rg for more information.
PTA News
PTA Meeting-Wednesday, May 18 at 7pm via Zoom
Please join us for our last PTA meeting via Zoom on Wednesday, May 18 at 7pm. Check out the agenda here before the meeting.
Join Zoom Meeting:
- https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89108657215
- Meeting ID: 891 0865 7215
- Passcode: 366680
AiA Volunteers: It's Time to Create the Art in Action Art Show!
We are thrilled to be able to once again create an Art Show for families coming to this year's “Celebration of Learning” Open House on May 24.
Volunteers are needed to help hang up the artwork students have been creating all year. Time slots are available on May 22, 24 and 26. We also have Take-Home Projects if you are interested! You must be vaccinated and have your proof of vaccination recorded with SCSD to be able to volunteer in-person on campus.
Please sign up here.
Honorary Service Celebration, May 24 6:15pm - During Celebration of Learning
We will celebrate our Honorary Service Award recipients during the Celebration of Learning (open house). This will include a pizza dinner served from the kitchen and award presentation.
Help needed!
We need your help planning! Bring your creativity or just follow the plans from previous years.
Interested in Volunteering with the PTA Next School Year?
Please complete this form and your email address will be added to a distribution list for volunteer opportunities throughout the school year. If you are interested in a board or committee chair role, or in helping to organize an event, someone from the PTA will contact you with the details. You’ll also be invited to our PTA Social (recruitment event) on Monday, June 6 at 7:30pm. Please sign up for the address.
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 News
Join the San Carlos Hometown Days Pre-Parade Roll!
SATURDAY - May 21, 9:30am, just before the Hometown Days Parade
Bicyclists & wheel riders (human-powered) enjoy open Laurel Street before the parade. All ages welcome. Decorations & costumes encouraged! At 9:30 am gather on Laurel Street @ San Carlos Avenue to ride route, ends at Burton Park. Park your bikes & wheels in the Bocce Ball area, or head back to watch or join in the Parade. Free Valet Parking for Bikes/Wheels in Bocce Ball area, Burton Park.
Biking/riding to events encouraged! Hours - Saturday 10am - 6pm Sunday 10am-5pm. More Info: www.sancarloshometowndays.com & [email protected]m
SamTrans Bus Route Study
SamTrans is conducting a study to help determine how to speed up travel times and enhance reliability on Route ECR – SamTrans busiest bus route and are asking for your help in getting input from the school community. Public outreach ends on May 20.
The community is being asked to provide input on the draft improvements – online, by phone to Customer Service or at the May 19 virtual community meeting. For more information on the study and how the public can submit their comments, visit www.samtrans.com/ecrstudy or by calling Customer Service at 1-800-660-4287.
Rock Band Summer Camp at White Oaks
Have you ever wanted to play in a rock band? Do you want to learn a new instrument? Or do you want to get better at one you already play? Join us this summer at Rock Band Camp with Hummingbird Music School! Campers will be immersed in live music and performance, experiencing what it’s like to be in a rock band with fellow musicians and bandmates!
Camp will be held throughout June and July at White Oaks. One-week sessions run from Monday-Friday 9am-3pm.
Sign up to learn either guitar, ukulele, bass, drums, keyboard, winds or vocals. Campers will together form a band, attend daily band rehearsals, participate in music workshops, and perform with their band in a live showcase at the end of the week. Bands will be formed on the first day of camp, based on experience level and/or age. Campers can choose to form a band with friends!
All skill levels are welcome. Campers may bring their own instruments, or can rent an instrument from Hummingbird.
For more information and to register, visit: https://hummingbirdmusicschool.com/summer-camp-new
Kidizens Lego Summer Camp at Heather
Would your child like to build and be the Mayor of an entire city of LEGOs? Would your child like to leverage their love of LEGOs to have fun and learn critical real-life 21st century skills and leadership strategies?
Calling all creative builders, responsible thinkers, and future leaders to join us for 1 week of supercharged and exciting summer fun -- Take your creativity and confidence to towering heights in an immersive journey as a Young Mayor at Kidizens Summer Camps! During the excitement-packed LEGO City-building and Leadership Camps, kids are immersed in a collaborative process of building, problem-solving, and role-playing as responsible leaders in a LEGO city that they plan and build together from the ground up.
In a fast-paced environment, campers develop strong leadership, problem solving and social-emotional skills while dealing with natural disasters, concerned citizens, and financial crises through fun, immersive role-play in an engaging environment. Register today: kidizens.com/camps/lego-summer-camps/
Parent Education Opportunities
The Mask You Live In” Film Screening and Discussion - May 17, 5:30-7:30pm
Join a livestream of "The Mask You Live In," a documentary film about how we raise boys in America. After the screening will be a 30-minute conversation with Ashanti Branch, founder of the Ever Forward Club, who will share compelling efforts to reframe masculinity led by young men and answer live questions. Learn more.
Fentanyl Prevention Education: How to Help Teens Make Healthy Decisions - May 18, 5:30-6:30pm
How can we prevent fentanyl (opioid) use in adolescents? Join Eduardo Torres, Senior Prevention Specialist, Prevention Solutions, Hazeldon Betty Ford Foundation, to better understand the risks of intentional and unintentional fentanyl use among teens. Learn what each parent and caregiver can do to protect their students from these risks while promoting their health. Learn more.
Understanding Severe Mental Health Conditions - May 24, 5:30-6:30pm
What should parents know about severe mental health concerns like anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, psychosis, and more? Join Steve Smith, PhD, Clinical Psychologist and Professor of Psychology, UC Santa Barbara, to understand more about severe mental health conditions in children and youth. Simultaneous Spanish translation. Learn more.
Mental Health & Overcoming Stigma Community Conversation - (in-person event)
May 24, 6-7pm - San Carlos Adult Community Center - 601 Chestnut Street
A community panel event discussing the implications of mental health on our physical health and to overcome the stigma associated with mental health, together. The panel includes our very own, Ilana Yakubovich, MA, RYT - Director of Health and Wellness, San Carlos School District. Join us for light food & drinks prior to the event. RSVP & submit questions: cfsancarlos.org/Mental-Health-24May22.
Visit the Parent Venture Series of Upcoming Events page for more information.
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 12-7pm
- Fridays 11am-6pm
Sign-up for testing at Central
CURATIVE VAN - Tierra Linda Middle School (parking lot)
- Wednesday & Friday 11:00am-5pm
- Saturday 8am-3pm
Sign-up for testing at Tierra Linda
Find other Community Based Testing sites in San Mateo County Here.