Principal’s Message
Dear Arroyo families,
Our Eagles are getting very excited for Halloween and a number of other fun activities we have coming up. Our staff, PTA and Eagle Council are working together to create a fun-filled two weeks of activities to celebrate not only Halloween, but also Diwali, Día de los Muertos, and the SCEF Read-a-thon. More details about all of that to come, but I wanted to share a few things now to help you with planning.
On Monday afternoon (Oct. 31), we’ll have a school-wide costume parade after lunch, followed by carnival games and activities planned by our PTA, along with Arroyo’s favorite Halloween activity, a Haunted House! PE and electives will also happen that afternoon. We need parent volunteers to help make this possible. Please see the PTA section below for more information and to sign up. This year we are pleased to be able to invite parents to join us for the parade, which will be held on the blacktop at 12:45 p.m. Volunteer clearance is not required to watch the parade but is required for those staying to help with the activities. We’ll have photographers capturing the highlights to share with parents who aren’t able to attend.
On the 31st, students may wear their costumes to school or change during lunch. Here are some guidelines to follow:
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Costumes should be appropriate for 4th- and 5th-grade students. Please refrain from “horror” costumes, as not all students are comfortable with these.
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No weapons of any kind will be allowed at school. Please do not bring plastic guns, swords, or other weapons.
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Halloween masks should be worn only for the party, not during class time or on the playground at lunch. This would be unsafe and distract from learning.
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Students should be able to walk safely around campus in their costumes.
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Leave props at home for the big Halloween event. We cannot be responsible for lost items.
This Thursday, Oct. 20, Arroyo will participate in The Great ShakeOut earthquake drill along with millions of other schools in California and around the world. Arroyo and Central will be holding a drill at 10:45 a.m. and will practice our earthquake (drop, cover, and hold on) and evacuation procedures. We will also be discussing our other emergency protocols so that students know what to do in an emergency. I’ll be sharing more about that (and our procedures for parents) in a separate email later this week. Please watch for that, read it carefully, and even save it for future reference.
We encourage you to “Drop! Cover! Hold on!” at home, too. When an earthquake strikes, you have only a few seconds to get to safety, so practicing can make all the difference. Some additional tips to get prepared for earthquakes at home:
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Do a “hazard hunt” for items that might fall during earthquakes and secure them.
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Create a personal or family disaster plan.
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Organize or refresh your emergency supply kits.
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Identify and correct any issues in your home’s structure
This Friday is our makeup picture day. Still Light Studios will be emailing the proofs from our original picture day this week. If your child missed picture day or you would like to have their photos retaken, please send them to school prepared for that on Friday.
Warmly,
Mindy Shelton
Principal
[email protected]
PTA News
Help Needed for Staff Appreciation Lunch
Our October Halloween-inspired Staff Appreciation Lunch is Wednesday, Oct. 26. Please sign up to bring something and show our SPOOKTACULAR staff the love! Drop all items in the Arroyo office no later than 11 a.m. on Oct. 26. With thanks from the PTA Staff Appreciation Team.
Book Fair Dates and Volunteer Sign-up
Fall into reading at the Book Fair, coming up Oct. 31-Nov. 4. Students will visit the fair with their teachers and are also invited to shop before or after school. Or, bring the whole family to Family Night on Thursday, Nov. 3, 5-7 p.m., where there will be food trucks and free dessert treats. Stock up on books for your students to read during the SCEF Read-A-Thon while supporting our school (30% of sales are rewarded back to the PTA)! Volunteers are needed to help make our fair run: Please sign up for a slot or two.
Diwali and Día de los Muertos:
Volunteers Needed
The PTA is excited to celebrate two popular cultural holidays with the Arroyo community this year. Diwali begins on Oct. 24, and Día de los Muertos is celebrated Nov. 1-2. Please visit the signup for Diwali here and Día de los Muertos here to check out the decorating and donation opportunities.
- Donate sidewalk chalk
- Create rangoli example for students with chalk
- Donate temporary tattoos
- Help decorate the morning of the event
Thanks for your support in making these experiences happen for all Eagles!
- Decorate the Haunted House Maze on Friday, Oct. 28, 3-5 or 5-7 p.m.
- Spook/startle kids in the maze
- Donate decorations for treat bags
- Help clean up after the festivities
October Yearbook Discount
Yearbooks come out at the end of the school year, but you can secure yours now at a discount! Order from TreeRing by Oct. 31 to receive 5% off. Use this link to shop with the discount code applied to your cart, or use code 1014628525232886.
SCEF News
SCEF Read-a-thon Is Around the Corner
Register Early for the Read-a-thon
Kids who register early (Oct. 17-21) will be entered into a drawing to win Warriors tickets or gift cards to Boba Guys, the Reading Bug, Gelataio, or Tutti Frutti. Plus, parents can enter the drawing to win a $100 gift card to Cuisinett Bistro. Register here. The Read-a-thon starts Oct. 28.
Mark Your Calendars for the SCEF Read-a-thon Kickoff
Join us at the Reading Bug on Sunday, Oct. 23, at 2:00 p.m. for story time, giveaways, a scavenger hunt, and more. Don't forget to pick up your SCEF bookmark!
Participate in Our 12th Annual Halloween Candy Buyback
Drop extra candy Nov. 1-3 at your school’s office and it will be donated to Operation Gratitude and sent to our troops. Drs. Chang, Amin, and Kaher will donate $1 per pound of wrapped candy to SCEF.
Remember to Vote in the School Board Elections
Ballots are in the mail, and the field of school board candidates is amazing! Watch the San Carlos School Board Candidate Forums held earlier this month, hosted by SCEF and the PTA Coordinating Council, and moderated by the League of Women Voters of San Mateo County.
District News
What’s Next for SCSD Schools?
Share Your Ideas to Inform Our Strategic Plan Refresh
Your input will be invaluable to co-create a resulting roadmap to inform next steps for our learners. We want to hear from you, so here are upcoming opportunities to share your feedback:
Complete our new strategic planning survey online before Nov. 30. The survey takes about 10-15 minutes to complete and is available in Spanish and English: To take the survey in English, click for survey link. Para realizar esta encuesta en español, haga clic aquí.
Participate in a strategic planning community meeting to learn more about the process, receive an update on recently collected input, and join us for a real-time brainstorm as we think together about future opportunities for SCSD and our students. To join us for a live session, please click here to RSVP and select from the following:
- Wednesday, Oct. 26, 4-5:30 p.m. at Arroyo School Learning Commons
- Thursday, Nov. 3, 8:45-10:15 a.m., Tierra Linda Middle School Multi-Use Room
- date TBD, Ravenswood YMCA
- date TBD, Joint Strategic Plan and Facilities Master Plan Meeting
All feedback will be brought back and considered by a Design Team to represent thinking across all interested groups, identify themes, and revise the objectives and directions regarding Teaching and Learning, Social Emotional Learning, and Learning Spaces. For more information on our Strategic Plan and process, please visit our website.
State-Subsidized Preschool Spaces Now Available at Arundel
The San Carlos Early Learning Center has space available in our new, part-day California State Preschool Program (CSPP) class at Arundel from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Student tuition may be covered for families that qualify, based on income. Visit our San Carlos Early Learning Center website for more information, or contact ELC Director Sue Dawley. Información en español aqui.
Free COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics
The San Mateo County Office of Education and San Mateo County Health are hosting two COVID-19 vaccination clinics at the Anne Campbell Center, 65 Tower Rd. in San Mateo. They will take place Oct. 14 and Nov. 18, 1-4 p.m. Vaccinations are available for children 3 and older and adults. Learn more / aprende más
COVID-19 Reminders and Testing Options
If your child is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, please keep them home and give them a rapid antigen test. Staying home when sick can lower the risk of spreading infectious diseases to other people, and testing remains a key mitigation layer to detect and curb transmission of the coronavirus. If your child tests positive for the virus or your household is in need of additional test kits, please contact your school as soon as possible.
TESTING RESOURCES
(Worksite Labs at Arroyo School no longer available.)
- Curative: Central Middle School parking lot. Make appointment.
- Curative: Tierra Linda parking lot. Make appointment.
- Other Community-Based Testing Sites in San Mateo County
Find up-to-date resources on the San Mateo County Office of Education’s COVID-19 Testing for Schools and Students page.
Community News
Community Foundation of San Carlos 2nd annual Stand United Against Hate Poetry Slam
In celebration of United Against Hate Week (Nov. 13- 19), the Community Foundation of San Carlos and Devil’s Canyon Brewing Co. is throwing its 2nd annual Stand United Against Hate Poetry Slam. Stand in solidarity for UAH and download a San Carlos Stands United Against Hate poster.
Last year, we had talented and brave community members bring their craft and whole selves into the poetry slam to share their stories of what it means to stand united against hate. It was magical to see the power of community-building, and we hope you join us this year to do the same! Deadline for poetry submission is Tuesday, Nov. 1 via this link.
San Carlos United Soccer Club Tryouts
San Carlos United will be holding tryouts in November for AYSO players and players not currently playing competitive club soccer for the spring 2023 season. Please register online. A representative from your child’s age group will contact you. We look forward to seeing you at the San Carlos United tryouts!
Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day Poster Contest
Students in all grades are encouraged to submit their original artwork inspired by Ruby Bridges, the 6-year-old who became a symbol of courage, bravery, and social justice during the civil rights movement. Submit your poster by Oct. 25.
Parent Education Opportunities
On Oct. 19, we continue our fentanyl education series with Stacey Wisniewski, Prevention Solutions, Hazeldon Betty Ford Foundation, in Fentanyl Prevention Education: How to Help Teens Make Healthy Decisions (Oct. 19, online).
How can you raise a well-balanced student? Denise Pope, PhD, co-founder, Challenge Success, Stanford Graduate School of Education, presents Raising a Well-Balanced Student: Avoiding a Culture of Stress (Oct. 26, online).
MANY WAYS TO VOLUNTEER AT ARROYO
SHARE YOUR STUDENT’S ACHIEVEMENTS
We want to honor students who are doing great things outside of school and have two ways parents can help.
- Submit a virtual Soar Card explaining how your child is being Responsible, Respectful and Safe at home.
- Share an accomplishment from outside school with the Arroyo Spotlight form.
PTA CORNER
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REWARDS PROGRAMS
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