Arroyo Eagle Eye - February 4, 2024

February 4, 2024

Principal’s Message

Dear Arroyo families,

WOW!!! Our Eagles truly soared through the Read-a-thon, and I could not be more proud of them! 92% of our students signed up to participate (AMAZING!), and as of Thursday night we logged over 252,000 minutes — more than double what we read last year and the goal we set for this year. Stay tuned for pictures of me with purple hair this week! They’ve earned it!

This week is National School Counseling Week, and I’d like to take this opportunity to highlight our mental health team at Arroyo. In addition to the individual work they do, this team of professionals serves as our Care Team and meets with me weekly to coordinate services, discuss students needing additional support, and brainstorm ways to meet the needs of our community. 

• Julie Jobak, our school counselor, supports both Arroyo and Central. Julie participates in our weekly assemblies, teaches lessons in classrooms, supports students who are struggling with friendships, academics, and mental health, and does a host of other things. She’s also a great resource for parents, guardians, and teachers seeking ways to best support our students. Julie helps to coordinate events like the Great Kindness Challenge and other special activities on campus and does so much more for all of us! 

• Deb Cadenasso, our mental health associate, provides school-based therapy to our students most in need of mental health support. 

• Jade McMahan, our school psychologist, provides additional support and coordinates assessments for students in need of Special Education services, on top of running our lunchtime Friday dance parties.  

• Adrienne Aguilar, our district behaviorist, provides additional support on campus.  

Having such a strong and well-rounded team of mental health providers on campus is another example of the focus that our district puts on the whole child. This team is also made possible by your support of SCEF and the Healthy Schools Initiative grant we receive from the Sequoia Healthcare District.

This Wednesday Arroyo will celebrate Lunar New Year with a lion dance assembly and dragon parade. Thanks to Esther Wang for coordinating the event and Peng Hilton and Evelyn Johnson, who made the dragon. It should be another fun celebration. We’ll also continue talking about Black History Month and celebrating the contributions made by Black Americans. Be sure to save the date of Feb. 28 for our Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day.  

Please also take note of the following upcoming events:

• Feb. 8: Check out the SCEF Auction for teacher outings, summer camps, and more. Highlights include your child’s chance to be a principal for the day or attend a special event with their teacher. For Taylor Swift fans, there’s a special Swiftie Experience: Eagle Version.

• Feb. 12-16: 5th Graders will be participating in Puberty Talk. 5th Grade families have been notified about this program in a separate email.

• Feb. 14, Valentine’s Day: Students are encouraged to wear valentine colors (red, pink, purple, etc.). Please see teacher newsletters for class-specific information and a list of students in the class. If your child is bringing valentines, they must bring one for each classmate.

• Feb. 19-23, Midwinter Break: Please make every effort to schedule your vacation plans around the break so your child is not missing any school.

Warmly,
Mindy Shelton
Principal
[email protected]

Breakfast and Lunch This Week

Please take time to review the menu for next week with your child. If they do not see a breakfast and/or lunch option that they will eat, then please plan to help them pack their own lunch from home (or a hearty snack on Wednesday), and please send your child with a snack for morning recess regardless.

PTA News

SAVE THE DATE
Arroyo and Central’s annual
STAMPEDE & SOAR COLOR RUN is April 21!

BECOME A MEMBER, VOLUNTEER, AND CONNECT!

San Carlos Education Foundation News

Call for Auction Items

The SCEF Gala & Auction is coming, live and in-person, with Live Auction and Online Auction open to all. Your auction donations help SCEF raise essential funds for our schools. To donate an auction item (wines and spirits, vacation homes, concert tickets, Warriors/49ers/Giants, professional services), please fill out this online auction donation form.

Attend a Golden State Warriors Game

SCEF Night at the Warriors is Wednesday, March 20. Come see the Warriors play the Memphis Grizzlies, 7 p.m. at Chase Center. Buy tickets and a Kids Anthem VIP Experience HERE. No Ticketmaster fees!

School District News

We’re searching for parents, staff, and members of the community to be panelists for ROPES presentations March 26, 27, and 28. Join us and become a member of our panelist group today! Sign up here.

Select one or more times to volunteer (all in-person):

• Tuesday, March 26, 4-6:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, March 27, 2:30-5:30 p.m.
• Thursday, March 28, 6-8:30 p.m.

The Zoom training session for all (new and seasoned) panelists will be Wednesday, March 13, 7-7:45 p.m. Training will be recorded and available on our website. Questions? Email [email protected].

Focus on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

February Is Black History Month

Black History Month is a time to celebrate the achievements of Black Americans and recognize their central role in U.S. history. Also known as African American History Month, the event grew out of “Negro History Week,” the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans. Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month. Click here for more on how Black History Month began. 

Here are ideas for diving deeper into Black history with your family:

• Share a book celebrating Black history with your child. 
• Create a portrait of MLK Jr. or do a directed draw of Rosa Parks (pictured). 
• Learn about Black scientists such as Katharine Johnson and Mae Jemison. 
• Are your kids getting ready for baseball season? Watch this read-aloud about Jackie Robinson. 
• Consider attending an event celebrating Black history in the Bay Area. 

Community News

Feb. 7 Special Event: Museum of San Carlos History

This Wednesday, Feb. 7, 1-4 p.m. embark on a journey through time in San Carlos! The journey is FREE! Students, accompanied by an adult, are invited to join us at the Museum of San Carlos History for a special weekday afternoon event. Discover our 94070 past through captivating exhibits and artifacts. (Parents or grandparents who grew up in San Carlos make visiting the museum even more interesting!) Bonus: Everyone who comes for a tour on this day will receive a special gift certificate. Find the museum at 533 Laurel St. (yes, the little building next to the fire station). Email [email protected] or [email protected] for more information.

Parent Education Opportunities