Arroyo Eagle Eye - May 5, 2024

May 5, 2024

Principal’s Message

Dear Arroyo families,

This week is one of my favorite weeks of the year because it’s time to celebrate our staff! Our teachers, paraeducators, custodians, and other classified and certificated staff members are AMAZING. Every day I am grateful to work among this group of professionals who truly care about students, both as learners and as humans; who care for one another; and who work as a team to support our entire school community.

Last week I had several opportunities to see Arroyo through our students’ eyes, and I couldn’t be more proud of our Eagles (and their teachers!). On Wednesday I was surprised with hundreds of thoughtful, creative signs, cards, pictures, and poems in honor of School Principals’ Day. Superintendent Frentress was also on campus to visit classrooms with me on Wednesday. We spoke with 4th Graders about historical fiction books they were reading and saw 5th Graders launching their PBL unit on the American Revolution.

State testing begins this week with a focus on Language Arts. Students will be taking both performance tasks (PT) and computer adaptive tests (CAT) in math and language arts. 5th Graders will also take the California Science Test (CAST). Testing will occur during our first or second block of the morning on Tuesdays through Fridays throughout most of May. Please avoid any unnecessary absences during this testing window and make sure students arrive at school on time. Getting a good night’s sleep and having a healthy breakfast are important in helping students do their best. Students will not be permitted to have electronic devices (cellphones, smartwatches, etc.) in the classroom during testing windows. Additional information for parents can be found here.

As a longtime upper elementary educator, I can tell you that spring is always a time that brings some friendship drama. Developmentally, children at this age are honing in on their identities: who they are, who they want to be, and how their friends play into that.  It can be hard to navigate for kids, parents, and educators alike. I wanted to share a few resources that can help children who are going through this and sharing their challenges at home. Please also encourage them to seek support at school from their teacher, Ms. Jobak, or me. You can reach out to us as well.  

• How to Help Your Tween Navigate Drama With Their Friends

• Common Friend Problems Tweens Encounter

• Helping Your Tween Make Friends and Keep Them

Please be sure to read below for more information about upcoming events at Arroyo and in the community. We hope you’ll join us for the Hometown Days Parade on May 18 and our Celebration of Learning on May 23 (with a minimum day on May 24). 5th Graders will be selecting their electives for next year on Monday. 4th Graders should receive their elective information (following up on our Instrument Selection Night) within the next week or two.  

Finally, a reminder that if you need to reach our front office for the rest of the school year, please use the email address [email protected] or call 650-632-8300. Our fantastic administrative assistant, Tracey Olazar, will be out for the rest of the school year. We are lucky to have Venetia Young filling in until Tracey returns in August.

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

It’s Staff Appreciation Week!

This is the week when we shower the Arroyo staff with goodies Monday through Friday! Please sign up for an item to bring and be sure to bring it to the school office before or during morning drop-off. Thanks to those who have already signed up! We're still in need of the items in purple below. Here is the week of treats we have planned:

• Monday: avocado toast bar (need lottery scratcher cards)
• Tuesday: healthy snacks
• Wednesday: Mexican fiesta lunch (need diet soda, sweet treats)
• Thursday: coffee and doughnuts (need vegan baked goods, fruit platter)
• Friday: yogurt parfait bar

You can also have your child give teachers and staff members cards, flowers, or their own idea — all week long. Thank you in advance for your help!

BECOME A MEMBER, VOLUNTEER, AND CONNECT!

San Carlos Education Foundation News

Make It Happen in May

Help Maintain Strong Schools in San Carlos

In San Carlos, your donations to the nonprofit San Carlos Educational Foundation (SCEF) help our schools provide instructional programs and activities to students that go beyond what the state provides. Your donation, in any amount, helps us achieve this important goal. Together we can continue to enhance the excellent education we expect for our children. Your contributions enable the hiring of educators and the existence of enriching programs not possible with state funding alone. We’ve made incredible progress, and we are not done yet — we need your help! There are many ways to give. Please help us achieve the goal of $3.7 million to support San Carlos public schools and PTA programs next year by making a donation today!

Focus on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

May Is Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month recognizes the historical and cultural contributions of individuals and groups of Asian, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander descent to the United States. The AANHPI umbrella term includes cultures from the entire Asian continent — including East, Southeast, and South Asia — and the Pacific Islands of Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia. Learn more about the origins this month and why it is celebrated here.

Here are ideas for learning more about AANHPI culture and history with your family:

• Share a story written by an Asian author, featuring an Asian character or illustrated by an Asian artist with your child. There are many fantastic titles available. Kids can also explore books on Epic.

• On Instagram, follow @asianlitforkids for fantastic suggestions year-round or take a look at this reel by author Joanna Ho.

• Watch “What These Asian American Families Love About Their Culture” for a glimpse into several different families’ experiences with their culture and traditions and what they hope to pass along to the next generation.

• Plan a movie night! Ideas include Over the Moon, Moana, Raya and the Last Dragon, Big Hero 6, and Turning Red.

• Draw the red panda character Mei Lee from Pixar’s Turning Red.

School District News

Community News

Parent Education Opportunities

The third event in the new Neurodiversity Speaker Series features David Flink, founder and chief empowerment officer of Eye to Eye, for Empowered and Equipped: A Personal Perspective of Neurodiversity (May 9).