Principal's Message
Hello CMS Families,
Week at a Glance
This Wednesday Is a school holiday for Veteran’s Day. Because Wednesdays are block days, we need to change our Thursday schedule so that students do not miss out on any of their classes.
Thursday will be a regular day schedule just like Monday, Tuesday or Friday. Students will attend all of their classes on Thursday. Teachers will review this with students.
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Helping Out on Campus:
Interested in helping your Arroyo and Central communities this coming weekend? Come help our partner Each Green Corner as it installs garden-centered outdoor classrooms throughout our campuses! Bring your mask, gloves, water bottle, and enthusiasm for some heavy lifting as we prepare our beautiful new spaces. COVID safety protocols and registration links available below:
- Arroyo & Central Living Campus Outdoor Classroom Installation Work Day
- Date: Saturday, November 14, 2020
- Time: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (morning and afternoon shifts)
- Location: San Carlos, CA
- Who: Registered volunteers ages 5 and up
- Register HERE
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ROPES:
Attention 4th, 6th, and 8th Graders - Register for ROPES by November 20th!
ROPES is on for the 2020-21 school year!! Want to pursue your Passion Project? Want to learn a new skill? Build something cool? Start a service project? NOW is the time to register for ROPES and earn your ROPE for your project.
What is ROPES? ROPES is a signature opportunity for students to exhibit their application of the 5C's! is the Rite Of Passage ExperienceS program that is specifically designed as an optional enrichment activity as students complete a cycle of their education. Students in 4th, 6th, and 8th grade will choose a self-directed Challenge Project Categories: Creativity/Appreciation of the Arts, Innovation/Invention, Adventure/Personal Challenge, Cooperative Games, Service/Advocacy, Personal Reflections.
Register here by November 20th to be part of this program.
Click here for the Orientation Slides from Oct 29th. Click here for the video recording.
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Picture Retake:
Picture retake day is scheduled for Thursday, November 12th, from 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Pictures will be taken in Mustang Hall. Please enter through the Chestnut Street doors, as our campus is closed. Please visit Lifetouch.com to order pictures. EVTJ28ZZJ is the event code for ordering.
If you took pictures in September and still have not picked them up, please stop by the office Monday - Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
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GSA:
We are grateful to be able to offer support to our LGBTQIA students and their allies by having a GSA (Gender Sexuality Alliance) meeting on Nov. 18th at 2pm via zoom hosted by Sequoia High School’s GSA. High School students will be running the meeting with adult supervision. An email invitation will go to all middle school students with a google form to fill out if they are interested in attending the meeting. Only students who complete the google form will receive the zoom link for the meeting. If you have any questions please contact Julie Jobak at [email protected].
Tom Domer
Principal
PTA
Critical Funds are Still Needed
Critical Funds Still Needed
Our PTA is being asked to partner with the San Carlos School District to purchase critical supplies to prepare outdoor learning spaces for when our students return to campus. We need your help to raise these funds immediately to support these efforts.
The PTA is still $10,000 away from where we need to be to support our students and teachers as we budgeted.
Visit TeamKid to learn more about how funds raised also fulfill critical learning needs for our students. Help us provide essential programs this year by making your donation today.
The PTA would like to thank and highlight two more fantastic local business PTA sponsors: Salpi Dunlap, founder of Stay True Books and Kirsten Kell, Marriage and Family Therapy. More information about becoming a PTA business sponsor can be found here.
Click HERE to make a difference and donate today.
PTA Membership
Last year was a record-breaking year for Central/Arroyo PTA membership. As of today, we are 430 parents and teachers strong this year! If you haven't done so already, please join again this year and keep the Stand Up for Public Schools push for better CA school funding going strong. Family memberships are $20 and include membership to the California State PTA as well. Join today!
The Gratitude Festival is coming to Arroyo and Central November 18th-19th
Thanksgiving prompts us to think about everything for which we are grateful. The pandemic has brought many challenges and we have all met them to the best of our abilities. The PTA hopes all members of the Arroyo community will join together to share our specific gratitudes and appreciations. We will also be supporting donation drives to benefit the Samaritan House and Lion’s Club toy drive.
Stop by the Arroyo campus after school Wednesday and Thursday to take a selfie in front of the “I am grateful for...” photo backdrop on the fence and upload it to the school google form. Or attach your paper Turkey to the gratitude fence (image will be emailed to school email this week.)
Located in the Arroyo parking lot we will have community tables set out with opportunities to give, back such as:
PTACC Gift Card Program : The San Carlos PTA Coordinating Council is holding a gift card drive for district families in need. With the holidays approaching, we would like to provide support to our families who are experiencing food insecurity via Safeway E-Gift Cards.
Lions Club Toy Drive: The San Carlos Lions welcome your generous participation in our Holiday Toy, Book & Gift Drive to benefit the families served by One Life Counseling Center. One Life provides a bi-weekly food distribution to Peninsula families who need some additional assistance during difficult times. (Please visit their website at www.onelifecounselingcenter.com)
Samaritan House: The Samaritan House will have 4 bins at the Arroyo campus, and are asking for dried food items: cereal, mac & cheese, dried soups, pasta, rice, beans.
The PTA is still working on the final Festival plans, and we could use your input.
Join the Festival Committee HERE.
San Carlos PTA Coordinating Council - Holiday Help for our Families in Need
Many thanks to everybody who participated in the San Carlos PTA Coordinating Council gift card drive last Spring to support our SCSD families during the pandemic. It has been a huge success and we have handed out over $13,000 in donated gift cards to approximately 50 district families in need! We also secured generous grants from the Rotary Club and the Community Foundation of San Carlos, and a private donor, allowing us to shift to grocery delivery services for our families. Unfortunately, we have depleted all of our resources and with the holidays approaching, we would like to provide support to our families who are experiencing food insecurity via Safeway E-Gift Cards.
To donate, click HERE and send the Safeway e-gift card to [email protected]. These are gifts, not charitable contributions. All electronic gift cards should be directed to [email protected] and they will be distributed equally among those in need. Our recipient families have been overwhelmed by the compassion of our community. Kudos for truly making a difference in their lives through your kindness and generosity.
Follow Central Middle School on Facebook
Stay up to date on the latest in events and the road to hybrid learning by following Central Middle School on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/CentralSCSD/
School District
Covid19 Testing Available for Children - County of San Mateo Announces Drive-Through Testing at the San Mateo County Event Center
The County of San Mateo announced no-cost testing for COVID-19 is available for children age 5 and older starting Tuesday, October 20 - a new option that expands the County's testing capacity.
Testing is open by appointment to all families that live in San Mateo County with children ages 5 and older. Appointments for the drive-through testing at the San Mateo County Event Center are available weekdays from 1 to 8 p.m.
The County is offering a simple-to-use oral mouth swab test that is self-administered for children and families in partnership with Curative Inc., a rapid diagnostics firm based in Southern California. Curative has the capacity to test over 500 individuals each day at the Event Center with results available typically within 48 hours.
With the addition of testing by Curative, the County has the capacity to test up to 7,500 individuals each week. There is no cost to participants.
Fight the Flu - Get Your Shot Today!
Bay Area Health Officers are asking the public to fight the flu by getting the annual vaccination for influenza right now - read more here.
The flu shot is a safe, effective way to reduce your chance of missing work or ending up in the hospital due to severe flu. Symptoms of the flu can be similar to early symptoms of COVID-19, meaning that this year, people with flu symptoms may require a COVID-19 test and may need to stay home and isolate away from their families while awaiting results.
You can get flu shots at:
- Your doctor’s office
- Retail pharmacies and stores (call first to check vaccine availability)
- Visiting: https://vaccinefinder.org/
- A free flu clinic in San Mateo County:
SCEF
San Carlos Education Foundation (SCEF)
We are thrilled to announce that over $830,000 of the giving last year was by YOUR employers. If you can give with a match through your workplace giving program, now is a great time to give as many companies are doubling or tripling their match in November/December. Visit www.doublethedonation.com/scef to see if your gift can be matched, or donate via your company’s internal website. If you have appreciated stock to donate by year end, please act now.
Honey Bear Trees is again coming to our area this Christmas season and offering SCEF a donation for every tree purchased when you mention SCEF. There is more information available here: https://scefkids.org/honey-bear-trees/
The mandated annual report is at the printer, and will be landing in your mailbox later this month. HUGE thank yous to Wendy Wood for her donation of graphic design work and Lisa Noble for her photography gift--they skillfully brought the information alive for our donors. Here is the 2020 Annual Report and the 2020 Donor Roll.
Community Partners
Inclusion Counts Parent Listening Sessions - November 17th
The San Carlos Elementary School District is partnering with Inclusion Counts to assess our current state of diversity, equity and racial-justice. In order to ensure our priorities, goals and actions related to anti-racism in our community are reflective of our diverse community voices, we’re taking time to hear from members of our community - staff, students and families.
On Tuesday, November 17 we invite parents to participate in a Community Listening Session/ Group Interview with our consultants at Inclusion Counts. During this session, you will be asked to share about your experience at San Carlos Elementary School District - and, if applicable, how you/ your family has been affected by racism, bias or intolerance.
More information and session times can be found here - Please RSVP by Friday, November 13.
Healthy Cities Tutoring is Recruiting Volunteers - Reach a Child. Touch a Family. Build a Community - November 17th
Join our community of volunteers who range in age from 14-96 and provide one-on-one tutoring and mentoring to students for 30-45 minutes per week to improve their academic performance, engagement in learning, and self-esteem. This year with distance learning we are seeking volunteers willing to be trained in tutoring a student remotely once a week. We expect the need to grow this year and hope you or someone you know will get involved in this rewarding volunteer experience.
If you are interested in learning more, please mark your calendar for our annual new tutor orientation & training which will be held via Zoom on Tuesday, November 17 at 7:00-8:15pm - RSVP here. For more information to become a Healthy Cities tutor, visit healthycitiestutoring.org and click VOLUNTEER to complete the online application or email [email protected].
Parent Education
Parents & Caregivers of Teens and Preteens - Grade 6-8
- Join therapist Anna Izzo to learn skills for balancing work and life during the pandemic.
- November 16, 7:00 pm: Work-Life Balance in the Pandemic: Is it Possible?
- RSVP via Eventbrite
San Carlos Children's Theater - High School Musical Jr. Auditions - November 12th
Join the Cast of High School Musical Jr. - Virtual Production
Get'cha head in the game -- online! San Carlos Children's Theater invites all 6th-8th grade students to join the cast of its virtual middle school musical HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL JR! Filled with infectious songs like "We're All in This Together" and "Bop to the Top," this Disney smash hit is a favorite with performers and audiences alike.
Auditions will be held on Zoom Nov. 12 to assign characters. Everyone who auditions will be cast. Online rehearsals begin November 17 with virtual performances January 29 & 30. Get complete details and register online at
San Carlos Youth Advisory
Interested in a San Carlos Skate Park? Members of the San Carlos Youth Advisory Council are looking into the possibility of creating a skate park in San Carlos. Right now, we are focusing on a pilot project, which we will observe over a 6-month period. We would love to get your opinion on the matter.
If you or anyone you know is interested in seeing this project come to life, please fill out our survey form: https://forms.gle/Uhu7w8mWZprXKed89
San Carlos Parks and Recreation - Thanksgiving Gobble Wobble 5k
San Carlos Parks and Recreation, in partnership with the Parks and Recreation Foundation, is hosting a Virtual 5K Gobble Wobble Fun Run! Participants are encouraged to get outside the week of Thanksgiving and walk, jog, run or bike/scooter a 5K route. Once registered, participants will be given three suggested routes around town, but can choose their own route as well.
Participants will receive a San Carlos Gobble Wobble t-shirt, running bib, and medal. Finishing times and photos can be emailed to [email protected] no later than Sunday, November 29th to be included in our results update on Facebook.
Registration limited, register early to guarantee t-shirt size by Thanksgiving, see more information here.
San Carlos United Soccer Tryouts
San Carlos United is holding tryouts for boys & girls born in 2003-2014
San Carlos United is delighted to announce that all existing teams will be holding open practices as tryouts this fall for boys & girls born between 2003 - 2014. Additionally, we will be holding tryouts to form our new boys & girls 2013-14 teams.
Please register online - http://www.sancarlosunited.org and you will be contacted by the respective age group regarding a tryout.
**These tryouts are intended for those NOT currently playing competitive soccer.
We look forward to seeing you at the San Carlos United tryouts!
High School Happenings
Sequoia High School
Each year, Sequoia opens its arms to welcome a new crop of prospective students to the campus for an informational evening. This "8th grade Information Night" provides students and their parents the opportunity to hear from academic department chairs and see curricular and extracurricular programs in action during 10-minute workshop sessions. Given the restrictive parameters of 2020, we have worked to replicate this experience virtually, and have created THIS INTERACTIVE PRESENTATION. Please note: If viewing in Google Slides, enter PRESENT MODE for best experience. An embedded version of the presentation can also be found at rebrand.ly/seqinfonight. Feel free to use this presentation as a resource in whatever way is helpful.
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Cada año, Sequoia abre sus brazos para dar la bienvenida a una nueva generación de futuros estudiantes al campus para una noche informativa. Esta "Noche de Información del 8vo grado" brinda a los estudiantes y sus padres la oportunidad de escuchar a los directores de departamentos académicos y ver los programas curriculares y extracurriculares en acción durante las sesiones de talleres de 10 minutos. Dados los restrictivos parámetros de 2020, hemos trabajado para replicar esta experiencia virtualmente, y hemos creado ESTA PRESENTACIÓN INTERACTIVA. Tenga en cuenta: si visualiza en Presentaciones de Google, ingrese al MODO ACTUAL para obtener la mejor experiencia. También puede encontrar una versión incorporada de la presentación en rebrand.ly/seqinfonight. Siéntase libre de utilizar esta presentación como recurso de cualquier forma que sea útil.
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Corey Uhalde
Sequoia High School
Director of Student Activities
Carlmont High School
The 8th Grade Transition team has put together a prerecorded Parent Information Night. Please visit the webpage to see the video that provides in depth information about the Carlmont academic program, including electives and core curriculum.
Shadowing Events for 8th grade students are now available for sign up. Group sessions will be virtual and hosted by Carlmont student ambassadors, with a moderator from our 8th Grade Transition team. Individual sessions are also available for one-on-one virtual sessions with a Carlmont Ambassador.
Click here for Shadowing Information and to Register
Design Tech High School