Principal's Message
February 1, 2021
Week-at-a-Glance
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Principal's Message
As we enter February, we are approaching one year of this pandemic and as a result, distance learning. Nobody anticipated that we would be out of school for this length of time, and everybody is experiencing a great deal of stress. To add to the tensions, there is no clear consensus on reopening school; how it should be done or when it should happen. This is putting a great deal of pressure on educators who seem to be placed in the middle of the fallout of a raging global pandemic.
It is the job of educators to partner with parents and guardians in raising happy, healthy and well educated children. This has become increasingly difficult as we enter yet another month of distance learning. The one thing that I would like to stress is that our teachers care deeply for their students. San Carlos is extremely blessed to have such a talented group of teachers and staff members working with our children. I can say that without a doubt, the staff at Central is the most talented group of educators I have ever worked with.
This pandemic is going to end, and there is light at the end of the tunnel with the rollout of the vaccine. Progress has been slow, frustrating and inconsistent. But we will get through this and we will continue to work to do what is best for our children. Rest assured, we have been working hard to bring our students back to campus as soon as we possibly can. I do not have a crystal ball, however, I am hopeful that this will happen soon. We are ready.
Below I shared a song written by some students in Maine. If you need a little pick-me-up, it is well worth the four minutes. I also shared a great article from the New Your Times about making schools more human. This is a unique time and we have an opportunity to reshape education. I shared this with our teachers and am looking forward to the conversation we will have on how we can make Central even more ‘Human’ than it already is.
Enjoy and please stay safe.
- Make the World Better - song
- Make Schools More Human - article
Tom Domer
Principal
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Candy Grams
In celebration of Valentine’s Day, ASB will be selling Candy Grams through the PTA Online Store. Each Candy Gram will cost $1.00 and include a message and bag of candy. To purchase, go to https://centralarroyopta.myschoolcentral.com/. All orders must be placed by Saturday, February 6th.
Candy Grams will be available for pickup by the recipient in front of Central Middle School on Thursday, February 11th and Friday, February 12th. More information about pickup will be communicated through the Principal’s Newsletter next week. All social distancing measures will be followed.
Have questions? Email Jennifer Williams at [email protected].
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Attendance
If your child will not be signing on to class for any reason, please notify the Central Office by calling 650-508-7321 or emailing [email protected] with the reason for the absence.
Please provide the following information:
- Student name
- Grade
- The reason they are missing school or class today.
If you receive the robo-call, check with your child to make sure they were signed in, answered the teacher and had their camera on. Failure to do these things can result in the student being marked absent. Our objective is to have the students in virtual class and learning. Please call/email the office if you believe you received the call in error.
If your student is on campus and you are keeping your child home sick for the day due to even one symptom of physical illness, you must complete the FeverFree screener so our nurses can follow up with you. They will directly message you within the FeverFree app. Your child is not cleared to return to campus until they have spoken with a nurse.
School District
New Student Registration is Now Open!
New student registration for the 2021-2022 school year has begun!
On Wednesday, January 20 the Powerschool Registration Form opened for new students and any students returning to the district to begin their registration. All registration will be completed online and parents will be asked to upload their documents into the system. The deadline for priority registration is February 26.
See our How To Register for the 2021-2022 (Next) School Year page for more information.
Teen Talk Sexual Health Curriculum Information Night for Families of 7th Graders
Join professionals from Health Connected to learn about the sexual health curriculum that will be taught for 7th graders later this year. Webinar will take place on Monday, February 1 at 7:00p.m. Puberty Talk (English) Flyer Here El Courso de la Pubertad (Espanol) Aqui RSVP HERE
ROPES Judges Needed Feb 2-4
We are in need for parents, staff and community members that would like to serve as a judge for the ROPES (Rite of Passage Experiences) presentations in February. ROPES are challenging projects that 4th, 6th and 8th-grade students have completed which allow them to learn about their world and themselves in a deeper but fun way. You can learn more about ROPES on our website. This year all judging will be via Zoom.
There are 3 opportunities to judge:
- Tuesday, Feb 2, 4:00–6:30 pm
- Wednesday, Feb 3, 2:00-5:00 pm
- Thursday, Feb 4, 6:00-8:30 pm
In addition we will be holding a training session for all judges on Thursday, Jan 28 from 6:00-7:00 pm. This will be via Zoom and we will be recording this session if you can’t make this time.
We would not be able to maintain this valuable program without the support of our community. We are asking for you to join district staff and other community members by volunteering to serve as a judge on one of our judging panels. Typically, we have two to three judges per room and they judge four to six student presentations in an evening/session.
We hope that you will be able to join us in this worthwhile event. Please sign up here to be a ROPES Judge.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us via [email protected]
Remember to Order Lunch Meal Kits
We have weekly meal boxes available for pick up each Monday (including delivery to Menlo Park and East Palo Alto.) Each box includes five meals - an assortment of hot and cold entrees and a variety of fruits, veggies, and milk. Simply order online and safely pick-up your box for the week. Order.lunchisserved.com
To order your student’s Weekly Lunch Box, please log onto LunchIsServed and place your order. You must place your order by 9am on Sunday before the following week.
Check Out Our Parent Education Offerings
Remember to check out our Pandemic Care & Support website for parent education events and resources, mental health support, and more! You can also add the SCSD Parent Education Calendar to your phone.
PTA
Art in Action is Back in Action for Central 6th Graders!
Calling all 6th grade Art in Action fans! The Central PTA has funded Art in Action which pairs with the sixth grade Social Studies curriculum! The Social Studies teachers are enthusiastic about bringing these lessons to life via Zoom with the help of parent docents! Sign up to help make at home art kits, docent or or as an art day volunteer. No limit to the number of assistants needed and thank you! Lessons start after mid winter break and include, greek urns, Chinese water colors, dragons and the Parthenon! Contact Christen Hanson at [email protected] with any questions.
SCEF
San Carlos Education Foundation (SCEF)
The SCEF Read-A-Thon continues this week and it's not too late to register!
Visit scefkids.org/read2021 for registration, event calendar and amazing reading resources.
Our goal is 100% participation and $200,000 raised to support San Carlos students.
Participation is free and voluntary. Students have the option to invite sponsors to support their reading with an online donation.
Literacy All Year Long
We are grateful to our wonderful San Carlos principals and teachers for showing their support for our first-ever SCEF Read-A-Thon!
Thank you for encouraging participation and creating your own innovative activities to engage students. Check out some of the exciting Reading Innovations and Student Stories happening across our District.
Community Partners
Save the Date for Healthy Cities Tutoring's 7th Annual Perfect Pairings Benefit - February 26th
As always there will be food, wine and stories of our Perfect Student-Tutor Pairings. Be inspired by the impact our tutors make and the connections they share.
February 26 from 7:00-7:45 pm
This year, there are many ways you can participate:
- Register for and attend our free online event
- Enjoy delicious food and drinks with one of our Perfectly Paired Party in a Box options from Domenico Winery
- Participate in our Fund-A-Pairing & Silent Auction
- Invite your friends and share the fun
- Keep an eye out for registration information in next week's newsletter! Interested in Sponsoring our event. Sign-up Now!
Sign Up for San Carlos Youth Softball
Interested in playing softball this spring? San Carlos Youth Softball is a great way for girls to get outdoors with friends, have some fun, and develop skills. The 2021 spring rec program is now open for registration. Click here to register online.
Our program is for girls ages 4+ (as of January 2021) at all skill levels. Registration for the season is just $50 for girls in 8U and below, and $100 for girls in 10U and above. The health and safety of our players are a top priority so we have put in place COVID-19 protocols and procedures. We plan to start practices in mid-February so please sign up soon!
Please join the Community Foundation of San Carlos (CFSC) Black History Month celebrations and events throughout the month of February!
CFSC is launching an inaugural annual poster art contest that is open to everyone in the community.
The theme for this year is racial justice. For those interested, the intent is to design a poster that commemorates one's hopes and dreams for racial justice, a world in which all are respected, valued, and able to thrive. We would love for you to share the details of the art poster contest with your children. If they don't understand the racial justice theme, what a great opportunity to spark discussion.
To learn more about the poster art contest and on how you, your family and others in the San Carlos community can participate, please visit this website.
IMPORTANT Survey for City Safety Programs
City Hall is asking for residents' input through a SHAPE SAN CARLOS survey (that closes soon, Feb 12 at 5pm). City Hall wants to hear from as many residents (including youth).
- How can the City encourage community members to use more alternative transportation around town (walking, biking, shared transit, etc.)?
- Should the City consider making some streets one-way to improve traffic and enhance pedestrian and bicycle safety?
- Should the City add more buffered bike lanes, paint more red curbs, and add more pedestrian paddles on City streets at the expense of losing street parking?
- What other solutions do you think the City should consider to improve traffic, encourage alternative transportation, and increase safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers in the City of Good Living?
Your feedback is going DIRECTLY to city staff, and all comments, suggestions, and creative ideas are welcome. The survey closes soon, on Feb 12 at 5pm. Go to: www.cityofsancarlos.org/shapesancarlos. Your feedback matters!
High School Happenings
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Design Tech High School
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