Principal's Message
Nov. 13th 2018
Attendance matters!
Are you planning a family trip for the holidays? As you think about your arrangements, we want to stress the importance of sending your child to school every day possible. Every year, absences spike in the weeks before and after the winter holiday as families squeeze in a few more vacation days. It's time to break that cycle. We know that just a few missed days here and there, even excused absences, can add up to too much lost learning time and put your child behind in school. This is as true in kindergarten as it is in middle school. Put simply, too many absences at any age can affect a student's chances for academic success and eventually for graduation.
We recognize that holidays are an important time for reconnecting with families far away. The costs of flight tickets often influence when you want to travel. But keep in mind the costs to your children's education if they miss too much school - and the message you will be sending about the importance of attendance. Even if you've got a homework packet from the teacher, it doesn't make up for the interaction and learning that happens in the classroom. Our teachers will be teaching, and our students will be learning, right up until vacation starts and the first day back. You can help us convey that message. This holiday season, give your children the gift of an education and the habit of attendance.
Speaking of giving our kids the gift of an education, I would like to share with you this article I found from Focus on the Family, 10 Ways to Boost Your Child’s Academic Potential. I really like the way they discuss educating children as a team effort. This quote really resonated with me, "Education is a team endeavour," says teacher Carolyn Wakefield. "The teachers, parents, students and community are all members of this team. If one member is not involved, the student’s education will suffer."
So if we are all a team, what is it that matters most on the home front? Being a former English teacher, I love that the number one suggestion is to READ, READ, READ. The importance of reading on brain development cannot be over-emphasized. We know that reading helps kids learn to organize their thoughts, it teaches sentence structure and is the best way to build vocabulary.
When I am speaking to parents about home/school communicating, I hear the same thing over and over again, which is, “I do not want to be a bother” or “I know how busy you all are and I do not want to add to your stress.” These are kind gestures, but the truth is, it helps us out when you communicate with us. More importantly, it helps your child out when there is regular communication between teachers, school administration, and home (See #6). This also models good behavior because we also know that students who communicate regularly with their teachers do better in and outside of school.
I am not going to go through every one of the steps outlined in this article, but I like the recurring themes about raising healthy children.
Being that yesterday was Veterans Day and next week is Thanksgiving, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the veterans out there for their service to our country. It never ceases to amaze me the dedication, commitments and sacrifice it takes to serve our country. And thank you to all the families out there who give their time and energy to help support our schools. I truly do believe that strong schools build even stronger communities. Have a happy Thanksgiving everybody!
We are still monitoring the air quality and plan to shelter in place on days that the Air Quality Index declares unhealthy levels at orange or higher. Please speak to your children about the importance of staying indoors when the air quality is poor.
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If you are the parent of an 8th Grader and are considering Sequoia please check out this link Parent Information Night at Sequoia. November 14th from 6:00-8:00 PM.
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Tom Domer
Principal
Mustang Roundup
Arroyo CMS PTA
November PTA Meeting:
Reminder! Our next PTA meeting is Wednesday November 14 at 8:45am in the Library. The agenda can be found here. We hope to see you there!
Registration is Now Open for All New Incoming Students for 2019-2020 School Year
Registration has opened for all new incoming students for the 2019-2020 school year! To register, visit the District Office. If you have questions regarding registration kindergarten or transitional kindergarten, please plan to attend the Kindergarten Information Night for 2019-2020 on Tuesday, November 13, 2018 from 6:30-8:00PM in Central Middle School’s Gym (757 Cedar Street). The Kindergarten Information Night is designed to provide parents/guardians with information about the San Carlos School District, preschool, transitional kindergarten and will go in depth about the kindergarten program. Parents new to the district in other grade levels are welcome to attend. Should you have any questions about this event or the registration process please contact the District Office at 650-508-7333.
T.I.D.E High School - Parent and Student Information Night to be Held on November 29th
We invite you to learn about Sequoia Union High School District's new school, T.I.D.E (Technology, Innovation, Design, Engineering) Academy. This is the first public high school, within the Peninsula, to focus on training students to be the future of Silicon Valley. Teachers at T.I.D.E Academy will develop the critical skills and aspirations of each student through the intimate attention of a small school setting. All curriculum will be STEAM (Science, Tech, Engineering, Art, and Math) with project-based and interdisciplinary learning as a focal point. T.I.D.E Academy is projected to open in August 2019 and will start with the founding class of approximately 100 ninth graders. If you would like more information about this new school, please join us for a parent and student informational meeting on November 29th at 6pm at Central Middle School
SCSD Athletics
Please use the DISTRICT LINK https://www.scsdsports.org for information on SCSD Athletics. Call 415-334-3333 or email [email protected] with any questions.
SCEF
Thank you!
Thank you for your support on SCEF day. Your donations will make a difference in the lives of every student, every day in every school.
Sports Basement Shopping Day to Benefit SCEF
On Thursday November 29th, Sports Basement is inviting everyone in the San Carlos School District to a very special shopping day. Come see the new store in Redwood City, at 202 Walnut (in the old Toys R Us location), mention SCEF as your beneficiary when you sign up for Basementeers and receive 20% off your entire purchase all day long! SCEF is a beneficiary of their Basementeer program & will receive 10% of all sales.
Join us as the 6pm reception, get all of your winter gear, and raise money for all of our schools!
SCEF Raffle for Spring Vacation March 30-April 6, 2019
Win a Vacation Rental for Spring 2019 in Orlando, and make your family’s Florida vacation dream come true!
Win a 7-day, 6-night stay in a two-bedroom villa at Sheraton Vistana Resort Villas at Lake Buena Vista in Orlando. Sleeps 8.
Drawing on November 30, 2018 at 7pm during Night of Holiday Lights on Laurel Street in San Carlos. To purchase raffle tickets, send an email to [email protected] indicating how many tickets you would like to purchase. 1 ticket for $25, 3 for $60, 5 for $100.
Season of Thanks
The SCEF board of directors is grateful for our local business community and its support. Visit the SCEF shopping page to see a list of our local business donors. Please be sure to thank them for their support of our schools when you shop. www.scefkids.org/take-action/families/shop-local/
Community Partners
San Carlos Little League Registration Now Open
Planning on playing baseball this spring? San Carlos Little League registration is now open for all divisions at www.sancarlosll.org. T-Ball through AAA players are eligible for a $20 early-bird discount if registered by November 20! Registration for Majors will close on November 20, but will remain open for all other divisions until December 21.
We are looking for coaches! Please indicate coaching interest through the online registration process. If you are interested in managing or coaching one of the 8-10 Majors teams, please email our Majors coordinator Ted Mathias [email protected]
The little league season is still months away, but with over 750 players last year across six divisions, much planning goes into the season. If you have any questions, please contact Ted Mathias [email protected] or Jon Ackerhalt [email protected] We are excited that baseball is back, and we look forward to a great season ahead!
High School Happenings
Sequoia High School
Shadow Program
A shadow day is an opportunity for eighth grade students to spend the day at Sequoia and experience firsthand what it’s like to be a member of the Sequoia family.
Students have an opportunity to observe Sequoia High School for the day, and there is a Parent Information Session the morning your student shadows.
For more information and to sign up see link below (spaces are filling up quickly)
8th Grade Welcome Night
November 14, 2018 - 6:00 PM Carrington Hall
Visit Classrooms and Meet Department Chairs
Q and A with extracurricular leaders
International Baccalaureate (IB) Informational Meeting
January 15, 2018 - 6:00 PM - Carrington Hall (Spanish Presentation @ College Career Center)
Presentation from IB Program Coordinator about IB: an honors program that challenges students to reach their fullest academic potential, while developing both as students and global citizens
See sample course loads for 9th-12th grades
Campus Tours
November 10, 2018 and January 26, 2019, Front of School
Approximately 30 minute tours led by current Sequoia Leadership students
Tours will depart between 10:00 AM and 11:00 AM. No advanced sign-ups necessary
Highlights points of interest on campus and provides answers to frequently asked questions
Performing Arts
Fall Musical The Drowsy Chaperone: November 10, 11, 16 and 17 @ Carrington Hall
Spring Play The Children's Hour: March 8, 9, & 10, 2019 @ Carrington Hall
Fall Concert: October 23 @ Carrington Hall (7:00 pm)
Open House
Thursday, March 28, 2019 -7:00-8:30 PM
Open to Current and Prospective Students
Sequoia Day/Sequoia Stampede
Saturday, April 13, 2019 (9:00 AM)
Freshman Welcome Night
Wednesday, April 25 @ MPR 6:30-8:30 PM
Also, for more information about Sequoia and all of our programs, please visit our website at http://www.sequoiahs.org/index.html
Carlmont High School
Attached please find the October Carlmont Corner & a detailed flyer about Shadowing at Carlmont. Shadow registration will be available through our website beginning on October 8th.
http://www.carlmonths.org/Parents/8th-Grade-Transition/index.html
INFORMATION
• Carlmont High School website: http://carlmonths.org/
• Sequoia Union High School District website: http://www.seq.org/
MIDDLE SCHOOL LIAISONS
• Central, Charter, & Tierra Linda: Chris Cook [email protected]
• Nesbit, Ralston & Non-Feeder: Carol Castro [email protected]
• For non-feeder school ONLY: email [email protected] to join mailing list
Summit/Everest High School
For more information go to summitps.org
Design Tech High School