Principal's Message
June 3rd, 2019
As summer fast approaches I begin to think about how to spend my free time. I really love diving into a great novel but unfortunately do not have the time to read during the school year. One of my favorite things to do is to pick out the novels I plan to read over the summer. I am sure our students are equally as excited about getting some reading done this summer. Luckily for them our English teachers are also discussing summer reading projects for their future students. Summer is a time to relax and spend quality time with family and friends, but it also provides the time to get some reading in.
I’ve always said that reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body, but now we can prove it. Brain imaging maps through MRI scans indicate what goes on in our brains when we read. It is particularly interesting to see the brain scans of children. Because children have more white matter in their brains, neuroscientists can measure exactly how reading helps grow grey matter. It is pretty complicated stuff but to put it simply, our brains light up like a christmas tree when we read. Brain imaging shows how reading activates so many parts of the brain including visual and auditory processing, phonemic awareness, fluency, comprehension and so much more. Our brains benefit greatly during the maturation process by the simple act of reading.
If your child is a reluctant reader, there is also a ton of research out there that demonstrates the benefits of listening to books on tape or reading with and to your child. Believe it or not, teenages still benefit from being read to. Research shows that the act of listening to a story can light up the brain.
Keep in mind that our kids are still acquiring language. As the teenage brain develops from a child’s brain to an adult brain, they begin to shift from basic grammar mastery to speaking on a much higher level. You might notice your child using more complex syntax and developing the ability to code switch. This means that teenagers have the ability to switch their oral and written communications based on their audience in ways children are not. During the teenage years, our kids also demonstrate improvements in abstract thinking skills. Reading and listening help in brain development by modeling correct sentence structure, syntax and higher level thinking. Reading teaches them how to organize their thoughts. It also aids in vocabulary development by exposing them to new words used in context.
In addition, reading helps shape our morality and worldview. One of the most beautiful things to witness as an educator is the point in which our kids begin to develop a social conscience. The books they choose to read will help shape them into people who begin to think about solving the world's problems. Not all of our kids are there yet, but reading a good book will help them get there.
Just for fun, I would like to share my summer reading list with you: In the Garden of Beasts by Eric Larson (recommended by Sarah Amos), Sapiens By Yuval Noah Harari (recommended by Barack Obama), Born a Crime by Trevor Noah, Enlightenment Now by Steven Pinker, Thinking at Every Desk by Derek Cabrera and Laura Colosi, and No Ordinary Time by Doris Kearns Goodwin. Here is to a great summer filled with plenty of time to read.
On another note, there was a couple of misprints as to when our band and orchestra concerts are. Just to clarify, the orchestra concert is Tuesday (6/4) at 7:00pm and band is Wednesday night (6/5) also at 7:00pm. I hope to see you there. Our young musicians have been hard at work preparing for these events.
Tom Domer
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8th Grade End of the Year Activities
I thought I should share the link for the 8th grade end of the year activities as we get closer to the end of the year. Please hit the link above.
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Bored? Looking for something to read other than the back of the cereal box? Well, check out the second edition of Mustang Musings literary journal! This special edition has been guest edited by renowned children's author, Jewell Parker Rhodes! Filled with fabulous entries from your classmates, the print version is coming out this Wednesday! In the meantime, take a sneak peek right here! Check it out!
Christine Chang (6th Grade Student)
Mustang Roundup
Gender Spectrum and Inclusive Communities Workshop
Workshop Description: This interactive workshop is designed to provide information about Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity Expression (SOGIE) as it relates to building inclusiveness in the City of San Carlos and in our schools. Adults and young adults (ages 14+) from the entire community are welcome to attend. RSVP: http://evite.me/A61EqVHCvV June 3 6:30-8:30PM at the San Carlos Youth Center
Free Bike Safety Workshop
Please join us at Tierra Linda on Saturday, June 15 at 1:30 PM for a fun Bike Rodeo and bike blender smoothie station. This event will consist of a brief safety talk, a challenging bike course, and a snail race that focuses on balance and control. RSVP: http://evite.me/NXk8F1y5bm
Infosnap
Thank you for completeing your InfoSnap Online Registation for next year. We use this information to form our classes and hire teachers. If you are not planning to attend one of the San Carlos School District Schools next year, please notify your school secretary so we can have accurate enrollment numbers for August.
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
SCEF Fiscal Year Ends June 30th. Your Giving is as Important NOW, as Ever!
Help us meet and exceed the SCEF fundraising goal of $2.5 million. We are still working hard to minimize reductions for next year’s budget. Every dollar over our goal goes directly towards minimizing reductions for next school year.
To understand how your donation to SCEF makes a difference to your child’s education, watch our video at http://www.scefkids.org/2019video
Go to http://www.scefkids.org/donate to make your donation or add to your gift this year. Gifts of any size are appreciated and will make a real difference for our kids. If you are going to donate via payroll deduction with your employer please act now as it can take up to 8 weeks for funds to be received by SCEF.
June 14, 2019 is San Carlos Night at Oracle Park!
Join parents and community members for the 2019 San Carlos Night at SF Giants.
Hear our students sing the National Anthem before the game & watch the Giants take on the Milwaukee Brewers (gametime is 7:15 P.M.). Stay after the game for FIREWORKS!!!
Tickets available at San Carlos Youth Center from April 8. Cash or Check only.
Purchase your spot for your child to sing the National Anthem at San Carlos Night at the Giants here: https://scefkids2019.ggo.bid
See last year’s video: https://www.scefkids.org/2018-scef-anthem-performance/
High School Happenings
Sequoia High School
There is a summer program available for anyone interested in playing football. It will be held at Sequoia High School from June 17th thru July 26th. Contact Rob Poulos (email: [email protected] or cell: 925-577-7696) for details and to register.
Sequoia High School website: http://www.sequoiahs.org
Carlmont High School
Carlmont High School website: http://carlmonths.org