Principal's Message
Oct 21, 2019
Last week I wrote about how we at school work to help students become leaders in their own learning. I also wrote about how we use data to inform much of what we do. We also develop creative ways to provide feedback to our students, checking for learning and understanding on a daily basis, and to celebrate learning and our accomplishments. At this time of year, we are examining learning targets and monitoring our progress . In addition, we are giving students much more opportunity for choice and a voice in how they access the curriculum. I stated that I want to share some ideas of what families can do at home to help our students gain independence in their learning.
I would like to share this short article on fostering a love of learning for your student/s. One recommendation is for parents and guardians to learn the preferred learning style of your child. This can help you play to their strengths while at the same time know how to take her out of her comfort zone. I also appreciate that this article acknowledges that adults need to continue to grow and learn. We need to feed our passions, continue to get excited and inspired by the things that matter to us. By doing this, we are modeling a love of learning, but also we are showing our kids how to take ownership of their learning.
I also appreciate the fact that this article stresses how important it is for adults to stay involved in school. Despite the fact that your young teenager may act as though she does not want your attention, she really does still need you. Please get involved here at school. We all love to see you.
8 Ways to Foster a Love of Learning in Your Children
Goal Setting for Students, Kids and Teens
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Attention 8th Grade Families
Sequoia High School will be hosting an Information Night on 11/6/19 from 6:00-8:00pm at Sequoia in Carrington Hall. Please hit the link below for more information.
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Rules of the Road
The safety of our students and school community is of great importance and relies greatly on our parent drivers following the safety rules of the road. Please be considerate of our neighbors when dropping or picking up your child. DO NOT block or park in front of our neighbors driveways, even for a brief period. They have places to be and we want to be courteous... etc. Not sure if you have other traffic related issues you could bring up as well.
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Halloween Fun
ASB is hosting a Halloween Costume Contest and Field Day on Thursday, October 31st. Students interested in participating in the school-wide costume contest can sign up starting today by completing the google form sent to their email. This year’s categories include creative, scary, group, and funny. Please email Jennifer Williams at [email protected] with any questions.
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ASB Fun
Spirit Friday is continuing this month and next with the following themes:
- Friday, October 25th Crazy Hair Day
- Friday, November 8th - Decades Day
- Friday, November 22nd - High School Musical Day
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Nightmare on Puberty Street
This year Central will be presenting the play Nightmare on Puberty Street to our students on Wednesday, Nov. 13th. This show takes up many of the most difficult things about being in middle school, including peer pressure, our changing bodies, the importance of asking for help and resources for students.
If you would like to opt your child out of this performance, please hit the link below.
Tom Domer
Principal
School District News
7th/8th Grade Basketball Registration Open
Dear SCSD Parents:
We are excited to announce that the 7th/8th Grade Boys' & Girls' Basketball season is starting soon. Tryouts will be held Nov. 4th and 5th. If your student is interested, please use do the following:
1. FILL OUT AN INTEREST FORM: In order to adequately staff the tryouts and minimize the need for refunds, we ask that all players submit an interest form by clicking on the REGISTER button for your student's grade on this link. No payment will be taken until after tryouts.
2. TURN IN YOUR ATHLETIC CLEARANCE FORMS (Note: Valid for 16 mo/Need MD signature). Click here
3. ATTEND TRYOUTS - Days/times posted at school and online. See links on each grade's interest form Click here
You will see this information also linked on the interest form page, but if you'd like more information about the SCSD Team model, click here. I am also hosting two community meetings to work on planning for school sports next year with our San Carlos Youth Sports Alliance. The first meeting will include only SCSD families and will be held Wednesday, Oct. 23 from 4:30-5:30pm at the District Office Boardroom. The second meeting will include leaders of all youth sports organizations in San Carlos and will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 30 from 6:00-7:30pm at the San Carlos Youth Center. RSVP to me via email for either of these events.
We understand how important it is to know the practice schedule for your student's sport as soon as possible. We have to follow the same process as all other school districts in the Art David Athletic League (ADAL) to set our schedules. First we hold tryouts to know how many athletes will need a place on a team. Then we meet with all of the other ADAL Athletic Directors to formulate game schedules for the league. Finally, we create practice schedules around the games. Coaches share all of the roster information with the team to encourage carpooling and networking among parents.
Please direct questions or concerns to [email protected] or 415-334-3333. I am also available to assist if you have additional needs.
We look forward to a great season!
Mindy Hill
SCSD Wellness Director
New Student Registration - November 1
The San Carlos School District will be opening the first window of registration for any NEW students enrolling for the 2020-2021 school year, on November 1, 2019. This registration window is open until February 28, 2020 and parents may register at anytime during this period.
New Student Registration is for all incoming Transitional Kindergarten, Kindergarten and any student in grades 1st through 8th that will be new to the District (currently enrolled students do not need to complete this process).
Visit our website for more information - https://tinyurl.com/SCSD-Enrollment
Preschool & Kindergarten Parent Information Night - November 18
Have an incoming Kindergartener? Looking for a great preschool? Join us for our Preschool & Kindergarten Parent Information Night on Monday, November 18 from 6:30-8:00pm in Mustang Hall. Info Night is designed to provide parents and guardians with information about the San Carlos School District and its programs.
Highlights:
- How to Register for School
- Overview of our District, Schools, Preschool, Kindergarten & Transitional Kindergarten programs
- Meet the Elementary School Principals
- Parent/Teacher Association (PTA) Overview
- San Carlos Education Foundation Overview
- Resources Booths for Parents - Afterschool Programs, Healthy Cities Tutoring, Sequoia Health Care District
Visit our website for more information - https://tinyurl.com/SCSD-Enrollment
Mark Your Calendar for ROPES
ROPES is the Rite Of Passage ExperienceS program that is specifically designed as an optional enrichment activity as students complete a cycle of their education. ROPES provides students in 4th, 6th, and 8th grade an opportunity to participate in an academic ritual by way of real-life learning experiences. Participating students will choose a self-directed project that incorporates the 21st century learning skills of initiative, inquiry, creativity, communication, cooperation, and leadership. Students have an opportunity to choose from a variety of Challenge Project Categories: Creativity/Appreciation of the Arts, Innovation/Invention, Adventure/Personal Challenge, Cooperative Games, Service/Advocacy, Personal Reflections
To learn more about ROPES projects and guidelines, students and parents should attend the ROPES orientation on Tuesday, October 22 from 6-7pm at Mustang Hall at Central Middle School. Please note the new time. Students and parents in grades 4, 6, and 8 who are new to ROPES should attend from 6-7pm. For more information, please contact us at [email protected]
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.
Mustang Roundup
Donate to the the PTA Before Nov. 1 Deadline!
Thank you for your support of our Stampede & Soar and Book Fair, both wonderful programs put on by our PTA! And many of you have already made your $250 family donation to support our PTA – for this we are so grateful.
Unfortunately, our PTA income is almost $20K short of our budget. As a result, we may be in the position of having to make significant budget cuts to our programs and events. On the list of programs that rely exclusively on PTA funding and are at risk:
- Art in Action
- Staff Appreciation
- Library Funds to purchase books,
- Garden, Day of Service, and Teacher Grants
- 8th Grade Graduation Activities
Again, if you have already contributed to the PTA, thank you so much! If not (per PTA bylaws for fundraising), the deadline is Friday, November 1st.
We are asking for $250 per family, but please give what you can to support your school! Click here to donate NOW.
Our next PTA meeting will be on Wednesday, November 13th at 7PM in the Central/Arroyo Library. At this meeting, we will determine if we have enough donations to fund our operating budget. If we don’t, we will identify cuts that we need to make this year. We welcome everyone to join us and provide your input.
If you have any questions, please send them to [email protected].
PTA Reflections Contest 2019-20: Look Within
Don't ignore your inner artist! It's time to start working on your Reflections project for this year's PTA Reflections theme, Look Within. Enter your artwork and reflect about its meaning to you in one of six categories:
- Dance Choreography
- Film Production
- Literature
- Music Composition
- Photography
- Visual Arts
All entries will be recognized for their artistic achievement--participation itself is a meaningful contribution to the Central community! First-place finishers in each category enter the district competition. District winners move on to the state level, and winners ultimately compete at the national level. Click here to review the Official Rules on the PTA Reflections page of the Central website.
Due on Tuesday, November 12, 2019 to Ms. Gamez in the office.
The Central Yearbook and Mr. Lamb Need Your Help!
We have 3 volunteer opportunities available - please contact Mr. Nick Lamb at [email protected] if you are interested or have any questions.
1) After School Sports Photography
For every sport, a team photo is needed and a few good action shots as well! We need a parent volunteer who would coordinate with Legarza to ensure all coaches take a team photo and reach out to parents for help with some good action shots from as many different of our teams as possible.
2) Event photographer
Our yearbook will need photos from school events such as Children's Theater productions, Stampede & Soar color run, and the Swing Dance competition. This parent volunteer could take the photos themselves and/or gather all photos taken from other parents at the events.
3) 8th Grade End of Year Slideshow
This job involves asking parents to forward school related photos from the last 4 years, organizing them by year, and putting them to music. The slideshow is shown to the 8th graders at the end of year breakfast. We also ask parents to send in baby pictures for the yearbook.
SCEF
Faculty and Friends' Got Talent!
Beloved San Carlos music teachers and instructors along with other local musicians will perform on Friday, November 8 at the 14th annual Friends and Faculty Concert. This popular event is great for the whole family and all proceeds benefit SCSD middle school music programs. To purchase tickets, please visit https://www.scefkids.org/events/
Come out and hear some of your favorites do their thing! Performers include Doug Chin, Chris Anthony, Joe Murphy, Sara Murphy, Katie Tupper, Tabitha Tetreault, Selena Gould, Scott Daily, Grace Schulz, Hummingbird Music, and The Peninsula Scottish Fiddlers.
- Friday, November 8, 2019
- 7:00 pm
- St. Charles Church in San Carlos
Candy Buy-Back
Support Our Troops - Support Your School
- Drop off your Halloween Candy at your school office
- When? Nov 1st – Nov 6th
- Drs. Amin, Chang and Kaher will donate $1 per pound of wrapped candy to SCEF
- All candy will be shipped to our troops overseas as part of Operation Gratitude
Thank you to local dentists, Drs. Amin, Chang and Kaher and Estes Express Shipping. Check out our flyer at http://scefkids.org/halloween
Community Partners
Chickens' Ball Fundraiser Auditions - Oct 24 & 26
Got Talent? Want to raise money for your kids’ music and art programs? Want to have fun? Sign up online and attend auditions Thursday October 24 or Saturday October 26 at Heather Elementary school. Watch our short video for all the info you need. www.chickensball.org
All Aboard for the Transportation Museum - October 27th at Brittan Acres
The Transportation Museum features interactive and educational exhibits and activities related to all kinds of transportation. This year's museum will take place on Sunday, October 27 from 10-3 inside the Multi-Use Room at Brittan Acres.
This year's exhibits include analyzing the legacy of the Transcontinental Railroad, exploring transit-oriented development in the Bay Area, traversing the world's most extreme airports, and an in-depth look at the history of SamTrans. In addition, there will also be a hands-on flight simulator and bus driving simulator, a transit-themed escape room, a virtual reality activity, and outreach booths hosted by representatives from local transit agencies, including the California High-Speed Rail Authority, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, and more. You can learn more at TheTransportationMuseum.com.
Free Rainbarrel Installation Workshop - Nov 2
Join us for a FREE rain barrel workshop sponsored by Flows To Bay, the San Mateo Countywide Water Pollution Prevention Program. The workshop will be on Saturday, November 2 from 9:00am-1:00pm at Tierra Linda Middle School, San Carlos. Help us install a new system for TL, and learn the skills needed to install your own rain barrel system at home! All ages are welcome to participate in the learning and the FUN! RSVP: https://www.flowstobay.org/nov2
High School Happenings
Sequoia High School
*new
Sequoia 8th Grade Parent Information Night coming up! Mark your calendars for Wed 11/6, 6:00pm - 8:00pm, beginning in Carrington Hall on Sequoia's campus. The Info Night includes opening remarks from Sequoia Principal Sean Priest, and an opportunity to visit classrooms and hear from student panels over four optional sessions. No RSVP required. For more information, click here. A great introduction to the Sequoia experience!
Carlmont High School
8th graders and their families can learn all about Carlmont HS through Group or Individual Shadowing, Info Nights, Forums and Newsletters. To learn more, click HERE.
Summit Public High School
8th graders and their families can learn about the Summit Public School experience HERE.
Design Tech High School
8th graders and their families can learn about the Design Tech Charter High School experience HERE.