10/19/20 CMS Newsletter

Principal's Message

Hello CMS Families,

Week at a Glance

• 6th Grade Week-at-a-Glance
• 7th Grade Week-at-a-Glance
• 8th Grade Week-at-a-Glance

Additional Elective Offerings: 

If your student does not have an elective and you want one, we have opened up two more elective classes; Leadership and Computers.  Please let me know if you would like us to add an elective class to your child’s schedule. 

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Central as a Safe and Supportive Space
This week I would like to write about some of the measures we have adopted over the past few years to make sure Central remains a safe and supportive place for our students. I know there is a great deal of concern about the social and emotional growth of our students given the fact that their interactions with their peers have been restricted.  A large part of our mission at CMS is to build a strong school community that is tolerant and respectful of everybody.  This becomes even more challenging over Zoom. Because of this, we must come up with a plan to sustain our focus on a Supportive and Inclusive School Community in a way that works from a distance. We are continuing the work we have been doing in implementing a system of Positive Behavior Intervention and Support (PBIS), a research-based framework designed to improve school climate, reduce problem behavior, and increase instructional time.  We supplement this with Restorative Practices which combine community building, developing empathy for one another, and rebuilding trust when it has been broken.  Currently I am working on ways to include PBIS into our student’s daily schedules. 

Our PBIS program has four main components. I will be sharing each of these elements within the next few weeks. Listed below:

• Clear, Consistent Behavior Expectations
• A System of Positive Reinforcements
• Correcting Negative Behavior Through Intervention and Support
• Collecting and Analysing Behavior Data to Inform Decision Making

You may want to consider incorporating these components into your daily home routines.  We know that children thrive when they know what to expect and what is expected of them.  I am not suggesting that you begin collecting data on your children’s behavior, but creating consistent behavior expectations is more important than ever given the fact that students are learning from home.  

At school we have a committee of staff members who meet throughout the year to carry out our vision; at home you do not.  We typically spend time explicitly teaching and reviewing our core values (Responsible, Respectful, Supportive and Safe).  You may want to take the time to have these conversations at home.  It is okay to speak to your family about your values and expectations. Do this before it becomes an issue.  Having proactive conversations with your family can avoid problems in the future.  Make sure to be clear about what you want.  

At school, we also promote these values through a system of positive reinforcement.  You may have noticed that we are continuing to reward and acknowledge good behavior with our Pride Cards.  I am always surprised at how the simple act of recognition matters so much to our students. Parents might consider doing something similar.  Keep in mind that acknowledging a student’s hard work is different from “buying them off”.  Our goal is to build intrinsic motivation in our students.  This does not happen by giving them gifts or money.  Intrinsic motivation comes from feeling recognized and valued for hard work and perseverance.  Our Pride Cards are an example of a way to honor a student without giving them the impression that they deserve a gift for doing their work. Not only does this encourage good behavior, it also helps us build positive relationships with students through those interactions.  

We believe that by simultaneously providing support and clear expectations (and interventions when needed) we can help our students develop productive habits and healthy relationships. When our kids know that we value them personally, they will develop higher levels of self-confidence and they will feel safe enough to take risks with their learning. The CMS staff wants students to feel safe enough to make mistakes and learn from them both in and outside the classroom. I hope that by explaining our values, families will be able to incorporate them into your home routines. 

Because I always like to share what I am reading or listening to, I would like to include a link to the Podcast, Talking to Teens.   There is a lot here, but you can pick and choose what you want to listen to.  You may end up listening to it all.  

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We Need Photos for the Yearbook

Submit photos for consideration to the yearbook!

Label your submissions: First day of school, SIP Hair Styles , You and Your Comfort Animal, Your Distance Learning workspace, Social Distance Vacays or Staycays and don't forget Halloween!

You can go to the Herff Jones eshare site and submit photos directly. The code is mustangs21 (all lower case) http://www.hjeshare.com/eShare/?code=mustangs21

You can also download the Herff Jones eshare app from the app store for android and iphone. This allows you to upload photos directly from your phone.

http://www.hjeshare.com/eShare/?code=mustangs21  We will provide times and safety procedures in early November. 

Tom Domer

Principal

School District

Mark Your Calendars for ROPES October 29th!

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 29 from 6:30-7:30pm - Zoom link here. Students and parents in grades 4, 6, and 8 who are new to ROPES should attend. For more information, please visit the ROPES page on the SCSD site.

PTA

It's Not Too Late to Join the Team Kid Movement!

Many thanks to those families who have already contributed to TeamKid, our Central Arroyo PTA fundraising campaign this year! The PTA fundraising deadline is approaching, if you haven’t donated yet, we still need your help!

Our PTA is currently at 40% of our goal, so your contribution of $125 per student to Central will bring us closer to meeting our goal to cover PTA funded programs this year. 

Although we are currently in distance learning, PTA fundraising is still needed to provide critical site needs.  Our PTA funds directly support teacher stipends, principal funds, critical cleaning supplies, Art in Action, garden, student assemblies, 8th grade graduation, parent education, disability awareness and support, student supplies, Healthy Cities tutoring and much, much more. Click HERE to donate.  

Already donated to PTA? Donate to SCEF! Your SCEF donation which will be accepted until June 30, ensures continued funding for teaching positions and professional development, technology devices and applications, mental health and wellness, elective teachers and music programs, and Principal Flex Accounts across all San Carlos schools.

We invite you to Join TeamKid today and support these organizations that support our schools. By giving to your school's PTA and SCEF, you’ll contribute to local-level funding that bridges the gap between the needs of San Carlos public schools and our CA state funding.

Proposition 15 - Schools & Community First

The San Carlos School District unanimously approved a resolution in support of Prop 15 Schools and Communities First on the ballot in November. The District would receive an estimated $1,896,397 and the City of San Carlos $4,112,000 in additional funding if the initiative passes. According to the measure's sponsors, The California Schools & Local Communities Funding Act would raise an estimated $12 billion annually statewide for schools and local communities including $830 million for San Mateo County. 

For details, go to the California PTA's website.

Editor's Note:  This message was approved by County Council - It is permitted to be included in our newsletters for information only, not advocacy

PTA Reflections 

Reflections Program 2020-1 Information

The National PTA’s Reflections art program has helped students explore their own thoughts, feelings and ideas, develop artistic literacy, increase confidence and find a love for learning that will help them become more successful in school and in life. 

Reflections was established in 1969 by National PTA board member Mary Lou Anderson.  Each year, over 300,000 students in Pre-K through Grade 12 create original works of art in response to a student-selected theme.  The theme for the 2020-2021 program year is 

 "I Matter Because.... "    " Yo Importo Proque... "  

 Reflections 2020-21 Call for Entries 
https://youtu.be/IX-rzWHnY5Q

Students may submit an entry in any and/or all of the six arts areas listed below in one of the grade divisions Primary: Preschool, Kindergarten – Grade 2, Intermediate: Grade 3-5, Middle School: Grade 6-8, High School: Grade 9-12, Special Artist: All grades

Only original works of art created by the individual student are accepted. Students may enter up to two works of art. The six arts areas are as follows:

Student Participation

Participation in Reflections is open to all students who are in attendance at a PTA/PTSA school where the program is sponsored. Students submit their Reflections entries to their school PTA/PTSA by November 2nd. 

Reflections Theme Search 2022-2023
The Reflections Theme Search is determined by the National PTA Reflections Theme Search Contest which is selected two years in advance.  Each State PTA Reflections Committee submits 5 themes to represent their state to the National PTA Reflections Theme selection. 
 
Opens on September 1st and closes on November 1st to California State PTA.  Students may submit as multiple ideas however each idea must have it's own entry form.  It may be submitted via postal mail (entry form is attached) or online starting September 1st visit
 

Online Theme Search:  http://capta.org/programs-events/reflections/theme-search/

Reflections Information on CMS Website:  https://central.scsdk8.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=1138747&type=d&pREC_ID=2082938

SCEF

San Carlos Education Foundation (SCEF)

SCEF dollars are hard at work this school year, and we are doing our part to support our students and teachers. YOUR donation dollars are supporting smaller K-3 class sizes, new Chromebooks and iPads for students, professional development for our teachers in distance learning and social justice. SCEF is partnering with the district and the PTA Coordinating Council (PTACC) to fund our parent education program this year--Parent Ventures and One Life Counseling are helping to provide a robust menu of opportunities. 

Community Partners

SCSD Pandemic Care & Support Parent Website 

We hope you will check out our new SCSD Pandemic Care & Support website that specifically addresses resources for our school community during the Pandemic. 

We've created a Parent Education Calendar and will keep that updated with new events. Note: we will be adding new events to this calendar regularly, so you may wish to link the calendar to your own. 

The site also houses pages for Counseling & Mental Health where you will find links to make appointments with your school counselors, along with information such as the Green Folder which details an action plan to help during a mental health crisis. We added a page about Meals & Groceries just to make sure everyone knows how to order weekly meal boxes and get support from the PTA if you need groceries. 

Finally, you'll find our newly-released guidelines for families about the process we are following if a student is ill. Each time those processes are revised, we will let you know. 

Healthy Cities Tutoring Training - October 21st 

Healthy Cities Tutoring is recruiting volunteers – Reach a child. Touch a Family. Build a community.

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 Wednesday, October 21 at 7:00-8:15 pm. 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 - Writing Workshop - October 22nd

Join us for a virtual parent workshop to support your writers at home by Erica Reardon, literacy coach.  Erica will share routines, structures, and essentials to put in place at home, as well as strategies to help your child improve as a writer.  There will also be time for questions and answers at the end.  

Workshop for Grades 3-8 is Thursday, October 22, 2020 at 7:00 pm. See flyer for more information - 3rd-8th grade flyer.

High School Happenings

Sequoia High School

• Sequoia Home Page
• Shadowing at Sequoia
• Important Note: We are NOT planning on inviting 8th grade students into live Zoom classes. Our teachers are facing challenging enough circumstances already without the added logistics of welcoming visitors.
• Currently 8th grade students and families can register via the SHADOW PAGE of the Sequoia HS website and THIS REGISTRATION FORM. The registration (as in years past) asks for shadow curricular and extracurricular interests. Based on this information, I will pair the shadow with one of our hosts. The host will then have a prescribed set of steps that they take
• Email a general letter introducing themselves and "welcoming" the shadow
• Providing three video links (Virtual Orientation, About Sequoia and the 2020 Virtual Lib Dub)
• Providing electronic copies of resources (important list of contacts, campus map, social media accounts to follow, course preference form, other materials from the program planning handbook, etc)
• Details about supplemental informational events (IB Info Night, Open House, 8th Grade Welcome Night, etc)
• As part of their registration, shadows/parents will also be asked for their preferred method of contact (phone call to student, phone call to parent, text message, zoom, FaceTime, etc.) Sequoia host students will reach out via the preferred medium, as well as provide contact information for any necessary follow up.
• We will also provide:
• Student Panels - Subject-specific student panel sessions will be held weekly (Wednesday, 2:00 PM) and cover a range of topics. Tentative schedule below:

• Parent Informational Sessions - Modeled to mimic the in-person sessions we held each shadow day in years past. I'll host these sessions (45 minute target... stretch to 60 minutes if necessary). I'll be joined by 2-3 volunteers from the PTSA who can provide input from a parent perspective on the Sequoia experience. We will offer both morning and evening sessions.