10/26/20 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

Halloween News 

Our ASB Officers are organizing a costume contest, a pumpkin carving contest and a Halloween art contest.  Please hit the link below for details on how to enter.  It should be a lot of fun.  Please make sure to monitor your child’s costume to make sure things are appropriate for school.  

Halloween Contests 

Participation and Engagement with Distance Learning

Many teachers have increased the amount of credit students are receiving in their gradebooks for participation given the learning environment under distance learning.  We would like to give students as many opportunities as possible to earn participation points.  The purpose of this is to encourage students to show up for class and to take an active role during the lesson.  We understand that it is not easy to speak up in front of one’s peers especially over Zoom. However, class participation is an extremely important part of student learning.  By giving students participation points, teachers are letting students know that they value their input.  

In addition,  when a student speaks up in class, he or she is learning how to express themselves in a way that other people can understand.  They are organizing their thoughts around the subject matter and increasing their comprehension.  We also want students to become comfortable speaking in class so that they will ask questions to obtain information they might not understand.  

Class participation is also very important for teachers to check for understanding.  With participation, teachers can learn what students don’t understand and they know what they need to adjust within their instruction.  

Giving assessments (tests or quizzes) may not be the best way for educators to give credit for learning the material and for engaging under distance learning.  Class participation has become even more important in keeping students on task and for awarding points for learning.  

Teachers are experts at drawing students out.  They create classroom environments that both encourage and reward student participation.  They make it clear they want students to speak up in class and they want them to ask questions (There is no such thing as a dumb question).  Teachers take every comment seriously in order to build confidence in their students. Teachers are trained to listen attentively to their students' comments and questions because they know they can learn a lot about their progress.  

Keep in mind that participation and engagement does not always mean speaking in front of the entire class.  Students are placed in breakout rooms or smaller groups to increase the opportunity to speak and to lower the anxiety for doing so.  The idea is to help students gain confidence in expressing their ideas in a lower risk environment.  

If you notice teachers encouraging students to contribute to class discussion, even if it is just using the chat function in zoom, you will know why.  We know that it takes a great deal of courage to put yourself out there in front of your peers, that is precisely why we are increasing participation points in the gradebook.  Please encourage your students to keep their camera turned on during zoom meetings so that teachers can monitor participation.  It is extremely difficult for teachers to know if a student is paying attention, or is even there at all, if the camera is turned off.  If your child has a great deal of anxiety around keeping the camera on, then it is okay for him or her to turn it off, however, then they must demonstrate that they are there in another way.  Opting out of one thing means that they must opt in to something else.  For example, students who turn off their camera must use the chat function to communicate with teachers and/or speak up in class.  

You may also notice that we have added Engagement Logs as part of attendance in Powerschool.  This is so we can track student participation in class.  I will be monitoring student engagement logs so that we can provide additional support for students who are struggling.  Every teacher is different, but you will notice a greater emphasis on class participation while we teach remotely.  As you can see, participation and engagement has taken on even greater importance during distance learning.  

Tom Domer 

Principal 

PTA

Every Donation Makes a Difference

We are grateful for the 60 Mustang and Eagle families who donated to our PTA Team Kid fundraising campaign this week!   We are getting closer to our goal of $45k, as well as building up our PTA membership which is now 365 parents and teachers strong.  

We are still $16,000 away from our goal however, with only a few weeks left in our campaign.

Special thanks are due to our first two GOLD level local business sponsors:  Alana Corso of Dwell Realtors and  Dr. Sara Andrews at Andrews Orthodontics for their generous donations to our PTA. 

Interested in becoming a PTA Business Sponsor?   If you or your extended family own a business, please consider being a PTA sponsor this year.  More information about the sponsor benefits can be found online.

Still wondering how our PTA funds are being spent during this different school year?  

• 60% of our funds are supporting increased teacher classroom stipends and Principal’s funds, staff appreciation and general school supply needs that may arise with distant and hybrid learning. 
• 40% supports Art in Action, 8^th grade graduation festivities, spirit gear, special projects, Healthy Cities Tutoring and more student and community events.      

Please support our school, teachers and student programs by donating today.   Our ask is a one time donation of $125 per student or $250 per family, although all donations of any amount are greatly appreciated.

PTA Membership

Can we make it to 600 PTA members again this year?  Last year was a record-breaking year for Central/Arroyo PTA membership.   Join again this year and keep the Stand Up for Public Schools push for better CA school funding going strong.   Family memberships are $20 and include membership to the California State PTA as well.   Join today!

Teacher Appreciation Lunch

The PTA provided lunch from the Toss in San Carlos to our staff this week. While we may not all be together, we still love taking care of our wonderful Central staff.  Thanks to our generous community for making this possible.

Student Directory

Watch for an email from DirectoryBurst.com for an invitation to access Central Middle School 2020-21 student and family directory. Principal Domer will send out a link to the PDF of the directory early next week. Thank you Stefanie Prendergast for all your work in putting this together!

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

School District

Covid19 Testing Available for Children - County of San Mateo Announces Drive-Through Testing at the San Mateo County Event Center

The County of San Mateo announced no-cost testing for COVID-19 is available for children age 5 and older starting Tuesday, October 20 - a new option that expands the County's testing capacity.  

Testing is open by appointment to all families that live in San Mateo County with children ages 5 and older. Appointments for the drive-through testing at the San Mateo County Event Center are available weekdays from 1 to 8 p.m.  

The County is offering a simple-to-use oral mouth swab test that is self-administered for children and families in partnership with Curative Inc., a rapid diagnostics firm based in Southern California. Curative has the capacity to test over 500 individuals each day at the Event Center with results available typically within 48 hours.  

With the addition of testing by Curative, the County has the capacity to test up to 7,500 individuals each week. There is no cost to participants.

Parent Screening: The Social Dilemma Wednesday October 28th

We tweet, we like, and we share— but what are the consequences of our growing dependence on social media? In the Netflix documentary, The Social Dilemma, Silicon Valley insiders reveal how social media is reprogramming civilization by exposing what’s hiding on the other side of your screen.  Take a look here at this thought-provoking trailer.

This is such an important topic, especially now that we (and our children) have become so dependent on the screen to stay connected both socially and academically, I will be hosting a screening of this documentary, followed by a discussion on Wednesday, October 28 from 7:30-9:30pm (adults only).

If you are interested in attending, please RSVP here by Monday, October 27. Participants will receive the Zoom link beforehand. 

San Carlos School District Preschool Program

Did you know that the San Carlos School District Preschool is open and safely running? Children are painting, building, creating, learning and playing with their friends. They are happy and enjoying their days in the preschool classroom. 

The program has been open and safely running since May 11 - Monday-Friday from 7:30am until 5:00pm. Your preschooler is welcome to attend 2, 3, 4 or 5 days - we have open spots available at each of the four elementary sites. 

Each preschool classroom is self contained with up to 12 children and 2 teachers. A strict health and safety protocol is followed each day. Children and teachers are wearing masks as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. 

To find out more information, visit our preschool website or contact the Director of the program, Sue Dawley at [email protected]. She will be happy to answer all of your questions.

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.

SCEF

San Carlos Education Foundation (SCEF)

BOO! Sadly, the 10th Annual Halloween Candy Buy-Back will not be happening this year. SCEF is grateful for the ongoing support of Dr. Mike Chang, Dr. Nancy Kaher and Dr. Urmi Amin, and we are proud to announce that they are making a donation matching the 2019 candy total. Thank you to Drs. Chang, Kaher & Amin for their continued support of SCEF and San Carlos public education.

SCEF is proud to partner with PTAs and the District to bring you some wonderful parent education opportunities over the next few weeks.  Mark your calendar for the events on the Parent Education & Resources page for details and registration.

Community Partners

San Carlos Park and Recreation

San Carlos Parks & Rec’s Halloween Decorating Contest Map is ready to view: https://viewer.mapme.com/schalloweenmap    

Residents can visit decorated homes and businesses around San Carlos. Get ready for a spooky night as you explore the Halloween fun our residents have prepared! We ask that all community members stay in their cars when viewing all 46 Halloween displays. For more information, visit: cityofsancarlos.org/halloweendecorating  

Happy Halloween!

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:

Carlmont High School

The 8th Grade Transition team has put together a prerecorded Parent Information Night. Please visit the webpage to see the video that provides in depth information about the Carlmont academic program, including electives and core curriculum. 

Shadowing Events for 8th grade students are now available for sign up. Group sessions will be virtual and hosted by Carlmont student ambassadors, with a moderator from our 8th Grade Transition team. Individual sessions are also available for one-on-one virtual sessions with a Carlmont Ambassador.

Click here for Shadowing Information and to Register

• Carlmont Home Page
• November 2020 Carlmont Corner
• Shadowing at Carlmont 

Design Tech High School

• DTech Home Page