Principal's Message
April 19, 2021
Week-at-a-Glance
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Hello CMS,
It was great to see our students back on campus this week. Even though we only had half our students on campus, it somehow felt like real school. Every student I spoke to said that they were happy to be back in school, and I believe it because I could see it on their faces (even over their masks).
We continue to work hard on our safety protocols. I am happy to report that our students have been great about wearing their masks and washing their hands. Students need to be reminded to remain socially distanced, but our teachers are staying diligent reminding them. Please remember to complete Fever Free before sending your child to school.
I look forward to a productive remainder of the year.
Mr. Domer
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8th Grade Celebration Activities
The PTA 8th Grade Graduation Committee is partnering with CMS to schedule fun, safe, optional activities for our 8th graders to celebrate the end of their time at Central. We will be sending out periodic updates so keep an eye out for announcements over the next several months.
Cornhole Tournament
Want to play cornhole? No experience necessary! No team necessary! No equipment necessary! Sign your 8th grader up on the attached link to indicate interest in a cornhole tournament. Depending on the number of participants, we will schedule a March Madness type bracket or round robin style tournament and select day(s). Masks and social distancing will be required for all participants and spectators. Rules will be sent out before games begin. Please sign up here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Ir5xPEU8_QlfSY3-KmYn7172vdCyU8oTrlA5MvufGb0/edit?usp=sharing
Graduation Package
Order a graduation package which includes a lawn sign and goodie bag for your 8th grader! Graduation packages cost $30 each. Please consider buying one or more for families who may not have planned for this expense. Use this link to purchase your graduation package.
Wheels Loop
We thought it would be fun for our 8th graders to be able to see some of their classmates after a year of being at home. As a trial run, we would like to schedule a specific day/time slot for our 8th graders to wheel (bike, skateboard, scooter, etc) along the delegated bike loop detailed in the link below.
https://www.cityofsancarlos.org/Home/Components/News/News/400/16
There will be no supervision, so please ask your students to wear their helmets and their masks and maintain social distancing if they stop. Our trial run will be scheduled for Saturday, April 24th between 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm. Ride the loop and see your classmates!
Stay tuned for more activities coming your way. The graduation committee has a dedicated page on the website regarding graduation activities. Please send questions to [email protected].
School District
Student and Community COVID19 Testing to Keep Our Kids on Campus
Please take advantage of the no cost surveillance COVID-19 testing provided by the San Mateo County Health Department.
Please sign up for weekly testing for yourself and your child. Contact your health provider for a test if you have symptoms or know you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19.
Keeping COVID cases off of our campuses will keep our in person learning possible. As a reminder, if a student or or teacher tests positive for COVID, we will need to transition that cohort back to distance learning for at least two weeks to avoid spreading the virus.
Sign up at one of the following locations to begin your regular weekly testing:
Central Middle School - Thursdays, 1:00-7:00 pm and Fridays 10:00am to 4:00pm Register Here
Other Community Based Testing sites in San Mateo County Here
Nursing Notes - COVID-19 Protocol Reminder for all Families
Please keep your child and all siblings home if anyone in your household is sick.
Please remember to contact your school site if someone in your household tests positive for COVID-19 or if your child has been in close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19. Our district nurses are here to help support you in understanding quarantine lengths and ways for getting your student back to school as quickly as possible within the county health guidelines.
COVID-19 Vaccination Appointments for 16-17 Year Olds
Stanford is currently scheduling COVID-19 vaccination appointments for individuals who are aged 16-17. Vaccination sites are in San Jose (Cisco Garage) and in Pleasanton (Alameda Fairgrounds). You will be asked to validate the date of birth (DOB) of the patient at the time of the vaccination. If available please bring insurance card and photo ID. Click here to schedule an appointment at Stanford Healthcare.
PTA
We are excited to announce the PTA Executive Board members for next year 2021-2022!
- President for CMS: Kirsten Kell
- Treasurer: Paulo Dutra
- Secretary: April Lasky
- Communications Director, CMS: Erica Hayes
- Chair of SCEF Relations: Trinity Murphy / Debbie Blucher
- Executive Vice President/Co-President Arroyo: Alana Corso
- Communications Director, Arroyo School: Open
Still Interested in getting involved in Central Arroyo's PTA next year? In addition to the executive board there are many volunteer roles (some listed below) that are essential to supporting our kids and teachers. If you are interested please contact Kirsten Kell to learn more.
- Welcome week - following the latest county health guidelines coordinate with Welcome Week leaders for both schools to plan wonderful ways to welcome all of our students to campus
- PTA Reflections Coordinator - promote this artistic expression contest at the school level to our students, recruit judges, pass the winning entries along to the 17th district. This program is very well supported at the district level with lots of guidance on how to do this role.
- School Beautification/Day of Service - in coordination with the Arroyo team, Principal Domer, and possibly the San Carlos Day of Service identify beautification opportunities on CMS campus, coordinate supplies and volunteers to complete projects in the fall or spring
- Each Green Corner Garden Support - work with Each Green Corner staff to recruit and coordinate volunteers to maintain the Central Arroyo Garden and outdoor education spaces especially during monthly work days
- Honorary Service Chair - inform our community of the categories of awards and solicit nominations, coordinate a selection committee including principals to review nominations, lead the organization of Awards presentation ceremony and recognition tokens presented to recipients.
SCEF
San Carlos Education Foundation (SCEF)
The Gala is THIS weekend!
The new family-friendly SCEF Virtual Gala is THIS Sunday, April 25, 5pm-6pm. SAVE THE DATE and register NOW!
It will be fast and fun with a dynamic auctioneer hosting the event. We will have a special message from Congresswoman Jackie Speier, a great LIVE Auction and a Fund-a-Need segment featuring a “Last SCEF Auction Hero” with a special prize.
This year, the Fund-a-Need is a campaign to FUND-THE-FUTURE. This is a spectacular opportunity to fund science and technology tools, equipment, and teacher training for all San Carlos public schools. SCSD is launching a new science curriculum that will bring science appreciation, critical thinking skills, and hands-on learning to San Carlos students. San Carlos Charter is also funding tools and consumables to support science education.
ALL will have a chance to win 3-Nights at a Fairmont Hotel/Resort! Sign into the virtual Gala by 5pm to be eligible, and be present when the Lucky Door Prize ticket is drawn. Enter the Starlight Raffle for a Chance and a Choice: winner chooses one of a selection of Silent and Live Auction Packages. Only 300 tickets will be sold. $100/1 ticket; $250/3 tickets; $500/6 tickets. For details go to https://scefkids.org/starlight-raffle
TICKET INFORMATION
To register, please go to www.scefkids.org/events
Leadership Circle level donors, please use the registration link provided in the email sent to you from Jackie King, VP Leadership Circle.
Let’s toast together! Join your community in celebrating our public school and supporting them with our annual fundraising SCEF Gala.
Can’t attend the virtual event? You can still bid in the online auction from April 22 to April 30.
Community News
City of San Carlos - Earth Day Photo Competition
To celebrate Earth Day this year the City of San Carlos is hosting a photo competition with four different categories: Energy, Transportation, Waste, and Water.
To participate, share a photo on Twitter or Instagram with #CityofGoodLiving or #SanCarlosEarthDay, or email a photo to [email protected] showing how you are celebrating Earth Day. Along with the photo include a description explaining how you are reducing your impact for one of the four categories. Share your photo by April 21 and the best submission for each category will win a $25 gift certificate The Reading Bug! Winners for each category will be chosen based on creativity and positive environmental impact and announced on Earth Day.
Learn more at: cityofsancarlos.org/earthday
Sequoia 9th Grade Freshman Orientation
SEQUOIA HIGH SCHOOL
ONLINE FRESHMAN WELCOME EVENT
SAVE THE DATE
Tuesday - April 27, 2021
- English 6:00pm - 7:00pm
- Spanish 7:15pm - 8:15pm
The entire Sequoia family is delighted to welcome you-- our incoming students and parents-- to our annual Incoming Student Welcome Event on April 27, 2021. In this live webinar, Principal Sean Priest will kick the night off with a short presentation followed by a question and answer session with current Sequoia students who can give you the inside scoop on what to expect during this important transition and first year. Expert members of our PTSA, Education Foundation and Boosters Club will also be there to welcome you to the school and answer all your questions. Please join us for this informational event that will answer key questions about classes, signing up for sports, and clubs and activities on campus.
We will forward the zoom link in early April. Parents and students are welcome to submit questions in advance to [email protected]
Rediscover Summer Fun- Camp Galileo for PreK -Rising 8th Graders
Galileo's award-winning camps engage kids in the perfect mix of hands-on learning and unforgettable fun, thoughtfully redesigned for 2021. Small groups and safety protocols keep every Galilean safe. Engaging art, science and outdoor challenges deliver the innovation-igniting experiences kids love. Flexible enrollment policies make planning stress free. It all comes together for a joyful summer.
Limited enrollment—sign up now!
Save $25 per week before May 3rd! When you book for 3 weeks you’ll save $175, that’s $25 per week, plus $50 savings for weeks two and three.
Optional extended care. Learn more at www.galileo-camps.com.
Play On!
City of San Carlos - Workshops for Youth & Summer Camps
Free Mental Health & Wellness Workshops for Youth
San Carlos YAC is hosting a series of free mental health workshops for middle school-age students. The workshop topics include an overview of mental health in COVID, coping skills for teens during the pandemic, and destigmatizing mental health treatment. Workshops will be virtual and led by counselors from One Life Counseling Center on April 20th and May 18th at 5:00 pm. Registration is required. For more information and to register, visit: www.cityofsancarlos.org/yac.
Summer Camps
Registration is open to residents and non-residents for San Carlos Parks & Recreation summer camps! We are excited to offer a variety of camps including Adventure Camps, Club Ed, and Sports Camps. Additional safety measures will include face coverings for staff and campers, daily wellness screenings and temperature checks. A Fee Assistance Program, funded in partnership with the Parks & Recreation Foundation of San Carlos and the City of San Carlos, is available to help San Carlos residents and students enrolled in a San Carlos-based school participate in Parks & Recreation summer camps. For more information and to register, visit www.cityofsancarlos.org/camps or call (650) 802-4382.
City of San Carlos - Pedestrian Enhancements
The City’s Pedestrian Enhancement at Arroyo-Cedar and Hemlock-Orange Pathway Project requires roadway resurfacing at the intersections to provide a safe path of travel for pedestrians between the curb ramps.
The intersections require significant grading. Allowing vehicles to travel through the intersection with large drops between the existing and proposed roadway surface can be dangerous. Also, the contractor will use heavy equipment and machinery to resurface the intersection, which requires narrowing of lanes and adding more danger for vehicles travelling through the intersections. Therefore, we are planning the closures of the intersection of Arroyo Ave-Cedar St as well as Hemlock-Orange during the work to keep everyone safe. The closures will also expedite the schedule so the contractor can finish in one week as opposed to two weeks.
The closure of the Hemlock St-Orange Ave intersection will occur during the week of April 26 while the closure of the Arroyo Ave-Cedar St intersection will occur on May 3.
Poetry, Art, and Music Competition
As a part of our Affordable Housing Month in May 2021, the Housing Leadership Council and Poet Laureate Aileen Cassinetto are hosting a poetry, art, and music competition for eligible students (grade 12 and below) in San Mateo County! Students can submit their poem, or musical/art piece to [email protected] by the April 30th deadline! All submissions should be inspired by or touch upon the notion of home in the area.
High School Happenings
Sequoia High School
Carlmont High School
Design Tech High School
Tide Academy