Sunday, September 12, 2021
This Week at a Glance
Principal's Message
I have already mentioned that things feel a little bit different opening up school this year compared to years past, for obvious reasons. Students are very excited to be back in school, but have some deficits that we must address. The 2021-22 school year offers Central a critical opportunity to create a school community that focuses on our fundamental values. Our Restorative Restart consists of 14 areas designed to foster the critical relationship between Central and the families that we serve.
This week at our staff meeting we will be discussing ways we can create dedicated time and space for relationship building and reengagement. Teachers will be exploring specific measures we can take to connect with kids in meaningful ways. This requires intentional and purposeful action on our part. Our students have been away from school for so long, they may feel like they are not part of our community. We are tasked with creating an environment where every student feels welcomed, valued and seen. We are looking at ways to include student voice in all of our decision making. In addition, we are bringing as many opportunities for students to have fun.
When a school is deliberate about its focus on connectedness, that school has better outcomes in student engagement and learning. To this end, this week ASB will be putting on a Rally/Assembly on Thursday during Advisory, specifically designed for fun and community building. As principal, I might even end up with a pie in my face.
Covid
I am re-sharing the SMCOE’s Covid Recovery Framework for your reference. It is important for all of us to stay on top of our safety protocols so that we can safely stay in school. Take some time to review the Four Pillars of Safety -Physical Distancing, Hygiene and Disinfecting, Health Screening and Monitoring and Protective Equipment. Our students have been great about keeping their masks on and washing their hands, but a little reminder never hurt anything.
Tom Domer, Principal
PTA News
PTA Meeting, Wednesday September 15, 2021 at 8:45am
Please join us at our first PTA meeting of the year this Wednesday, September 15th at 8:45 AM in the Central/Arroyo school library. These meetings are attended by both Tom Domer and Mindy Shelton and are a great way to stay informed. Also, mark your calendars for upcoming PTA meetings in 2021/22. We would love to see you!
Be sure to check out the Agenda before the meeting to see what will be discussed! PTA Meeting Dates & Agenda – PTA – Central Middle School (scsdk8.org)
**Please note, the meetings will rotate between in person and Zoom.
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PTA Meeting Dates 21-22 |
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Meeting Date |
Time |
Location |
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Wed 9/15/21 |
8:45AM |
Central/Arroyo Library |
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Wed 10/13/21 |
7:00PM |
Virtual via Zoom |
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Wed 11/10/21 |
8:45AM |
Central/Arroyo Library |
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Wed 1/12/22 |
7:00PM |
Virtual via Zoom |
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Wed 2/9/22 |
8:45AM |
Central/Arroyo Library |
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Wed 3/9/22 |
7:00PM |
Virtual via Zoom |
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Wed 4/13/22 |
8:45AM |
Central/Arroyo Library |
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Wed 5/11/22 |
7:00PM |
Virtual via Zoom |
Save the Date: The Central/Arroyo Book Fair is Coming- October 4th- 8th!
The Central Arroyo Book Fair is coming soon! Mark your calendars for the week of October 4-8. More details to follow.
We need volunteers to make this event a success for our kids! Please visit here to sign up for a shift (or two!) While parent volunteers are now welcome back on campus, each parent must first fill out a volunteer form and be cleared by the district to join us. The clearance process is taking up to a week, so please consider signing up and promptly filling in this quick form. Volunteering at the book fair is a wonderful opportunity to visit with the students and encourage them to find great books to enjoy. Thank you in advance for your support!
Yearbook
This year Central is using the eShare for the yearbook again. Families can submit photos for consideration for the yearbook. Please be sure to indicate which students are in the photos, the grade of the students and the context. The yearbook staff hopes that this will be an extremely helpful tool for CMS athletes and sports. https://www.hjeshare.com/eShare/?code=central22
PTA Volunteer Opportunities - Our Community is Stronger Together!
The PTA is looking to fill a few more volunteer roles for this year. There are a number of positions we are hoping to fill immediately as well as many more opportunities throughout the year. We can't do it without you! Sign up here to volunteer.
Here are some open positions needed ASAP
Lunch Time Support
Support school staff by being present in the yard and playground during student lunch. Assist students and supervise as needed. Your chance to observe students in a relaxed setting. Sign up here! https://signup.com/go/iTDfWqZ
OR go to our website and sign up here Ways to Support your PTA Programs and Events – PTA – Central Middle School (scsdk8.org)
Fall PTA Reflections Coordinator(s)
Provide a chance for CMS students to explore and share their creativity. Promote this artistic expression contest at the school level to our students, recruit judges, forward 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. Volunteer here!
Become a PTA Partner - DONATE TODAY!
Your one-time PTA Partner donation of $250 this Fall directly benefits Central and Arroyo schools and students by providing:
- Teacher Grants and Supplies
- Art in Action, Garden, MakerSpace programs
- Library Books
- Staff Appreciation
- Healthy Cities Tutoring
- School Assemblies
- And much, much more!
Every donation amount makes a difference, and we thank you in advance for any support you can give the Central Arroyo students and teachers! DONATE TODAY! PTA Partnership also includes your annual PTA membership.
Calling All SCSD Library Books!
We are so delighted that our school libraries are open once again, but we need your help to get them in order! There are still hundreds of outstanding library books that need to be returned to our school libraries from the past 2 years. We are asking any families with library books from any SCSD library to return them to our CMS/Arroyo library. Students can bring the books to the library or parents can drop books off at the Central office. Thanks for your help!
District News
Special Education District Advisory Council (SEDAC) Parent Education Night - Sep 15
Please join us Wednesday, September 15 from 6:00-7:00pm for a Parent Ed Night on Mental Health.
We are excited to welcome guest speakers from the San Carlos School District and One Life Counseling Services.
- Kiersten Daniel Baca, Mental Health Coordinator
- Katherine Chi- One Life Associate at Mariposa
They will be discussing mental health services that the SCSD provides, One Life Counseling and their resources, as well as, other areas surrounding mental health and kids.
We look forward to connecting with you soon! Please forward any questions about attending this presentation to Trisha Lebus ([email protected]) or Judy Woo ([email protected]).
Zoom link:
- Join Zoom Meeting
- ID: 92552834293
- Passcode: Kb5e8yL6
- (US) +1 669-900-6833
- Passcode: 25625154
*Sponsored by SEDAC and SCSD Special Education Department
COVID Reminders - Stay Home When Sick and Get Tested
Staying home when sick and getting tested for COVID-19 are two of the most effective ways to keep our community safe. Click here for more information.
Common Symptoms of COVID-19 (CDPH)
- If you have any of the symptoms listed above, call your school office to report an illness, stay home, and take a COVID test.
- If you need to report a COVID case, please call our District Nurse - Page Pollack at 650-632-8300 (Arroyo Office) or Human Resources at 650-590-5922 if the Nurse is unavailable.
For additional information, visit our COVID-19 Resources page and review the SCSD Health & Safety Plan.
New Hours for Curative Van
Please take advantage of the no-cost COVID-19 testing provided by the San Mateo County Health Department.
Click on the link to sign up at one of the following locations to begin your regular weekly testing:
Central Middle School (parking lot, under solar structure)
- Tuesdays & Wednesdays 9:00 am-3:00 pm
- Thursdays 1:00 pm-7:00 pm
- Fridays 11:00 am-5:00 pm (effective August 17, 2021)
Other Community Based Testing sites in San Mateo County Here
Community Partners
San Carlos Education Foundation (SCEF)
Welcome back and thank you for your commitment to SCEF--meet the Executive Director of SCEF: https://youtu.be/AHZxRcUVsaU. Learn more about how your donations benefit all students at every school at https://scefkids.org.
Ready to give but not sure how? When you Give Every Month, your support of SCEF is spread across the entire year. If you sign up NOW your donation will be given over 10 months (Sept-June), ex. $1500/10=$150/mo. Learn more and join this campaign (at any dollar amount) at: https://scefkids.org/gem/. Monthly donations can be set up on most corporate workplace giving portals. Visit yours today and give with your company matching, in most cases.
Parent Education Series
As Olympic athletes pushed mental health to the forefront, we welcome Steve Smith, PhD, clinical and sports psychologist, for a timely discussion on “The Twisties”: Youth Sports, Competition, and Mental Health (September 15, Online).
SPECIAL EVENT! Frank Bruni, author of Where You Go is Not Who You'll Be, joins Alice Kleeman, award-winning former college advisor, in Beyond Being Admitted: Making the Most of the College Experience (September 22, Online).
September is Suicide Prevention Month! San Mateo County Health, Sequoia Healthcare District, StarVista, and The Parent Venture offer resources for youth mental health and suicide prevention. Mark your calendars! (September 28)
How will Covid impact learning and mental health? Anya Kamenetz, NPR education correspondent, will discuss her upcoming book, The Stolen Year: How America's Covid Response Failed Children, and How We Can Fix It (September 29, Online).
High School Happenings
Sequoia High School
Sequoia High School website: http://www.sequoiahs.org
Carlmont High School
Carlmont High School website: http://carlmonths.org