This Week at a Glance
Sunday, October 3, 2021
Principal's Message
This year we have been working on ways to support students, families and ourselves. As part of our Restorative Restart we are implementing several actions to rebuild our schools. I have written about community and relationship building as a priority this year because reengaging students is imperative to their learning. In addition to this, we are working on connecting one-on-one with each and every family. This is why we take the time out of our school schedule to conduct conferences.
Not surprisingly, we had an extremely high level of interest in conference week. If you do the math, you know that we cannot meet with every family all in one week. But this does not mean we do not want to. If there is a teacher you would like to meet with, please reach out to her/him directly. We will do our best to accommodate every request.
It is our goal to make sure every student at Central feels known and valued. When this happens, students begin to trust the adults on campus. Engaging students and their families is an essential part of building that trust. Students need to take risks and express vulnerability when they are learning. If they understand that families and school are on the same page, that we both have their best interest in mind, they thrive.
The purpose of conference week is to strengthen the home/school connection. I hope to see you on campus next week or in the weeks to come. Please take any opportunity to come to school for a visit. Your middle schooler may act like she/he does not want you here, but the truth is, we all want to see you.
Please let me know if you have any questions,
Tom Domer
Counselor’s Corner:
The month of October is Learning Disabilities Awareness Month. For this month’s video we describe what learning disabilities are and provide strategies to help with organization and executive functioning. While these strategies are designed for people with learning disabilities, they also work for everybody. Enjoy the video.
PTA News
Our Annual Central/Arroyo Book Fair is Here!
Volunteers: We still need volunteers to make this event a success! We especially need people to help after school, from 1 to 3, when parents and students will be shopping. Sign up using this link: Book Fair Volunteering
Classroom Visits: Students will visit the Book Fair throughout the week, with their class. During their classroom’s visit, your child may purchase books for themselves, or make a book wish list to share with you at a later time. Students may also purchase a book fair gift card for their teacher/s.
Family Shopping: The Book Fair will be open immediately after school Monday- Thursday until 3:00pm. You are invited to shop with your student/s before or after your parent/teacher conference as a family. The first 100 families to shop after school will receive a free reusable book tote!
Online: Shop our online fair starting Oct. 1 from home, where the selection is 10x greater, and books are sent directly to your home: Book Fair Online
Payment: Cash or check can be sent with your student, or an eWallet can be set up with a credit card amount pre-set for your student to use to purchase books. To set up an eWallet, please visit: Central/Arroyo E-Wallet .
Questions: Please contact Jenny Goines, Lena Grodin, or Andrea Mardesich
Yearbook
Yearbooks are now on sale. Here is the link: School Code: 7281
https://www.yearbookordercenter.com/general/homepage?portal=true
New this year 8th grade families can purchase space in the book to celebrate their 8th grader's accomplishments with a personalized message and photos. This is accessible through the order center.
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 Meeting, Wednesday October 13, 2021 at 7:00pm via Zoom
Please join us for our second PTA meeting of the year Wednesday, October 13th at 7:00pm via Zoom. 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.
San Carlos PTAs is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: San Carlos PTAs's Zoom Meeting
Time: Oct 13, 2021 07:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86068332717
Meeting ID: 860 6833 2717 Passcode: 011360
Arroyo & Central Living Campus Monthly Work Day! Come help care for Each Green Corner’s Living Campus Garden at Arroyo and Central!
Lots of impressive volunteer work has gone into the garden so far and Saturday, October 9th is the next workday! The work will start at 9 a.m. and end around 1 p.m. It’s going to be a
See the event page for more details and COVID instructions. To register for the event click here!
If you have any questions or concerns please email [email protected]
To be a Volunteer Garden Lead or Coordinator sign up here!
For this upcoming Arroyo & Central workday, we're looking for volunteers with carpentry skills. The task we would like to complete is rebuilding the doors for the garden's whiteboard. These volunteers do not necessarily have to attend the full garden workday and can come to rebuild the whiteboard doors. They do not have to register for the event, unless they want to, and instead should contact us at our [email protected] email.
San Carlos Neighborhood Harvest Day
Join Each Green Corner and other volunteers in harvesting excess backyard produce in San Carlos!
Harvest Volunteers
Volunteers can join others in harvesting excess backyard produce in San Carlos! Each group of 2-4 volunteers will be provided 1-3 residential addresses to harvest from. Volunteers will be provided with all necessary instructions and materials. Driving is required for this event. Volunteers for harvest teams can register here.
Produce Donation
If you or your neighbors have excess produce from your home gardens and are interested in donating it you can fill out this form.
Volunteers Urgently Needed: Fall PTA Reflections Coordinator(s)
If we don’t get a coordinator this opportunity won’t exist for our students this year! Sign up here to volunteer.
This program is very well supported at the district level with lots of guidance on how to do this role. Any questions contact Kirsten Kell, last year’s Coordinator at [email protected]
Lunch Time Support Needed
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)
We're On Our Way to Our Fundraising Goal!
Thank you to everyone who has contributed to our PTA Partner campaign. Without you, many of our school's wonderful programs would not be possible. Please click here to donate today!
School District News
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.
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)
We are grateful to the local businesses --large and small--that support our schools. A BIG thank you to Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Black Mountain Properties, California Water Services, Lyngso Garden Supply, Presidio Bay Ventures and John McAfee, State Farm Insurance who have already committed to supporting SCEF this fundraising year. Do you have a business, and would like to explore the benefits of being a sponsor? See more details here: https://scefkids.org/take-action/businesses.
So many ways to give! Your support of our schools is appreciated and necessary, and there are many ways for you to give (https://scefkids.org/donate).
Healthy Cities Tutoring Fall Tutor Orientation and Training - October 13, 10:00 am or 7:00 pm
Don’t miss our upcoming New Tutor Orientation and Training -(Attend only one session)
Join other new tutors and learn more about HCT and our program, meet our staff and have all your questions answered! Following the orientation session is our Fall Training led by HCT staff and teachers from our schools. Learn valuable techniques for engaging and supporting your students. We hope to see you there!
If you have not tutored with us, this session covers everything you need to know to get started with a student!
- 10:00 am – Join us for our in person Tutor Orientation and Training held at the San Carlos Library, 610 Elm Street, San Carlos
- 7:00 pm – Join us on Zoom for our remote Tutor Orientation and Training
- Zoom link will be emailed to participants via the evite (see below)
Join other new tutors and learn more about HCT and our program, meet our staff and have all your questions answered!
Following the orientation session is our Fall Training led by HCT staff and teachers from our schools. Learn valuable techniques for engaging and supporting your student. We hope to see you there!
- 10:45–11:30am OR 7:45–8:30pm Tutor Tips Training: Interactive and fun training on how to make the most out of your tutoring sessions in person or over Zoom. Chance to ask questions following the meeting.
Orientación y capacitación de tutores de otoño : 13 de octubre, 10 a.m. O 7 p.m.
No se pierda nuestra próxima orientación y capacitación para nuevos tutores. Asiste solo a una sesión.
¡Únase a otros tutores nuevos y aprenda más sobre HCT y nuestro programa, conozca a nuestro personal y obtenga respuestas a todas sus preguntas! Después de la sesión de orientación está nuestro entrenamiento de otoño dirigido por el personal de HCT y los maestros de nuestras escuelas. Aprenda técnicas valiosas para involucrar y apoyar a su estudiante. ¡Esperamos verte ahí!
- 10AM - Únase a nosotros para nuestra orientación y capacitación de tutores en persona, que se llevará a cabo en la biblioteca de San Carlos, 610 Elm Street, San Carlos.
- 7:00 pm. M. - Únase a nosotros en Zoom para nuestra orientación y capacitación de tutores remotos. El enlace de Zoom se enviará por correo electrónico a los participantes a través de evite (ver más abajo).
10 - 10:35 AM O 7 - 7:35 PM Orientación para nuevos tutores : si no ha sido tutor con nosotros, ¡esta sesión cubre todo lo que necesita saber para comenzar con un estudiante!
10:45 - 11:30 AM O 7:45 - 8:30 PM Consejos de tutores Capacitación: Capacitación interactiva y divertida sobre cómo aprovechar al máximo sus sesiones de tutoría en persona o con Zoom. Posibilidad de hacer preguntas después de la reunión.
San Carlos Children's Theater
Join friends from all the San Carlos middle school's in this year's school production ANNIE JR! Everyone who signs up will get a part in the show.
6th, 7th and 8th graders are asked to attend a short audition on October 5th to be assigned characters.
Grab a flyer in the office for more details and register for ANNIE JR at San Carlos Children’s Theater. But don’t wait too long! Auditions will be held October 5th and rehearsals begin in mid-October.
Code for Congress, Code for Your Future
The 2021 Congressional App Challenge (Middle and High School Students) is a district-wide competition to encourage kids to learn how to code. The challenge is the most prestigious prize in student computer science where students are invited to design and create their own app.
Winning apps are eligible to be displayed in the US Capitol Building and students are invited to a reception in Washington, D.C. Learn more. Submissions Due November 1.
Community Foundation of San Carlos
The Community Foundation of San Carlos is proud to celebrate Latinx Heritage Month!
To us, Latinx Heritage Month is about honoring the different and diverse cultures and heritages, celebrating in the joy, the strength, and contributions of our Latinx community as well as continuing to learn more about its rich cultures and history.
We have a list of resources to share and are honored to uplift and amplify the voices of our community members.
Happy Latinx Heritage Month!
Parent Education Series
In a new Spanish language event, Leo Zarazua, mindful educator at Mission Be, presents Crianza Consciente: Reduciendo el Estrés y la Ansiedad para Padres de Familia (Español). Por favor únete a nosotros! (October 6, Online)
On October 7, join bestselling authors Dr. Bill Stixrud and Ned Johnson for What Do You Say? Talking with Kids to Build Stress Tolerance and Motivation. This special event is hosted by Peninsula Health Care District and SMUHSD (Online).
If you missed last week's conversation with Frank Bruni and Alice Kleeman, Beyond Being Admitted: Making the Most of the College Experience, here's a link to the video.
This is a great program to share with your students!
High School Happenings
- Sequoia High School
- Website http://www.sequoiahs.org
- Carlmont High School
- Website http://carlmonths.org
- Summit Public School
- Website https://summitps.org/
- Design Tech High School