Principal's Message
Last week I wrote about what motivates us and how we can help our children to develop intrinsic motivation. The first thing we can do is to provide choice to students in what they learn and how they learn it. Today I would like to share two more things that work in motivating us to do well: Daily habits and allowing for the pursuit of interests and passions.
- DAILY HABITS MATTER. Creating routines is one of the best ways to help children learn to manage their time (but remember to allow choice in developing these routines). We all have different system that work for us, for me I work best with a ‘to do’ list. Work with your children to come up with a system that works best for them. Our kids these days are highly scheduled; learning how to manage our daily tasks is essential to success. Sometimes school provides the wrong message when it come to developing intrinsic motivation. We often place a disproportionate emphasis on grades and test scores instead of on teaching and learning (remember grades and test scores are extrinsic motivators). Our role is to make sure our kids are not over scheduled and to help them prioritize the activities they are going to take part in. If our kids are appropriately challenged, they can make wise decisions on how to spend their time and build competency. Conversely, if they are overscheduled, students cannot make good decisions on time management, but become overwhelmed and have a much more difficult time developing autonomy.
- ALLOW THE PURSUIT Of INTERESTS OR PASSIONS. Needless to say, we are all motivated to do things we enjoy. The challenge for teenagers is finding the time to pursue interests that are productive and engaging. So many of the activities our children take part in are decided for them - think math or history for example. But when we allow time for children to engage in activities that interest them, they often dive deep into the experience. This then helps them connect what they are learning in school to the outside world. Students who create their own pathways in life do better in school because they better understand the importance of education. They see school as a means to a goal, not just something they have to do everyday. The problem of over-scheduled children comes up again here. If children to not have any free-time, they do not have the space to figure out who they are and what they enjoy. Our kids have to overcome so many external messages as to how they should look or act that destroys their confidence. But we know that students who are actively involved in things that interest them or passion projects have much higher self esteem. If we allow our students to figure out what their talents, abilities and interests are, they will have much higher intrinsic motivation. In short, let your children be themselves - you may be pleasantly surprised!
Tom Domer
Principal
Mustang Roundup
Arroyo CMS PTA
PTA Partner Donations Fund 8th Grade Graduation
Did you know that the 8th grade graduation ceremony, breakfast and dance are all funded by PTA? Become a PTA Partner and help us send our graduates off in style! Your one-time ask of $200 also supports teacher grants, library books, art programs, staff appreciation and other PTA sponsored programs and events. DONATE TODAY and help us reach our $75,000 goal by the November 1st deadline. Any contribution is appreciated!
Stampede and Soar Color Run - Volunteers Needed!
The Stampede & Soar Color Run is coming up on Sunday, October 28! You can support this fantastic community event by spraying runners with color (and other fun volunteer opportunities)!
If you are already planning to attend with your student, volunteering is an easy way to give back to the community. Sign up solo... or recruit a friend, grandparent, or older student to volunteer with you! Volunteer here and connect with the Central / Arroyo community!
Thanks in advance for your support. If you have any questions, please contact Becky Mock ([email protected]) or Joyce Romeo ([email protected]).
AND IF YOU HAVEN’T YET REGISTERED TO PARTICIPATE, REGISTER ONLINE NOW. We only have a few t-shirts left. First come, first served!
Walk and Roll to School Day, Wednesday 10/10
Wednesday, October 10th is National Walk and Roll to School Day. On this day students and staff will be showing their support for active transportation by choosing to walk, pedal, or scoot their way to class. Prizes will be available for those who commute to school in any means other than a single occupancy vehicle.
For more information on safety and preferred routes see link: https://tinyurl.com/ycrvjlwl
SCSD Athletics
Please use the DISTRICT LINK https://www.scsdsports.org for information on SCSD Athletics. Call 415-334-3333 or email [email protected] with any questions.
SCEF
Evening at TOWN Event
Our TOWN event was a big success. Thanks to everyone who attended and participated--over $100,000 was raised! A special thank you to Greg St. Claire and his team at TOWN for their generous support. Congratulations to Stephanie Brill for winning the Raffle Grand prize.
Silicon Valley Jazz Festival
On October 13th and 14th the Silicon Valley Jazz Festival will be at our own Burton Park. Over 14 bands in 2 days! This is a fantastic free family event that promotes our local jazz scene, and invites us all to enjoy local talent--middle schools (including Tierra Linda), high schools, colleges and bands, including headliners U.S. Air Force Jazz Ensemble and Trumpeter Jon Faddis. For more information: http://www.svjazzfest.com/
Sponsor Thank You
Thank you to our
Diamond Sponsor: Bob Bredel, Avenir Restaurant Group/TOWN
Platinum Sponsor: Trattoria da Vittorio
Our Upcoming Events
As always, our upcoming events are listed at: www.scefkids.org/events
Healthy Cities
Healthy Cities Orientation and Training is Coming!
BE A TUTOR! Please join us and learn the basics to become a volunteer tutor with Healthy Cities Tutoring.
WHEN: Wednesday, October 17
TIME: 8:30-10:30 am OR 6:30-8:30 pm. (Attend whichever session is most convenient for you.)
LOCATION: White Oaks School MUR, 1901 White Oak Way
Volunteers are asked to tutor 45 minutes once a week at any of our SCSD schools. No prior tutoring experience is needed and the tutoring time is flexible - either before, during or after school. Tutoring sessions generally take place at the school site.
There are always more students in need than there are tutors, so your help is greatly appreciated. We welcome high school students, parents, grandparents or any of our caring community members to join our team of volunteers supporting over 300 children in our schools.
We hope to see you on Oct. 17! Please contact Cris Adair with any questions, call (650) 508-7327, or visit our website for more information and to complete an application. Thank you!
High School Happenings
Sequoia High School
*new*
Shadow Program
A shadow day is an opportunity for eighth grade students to spend the day at Sequoia and experience firsthand what it’s like to be a member of the Sequoia family.
Students have an opportunity to observe Sequoia High School for the day, and there is a Parent Information Session the morning your student shadows.
For more information and to sign up see link below (spaces are filling up quickly)
8th Grade Welcome Night
November 14, 2018 - 6:00 PM Carrington Hall
Visit Classrooms and Meet Department Chairs
Q and A with extracurricular leaders
International Baccalaureate (IB) Informational Meeting
January 15, 2018 - 6:00 PM - Carrington Hall (Spanish Presentation @ College Career Center)
Presentation from IB Program Coordinator about IB: an honors program that challenges students to reach their fullest academic potential, while developing both as students and global citizens
See sample course loads for 9th-12th grades
Campus Tours
November 10, 2018 and January 26, 2019, Front of School
Approximately 30 minute tours led by current Sequoia Leadership students
Tours will depart between 10:00 AM and 11:00 AM. No advanced sign-ups necessary
Highlights points of interest on campus and provides answers to frequently asked questions
Performing Arts
Fall Musical The Drowsy Chaperone: November 10, 11, 16 and 17 @ Carrington Hall
Spring Play The Children's Hour: March 8, 9, & 10, 2019 @ Carrington Hall
Fall Concert: October 23 @ Carrington Hall (7:00 pm)
Open House
Thursday, March 28, 2019 -7:00-8:30 PM
Open to Current and Prospective Students
Sequoia Day/Sequoia Stampede
Saturday, April 13, 2019 (9:00 AM)
Freshman Welcome Night
Wednesday, April 25 @ MPR 6:30-8:30 PM
Also, for more information about Sequoia and all of our programs, please visit our website at http://www.sequoiahs.org/index.html
Carlmont High School
*new*
Attached please find the October Carlmont Corner & a detailed flyer about Shadowing at Carlmont. Shadow registration will be available through our website beginning on October 8th.
http://www.carlmonths.org/Parents/8th-Grade-Transition/index.html
INFORMATION
• Carlmont High School website: http://carlmonths.org/
• Sequoia Union High School District website: http://www.seq.org/
MIDDLE SCHOOL LIAISONS
• Central, Charter, & Tierra Linda: Chris Cook [email protected]
• Nesbit, Ralston & Non-Feeder: Carol Castro [email protected]
• For non-feeder school ONLY: email [email protected] to join mailing list
Summit/Everest High School
For more information go to summitps.org
Design Tech High School