Principal's Message
Nov. 26th, 2018
A couple of weeks ago I shared an article from Focus on the Family about ways to boost student achievement in school. As part of the discussion we are having as a staff, we have been looking into ways to increase student engagement in the classroom. It is not surprising that one of the keys to success is engagement. But knowing this, and putting it into action are two different things. Finding ways to keep students interested in difficult subject matter is at the center of the art of teaching.
I like this article because it highlights what can be done at home to help keep your children engaged at school. I really appreciate how much they stress how important it is to place value on education. It also highlights the fact that parents/guardians are the first and most important teachers in a child’s life. Take a second to read this short article. The Secret to Your Child’s Academic Success.
I also want to share with you how we are engaging our teachers in these important conversations. Mindy Shelton sends a weekly newsletter out to the staff every Monday morning. Below is what she sent out the Monday before break:
“I think I’ve mentioned it before but I’m a big fan of the Hack Learning series of books. I have a few of their books and always find some interesting new ideas or at least a new way to think about something. (Happy to loan them out if you’re interested in reading any of them.) They also have a podcast that you can get from wherever you listen to podcasts (I subscribe through the podcast app on my iPhone). I listened to this episode the other day (Why do kids hate school and what can we do about it?) Hack Learning has 2 books on school engagement so it wasn’t too surprising that a big focus in this episode was engaging students. Mark Barnes, the host, talked about the many classrooms he’s been in where teachers provide instruction and then assess kids on what they’ve learned, without really engaging them in projects, discussions, or other methods that actually help them internalize and make meaning out of the material. Kids need opportunities to interact with the material and think about it, relate it to their prior knowledge, and form their own thoughts and experiences with it. This builds not only their knowledge and skills but also their motivation.
Shortly after listening to the podcast, I came across this article (which you can also listen to as a podcast) called To Learn, Students Need to DO Something. It fit right in with what the other podcast was talking about and is worth the time to read it. The author offers some good rationale for why the actual doing is often missing in lessons and also some simple activities to add more engagement into lessons. I think we do more of this than many schools with our focus on PBL, the 5 Cs and Personalized Learning but there’s always room to think about it from a different perspective and try to incorporate even more.
Take a little time to read and/or listen and see if you can come up with something to incorporate more engagement/more doing into your time with students.”
As Ms. Shelton mentioned, I think we are doing a good job engaging our students, but we are always looking for ways to improve.
Tom Domer
Principal
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FREE Parent Education Event with My Digital Tat2
Please join other parents and caregivers at the SCSD Office on Tuesday, December 4, 2018 from 6:30-8:00pm for an important presentation from Gloria Moskowitz-Sweet, founder of My Digital Tat2. This event promises to generate lots of constructive discussion about the evolving digital landscape and current trends that adults need to be aware of so we can keep our children safe, healthy and engaged.
RSVP: http://evite.me/xwCj94nKpM
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Legos Needed:
One of our Quest classes is in need of Legos. If you have a box set laying around not being used, please consider donating them to us. If you would like to donate some Legos, please contact Megan Becht at [email protected]
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Mustang Roundup
SMART-E Community Engagement Meeting
SCSD will be hosting a SMART-E Community Engagement Meeting on Wednesday, December 5th at Heather School from 7-8:30 PM. Input gathered from this meeting will help the District with planning for the next year of SMART-E extended day and enrichment program. In addition to the Community Engagement Meeting, parents will be receiving a survey designed to help the District evaluate our SMART-E extended day and enrichment programs and learn more about the needs of our parents. Please plan to attend the event and consider providing input on the survey.
San Carlos Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Fair Workshop #3
When: Wednesday, November 28th from 7:00pm-8:30pm
Where: Central Middle School Library
Students in 5-8th grades interested in entering this year’s fair should try and attend. Parents are welcome as well.
We will have a discussion on how to analyze and present data for a successful STEM Fair project as well as review how to register and complete the forms required for projects involving humans or other living organisms.
Students will then have the opportunity to discuss and get valuable input on their projects with our community scientists and engineers during the second half of the meeting.
Attendance at the workshops is not required to enter the STEM Fair. The fair will take place on January 26th, 2019.
Registration for the STEM fair can be done at this link https://goo.gl/forms/sBvkJKPA42JUdpuh1
Contact Bob Dubrow, [email protected] if you have questions or comments.
Safe Route to School Transportation Survey
Please take 5 minutes to complete the linked survey. Your feedback allows us to adjust Safe Routes to School (SRTS) education and encouragement program features to best meet the needs of each individual school. Results will also be shared with decision makers throughout the county who can address infrastructure issues regarding safe walking and biking.
English Link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/1819_English
Spanish Link: https://es.surveymonkey.com/r/1819Spanish
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
Donate Early
As we enter the last weeks of 2018, we request that you consider making your SCEF Annual Fund donation earlier than usual. NOW is the time to do it! Take advantage of possible 2018 tax deductions by making a gift of cash or stock to SCEF before December 31st. As our district faces challenging budget issues, SCEF would like to be able to provide a good estimate of our grant to Superintendent Harmeier and her team by March 30, 2019. Making your donation earlier in the school year will provide the district a better understanding of our community's commitment to quality education in our San Carlos public schools. Thank you for your consideration. Donate now at: www.scefkids.org/donate
Sports Basement Shopping Day to Benefit SCEF
On Thursday, November 29th, Sports Basement is inviting everyone in the San Carlos School District to a very special shopping day. Come see the new store in Redwood City, at 202 Walnut St, mention SCEF as your beneficiary when you sign up for Basementeers and receive 20% off your entire purchase all day long! SCEF is a beneficiary of the Basementeers program and will get 10% of all sales. Join us at the 6pm reception, get all of your winter gear, and raise money for all of our schools!
SCEF Christmas Tree and Wreath Fundraiser with Honey Bear Trees
Buy your Christmas tree and wreath at Honey Bear Trees and SCEF will receive 15% of your purchase price! Bring a copy of the flyer to take advantage of this offer.
Tree lot locations and flyer can be found at: www.scefkids.org/hbt
SCEF Raffle for Spring Vacation, March 30-April 6 2019
Win a 7 day/6 night Vacation Rental for Spring 2019 at the Sheraton Vistana Resort Villas at Lake Buena Vista in Orlando. Make your family’s Florida vacation dream come true!
Drawing on November 30, 2018 at 7pm during Night of Holiday Lights on Laurel Street in San Carlos. To purchase raffle tickets, email: [email protected] indicating how many tickets you would like to purchase. 1 ticket for $25, 3 for $60, 5 for $100.
Season of Thanks
The SCEF board of directors is grateful for our local business community and its support. Visit the SCEF shopping page to see a list of our local business donors. Please be sure to thank them for their support of our schools when you shop. www.scefkids.org/take-action/families/shop-local/
Take a Break!
After the hectic holiday season, take a break and enjoy:
Teppanyaki dinner at Sakura, San Carlos on Jan 23 2019 or
Tea Party at Lovejoy’s, Redwood City on Feb 9 2019
Buy your tickets and check out other fun parties at: www.scefkids.org/events
Community Partners
Sign Up for San Carlos Youth Softball
Interested in playing softball this spring? San Carlos Youth Softball is a great way for girls to have some fun, develop skills and build friendships. The 2019 spring rec program is now open for registration. Click here to register online.
Our program is for girls ages 4-14 (as of January 2019) at all skill levels. Teams are formed in January so please sign up soon! Take advantage of early bird registration rates until Dec 1, 2018.
Questions? More information online at www.sancarlosyouthsoftball.com or email Terry Woodsome.
High School Happenings
Sequoia High School
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)
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
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