September 18, Weekly News

Principal's News

October 

3-7 Conferences, Minimum day dismissal at 1:00 p.m. every day

10  No School, Local Holiday

 

School Breakfast and Lunch-Food Waste

Please help us with food waste.  Tell your child(ren) if you have ordered breakfast or lunch so they remember to pick it up.  Students should pick up breakfast before school. Students can eat this breakfast at our break. Breakfast is grab and go.  Involve your child in ordering breakfast and lunch. Ask if they are eating it. We are finding full lunches left on tables or put in the share bin. Some students are not picking up breakfast and lunch.Thank you for talking with your child about breakfast and lunch orders.

 

Conference Week October 3-7

During Conference Week we dismiss at 1:00 p.m.  The SamTrans bus does not change their schedule and allow for an earlier pick up on Oct.3, 4, 6, and 7.  SamTrans is unable to accommodate changes to our regular bell schedule.  

In middle school, teachers have over 100 student contacts in a week, so it is not possible to conference with every student and parent/caregiver.  Our goal with conferences is to make connections with families and learn about our students in order to support them at school.

We have two types of conferences:

teacher requested and students with 504 plans-20-30 minutes long

parent/caregiver requested-7-10 minutes long with two or three teachers per student

Middle school students attend and participate in conferences.  

 

Teachers will be contacting parents/caregivers to set up a conference by September 30.   We will send a sign up form in an email for those parents/caregivers that are requesting a conference by Friday, September 23.  Please fill it out if you would like to request a conference.

 

Tierra Linda and Mariposa School Site Council needs Parent/Caregiver Members

We have space for parents/caregivers on our School Site Council. We meet once on a month on a Thursday afternoon from 3:30-4:30 p.m. on Zoom. School Site Council approves the Emergency Plan and also gives input and feedback and approves the Single Plan For Student Achievement (SPSA). SSC is required committee for all public schools in California. If you are interested in joining, please email Kristen Ugrin, [email protected] or Theresa Fox, [email protected].

For more information on SSC, please click this SSC Bylaws link.

 

Tierra Linda/Mariposa PTA News

 

Thank you to all who attended our first PTA meeting of the year!

You can support the TLM PTA in many ways:

Become a PTA member and Donate: As a member of the TLM PTA, you are a voice for our kids and part of the largest child advocacy program in the country.  We are going for 100% membership this year and invite everyone to learn more here. This year, the TLM PTA is partnering with the San Carlos Education Foundation (SCEF) to streamline and simplify fundraising across the district. Your donation will fund vital district programs as well as support our PTA. Find more information here: Membership and Fundraising.

Additional Volunteer Opportunities: There are a number of positions we are hoping to fill on our TLM PTA board and in support of PTA events and activities. Please have a look and sign up here!

Meet Your SCSD School Board Candidates!
In this November’s election, all five school board seats are on the ballot. The PTA Coordinating Council, in partnership with the San Carlos Education Foundation, is hosting a forum with all of the candidates running. The event will be moderated by the League of Women’s Voters of North and Central San Mateo County, and held on October 6th from 6:00-8:30 pm on zoom. More information here. Register at scefkids.org/events

San Carlos Education Foundation-SCEF

Evening at TOWN
Tickets went on sale 9/12! If you are interested in attending the SCEF Evening at TOWN fundraising dinner and silent auction, check to see if any tickets remain. This is your chance to support our students while enjoying a fabulous meal and connecting with parents from around the district. Enjoy a fantastic evening while supporting our kids!

If you can’t attend, you can still participate! Check out:
SCEF Raffle: Will you be the lucky winner? Get tickets for yourself and your teachers!
Fall Silent Auction: Opens September 26th and closes October 2nd. Information and link to auction site coming soon!
Middle School Parent Education
NEW! Tony Wagner, PhD, bestselling author and global education expert, joins us for Learning by Heart: Creating “Innovation-Ready” Students for the Future. Don't miss this special opportunity! (October 6, Online).

MIDDLE SCHOOLS - What should parents know about the risks of fentanyl use? This fall, we offer Fentanyl Prevention Education in English October 19, online by Prevention Solutions, Hazeldon Betty Ford Foundation.
September is Attendance Awareness Month 
September is Attendance Awareness Month, which provides an opportunity to educate our community about the importance of school attendance and the impact it can have on your child's educational experience.  It is important to build positive habits around arriving at school and for all classes on time and attending school daily.  The typical average amount of absences is no more than six days in a year.  Absence impact academic growth/achievement and social, emotional, and behavioral well-being.  
 
If your child is ill, please contact Ms. Carpenter, [email protected] or 650-508-7370 to record the absence.  We appreciate that students stay home when they have a fever, Covid or flu symptoms.  For missed work and assignments, students can check google classroom and email teachers. Please do not contact teachers through Illuminate.

Our schools strive to create an engaging, inviting learning environment where all are welcome. Each day students attend out of the 180 school days in a year provides staff with the opportunity to engage in relationship building with peers, create classroom community, and experience hands-on lessons so they feel excited about learning.  When students arrive late and walk into class late, they are missing out on important experiences.  

Please take a moment to read this information regarding school attendance by clicking this link.
 
Healthy Cities Tutoring Fall Workshops
New Tutor Orientation on Zoom
Two sessions to choose from: September 21 or October 5, 7:00-7:30 pm. Are you a new volunteer tutor? Interested in becoming a tutor but want to learn more first? Join other new tutors and learn more about HCT and our program, meet our staff and have all your questions answered! Learn more and RSVP

Fall Training: Tutor Tips Workshop
Don't miss our Fall Tutor Tips Training led by HCT staff and teachers from our schools. Learn valuable techniques for engaging and supporting your students. Learn more and RSVP. Two sessions to choose from:
- Wednesday, October 12, 10:30 – 11:30 am- San Carlos Public Library - RSVP here
- Wednesday, October 19, 7:00 - 8:00 pm - Clifford Elementary School Library - RSVP here

Volunteer and make a difference for students in our community!
Become a volunteer tutor and in one hour a week you can change a life! It’s a fun and rewarding way to give back to your community and stay engaged with our local schools. One hour a week – Flexible times – No previous experience needed (training provided!) – Ages 14-99 – Training provided – Earn community service hours. Click here for more information.
JOIN THE SAN CARLOS SCHOOL DISTRICT MUSICAL!
Get set for three months of comedy, adventure and hit Disney songs! All students in grades 4-8 are invited to join the cast of Disney's brand new musical DESCENDANTS, based on the popular Disney movies.

No experience is necessary and everyone who registers will be cast. Students in grades 6-8 will be members of the main cast and must attend a short, simple audition in order to be assigned roles. Students in grades 4-5 will be members of the show choir and do not need to audition. Get more information and register here.
-Main Cast Auditions held September 26-28
-Main Cast Rehearsals begin October 11
-Choir Rehearsals begin October 19
-Performances run January 20-22, 2023
San Carlos Day of Service Returns on Sep 25
Celebrate our community by doing your part to make it even better! After a three year long hiatus, the San Carlos Day of Service returns on September 25th, and local organizations need YOUR help! Whether you’re planting a tree with friends, donating much-needed items or food, or organizing a cleanup, your good works will make a lasting impact. Join your fellow volunteers for a morning celebration at the San Carlos Youth Center, then make your way to your own project location to start the day with a charitable project of your choice. Learn more about the return of the San Carlos Day of Service and choose your favorite project at sancarlosdayofservice.org!
Parent Education Opportunities
Want to help your children discover awe and wonder? Join Deborah Farmer Kris, author, developmental expert, and founder of Parenthood365, for How to Raise Awe-Filled Kids (Even
We've all heard that stress is harmful, but can it be good for students? Join Kelly McGonigal, PhD, author and Stanford health psychologist, for The Upside of Stress: Why Stress is Good for You, and How to Get Good at It (September 22, Online).

Children's Health Council's Free Parent Anxiety Support Group. Various stressors as well as consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health have impacted increases of anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and fears in children and adolescents. Parenting during these challenging times has truly tested parents and kids alike. Join other parents to share concerns and strategies in navigating uncertainty and hope. The next meeting is September 22, 12:00-1:30 pm, sign up here.

Ana Homayoun, founder, Green Ivy Educational Consulting, and Allia Griffin, PhD, Santa Clara University, present High School 101: Helping Students Prepare for a Successful High School Experience (September 27, Online

NEW! We all want to raise kind and thoughtful kids – but how can you do that? Author and developmental educator Deborah Farmer Kris offers advice on How to Help Kids Develop Their Emotional Vocabulary (September 29, Online).

Visit the Parent Venture Series of Upcoming Events page for more information
Parent Venture Series Events -
COVID Reminders & Testing Options
If your child is experiencing symptoms, please keep them home and give them a rapid antigen test. Staying home when sick can lower the risk of spreading infectious diseases to other people and testing remains a key mitigation layer to detect and curb transmission of COVID-19.  If your child tests positive for COVID-19 or your household is in need of additional test kits, please contact your school site as soon as possible.

Testing Resources
- Worksite Labs - Arroyo Upper Elementary (Patio 3) - Sign-up for testing at Arroyo
- Curative - Central Middle School (parking lot) - Sign-up for testing at Central
- Curative - Tierra Linda Middle School (parking lot) - Sign-up for testing at Tierra Linda
- Other Community-Based Testing Sites in San Mateo County
COVID-19 Testing for Schools and Students - Find up-to-date resources on testing in districts and schools as well as at home.