October 2, Weekly News

Principal's News

October
3-7 Conferences, Minimum Day Schedule
10 No School, Local Holiday
17 TLM PTA Meeting, 7pm on Zoom
28-Nov 10 SCEF Read-a-Thon
 

Music Notes Assembly

Last Wednesday we had an assembly with Music Notes. Music Notes engages students with a multi-media concert focusing on the theme “Time For Some Action.” The concert features songs and videos targeting tobacco-use prevention and education about smoking and vaping. Students learned that companies are targeting kids with their flavored vape and styles of devices (small, easy to hide and use). This assembly was brought to use by TUPE Program-Tobacco Use Prevention Education at the San Mateo County Office of Education.  All students will participate in a unit during science class to learn more about the dangers of tobacco and drug use.

 
Conference Week Oct. 3-7

We look forward to meeting parents/caregivers this week. Our goal is to connect with parents/caregivers and learn more about students during this week.  It is a little tricky to conference in middle school because teachers have over 100 students and we have had successful outcomes in the past using the two types of conferences: teacher requested (Monday and Tuesday) and parent requested student led.  Students are preparing to share and lead the conferences.  Please arrive 5 minutes early to check in for your conference. Students will dismiss at 1:00 p.m. next week in order for teachers to hold conferences. Students should attend their conference unless a prior arrangement has been made.  Note- the SamTrans bus does not change the schedule on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday during our Conference Week. 

Lunch Help Urgently Needed this Week and throughout October!

All of the great help our lunch server has received these past several weeks has made all the difference in getting our students through the lunch line with time to eat! There are a few open spots this week during conference week that are critical, but much of the month of October is open as well. Please sign up here to help. Thank you!

Tierra Linda/Mariposa PTA NEWS

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

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

SCSD School Board Candidate Forum: In this November’s election all 5 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)

The San Carlos Commitment to Community
There are many ways, big and small, that we all show our commitment to our community. We are proud to highlight SCEF’s co-hosting of a candidate forum and appreciating some local business sponsors:

San Carlos School Board Candidate Forum on October 6th, at 6pm on Zoom. Hosted by SCEF and PTA Coordinating Council, and moderated by League of Women Voters of San Mateo County. Please register to participate in the webinar. The Forum will be recorded.

Thank you to our Business Sponsors. Our San Carlos schools are supported by parents and the broader community. We are grateful to the following generous business sponsors who have renewed their support this school year: Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Black Mountain Properties, CA Water Services, Lyngso Garden Materials. Learn about the benefits of our business sponsorship program.

SLOW the F A S T Down

September is Pedestrian Safety Month in California and October is National Pedestrian Safety Month! In partnership with Safe Routes to School and the California Office of Traffic Safety, we would like to remind families to review the following tips to improve the safety of students walking to/from school and on school grounds.

Drivers
- Do not speed and be sure to slow down at intersections!
- Be prepared to stop for pedestrians at marked and unmarked crosswalks.
- Stay off the phone when behind the wheel.
- Avoid blocking crosswalks while waiting to make a right-hand turn.
- Never drive impaired.

Pedestrians
- Be predictable. Use signalized crosswalks where drivers anticipate foot traffic.
- Put phones, headphones and devices down when crossing the street.
- Watch for approaching vehicles and practice care when crossing the street. At 30 mph, a driver needs at least 90 feet to stop.
- If possible, walk with an adult or older sibling until you're ten years old.
- Make it easier for drivers to see you at night – wear light colors, reflective material and use a flashlight.
- Be careful crossing streets, entering crosswalks at night and on busier streets with higher speed limits.

Watch one of the following videos with your child to help teach them safe pedestrian practices:
- Pedestrian Safer Journey video (Elementary School) Federal Highway Administration (English) | (Spanish)
- Pedestrian Safer Journey video (Middle School) Federal Highway Administration (English) | (Spanish)
- Walk Safely video California Office of Traffic Safety – This video is only available in (English)

21-Day Social & Racial Equity Challenge

The Community Foundation of San Carlos invites you to take a visible leadership role in joining the upcoming 21-Day Social & Racial Equity Challenge kicking off on Oct 1 and running the entire month of October. The challenge will culminate in a community conversation on Nov 1, from 7 pm to 8:30 pm facilitated by two professional community members, Bea Kim and Grace Chen.

Call to Action
We invite you to take on the challenge by submitting your participation via this form and encouraging others in our community to sign up as well. More info can be found on our website.

Upcoming Events:
- Sept 28 from 7 pm - 8 pm: Info session
- Nov 1 from 7 pm - 830 pm: Community conversation - Debrief on 21 day challenge

Please join us by accepting the challenge here!
#21dayequitychallengeSanCarlos

SCSD Science/STEM Fair 22-23

San Carlos School District Science/STEM Fair

The San Carlos School District Science Fair is a community-based mentoring program that complements and reinforces the California Standards for Science and supports student learning of the scientific method. SCSD students produce exceptional science fair projects that are competitive in the County, Bay Area and State competitions. The SCSD STEM Fair is the gateway to San Mateo County, Bay Area, California State and Broadcom National Science Fairs. San Carlos students regularly qualify and win awards from these prestigious events.

The Science/STEM Fair is open to all students in grades 5-8 attending San Carlos School District and San Carlos Charter.

For more information, please visit the SCSD Website. Complete the Science/STEM Interest Form for additional communication and details.

Questions: email [email protected]

Healthy Cities Tutoring Fall Workshops

New Tutor Orientation on Zoom
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.

Parent Education Opportunities

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).

NEW! How did the pandemic disrupt our children’s lives? NPR education reporter Anya Kamenetz joins us to discuss her new book, The Stolen Year: How Covid Changed Children's Lives, and Where We Go Now (October 13, Online)

On October 19, we continue our fentanyl education series with Stacey Wisniewski, Prevention Solutions, Hazeldon Betty Ford Foundation, in Fentanyl Prevention Education: How to Help Teens Make Healthy Decisions (October 19, Online)

Visit the Parent Venture Series of Upcoming Events page for more information.

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
- 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.