In This Issue
- Principal’s Message
- PTA News
- SCEF News
- Yearbook Cover Contest
- Parent Education: Sexual Health Workshop
- Arroyo Spelling Bee
- SMART-E Mustang Coding Club
- Superintendent Search Update
- Fun Family Entertainment
- SCSD Board Member Elections
Principal’s Message
Hello Arroyo Parents and Guardians,
We have an exciting week ahead for our 5th graders as they go off to Outdoor Education Week. Our students will be immersed in the beautiful surroundings of YMCA Camp at Jones Gulch, where they will have a unique opportunity to engage with the natural world, explore the forest and beach ecosystems, and live in a community with their fellow students and teachers. It’s going to be a wonderful week for our students.
Meanwhile, back at Arroyo, our 4th graders will get to experience school with just their grade level. We will continue to engage in all of the wonderful learning experiences inside and outside of the classroom. One area that I would like to share is the leadership development that occurs through student-run clubs. To date, we have about 20 different clubs that students are offering, many of which are offered by our 4th graders. The students have gone through a process of filling out a club proposal form, meeting with me to figure out logistics, creating posters to publicize, talking about their clubs at a ‘club fair’, and then launching the clubs. The Arroyo clubs are one way that students can develop their leadership and ownership skills at a young age.
Lastly, I’d like to extend my thanks and appreciation for all of the support that our parent community has offered recently through the Halloween party, Art in Action classes, Garden program, Project Cornerstone classes, PTA leadership and programs, and your generous donations to support the PTA and SCEF. Your support continues to make our school a special place to be. Thank you!
Upcoming Dates to Keep in Mind:
- Nov. 6-9: 5th grade Outdoor Education week
- November 10: Veteran’s Day, No School!
- November 20-24: Thanksgiving Break
PTA News
Thank you again, Arroyo families, for funding our annual PTA budget. We are so excited to work together to deliver the programs and events we have planned for the year. Please join us at the PTA meeting this Wednesday after drop off in the library.
SCEF News
As we kick off our annual campaign with SCEF day on Nov 8, we remember our first campaign and take a moment to acknowledge how much we have grown in the last 35 years because of your support.
Your donations to the San Carlos Education Foundation enable our district to hire additional educators and provide vital programs at all our schools that would otherwise be cut or severely reduced.
In addition to the personnel positions that SCEF helps underwrite, your School Principal receives direct grants through the Principal Flex Fund, Fund-A-Need and Field Trip Fund.They provide principals with opportunities to meet immediate school needs and support teachers interested in new approaches to engage students.
We hope you will join us this year too, in keeping our schools strong for our children and supporting our educators. Wear green on Nov 8, join our enthusiastic volunteers, show your support for quality education!
Easy online donation and monthly payments at https://www.scefkids.org/donate/
Yearbook Cover Contest
Are you an Arroyo 5th grader? Do you like to draw or paint?
We need you to design the cover for this year’s yearbook! Please see your teacher for further instructions or email Kate Blanchard at katewalshblanchard@yahoo.com. In light of Outdoor Ed, we have extended the contest deadline. Please turn your entry in to your teacher or the Main Office by Monday, November 13.
Sexual Health Education Parent Info Workshop – November 30
Parents- Join us for a Health Connected Parent Information evening to find out more about our sexual health programs in schools for 5th-8th grades. We will learn about the California Healthy Youth Act, our approach with lessons and activities, and ways to engage your student in conversations at home. RSVP via Evite for Thursday, November 30:
- 6:30-7:30pm: Puberty Talk, 5th & 6th gr.
- 7:30-8:30pm: Teen Talk Middle School, 7th & 8th gr.
Arroyo Spelling Bee – Calling All Super Spellers!
Arroyo School is participating in the 2018 Scripps National Spelling Bee! All students are invited to try their best in the the first round written test, which will take place during lunch on Friday, December 8. Students can sign up and pick up their grade level spelling list in the school office by Nov 30. The top 25 spellers will be invited to compete in the all-school oral spelling bee on January 10, 5:30 pm. Please note that this event is completely optional. Email Kate Pfaff kate@redwoodgirl.com if you have questions or if you would like to volunteer for this event.
Spelling lists and online Word Club also available at spellingbee.com.
SMART-E Mustang Coding Club Every Thursday in Room 12
Come join Central’s SMART-E after school clubs for coding! All clubs free and anyone can walk in and join. Mustang coding club is an after school club using Chromebooks to actively learn computer programming and coding. Students can learn how to code or refine their skills. Coding club is open to 5th graders at Arroyo too! We will also be gearing up for the 2018 Tech Challenge soon! If you have any questions in regards to the SMART-E clubs contact Michelle at smartecentral@scsdk8.org.
Superintendent Search Update
On Nov 16th, the Board will discuss next steps regarding the search process. Board will review Search firms, who assist Boards in gathering community input, screening and recruiting candidates. Please join us on November 16th to learn more!
Fun Family Entertainment
Enjoy laughs with the family at the San Carlos Children’s Theater production of THE PRINCESS WHO HAD NO NAME Nov. 10-12 & 17-19. Filled with hilarious characters, you can’t go wrong with this mysterious comedy that weaves together the magic of a classic fairytale, the silliness of a fractured fairytale and the fun of an exciting mystery. The Princess’s quest to remember her true identity will keep you guessing right up to the happily ever after ending. Info: www.SanCarlosChildrenTheater.com.
San Carlos School District Board Member Elections
Please spend time becoming informed on the candidates for School Board and VOTE. This is a VERY important election as our District will be hiring a new Superintendent and continue to tackle huge budget challenges.
At ShapetheFuture.org you can find lots of information on the upcoming election. Here are some helpful bits of information.
- San Mateo Journal
- Candidate Forum from October 10th
- Roster of Candidates
- Voter’s Edge of California
- Documents about the role of a school board member
Community Update
Community posts are not sponsored by SCSD. Visit the Arroyo website Community Corner to learn more about the following:
- Girl’s Leadership Institute offered at Arroyo Upper Elementary School for girl’s grade 4 and 5
- San Carlos United Soccer
- Juventus Sport Club Open House Nov 13-17th
- Driven to Support Music Education?
- Chickens’ Ball Auditions!
- Join the fun of the longest running PTA fundraiser in the U.S.!