Arroyo Eagle Eye - December 10, 2023

December 10, 2023

Principal’s Message

Dear Arroyo families,

December is a busy time full of celebrations, traditions, and community building, and we look forward to celebrating as a community over the next couple of weeks. We know that Arroyo families celebrate a variety of holidays and would love to share your holiday traditions with other Eagles at our Monday morning assembly. If your child is comfortable sharing (please be sure to ask them first), I would love for you to email me ([email protected]) a favorite holiday tradition along with a photo or two. Please share by Thursday, Dec. 14, so we can include them in our last assembly before break.

While there is much to celebrate, it’s also important to remember that this can be a stressful time for kids as well as adults. The extra activities and changes in routine affect kids a lot, and we often see the results of that at school. This article from Harvard Health Publishing has great tips to help prevent (or at least minimize) holiday stress for kids.  

As you think about your holiday shopping, I know that smartphones are high on the list of things many Arroyo students are hoping to receive. I encourage you to consider NOT buying a smartphone for your child. The San Carlos parent community has engaged in great discussions around the Wait Until 8th Campaign. If you feel strongly about your child needing a phone, please consider a flip phone or smartwatch that doesn’t have all of the power and capability of a smartphone. Regardless of what kind of cellphone they have, the research on the use of social media is clear. As parenting expert and author of Parenting With Patience Judy Arnall says, “It’s an added stress in their lives that isn’t age appropriate.” For more information, please read “An age-by-age guide to kids and smartphones.” You will likely hear from your child something to the effect of: “Everyone has a cellphone (or TikTok or Instagram account, etc). I’m the only one who doesn’t.” I can assure you that’s not true and that your child will be just fine without it.  Regardless of what devices you choose to buy, please know that both cellphones and smartwatches must be turned off and put away during the entire school day.  

Breakfast and Lunch This Week

Please take time to review the menu for next week with your child. If they do not see a breakfast and/or lunch option that they will eat, then please plan to help them pack their own lunch from home (or a hearty snack on Wednesday), and please send your child with a snack for morning recess regardless.

PTA News

Chickens’ Ball: A Comedy Tonight!

The San Carlos Chickens’ Ball is a live and ridiculously funny variety show benefiting SCSD schools. Organizers are looking for musicians, actors, singers, and dancers age 16 and older. Auditions will be in the MUR at Heather Elementary School on:

• Thursday, Jan. 18, at 7 p.m.
• Saturday, Jan. 20 at 10 a.m. 

Just show up and check in at the door. Singers, please bring your music. 

The event also needs costume and set designers, set builders and painters, those who can sew, and a stage crew. 

Performances: Save the Dates! 

• April 26 evening
• April 27 matinee and evening
• April 28 evening

Please contact our Chickens’ Ball Representative, Jessica Eva, with any questions. 

BECOME A MEMBER, VOLUNTEER, AND CONNECT!

San Carlos Education Foundation News

Music Is in the Air!

Donations to SCEF help support music at all grade levels. December is the month when our middle school bands and orchestras hold their winter concerts. Elementary students will participate in the Music for Minors program this year. San Carlos is known for its strong music education, and we are proud to support these programs that educate the whole child.

Support SCEF With Your Holiday Shopping

Honey Bear Trees is back this season and offering a 15% SCEF donation for every tree and wreath purchase. Don’t forget to mention SCEF! Details on this flier.

The SCEF-PTA Read-a-thon Is Coming

Register for the Read-a-thon EARLY to win Warriors tickets, gift cards, and other prizes. During the event, Jan. 17-31, students will win prizes for registering, reading, and sending pledge requests. If every student receives $100 in pledges or donations, we will raise over $260,000 for our PTAs!

Ways to Donate Before Year’s End

Check out our website for more information and the many ways to give.

• Appreciated Stock
• Workplace Giving
• Donor-Advised Fund

We Need Your Auction Items!

The SCEF Gala & Auction is coming, live and in-person, with the Live Auction and Online Auction open to all. Your auction donations help SCEF raise essential funds for our schools. To donate an auction item (wines and spirits; vacation homes; concert tickets; tickets to the Warriors, 49ers, or Giants; professional services), please fill out this online auction donation form.

SCEF Nights at the Warriors

Buy game tickets with no Ticketmaster fees! And check out the Child VIP Experiences: High Five the Players and Anthem Buddies.

• Dec. 28 vs. Miami Heat
• Jan. 30 vs. Philadelphia 76ers
• March 20 vs. Memphis Grizzlies

School District News

New Student Priority Registration Opens Jan. 9

SCSD New Student Priority Registration for the 2024-25 school year begins Jan. 9 and closes Feb. 9.

Families can learn more about their child’s school by attending a TK/K Parent Information Meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 31.

• 8:00-8:45 a.m. at Arundel and White Oaks
• 4:00-4:30 p.m. at Brittan Acres and Heather

Visit our How to Register for the 2024-25 School Year page for more information.

Community News

Parent Education Opportunities

In this month’s Parent Forum (English), Eran Magen, PhD, founder of Parenting for Humans, presents How to Become Your Child’s Favorite Conversation Partner (Dec. 15). Perfect for the holiday break!