10/4-10/8

Dear Blue Oaks Families, 

I hope you enjoyed your weekend. We have many fun events coming up this month, please take a moment to read all about them under the PTC section. 

On Thursday, Oct. 7th, I am going to be starting something new to celebrate the students that were selected for a character trait. To recognize their hard work even more, they will be invited to have pizza with the principal! This will be held during lunch time and on the stage. This will take place every month to celebrate our students' hard work. If you have any questions about this, please let me know! Thank you for your support. 

Safety Updates:

Masks: Thank you for all of your support with mask-wearing. Students and teachers are expected to wear masks while indoors in the classroom. We have extras and will provide one if a child doesn't have one. At this time, students do not need to wear them while outside. 

Hand washing and Sanitizing: Students are strongly encouraged to wash hands throughout the day and if they are unable to wash, they can use hand sanitizer.

Visitors on Campus: Please check in at the office. At this time, volunteers are welcome. We have scheduled fingerprinting for this Tuesday by appt only. A message went out earlier this week through SWIFT with more information

Current CDPH Guidelines: CDPH Guidelines

Covid-19 Dashboard: Click here for updated information on covid cases in our school district.

Close Contant FAQs:Close Contact FAQs

PTC

Please show your support and join our PTC.  Our Parent Teacher Club is an outstanding group that organizes many events at Blue Oaks.  The school wouldn't be what it is without this team! For more information, click on the link.   Please read about our upcoming events below:

• Boo Boxes are available now! Free delivery to the porches of your ghosts and ghouls. Made with kids in mind to bring them cheer! Collectable decorations, trinkets, and treats! More info at www.blueoaksptc.com/booboxes. Feel free to purchase for your student's siblings, friends, and neighbors too! Boo Box Order Form

• Bear Jamboree is back! Please join us on October 29th for our fun Fall Carnival. Time is TBD. Come enjoy a night of fun with your kids! Carnival games, bounce houses, food, a DJ, and more! Adults and children under 2 are free, children ages 3-17 are $7 each. 

• This year our book fair will be held outside/in-person from October 25th-October 29th. The store will be open during lunch and after school. There will be extended hours on October 29th during the Bear Jamboree. A Sign Up Genius will be sent out in the next couple of weeks for volunteers to help at the registers.

Pick Up/Drop Off
Traffic in and around Blue Oaks School presents the number one
safety hazard to children and adults!  
We request your cooperation. 

• SUPERVISION- Supervision doesn't start until 8:25. We ask that you do not drop off you student before 8:25. We have recently had a few student being dropped off before 8:25 which is not safe. Please plan accordingly so that your child can be at school at 8:25. 

• The WEST PARKING LOT - in front of the Kindergarten wing -  is designated for drop-off and pick-up of transitional kindergarten, kindergarten, first and second grade students by private vehicle, only. Watch for children! Children may not go into parking lots unless they are with an adult. All students entering the west side parking lot must use the crosswalk on Halesworth. DO NOT stop or park your vehicle except in a designated parking spot.  Remain in your car when at the yellow curb.

• The DROP-OFF/PICK-UP AREA in front of the Multi-Use Room is for school buses and daycare agencies only. Please do not drop off or pick up students on Horncastle Ave. There is no supervision.

• The EAST PARKING LOT – in front of the Adventure Club and the upper grades playground is designated for drop-off and pick-up of third, fourth and fifth grade students by private vehicle, only.  There is no crosswalk in this parking lot.  Children may not cross or enter the parking lot unless accompanied by an adult. DO NOT stop or park your vehicle except in a designated parking spot.  Remain in your car when at the yellow curb.

• BUS LOOP- please do not use the bus loop as an area to pick up your child. It is intended for our busses and not other vehicles. PLEASE don't use the bus loop for U-Turns.

NEVER LEAVE YOUR VEHICLE UNATTENDED IN THE DROP-OFF/PICK-UP ZONES. 

If you wish to park your car, kindly pull into a designated parking space.

Thank you for respecting the privacy and property rights of residents on streets adjacent to school.

We request that you walk your child/children to school whenever possible to cut down on traffic and pollution, promote healthy life habits and enhance the safety of all.

Sarah Hernandez Sarah has taken on the combo and is working so hard to making learning fun and engaging for both grade levels.

Blue Oaks Bucket Band!

Blue Oaks Bucket Band practice has started. The performance will be in December. I can't wait to see our 5th graders in action and all their hard work pay off. Also Mrs. Estep has set up a Donor's Choose for some items for her music class. If you would like to donate, here is the link: Seat Cushions for Music Class

What's New in RCSD?

Help out RCSD and your child could receive up to a $500 college savings account! Every RCSD family that completes an Annual Household Eligibility form, and qualifies, will receive up to $500 in a college savings account for your child. The funds, provided by the state’s CalKIDS program, will remain in their account or can be added to by parents up until the time your child enrolls in college. All forms must be completed by October 1, 2021. For more information on how to complete the form, view our 3-minute video

GATE Identification Gifted and Talented Education 

(GATE) identification testing for the 2021-2022 school year will be taking place in January 2022. The GATE identification test will be available for students currently in 3rd – 7th grade. Students who sign up to take the GATE identification test will take the Otis-Lennon School Ability Test (OLSAT),which tests abstract thinking and reasoning ability. 

If you are interested in having your student take the OLSAT for GATE identification, please complete this GATE Parent Permission Form no later than October 29, 2021. Permission forms will not be accepted after October 29th, as materials and scheduling are based on the number of students who participate in testing. 

Please check the RCSD website for more information regarding GATE services and testing. This information can be found by visiting rcsdk8.org → Main Menu → Programs → Gifted and Talented Education. 

If you complete the form that is linked above, then you will be notified of your student’s scheduled testing date and time on or before December 10, 2021. Please contact Kristen Desimone at kdesimone@rcsdk8.org with any questions regarding GATE testing. 

Note: Students who are already GATE identified do not need to test again.

Have you ever wondered what Bear Hugs are? Bear hugs are part of our PBIS program and students earn them when they are caught being safe, responsible and respectful. Those are our Bear Necessities that we teach our students.  Make sure to ask your student if they have earned any bear hugs lately! 

• Oct. 7: RCSD Board Meeting
• Oct. 21: PTC Meeting
• Oct. 29: Bear Jamboree
• Nov. 1: No school; teacher workday
• Nov. 11: No school; Veteran's Day
• Nov. 15-19: Elementary school conference week schedule
• Nov. 22-26: Fall break

Important Links:

October Lunch Menu * as a reminder, choices are subject to change

2021-2022 Bell Schedule

RCSD Website

Blue Oaks Website