BA Blast Newsletter
 January 4, 2026 In this issue:
Mark Your CalendarTues, Jan. 6: School resumes Fri, Jan. 9: Parent Coffee, 8:15 - 8:45 a.m. Jan. 15 - 29: SCEF Read-a-thon Mon, Jan. 19: MLK Holiday, No School Weds, Jan. 28: PTA meeting, 6:30 p.m. Thurs, Jan. 29: SSC/ELAC Meeting, 3:15 p.m. Weds, Feb. 4: Lunar New Year Celebration Fri, Feb. 6: Sweetheart Dance, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. (for 2nd & 3rd grade) Feb. 16 - 20: Mid-Winter Break, no school Principal's Message Hello Brittan Acres Families, I hope you are enjoying a restful and meaningful winter break. As we look ahead to the return to school, I wanted to share a quick note of gratitude and excitement for the weeks ahead. Our teachers will return on Monday, January 5, for a full day of professional learning and preparation, and we are looking forward to welcoming students back to campus on Tuesday, January 6. I also want to extend a heartfelt thank you for the generous gifts, thoughtful notes, and delicious treats shared before the break. Your kindness truly means so much to me and to our staff. We feel incredibly appreciated, and it reinforces just how special the Brittan Acres community is. We can’t wait to welcome our students back, reconnect as a community, and continue the important work of learning and growing together in the new year. Thank you, as always, for your partnership and support. SCEFTo promote a love of reading, the San Carlos Education Foundation (SCEF) is sponsoring a Read-A-Thon, from January 15th - January 29th, 2026. The Read-A-Thon celebrates reading while raising funds for San Carlos School District schools. Participation is free and highly encouraged. Students will keep track of reading minutes either by reading themselves or by being read to. Our goal is to have every family sign up and participate as no donation is required. See the SCEF section below on how to register. Quick Reminders
In partnership, Announcements & Reminders  Morning Arrival ReminderA quick reminder about morning arrival: classroom patios/classrooms are not open before 8:20 AM. This time is dedicated to teacher preparation, and we want to make sure staff have the space they need to get ready for students.  January Character Trait: PerseveranceThis month at Brittan Acres, we are focusing on perseverance. Perseverance means trying again when something feels hard, learning from mistakes, and not giving up when a task takes time or effort. In classrooms, students will be practicing perseverance through problem-solving, learning new skills, and reflecting on their effort. Families can support this work at home by encouraging children to keep trying, praising effort rather than perfection, and talking together about times when something felt challenging and how they worked through it. Thank you for partnering with us to help students build perseverance and confidence. These habits support both academic learning and personal growth. At-Home Activity: Perseverance Challenge Choose one small challenge your child can work on all week, such as completing a puzzle, practicing reading for 10 minutes a day, tying shoes, or learning a new skill. Encourage your child to keep trying even when it feels tricky. Talk together about what felt hard and what helped them keep going. Celebrate the effort and progress, not just the final result. Remind your child that perseverance means trying again and doing your best, even when something isn’t easy.  Attendance Matters at Brittan AcresAs we begin the new year, I want to share why daily attendance is so important, especially in the early grades. Research shows that missing just 2 days of school a month adds up to nearly 10% of the school year. Students who miss that much time are significantly more likely to struggle with reading, math, and building strong classroom routines. By third grade, students who are chronically absent are much less likely to read at grade level, which can impact learning across all subjects. Consistent attendance helps students build confidence, stay connected to their teachers and classmates, and fully access the learning experiences happening each day. We understand that students should stay home when they are sick, and family circumstances sometimes arise. When students are healthy, however, being at school every day truly makes a difference. Thank you for your partnership in helping our students build strong attendance habits early on. If your family is experiencing challenges that affect attendance, please reach out. We are here to help and support you. [email protected] or [email protected]  Strengthening PBIS and Character Education at Brittan AcresBeginning in January, Brittan Acres is strengthening our schoolwide PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) system with an intentional focus on character education. This work helps students build the skills they need to be respectful, responsible, kind, and engaged members of our school community. Students will see consistent expectations and common language across campus, aligned with our Profile of a Learner. They will be recognized for positive choices and supported through age-appropriate reflection and restorative practices when challenges arise. Our goal is growth, not punishment. By teaching and reinforcing positive behavior and strong character traits, we are creating a safe, supportive environment where all students can learn and thrive. Thank you for your continued partnership as we roll out these practices in the new year. This week's Breakfast & Lunch menuFree for all students, no pre-order needed. Weekly menus will be posted here in the Blast, in the entrance hallway to Brittan Acres and in the school office.  PTA and School News Thank You to Our Generous Donors!A huge thank-you to Falk, Barrot & Associates (Estate Planning Law Firm), Hyland Design Group, Jacklyn Kurth Orthodontics, 2-B Living and Joyce & Tatum Real Estate who have already donated to support BA’s Walk-A-Jog coming up on April 26, 2026. Their generosity helps keep our community strong, connected, and full of tradition.  San Carlos Education Foundation News (SCEF) Register now for the January SCEF/PTA Read-a-Thon!This fun, free, district-wide event celebrates reading and raises funds for educators, school programs and your school PTA. Visit the SCEF website at https://www.scefkids.org/events to learn how to register. School District News  SCSD New Student Priority Registration Opens January 7!New student priority registration is open January 7-30, 2026 for families with incoming TK and Kindergarten students, as well as any students new to SCSD for the coming fall. Registering during this window helps secure your child’s spot and allows us to plan thoughtfully for the year ahead. Make sure you register during this window to help ensure your child’s spot and allows us to plan for the year ahead.  Message from the LunchmasterWe know breakfast choices matter—for students and parents alike. One common challenge is finding options that students enjoy while meeting parents’ expectations for nutrition. Community Partner News 🎉 We're excited to announce these terrific events coming up in January! Have information to include in an upcoming issue? Submit it here. This newsletter is brought to you by the Brittan Acres PTA. Join the PTA.    |
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