September 13, 2026

Principal's Message

Dear BA Families,

It was another joyful and busy week at Brittan Acres! Our students are becoming more confident with classroom routines, building friendships, and showing us each day what it means to be safe, kind, and responsible. Across campus, I continue to see students helping classmates, including others, solving problems, and working hard even when learning feels challenging.

September’s focus on Respect is showing up in meaningful ways. Respect can be seen when students listen to one another, care for our campus, use kind words, follow directions, and make things right after a mistake. These everyday choices help make BA a place where every child feels safe, valued, and connected.

Thank you for continuing to partner with us as we help our Bears learn, grow, and take care of one another.

Missed BTSN night? You can see the Principal's Presentation here

In partnership,

Jude Noyes
Principal, Brittan Acres Elementary
[email protected]
 💙💛

Announcements & Reminders

How Reading Grows

Learning to read is not a single skill or a straight path. Skilled reading develops as many different abilities grow and begin working together. Children need to learn how printed letters connect to sounds and how those sounds blend together to form words. They also need vocabulary, background knowledge, an understanding of how language works, and the ability to make meaning from what they read. Dr. Hollis Scarborough represents these connected skills as strands in a rope. As the strands become stronger and increasingly work together, reading becomes more fluent, confident, and meaningful.

What can families do at home?

This week, talk about new or interesting words during everyday conversations and while reading together. Ask your child:

• “What do you think that word means?”
• “How do you know?”
• “Have you heard that word somewhere else?”

Building vocabulary and knowledge is an important part of learning to read, even before children can read every word independently.

Want to learn more? Watch this short, family friendly explanation of Scarborough’s Reading Rope from Reading Rockets

September Character Focus: Respect

Throughout September, we are helping students recognize what respect looks, sounds, and feels like throughout the school day. Respect is not only about following rules or being polite. It also means listening when someone else is speaking, taking care of shared materials and spaces, including others, respecting personal boundaries, and responding appropriately when we disagree.

A helpful question to ask at home this week is:

“How did you help someone feel respected or included today?”

Children will sometimes disagree, make mistakes, or need reminders. These moments give us valuable opportunities to help them listen, repair harm, and make a more respectful choice next time.

September Principal Read Alouds

Principal read alouds connected to our September focus on Respect are underway! Our UTK and Kindergarten students are reading Do Unto Otters by Laurie Keller and talking about treating others the way they would like to be treated. Students in grades 1 through 3 are reading The Recess Queen by Alexis O’Neill and exploring how kindness, inclusion, and courage can change the way people treat one another.

During our conversations, students are sharing thoughtful ideas about friendship, respectful problem-solving, and what they can do when they notice someone being left out.

The Bruin Bear visits Rm. 11

Congratulations to Room 11 for earning the BA Bruin Bear!

The Bruin Bear travels each week to a classroom that has stood out for following the BA Way and helping make our school a safe, kind, and responsible place. Room 11 had the opportunity to add to the Bruin Bear journal and enjoy having our bear as part of their classroom community. Room 11 was able to enjoy an extra recess with the Bruin Bear and Me! We cannot wait to see where the Bruin Bear goes next!

Picture Day is Thursday, September 17!

Please watch for information from your child’s teacher and use the Picture Day ordering link if you would like to place an order. All students will have their individual photograph taken for our school records and yearbook, even if their family is not purchasing a picture package.

School Site Council (Deadline 9/20)

We are continuing to accept nominations for our Brittan Acres School Site Council. We have two open parent, caregiver, or community representative seats. The School Site Council brings together families, staff, and school leadership to review school goals and student data, discuss programs and student needs, and help develop and monitor our school plan for student achievement. No special experience is required. You may nominate yourself if you are interested in learning more about our school and having a voice in supporting BA’s goals.

School Site Council Nomination Form

Family Support, Scholarships & Community Resources

I also want to make sure BA families know that support is available when you need it. SCSD’s Community Liaison, Jenny Salazar,  [email protected], can help families connect with scholarships, support programs, and community resources available throughout the school year.

Sometimes families need help with a school opportunity or activity. Sometimes circumstances change unexpectedly. Sometimes you simply are not sure where to start. Please know that reaching out is always okay, and we want families to know about the resources available to them.

[Community Liaison & Family Resources Hub]

You are also always welcome to contact the BA office if you are unsure who to reach out to. We are happy to help connect you with the right person or resource. Please fill out this google form to let us know how to support you and your children. The only staff who have access to this information is me (Jude), office administrative assistant, Jerica, and at times your child’s teacher.

Golden Bear Hug Winners!

Each week, we recognize students who are doing an especially great job showing the BA Way: Be Safe, Be Kind, and Be Responsible. Our Golden Bear Hug winners are students who have stood out through their kindness, effort, responsibility, growth, leadership, inclusion, or the positive way they contribute to their classroom and our school community.

Congratulations to this week’s Golden Bear Hug winners:

Kindergarten: Emmett P., Ayansh R., Audrey P., and Zyanya G. S.

1st Grade: Leah M., Charlie S., Matilda T., and Merida M.

2nd Grade: Elle M., Claire M., Andrey F., and Elif G.

3rd Grade: Cyrus B., Zoe P., Cora B., and Avery D.

We are so proud of these Bears! Thank you for helping make Brittan Acres a safe, kind, responsible, and welcoming place for everyone. And remember, a Golden Bear Hug is not about being perfect. It is about making positive choices, learning from mistakes, showing growth, and helping others along the way.

Seen Around Brittan Acres

This week's Breakfast & Lunch menu

Free 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. Click the button below for full month's menu and nutritional/allergen information.

Reminder: School meals do not include a recess snack, so please send your child with a snack each day.

School and PTA News

BA Spirit Shop is here!

The PTA has launched a new spirit shop at https://baspiritshop.com. Hoodies, tees, caps, mugs, stickers and more, in kids and adult sizes, all in BA blue and gold. Everything is printed when you order it and ships free to your door in about a week. Prices are set at cost, so this is not a fundraiser. It is just the easy way to get Bruins gear on your Bruin (and on you). Between sizes? Go up. They grow!

Join the Magic at the Brittan Acres Fall Festival! 🍁🎪

Celebrate autumn and BA “magic” with fellow Bruin families for an afternoon of fun, games, and entertainment! Enjoy live performances from a magician and bubble artist, balloon artist, face painting, arts & crafts, tasty food trucks, pumpkin pie, hot chocolate, and more.

• Date: Sunday, October 4th

• Time: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM

• Location: MU and amphitheater

Find out more at our Fall Festival website where you can RSVP and sign up to volunteer at the event.

Have questions? Feel free to reach out to Liz ([email protected]) or Laura ([email protected]).

Brittan Acres Sponsorship Opportunities

Calling all Brittan Acres Business Owners, All Realtors, and All Orthodontists! Get the word out about your business AND support two of our amazing events: Fall Festival and Walk-A-Jog! When you join your fellow Brittan Acres parents/business owners as a sponsor, your business name will be featured at both the Fall Fest on October 4th, 2026 AND the spring Walk-A-Jog on May 2nd, 2026.

Through your sponsorship, you have the opportunity to reach the families of 400+ students in the San Carlos community and to help make possible these wonderful BA traditions. Find out more about our sponsorship tiers here and reach out to Laura Blaich at [email protected] if you are interested. Thank you for considering!

Thank you to Junk King who is our first sponsor by donating a dumpster to our upcoming Fall Festival!

San Carlos Education Foundation News (SCEF)

An Evening at TOWN - Sunday, Oct 4, 2026

Tickets for our annual An Evening at TOWN have sold out. Thanks to everyone who purchased tickets.
 

The SCEF Fall Raffle is Here!

Open to everyone – Order raffle tickets and support your student! You could win a Dinner for 20 in the Boardroom at Town, a Bianchini’s Shopping Spree, or a 5-Night All-Inclusive Getaway for Two to Mexico or the Dominican Republic. The second place winner receives a $500 gift card to TOWN Restaurant and the third place winner receives the Alpine Inn. Drawing will be held at 8:00pm at the TOWN Dinner on 10/4/2026. Winners need not be present to win. While raffle tickets are not tax-deductible they do “count” toward your total giving to SCEF.

Remember to mark your calendar for the SCEF Fall Online Auction beginning September 28th and running until the evening of October 5th. Everyone can bid!

Donate to the Fall Auction!

Got a vacation home, sports or concert tickets, a fun experience, or a great bottle of wine to share? The SCEF Fall Auction is looking for donations from generous families like yours! We accept just about anything, from getaways and experiences to spirits and unique finds, and every item helps us raise crucial funds for San Carlos students.

Donate an item here — it only takes a few minutes to fill out the form, and we'll take care of the rest.Thank you for helping make this year's event a success!

SCSD District News

Understanding Local Funding for San Carlos Schools

For many years, locally approved parcel tax funding has helped support teachers and educational programs across San Carlos schools. Our current parcel tax is set to expire in 2028, and San Carlos voters will consider a renewal measure this November.

As families hear more about the upcoming parcel tax, we want to make sure our community understands what parcel tax funding supports, how it differs from bond funding, and why both matter to our schools.

🏫 BONDS = BUILDINGS
Bond funding supports long-term facility improvements, such as classrooms, roofs, windows and HVAC systems.

🍎 PARCEL TAXES = PEOPLE + PROGRAMS
Parcel tax funding supports ongoing educational programs and services, including teachers and academic programs that directly support students.

Learn more about local school funding and the upcoming parcel tax:
https://tinyurl.com/2026ParcelTax

Preschool Spaces Available for 2- & 3-Year-Olds!

Looking for a nurturing, engaging preschool program for your 2- or 3-year-old? San Carlos School District’s Early Learning Preschool Program has spaces available now!

Our play-based early learning programs help young children build confidence, friendships, independence, and the foundational skills they need for a successful transition to school.

We offer preschool programs at all four SCSD elementary campuses — Arundel, Brittan Acres, Heather, and White Oaks — with several program options to fit the needs of our families. Attending preschool on an elementary campus is also a wonderful way for children and families to become part of their future school community and start building friendships early.

FREE Preschool May Be Available!
State-funded preschool spaces are currently available at Arundel Elementary School for eligible families. For example, a family of four earning up to $127,338 annually may qualify for FREE preschool — and our team can help you determine your eligibility.

Spaces are limited — learn more and enroll today!

Community Partner News

San Carlos in 2050 Art Competition (Grades TK-3, 4-8, & 9-12)

What would a sustainable San Carlos look like in 2050? Submit original artwork for a chance to be included in the updated San Carlos Climate Mitigation and Adaptation Plan! The top entry in each division will receive recognition from the City and a goodie bag.  Submissions with submission form are due by November 20 by 6:00 p.m. to the Youth Center (1001 Chestnut Street). For questions and additional information, call 650-802-4350 or email [email protected].

📌 Join us as we kick off 2026-27 with exciting new events!

What should parents know? Join us for an important presentation by Jeremy Latta, MSW, San Mateo Country Children & Family Services, Your Role in Disrupting Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (September 17).

💜 September is National Suicide Prevention Month. Please join us for two informative events in English and Spanish:

What should you do if your child talks about suicide? In this month's Foro de padres (español), Esmeralda Alcala, ASW, marriage and family therapist, presents Qué hacer si su hijo(a) habla del suicidio (September 15).

Awareness can make a difference. We welcome Taylor Mannion-Coutts, ASW, Suicide Prevention Center Director at Felton Institute, for Suicide Prevention: What to Notice, What to Say, How to Help (September 30).

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

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.