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In this issue:
- Principal's Message
Kindness Week recap, BHM assembly recap, Feb Read Aloud, Principal for the Day, Attendance recap, BA parent survey, Bruins of the Week, weekly menu
- PTA / School News: Multicultural Festival, PTA info
- Inclusion & Belonging, SCSD news, SCEF updates, and more
Mark Your Calendar
Tues, Feb. 24: Earthquake Drill (Drop, cover, hold)
Weds, Feb. 25: San Carlos Sheriff Visit with K9 Police Dogs, 8:30 a.m.; PTA meeting, BA Library & Zoom, 6:30 p.m.
Fri, Feb. 27 and Fri, Mar. 6: Kinder/2nd Grade Hearing & Vision Screening
Fri, Mar. 6: 2nd grade Field Trip to MSI (Mencher/Downey); Thurs, Mar 12 (Liner/Carroll)
Weds, Mar. 11: TK assembly, Marine Science Institute
Fri, Mar. 13: Try It Truck assembly (2nd/3rd)
Mar. 23 - 30: SCEF Online Auction
Fri, Mar. 27: SCEF Gala at Domenico Winery
Dear Brittan Acres Families,
Last week before the break was one of those weeks that reminds me exactly why Brittan Acres is such a special place.
We celebrated Kindness Week across campus, and I saw students living it out in small, meaningful ways. Holding doors. Including someone new at recess. Writing thoughtful notes. Checking in when a classmate looked upset. None of it flashy. All of it important.
On Wednesday, we had the honor of welcoming the Kuumba Dancers as part of our Black History Month celebration. Our students experienced music, movement, and storytelling that honored culture, history, and resilience. It was joyful and powerful at the same time. I am grateful our students had the opportunity not just to learn about history, but to feel it and celebrate it together. Thank you to our parent volunteers and Black History Month leads, [insert names] for organizing such a memorable event.
I’d also like to thank the Staff Appreciation Committee and our generous families for the wonderful lunch provided for our teachers and staff. The variety of soups is a longtime favorite and very much appreciated.
We also gathered as an entire school community for something pretty special. Every BA student came together on the upper yard to form a giant heart for a drone photo. Looking up and seeing that heart shape take form was a reminder of who we are as a school. Different grades, different personalities, different strengths, all coming together to create something meaningful. Special thanks to Eric Firnhaber for the above photo taken via drone; it turned out awesome!
This month, our character focus is empathy. We are talking with students about what it means to truly understand how someone else feels and to respond with care. Empathy is more than being nice. It is listening when someone is upset. It is pausing before reacting. It is recognizing that everyone carries things we cannot always see.
At BA, academic excellence matters deeply. But who our students become matters just as much. Weeks like this show me that we are growing thoughtful, kind, and courageous young people.
Thank you for partnering with us in raising children who lead with both heart and character.
Announcements & Reminders
February Read Aloud: Enemy Pie
This month, students will be hearing Enemy Pie as part of our focus on empathy. The story explores friendship, assumptions, and how spending time with someone can change the way we see them. It’s a great springboard for conversations about perspective-taking, kindness, and making things right when relationships feel tricky.
We encourage families to ask children what they noticed in the story and how the characters’ feelings changed along the way
Principal for the Day: 3rd Grader, Ryan A.
We had a very special guest in the front office on Wednesday. Ryan A. stepped into the role of “Principal for the Day” after being one of the first students to register for the SCEF Read-a-thon. What a way to show initiative.
Ryan is a natural leader, and he took the job seriously from the moment he arrived. He visited classrooms and quietly took notes on academic routines. He supported our kindergarteners during recess. He checked in with the office team and learned about the many moving pieces that keep a school day running smoothly. He even helped lead our Wednesday morning assembly with confidence and poise.
One of my favorite parts of the day was our end-of-day debrief lunch. Ryan came prepared with reflections and thoughtful observations about what he noticed across campus. He invited his sister to join us, and we wrapped up the experience over some well-earned Chipotle.
Ryan, thank you for your leadership, curiosity, and positive energy. Brittan Acres is lucky to have you. 💙💛
Attendance Update: Day 106 vs. Day 89
Here is the latest attendance update for BA and how it compares to Day 89.
Overall Schoolwide Attendance
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Day 89: 96.50%
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Day 106: 96.34% ↓
Even with the illness season, BA is holding steady above 96%. That is strong. First grade continues to lead the way, and 2nd grade even ticked upward.
Attendance Matters at Brittan Acres
We recently reviewed our attendance from Day 89 through Day 106, and I want to thank our families for continuing to prioritize daily attendance.
Even during cold and flu season, Brittan Acres is holding strong at 96.34% overall attendance. That is something to be proud of.
A few highlights:
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First grade continues to lead with outstanding attendance.
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Second grade saw a slight increase.
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Kindergarten remains steady and strong.
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Even with an increase in illness-related absences across the school, our overall percentage has remained stable.
This consistency matters. Every day your child is here, they are building skills, confidence, friendships, and momentum in their learning. Small attendance gains across a school our size add up quickly.
Why Attendance Matters for Learning and for School Funding
In the San Carlos School District, school funding is based on Average Daily Attendance (ADA). That means the state provides funding for students who are physically in school each day, not simply enrolled.
On average, districts receive approximately $12,000–$15,000 per student per year in state funding. Broken down daily, that equals roughly $65–$80 per student per day.
When a student is absent, even for an excused reason, the district does not receive that day’s funding.
To put that into perspective:
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If 10 students are absent on a single day, that represents approximately $650–$800 in lost funding for that day.
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Even a ↓1% drop in attendance across a district can result in hundreds of thousands of dollars in reduced funding over the course of a year.
These funds directly support:
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Classroom teachers and instructional aides
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Reading and math intervention
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Counseling and student services
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Classroom materials
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Enrichment opportunities
Of course, if your child is sick, please keep them home. Health and safety always come first. But when students are healthy and able to attend, being present truly matters. If your child will be out for five or more days, please contact the office about Independent Study. This allows your child to stay connected to learning and helps the district recover funding during extended absences.
Thank you for continuing to prioritize daily attendance. Every day counts for your child and for our school community.
Let’s keep pushing forward together.
Brittan Acres Parent Survey
February is the time of year when we gather feedback from our students, families, and staff to help us continue strengthening Brittan Acres. Your perspective truly matters, and we are asking you to take a few minutes to complete our Brittan Acres Parent Survey.
Your feedback directly informs how we improve communication, support students, and refine our schoolwide goals. We review survey results carefully with staff, and the themes become part of our site planning each year.
The survey includes questions about communication, student support, school climate, facilities, and overall experience. It typically takes 10 minutes or less to complete. We would greatly appreciate you completing this survey.
Please submit your survey by Friday, February 27.
This survey is anonymous and applies to Brittan Acres only. If you have more than one child at BA, please answer the questions with your oldest child in mind.
Thank you for your partnership and for helping us continue to make Brittan Acres a place where every student feels supported, challenged, and valued.
Bruins of the Week
Kindergarten: Jasper F, Sloane W, Abby Z
1st: Milan M
2nd: Ally, Ben R, Everett B
3rd: Ellie B, Harvey C, Kaiden T
Congratulations to our Bears for showing kindness, perseverance, and responsibility across campus!
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.
San Carlos Education Foundation News (SCEF)
Get Your Gala Tickets This Wednesday!
General admission tickets will be available this Wednesday, Feb. 25, at noon for the Friday, March 27, SCEF Gala. Act fast because tickets are limited! Join us at Domenico Winery for this annual an evening of dinner, dancing, and an energetic live auction. Our new auctioneer this year is Liam Mayclem! Visit scefkids.org/events for details.
SCEF Online Auction
Visit www.scefkids.org/events to learn about our upcoming Online Auction March 23-30–Shop for amazing items, experiences, get-aways, outings with teachers and and more while supporting your school!
Join Us: PTA meeting this week
The PTA is looking forward to hosting this month’s meeting in the Brittan Acres Library on Wednesday, February 25, at 6:30 p.m. Families will hear school updates from Principal Noyes, along with reports from SCEF and PTACC. The preview to the meeting agenda can be viewed by clicking here or the button below.
The meeting will also highlight upcoming events, share committee news, and offer ways for parents and guardians to stay connected and involved this season. All are warmly welcomed to attend!
Save the Date:Brittan Acres' Multicultural Festival
Wednesday, March 18 from 5:30-7:30PM!
We are excited to announce that this year's Multicultural Festival will be on Wednesday, March 18, from 5:30-7:30pm. We will celebrate with amazing food, arts & crafts stations where the students can make their own "passports", and live performances from around the world.
RSVP
While it’s not required to RSVP, it would greatly help us with planning. Please fill out this RSVP form (or click the button below)
Volunteer Opportunities
It takes a village to make these events a success. Please consider volunteering if you can; there’s something for everyone. All of the craft station volunteer opportunities are also open to older students at Arroyo, Central or in high school. Click here or the button below to volunteer
Seeking parents who are interested in contributing to the PTA
We are in recruiting season for next year's board and committees! Thank you to everyone who has signed up for roles so far. We are still looking to fill a few board and committee roles. If any of these sound interesting to you, please email Manisha Shah (PTA Parliamentarian) at [email protected].
Executive Board
- Programs & Events Chair and Co-Chair (great for two friends to do together!)
- Parliamentarian/Membership (low lift, can be done on your own time)
- Fundraising Chair and Co-Chair (helps fund Walk-A-Jog and Fall Festival)
- Art in Action/STEAM Co-Chair (high impact and fun)
Committee Positions
- Yearbook Co-Chair
- Holiday Boutique Co-Chair
- Book Fair Co-Lead
- Hometown Days Parade Lead
- Multicultural Week Co-Lead
- Art In Action/STEAM Grade-level Leads (Kinder - 3rd)
Lunar New Year begins February 17
Lunar New Year, Chinese Chunjie, Vietnamese Tet, Korean Solnal, Tibetan Losar, also called Spring Festival, is a holiday typically celebrated in China and other East Asian countries that begins with the first new moon of the lunar calendar and ends on the first full moon of the lunar calendar, 15 days later.
Traditionally, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day are reserved for family celebrations, including ceremonies honoring ancestors. Also on New Year’s Day, family members receive red envelopes (hong bao or lai see) containing money. Dances and fireworks are prevalent throughout the holidays.
The origins of the Lunar New Year festival are thousands of years old and are steeped in legends. One Chinese legend is that of Nian, a beast believed to terrorize the villages on New Year’s Day. Because Nian feared the color red, loud noises, and fire, red paper decorations were pasted to doors, lanterns were lit all night, and firecrackers were set off to frighten the beast away. Today, popular traditions still include red decorations, lanterns, lion dances and firecrackers.
Here are a few ways to learn more about Lunar New Year with your family:
Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar and lasts 29 or 30 days, depending on when the new crescent moon is, or should be, visible. This year, Ramadan began Feb. 17 and is expected to end around March 18. It is observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting, reflection, and community.
Participating Muslims who are old enough and healthy enough to fast do not eat or drink from dawn to sunset each day. Once the sun sets, family and friends gather for a meal called iftar. Fasting is intended to strengthen willpower and increase empathy for those who have less; it is also intended to encourage care with words and actions. In addition to fasting, giving to charity and doing good deeds are a special part of Ramadan and done throughout this holy month. Families donate money, food, and clothing to those in need and are encouraged to give throughout the year.
After Ramadan, families celebrate Eid al-Fitr (“the feast of breaking the fast”), which is a joyous event with elaborate meals, monetary gifts in envelopes for children (called Eidi), and time spent with family and friends!
To learn more about Ramadan and Eid, check out these books:
February is Black History Month
February is Black History Month, a time to honor the achievements, voices, and lasting contributions of Black leaders, artists, educators, and changemakers in the United States and around the world. The month grew out of Negro History Week, founded by historian Carter G. Woodson, and has been officially recognized each February since 1976. Today, countries including Canada and the United Kingdom also devote time to celebrating Black history and culture.
At BA, students will engage in age appropriate learning throughout the month that highlights stories of perseverance, creativity, and leadership, while building empathy and respect for one another. We are proud to celebrate Black history as an essential part of our shared history and community.
Families who would like to continue learning at home may explore these resources and ideas together:
Ways to Learn as a Family
Recommended Resources
These resources are intended to support meaningful conversations and learning throughout the month and beyond.
Meet Our SCSD Community Liaison!
Dear Families,
My name is Jenny Salazar, and I'm happy to serve as your community liaison. I'm here to strengthen the connection between our school and our families. I'm also here to guide you in accessing food resources, school supplies, counseling services, and other community programs if you need assistance. To that end, I have designed a Community Liaison Site where families can easily access this type of information.
I am here to support you in different ways:
- Sharing important school information
- Provide support to reduce barriers to school attendance
- Connect families with school and community resources
- Encouraging family involvement and engagement
- Helping answer questions or guide you in the right direction
- For Spanish-speaking families I can serve as a bridge to help ensure concerns are heard, cultural needs, and services are accessible to all
I believe strong partnerships between home and school help our students thrive. Please feel free to reach out to me anytime at [email protected].
I look forward to meeting you and working together to make this a wonderful year for our students!
Ramadan Meal Support
In support of students who are fasting in observance of Ramadan, San Carlos School District will offer cold meal options for both breakfast and lunch from February 23 through March 19, 2026. These meals are intended to be taken home for reheating or enjoyed after sunset. Families interested in participating should contact their school principal to sign up or to receive additional information.
Parents Learning @ Night PL@N On Feb 24
Join our Early Learning Team on Tuesday, February 24 at 6:30 pm at Heather Elementary for Play to Thrive: Supporting Young Minds Through Play and Positive Behavior with Dr. Julie Nicholson.
Impact of Play: Learn about the latest research on how play contributes to young children's cognitive growth.
Managing Behaviors: Gain insights on key developmental milestones and build skills to help prevent and manage challenging behaviors.
Communication: Develop strategies to talk to your children in a supportive and age appropriate manner.
Childcare Available. RSVP HERE
❄️ Mark your calendars for these great events coming up in February!
What can parents do to support all kids in STEM? Allison Master, PhD, Assistant Professor, University of Houston, joins us for Breaking the Stereotypes: How to Support STEM Learning and Motivation (March 4).
How do we we make our emotions work for us? Ethan Kross, PhD, bestselling author and Professor of Psychology at Columbia University, presents SHIFT: Managing Your Emotions--So They Don't Manage You (March 5).
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.
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