BA Blast Newsletter
 May 24, 2026 In this issue:
Mark Your CalendarMon, May 25: Memorial Day, no school Weds, May 27: 3rd grade walking field trip to Arroyo; PTA meeting, 6:30 p.m., Paris Baguette Thurs, May 28: TK Expansion Community Meeting, 4:30 p.m., BA Library Mon. June 1: Pride Month begins Weds, June 3: Parent Volunteer Appreciation, 8:10 a.m. Fri, June 5: Field Day (UTK-2nd Grades) 8:30 a.m. -10 a.m. (volunteer) Fri, June 5: 3rd Grade Classroom Play 8:30-9:20 Weds, June 10: 3rd Grade End of Year Celebration! 10:30 a.m. -12:00 p.m. (volunteer) Thurs, June 11: End of year Clap Out! Thurs, June 11: Last Day of School, minimum day, Dismissal at 12:25 p.m. Principal's Message  Dear Brittan Acres Community, It has been a full and joyful week at BA, and there is so much to celebrate. Our 3rd graders have officially completed SBAC testing! I am so proud of the perseverance, focus, and hard work they showed throughout testing. They took their time, stayed engaged, and truly made us proud. This week, our 3rd graders will also take their walking trip to Arroyo, where they will get the chance to tour their new school with an Arroyo buddy. I am excited for them to see the campus, learn more about what is ahead, and begin building excitement for this next step in their school journey. Our Celebration of Learning was also a major success. Despite the heat, so many families came out to celebrate with us. The best part of the evening was seeing students proudly show their families their classrooms, projects, writing, artwork, and growth from the year. The joy in the rooms was beautiful to see. We also had a wonderful time at the Hometown Days Parade. Thank you to all of the families, teachers, staff, and students who helped plan and participate in our BA parade group. I had the special opportunity to walk in the parade with my own 7-year-old son, and he had such a wonderful time celebrating the BA community with all of us. Starting Tuesday, May 26, we have only 13 days of school left. These final weeks will be filled with many exciting celebrations, transitions, and moments to honor the growth our students have made this year. Thank you for continuing to show up, support our students, and make Brittan Acres such a special place. Please keep an eye out for classroom updates about end-of-year activities, celebrations, and any special schedules. This is also a great time to check backpacks, return library books, look through the lost and found, and make sure students are coming to school with water bottles as the weather gets warmer. With appreciation, Seen Around BA   Announcements & Reminders  Arrival and Drop Off Safety ReminderWe want to remind all families to please drive slowly and carefully during morning arrival and afternoon dismissal. We have had some recent concerns shared about unsafe driving near the crosswalks, including cars stopping in the crosswalk or turning too closely while students and families are crossing. Please remember:
Our students are very young, and many are still learning how to safely navigate drop off and pick up routines. A few extra seconds of patience can make a big difference in keeping everyone safe. Thank you for helping us keep Brittan Acres safe for all students, families, staff, and neighbors.  Thank You District Office!A big thank you to our district office team for taking the time to host coffee for our staff on Friday. It was a thoughtful and appreciated gesture, and it meant a lot to have our team cared for in such a warm and welcoming way. We are grateful for the continued support and partnership from our district office colleagues.  Staying Engaged Over the SummerAs summer approaches, one of the best things families can do is help students stay connected to the skills they have built this year in simple, low-pressure ways. Summer does not need to feel like school, but small routines can make a big difference. Reading together, visiting the library, practicing math facts through games, writing cards or stories, counting money, cooking together, building, exploring outside, and asking questions are all meaningful ways to keep learning alive. For our young learners, play is also learning. When children imagine, create, solve problems, talk through their ideas, and try new things, they are continuing to grow. Most importantly, keep it joyful and consistent. A few minutes each day of reading, writing, math, or conversation can help students return in August feeling confident, connected, and ready for the next school year.  Brittan Acres Staffing UpdatesJenny GoinesAs we look ahead to June, I want to share that Jenny Goines will be moving on from Brittan Acres at the end of the school year. Jenny has been such a valued member of our BA community. She has supported students, families, and staff with kindness, care, and a deep commitment to our school. Her steady presence, positive spirit, and dedication have made a meaningful impact, and she will be greatly missed. We are so grateful for the time, heart, and service Jenny has given to Brittan Acres. Please join me in thanking her and wishing her all the best in this next chapter. Sireen PeterI also want to share that one of our TK teachers, Sireen Peter, will be moving on from Brittan Acres in June and beginning a new teaching adventure in the fall. Sireen has brought so much care, warmth, and joy to our youngest learners. TK is such an important first school experience for children and families, and Sireen has helped create a classroom where students feel welcomed, supported, and ready to grow. Please join me in thanking Sireen and wishing her all the best as she begins this next chapter. Amelie & KimI also want to share that two of our TK aides, Amelie and Kim, will be moving on to new adventures in June. Amelie and Kim have been caring and supportive members of our TK team. They have helped our youngest learners feel safe, welcomed, and ready for school each day. Their patience, kindness, and steady support have made a real difference for our students, teachers, and families. We are so grateful for the time and heart they have given to Brittan Acres. Please join me in thanking Amelie and Kim and wishing them all the best in their next chapters. Hanna Gausman- New TK Teacher 2026-2027I am also excited to share that Hanna Gausman will be joining Brittan Acres as our new TK teacher in Room 25. Hanna brings wonderful experience working with young students, including her work as a TK instructional aide in San Carlos, her experience as a lead teacher in a preschool setting, and her teacher residency work supporting early elementary learners. Hanna brings warmth, care, and a clear love for working with young children. We are excited to welcome her to the BA community and look forward to the joy and support she will bring to our TK students and families in Room 25. We are also currently hiring for our Office Administrative Secretary position and TK aide positions. We have interviews scheduled and are looking forward to meeting candidates who are excited to support our students, families, and staff. These roles are such an important part of our school community, and we are excited to bring new team members to BA who will help us continue to create a welcoming, caring, and supportive environment for our students and families. We will continue to keep our community updated as these hiring processes move forward.  Bear Hug Winners for May 20, 2026TK: Aiden, Room 25, Leo, Room 26, Zyanya, Room 27 Kindergarten: Yichen 1st: Milan, Ella, Rachel 2nd: Kendall, Adley 3rd: Lucas, Ava Congratulations to our Bears for showing kindness, perseverance, and responsibility across campus! 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. School and PTA News Hometown Days ParadeThank you to everyone who came out and showed their BA spirit in the Hometown Days Parade! It was a fun-filled morning full of Bruin pride and community spirit. A special thank you to BA parent Rachel Zetino for organizing our school’s participation and helping make the event a success!  PTA meeting: This Wednesday!The PTA is looking forward to hosting this month’s meeting on Wednesday, May 27, 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. SPECIAL LOCATION: This month's meeting will be hosted at Paris Baguette, in downtown San Carlos, 622 Laurel St. Come celebrate the end of the year with us!  Parent Volunteer AppreciationWe are incredibly grateful for the time, dedication, and support parent volunteers have given to our school this year. To celebrate all that you’ve done, we’re excited to invite you to a special Parent Volunteer Appreciation Ceremony & Breakfast!  Volunteers needed for TK-2nd Field DayTK–2 Field Day is coming up! Field Day for TK–2 students will take place on the Upper Playground on Friday, June 5, from 8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Legarza has planned a variety of fun activity stations and games, and we’re looking for volunteers to help keep the stations running throughout the event. If you’re available to help, please sign up here (or click the button below). Your support helps make the morning run smoothly and ensures the kids have a great experience. Reach out to [email protected] or [email protected] with any questions and we look forward to a memorable event!  Volunteers needed for 3rd Grade End-of-Year Party!Calling all 3rd grade parents/guardians! The 3rd grade end-of-year party will take place on Wednesday, June 10th from 10:30 a.m. -12:00 p.m., and we need your help to make it a success. This is a fun event to celebrate their time at Brittan Acres Highlights include fun activity stations, handprint painting, t-shirt signing, pizza and Kona Ice! Please sign-up for a volunteer shift here or click the button below  San Carlos Education Foundation News (SCEF) SCEF Draft Honor RollWe appreciate every single contribution that gets us closer to our $3.7 million goal. Please check the draft donor roll to review your donations to SCEF from July 1, 2025 through May 19, 2026. If there are any errors or omissions please let Scott Cleaveland know at [email protected]. If you have not donated yet this year, please add your name to the donor roll by making a gift today at www.scefkids.org. Your donation will support educator positions and programs next school year. SCEF @ Hometown DaysThanks to everyone who stopped by to hear the middle school musicians perform Friday night and to watch the SCC kids race down the hill on Saturday morning. It was great to see so many students in the parade. Your donations help make programs like these possible.
We Love Our Business Sponsors!As we near the end of the school year, we want to recognize and appreciate the following business sponsors who provided financial support this school year to benefit San Carlos public schools. Please thank them when you do business with them.  Inclusion and Belonging Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month at BAAsian American and Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is celebrated each May as a time to recognize the rich histories, cultures, and contributions of these communities in the United States. The AANHPI umbrella includes people with roots across the Asian continent including East, Southeast, and South Asia, as well as the Pacific Islands of Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia. This month was chosen to honor the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants to the United States in 1843 and the completion of the transcontinental railroad in 1869, which was built largely by Chinese laborers. At our school, we value the many cultures, traditions, and experiences that shape our community. AANHPI Heritage Month offers a meaningful opportunity for families to learn together and celebrate diversity in ways that are engaging for children. One simple way to explore this month at home is through stories. Consider sharing books written by Asian authors, featuring Asian characters, or illustrated by Asian artists. Reading together can spark important conversations about identity, belonging, and respect. Here are a few picture books that are especially well suited for elementary age children:
You can also learn by watching and discussing together:
These activities are a great way to help children build understanding, appreciation, and respect for different cultures while also recognizing the many contributions AANHPI communities have made to our shared history. Did You Know?AAPI Heritage Month is celebrated in May to mark the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants to the U.S. in 1843 and the completion of the transcontinental railroad in 1869, built largely by Chinese laborers.  May is Jewish American Heritage MonthMay is Jewish American Heritage Month, a time to explore and celebrate the many ways Jewish Americans have helped shape our country’s history, culture, science, arts, and communities. Each May, people of all backgrounds come together to learn about the vibrant and diverse Jewish American experience, from the founding of our nation through today. This can be a wonderful opportunity to explore stories, creativity, perseverance, and community. Families can read children’s books by beloved author and illustrator Mo Willems and learn about inspiring individuals such as scientist Albert Einstein, Olympic gymnast Aly Raisman, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, diarist Anne Frank, artist Marc Chagall, and comic book creator Stan Lee. These figures can help spark conversations about imagination, determination, self-expression, and making a positive impact on the world around us. Parents might also enjoy exploring Jewish foods, holidays, music, and family traditions together at home through books, crafts, or storytelling. Visit Jewish American Heritage Month to discover family-friendly resources about Jewish American history, arts and culture, notable individuals, and more. School District News Measure H Summer Construction 2026 - Community MeetingThank you to everyone who attended the Measure H Community Meeting on May 13. If you were unable to join us, you can review the information shared regarding upcoming summer construction projects at Heather, Brittan Acres and White Oaks.  San Carlos Summer Camps at Our School SitesStill looking for a fun and engaging camp this summer? There are still spots available in a variety of summer camps hosted at Arundel, Mariposa, Arroyo, Tierra Linda, and Central! From enrichment and creativity to sports and hands-on activities, there’s something for every interest. See all camp offerings and registration information here. Community Partner News Silicon Valley Tennis CampThank you for choosing Silicon Valley Tennis Academy at Arguello Park in San Carlos as your preferred tennis classes/camps for over 17 years. We are excited to provide another great summer experience for your child! Dates: June 15-Aug. 14  Chess Wizards Camp at MariposaJoin Chess Wizards this semester for tons of challenging chess lessons, exciting games, and cool prizes. You'll improve your chess skills, and work out your most powerful muscle - your brain! Our classes are geared to suit children of all skill levels; from chessling to checkmate artist, students will build upon their knowledge through lessons, variation games and more! More than just a game of winning and losing, we make learning chess fun! Open to grades K-5. Cost is $290 per session.  🌈 🎓 Mark your calendars for these powerful events coming up this spring! 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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