October 19, 2025

Principal's Message

Dear BA Families, 

This time of year can feel like a turning point. The excitement of the first weeks of school has settled, routines are in place, and real learning is in full motion. Students are not only growing academically but they’re also building stamina, independence, and confidence. You can feel it in classrooms, on the playground, and in the way students are taking on challenges with a little more courage each day.

It’s also a season when we start to see the power of community. I see it when a student steps in to help a classmate, when teachers collaborate to support a learner, and when families show up, whether it's by volunteering, reading at home, or sending a quick note of encouragement. These moments matter; they shape school culture just as much as lessons and schedules.

At the same time, fall can be a busy stretch for families. As calendars fill up and days feel full, I hope you can find time for connection and sharing a story from the day, playing a game together, or just taking a quiet moment to breathe. Children feel the difference when school and home are connected, and I am grateful for the way you partner with us.

Thank you for your continued trust and support. I am proud of our students and grateful to work with such a dedicated community.

A Special thank you to our PTA Executive Leads! I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to our PTA President, Laura Blaich, and Vice President, Bahare Farhadian for their thoughtful, collaborative, and unwavering support of our teachers, families, and students. Your leadership and partnership make a real difference in our school community, and I am truly grateful for your dedication to Brittan Acres.

In partnership,
Jude Noyes
Principal, Brittan Acres Elementary
[email protected]

Snapshots from around BA

Announcements & Reminders

Attendance Matters at BA 

At Brittan Acres, we know that showing up every day makes a difference. When students attend school regularly, they build strong learning habits, stay connected with classmates, and make steady academic progress.

Even a few absences can add up quickly:

• 2 days missed per month = 18 days in a year

• 18 days = nearly 10% of the school year

This is true for all grade levels, including TK. Even in Transitional Kindergarten, regular attendance helps children build routines, develop early literacy and math skills, and feel connected to their classroom community. Strong attendance in TK sets a positive foundation for future success in school.

We understand that illnesses happen, and family needs come up. When they do, please:

• Call the office to report absences

• Schedule appointments after school when possible

• Plan trips during school breaks

Thank you for your partnership in helping our students build a routine of responsibility, connection, and growth. Every day of learning counts!

PBIS at Brittan Acres: Growing a Positive School Community

At Brittan Acres, we believe students learn best in a safe, caring, and predictable environment. That’s why we use PBIS: Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports as a schoolwide approach to teaching and reinforcing positive behavior.

PBIS helps students understand what behavior looks like in different settings (classroom, playground, hallways, and lunch areas) by focusing on three clear expectations:

Be Safe
Be Kind
Be Responsible

Rather than simply reacting to challenging behavior, PBIS emphasizes teaching, modeling, and recognizing positive choices. You may hear your child talk about Bear Hugs, which is our way of celebrating students who go above and beyond to show kindness, respect, and integrity.

PBIS Focus of the Month: Respectful Problem Solving

This month, we are teaching and practicing Respectful Problem Solving. Students are learning how to:

• Use calm words and voices when there’s a disagreement

• Listen to others' perspectives

• Take turns sharing ideas

• Ask for help when needed

• Repair harm if a mistake is made

We are also reinforcing tools like Kelso’s Choice and Zones of Regulation, which help students recognize their emotions and choose positive ways to handle conflict.

How Families Can Support PBIS at Home

You can support this month’s focus by trying these simple conversation starters:

• “What’s a respectful way to solve a problem with a friend?”

• “What can you do if you feel frustrated?”

• “What does it look like to fix a mistake and make things right?”

Thank you for partnering with us to grow responsible, kind, and confident learners. Go BA Bears! 🐻💙💛

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.

PTA and School News

Diwali Dance Assembly, October 22

What is Diwali? Diwali (pronounced dee-VAH-lee) is a special festival celebrated by many people around the world, especially in India. Often called the Festival of Lights, Diwali celebrates the triumph of light over darkness. Families mark the occasion by lighting lamps and candles, decorating their homes, wearing bright new clothes, sharing sweets, exchanging gifts, and celebrating with friends and neighbors.

We are still recruiting student volunteers, especially 2nd and 3rd graders, for our Diwali Dance Assembly on Wednesday, October 22. This will be held in the amphitheater during the assembly. If your child would like to perform during the assembly and dance to a Diwali song and learn a few cultural dance steps, please sign up here. 

The next practice session to learn steps is October 21 from 5.15 - 5.45

BA’s Pumpkin Decoration Showcase is on October 30!  

On Thursday, October 30, we’re continuing Brittan Acres’ beloved tradition! Students are invited to bring their favorite decorated pumpkin to the Brittan Acres amphitheater before school begins.

Throughout the day, all classes will visit the display to admire the creativity and hard work of our talented pumpkin decorators. Every participant will receive a fun, themed memento to take home!

Be creative - carve, paint, decorate... the sky is the limit!

To see last year’s pumpkins, click here

*Please note: Pumpkins should arrive by 8:20 and will go home the very same day*

The Brittan Acres PTA Needs You!

There are many ways to support the BA PTA:

• Become a PTA member: As a member of the Brittan Acres PTA, you are a voice for our kids and part of the largest child advocacy program in the world. Join today for $10; multiple members of the family are welcome to join. 
• Attend PTA meetings:  Be a part of the decision-making. Share what is important to you and get updates from our PTA Board and Mr. Noyes. Check the school calendar for upcoming meetings and events. 
• Donate to SCEF:  Visit our Membership & Fundraising page to learn how your SCEF contribution makes a difference.
• Get involved: Fill out this form to share your interest and gain access to our volunteer sign-up platform, POINT! IMPORTANT: If you will on campus volunteering, ALL volunteers must complete the SCSD Annual Volunteer Agreement. Once completed, you will be set for the year.

Inclusion and Belonging

Wishing a Joyful Diwali to Our BA Families ✨

To all of our families celebrating, we wish you a very Happy Diwali!

Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is celebrated each year between mid-October and mid-November across the Indian subcontinent and around the world. The name comes from the Sanskrit word dīpāvali, meaning “row of lights.”

This five-day festival celebrates hope, new beginnings, and the triumph of light over darkness. In the lead-up to Diwali, families prepare their homes with diyas (oil lamps) and rangoli (colorful designs), wear festive clothes, enjoy fireworks, and share sweets and gifts with loved ones.

We’re grateful to be part of such a beautifully diverse community here at Brittan Acres, where we learn from one another and celebrate the traditions that make each family unique.

Learn Together at Home
Try one of these simple ways to explore Diwali as a family:

• Ask your child: “What’s one way we can spread light or kindness this week?”
• Make a paper lantern, draw a chalk rangoli, or light a candle to symbolize hope.
• Read together:
  • Binny’s Diwali by Thrity Umrigar
  • Diwali by Hannah Eliot
  • Let’s Celebrate Diwali by Anjali Joshi

School District News

TKELP Enrollment for the 2026-27 School Year is NOW OPEN!

Do you have an incoming TK student next year? Need afternoon care? If so, TKELP is for you!

The Transitional Kindergarten Extended Learning Program (TKELP) offers a warm, nurturing environment where our youngest learners can explore, play, and grow beyond the regular school day. Designed to support the unique developmental needs of TK students, TKELP combines hands-on learning, social-emotional growth, creative activities, and structured play led by trained, caring staff.

Each day is filled with engaging experiences—from physical activities and STEAM projects to our exciting Spanish Language Enrichment program, to dance, music & movement, and arts & crafts. All opportunities are designed to nurture creativity, curiosity, and confidence in a fun, supportive environment.

TKELP is available at Arundel, Brittan Acres, Heather, and White Oaks Elementary Schools. Give your child the perfect start to their school journey—enroll today!

Community Partner News

City of San Carlos

The City of San Carlos is excited to announce that the Public Draft Downtown Specific Plan is now available! View the Plan online at www.sancarlosdowntownplan.com.

After years of thoughtful collaboration, vibrant community engagement, and careful planning, San Carlos is on the brink of an exciting new chapter! The long-anticipated Downtown Specific Plan - a comprehensive roadmap for the heart of our city - is entering its final stages of completion. As we approach the final stretch, we invite all San Carlans to stay engaged, share their voices, and help bring this vision to life. Together, we’re creating a downtown that’s not just a place to go - but a place to belong.

Public hearings to consider the Downtown Specific Plan for adoption will take place:
- November 3, 2025, 7:00 p.m. – The Planning and Transportation Commission will consider adopting a resolution recommending the City Council adopt the Downtown Specific Plan
- November 24, 2025, 7:00 p.m. – The City Council will consider adopting the Downtown Specific Plan

To access the agenda packets and Zoom meeting details, please visit www.cityofsancarlos.org/agenda

Comments or questions? Email [email protected].

🎃 Mark your calendars for these great events coming up in October!

NEW! We host Meg Josephson, psychotherapist and NY Times bestselling author of Are You Mad at Me?, for Helping Kids (and Parents) Break Free from People Pleasing and Perfectionism (October 29).

NEW! How should families navigate the new college admission landscape? Bruce Poch and Alice Kleeman join us for VALUES IN COLLEGE ADMISSION: Getting There, Being There—What’s New, What’s Not (October 30).

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

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This newsletter is brought to you by the Brittan Acres PTA. Join the PTA.