Programs
With generous community support from the San Carlos Educational Foundation and the Arundel PTA, our school offers a variety of enrichment and leadership experiences to support the education of the whole child. Please click here to find out how funding these programs works.
FOSS Hands-on Science
FOSS (Full Option Science System) is a research-based science curriculum for grades K–8 developed at the Lawrence Hall of Science, University of California at Berkeley. The principle of FOSS is the proposition that students learn science best by doing science. Teachers and students do science together when they open the FOSS kits, engaging in enduring experiences that lead to deeper understanding of the natural world. FOSS modules integrate reading and language arts skills in the context of learning science as students explore science concepts through hands-on investigations.
Our PTA sponsors art for each grade level. Kindergarteners complete an “Artists and Authors” study focusing on important artists including Picasso, Matisse, Kandinsky, Pollock and others. Grades 1-4 participate in the Art in Action program. Art in Action is strongly supported by the PTA, both with volunteers and program funding. Please click here to find out more about Art in Action at Arundel.
Music
Our students are given music instruction through a program called Music for Minors. Music for Minors mission is to nurture in children a lifelong love of music by providing quality music education programs in schools with our trained volunteer and professional educators. Classes provide children with a variety of musical experiences through hands-on participation in many facets of music, such as singing, movement, theory, dance, musical games, and use of rhythm instruments. Please visit the Music for Minors website for more information.
PE
Mr. Shawn Gettins is our PE specialist. His lessons focus on skill development, lifelong fitness and fun! Every K-4 child has PE twice a week. The primary PE classes are “split” to increase small group reading time. Twelve children leave the class for PE and twelve remain for reading. Then, groups switch. In this way, the classrooms’ teacher-student ratios are maximized during early literacy instruction.
Kindergarten Motor PE
Kindergarten students participate in a unique PE program designed to build both fine and gross motor skills. The development of physical milestones is tied to reading readiness.
Computer Lab
The Library Media Center is home to the Computer Lab, housing 26 Mac computers running on OS X. Each class is scheduled to visit the lab once per week. Parent assistance is very welcome. Students use the lab to learn basic computer skills and concepts. Older students learn word processing, touch typing, and internet researching.
Library
Our librarian, Mrs. Townsend, has created a cozy and inviting library full of wonderful books! The Arundel library has an extensive selection of books and research facilities. The library is open during class times and Tues./Thurs. during lunch. Each class usually visits the library once a week, plus other occasions at teacher discretion. Students may check out books for one week and may renew them. If your child finishes his or her books before their classroom library time, they may return them and get new books during the Tues./Thurs. lunchtime. Students with overdue books are reminded of this during their class visit to the library. Notices are sent home after 3 weeks. Students are responsible for their library books and must cover the cost of replacement (provided by the Librarian) if their books are lost or damaged. Arundel parents are welcome to come at lunchtime (after signing in at the office) to help their children look for reading books, use the reference section, or use the Parent Education Library.
The Librarian is funded by the San Carlos Educational Foundation. Profits from Book Fairs are the largest financial support the library receives.
Study Trips
Children in all grades participate in study trips to extend classroom learning. Our 4thgraders visit Sutter’s Fort and the San Jose Mission. Our 2nd graders visit the Marine Science Museum. Other field trips that our students have attended include the DeAnza Planetarium, Palo Alto Bay Lands and the San Francisco Zoo.
Reading Specialists
Recommended students in grades K-4 work with our reading specialist 1-4 times a week, depending on need.
Assemblies
Our PTA sponsors assemblies throughout the year. These assemblies often directly support the instruction within the classroom.
Friendship Counselor
Meredith Hartnett, our school counselor, works with classes as well as small groups of students who are referred by teachers. Our Friendship Counselor is visible on the yard often at lunch and at recess. Please click here to visit the Counselor’s Corner, to find out more about counseling services at Arundel, and for helpful links and resources.
Healthy Cities Tutoring – Free 1:1 Tutoring and Mentorship
The Healthy Cities Tutoring Program is a tutor/mentor program providing San Carlos elementary and middle school children with one-on-one support from local community volunteers. The goal of the San Carlos Healthy Cities Project is to increase the academic skills and self-esteem of the children in our community. Through one-on-one tutoring sessions, guided by the student’s classroom teacher, the volunteers help the children develop improved academic skills, including reading, writing, math and homework assistance. Through increased confidence in their abilities comes an increase in self-esteem.
Volunteer tutors are recruited from all sectors of the community and include high school students, parents and senior citizens. The volunteers receive an initial training and orientation provided by San Carlos School District teachers. Tutors are placed with a student at the San Carlos school of their choice and tutoring times are arranged to fit the volunteer’s schedule. More volunteers are always needed!
ROPES
ROPES (Rite of Passage Experiences) is an optional student endeavor supported by many groups and organizations in the San Carlos community. The program is a student-centered and a student-initiated enrichment activity that connects learning a brand new topic with real life experiences. Students have the opportunity to choose from a variety of projects known as “challenges” in order to earn their rope. ROPES projects are open to 4th, 6th, and 8th graders.
Sutter’s Fort
Fourth grade students participate in the Environmental Living Program at Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park in Sacramento. This is a special program that allows California school children to “live” history. The participants, along with parent helpers and their teacher, spend 24 hours portraying characters of the 1840′s and partake in various trade activities and entertainment of the era.
After School Activities
Students can participate in a variety of after school programs offered by our wonderful district Smart-E programs. Please visit their site at http://www.smartesancarlos.com/
