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Friday, December 18, 2020 Quote of the week: May your coming year be filled with magic and dreams and good madness. I hope you read some fine books and kiss someone who thinks you’re wonderful, and don’t forget to make some art — write or draw or build or sing or live as only you can. And I hope, somewhere in the next year, you surprise yourself. --Neil Gaiman, author Dear Ocean Shore Families, We made it to Winter Break! This has been an exhausting week, but also a joyful one. Over one hundred family members, teachers and friends joined Cristin Fong and our Kindergarten, first and second graders at Ocean Shore's Cozy at Home sing-a-long. From "The Dreidel Song" to Mozart's "Sleigh Ride", Cristin led the students as they sang, danced, and kept the beat with shakers and paper plates. The evening ended with a video of students signing and singing, "I am Thankful," and a tribute to Patty McNally. I'm so grateful to Cristin for putting this together. It was a wonderful way to build community, and her hard work and patience were greatly appreciated by parents and by our staff! Speaking of building community, the events to honor Patty McNally last night were amazing. Over 200 hundred people attended the virtual tribute and donated over $11,000 dollars which brought the Winter Bazaar total to over $15,000! Thank you to everyone who donated. Our teachers continue to go above and beyond, over and over again. Virginia, Natalie, and Beccy put together the clips of teachers reading one of Patty's favorite books about the Civil War, Pink and Say. Families, former students, and staff members shared memories about Patty, as did her daughter, Kelly. Connie as the evening's co-host was as funny and charming as ever. Jonathan and Jason sang and played guitar and worked with other local musicians to provide a moving tribute to Patty. A special shout out to Hearty & Lissin Heartlife for all of their hard work in putting this together. I'm tearing up again as I type this. I know I sound like a broken record, but I feel so blessed to have known Patty, and I feel equally blessed to work with all of you: teachers, staff, parents and students. This place is special, and it has everything to do with the people who inhabit it. If we've learned anything from this insane year of flood, pandemic, and tragic deaths, it is that Ocean Shore is not just a building, and it's not just a school. It's a spirit of community, acceptance and love. We can tap into it and feel connected no matter where we are. It is my great privilege to be your principal, and I invite you to join me in continuing to celebrate, strengthen, and grow our Ocean Shore community in 2021. Have a safe, healthy, and happy holiday season. Cheers! Jeanne School News: 8th Grade OSS Mask Fundraiser: Show your school spirit by purchasing a custom Ocean Shore mask!. 100% of the profits go to this year's 8th graders to help with any graduation costs as they have missed out on all the fundraising opportunities at school. Masks are made from 100% high quality double layered cotton and come with ties or with elastics. They are made to order and are available in child and adult sizes. Porch pick up available when your order is complete. https://www.etsy.com/listing/799165182 https://www.etsy.com/listing/916706023 Come join The DLG (Diversity Learning Group) Virtual Book Club: The DLG Book Club aims to promote community discussion focused on the DLG vision “to instill an understanding on the value in acceptance and respect for one another’s differences so that we can grow as a society.” Come join us on our inaugural discussion circle! When: Monday, January 11, 2021 Time: 7:00pm-7:30pm Book: “How to Be an Antiracist” by Ibram X. Kendi. For: Any Adult and or 7th/8th graders Zoom: https://fhda-edu.zoom.us/j/6489556005 Pre-req: No need to have read anything by this meeting. “How to Be an Antiracist” by Ibram X. Kendi. - This book is described as taking readers through a widening circle of antiracist ideas – from the most basic concepts to visionary possibilities - that will help readers see all forms of racism clearly, understand their poisonous consequences, and work to oppose them in our systems and in ourselves. More info can be found at https://www.ibramxkendi.com/how-to-be-an-antiracist Note: Book is available on Libby both as an ebook and an audio book if you are not interested in purchasing the book. (Libby is a free library app to access San Mateo Library system) Return to School Task Force Update: The task force met on Tuesday, December 15. Due to the rising numbers of COVID-19 cases in San Mateo county, we will not be transitioning into hybrid learning in January. In mid-January, we will take a look at the numbers again. In the meantime, the district is working on a district-wide return to school plan to present to the school board, and the school sites are continuing to sort out the logistics involved in bringing students back to school safely. Additionally, in January, we will begin working with Curative, Inc. and will start testing school staff for COVID-19 on a regular basis. 
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Jeanne BellingerPrincipal of Ocean Shore. Check back here for weekly updates and messages from the principal. Archives
June 2022
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