Weekly Blog Message

Dear Ocean Shore Families,
 
Happy New Year!  I hope 2019 arrived with rejuvenation!  I have enjoyed hearing the stories from our children about their Winter Break adventures.  It sounds like our Ocean Shore families traveled far, enjoyed skiing and snow, or had restful time at home with family and friends.  My dog Bea and I took a long road trip to visit friends.  We went as far as the Guadalupe Valley in Mexico.  It was great and a wonderful reminder that we live in such a beautiful part of the world.  The California coast can’t be beat!
 
Reflections From My Office: 
Yesterday was “5th Grade Step Up Day” at Ocean Shore.  This day was pretty special and one I will long remember.  During the school day, the 5th graders were invited to tour our middle school classrooms and hear from our current middle school students and teachers.  The event began by inviting the kids into the staff lounge!  The look on their faces when they learned they were allowed to gather in this special room reserved for our teachers to eat lunch was priceless.  Eyes wide, they were eager to take in the surroundings.  Our 4/5 teacher Patty, Vice Principal Seva and myself greeted them where we explained we intentionally invited them into the staff lounge to impress upon them how much we wanted them to continue their Ocean Shore experience through their middle school years. 
 
We then walked our kids through the classrooms and concluded the day in Jonathan’s class where a panel of 6th, 7th and 8th graders spoke about the different opportunities, electives and programs they would have available to them as middle schoolers at Ocean Shore.  One 5th grader was ecstatic to learn that by joining the advanced band elective as a 7th grader, he might be able to join the field trip to Six Flags!  Other students were excited to learn from some 8th graders that elective classes offered such as debate, cooking, computer programming, and songwriting.  One 8th grader explained how much he has enjoyed being a peer mediator – an elective class led by our school counselor.  He explained how much he was learning by working with younger students at recess in the Peace Garden to help them resolve conflict around topics such as who was fairly “out” at kickball.  Most importantly, something unique to Ocean Shore is the ability for our middle school kids to take multiple electives in a single trimester as opposed to the same elective class everyday.  They could be helping manage the Coffee Cart with our special needs class one day and be Teacher’s Assistant the next day!
 
A question that arose a few times was the topic of homework.  One 6th grader explained it well when she said that while there is more homework, this is consistent with all other 6th grade experiences at all schools.  The reason why there is more homework is because students are able to handle more at school and kids get time to complete assignments at school.  She then reassured the 5th graders that as long as they were “responsible” with managing their time at school, they will not have any trouble finishing their work!  I think the whole class let out a little silent sigh of relief! 
 
The middle school kids talked to the students for 30 minutes and answered their questions.  It was quite a sweet moment when you realize that nothing is more impactful than when kids teach other kids – something that Ocean Shore rests upon often.  It was a great afternoon and as I explained to them, we love them all very much and hope they continue to call Ocean Shore home for their middle school years!
 
In the evening, we hosted a similar event for parents.  Teachers such as Beccy, Sarah and Natalie joined Seva and I to host a panel of current Ocean Shore middle school students and our stellar alumni of current high school and college students.  Their insight was very valuable in how they shared that they felt their years at Ocean Shore prepared them to be successful in high school.  They spoke about the leadership roles they readily assumed and the ways they felt they had an advantage over their peers by their ability to know how to collaborate with their peers and were unafraid to ask for help from their teachers.  They explained how they never flinched when asked to give an oral report because this was “just something we always do” at Ocean Shore – having presentations and teaching opportunities embedded into every classroom. 
 
I was in awe of not only what the alumni and middle school students shared but also how they shared it.  They spoke with confidence and poise, and articulated how they felt they were given life skills that will transcend any curriculum.  When we think about how we want to send our students into the “real-world” – equipped with the ability to be problem-solvers and peacemakers – I think we can give our Ocean Shore students a passing grade.  With a society and world that is increasingly reliant on screens to communicate, it was refreshing to see that our students who are now in high school are able to draw upon successfully both the digital literacy and verbal communication skills requisite of the 21st century learner. While these intrinsic skills are nurtured during their formative middle school years, they also are equipped with the academic rigor allowing them to be advanced in their high school courses.  The alumni proudly talked about how they were able to advance their math pathway, and were given opportunities in middle school to do math enrichment activities promoting their ability to accelerate and self-motivate.
 
I look forward to replicating this event in the future!  I was exceptionally proud of the “product” our school produces – our students.  I encourage you to talk with a few of our Ocean Shore alumni about how they felt they were incredibly prepared to be successful students – and future leaders of our world! 
 
Her is a look at our 5th graders in the staff lounge and the middle school student panel talking to the students:

Staff Makin’ Waves:
Over the winter break, we were grateful for the help of one of our school volunteers, David Bradley.  A big thank you to David Bradley who oversaw the migration of our whale skull indoors over the break to keep them protected from the rain! Monday morning David and our parent volunteer John Edwards finished moving the bones to a safer location.  The bones have been drying for just over two weeks now, safe from the elements and with the aid of a dehumidifier. Though very fragile, they look better already. 
Parents Makin’ Waves: Thank you to Adrian Smith, a 3rd grade parent. He created the wonderful Oceans 411 promotional video and is volunteering on the Oceans 411 committee -planning for Oceans 411 for this year.  We are grateful for this support! 
 
From the Front Office:
 
New Year, New Habits!  Can you lend us a few minutes before school in the morning for a week?  Do you find yourself frustrated when dropping off your child for school for the lack of safe driving practices from other parents!  Join our task force and earn bonus volunteer hours!  We are looking for parents willing to help us monitor our two drop-off spots during the 15 minutes before school.  Parents would wear a safety vest (affectionately labeled “Respect the Vest”) and be a presence to encourage parents to be compliant with our traffic rules.  We are also looking for anyone willing to help schedule volunteers.  Let’s tackle this challenge with a solution!  Channel your inner-child that dreamed of being a traffic safety officer, and volunteering with your friends is highly encouraged!  Please email me at jtarango@pacifica.sd.org if you are willing to help! 
 
Important Information for Families Registering a Sibling Into Ocean Shore Next year!  YOU MUST ENROLL YOUR YOUNGER SIBLINGS with the Kindergarten Sibling / Priority Enrollment card! These cards should be turned in as soon as possible, and can be turned into Patricia. These are in the Pacifica School District Kindergarten Enrollment 2019-2020 packet.  Please stop by the front office if you need a copy.  If you have a child who will be 5 years of age on or before September 1, 2019, your child is eligible to attend kindergarten in the fall 2019.  If your child will turn 5 between September 2 and December 2, 2019, please request the Transitional Kindergarten Enrollment Card. 
 
Yearbooks are on Sale! Our middle school staff will be working hard to preserve your memories.  Don't let these memories pass you by, order yours today online visit:
www.treering.com/validate
Private OSS passcode: 1014115995473789.  If you have any questions contact tanyaguido@comcast.net
 
School Safety Update:
From Safe Routes to School:  Please Lend Your Voice!  Safe Routes to School brings us Y-Bikes and Lower Your Carbon Footprint Days. In the past, the district has received some support for infrastructure as well. Two years ago, Pacifica had such a good response rate that we got some extra funding!
 
Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey. Your feedback allows us to adjust Safe Routes to School (SRTS) education and encouragement program features to best meet the needs of each individual school.  Your feedback will also be shared with decision makers throughout the county who can address infrastructure issues regarding safe walking and biking.  This survey will take approximately 5 minutes to complete.
 
LINK TO SURVEY - https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/1819_English
 
From the After School Enrichment Program
ASEP Spring Season Classes begin 1/22 (after MLK day)
 
**ONLINE REGISTRATION Monday 1/4  @ 7:30PM AT WWW.OSSASEP.STORE
 
ASEP IN PERSON REGISTRATION FORM DROP OFF, ON Monday 1/4 TO OFFICE!
Please note ~ ONLINE REGISTRATION TAKES PRIORITY OVER IN PERSON FORMS.
 
Please note there is a pass lock on the website to avoid early registration.  The pass lock will be lifted at 7:30pm on registration day; therefore you WILL NOT need a login or password to purchase classes.  
 
Please take a moment to review the website www.ossasep.store for all our upcoming Spring session classes.  Classes are subject to change, and move rooms. Please review again when you sing up. 
 
Payment can be made by PayPal, OR Credit Card VIA PAYPAL. A PayPal account will be required to complete any transaction, including Credit Card. Please have your login and password ready at the time of signup. 
 
Please read the FAQ here https://ossasep.store/faq/ for more information prior to signing up. 
 
 Please email with questions.  Thank you for contributing to the success of this program.
 
ASEP COORDINATOR MEGAN McKENNA OSS.ASEP@GMAIL.COM
 
Sharp Park Clean Up Day! 
Ocean Shores adopted beach, Sharp Park, has their monthly beach cleanup tomorrow (1/12) at 9am. For more info and to sign up visit https://www.pacificabeachcoalition.org/ 
 
Bring the family; everybody’s hours count as volunteer hours. 
 
 
From PEF Corner:
 
A wonderful event is approaching you won’t want to miss!  It’s January Jazz!
 
Music Matters in Pacifica (MMiP, a PEF program!) presents January Jazz Night!  Saturday, January 26th, 2019 at the Pacifica Moose Lodge (776 Bradford Way).
 
4pm: Matinee featuring Pacifica School District Jazz Ensembles (Cabrillo, Vallemar, Ingrid B. Lacy, and Ocean Shore Schools) and featuring special guests:  The Terra Nova High School Jazz Ensemble.  $15 for adults, $10 for children under 10 yrs.
7pm: An Adult evening featuring a live musical lineup!  Entry includes Dinner, Silent Auction and a beverage ticket!   $40 per person (21 or older, only).
 
Tickets available at https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/4028556 and space is limited, so buy your ticket(s) ASAP.  Save $10 When purchasing a Combination Ticket for Matinee and Evening Admission!  ($45 for both events).  Tickets can also be purchased at the door, at face value.
 
NEXT WEEK HAPPENINGS!
MONDAY 1/14:  Environmental Action Team (EAT) meeting from 6-8 in the library

TUESDAY 1/15:  MLK Celebration Day on Tuesday, January 15th! Help show respect by wearing your best for this important celebration! We will celebrate the life and lessons of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on his real birthday this Tuesday, January 15. The staff at Ocean Shore and the Diversity Leadership Group is asking students to honor this day by being “kids of character.” To that end, we would like students to dress for a special occasion—to wear clothing that is personally meaningful or that reflects our sense of school community with the OSS logo. We will continue the Ocean Shore tradition of listening to the words of Martin Luther King Jr. and singing “This Little Light of Mine” in the schoolyard (or hallways if it is raining). The event will begin at 8:30 and conclude before 9. All are welcomed to stay on campus for the celebration."

THURSDAY1/17:  Diversity Leadership Group (DLG) meeting from 6-8 pm in the library. The Diversity Leadership Group welcomes your voice in an upcoming discussion of school culture. If you would like to propose a topic for consideration or assist in planning Celebrate Diversity Day, join the January meeting. For more information, contact Lissin at Lissin@EarthCapades.com.
 
 
FRIDAY 1/18:  Picture Retake Day!  
Upcoming Dates:
 
1/21 NO SCHOOL in observance of Dr. Marting Luther King’s birthday.
 
1/24 GENERAL PTO MEETING!  A very important meeting is approaching!  Save the date for our next General PTO Meeting which parents are required to attend.  The focus of the meeting will be on student safety and wellness, along with an important business meeting.  More details will be coming soon!
 
TIME:  6:30 – 9 pm.
Location:  We will begin in the MPR! 
 
Weekly Flyers: