Weekly Blog Message from Julie

Dear Ocean Shore Families,
 
Hello!  We have an important meeting coming up next week Thursday (1/24) at 6:30 pm for the mandatory PTO General Meeting.  The focus is on student safety and wellness, and I look forward to spending the evening discussing this very important topic with you.  Also, be sure to look at the exciting opportunities for students offered after school.  There is still space available for ASEP.  Click HERE 

Reflections from My Office:
Last night I sent you an email with a link to a site posted on Caring Bridge, regarding the status of one of our 4th graders.  I hope you had a chance to look at it, especially today as some new positive developments occurred overnight!  Please take a look below: 
 

https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/andrewvara
 
I had the chance to visit with Andrew’s class this morning.  His dear teacher Patty led a supportive and constructive discussion about how we can best support Andrew until his return to school.  The class was eager to hear how he was doing in the hospital.  They were very happy to learn that Andrew has a large screen TV allowing him to use his X-Box!  One of his friends shared that he was able to Face Time with Andrew after school yesterday and they even could play video games together!    The kids were all smiles for their friend who they have been missing and worried about his absence.  I speak for all of us at Ocean Shore when I say that Andrew and his family have been in our thoughts and minds the past few days, as he is deeply cared for by us all.  Hearing this positive update this morning and knowing he is in the good care of a wonderful doctor made us take one, giant collective sigh of relief.  While the journey continues for Andrew and his family, we will continue to envelope them in the strength and care of our Ocean Shore community. 
 
Reflections from This Week:
On Tuesday, we celebrated Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday.  Given the rain, we huddled inside the MPR to hear one of his speeches.  Listening to this together as whole school and hearing his voice over the loudspeaker is one of the beautiful traditions our school has celebrated for many years. Given the rain, we changed our venue, which provided a nice opportunity for us to view the video, in addition to hearing his words.  Our teacher Jonathan led the assembly and shared a speech with the students that Dr. King gave to a group of middle school students in 1967.  It was incredibly moving, and I know I was not the only one in the room who found a tear or two rolling down my cheek as you took in the magnitude of the wisdom of Dr. King’s words as he advised students to be their best and not let anyone else determine their destiny.  For me, the tears came when our kids spontaneously erupted into cheers and applause at different moments in the speech, indicating the power and timeless nature of Dr. King’s sage advice.  It was incredibly inspiring! 
 
The beautiful morning concluded with the chorus of all students singing “This Little Light of Mine” where the lyrics had been adjusted to encourage each student to let their light shine on our own Pacifica community.  A few students to lead the school in the song joined our teachers, Jonathan and Jason.  Our volunteer David and our tech crew helped create a beautiful media display to celebrate an important American hero.  I encourage you to ask your child about their takeaway from the morning.  Here are a few images to share with you. 

Staff Makin’ Waves:
I want to recognize the response our team of staff and teachers provided to an emergency situation this week.  Each member intuitively and swiftly jumped in to assist in the need to care for a student.  Our school team is strong.  This week, an emergency tested that strength, and I am incredibly humbled and proud to call each of them partners.  The students of Ocean Shore rest in good hands, everyday - all day long.
  
From the Front Office:
 
WE NEED YOU! 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. 
 
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 sign 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
 
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

The Yearbook is in need of photos for events and classrooms. We would love your photos!
You can submit them to treering.com or tanyaguido@comcast.net and in the subject line write - Yearbook 


Photos needed: 
-All and any teacher classroom photos
-1st day of school
-talent show
-koa 
-outdoor movie
-end of year picnic
-social events 
-oceans week 
-Fort Ross 
-robotics 
-band 
-diversity day
-ability awareness day 

Thank you 
Tanya Guido 
 
Student Safety:  Have you noticed the new signs around school?  Thanks to the efforts of an Ocean Shore parent (Jordan Steele-BeDell) and her efforts to coordinate with our local city engineers, our kids’ route to school became a safer passage!  Take a look at the new sign! 

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!
 
1/20:   MLK Special Beach Clean-UP  Join us January 19th for MLK Day of Service from 9am to 10am for the beach cleanup & from 10am to Noon for the native plants and habitat restoration. More info and registration on our website at www.pacificabeachcoalition.org/annual-mlk-cleanup-planting
 
1/21 NO SCHOOL in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday.
 
1/23  OCEAN SHORE MATH FAIR Fun, Food, Games, and Prizes at the MATH FAIR!!
 
All kids in Kindergarten through third grade and their parents are welcome to the Math Fair on Wednesday, January 23rd. You can start the evening with a delicious 7th grade fundraiser dinner at 5:30pm.  After the fundraiser, there will be games and fun at the Math Fair from 6:30-7:45pm in the MPR.  Look for Math Fair posters around the school for more information.  Any questions can be answered by Jason McArthur or any 7th/8th grader

Math Fair Menu
1) Chicken Katsu Rice Bowl $8 - 60
2) Soy Ginger Glazed Ribs Rice Bowl $8 - 40 meals
3) Five Spice Tofu Rice Bowl $8 - 25
All served with a salad and a drink included
Other items for sale: Chips, snacks, cookies, brownies, and other treats.
 
1/24 GENERAL PTO MEETING 6:30 – 9:00 pm!  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.
 
TIME:  6:30 – 9 pm.
Location:  We will begin in the MPR! 
 
1/26  Music Matters in Pacifica (MMiP, a PEF program!) presents January Jazz Night!  Saturday, January 26th, 2019 at the Pacifica Moose Lodge (776 Bradford Way).
 
Upcoming Dates:
 
Food Allergy Expert & Specialist Dr. Rani Maskatia Shares the Latest in Food Allergy Research, Diagnostics, and Treatment Options
Tuesday, Feb. 12, 7:00 pm, Martin Family Hall. Join us for an educational community event offering information and support to food allergic families and friends featuring Dr. Rani Maskatia, a board-certified allergist and immunologist from Latitude Food Allergy Care who has deep training and expertise in food allergy diagnosis and treatment. You will also hear from experts from the Sean N. Parker Center for Allergy and Asthma Research at Stanford, and children and families who have been through treatment will share how it improved their quality of life. This is an open event, please feel free to share the invitation. RSVP event here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/food-allergy-information-session-registration-54938770341
 
 
Weekly Flyers: