Weekly Blog Post

Dear Ocean Shore Families,
 
Hello!  It is hard to believe we are about to head into Winter Break.  It seems like only yesterday it was the first week of school.  Unbelievable how fast time goes – especially at a school!
 
As we head into winter break, I wish you a wonderful, restful time to be with your family and friends.  I know the kids (and staff!) are excited for some much-needed R & R!  I’m looking forward to spending some time with my parents who will be visiting from Wisconsin.   I am excited to explore my new city with my parents and play tourists!   
 
Reflections From My Office: 
On behalf of the staff at Ocean Shore School, Happy Holidays! I hope the winter break brings you rest and relaxation! We look forward to hearing the stories from the kids when they return!

A few reminders as we head into break for the holidays: School resumes Monday, January 7! The office will be closed during the break. 

This morning was a special event!  All of us gathered in the MPR for the "Wing Ding" to celebrate and share festive music with each other.  Before the festivities began, we were able to make some special announcements.  We announced to the kids the grand total they raised from the "Found Money" project which will support the recent fire victims.  In grand total, the kids raised $1,168!  This amount will be matched from a local company, PURE STORAGE!  Isn't this awesome?!  Next, we presented a portion of our proceeds from the Winter Bazaar which will go to the local community in the amount of $4,000!  The kids erupted into applause to see their efforts go towards such a good cause.  Thank you for your generous contribution to support the Winter Bazaar. What a beautiful gift our kids gave to our community!  As I have mentioned before, I am so inspired by the benevolence that runs deep in our school.  From our kids to parents to former alumni, the spirit of giving to those in need is thriving.  This comes with grand lessons for our kids that go beyond any textbook or test.  We are fortunate to have such a generous community! 

Our band played, students sang with Marilyn, the teachers serenaded the students, and our 8th graders did a dance (they choreographed) while the sang!  It was so festive and great way to come together.  I even was able to introduce my parents who were visiting for the day.  A favorite moment occurred when a kindergartener looked up at me wide-eyed after introducing her to my mom and said in disbelief, "YOU STILL HAVE A MOM!?"  I love these comments! 

On a personal note: Thank you, Ocean Shore families. This time of year brings me pause to consider my gratitude for my “favorite things.” Your support and encouragement has helped foster our indelible bond between school and home. I have enjoyed getting to know you and your children and look forward to building more memories together in January! 
Our community is strong. I am most grateful to be a part of it.

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Staff Makin’ Waves:
We have some very dedicated music teachers at  Ocean Shore.  We are fortunate for the contributions of Ben Gower, Mark Unbehagen, and Marilyn Wells.  Each teacher serves a unique niche in how they develop of love of music for our children.  This time of year, they put in long hours and days to prepare for special music events that are priceless childhood memories.  Ben has done a superior job facilitating our 6th-8th grade band, Mark leads a dynamic music program that gives children a robust foundation of music and music theory in our 3rd – 5th grade, and Marilyn helps our youngest students gain the poise and confidence to perform and sing their sweet little hearts out on stage!  Combined, this provides the children of Ocean Shore with such a rich music experience.  I am so grateful for each of their efforts!  Here are are a few pictures from a class that recently took their love of music on the road.  They sang for a local senior home and brought such joy to others! 

​Parents Makin’ Waves: 
Several parents have been very helpful in working with our 7th and 8th grade develop exciting new educational opportunities for our enrichment classes.  One such class was offered this semester and I had the opportunity to visit the class recently.  An 8th grade father, Brandon Diaz, whose family is new to Ocean Shore, lends his expertise of song composition with the students.  Students are composing, writing and performing their own songs!  Here are a few pictures from the latest class:  

From the Front Office:
 
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. 
 
Information from Jefferson Union High School District for Enrollment Deadlines for 8th Grade Families:
Online enrollment closes on January 7, 2019!  If you wish to have assistance with this enrollment process for 9th grade, visit IBL (Ingrid B. Lacey Middle School) on Wednesday December 12th 5:30 to 7:30 PM where district representatives will be able to assist you with this process. 
 
ASEP Sculpture Class:  Students who were in this class should stop by the art room to check the shelves for any ceramic pieces that are ready to pick up and take home.  Any questions, check with Tim VanRaaphort. 
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 ENGLISH SURVEY - https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/1819_English
 
LINK TO SPANISH SURVEY - https://es.surveymonkey.com/r/1819Spanish
 
Gracias por tomarse el tiempo para completar esta encuesta. Su participación nos permite ajustar la educación y el fomento en el programa Rutas Seguras a Escuela para cumplir mejor con las necesidades de cada escuela. Sus comentarios también serán compartidos con autoridades que pueden abordar cuestiones de infraestructura sobre de caminar y andar en bicicleta con seguridad.  La encuesta no tomará más de 5 minutos en completarse. 
 
From PEF Corner:
Winter Gala!
Thank you to everyone for sharing and attending the Gala!  Your participation helped us reach our goal successfully, and brought positive feedback, too.  Our fundraising goal was set at $15K.  Results?  ~$26K!  
 
Generous donors "pledged" (~$19,650).  Company matches (~$3.5K) and attendee's (~100)  generated ticket sales (~$2.8K) really help, too!  This is a great injection to help fund our programs for the remaining school year.  But...we're not done yet.  What's next for PEF?  Read on!
 
January Jazz!
Please help raise awareness about this socially stimulating musical event in the December / January school newsletters, and help us distribute attached flyer at key entry/exit points.
 
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 (soon) at https://www.brownpapertickets.com 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!
 
WINTER BREAK!  NO SCHOOL! Friday, December 21st – January 4th! 
 
School will resume on Monday, January 7th!
  
Upcoming Dates:
 
SAVE THE DATE 5th GRADE FAMILIES!  January 10th 6 – 8 pm!  What is Middle School Like at Ocean Shore?  5th grade parents and students are invited to an informational meeting to hear from Ocean Shore high school alumni and current middle school students and teachers.  More details to follow! 
 
Picture Retake Day January 18th!  Mark you calendar if you wish to have your child pictures taken again or if your child was absent.  
 
Weekly Flyers:  
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