Weekly Blog Post

​Dear Ocean Shore Families,
 
Hello!  What a festive week at Ocean Shore!  With only one more week remaining before we go on Winter Break, you can feel the energy and excitement across our classrooms, hallways, lunchroom, and the playground.  I hope you are finding time to enjoy this special time of year.  I love the events that are bringing us all together and have enjoyed seeing so many families at school!
 
Reflections From My Office: 
I am reflecting this morning on the extraordinary event that occurred yesterday – our Winter Bazaar.  It epitomized the heart of our school which is how the community comes together as powerful force for good in our world.  It was exciting for me to be part of my first Ocean Shore Winter Bazaar and it was beyond what I could have imagined!  The event kicked off with a sweet music serenade from our younger students.  I was amazed at how our team of teachers, staff, parents and students transformed our MPR into a merry land of goods and crafts lovingly prepared by students (and teachers!) to sell in efforts to raise money for disadvantaged local Pacifica families.  We will announce our final earnings next week!  It was fun to see the kids dash from table to table in search of treasures and gifts to give their family members. 
 
A 6th grader proudly displayed all of her items that she found for under $15.  She was so proud and told me how she knew her dad would love his new plant!  Another kindergartener longingly glanced at a basket for the silent auction.  He begged his mom to buy the basket for him.  When she explained it was for an auction and not to be purchased like the other items, he did not bend.  Instead, he looked at her as only a kindergartener could and said with big eyes, “But mom… this basket is my dream.”   Precious!
 
Like most things at Ocean Shore, it was not just the event itself that left an impression upon me.  It was the way in which our community was woven together to produce the event from the planning to the cleanup, all under the direction of our beloved Ocean Shore teacher, Patty.  The finishing touches at the end of a long day to round up of all the baskets was something quite extraordinary.  I witnessed students, staff members like Patricia and Barbara, teachers who had taught a long day, and dedicated parents work like clockwork to clean the MPR, call raffle winners, and reassemble our hallways and MPR in order to welcome students to school today.  It was impressive to see how everyone rolled up their sleeves to lend a hand to facilitate this special event that will remain as one of my favorite Ocean Shore traditions.  It was awesome to see how alumni and neighbors visited. Ocean Shore’s original secretary even stopped by to shop, along with many other former parents and students to support the Winter Bazaar! 
 
The last part of the evening was especially touching.  Staff and parents headed across the street to support our teachers Jonathan and Jason who had organized a “Playin’ for Paradise” benefit at the Pedro Point Brewery to support the Camp Fire Relief fund for victims of the recent fires.  There was a tremendous turnout! They raised close to $600!  This will be combined with our “Find Money” project , in which a local company will match this donation bringing the grand total to close to $1,200!  The jars in classrooms will be collected later today, and we will announce to the kids next week about our total amount raised from the “Find Money” project.   
 
It is pretty awesome when you think about the power of community when we work together to help others.  In one single day, our school hosted the Winter Bazaar to raise money for local families, while at night we gathered to support victims of the recent fire tragedy.  It is inspiring as this is an example of how one idea can lead to grand results.  I am so supremely proud of the adults who lead our children and the parents at home who set a positive example for our kids.  We are fortunate and I am grateful to call Ocean Shore my home.  I am our biggest fan! 
 
Staff Makin’ Waves:
As mentioned above, it was awe-inspiring to see the work and dedication of teachers such as Patty who has helped us prepare for months for the successful Winter Bazaar event.  Long hours were spent executing every detail, and bringing others together on the weekend to prepare, and keeping a cheerful smile all the while!  Other teachers like Natalie helped organize and prepare for the event.  One of our part-time teachers who is a long-time Ocean Shore teacher Alice contributed two full tables of her beautiful knitting to see at the Bazaar!  We joked that Alice semi-retired so that she can knit to make items to sell at the Winter Bazaar.  What a selfless, generous service Alice contributes to our community!  Teachers like Jason and Jonathan set such a positive example for our kids by initiating the music event to raise money for our fire victims! 
 
Here are some pictures from the memorable day yesterday!

Parents Makin’ Waves: 
Last week, our students at lunch had an opportunity to work computer programmers from Google.  This event was in recognition of the national “Hour of Code” event which encourages students to be excited about coding.  It was a great turnout, and fun to see how our students were creating code!  The event would not have occurred without the help of Brett Duncavage and his coordination of the volunteers.  Thank you to the Duncavage family for their volunteerism!
 
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.


HoPEFful News:
1.) Sandy Stefancic has completed her PEF Presidency term (5+yrs!).  Alden Miller and Emily Hennessey are co-habitating the role going forward.  Wish her well and support Alden and Emily going forward!

 
2.) November Meeting Minutes (DRAFT) for additional Gala event / annual planning insights.
 
 
NEXT WEEK HAPPENINGS!
 
Wednesday, December 19th:  Choral Performance Concert for Primary Grades!  Arrive at 6:45 pm with the concert to begin at 7 pm!   
 
Thursday, December 20th:  MINIMUM DAY! 
 
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: