Weekly Message

Dear Ocean Shore Families,
 
Greetings!  All week I have been looking forward to writing my weekly message again in my first week back from maternity leave.  It is hard to put into words what a year this has been for Ocean Shore, for our community and for our world. 
 
Reflections from My Office:
First, let my acknowledge your valuable partnership through so many challenges this year, with more hurdles to come as we navigate the start of next school year.  What seems like a million years ago, at the start of the school year you may recall our focus on the fact that family support of begins at home by upholding high expectations of success for every child.  This year has given ample opportunity to support learning at home.  I want to extend my gratitude and appreciation for your fortitude and flexibility through many months of uncertainty, while you continue to do your best to support learning at home.  And most importantly, the comfort and compassion you have been providing for your child during such turbulent times.  It is critical for their ongoing success.   
 
An amazing group of educators have been your partner this year, and it is equally important to acknowledge their role as dedicated professionals to your child and their education.  I am brought to tears when I reflect on their willingness to continually think creatively about how to best serve our kids, and stay true to the “Ocean Shore” way as possible!  This last week was one such example.  They were determined to not miss the opportunity to celebrate Oceans Week, and provide kids with as many opportunities as possible to explore learning, despite every hurdle that came their way.  Our staff has a vibrant “What’s App” chat to communicate.  A line today shared from a teacher summarized this year well.  It read:
“Flood - We got this.
Flood and pandemic - We got this.
Flood, pandemic, Oceans 411 – We got this.
Flood, pandemic, Oceans411, racial unrest, and budget cuts  - We got this. 
Let’s go on a field trip.”
 
Furthermore, I cannot begin to acknowledge Seva Steel enough for her work over these last few months.  While she was not planning to take the full reigns of being the principal at Ocean Shore, she did so willingly with grace, determination and positivity.  She is truly a gift to all of our staff and families!  She is an extraordinary leader and an incredibly valuable member of the Ocean Shore team! 
 
The example of partnership that exists between staff and families at Ocean Shore is a rare and beautiful model.  I am so thankful to have been part of the family, and will always consider it home.  Ocean Shore leaves an indelible mark on me as an educator with a leadership role, as a community member, and as a new mother.  I hope my new baby Otto will experience the same opportunity to be part of such a nurturing and dynamic community.  Parenthood is the most humbling and gratifying role I have ever experienced.  I welcome all your advice as I have lots to learn! 
 
While I leave my principal role at Ocean Shore in just a few weeks, my work will simply continue - just in a different direction.  As the Director of Special Education and Student Services, I look forward to meeting with our staff, students and families throughout the district to listen and problem-solve together, as we look ahead to the future addressing those needs. 
 
The future at Ocean Shore is as bright as ever as Jeanne Bellinger returns home as your next principal.   As you may know, Jeanne was a beloved teacher at Ocean Shore prior to becoming an administrator.  Already, I have enjoyed my meetings with Jeanne as we are in the midst of transitioning our roles.  It does not take one long to know that Jeanne is the perfect fit as the next principal at Ocean Shore.   Welcome back to your home, Jeanne! 
 
Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions.  I would be happy to respond or connect you with the right person.  I will be wearing the Ocean Shore principal hat for a few more weeks before my work transitions to the district.  I am so grateful for this district as it feels like a family in that I am going from one family “house” to another “house” yet we all apart of the same beautiful community.  I will be here for you with any questions or concerns throughout the summer!  In closing, I can’t resist the opportunity to introduce you to my little guy, Otto.  Here is a recent picture of him – already 3 months old!
​

Resources for Your Family:  As I shared a few days ago, the events of the recent intolerance and injustice have left many of us searching for answers – especially our kids.  I mentioned earlier, I will continue to provide you with resources to share with your family.  Please see some additional material posted below: 
 

CLICK HERE FOR VALUABLE RESOURCES FOR YOUR FAMILY!

NEXT WEEK AT OSS:
 
Ocean Shore Pick Up/Drop Off Plan for School Materials
To minimize the amount of people on campus and the number of trips each family needs to make, we have organized the drop off and pick up days simultaneously and by last name. Please limit the number of family members on campus. Unfortunately, this is not an opportunity to say hi to your teachers, for everyone’s safety. 
 
The following protocols need to be followed at all times when on campus:

• Masks must be worn at all times 
• Everyone must follow social distancing of 6 feet

Schedule:
Monday, June 8th, 10-2pm: Last name A-G
Tuesday, June 9th, 10-2pm: Last name H-N
Wednesday, June 10th, 10-2pm: Last name O-Z
Thursday, June 11th, 10-2pm: All 8th Graders
 
Pick up materials: On your assigned day

• Outside each classroom (back door), items for pick up will be labeled and ready for pick up on the assigned day

Drop off materials: On your assigned day

• Chromebooks: Drop off at library/computer lab
  • IF you need to keep a borrowed chrome book during the summer to continue with your child’s education, please contact Barbara Bualat at bbualat@pacificasd.org
• Library books: Drop off at library/computer lab
• Instruments: Drop off at Popcorn Window, outside of A wing
• Classroom materials, such as text books or books from the classroom library, can be dropped off at the OUTSIDE entrance (back door) of child’s classroom or homeroom class (where you are picking up their items)

Grading and Report Cards: 3rd Trimester Report Cards will be mailed out the week of June 15th. As you know, from Wednesday, March 18th through Friday, June 11th, all PSD students were provided a distance learning curriculum due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A variety of virtual lessons and self-paced, accessible-when-ready activities were provided by classroom teachers to support continued student learning. District and state-level assessments were not given during this time. Due to this, there are no marks for standard performance level within the body of the report card for trimester 3 in the K-5 report card. For 6-8th grade, we are following the policy that the state and county adopted requiring "no harm" given to students during distance learning, due to the inevitable inequity that distance learning creates. Students will receive A, B, C, or a No Mark. A No Mark will not affect a student's GPA.
 
Tech problems? PSD Ticket Form for Parents. 
 
Parent Resources to Continue Summer Learning: PSD Parent/Guardian Website: Over the summer, there are still many educational websites that you and your child can access here.
  
8th Grade Lunch Balance: If you have an 8th grader and still have a balance on your child’s account, please contact Patricia at pbuddington@pacificasd.org
 
Questions About Your Choices For Next Year?  Parent Survey Coming Soon
Many of you understandably have questions about what school will be like when we return in August.  We all have these questions.  For instance, families wonder about what will happen to their school assignment if they decide to opt for a yearlong distance learning model.  Will this mean they lose their spot at Ocean Shore?  These are all important questions, and one that is currently under careful consideration.  You will be receiving a survey from our school district titled “Pacifica School District Parent Feedback Survey.” The intent of the survey is to help make adjustments and improvements in the event we are forced into Distance Learning in the future. Your feedback and perspective is extremely important. Please take a few minutes to complete the survey. Our school district is looking to compile the responses after June 19th.
 
Weekly Flyers: