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Dear Ocean Shore Families, Hello! Welcome back from Spring Break. Wasn’t it beautiful weather!? The kids looked refreshed and excited for our next break.. summer! Tomorrow is Eco Fest where Ocean Shore has a booth. I look forward to attending and hope to see you there! Stop by tomorrow morning to help with our beach cleanup (all volunteers earn hours!) and sign up here: https://www.pacificbeachcoalition.org/earth-day-registration/ Sharp Park is Ocean Shores adopted beach and clean up hours count towards volunteer hours at school.   Important Reminder About Next Week! Next week is PEF Donations week. It will be a fun, celebratory week! Don’t miss a fun “PEF pep assembly” for all OSS students and parents next week Friday (5/3) before school from 8:00 – 8:30 on the playground! Hear our kids play music and share their poetry! As I mentioned earlier in the week, take a moment to view some videos about the impact of PEF at Ocean Shore. Here from an 8th grader posted HERE or hear my personal experience with education foundations posted HERE The Pacifica Education Foundation (PEF) invites you to join their very special 10th Anniversary celebration! Participate in our 2019 Donation Week “Magic Moments” Challenge by showcasing your magical PEF experiences! For starters, please join other family's and friends of OSS; by volunteering 1 hr of time before/after school during pickup/dropoff's by helping PEF raise awareness at our building entrance next Wed. and Thur (5/1-2). Sign up here today! #MakingMagicMoments is their week long core theme, and it kicks off next Monday, April 29th. Each day will have a very unique and fun online theme, showcasing our PEF magic moments! 4/29 - Mon: #SharingMagicMoments (online) 4/30 - Tue: #GivingMagicMoments (online) 5/1 - Wed: #MembersMagicMoments (online & onsite) 5/2 - Thur: #SchoolMagicMoments (online & onsite) 5/3 - Fri: #SPARCMagicMoments (online) Stay Tuned For Daily “Magic Moments” Posts & Prizes! Here’s How: Simply “Like & Follow” their Facebook page now! Then, watch for and participate in daily “magic moments”, starting next Monday April 29th, for a chance to win one of several prestigious PEF prize packages and/or community recognition! Remember, PEF is a 100% non-profit foundation relying entirely on community support (YOU!) to sustain our educationally enriching programs! Reflections from my Office: Next week, many classes begin statewide testing. In California, 3rd – 8th graders have the opportunity to participate in California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress, or CAASPP. The assessments that comprise the 2018-19CAASPP administration include computer-based tests in English-Language Arts and Mathematics in grades 3-8. Additionally, the California Science Test (CAST) will b given to students in grades 5 and 8. CLICK HERE for a guide for parents to understand the CAASSP assessments. Here a few reminders suggested for parents:
This time of year as we embark on testing, brings to light a topic I have mentioned before related to fostering a growth mindset. I spent the majority of my spring break working on my dissertation. Part of my current work and research has shed some insightful guidance on how we can best support our kids in how they self-identify as math students. One such article by Jo Boaler stood out, and I wanted to share these ideas with you as parents. I would love your thoughts on it! In my classroom, it was undeniable to me how essential confidence was for students to do well on academic and achievement tasks. As our older students are taking their statewide tests on math this week, I am reminding of how important poise and confidence are for students as they approach robust academic tasks – especially such things as testing like the CAASPP. This best occurs when parents and staff who encourage a positive mindset with their students guide kids. Here are some tips from Jo Boaler: Given the performance and test-driven culture of many schools, with over-packed curriculum and stressed out students, what can parents do to transform math for their children? Here are some steps to take: Advice for Parents from Stanford Professor Jo Boaler 1. Encourage children to play math puzzles and games. Award winning mathematician, Sarah Flannery reported that her math achievement and enthusiasm came not from school but from the puzzles she was given to solve at home. Puzzles and games – anything with a dice really – will help kids enjoy math, and develop number sense, which is critically important. 2. Always be encouraging and never tell kids they are wrong when they are working on math problems. Instead find the logic in their thinking – there is always some logic to what they say. For example if your child multiplies 3 by 4 and gets 7, say – Oh I see what you are thinking, you are using what you know about addition to add 3 and 4, when we multiply we have 4 groups of 3... 3. Never associate math with speed. It is not important to work quickly, and we now know that forcing kids to work quickly on math is the best way to start math anxiety for children, especially girls. (In most cases) don’t use flashcards or other speed drills. Instead use visual activities such as https://bhi61nm2cr3mkdgk1dtaov18-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/FluencyWithoutFear-2015.pdf 4. Never share with your children the idea that you were bad at math at school or you dislike it – especially if you are a mother. Researchers found that as soon as mothers shared that idea with their daughters, their daughter’s achievement went down. 5. Encourage number sense. What separates high and low achievers is number sense – having an idea of the size of numbers and being able to separate and combine numbers flexibly. For example, when working out 29 + 56, if you take one from the 56 and make it 30 + 55, it is much easier to work out. The flexibility to work with numbers in this way is what is called number sense and it is very important. 6. Perhaps most important of all – encourage a “growth mindset” let students know that they have unlimited math potential and that being good at math is all about working hard. When children have a growth mindset, they do well with challenges and do better in school overall. When children have a fixed mindset and they encounter difficult work, they often conclude that they are not “a math person”. One way in which parents encourage a fixed mindset is by telling their children they are “smart” when they do something well. That seems like a nice thing to do, but it sets children up for difficulties later, as when kids fail at something they will inevitably conclude that they aren’t smart after all. Instead use growth praise such as “it is great that you have learned that”, “I really like your thinking about that”. When they tell you something is hard for them, or they have made a mistake, tell them: “That’s wonderful, your brain is growing!” Encourage number sense. What separates high and low achievers is number sense – having an idea of the size of numbers and being able to separate and combine numbers flexibly. For example, when working out 29 + 56, if you take one from the 56 and make it 30 + 55, it is much easier to work out. The flexibility to work with numbers in this way is what is called number sense and it is very important. For more resources see https://www.youcubed.org I know all of our kids will do great as they put forth their best effort and shine in showing how much they do know instead of feeling that they lack ability. Our teachers are motivating our kids as we speak, and encouraging them to write about their feelings related to testing. I encourage you to do the same! Staff Makin’ Waves: This week we say goodbye to a beloved staff member, Kayoko. As a dedicated paraprofessional working with Matt’s class and our special needs students, she has served Ocean Shore for 18 years. As a parent and staff member, we are so grateful for her dedication and commitment to helping the students of Ocean Shore thrive. We wish her well in the next chapter as her husband and her relocate to Japan. We will miss you, Kayoko!  Scenes from the Week! It was a busy week at OSS! From several Earth Day assemblies, to dancing to music at recess, to finding notes from your parents in your lunch box, Ocean Shore kids had lots to smile about as they returned from spring break! From the Front Office: What School Does Your Family Plan to Attend Next Year? At this time, plans for the next school year need to be made regarding enrollment. For us to have a better idea of your intentions, please complete this online form by May 3rd, 2019. Please CLICK HERE to complete the survey. If you have more than one child at Ocean Shore School, please complete one form per child. Parent Input for Class Assignments for the 2019-20 School Year: If you wish to give our school team your input regarding your child’s class assignment for next year, please find the attached form HERE to share your insight regarding what kind of classroom environment your child would thrive in for the upcoming school year. This form will direct you on the process of how you can share your feedback. FROM THE PEF CORNER: PEF Donation Week is April 29 through May 3 The Pacifica Education Foundation (PEF) invites you to join our very special 10th Anniversary celebration! Participate in our 2019 Donation Week “Magic Moments” Challenge by showcasing your magical PEF experiences! #MakingMagicMoments is our weeklong core theme, and it kicks off next Monday, April 29th. Each day will have a very unique and fun online theme, showcasing your PEF magic moments! Stay Tuned For Daily “Magic Moments” Posts. Here’s How:
Support your school on Wednesday May 1st and Thursday May 2nd. Network with other family members to help raise awareness and funds by simply giving an hour on-site at your school, either in the morning drop-off or afternoon pick-up period. Sign up now to volunteer. Remember, PEF is a 100% non-profit foundation relying entirely on community support (YOU!) to sustain our educationally enriching programs! Monday April 29 - #PEF #SharingMagicMoments Monday’s magic moment challenge is all about SHARING a special PEF moment (i.e. a photo of your child in a PEF t-shirt). Tuesday April 30 - #PEF #GivingMagicMoments Tuesday’s magic moment challenge is all about GIVING. We’re providing you a platform to GIVE a PEF sponsored $5 “Thank You-Gram” to your favorite teachers, parents, children, PTO members - anyone that you want to recognize! Wednesday May 1 - #PEF #MembersMagicMoments Wednesday’s magic moment challenge is all about MEMBERS; and membership has its rewards. Purchase your PEF membership today to make your heart glow inside while sporting our new logo decals around town on your vehicle! Various member levels fit any size family or budget. Thursday May 2 - #PEF #SchoolMagicMoments Thursday’s magic moment challenge is all about our SCHOOLS. Schools are competing district wide for “bragging rights” to raise the most donations for PEF sponsored programs in your school! You will see familiar faces during “drop off / pickup” on Thursday. Friday May 3 - #PEF #SPARCMagicMoments Friday’s final magic moment challenge is all about our SPARC (slam-poetry) program. May 3rd is also the Pacifica School District Poetry Slam at Ortega School, 5:30 - 8:00pm. Be sure to show your support for our up and coming creative writers! The Pacifica Education Foundation (PEF) is taking education to new heights. They completely fund educational programs which exceed California’s core school standards; which our district budget cannot accommodate. Simply, PEF funds, advances, and protects a higher quality education for OUR students. Learn more at http://www.pacificaef.org/about-us. PEF SPONSORED PROGRAMS: - Elementary School Music Program - Middle School Band Program (Music Matters in Pacifica - MMIP) - Middle School Computer Science Program - Elementary School Slam Poetry Program (SPARC - Stage Performance + Rhythmic Culture - Poetry) - Professional Science Curriculum Development & Training For Teachers (Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)) Learn more at http://www.pacificaef.org/programs-c1ylq. GIVE BACK! PEF gives our children an enriched educational experience. Give back to PEF and don’t forget your employer sponsored donation matching too! Donate at http://www.pacificaef.org/how-to-give. UPCOMING PEF EVENTS: - DONATION WEEK: Mark Your Calendars - April 29th - May 3rd! Support our school by volunteering with PEF during the “School Competition” day, on May 2nd. - NEW MEMBERSHIP PLANS: Membership provides you tickets and/or discounted access to fun annual family events, supporter decals, and much, much more: https://www.pacificaef.org/membership - LISTEN & LEARN: PEF Ambassadors will be onsite at PTO events. HOW CAN I HELP? - Volunteers needed, sign up here: http://www.pacificaef.org/volunteer - Like & Follow PEF on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PacificaEducationFoundation/ - Reach Out to our PEF Ambassadors, below:
FROM THE PTO CORNER: PTO Volunteer Jobs! It’s that time of year again. Time to consider how you want to participate in your Ocean Shore community next year. The signups for next year’s volunteer jobs are posted in the kindergarten hallway waiting for your consideration. Check out the elected and appointed positions. There are jobs that help keep our school environment neat and efficient – art room monitor, kitchen monitor, prop master and there are jobs that bring us together – social event coordinator, new parent coordinator, junior Olympics coach. And there are PTO executive board positions – secretary, vice president, parent representative, treasurer, and president. There are many ways to help Ocean Shore posted on the wall waiting for your name. If you have the time to help out the school, we would love to have your help. Please sign your name on the candidates line of a job in which you are interested by May 7th. If it is a position that is elected, we will begin voting at the PTO General Meeting, May 9th. If it is appointed, the PTO Board will vote to choose and approve the candidates at the PTO Executive Board Meeting – June 11. Thank you for your interest in being a part of this amazing and active community! SAVE THE DATE! OSS FAMILY BOWLING NIGHT May 10, 2019 Sign ups coming soon! Silent Auction Bid Winners! Please stop by the office to pick up your auction items and submit your payment. If you have questions to email Jenny Abellana at ossfundraisingmgr@gmail.com THE TALENT SHOW IS COMING! When: Wednesday, May 29th 9am-11am & Thursday, May 30th 6pm-8pm (2 performances) Call Times: 8:30am & 5:00pm Contact Talent Show directors Cristin Fong, Ana Brenner & Sara Kuenstler at osstalentshow@gmail.com for any questions! NEXT WEEK HAPPENINGS! UPCOMING EVENTS! Saturday, 4/27: Beach Clean UP (9-11 am) and Eco Fest 11 am – 2:30 pm FLYER HERE Monday 4/29 – Friday 5/3: PEF Donations Week! Tuesday, April 30: IBL/OSS Spring Band Concert Friday, 5/3: 8:00 – 8:30 am PEF Pep Rally Assembly Before School on the playground Friday, 5/3: Elna Flynn Volunteer Banquet 6 – 9 pm Weekly Flyers: Comments are closed.
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Jeanne BellingerPrincipal of Ocean Shore. Check back here for weekly updates and messages from the principal. Archives
June 2022
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