Weekly Message

Dear Ocean Shore Families,
 
Hello!  It was wonderful to see so many parents last night at our PTO meeting.  I reflected on the evening posted below. 
 
I also wish to acknowledge the outpouring of support towards our 4th grader Andrew Vara and his family.  Many parents expressed their desire to help, even if they did not know the family personally.  Ocean Shore parents Kate Sosnowski and Rebecca Chapman have established a meal train for the family.  Please see the link below if you wish to contribute with a meal or gift card for meal.  What a lovely way to support this family!

 https://www.mealtrain.com/trains/eyrwo2?intro=true

​Reflections from our PTO Meeting:
Last night, the focus of our PTO meeting was on student safety.  Being that “safety” truly encompasses a wide range of topics from school safety protocols to the social and emotional needs of our students, last night’s meetings allowed our community to engage in some very meaningful conversations.  The PTO facilitated three different sessions around topics such as school safety protocols, understanding trauma and how best to provide support, and guiding children to safely use the internet and other online social media platforms. 
 
I enjoyed talking with many parents about the Big 5 Safety protocols.  As I mentioned last night, yesterday a team of Ocean Shore parents and staff attended a training on the safety protocols (posted below for your reference).  One emphasis of the training was a new protocol known as “Think on Your Feet” which I feel is extremely important and transferrable beyond the campus.  This protocol teaches our kids how to look, listen, and think critically about their actions and surroundings in response to a threatening situation whether they are at school, a movie theater or a crowded mall.  At Ocean Shore, this is something our staff and students will be practicing in our next drills.
 
Following the training, our safety team of teachers spent the afternoon reviewing and updating our Comprehensive School Safety Plan, which is dynamic in nature and designed to respond to a variety of situations including how and where our school would evacuate.  Our team also reviewed our student reunification plan in effort to develop the most efficient forms of communication to families in the event of an emergency.  Emergency preparedness is a dynamic process which requires collaboration and flexibility to respond to a variety of circumstances.  Be assured that teachers/staff do have plans in place to address potential circumstances and communication with parents/families will be tailored to address a particular event.  For instance, evacuation routes and designated off-site locations are not generally shared as a matter of safety (so as not to inform someone intent to do harm), and the appropriate method of evacuation and off-site selection will be event/threat specific.   In the event of an emergency, the reunification notification would be provided parents via text, phone, and/or email once the children are safely in a designated area and away from danger or the threat is abated. 
 
This is very important work, and a job we do not take lightly.  There is nothing more important than your child’s safety.  I applaud the efforts of our parent community and PTO to educate themselves on the plans we have in place to respond.  We are fortunate to the have the guidance of the Big 5 Safety Protocols from the San Mateo County Coalition for Safe Schools and Communities.  I invite you to engage in the process with us as we test our practices with our upcoming safety drills.  You will be notified ahead of time to be able to support your child’s understanding at home.  If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.  Again, there is nothing more important than the safety of your child.  I would welcome the opportunity to talk further with you and become involved with our preparations around this topic. Also, check the following websites for more information:  

Common Sense Media 

Big 5 Safety Protocol 

RTS (Trauma Services) 

​Exciting News!  OSS Oceans 411 Receives $15,000 Grant from the Charles A. Becker Foundation!
 
Another exciting announcement was shared last night at our meeting.  Our school received a generous $15,000 grant from the Charles A. Becker Foundation to support Oceans 411!  This is a signature program of our school, and one that I am personally ecstatic to be part of for the first time!  Our Vice Principal Seva and teacher Sheila received this grant from the Becker Foundation.  We are so fortunate to have this funding to provide this extraordinary opportunity for our students!  For many years, Ocean Shore has been ahead of the game when it comes to marine science.  With the onset of the Next Generation Science Standards, schools have more robust standards in their science curriculum.  However this has been in existence at Ocean Shore for over 30 years thanks to the focus of such events like Oceans Week.  Considering the challenges our oceans face and that the students are literally learning about their own “ocean backyard”, having the funding support to see Oceans 411 continue to thrive is supremely exciting.  Join me in extending our gratitude to Eric and the Becker Foundation for their support of our program!  Here are some pictures from last night: 

​Fundraising Updates!
It's back! Empowered Fitness offers the Get Lean Challenge. Two offers! The best deal is the two for one price! Check out the details and registration on the fundraising webpage. Flyers posted on campus! 
 
Offer a Count Me In Event for the Silent Auction on the week of March 18-22. Need ideas or want to submit something for the event..the form is available online on the fundraising page or in the parent hall on the fundraising news board. Questions contact ossfundraisingmgr@gmail.com 
 
Flock Your Friends! Did you see the cute flamingos on our campus? Greet your friends, family or make it a Valentine Greeting! Email Mary at OSSFlockers@yahoo.com.  Forms in the parent hallway or on our webpage for prices and more information.
 
Have you checked with your company if there is a donation matching program? Look into it for the possibility your family donation could be matched. 
 
 
Staff Makin’ Waves:
Many thanks to our dear 4th/5th grade teacher Patty who has so lovingly led her class through a challenging week with their classmate Andrew being absent. As she tells us, technology is not something she uses with the most ease.  However, I admired how she challenged herself to learn how to Face Time with Andrew while he is home recovering.  Here is a picture of her 4th graders including him from home in their literature groups this week.

F

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. 
 
New After School Activities for 3rd - 8th Graders Facilitated by our Own Mika Duff (Ocean Shore School Psychologist)
Karate Club
Grades 3 - 5
Limit of 15 students (first come, first served)
Wednesdays after school
1:15 – 2:00 PM
Starting February 13th
Ending March 27th
Multipurpose Room
 
Exercise is great for every kid, and Karate is a fun way to exercise! Students will learn all about a traditional style of Karate that comes from Okinawa, Japan. Karate means “empty hand” and was originally developed for self –defense, but today Karate is also used as a way to build physical fitness and mental strength, and as a great way to release energy and stress. Students will be taught to block, punch, and kick in a fun, friendly, and safe environment that promotes learning and camaraderie. This club encourages the development of a fun active lifestyle, becoming your best self, and also follows a strict non-violence doctrine. Spaces are limited, please email me to sign up: MDuff@pacificasd.org
 
 
Drawing Club
Grades 6 – 8
Limit of 10 students (first come, first served)
Fridays after school
3:15 – 4 PM
Starting February 15th
Ending March 29th
(March 8this a minimum day, Drawing Club will be held directly after school at 1:15)
Art Room 
 
Release your inner creativity! If you love drawing, come learn how to do it like the pros! Students will learn the basics of drawing and explore concepts like form, construction lines, shapes, perspective, shading, and more. They will learn how to draw some of their favorite cartoon characters and get a chance to draw some characters of their own too. Spaces are limited, please email me to sign up: MDuff@pacificasd.org

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 
 
From the Diversity Leadership Group (DLG)
Ability Awareness Week is coming up next week!  We will host a celebratory potluck for our presenters, staff and guests on Friday 2/1 and would appreciate food donations from the Ocean Shore Community.  Earn hours, and contribute to a good cause.  Brunch food, snacks, baked goods, fruit ~ whatever you want to make, all is welcome.   Drop off in the Staff Room Friday morning.  Please let Jonelle know what you can bring: jonelle.matt@comcast.net
 

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! (NOTE:   Next Week Is “Abilities Awareness” Week for all of our Students!)
 
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).
 
Monday 1/28:  Live Scan Fingerprinting at Ocean Shore for Parent Volunteers.  Click HERE for the link to sign up for this one-day event. 
 
Friday, 2/1:  School Assembly for all Students in Celebration of Abilities Week
 
Upcoming Dates:
 
Tuesday, 2/12:  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: