Weekly Message

Dear Ocean Shore Families,
 
Greetings!  I hope you are about to enjoy a lovely weekend with winter rain in the forecast!  I have received weather updates all week from my parents who live in Wisconsin.  They were excited this morning to tell me how happy they were that it would warm UP to –4 degrees!  This is an improvement from -55 yesterday.  I told our 8th graders at lunch this week when they were basking in the warm sun how fortunate we are in California to enjoy our mild weather! 
 
Our 5th graders along with our teachers have been eagerly tracking the progress of our dear 4th grader Andrew who underwent surgery this week.  The day of his surgery, the 4th and 5th graders all wore “Team Andrew” stickers and blue shirts in support of him!  Check the Caring Bridge website below for updates on his progress.  Patty has been guiding us along with updates on his progress.   CLICK HERE for the site.  We are all cheering for him!  Below is a picture of the students showing their support to Andrew, which was sent to him at the hospital.  

Reflections From My Office:
This is a week I have been looking forward to since I first learned about Ocean Shore when I was researching schools last year.  I was so impressed that an entire school took a stance to advocate and educate every student on the different abilities that our students exhibit.  This week, “Abilities Awareness Week” was one I will cherish each year.  We concluded the week with an assembly where the students reflected on what they learned this week. 
 
What enjoyment it was to witness the way our community brought awareness to all of our students on how children learn and behave in different ways.  Former Ocean Shore students returned to educate and share their stories.  Our specialist teams of educators like our school psychologist Mika, education specialist Natalie, speech therapist Bethany and our special education teacher Matt all provided powerful lessons and guidance for our teachers and grade levels.  Our students who bravely share with their peers the ways in which they live and manage different allergies or disorders inspired me.  I am constantly impressed with the childlike instinct to be compassionate.  
 
As I have walked from classroom to classroom, the conversation is the same.  We are a welcoming school that is inviting to all students no matter how they look, talk or the way their body works.  We all have a right to be at Ocean Shore and learn in a safe and fun environment.  The students are eager to welcome new students, and share their own experiences of how they deal with an allergy or anxiety or vision impairment.  Our brains are all wired in different ways and this can impact how we react to the world around us, including how we learn in the classroom.  I tell the students about how I sometimes faint if I get hurt (This is true!  I fainted at the Rose Bowl when I slammed my finger in the door and the shock of it made me faint straightaway!).  
 
I have found the platform of ability awareness to be very enriching for all students by teaching the value of tolerance and understanding that people are different in how they learn, talk or walk.  We can celebrate these differences while knowing our commonality is kindness, and a smile goes a long way.    We will keep having this conversation all year and I welcome your input!  Here are some pictures from the week:  

Staff Makin’ Waves:
Our school psychologist, Mika Duff, led a dynamic presentation to our teachers this week on ways to support students with Attention Deficit Disorder.  Her expertise, passion and creativity provided our staff with a wonderful professional learning opportunity.  Mika has also extended this passion to our students where she is seeking ways to make more strong connections with our students.  She is volunteering her time and offering some wonderful after school classes for our older students.  See below for the details. 
 
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
 
From the Front Office:
 
Our Library Thanks You!  "Thank you" to the Shane and Dylan Poblitz family for the donation of some really good books from our wishlist!  Got to keep the readers reading!  : ) 

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! 
 
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:  Are you a member of a Multi-Racial and/or Multi-Faith family and would like to share your story!?   The Diversity Leadership Group is hoping to find a few families who would be interested in talking to our students about your experiences at home, at school, and in the world on Celebrate Diversity Day (CDD).  CDD is taking place on Friday, March 22.  Timing is flexible.  If you are interested in participating, please contact Lissin at Lissin@EarthCapades.com
 
 
 
NEXT WEEK HAPPENINGS!
Sunday 2/3:  Garden Day at Ocean Shore! 10 am – 1 pm.  Get Fresh Air Before the Super Bowl!   It's Super Bowl Sunday again, come and get your workout before sinking into the couch :) We need to do lots of weeding and organize the garden sheds, and possibly some repairs and amending of garden beds.
 
THURSDAY 2/7: Diversity Leadership Group (DLG) meeting from 6-8 pm in the library. The Diversity Leadership Group welcomes your voice in an upcoming discussion of school culture. If you would like to propose a topic for consideration or assist in planning Celebrate Diversity Day, join the February meeting. For more information, contact Lissin at Lissin@EarthCapades.com.
 
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:  
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