Weekly Message

Dear Ocean Shore Families,
 
Hello!  I hope you had a wonderful Labor Day weekend.  This week sure went fast!  I am looking forward to the return of the football season this weekend!  A tradition my dad and I have shared for many years is cheering (a little too loud at times) for our beloved Wisconsin Badgers and the Green Bay Packers.  I welcome any rival football discussions, as I know I am deep in 49er territory!   
 
Reflections From My Office: 
At our staff meeting on Wednesday, we did something pretty neat.  All the teachers and I lined up in order of our years of service in education.  It was remarkable!  The overwhelming majority of our teachers have been teaching beyond 15 years.  Many of our teachers have spent the bulk of their careers at Ocean Shore, while others have deliberately moved from other schools to be here.  That says something about Ocean Shore as it is a place that educators aspire to join or stay indefinitely.    Joining us at our meeting was our new superintendent, Dr. Heather Olson.  It was great for her to witness this representation in years of service and commitment to the Pacifica School District!  
 
In particular in regards to our staff, I have noticed the strong bond between our teachers.  From our veteran staff to those who recently entered the education field, this team of educators is woven tightly together.  It was easy to see right away how they support, inspire and guide one another.  There are so many fun traditions that I have loved discovering!  The stories from years past of the fun things they did together as a staff, and their excitement to try new ideas speaks to their cohesiveness.  I love how they intentionally come together at recess everyday, which is not common at all schools (especially one that spans nine grade levels!).   You will likely see everyone out together in the community, because they care about each other as friends and colleagues. I feel very fortunate to join this team.  Their friendship, tolerance and acceptance of each other are an example I am grateful your children are privy to witness everyday.   
 
Staff Makin’ Waves: 
One of our teachers, Natalie Abinante, wears many, many hats at Ocean Shore.  You have seen her in all of our classrooms working with every grade level.  As our resource specialist teacher, she consults and collaborates with our general and special education teams.  She is an essential part of the “glue” that binds her expertise with academic and behavior intervention with our general education programs and curriculum.  However, her impact extends far beyond her role as a RSP teacher!   You will find her helping out in the office, working on this website, and attending PTO meetings.  I have affectionately given her the nickname, “The Mayor” for her ability to answer any question related to all things Ocean Shore!  We are lucky to have her on our team! 
 
Parents Makin’ Waves (Shared From a Parent to All Parents!):
 
Cristin Fong and all of the Ombuds - Cristin Fong is the Lower Grade VP of the PTO, and Mom to a Kinder, 4th Grader, and 5th Grader and so much more! She has held numerous Ombud roles for teachers over the years, is the co-lead for our amazing Talent Show, and most recently has taken on the role of leading the Ombuds. In her role this year she has already spent numerous hours answering questions for Omuds about the new paperwork process, made copies for many, and is often on the phone/email at all hours making sure that everyone has what they need. She also has found time to volunteer in the kinder classroom this year, and is always willing to jump in and support the PTO Board as needed! Thank you Cristin for being such an awesome parent volunteer, our kids and parents are lucky to have you at Ocean Shore! 
 
We would also like to highlight the Ombuds for all of their work they do all year. They are the main contact for the teachers and the parents, and always ensure everyone in the class gets their questions answered and what they need. They plan gifts for teachers, help coordinate volunteers for the classroom, and of course help with the huge job of collecting paperwork and ensuring we have compliant parents working with the kids! Our Ocean Shore Program runs more smoothly because of these amazing parents and we want to thank them for all of their hard work!
 
From the Front Office:
After-School Timely Pick Up of Students:  All parents are reminded to pick up their students after-school on time.  There is no student supervision after the dismissal time.  Please remember that if your child is not picked up on time, they are not being supervised and we care about the safety of your child! 
 
Parking:  Please be respectful of our parking spaces designated for staff.  Parents are reminded to refrain from parking in the front lot on school days from 8 am to 3 pm.  As it is, we do not have enough parking spaces for all of our staff so taking additional spots means our staff have fewer places to park!  Thank you! 
 
“Parent University” Series Coming Soon:  Are you interested in sharing ideas and resources with other parents around the idea of student wellness?  Some student support specialists and I were exploring ways we would like to reach out to our parent community to discuss ideas related to supporting the social and emotional needs of our children.  If you are interested in this idea, please let me know.  We hope to roll out a few different topics.  We welcome your input! 
 
From the PTO Corner:
Vacant PTO Position
Grade 6-8 Parent Representative of the PTO Executive Board has recently opened up.  If you are interested in being considered for this position, please see www.osspto.org or the PTO board in the parent hallway for the job description and sign up on that board by Sept 12.  If more than one person is interested, there will be an election Sept 13-20, 2018 to determine who will fill the vacancy.  If there is only one person who signs up as a candidate, the PTO Board will vote to approve the candidate at the PTO Executive Board Meeting on October 9th.  Please email jonelle.matt@comcast.net with any questions or interest in this job.
 
From PEF Corner:
 
SUPPORT PEF!
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, here.
 
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, here.
 
GIVE BACK!
PEF gives our children an enriched educational experience.  Give back to PEF and don’t forget your employer sponsored donation matching too!  Give back or donate here.
 
UPCOMING PEF EVENTS:
- PEFATHON:  Mark Your Calendars - Oct. 28th - Run & Walk to support our school!  Races for all ages, Fitness Fair, Awards, Prizes and much more! See the attachment on this newsletter; or click here.
- NEW MEMBERSHIP PLANS:  Membership provides you tickets and/or discounted access to fun annual family events, supporter decals, and much more.  Learn more, here.
- LISTEN & LEARN: PEF Ambassadors will be onsite at PTO events.  You can volunteer to help us here.
 
HOW CAN I HELP?
- Volunteers needed, here.
- Like & Follow PEF on Facebook, here.
- Reach Out to our PEF Ambassadors, below:

• Elizabeth (Liz) Cayot (liz.cayot+PEF@gmail.com)
• Jen Newman-Locks (j.newmanlocks+PEF@gmail.com)

Johnny Davis (jdavis@pacificaef.org)
 
 
NEXT WEEK HAPPENINGS! 
 
Wednesday, September 12th:  School Safety Event The Coalition for Safe Schools and Communities is holding a community event on the Big Five protocols and school safety on Wednesday, September 12, 2018 in the Jefferson High School Theater from 6:15-8:00 pm.  See Flyer here: School Safety Event 
 
UPCOMING EVENTS! 
 
Thursday, September 20th PTO General Meeting 7 – 9 pm in the MPR:  I hope to see you at our first General PTO Meeting!  I look forward to speaking with you and sharing insights for our year ahead.  This will be my first meeting, so join me if you are also new or returning for another great year at OSS! 
 
Tuesday, September 25th Ocean Shore School Safety Committee Meeting 7 pm (Room TBD):  Join me, our new Superintendent, Dr. Heather Olson, teachers and parents interested in discussing ways we can support student safety and well-being at our school.  All are invited to attend! 
 
EASY WAYS TO SUPPORT OUR SCHOOL COMMUNITY AND GAIN VOLUNTEER HOURS:
 
NEED HOURS OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL?  The Oceans 411 committee needs you!  We're looking for parents to cut and paint plywood for a project.  If you can help email Sheila at sgambled@pacificasd.org.
 
HELP RUN AN ELECTIVE FOR 7th and 8th GRADERS!  We are still looking for parents who would partner with our teachers to facilitate an electives course.  These are offered each trimester and we hope to host a class such as a language, coding or computer-programming course.  If you have an interest in offering this opportunity to our kids, please let me or a 7th/8th grader teacher know about your expertise or availability!
 
Weekly Flyers: