 Quote of the week: " The mask is not for you. It's to protect the people you care about." Batman in The Dark Knight Rises Dear Ocean Shore Families, As of Monday, masks will no longer be required in the school building, but they will still be encouraged. We are taking our lead from the California Department of Public Health who " strongly recommend that individuals in these settings (schools, childcare facilities) continue to mask in indoor settings when the universal masking requirement lifts." CDPH mask guidance I believe that it's in our best interest to continue to mask indoors at school, and I will continue to do so when I'm in the hallways, in classrooms and in meetings. I will certainly wear a mask if I'm in a car with anyone other than my immediate family. We can not require that drivers or students wear masks while driving on a field trip, but I hope that everyone will make the choice to protect those around them in the closed, cramped environment that is a car. I want everyone to stay healthy so that we can continue with field trips throughout the spring, enjoy a "real" Oceans 411 experience in May, and celebrate the end of the year at Frontierland on June 9th. Cheers! Jeanne Here is a link to the slideshow that teachers are sharing with students about the change in masking policy. Ocean Shore- Mask Related Protocols COVID reporting: This is still important! Please remember to complete the return to school form if your child is out sick. ***OSS Return to School Form *** We are starting to collect student COVID-19 vaccination records. Please take the time to fill out this Google form if you have not already given a copy of your child's vaccination card to the office. OSS Student Vaccination Records. This week, we had all negative testing pools. Yeah! School Business: Recording of social emotional learning presentation: On March 15, Sam Drazin, Executive Director of Changing Perspectives, did a ZOOM presentation on The What, Why, and How of Social-Emotional Learning and Disability Awareness. Here is the link to the recording: SEL presentation Message from Will Lucey, Director of Student Educational Services: Dear Families, It is time again to get your thoughts on your family school relationship. Helping students do their best in school requires a team effort. Parents, students, and schools all play important roles in this process. To help all of us learn how to make your child's schooling experience as positive and beneficial as possible, please give us your honest, thoughtful responses to the questions within the survey. Please click the link below to take the survey. Thank you in advance for taking this very important survey. Family-School Relationship Spring 2022 Survey: Ocean Shore School https://surveys.panoramaed.com/pacifica/9746154651/surveys PEF: Please see the Pacifica Education Foundation Winter Newsletter below, and contribute to PEF in 2022! Bikes/skateboards/scooters: Students should not be riding bikes, scooters or skateboards on campus. When riding off campus, all students should be wearing helmets. Office staff have observed students riding without helmets once they leave school property. Spring Pictures are April 6th: fliers to go home soon. Fliers: March Lunch Menu, PEF newsletter, SMC library events, Portuguese and Spanish translations of my letter.
  Quote of the week: "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times." Charles Dickens, writer Dear Ocean Shore Families, This past week has run the gamut. Last Saturday, I attended the K-2 event at Frontierland. It was so much fun to see parents and students outside enjoying the sun and each other's company. It was great to get to know more parents and to see the kids without their masks. Thank you to the PTO board for organizing; I think I had more fun than the kids! Sunday was a harder day. TJ Nilsen, who attended Ocean Shore for 9 years and was just getting ready to graduate from Chico State, was killed by a drunk driver on March 6th in a hit and run accident on his way home from work. A memorial event was held at Linda Mar Beach. I was amazed by the number of former students and parents who attended. I hadn't seen many of his classmates since they graduated from Ocean Shore in 2014. These young adults spoke about TJ and their memories of Ocean Shore, high school and college. Their recollections were heartfelt and often humorous. TJ's mother, Jenna, was an art volunteer for years, as well as a therapist for many Pacifica teens, my daughter included. When she spoke, you could hear a pin drop on the beach. She somehow managed to be eloquent, funny and poignant, and she looked beautiful. (How is that humanly possible?) She said that she had already reached out to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), an organization that she hadn't really taken seriously in the past; an organization that was already helping her cope with the loss of her only child. When I hugged her after the ceremony, I said that I didn't know what to say, that she was living every parent's worst nightmare, that I didn't know how she was still standing. I will never forget her words. As she gestured towards TJ's tearful friends, she said, " It is my job to help them learn how to grieve, and in helping them, I will help myself." What grace and what a lesson for all of us. Even in our darkest times, thinking of others makes things better. TJ's death was a tragedy, but his life was anything but tragic. He was full of life, a wonderful friend, a successful student, and his smile could light up a room. He was empathetic and considerate even as a 13-year-old boy, and I was lucky to teach him for two years. Jenna and Terry, TJ's father, repeatedly thanked the Ocean Shore community for their support. One of the tragedies of the pandemic is that we haven't been able to gather as a community. I thought of that over and over again this week as we celebrated Patty McNally's life and her contributions to Pacifica's children, as I reflected on the joy of gathering with excited K-2 students and parents, and as I grieved the death of a former student, but took solace in the embrace of Ocean Shore parents, teachers, and students, past and present. This place is special, and if you make the effort to connect and contribute to the Ocean Shore community, it will support you in the best of times, and in the worst. Please consider making a memorial tribute donation to MADD in TJ Nilsen's name: https://secure.madd.org/page/22588/donate/1 Much love to all and hug your children especially close tonight, Jeanne COVID reporting: This is still important! Please remember to complete the return to school form if your child is out sick. ***OSS Return to School Form *** This week, we had all negative testing pools. We did have one positive case reported unrelated to the testing pools, so we conducted rapid tests on the students and teacher in that classroom and had no positive test results. As of March 28th, masks will be strongly recommended in the school building, but no longer mandatory. Please be a positive role model for your children and respect each family's decision. We are going to work hard as a staff to help the students support each other. School Business: Book Fair: The book fair has been extended to Monday and Tuesday of next week! PEF: Please see the Pacifica Education Foundation Winter Newsletter below, and contribute to PEF in 2022! Tsunami Preparedness Week is March 21-25: Please check out the City of Pacifica's website for information: https://www.cityofpacifica.org/depts/police/natural_disasters/tsunami.asp. Luckily, Ocean Shore is not in the Tsunami hazard area, and nearby Oceana High School would be a care and shelter site for any local families that did have to evacuate. Requests from the Office: The office is in need of Clorox type popup wipes and plastic grocery bags. Please parents, do not park in any spots that say staff. We continue to have issues with this, especially at pick-up. Please remind your children that they can't ride vehicles on campus, even after school, and that they must wear helmets. Spring Pictures are April 6th: fliers to go home soon. Fliers: March Lunch Menu, PEF newsletter, SMC library event, Walk & Roll to School contest, Portuguese and Spanish translations of my letter.
Quote of the week: " The strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the team." --Phil Jackson, former NBA coach Dear Ocean Shore Families, The school board voted on Wednesday to keep mandatory masking indoors in place until Monday, March 28th. On Monday, March 28th, masks will still be highly recommended indoors at school, but no longer required. Teachers will address the change in masking policy with the students. We will discuss the fact that every family will choose whether or not to have their children wear masks at school. We will also emphasize that no one should be called out for wearing or not wearing a mask. Parents, please model this behavior for your children. We all have different levels of risk tolerance, different living situations, and different health issues. One of my sisters has multiple sclerosis and will probably be wearing a mask indoors forever. I know I'm not comfortable going maskless indoors at school, so I'll be wearing mine for the foreseeable future. Masking, vaccinations and frequent hand washing/sanitizing have been very effective in reducing the spread of COVID-19 in Pacifica and throughout the Bay Area. In other Ocean Shore news, Patty McNally week is here! It is hard to believe it's been well over a year since we lost our beloved Patty McNally in November of 2020. Last year teachers across the district came together to begin the tradition of celebrating as teammates in honor of Patty during the week in March which coincides with her birthday, March 17th. Patty was the ultimate teammate, and encouraged collaboration in her classroom, among her colleagues and with parents. As any of her former class parents can tell you, Patty would not take no for an answer! Members of LSEA's leadership, along with several retired teachers, joined together to read Teammates. It was one of Patty's favorite books, and it serves as the springboard for us to unite and honor Patty. Teammates for Patty's Passions No matter what our circumstances, backgrounds, or beliefs, we are all on the Ocean Shore team! Take care, Jeanne COVID reporting: This is still important. Please remember to complete the return to school form if your child is out sick. ***OSS Return to School Form *** This week, we had 4 unusable testing pools, so we conducted rapid tests on the students and teachers in those classrooms and had no positive test results. School Business: Book Fair Volunteers Needed: We are still in need of parent volunteers for our book fair the week of March 14th-18th. Without parent volunteers, it will be very difficult to host the book fair. Thank you! Please contact Tristan McNall if you have questions: [email protected]. There is a signup poster in the front lobby or you can sign up via Signup Genius: https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/30E0D44AEAB2BA7F58-book Carcass Cafe, the beginning of our deep ocean study, will be happening Mon-Thurs of this week. Contact your teacher if you want to help. It's not too late to volunteer! IMPORTANT ASEP REMINDER: The week of March 14th is Conference week and the whole week is on the minimum day schedule. All ASEP classes except for the Wednesday classes (that already fall on a minimum day) will not be held. Also, registration is still open for one more week! If you would like to sign up, please go to https://my.cheddarup.com/c/asep. and check out the available classes such as Run Club, 3 O'clock rock and Sparc poetry! Parent volunteers needed at lunch time: We are looking for parents who are interested in volunteering during lunch time. If interested in attending an in person training/shadow event on Tuesday, March 14, from 11:30am - 1pm,, please email Ayesha at [email protected]. If that time doesn't work for you, please contact Ayesha and arrange another day to come in. Thank you! K-2 Donuts in the Park this Saturday, 3/12: It's been a long two years, and the OSS PTO would love for our newer families to feel that Ocean Shore spirit. If your family can make it, please join us at Frontierland Park on Saturday from 10-12:00pm for donuts, coffee, and a chance to connect with other K-2 families. Younger and older siblings are welcome! Reminders from the office staff: No riding wheeled vehicles on campus at any time. That means no bicycles, skateboards, roller skates, scooters, etc. Also, it is against the law for students under 18 to ride any wheeled vehicle without a helmet. PEF: Please see the Pacifica Education Foundation Winter Newsletter below, and contribute to PEF in 2022! Tsunami Preparedness Week is March 21-25: Please check out the City of Pacifica's website for information: https://www.cityofpacifica.org/depts/police/natural_disasters/tsunami.asp. Luckily, Ocean Shore is not in the Tsunami hazard area, and nearby Oceana High School would be a care and shelter site for any local families that did have to evacuate. Fliers: March Lunch Menu, Book fair, K-2 Event, PEF newsletter, Patty McNally Week, SMC library event, Portuguese and Spanish translations of my letter.
Quote of the week: “Reading is a discount ticket to everywhere. ” Mary Schmich, journalist Dear Ocean Shore Families, We celebrated Read Across America Day on Wednesday at Ocean Shore. We had guest readers and lots of opportunities to read out loud, independently and in groups. Our third graders participated in a theme day to get ready for their unit on the Iditarod. I had an Alaskan Malamute as a child, so sled dogs are near and dear to my heart. Speaking of cold weather, The 8th graders are headed to Yosemite next week. I think Jason and Sophie are as excited as the kids. The Yosemite trip is the capstone of Ocean Shore's experiential learning program, and the entire staff is thrilled that our class of 2022 will be able to participate. I went on the trip as a teacher three times and can't stress enough what an amazing experience it is for our students, as well as for our staff and parent chaperones. It's exhausting, but exhilarating. I would love to do that trip again! Enjoy your week and send good wishes to our 8th grade students, Jason, Sophie and our parent volunteers for a safe and exciting trip. Take care, Jeanne COVID Updates: Students and staff will no longer have to wear masks outdoors effective immediately. In a letter dated yesterday, March 3rd, the San Mateo County Superintendent of Schools shared that " on March 12, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) will strongly recommend that masks be worn indoors in schools. San Mateo County Health announced that it is aligned with CDPH on this recommendation." Masking and high vaccination rates have been crucial in limiting the spread of the omicron variant in Pacifica. At Ocean Shore, our staff members will continue to mask indoors, and we strongly recommend that students do as well. Weekly pool testing will continue until the state stops paying for it. All of Ocean Shore's pools were negative this week! COVID reporting: This is still important. Please remember to complete the return to school form if your child is out sick. ***OSS Return to School Form *** School Business: Celebrate Diversity Day is coming up next Wednesday, March 9th! Celebrate Diversity Day is an OSS tradition designed to celebrate and embrace who we are, despite our differences and no matter what race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, nationality or disability. Each grade level will experience an age appropriate curriculum with the help of many volunteers. Make sure to ask your student(s) about the day and what they learned. Book Fair Volunteers Needed: We are desperate for parent volunteers for our book fair the week of March 14th-18th. Without parent volunteers, it will be very difficult to host the book fair. Thank you! Please contact Tristan McNall if you have questions: [email protected]. There is a signup poster in the front lobby or you can sign up via Signup Genius: https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/30E0D44AEAB2BA7F58-book E.A.T: The garden needs your help! Earn volunteer hours on the weekend and beautify the school garden! Recology of the coast is holding their biannual compost giveaway, Saturday, March 5th 8AM-12 PM at the recycling yard: 1046 Palmetto Avenue. Bring up to 2 30-gallon cans (no boxes or bags, garbage cans work great for this) to the address, show your ID or proof of address and scoop up some good 'dirt.' On Sunday, March 6th, bring the compost to the monthly garden workday at the school garden from 10AM-1PM. Only open to Pacifica residents with valid ID or proof of address and the earlier the better while supplies last! Any questions contact: Kelly Toth at [email protected] K-2 Donuts in the Park 3/12: It's been a long two years, and the OSS PTO would love for our newer families to feel that Ocean Shore spirit. If your family can make it, please join us at Frontierland Park on March 12th from 10-12:00pm for donuts, coffee, and a chance to connect with other K-2 families. Younger and older siblings are welcome! Food Drive is continuing: Thank you so much for your very generous food donations to StarVista clients in San Mateo County over the past two months. Our Ocean Shore community has already donated over 150! food items altogether. If you have not yet donated or would like to continue to donate, please consider sending in non-perishable food items that will go directly to the people who need them.The collection bin is at the front entrance and will remain open for donations throughout the rest of the school year. Thank you again for helping to keep food insecure members of our community fed and healthy. Ava Litz - Eighth Grade Student PEF: Please see the Pacifica Education Foundation Winter Newsletter below, and contribute to PEF in 2022! Fliers: March Lunch Menu, Book fair, K-2 Event, Penny War results, SMCOE COVID letter, PEF newsletter, Portuguese and Spanish translations of my letter.   
|
Jeanne BellingerPrincipal of Ocean Shore. Check back here for weekly updates and messages from the principal. Archives
June 2022
Categories |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
RSS Feed