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Friday, December 18, 2020 Quote of the week: May your coming year be filled with magic and dreams and good madness. I hope you read some fine books and kiss someone who thinks you’re wonderful, and don’t forget to make some art — write or draw or build or sing or live as only you can. And I hope, somewhere in the next year, you surprise yourself. --Neil Gaiman, author Dear Ocean Shore Families, We made it to Winter Break! This has been an exhausting week, but also a joyful one. Over one hundred family members, teachers and friends joined Cristin Fong and our Kindergarten, first and second graders at Ocean Shore's Cozy at Home sing-a-long. From "The Dreidel Song" to Mozart's "Sleigh Ride", Cristin led the students as they sang, danced, and kept the beat with shakers and paper plates. The evening ended with a video of students signing and singing, "I am Thankful," and a tribute to Patty McNally. I'm so grateful to Cristin for putting this together. It was a wonderful way to build community, and her hard work and patience were greatly appreciated by parents and by our staff! Speaking of building community, the events to honor Patty McNally last night were amazing. Over 200 hundred people attended the virtual tribute and donated over $11,000 dollars which brought the Winter Bazaar total to over $15,000! Thank you to everyone who donated. Our teachers continue to go above and beyond, over and over again. Virginia, Natalie, and Beccy put together the clips of teachers reading one of Patty's favorite books about the Civil War, Pink and Say. Families, former students, and staff members shared memories about Patty, as did her daughter, Kelly. Connie as the evening's co-host was as funny and charming as ever. Jonathan and Jason sang and played guitar and worked with other local musicians to provide a moving tribute to Patty. A special shout out to Hearty & Lissin Heartlife for all of their hard work in putting this together. I'm tearing up again as I type this. I know I sound like a broken record, but I feel so blessed to have known Patty, and I feel equally blessed to work with all of you: teachers, staff, parents and students. This place is special, and it has everything to do with the people who inhabit it. If we've learned anything from this insane year of flood, pandemic, and tragic deaths, it is that Ocean Shore is not just a building, and it's not just a school. It's a spirit of community, acceptance and love. We can tap into it and feel connected no matter where we are. It is my great privilege to be your principal, and I invite you to join me in continuing to celebrate, strengthen, and grow our Ocean Shore community in 2021. Have a safe, healthy, and happy holiday season. Cheers! Jeanne School News: 8th Grade OSS Mask Fundraiser: Show your school spirit by purchasing a custom Ocean Shore mask!. 100% of the profits go to this year's 8th graders to help with any graduation costs as they have missed out on all the fundraising opportunities at school. Masks are made from 100% high quality double layered cotton and come with ties or with elastics. They are made to order and are available in child and adult sizes. Porch pick up available when your order is complete. https://www.etsy.com/listing/799165182 https://www.etsy.com/listing/916706023 Come join The DLG (Diversity Learning Group) Virtual Book Club: The DLG Book Club aims to promote community discussion focused on the DLG vision “to instill an understanding on the value in acceptance and respect for one another’s differences so that we can grow as a society.” Come join us on our inaugural discussion circle! When: Monday, January 11, 2021 Time: 7:00pm-7:30pm Book: “How to Be an Antiracist” by Ibram X. Kendi. For: Any Adult and or 7th/8th graders Zoom: https://fhda-edu.zoom.us/j/6489556005 Pre-req: No need to have read anything by this meeting. “How to Be an Antiracist” by Ibram X. Kendi. - This book is described as taking readers through a widening circle of antiracist ideas – from the most basic concepts to visionary possibilities - that will help readers see all forms of racism clearly, understand their poisonous consequences, and work to oppose them in our systems and in ourselves. More info can be found at https://www.ibramxkendi.com/how-to-be-an-antiracist Note: Book is available on Libby both as an ebook and an audio book if you are not interested in purchasing the book. (Libby is a free library app to access San Mateo Library system) Return to School Task Force Update: The task force met on Tuesday, December 15. Due to the rising numbers of COVID-19 cases in San Mateo county, we will not be transitioning into hybrid learning in January. In mid-January, we will take a look at the numbers again. In the meantime, the district is working on a district-wide return to school plan to present to the school board, and the school sites are continuing to sort out the logistics involved in bringing students back to school safely. Additionally, in January, we will begin working with Curative, Inc. and will start testing school staff for COVID-19 on a regular basis. 
Friday, December 11, 2020 Quote of the week: " She read books as one would breathe air, to fill up and live." --Annie Dillard, author Dear Ocean Shore Families, Congratulations to all of our Read-a-thon winners! I have a flier below that lists the names of our top readers and top fundraisers. Our amazing students read for over 183,000 minutes and raised over $30,000! I was an avid reader as a child, and would hide paperbacks behind my textbooks so I could read during Math and Science. I was the kid who was always up late reading with a flashlight under the covers. It's no surprise that I went on to get a master's degree in English Literature and became a teacher. Ironically, my two children have never been big readers. Maybe that's their way of rebelling against their mother! In any event, I'm looking forward to visiting our top readers next week and delivering homemade cookies, a lawn sign and a Florey's gift certificate. In other news, Jonathan just sent me this information about two events that we are planning for Thursday to honor Patty. In order to celebrate the life of our dear teacher/friend/colleague/hero..., Patty McNally, we have two events happening online this Thursday, December 17. One is meant to be a celebration of life for the students, families and staff of Ocean Shore and the other is a celebration and benefit for the Winter Bazaar, which was Patty's favorite service project. Here are some details: 1.) The celebration of life for the school will be a recorded event of stories, memories, song and read-alouds to celebrate the life of Patty. It will be pre-recorded, like the Talent Show, but released at 6:30 on Thursday, 12/17. It will run around an hour and will be available after this time for anyone who cannot see it upon its release. https://www.crowdcast.io/e/oss-family-concert 2.) On Thursday, 12/17, at 8:00 there will also be a benefit event in Patty's memory with proceeds going to the Winter Bazaar. This will be an online event for adults composed of local musical acts, including Finnegan's Call, Bobby Douglas, Kate Gaffney and teachers Jason McArthur & Jonathan Harris, playing music in memory of Patty for her favorite charity event, the Ocean Shore Winter Bazaar. All donations will be matched by the Silicon Valley Foundation if made before 11:59 pm on 12/17. The link for the event is here: https://www.crowdcast.io/e/winter-bazaar-benefit Patty McNally Celebration of Life I hope to see many of you there! Take care, Jeanne School News: Pictures: If you ordered fall pictures, they are here in our office. Lifetouch printed the class pictures early, without sending Patricia the proofs. There are omissions and errors. The first one I noticed was that Julie Tarango is still listed as the principal! Lifetouch will be re-doing them and reissuing them when we get the proofs from our makeup day. Makeup Picture Day: Our makeup picture day will be this Wednesday, December 16th, from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm. There will not be a schedule. Families can come at any time between those hours. If you have any issues ordering, you can call Lifetouch at 1-866-511-3510 or https://contact.lifetouch.com/ K-2 Cozy at Home Sing-a-long: Everyone is welcome to attend our K-2 Sing-a-long from 6:00-7:00 pm on December 16th. Here is the link: Time: Dec 16, 2020 06:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting https://pacificasd.zoom.us/j/81314510990?pwd=QkV1Y0JGRWxvR0xtSzhVNXk1bXBsUT09 Meeting ID: 813 1451 0990 Passcode: 349078
Friday, December 4, 2020 Quote of the week: “Being kind is giving even when it seems like you have nothing to give.” --Random Acts of Kindness Foundation website Dear Ocean Shore Families, I love the holiday season, but it also stresses me out, sometimes a lot. I never feel like I have enough time or enough money, especially this year. When I saw this quote, it reminded me again that being kind to others is the most important way to give. Obviously, it's wonderful if you can donate money to a charity or volunteer your time, but sometimes that's just not possible. However, it is always possible to be kind. I'm trying to slow down and put effort into every interaction, no matter how brief. A smile or an extra thank you can really change someone's day. Our staff felt appreciated this week when the LSEA union president, Meghann Elsbernd, brought rotisserie chickens and roasted potatoes for all of us. It was one of Patty's favorite meals. I ate with my family and thought about Patty. She was a master of small acts of kindness, and often had that perfect comment that would brighten your day, that would make you laugh even if you wanted to cry. As I dive into this holiday season, I plan to channel my inner Patty and spread as much joy and good cheer as I can! Take care, Jeanne School News: Our Winter Bazaar Week of Giving: If you haven't had a chance yet, please look at this heartfelt video that Natalie Abinante put together to kick off the Winter Bazaar. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JTONpfyfBM&feature=youtu.be Our week of giving ends on Tuesday, December 8th. We have three bins outside of school: non-perishable food items for the Pacifica Resource Center, masks for seniors and those who work with them, and cards for seniors. We will also be collecting money through check/money donations dropped off at school (office) or PayPal through our PTO website (https://www.osspto.org/virtual-winter-bazaar.html). E.A.T./Garden team: Sunday 12/6, Garden Day 10-1pm. Outdoor, socially distanced, mask wearing garden time. Adults only for now. Come help beautify the garden. Monday 12/7, EAT meeting 6:30 - 7:30 pm. Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84816396584?pwd=UnhZN3JiQmZqKzlSU2RQODYxVHpXUT09 Meeting ID: 848 1639 6584 Passcode: 1MwrRe Return to School Task Force Update: The task force met this week and discussed our plans going forward in light of the fact that San Mateo county has moved back into the purple tier, and Covid numbers are continuing to rise. Our Ocean Shore team continued to work on logistics, especially classroom configurations and health and safety protocols. Pacifica Schools' District Wide Move-a-Thon: The district PTOs put together a community event to promote movement for students and families during the weeks between the Thanksgiving and Winter Breaks. When: November 30 - December 18. Cost: FREE! How to participate: Complete activity BINGO boards each week and submit to be entered for prizes. Registration and Further Details: Pacifica Move-a-Thon. Questions: [email protected]. Makeup Picture Day: Our makeup picture day will be Wednesday, December 16th, from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm. There will not be a schedule. Families can come at any time between those hours. I know families have not been able to order on the Lifetouch website. You will receive a portrait id number for your child when the proofs are complete. If you do not receive these, you can call 1-866-511-3510 or https://contact.lifetouch.com/ Usually, those proofs would have gone out by now, but it's 2020, so everything is taking longer. K-2 Sing-a-long: Everyone is welcome to attend our K-2 Sing-a-long from 6:00-7:00 pm on December 16th. Please see the flier below and watch for a zoom link to come! Pacifica Holiday Events: Please see the fliers below for free holiday events sponsored by Pacifica Parks, Beach and Recreation!
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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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