News Around the Pod

PTO General Meeting Recap

Thank you for attending the first PTO General Meeting on September 19, 2024.  For those that couldn’t make it, here is a brief recap and the presentation from the meeting.  

  • The PTO budget was approved at $159,000. Details are in the attached presentation.  Last year we raised $135,000 through fundraising that included family donations, events and fundraising campaigns (read-a-thon, penny wars, etc).  We need to meet or exceed last year’s fundraising.  We will be pulling funds from the rainy day fund for the Greenhouse and AV equipment that will be used for many years to come.
    • Please remember if you were donating monthly you will need to renew that monthly donation HERE or make a one time donation. 
  • OSS has been awarded a $75,000 Middle School Foundation Academy Grant! The goal is to help prepare 5-8th grade students for successful college and careers experiences by incorporating the CTE (Career and Technical Education) skills and content into their curriculum.
  • ATTENDANCE MATTERS!  That includes tardies.  Being 5 minutes late a day adds up in social and learning loss. Moving from 93% Average Daily Attendance to 95% district wide would generate $900,000 additional revenue.
  • Ocean Shore improved the percent of students meeting ELA and Math standards! The only school in the district to improve in both areas.
  • Ocean Shore has also received a grant to improve road/pedestrian safety from Safe Routes to School.
  • We have open PTO positions.  We are in particular need for a Spirit Wear Coordinator, Job Coordinator, Oceans 411 Parent Coordinator (if you are in the classroom role, this would just be a bit more responsibility but you are already attending all the meetings) and Junior Olympics Coach (the team did very well last year and most of the time commitment is in April & May). If you are interested or want to know more, email president@osspto.org.
  • The Read-a-thon is our largest fundraiser (outside of family donations) and will be kicking off on October 1st with a Night of Reading on October 3rd. 
  • Volunteers will need to do volunteer training that is being rolled out by the District.  Look for an email from “Vector.”  Training modules take about 90 minutes and you can claim 2x hours.  
  • Next year, we will aim to do a condensed PTO meeting to approve the budget at Back to School Night next year to reach more families.
  • Save the date for OSS’s 1st Annual Friend-SHIP party on October 25th from 3:15-4:15 and an Adult Night Out at Winters on January 11th.

By Cindy Soremekun, ago

Complete Your Volunteer Forms

Are you unsure what volunteer forms are needed for volunteering in the classroom or driving/chaperoning a field trip? Take a look a the chart below to help clarify what is required and how often. Link to the forms is under the For Families section of this website and physical forms are available near the front office. Sign up for a Live Scan appointment at Back to School Night on Thursday, September 5th. Process takes less than 10 minutes. Fill out the form ahead of time or get one at school right before appointment. Bring a valid ID too.

By Cindy Soremekun, ago

Welcome Back Spaghetti Dinner – Thu, Aug 22

Join the OSS community for the annual Welcome Back Spaghetti Dinner on Thursday, August 22nd from 5:30-7:00pm in the MPR. This is a full service plated dining experience hosted by Middle School. $10 per person covers spaghetti, choice of sauce, bread, drink and dessert. Under 5 is free. Proceeds will benefit OSS Enrichment Programs celebrating the 8th grade Yosemite Camping Trip. There will be a photo backdrop and arts and crafts for the kids. Purchase your tickets today at https://osswelcomebackdinner.cheddarup.com/ .

By Cindy Soremekun, ago

OSS Spring Fest this Sunday, April 21

The family event to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Ocean Shore School/Alternative is Sunday, April 21st from 11am – 3pm at Ocean Shore School. This event is open to the community so bring your friends and neighbors. Please find the activities and schedule of performances below including the Library Dedication to Patty McNally at 1:30pm. 

  • Food and Activity Highlights
    • Food Trucks: Whisk and Dominics
    • Carnival Games
    • Bouncy Houses/Giant Dual Slides/Hungry Hippo Game
    • Tie-dye OSS logo shirts
    • Art /Bracelet Booth
    • Square Dancing
    • Imagination Playground – Pacifica Libraries
    • Commemorative shirts/hoodies for purchase
    • Carnival Games
    • Auction
  • Schedule of Performances
    • 11:30-12:00 pm: Foggy Coast Kids 
    • 12:15-12:35 pm: Coastside Dance School 
    • 12:50-1:15 pm: Jonathan Harris sing-along 
    • 1:15-1:45 pm:  Terra Nova Drum Line (in front of library) 
    • 1:30-2:00 pm:  Patty McNally’s Library Dedication 
    • 2:00-2:20 pm:  Square Dance led by Connie 
    • 2:35-3:00 pm:  Foghouse 

Buy tickets and wristbands including reserving an OSS shirt to tie-dye at https://my.cheddarup.com/c/oss50thanniversary.

OSS_Map10x7_trifoldDownload
By Cindy Soremekun, ago

Yearbook – Customize two free pages until April 14

The deadline to customize two free pages or pay for additional custom pages has been extended until the end of day April 14. These pages will be printed in your child’s yearbook.  If you have purchased your yearbook already, log into https://www.treering.com/ and click on the customize option.  You can design your own layout or use a template.  If you have purchased a yearbook in the past, log into your account and you should have the option to buy this year’s book and then customize it.  If you are new or have never purchased a yearbook, click on the following link to set up an account.  https://www.treering.com/purchase?PassCode=1014115995473789. If you miss the customization deadline, you can still buy your yearbook.

By Cindy Soremekun, ago

Celebrate Diversity Day + Multicultural Night on March 28

Celebrate Diversity Day (CDD) is Thursday, 3/28!  As part of our annual OSS tradition, CDD is an opportunity to showcase and celebrate diversity in all its forms, including racial/ethnic, gender, economic, and family diversity. Our students across all grade levels will be engaged in curriculum-related activities that explore and celebrate our similarities and differences. The goal of CDD is to promote a culture of inclusivity, acceptance, and respect within our school community. 

Then, we invite you to join us on Thursday evening (3/28) from 6pm-8pm for Multicultural Night, a chance for our school community to come together and celebrate the diversity that makes us unique. This exciting event will feature performances, potluck (bring a cultural dish to share), and displays from a range of cultures and backgrounds. It’s a night not to be missed, and we hope to see you there!  Sign up HERE to share a dish, dance or activity.

By Cindy Soremekun, ago

“In Our Reading Era” Read-a-thon Happening Now

The read-a-thon is in progress through February 29th! This is Ocean Shore’s largest fundraiser of the year and 100% of donations go directly to the school! Prizes will be awarded to top readers and fundraisers. Our goal is $40,000. We are 28% to our goal at about halfway through. Keep reading and collecting donations! Check the fundraising total or make a donation at https://app.99pledges.com/fund/ossread2024

  1. Set up your student’s fundraising page to collect donations at https://app.99pledges.com/fund/ossread2024/addme
  2. Check your company if they do matching donations.
  3. Use your calendar log to track your daily minutes read and then enter your total minutes in a Google Form at the end of the month. https://forms.gle/DRrhRLzuJ5a3XEpXA

More information can be found at https://osspto.org/readathon.

By Cindy Soremekun, ago
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