OTIS PTA OUTLOOK
Go OWLS!
WALK-A-THON IS TODAY!
  
 

HERE'S WHAT YOU'LL FIND IN THIS WEEK'S EDITIONTOC

- Important School Dates
- Addressing school culture, climate, and safety   
-Updates and news from the PTA
- Get to know the people and faces at Otis   
UPCOMING EVENTS
- Walk-a-Thon, New Sock Drive, Beyond Everyone Belongs Here      
VOLUNTEER CORNER
- Upcoming volunteer opportunities
REMINDERS & LAST CALL
- If you missed it last time or deadlines hitting before the next Outlook
- News and events from around Alameda and AUSD 
THE REGULARS  
- Otis Directory, Otis 101, Facebook/Konstella Community, etc...
  OTIS SCHOOL CALENDAR - DATES TO REMEMBERCalendar
November 2017
November 1st-30th
November 15th, Wednesday
November 16th, Thursday
- Step Up Live Showcase , 3-4:30pm, Krusi Park Gathering Space
- Parent Information Night, Birds & Bees Survey Results & Discussion , 7:00-8:30pm, Media Center, Free Child Care in room 102
November 17th, Friday
-Walk-a-thon  
-School Spirit Day:  Flannel Day
November 20th-26th
- Thanksgiving Break , No School
November 27th, Monday
- Coffee Talk with Principal Harris , 8:30am-9:00am, round green tables on blacktop
November 27th-December 1st
- Parent/Teacher Conferences - Kinders dismissed at 11:40am; Grades 1-5 dismissed at 12:30pm
November 29th, Wednesday
-Family Game Night, 6:30-8pm, MPR 
 
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE OTIS DATES TO REMEMBER THROUGH JANUARY AND BEYOND
SYNC YOUR KONSTELLA CALENDAR TO YOUR DIGITAL CALENDARS 
  • Sync your Konstella Calendar to your other digital calendars so you never miss a date at Otis!
  • Go to the "Frank Otis Calendar" on the main Konstella Frank Otis page
  • Click on "Sync to My Calendar"
  • Follow the directions to sync to your preferred calendar (Google, Microsoft Outlook, etc.)
NOTE - To increase consistency, the Outlook Google Calendar will no longer be updated beginning Jan 1, 2018
LETTER FROM PRINCIPAL HARRISLetterfromPrincipal 
Dear Owl Families,

Incident at Lincoln
As you may know, an incident occurred at Lincoln Middle School on Thursday, November 9th.  I can assure you that Lincoln's Principal, the Superintendent, and the Alameda Police Department came together immediately to address the situation. After a thorough investigation, we have been assured that our children, teachers, and families are safe. There has been an increase in supervision at Lincoln and all principals have been debriefed. The situation will continue to be monitored.

Drop Off and Pick Up
Thank you so much to our parent volunteers and student safety patrol. They are up and out early every morning rain or shine to ensure that our students arrive to school safely. Please remember to honor the traffic expectations: 
  • Cars should not be left unattended in the loading zone.
  • Students should use the crosswalks.
  • U-turns and double parking are unsafe.
  • Please be considerate of our neighbors and do not block driveways or fire hydrants.
  • During drop off, bicycles and skateboards should be walked onto campus and not ridden onto the blacktop.

We all must do our part to keep all of our children and families safe.

Be Safe, Be Kind, Be Your Best!
Go Owls!

Tanya  

PTA CORNERPTACorner1 



Thank you to everyone who came to the "Bullying Prevention & Awareness Workshop" on November 8 hosted by the Equity & Inclusion Committee. If you missed the workshop and are interested in learning more, click here.  Preventing bullying takes a village and requires us to be thoughtful in how we respond and react. Know the warning signs. Start the conversation. 
 
We had so much positive feedback after the last Soul Shoppe Parent Night that the PTA Board decided to host more of these events to ensure that parents, students and teachers are all talking the same language and getting the full benefit of the amazing social emotional tools that Soul Shoppe brings to Otis. Dates, times and topics will be announced soon. Please stay tuned!   
 
There are no PTA meetings in November or December. The next PTA meeting is scheduled for January 18, 2018 at 7:00 pm in the Media Center. 
 
MINI-GRANT APPLICATIONS STILL BEING ACCEPTED
Deadline to submit a request to receive a mini-grant from the PTA is November 30, 2017. Students, parents, teachers and staff may apply for specific purchases, projects or activities that will benefit or enrich the Otis community. Grants will be awarded in amounts between $20-$500.  Click  HERE for the application form and instructions.  Questions? Please contact Beth Aney at  beth.f.aney@gmail.com .  
 
THERE ARE MANY WAYS TO SUPPORT OTIS
From volunteering, to joining the PTA, to clipping Box Top$, there are many way you can support Otis. Visit this  Otis website page to  learn more.
 
SYNC YOUR KONSTELLA CALENDAR 
To increase calendar consistency, beginning Jan 1, 2018, the Outlook Google Calendar will no longer be updated. Be sure to sync your Konstella Calendar to your digital calendars ASAP so that you never miss an important Otis date.     
BIRDS & BEES SURVEY RESULTS   
November 16, 7-8:30pm 
Media Center
Please join Ronit Matabuena-Lev of Bird and Bee Education to:
  • Learn about the results of the community survey;
  • Understand the policies and guidelines that inform sexuality health education curriculum at the elementary school level; and
  • Explore next steps for Otis School.
Family members and teachers are encouraged to attend. Free childcare will be available in Room 102. Please join us!
UPCOMING EVENTSUpcomingEvents
OTIS WALK-A-THON 2017 IS TODAY!
8:20-11:30 

Get ready for a fun morning at Otis...Walk-A-Thon is here! Students will walk a course around the black top and Krusi Park and log laps in support of Otis. It's loads of fun and a great way to raise money for our school in a healthy way!

WALK-A-THON SCHEDULE:
Students will arrive to school, go to classrooms, and begin walking according to the schedule:
 
Grade
Warm-up
Start
Finish
K-1
8:30
8:45
10:15
2-3
8:45
9:00
11:00
4-5
9:00
9:15
11:45
 
 
Kids should wear comfortable walking/running shoes and are encouraged to wear their grade colors to show school spirit and help volunteers identify kids by grade. The grade colors are:
 
Kindergarten - Purple
First Grade - Orange  
Second - Green
Third - Yellow
Fourth - Red
Fifth - Blue 
 
In order to reduce waste, students are encouraged to bring their own water bottles. Kids who bring their own water bottles will receive a bonus lap on their punch card!
   
BEYOND "EVERYONE BELONGS HERE"  
Creating Positive School Climate
November 15, 6:30-8:30pm at Alameda High School

Bias-related incidents in our community have led families to ask what AUSD is doing to promote inclusiveness and create positive school climates. In this workshop, community members will learn about AUSD's responses to hate speech and explore strategies for both reducing and managing these occurrences. Please join us! Everyone belongs in this important community conversation. See this flyer for more information.
5TH ANNUAL "NEW SOCK DRIVE" AT OTIS
Through Friday, November 30th 
   
 
Benefiting the Midway Shelter and guests of Pappo's Annual Soup Kitchen, the NEW Sock Drive is in its 5th year at Otis. Please bring a new pair of socks or package of socks in any size (children, women, men) to the Sock Drive Bin, located in front of the office. 

If you have any questions, please contact Inbal Graham at  inbalgraham11@gmail.com
STEP UP LIVE SHOWCASE 
Third Thursdays at Krusi Park Gathering Space
3:00-4:30pm
 

Otis bands, musicians and students, come jam at the Krusi Park Gathering Space on the 3rd Thursday of each month from 3-4:30pm! If you'd like to try performing or want to jam with other musicians, just show up after school.

The gathering space is dedicated to the loving memory of Rachel and Annika, a mother and daughter who were taken from our community by a tragic car accident. Rachel and Annika were among the founders of Otis' annual music festival Owlapalooza. Keeping Owlapalooza thriving and refreshed with new performers is part of honoring their memory.

If anyone out there would like an opportunity to perform at this year's Owlapalooza event (on Feb 24), please contact Noel Rabinowitz ( noelienoel@gmail.com) or Carlo Balboni ( carlobalboni@att.net). 
Don't be shy!
 
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 29th 
6:30-8PM in the MPR
 
Does your family have a favorite board or card game? Or are you looking to learn how to play something new? Come to the MPR from  6:30-8 pm on Wednesday, November 29, for the annual  Otis Family Game Night, hosted by the Otis Dad's Club. 

Snacks and a variety of games for different ages will be provided. Battleship! Uno! Pokemon! Munchkin! And much more!  Please bring your favorite games to share!
 
For more information, contact Jeff Chorney at jeffchorney@yahoo.com.

  
December 12-13th

With the Thanksgiving break coming up, it's time to start thinking about those craft projects for the  Gingerbread Shoppe! 

What is the Gingerbread Shoppe? It's a special Holiday Shop at school (located in the Owl Room next to the office) where students  bring in $3-$4 to buy holiday gifts for family and friends. These gifts are homemade by the families of Otis. Think small soaps, candles, ornaments, pencil tops, small frames, journals, scarves, barrettes, cookie-making jars, hot chocolate kits, etc.  Students love the Gingerbread Shoppe and are always so excited to go holiday shopping. If you can donate items, we ask that you make (or purchase) a quantity of 30. With 650 students, we need LOTS of items so that each student can purchase 3 or 4 gifts. So if you're crafty, you have plenty of time to find the glue gun and get creative!  

Sign-up here  to contribute to and volunteer at Gingerbread Shoppe. We need lots of volunteers to organize and set up, and help kids on the shopping days. Thank  you in advance for your generosity!

QUESTIONS? Contact  Gingerbread Shoppe Coordinator Nicole Cavanaugh at  nicole.cav2@gmail.com.
VOLUNTEER CORNERVOLUNTEERCORNER 
 
 
UPCOMING VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
 
RemindersREMINDERS
READY, SET, CLIP!!
 

The Box Top$ for Education collection is ongoing!
Collection containers for our   Box Top$ for Education drive are now in classrooms. Containers will be in classrooms until Dec 11.  Box Top$ appear on many brand-name products that you already have around your house. Click on their main page  to see what they look like. You clip these boxes, turn them in at school and earn money for Otis!
 
The class that collects the most Box Top$ gets their name on the Box Top$ trophy and gets to choose a prize that can be used in their classroom.
 
Questions? Contact Box Top$ Coordinator, Claire Legas, at clegas@aol.com
LAST CALL FOR LOST & FOUND!!!

This is the very last call for lost & found. We still have lots of unclaimed jackets, sweatshirts, lunchboxes, hats, and sweaters. If your child is  missing anything, please check the lost & found this week.  

All items remaining in the Lost & Found after November 17 will be donated to charity!

BUY YOUR OTIS YEARBOOK ONLINE

 
Enter Code: 2161518
Deadline is April 2.
 
UPLOAD YOUR HDR/HIGH-RES PHOTOS TO LIFETOUCH 
All parents and staff are yearbook photographers!
Go tohttps://community.lifetouch.com and choose Otis Elementary, 2017/18.
Enter Code: TXCAZN
 
AMERICANISM ESSAY CONTEST 
 
The Alameda Elks are running the Americanism Essay Contest again this year. All 5th-8th graders are invited to submit an essay for a cash prize. Last year a prize of $100 went unclaimed because there were only TWO submissions.  Please encourage your child to put together 300 words and see how they do! Deadline to enter is December 15. See contest details here .

OTIS COMMUNITY & BEYONDBEYOND
City of Alameda Survey - Due December 11, 2017
 
The City of Alameda receives federal and other funds each year for housing, community development and social service projects and would like you to have a voice in how this money is invested.
Information collected by this survey will be useful for the City of Alameda, the Alameda Unified School District, and Alameda social services agencies as they plan for the future of Alameda.
 
Please assist us by completing the survey by December 11 at midnight.
 
For a hard copy of the survey, please contact Jim Franz, Community Development coordinator at (510) 747-6883 or  jfranz@alamedaca.gov   .
 
Firefighter Toy Program to Launch Next Week
 
The Alameda Collaborative for Children, Youth, and their Families, along with the Alameda Firefighters, Alameda Food Bank, Alameda Red Cross Youth, and other groups are launching the 2017 Alameda Firefighters Toy Program for low-income families in our district.
  
A collection box will be by the School Office from November 14 through December 19. Please consider donating a new unwrapped toy, game, or gift card for a child in need! Click here to see the flyer.

Free Homework Help!
   

 
For any parent or teacher who watches a student struggle with homework, there is great news about free homework help at the Library.
 
Through a partnership with AUSD and Alameda Education Foundation, the Alameda Free Library is again offering valuable, free Homework Help for all K-5 students!

Homework Help is ideal for a student who:

 *   needs help reading aloud
 *   needs help with math homework (or any subject)
 *   needs help understanding the directions to an assignment

Help is provided by trained local high school students at the Alameda Free Library (all branches) from 3:30-5:00 from now until May 4, 2018.  Families may check with each branch for their schedule. See the flyer for more information.
Alameda Gators Swim Team Winter Recreational Program Open for Registration
 
Registration is now open for the Alameda Gators Swim Team Winter Recreational program. The 10 week session runs from November 27 - February 8. Two practice times are available, from 3:30 - 4:30 pm or 4:30 - 5:30 pm, Monday - Thursday. Evaluations are required for all new swimmers to ensure that swimmers can safely and ably participate in the program. Evaluations will be held Friday November 10 and November 17 at 6:30 pm at Lincoln Pool. Swimmers must attend one of the two evaluations in order to participate. Details and registration links can be found at: www.alameda-alga.com/

For more information contact Melanie Martin del Campo at melmdc19@gmail.com
Alameda Girls Softball Association
 
AGSA is the  only  youth sports league in Alameda with a primary focus on development of girls in sports. 

Registration for the 2018 Spring Recreation season is open from October 15 through December 31. New and returning players should register NOW! Added bonus is that all games are played at the fields at Krusi Park!
 
For more information and to register, go to www.alamedagsa.com.
 Cooking Round the World Winter Camp

Join Cooking Round the World for a winter wonderland of delicious fun! Click HERE to see the flyer with dates and locations, or go to
www.cookingroundtheworld.com  for more information and to enroll today! 10% sibling discount offered at registration. Questions? Call 510-593-5285.

   
Did you know Otis is part of the Sports Basement Basementeer program? You can get 10% off your purchase at Sports Basement and Otis gets 10% back.  
 
Become a Basementeer here   
THE REGULARS TheRegulars 
SUPPORT OTIS
- Click here to learn about the many ways that you can support Otis.
STAY CONNECTED 
STAY INFORMED 
 - The Otis 101 is a helpful resource and reference guide to all things Otis.   
 
Archived Outlook Newsletters
 - The Outlook Newsletter is archived in both Konstella's "Files & Links" and on the Otis Website PTA Page.
OUTLOOK CONTACT INFORMATION
PRINCIPAL: TANYA HARRIS
EDITOR: NEVEEN ACERO
PTA PRESIDENT: BETH ANEY
OUTLOOK EMAIL: OTISOUTLOOK@GMAIL.COM
QUICK LINKS TO OTIS SCHOOL
To contact Otis PTA Outlook, please send an e-mail to  otisoutlook@gmail.com, or hit reply to this newsletter. These emails will go directly to the Editor's personal in-box. 

Thank you, 
Outlook Editor