ORINDA UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT
NEWSLETTER
November 8, 2019
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Dear OUSD Families,
The events of the last few weeks have tested our school community and the greater Orinda community. On Halloween night, a senseless tragedy took the lives of five young people. It is heartening that many Orinda residents have shown kindness and support to the families of Omar Taylor, Ramon Hill Jr., Javin County, Oshiana Tompkins, and Tiyon Farley. In case you missed it,
here
is the message I sent on November 1 that includes links to resources for how to talk to your children about events involving gun violence.
PG&E's Late October Public Safety Power Shutoff
The latest extended power outage combined with chilly morning temperatures and smoky air provided challenging conditions at our school sites. I am deeply indebted to our teachers, staff, and principals for modeling important life lessons for our students, including how to adapt and persevere when a situation is unpredictable and less than optimal. Principals will be reaching out to our teachers and staff to determine how we can better support them during the next PSPS event. I am also greatly appreciative of you, our parents and guardians, for your support and partnership during this latest PSPS.
Lamorinda Arts Council "Teachers Have Class" Exhibit
On Sunday, November 10, the
Lamorinda Arts Council
is sponsoring an exhibit entitled “Teachers Have Class” from 2:30-4:30 p.m. at the art gallery in the Orinda Library. There are 18 educators from Orinda USD, Lafayette SD, and Moraga SD featured in this exhibit, including our own Kirsten Theurer (Principal, Del Rey), David Wilson (Art Teacher, Del Rey and Wagner Ranch), Nicole Reader (Librarian, OIS) and Pam Toki (Retired Special Education Teacher, Del Rey). I visited the exhibit on Wednesday evening, and I guarantee you will be impressed by the creativity and artistic talent of our OUSD staff members.
Read more
to learn about the report from our partner, TerraVerde Energy, LLC regarding the cost for battery backup connected to the solar power at each of our schools and a brief update on Measures E and I, our facilities bonds.
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As always, I welcome your comments, suggestions, and questions on any topic related to our OUSD schools.
Sincerely,
Dr. Carolyn Seaton
Superintendent of Schools
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- Nov. 8: First Trimester Ends at Elementary Schools
- Nov. 11: Veteran's Day - Non-Student Day
- Nov. 25-29: Thanksgiving Break
- Dec. 2: Parent Ed. Event - "Fostering Resiliency to Create Healthy, Happy, Empowered Kids," 6:00-7:30 p.m. at OIS
- Dec. 3: Kidpower Parent/Child Training, 5:30 p.m. (Glorietta MPR; must preregister by emailing Patty Rostampour at prostampour@orindaschools.org)
- Dec. 9: Regular School Board Meeting, 6:00 p.m.
- Dec. 12: Board Coffee at Peet's Orinda, 8:15-9:15 a.m.
- Dec. 20: Minimum Day at Elementary Schools (12:20 p.m. dismissal) and at OIS (1:05 p.m. dismissal); Semester Ends at OIS
- Dec. 23-Jan. 3: Winter Break
- Jan. 6: School Resumes
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2019-2020
OUSD Board School Assignments:
OIS: Hillary Weiner
Del
Rey: Liz Daoust
Glorietta: Jason Kaune
Sleepy Hollow: Carol Brown
Wagner Ranch: Cara Hoxie
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The Board of Trustees took the following actions at their November 4, 2019, regularly scheduled monthly meeting:
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December 2nd Parent Education Opportunity: Fostering Resiliency to Create Healthy, Happy, Empowered Kids
More than ever before, kids and their parents are struggling with resilience. We hope you will join us at the Orinda Intermediate School Library from 6:00-7:30 p.m. for an engaging event with Dr. Dan Peters of the Summit Center. Dr. Peters is back by popular demand, and spaces will go quickly! Click
here
to sign up.
Update on Diversity and Inclusion - Everyone Belongs Here
Orinda USD continues to work toward developing schools where “Everyone Belongs Here.” Some significant events have happened in the past few weeks to that end:
- On Monday, Oct. 14th, all OUSD certificated and many classified staff members participated in Anti-Defamation League (ADL) bias awareness training.
- School sites continue to work on diversity and inclusion initiatives including books of the month, diverse abilities awareness, and implementing ADL activities in the classroom.
Read more
to learn additional information about events focused on diversity and inclusion and about our History Social Science instructional materials adoption.
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New POISE Website!
We are excited that the POISE (Parents of Orinda Individuals in Special Education) has its new website up and running. Check it out
here
.
Our POISE parent group offers trainings for parents on a variety of topics related to special education throughout the year. In addition, all are welcome to join their monthly 9:00 a.m. coffees at Peet's in Orinda. The remaining dates this school year are November 18, January 27, February 24, March 23, and May 18. We hope to see you there!
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Spotlight on Nicole Reader,
OIS Librarian
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Christmas Stockings,
by Nicole Reader
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Orinda USD is incredibly fortunate to have Nicole Reader on staff as a part-time librarian at Orinda Intermediate School. When asked what inspired her to become a librarian, Nicole shared that she grew up around books and libraries, as her mom was a school librarian and her dad was a novelist and professor of American literature. As befits her family name, Nicole was a huge reader as a child, and then she never stopped reading children's books -- she just didn't grow out of them! Beyond the reading part of librarianship, she is also curious and likes to figure things out, so she enjoys helping people find the information they need. Finally, it was very important to her that libraries offer equitable access to books and information to everyone, at no cost.
Read more
to learn about Nicole's impressive experience as a librarian, her educational background, and other information that make her the perfect fit for the OIS Library.
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In October, Wagner Ranch held Long Range Planning days at grades 1, 2, 4, and 5. On each of these days, grade level teams spent time with our Teachers on Special Assignment and Intervention Teacher to plan for upcoming topics and to learn more about the most current resources. We also spent time analyzing student achievement data to help determine the best ways to support and challenge all of our students as well as strengths and areas of relative weakness with our curriculum. Finally, teachers had time to work, without interruption, to dive deeply into planning for the next weeks and months. The remaining grades will be meeting in November. As you can imagine, this collegial work time is invaluable for aligning instruction between classrooms and to maintain and enhance our stellar educational program.
Upcoming Events:
- Nov. 1-30: Food Drive
- Nov. 16: Bandit Bash, 6:00-10:00 p.m.
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With the Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS), the first dance of the school year, and Halloween, the month of October brought both expected and unanticipated excitement to Orinda Intermediate School. The Halloween-themed dance for seventh and eighth graders was planned and hosted by the Leadership class, who also spent much of the month organizing the successful fundraiser for the Trevor Project. The students' commitment to the effort resulted in over $2400 and brought awareness to the issue of suicide prevention and support for LGBTQ+ and all students.
Upcoming Events
:
- Dec. 5-7: Bulldog Theater presents Frozen JR.!
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Del Rey enjoyed a fabulous assembly featuring Jabali Afrika on November 4. Josek from Kenya put on a one-man show using traditional instruments and hand-made drums, some made from wood and hide, others made of recycled paint cans. It was highly interactive, with students and teachers singing and dancing, and learning bits of African culture and history.
Del Rey has enjoyed its second school-wide read-aloud,
Say Something
, by Peter H. Reynolds. This book supports the work Del Rey does to help students find their voice and to be upstanding people in the community.
Upcoming Events
:
- Nov. 9: Sip & Savor Olive Oil & Food Tasting (Parents Only) - Tickets available!
- Nov 15: Online registration for Madagascar Jr. opens
- Nov. 17: Sip & Shop @ Wish Walnut Creek - Tickets available!
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Teachers have been engaging in grade-level long-range planning meetings for the past month which have included working with each of the District's TOSAs including Language Arts, Math, Technology, and STEAM. Together, they've been identifying interesting areas of cross-curricular integration, opportunities for student-centered inquiry, and application of the reading, writing, and math skills in authentic ways. Having extended time together to collaborate has been invaluable.
Glorietta students were acknowledged at the monthly Character Trait Assembly for Caring and Kindness and introduced to November's trait of Responsibility, with a focus on the importance of self-control and taking care of yourself as well as thinking of others.
Upcoming Events
:
- Nov. 13: Superintendent & Board Member Visit, 8:30 a.m.
- Nov. 21: Glorietta Coordinating Council Meeting, 3:15 p.m.
- Dec. 2: Character Trait Assembly, 8:00 a.m.
- Dec. 3: Kidpower Parent/Child Training, 5:30 p.m. (MPR)
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October was a very busy month for Sleepy Hollow with their third annual Diverse Abilities Awareness Week (DAAW), Creepy Hollow, Halloween celebrations, and power outages. Sleepy Hollow was fortunate to have firefighters from MOFD come to Creepy Hollow, sharing details regarding wildfire season as well as important fire prevention information, and finishing with an awesome waterworks show. Thank you, MOFD!
Upcoming Events
- Nov. 14: School Site Council Meeting, 3:15-4:15 p.m.
- Dec. 12: School Site Council Meeting, 3:15-4:15 p.m.
- Dec. 13: Parents’ Club Meeting, Library, 9:00 a.m.
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EFO donations are trending behind last year's levels! EFO continues to need your donations to meet our commitments to OUSD for the current school year. Together with Parents' Club contributions, EFO grants to OUSD help to make the magic happen at Orinda's great schools. This means small class sizes and art and music instruction at all four elementary schools and librarian instruction and 24 elective offerings at OIS. Every student benefits, so we need everyone to give!
Please donate today
. Thank you!
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