ORINDA UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT
NEWSLETTER
May 18, 2018
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Dear Parents and Guardians,
I have enjoyed connecting with many of you at a variety of events over the past month, including Open House at three schools, Rotary Field Day, parent education opportunities, and others. I look forward to speaking with more of you at the remaining Open House evenings and OIS Promotion. This month I am taking the opportunity to highlight the importance of regular school attendance and to announce the launch of a new look for our OUSD website.
School Attendance
Encouraging regular
school attendance
is one of the most powerful ways you can prepare your child for success—both in
school
and in life. Our OUSD teachers work diligently to plan lessons for each school day that teach students important concepts and skills. When students miss all or part of a school day, they miss important opportunities to learn.
There is another consequence that occurs when students are absent from school, and that is loss of average daily attendance funding. The per pupil funding that OUSD receives from the state adds up to about 60% of the District's total budget. The day before Spring Break, Friday, March 30, we had 313 total students absent from school. The absences on that one day equate to nearly
$13,000 in lost revenue
to OUSD. That funding could have paid for one class period of a teacher at Orinda Intermediate School for an entire school year.
You can prepare your children for a lifetime of success by making regular school attendance a priority. Here are some other ways you can help:
- Plan vacations during non-school days
- Schedule your child’s medical and dental appointments at the end of the school day
- Make sure your child goes to school every day unless he/she is ill
We understand that there are times when an important family event necessitates a child's absence. When a student must miss school, please consider providing a donation to Orinda Union School District in the amount of $44/child for each day missed. On your contribution, note "absence donation." Donations can be submitted to each school's front office staff or mailed to OUSD Business Services, 8 Altarinda Rd. Orinda, CA 94563.
Thank you for your support of our efforts to maximize student learning through regular school attendance and for helping to mitigate the financial impact when your child is absent.
New OUSD Website Launched
Our new
OUSD website
,
www.orindaschools.org
, is live! Thanks primarily to the hard work of OUSD Director of Technology Bobby Bardenhagen and Assistive Technology Support Technician Dawn Kurisu, our website now features a modern, clean look. Links to each individual school are displayed prominently on the home page, and content can be viewed in a variety of languages. The updated website is section 508 compliant, meaning it is accessible to users with visual and/or auditory impairments. For mobile phone users, the new OUSD website reconfigures automatically to optimize the user experience. We are continuing to add additional updates to the website pages in the coming weeks with the goal of providing Orinda families, staff, community members, and others with current, pertinent information that is easy to locate and read.
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To ensure you are accessing this newsletter in its entirety, you may need to select "Display images below" from your email and "View entire message." The last section is entitled, "Connect With Us!"
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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- May 24: Glorietta Open House
- May 28: NO SCHOOL - Memorial Day Holiday
- May 31: OIS Open House
- June 4: Regular School Board Meeting, 6:00 p.m.
- June 7: Monthly Board Coffee at Peet's Orinda, 8:15-9:15 a.m.; OIS Promotion Ceremony
- June 8: Last Day of School (Minimum Day) - Summer Break Begins
- June 18: Regular School Board Meeting, 6:00 p.m.
- August 13: Regular School Board Meeting, 6:00 p.m. - pending Board approval
- August 22: First Day of School
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The Board of Trustees took the following actions at their May 14 regularly scheduled monthly meeting:
The Board discussed, but took no action on the following items:
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Child Health and Safety - A Whole Child Approach
Developing healthy children is a central focus of Orinda Schools. Orinda has adopted a
strategic plan
that includes explicit goals of
cultivating ethical and respectful citizens,
and
nurturing emotional, social, and physical well-being
. This year we have continued to work toward strengthening the ways we develop the health, safety, and wellness of all children. Some of these areas include:
Student and Adult Skill Building
We have partnered with Kidpower, ThinkFirst, and other programs to help students focus on awareness, advocacy, and personal safety skills which protect young people from bullying, cyber-bullying, violence, and abuse. Students have been taught to recognize when a situation is not safe, set boundaries, and seek help. This year we have also continued to work on building inclusivity and cultural awareness through our partnership with Epoch Education at Orinda Intermediate School and expansion of disabilities awareness opportunities at our schools.
Parent and staff education focused on critical areas such as Dyslexia and Early Literacy, Developing Resilient Kids, Digital Citizenship, Suicide Prevention, and Drug and Alcohol Awareness.
We have strengthened our partnerships with the Orinda PD, MOFD, and other local and state agencies to provide programs and services to our staff and students that address safety. Earlier this school year, we created OrindaCares, a successful partnership with Mindful Littles, the City of Orinda, and Miramonte High School, to engage our students and the broader Orinda community in helping people in need.
Collaborative Work Teams
The Student Health and Safety Committee, a group comprised of teachers, Board representatives, administrators, and parents, is meeting this month to examine how to best develop and support a cohesive district-wide framework of programs that address students' social emotional needs. This year, character education and social emotional health have also been focal areas of the District Curriculum Committee.
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Glorietta Principal Ron Langer is Retiring from OUSD
Ron Langer, Principal of Glorietta Elementary, has announced his retirement effective at the end of the 2017-2018 school year. Ron grew up in Fresno, California. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from San Jose State University in 1983 and began his teaching career at the elementary school level in the Hayward Unified School District. In 1994, Ron joined the Orinda Union School District as a physical education teacher at OIS. Ron continued teaching P.E. until 2005 when he assumed the role of Associate Principal at OIS. In 2006, Ron earned his Administrative Services Credential and Masters in Educational Leadership from California State University, East Bay. He was appointed Principal of Glorietta Elementary School in 2011.
Ron has devoted 35 years to his career in education. He shared that what he will miss most in retirement are his daily interactions with students and the opportunity to provide them with a variety of enriching educational experiences. Ron stated that he will also miss his staff immensely, as Glorietta has been a second home for him. Finally, he will miss the amazing Glorietta parent community whose support over the years has been immeasurable.
During his retirement, Ron looks forward to spending more time with his family including his wife of 27 years, Dianna, his son, Nathan, and his daughter, Rachel. He also hopes to spend time exploring the outdoors, traveling, and reading. OUSD and the Glorietta community thank Ron for his tireless commitment to his Glorietta Gophers and the Orinda Union School District. He will be missed immensely by all of us who had the pleasure of working with him.
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Under the direction of musical director Ron Pickett, nearly 70 4th and 5th graders took the stage during last weekend's stellar production of
Mary Poppins, Jr.
Kudos go out to the production team, the cadre of talented volunteers, and a crew of student helpers.
A production of a different kind took place on Tuesday, May 15th, during Glorietta’s second annual Math Mania event. This Family Math Night attracted many and featured geometry themed challenges and hands-on projects for both the young and young-at-heart to enjoy. Stations featured 3-D shapes, Fraction Action, structure building with straws, tangrams, origami, brainteasers, and more!
Students will take part in Glorietta's annual Wellness Day on May 25th. Activities will include karate basics, mindfulness exercises, and non-traditional relay races.
Upcoming Events
:
- May 24: Book Swap (5:30-7:00 p.m.)
- May 24: Open House (6:15-7:30 p.m.)
- May 25: Wellness Day
- June 8: Last Day of School
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OIS was excited to officially unveil the updated OIS library during our ribbon-cutting ceremony on May 4. In addition to an open floor plan with flexible seating that welcomes collaboration, the new learning commons offers students state-of-the-art technology, with 28 Chromebooks, 16 Chromeboxes, 14 iPads, two 75-inch presentation screens, and two Apple TV devices. Thank you to the Odmark family for the generous donation funding the technological enhancement of this new learning space.
The OIS partnership with Cal Shakes is in full swing during the month of May, thanks to the continued support of the OIS Parents' Club. 7th graders will be performing
Henry VIII
in Core classes next week. Families are invited to marvel at their young thespians as they recite Shakespeare's words of power, betrayal, and corruption in this abbreviated version of the centuries-old soap opera.
Upcoming Events
:
- May 19: NorCal Debate Tournament @ Joaquin Moraga
- Week of May 21: Shakespeare's Henry VIII
- May 22: WiSTEM Event
- May 31: Spring Band and Chorus Concert
- May 31: OIS Open House
- June 5: Others First End of Year
- June 7: 8th Grade Promotion and Party
- June 8: Last Day of School
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On May 5th, over 200 3rd-5th graders from all Orinda Schools competed at the 68th Annual Frank Isola Rotary Field Day.
Wagner Ranch placed second overall! Congratulations to Braeden Baldwin on winning high point for the boys!
In April parents came to Wanger Ranch for a garden work day to beautify the campus and augment the Wagner Ranch Garden area.
Wagner Ranch proudly hosted its two day Maker’s Faire in April. Water funnels, origami, 3D printing, cardboard creations galore, robotics, drone flying, coding, constructing a wooden bench, woodwork, painting, metal tooling, art, Lego building - the options, creativity, problem solving, and engagement were never ending!
Wagner Ranch students will be performing
Shrek, Jr.
on June 1 and 2. We are excited for the production!
Upcoming Events
:
- May 19: Wagner Ranch Round Up (11 a.m.-3 p.m.)
- June 1-2: Shrek, Jr. Production
- June 8: Last Day of School
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On May 4th, students participated in the Star Wars themed Del Rey Walk-A-Thon and gathered pledges to support Del Rey’s innovation spaces.
On May 5th, over 200 3rd-5th graders from all Orinda Schools competed at the 68th Annual Frank Isola Rotary Field Day. The Rotary Club honored Del Rey's own Mr. Steve, and renamed the trophy awarded to the winning school the Mr. Steve Cup. Congratulations Del Rey athletes on winning the Mr. Steve Cup and to Sophie Chinn on being the high point winner for all girls.
In April, Del Rey enjoyed four Broadway-worthy performances of
Annie Jr.
! Congratulations to all cast and crew on an outstanding production!
Del Rey’s Diverse Abilities Awareness Week in April included an assembly with wheelchair basketball professionals and first graders supporting their classmate who participated in the Special Olympics.
Del Rey held its Open House on April 26, which included local food trucks, classroom tours, student dance performances, and the much-anticipated fifth-grade maypole dance.
This week was Del Rey Spirit Week. Students showed off favorite sports teams and classic Del Rey Spirit!
Upcoming Events
:
- May 23: Del Rey Parents' Club Meeting (9 a.m.)
- May 24: Mr. Steve's Retirement Party (4 p.m. at OIS)
- June 1: Maker's Day
- June 4-7: Fifth Grade end-of-year events and pool party
- June 8: Last Day of School
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SLEEPY HOLLOW
Sleepy Hollow created their very first human rainbow at the end of a fabulous Teacher Appreciation Week. All students participated by wearing a solid color (per grade level) and meeting on the lower field. Thanks to Sleepy Hollow’s district drone and parent volunteer, Rob Schroeder, the human rainbow was captured from the sky.
Last night’s Open House at Sleepy Hollow was wonderful. Classrooms were bursting with enthusiastic students and very proud parents.
Sleepy Hollow’s Maker’s Faire is coming up on May 24. There will be 100 volunteers and 425 eager students and staff ready to MAKE the day amazing.
Sleepy Hollow is excited to have two more adult bathrooms land on campus. They should be ready to use by the time of Sleepy Hollow’s Maker’s Faire.
Upcoming Events:
- May 24: Maker’s Faire
- May 31: 5th Grade Parent Luncheon, Postino (11:30 a.m.)
- June 8: Last Day of School
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