OTIS PTA OUTLOOK
Go OWLS!

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

- Important School Dates 
PTA CORNER
- Galactic Gala, Soul Shoppe, Earth Week Recap, and Teacher Appreciation Week 
- Dominos Pizza is coming to Otis 
OTIS COMMUNITY & BEYOND
- News and events from around Alameda and AUSD 
THE REGULARS  
- Otis Directory, Otis 101, Facebook/Konstella Community, etc...
  OTIS SCHOOL CALENDAR - DATES TO REMEMBERCalendar
APRIL
April 25th, Wednesday
- Lincoln Middle School Open House, 6:30-8:30pm, Lincoln Middle School
April 26th, Thursday
- Soul Shoppe Parent Night: Beyond Discipline, 6:30-8:30pm, MPR
- Adolescent Sleep & Mindfulness, 7:00-8:30pm, Wood Middle School
April 27th, Friday
- School Spirit Day! Space/Galaxy Day
- AEF Salute to Education, 6:00-9:00pm, Rhythmix Cultural Works, 2513 Blanding
April 30th, Monday
- Coffee Talk with Principal Harris, 8:30-9:00am, Black Top Round Green Tables

MAY 
May 7th through May 11th
- Teacher Appreciation Week
May 9th, Wednesday
- Equity & Inclusion Committee Meeting, 6:30pm, Media Center 
May 17th, Thursday
- Step Up Live Showcase, 3:00-4:30pm, Gathering Space
- Otis Open House, 6:00-7:00pm, Otis School
May 21st, Monday
- ELAC Meeting, 8:40-9:40am, Staff Lounge
May 24th, Thursday
- PTA Meeting, 7:00-8:30pm, Media Center
May 28th, Monday
- Memorial Day - NO SCHOOL! 

SYNC YOUR
KONSTELLA CALENDAR TO YOUR DIGITAL CALENDARS TO SEE MORE DATES.
  • 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.)
The Outlook Google Calendar is no longer being updated as of Jan 1, 2018
PTA CORNERPTACorner1 
 
THE GALACTIC GALA WAS OUT-OF-THIS-WORLD

Otis blasted into the cosmos  on Saturday  night at the Galactic Gala! 
The numbers are still being tallied but it looks like we are right on track to meet and even surpass our fundraising goal. Thank you to everyone who attended the event and made it a great success.

If you couldn't come to the event, it's not too late to help Otis reach past the stars. The online auction is in full swing with lots of great items for sale like a week of summer camp at Camp Edmo, Otis yearbooks, kids movie night with Librarian Connie Chapman, fun parties, tickets to the ballet, local museums and other events, and gift certificates to great restaurants. Don't miss out on your opportunity to support Otis and score some great items! 

Get busy and  bid in the online auction now!   The online auction closes on at 10:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 29.  You can also  make a donation to support Otis and the great programs the PTA supports for our kids, teachers and families.
 


Galactic Gala Photo Gallery

 



  
 


Parent Education Night
"Beyond Discipline"
Thursday, April 26, 2018
6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
MPR
Free Childcare in Room 102

At our last Soul Shoppe parent education night of the year - Beyond Discipline - we will learn what works, what doesn't, and why. 

Join us for a lively and interactive session with Soul Shoppe facilitator Amy MacClain, Soul Shoppe Program Director and Chief Synthesizer & Rockstar of Special Projects (yes, that's her official title and she is a rockstar!).

We look forward to seeing you there. 
Free childcare (with pizza and drinks for the kids) in Room 102.  
EARTH WEEK FESTIVITIES WERE INCREDIBLE! 



Big thanks to everyone - students, staff, parents, volunteers - who helped over the last week to do their part for Earth Week. The Green Team thanks everyone who picked up trash, disposed of it properly, brought in used shoes, voted in the Terracycle contest, handed out Green Hoot Hoots, made a morning announcement, taught about the earth in their classroom, read Earth Day books, watched Earth Day videos, learned about endangered animals and helped save them from extinction! 
 
A HUGE thank you to all of our beach cleanup crew - we were faced with an enormous challenge and met it with enthusiasm and teamwork. Go Owls!  


 
The Otis community is caring and compassionate and we thank you for your big hearts! 
 
Results and Reminders:
  1. The shoe drive is officially over! We collected over a hundred pairs of shoes, keeping them out of the landfill and giving them a second life as a playground somewhere around the US!
  2. The WWF collection ends this Friday. Don't forget to bring your loose change in to adopt your grade's endangered animal!
  3. The TerraCycle charity vote ends this Friday. Please get your votes in if you haven't already- the boxes are inside the school office!
  4. Don't forget to turn in your Green Hoot Hoots! If students didn't get a chance on Tuesday and Wednesday morning to turn them in, this Friday at lunch is the last chance to claim a prize!
 
May 7th - 11th

We need YOUR help to honor our wonderful teachers and staff!

Otis teachers and staff work tirelessly every day to plan and prepare their classrooms, teach our kids, and provide a caring and nurturing environment for learning. Otis office and support staff spend hours and hours patiently handling individual needs to ensure that everything runs as smoothly as possible and needs are met. Everyone goes above and beyond on a daily basis to help our students. Our community is so fortunate.
 
This year our school-wide efforts of appreciation will include the following:
  • Decorate the Faculty and Staff Room with a "Wall of Gratitude" and fresh flowers
  • Feed our Teachers and Staff daily with fresh pastries, fruit and coffee/tea
  • Shower teachers with love from their classrooms
How you can participate.
  • Sign up HERE for a task
  • Contact your classroom's Room Parent to help honor your Owl's specific teacher
QUESTIONS? Contact Teacher Appreciation Week Coordinator Jessie Seyfer at jessie.seyfer@gmail.com .

UPCOMING EVENTS!Celebrations
35th Annual Salute to Education   
Friday, April 27, 2018
6:00-9:00 p.m.  
Rhythmix Cultural Works at 2513 Blanding Ave. 

The Alameda Education Foundation cordially invites you to the 35th annual Salute to Education on  April 27, 2018 from 6:00 - 9:00 PM at Rhythmix Cultural Works (2513 Blanding Ave), where the Otis PTA will be recognized. 

Otis PTA president Beth Aney will be honored as Otis' outstanding volunteer.  Kudos to the PTA, under Beth's leadership, for making the STEAM Lab a reality. Thanks also to the PTA for its holistic approach to education through Soul Shoppe (a social emotional curriculum), a psychology intern, small group intervention programs, and structured recess support. In additional, AUSD has nominated Otis parent, Alicia Cernitz-Schwartz, to be honored for forming and chairing Otis Equity & Inclusion Committee, which works to further a climate of welcoming, inclusion, and equity at the school. Alicia was the founding chair of the District's new Jewish Education Round Table.

Tickets are just $30 and include a beverage and gourmet hors d'oeuvres from Alameda restaurants.  Purchase advance tickets today at: https://salutetoed2018.brownpapertickets.com .  Paper tickets may be purchased from the AEF office, 400 Grand St. (Wood School), Portable A4. Email info@AlamedaEducation.org for more information.
 
RAFFLE! For $10, you can have a chance to win a $500 gift card, new bicycle, $800 in local gift certificates, premium spot A's and Giants tickets, and much more!  Tickets on sale now through AEF. Need not be present at the event to win. Click here for more info.
Alameda / Peralta District PTA Advocacy Day!
May 5, 2018
9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Veteran's Memorial Building
2203 Central Ave., Alameda

Registration: Visit our website or register at http://tinyurl.com/rsvp4pta

This half-day event will focus on educating and empowering parents and other community members to work together to improve our schools.  This is a great opportunity to meet up with other passionate, engaged parents who want to increase funding for education and improve the well-being of children in the East Bay and beyond.
 
The agenda will include interactive group exercises, panel discussions, and other presentations focused on understanding California's education system, learning strategies for advocacy, and more. Our featured guests include
Assemblyman Rob Bonta, State Senator Nancy Skinner, and Jeff Camp, Founder of Ed100 . We are  also hoping to convene a panel of school board members from different districts, and we are going to invite representatives from local education-related organizations.

This is the first time we are holding this event, so we would appreciate your help getting the word out. A flyer is attached, and we've set up a website at  http://alameda-pta.org

Please note: While the event will take place in Alameda, we would be honored to welcome attendees from across the  Peralta PTA District, which encompasses all of Alameda County. 

Please share this announcement widely and encourage early registration. Space is limited!  

Question? Contact:

Chuck Kapelke, VP of Advocacy, Alameda PTA Council
415-336-5038

Ella Smith,  Advocacy Chair, Peralta PTA District
508-397-5464

ANNOUNCEMENTSAnnouncements 
Domino's Pizza Coming Soon to Your School Lunch Room

Alameda Unified School District is proud to announce that Domino's Smart Slice Cheese or Pepperoni pizza is being served in the lunchroom starting May 1st!

Domino's Smart Slice wholesome ingredients are available exclusively for schools. Each pizza is made and delivered fresh from the local Domino's store and provides the added nutritional benefits to the most popular entrée served in schools. All to help give your kids the energy to learn, play and grow!
Domino's Smart Slice pizzas are:
  • Whole Grain Rich
  • Low in Sodium
  • Low in Fat
  • Taste GREAT!
The flavor your kids love + the nutrition you demand = Domino's Smart Slice Pizza! Check out this infographic for details

Now Being Served in the lunch room on the following days:
  • Tuesday, May 1st
  • Monday, May 7th
  • Monday, May 14th
  • Monday, May 21st
  • Tuesday, May 29th
  • Monday, June 4th
We try our best to ensure students receive what they order, please make sure your child orders in their classroom the morning of pizza day.

OTIS COMMUNITY & BEYONDBEYOND
Open House
Lincoln Middle School
Wednesday, April 25, 2018
6:30-8:00 p.m. 

Please mark your calendars so you don't miss the opportunity to meet our teachers and hear student led discussions about the great things happening around campus as you experience the life of a middle schooler.  Everyone is welcome!  Come to our Lincoln Middle School Open House and hear what makes us ROAR!

Parent University for Middle School Families
.................................................................................
Adolescent Sleep and Mindfulness
Benefits and best practices for healthy sleep
.................................................................................
Thursday, April 26, 7 - 8:30 p.m.
Wood Middle School, Multi-Purpose Room, 420 Grand St, Alameda
The final event in our Spring 2018 Wellness Series, this workshop covers:
  • Basics of sleep science (e.g., mechanisms of sleep-wake, normal sleep, etc.)
  • Adolescent sleep vs. adult sleep
  • Downsides of sleep loss
  • Mindfulness and sleep
  • Strategies for healthy sleep
  • When to seek sleep support and resources
  • Q&A 
Dr. Blum is a sleep psychologist and on the Adjunct Clinical Faculty at Stanford, where he provides trainings on behavioral sleep medicine. An expert in cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia, Dr. Blum trained at UC Berkeley's Sleep & Mood Research Clinic as well as Stanford's Center for Sleep Sciences & Medicine. He received his BA in Psychology from University of Colorado Boulder and his PhD in Clinical Psychology from CSPP. More info: http://sleepwise.io

For parents, caregivers, educators and students in 5th grade+
Free ($10 suggested donation)

Please be sure to RSVP by clicking on this link:
http://bit.ly/SpeakerSeriesRSVP

In The Mix Conference
Mixed Race Identity: Conversation and Resources for Youth, Families, School and Community
Island High School
500 Pacific Ave.
Friday
, April 28, 2018
10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. 

Alameda Unified School District invites you to participate in an engaging, day-long exploration of the many ways it personally means to be of mixed race.  Please contact Ana Bagtas at (510) 747-6883 for any questions.  
Register online until Friday, April 20th. See the entire agenda here

ESL Summer Session 2018
Longfellow Campus
June 11-12th, 2018 at 9:00 a.m. 

See the flyer here

***********************************************************

ESL at Alameda Adult School

401 Pacific Avenue

See flyers with schedule in the following languages:

English
Spanish
Chinese
Mongolian
Vietnamese 
GET READY FOR SUMMER!

Alameda String Academy Summer Camp
The Alameda String Academy will be holding a summer camp for students in grades 1-12 the week of July 16-20. The camp runs for a full day and includes a faculty concert and a student concert.  Aftercare is also available. Registration deadline is May 1 for non-beginners and June 15 for beginners. For more information, go to: http://www.alamedastringacademy.com/camp2018.html
or call (510) 214-6689. Check out the flyer here
 
Camp Edmo Summer Sessions
Camp Edmo will be providing summer camps at Earhart Elementary School this summer from June 18 to August 3. Children in grades K-8 are welcome to register for Camp Edmo sessions on robotics, coding, animation, architecture, design, and other creative "maker" pursuits. More information is available at https://campedmo.org/locations/alameda/. Check out the flyer here.
 
2018 Summer Boys Basketball Camp 
The Alameda High School Men's Basketball Team has announced the dates for  its 2018 Summer Boys Basketball Camp. This four day session is for boys of all skill levels going into Grades 3-9. The camp takes place Monday - Thursday, June 25-28 , at Alameda High School. Campers will have the opportunity to develop their basketball skills, work on their game, and have lots of fun!
 
For more camp information and registration details, please see the attached flyer or email alamedabball@gmail.com
 
 
Two Campers of the Week (one for older and one for younger division) will each receive 2 tickets to a Golden State Warriors game for the 2018-2019 season and the opportunity to sit on the floor to watch players warm up.
 
Prepaid lunches are available for purchase. We will also be selling beverages and snacks at lunch. Check out the flyer here.
Sign up now for AEF's 2018 Summer Camps
Visit  www.alamedaeducation.org, click the blue "
Summer Camp
" button on the left to register!  Camp dates June 25 - July 27, 2018 (no camps July 4), located at Bay Farm School, 200 Aughinbaugh Way, Alameda. Camps include Performing Arts, Sports & Games, Writing, Languages, Cooking, Technology, Arts & Crafts, and more! For questions, please email enrichment@AlamedaEducation.org.
 
SPRING into AEF After School Enrichment classes!  New classes begin after spring break. Visit www.AlamedaEducation.org and click the blue Enrichment button to view and/or register.  Alameda public school students may attend Enrichment classes at any school site, as available.   
MORE SUMMER CAMPS

Art Yowza
Now enrolling at http://ArtYowza.com
Ages 5-11
9:00am-4:00pm
Gift certificates are available.

ART YOWZA 
offers an exciting visual arts program that supports the development of new creative skills.  We empower kids to think and use their imaginations. 

The nurturing environment encourages unique self-expression and self-esteem. The small class size, individualized attention, stimulating environment, and beautiful setting make it possible for every learner to blossom.  We value high quality art, friendship, and fun.

Our 2018 Summer Camps include themes such as Wizard Illustrators (Drawing), Magic Power (Mixed Media), Pet Pal Inventors (Sculpture), Color Quest (Painting), Wildlife Puppets (Puppets), and more. Our goal is to open the door to each child's unique skills and creativity with sculpture, drawing, cartooning, design thinking, innovation, mixed media, and painting. Partnerships with animal, nature, and humanitarian non-profits are seamlessly folded into the curriculum to empower young artists to share their gifts with underserved communities. See flyer here.  
 
AHS Summer Basketball Camps for Boys and Girls
The Alameda High School Summer Boys and Girls Basketball Camps 2018 are led by the Hornet coaching staff and assisted by past and present Hornet players. The camps are open to all boys and girls in grades 3-9, no experience necessary. The camps feature over 20 hours of quality individual and group instruction, including the development of proper shooting, foot-work, ball handling, rebounding & defense. Instruction & competition will be age appropriate and geared to individual levels. Extended care available.  

Registration
here for boys or contact alamedabball@gmail.com for more information.

Register
here for girls or contact ahswbb@gmail.com for more information.

Skyline Ranch Equestrian Center Community Day
Skyline Ranch Equestrian Center is holding a Community Day on March 31 from 11 am to 3 pm. At this free event, children can meet and greet horses, get free pony rides, learn about horses, and buy crafts, tack, and food. For more information, please contact:
juliaalum@gmail.com. See flyer 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