ORINDA UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT
NEWSLETTER
November 9, 2018
|
|
Pictured L to R are: Board President
Carol Brown
, Board Member
Cara Hoxie
, Campaign Chair
Yasaman Lee
, Superintendent
Carolyn Seaton
, Director of Curriculum
David Schrag
, Board Vice President
Hillary Weiner
, Board Member
Julie Rossiter
, Director of Facilities
Stuart House
, and Future Board Member
Liz Daoust
who served as Volunteer Coordinator for E and I.
|
|
Dear OUSD Families,
We have had a busy and exciting autumn! During my visits to all of our school sites, I have observed teachers guiding our students to think critically and creatively across all subject areas. This high level of instruction would not be possible without the myriad ways you support our Orinda public schools.
Here are a few OUSD highlights of note:
THANK YOU, ORINDA!
I am incredibly grateful to the residents of Orinda for passing both of our facilities bond measures, E and I, to upgrade aging classrooms and improve student safety at all five of our Orinda USD campuses. To pass each measure, we needed 55% of the voters to vote "yes." Current data shows that 67% of Orinda voters approved Measure E, and 64% approved Measure I. In addition to our OUSD parents, many of our supporters are residents who no longer have children in our schools. These residents understand that great schools, inside and out, maintain high property values. You can view a Fact Sheet and FAQ for Measures E and I
here
.
Facilities Master Plan
Beginning in May of 2017, OUSD engaged in a facilities master planning process to identify our facility needs at all school sites. We worked with the architectural firm LPA, Inc. and a committee of over 30 OUSD stakeholders over the course of several months to develop our long term
facilities master plan (FMP)
. Because our FMP identified facilities needs that go far beyond what our District and community could afford, the Board of Trustees prioritized the most critical needs, and those needs are being addressed by Measures E and I. You can view the prioritized implementation plan for each campus (titled Phase 1)
here
.
Bond Oversight Committee
By California law, a school district has 60 days from the passage of a bond measure to form a Bond Oversight Committee (BOC).
The purpose of the BOC is to
monitor all projects and expenditures approved by the voters on a regular basis and r
eport to members of the community on the progress of bond projects
. This oversight by an independent committee of community volunteers ensures that funds from Measures E and I will be used in accordance with law.
The BOC must be comprised of at least seven volunteer members who serve terms of two years each. Composition of the committee must include representatives from the business community, a senior organization and a taxpayer organization, as well as parents with children in the District. In addition, no employee or vendor of the District can be a member of
the committee. The Board of Trustees approves the BOC. More information about the BOC and solicitation of members will be forthcoming soon.
Thank You, Volunteers for Measures E and I
Measures E and I would not have passed without the work of many dedicated volunteers. My deepest appreciation goes to Campaign Chair Yasaman Lee, Treasurer Angela Woodard, and Volunteer Coordinator Liz Daoust. We also owe a debt of gratitude to Coldwell Banker for providing their facilities for us to phone bank, realtor and Orinda parent Roberta Calderon, and our talented photographer, Renee Bertenthal. Thank you, too, to everyone who supported these measures including the Orinda Educators' Association (OEA) and the California School Employees Association (CSEA) Chapter 320.
Next Steps
The passage of Measures E and I is the first step toward upgrading our facilities. Now we must undergo a thorough implementation process to ensure the most cost effective and highest quality outcomes for our schools. In addition to forming a Bond Oversight Committee, the Board will:
- Hire an architect to engage each school community in the development of architectural plans.These plans will be used by the construction company and subcontractors.
- Determine a construction delivery method (pre-construction services).
- Consider hiring an expert to supervise the construction work going forward. He/she would oversee work of the construction firm and subcontractors to ensure they follow the architectural plans.
- Hire a construction company to do the work.
- Direct staff to work with our financial advisor to sell the bonds at the best rates.
The Board of Trustees takes its fiduciary responsibility very seriously. They and I look forward to implementing these next steps for implementation of Measures E and I thoughtfully and transparently so you and other residents of Orinda are well informed on the progress of our facilities upgrades.
Substitute Teachers Needed in OUSD
During the November 5th Board Meeting, the OUSD Board unanimously approved increases to compensation for substitute teachers to match the "proposed" rates shown in the chart below.
|
OUSD is actively looking for parents/guardians and others interested in becoming substitute teachers or classified substitutes (i.e. instructional aides, office clerks). This school year, our teachers and staff have many opportunities for high quality professional development. The good news is that your children will benefit from the advanced knowledge that our staff will be obtaining. The bad news is that there is a substitute shortage in Lamorinda and across California. OUSD runs out of substitutes on a daily basis, forcing some teachers/staff to lose out on important information because we are unable to provide coverage.
If you are interested in substitute teaching and hold a B.A. or a B.S. degree, email Jennifer Valencia in Human Resources at
jvalencia@orindaschools.org.
Please also contact Jennifer if you or others you know are interested in substituting as a classified employee. We would love to have you join our staff and work with the best students on the planet in a warm and inviting atmosphere.
Happy Thanksgiving!
On behalf of all Orinda USD faculty, staff, administration, and the Board of Trustees, I wish you and your extended family a wonderful upcoming Thanksgiving holiday. May this season of gratitude give you many opportunities to spend time with your loved ones and to reflect on the innumerable reasons we all have to be grateful.
|
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
|
|
|
|
- November 12: Veterans' Day Observance - No School
- November 16: End of 1st Trimester, Elementary Schools
- November 19-23: Thanksgiving Break
- November 28: Parent Education "Raising Strong Digital Citizens in a Technology Addicted Society,' 6:30-8:00 p.m., OUSD Office
- December 10: Regular School Board Meeting, 6:00 p.m., OUSD Office
- December 24-January 4: Winter Break
|
|
OUSD Board Member School Assignments for 2018-2019:
OIS: Jason Kaune
Del
Rey: Hillary Weiner
Glorietta: Carol Brown
Sleepy Hollow: Cara Hoxie
Wagner Ranch: Julie Rossiter
|
|
The Board of Trustees took the following actions at their November 5, 2018, regularly scheduled monthly meeting:
The Board discussed, but took no action on the following items:
The next Board Coffee will be held
Thursday, December 13, from 8:15-9:15 a.m. at Wagner Ranch
. The schedule for future Board coffees can be found
here
. All are welcome!
The next regularly scheduled Board meeting will be held
Monday, December 10, at 6:00 p.m.
The Board will recognize and thank outgoing Board Member Julie Rossiter for her eight years of service on the OUSD Board. The meeting will also include the swearing in ceremony for returning Board President Carol Brown, Board Member Jason Kaune, and new Board member Liz Daoust.
If you would like to be placed on the distribution list to receive information regarding future Board meetings, please email Debbie Jamieson, Executive Assistant to the Superintendent, at djamieson@orindaschools.org.
|
|
|
|
Kidpower Program
I
n OUSD, we continue our focus on
cultivating ethical and respectful citizens,
and
nurturing emotional, social, and physical well being
. A key program in this work is
Kidpower
, which prepares people of all ages, abilities, and walks of life with training, resources, and skills to prevent and stop bullying, abuse, kidnapping, prejudice, and sexual assault.
Our Kidpower trainers continue to work closely with students, parents, and staff in Orinda Schools in a variety of ways:
- Working in classrooms directly with students, teachers, and staff
- Facilitating a variety of parent education and other opportunities for engagement
- Providing resources and support that meet the needs of our community
Please click
here
for more details about the Kidpower program and the many ways you can get more involved with Kidpower at your student’s school.
School Plans
On November 5th, the OUSD Board of Trustees approved the Single Plans for Student Achievement (SPSA) for each school site in OUSD. These site-based plans (linked above in the Board Shorts section) are a collaborative effort of each school's School Site Council which is composed of parents and school staff. The SPSA is focused on analyzing various types of data and developing and monitoring goals to improve achievement of all students. While each site plan differs in its implementation, two salient themes have emerged across all of our school sites:
- Character Education and Social-Emotional Learning
Sites are aligning to the District's Character Education Framework and working to promote the message, "What You Do Matters." Programs including Caring School Community, ThinkFirst, Kidpower, Epoch Education, and counseling at our elementary schools and OIS all support our students' social and emotional growth.
- Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math (S.T.E.A.M.) Learning
Innovation spaces and STEAM labs continue to grow and develop at each site. Sleepy Hollow has opened its STEAM Lab at recess and lunch and sees up to 60 kids a day visiting!
School sites are working with talented site staff and STEAM coach Katie Gardner to develop lessons that incorporate principles of STEAM education. These lessons are being implemented at various grade levels across the district.
|
|
|
|
Upcoming FREE Parent Education Event:
Nov 28
: "
Raising Strong Digital Citizens in a Technology Addicted Society
," presented by Nick Zefeldt, CCCOE Coordinator of Instructional Technology
Location: Orinda Union School District Main Office, 8 Altarinda Road, Orinda
Time: 6:30-8:00 p.m.
|
|
Spotlight on Green Team Parent Leader
Michelle Browning
|
|
|
|
When Michelle Browning’s son Dylan was in second grade, she discussed the concept of a Green Team with Ron Langer, the Principal of Glorietta at that time. Taking care of our planet is Michelle’s passion. When Glorietta’s Green Team was first implemented, the goal was to reduce Glorietta’s diversion rate and get students excited about sustainability and helping the environment.
In the initial stages of the Green Team, Michelle was consistently inspired working alongside the children. She loved their commitment to being good stewards of our planet and watching them rise to become green leaders at their school. It was thrilling to her when Glorietta’s Green Team finally accomplished their diversion rate goal, which was achieved as a result of parent volunteer Anjie Riley’s help. Michelle is grateful for all that Anjie has done to continue this vision. It is very exciting to Michelle that her vision at Glorietta has spread to other campuses across the District.
Michelle and her husband, Randy, are parents of two children, Dylan (8th grade) and Ashlyn (6th grade). The Browning family, pictured at left, also includes Gracie, the beloved family dog. In addition to her passion for all things related to taking care of our planet, Michelle enjoys yoga, tennis, music, hiking, traveling, and cooking. Thank you, Michelle, for being instrumental in establishing the Green Team at Glorietta. Your efforts have blossomed throughout the District and have inspired countless students, staff, and other parents to go green!
|
|
|
|
On October 15, renowned author Jon Agee gave an entertaining and inspiring assembly for Wagner Ranch's primary grade students. He awed the Wagner Ranch community with his boundless energy and ability to tell, animate, and illustrate a story all at the same time! In his wake, he left countless invigorated young authors and illustrators and dozens of poster paper illustrations that are now gracing many of Wagner Ranch's classrooms!
During the week of October 15, fourth graders followed the tradition of generations of Orinda students and visited the WR Nature Area to participate in Ms. Jaeger’s Native American Studies Program. This hands-on, outdoor educational program enables students to get a brief feel for how our first settlers lived by making such things as acorn mush, musical “clapper sticks,” hunting tools, playing Native American games, and much, much more.
On October 19, the Wagner Ranch community came together for the annual Family Movie Night and entertaining Pixar Shorts. Students from Ms. Ahnstedt's 5th grade class presented their Native American Museum pieces at the November 5 Board of Trustees meeting.
During the month of October, Wagner Ranch's student council led a sock drive to honor former P.E. teacher Karen Fazio and to provide fun, colorful socks for children undergoing major health challenges and prolonged hospital stays. Wagner Ranch families rose to the occasion and donated over 250 pairs of brightly colored, new socks.
|
Upcoming Events
:
- November 12: Veteran's Day - No School
- November 13-16: Kindness Week
- November 14: Secure Campus Drill
- December 12: Kidpower Student Training
- December 13: Board Coffee, 8:15-9:15 a.m.
|
|
|
|
The month of October had a spirited ending at OIS with a well-attended WEB Bingo Bash the Friday before Halloween. Eighth grade WEB (Where Everybody Belongs) leaders hosted sixth graders with activities, sweets, and bingo. It was a fun way to unwind from the week and kick off the Fall holidays.
OIS leadership students have been working
continuously
to build community at OIS and to foster a sense of inclusion for all. For the past two weeks, they have been planning the upcoming 7th/8th grade dance - the first one since the 2016-17 school year. It will be an evening of good, old-fashioned, screen-free socializing! Though sixth graders are not invited to this first dance, there are plans in the works for future activities and a dance during the second semester.
OIS continues to welcome guest speakers who bring a wealth of experience to our students and address important OUSD strategic directions. This past month, sixth grade students participated in a panel discussion that has historically been held during Diverse Abilities Awareness Week. Seventh grade students were treated to an interactive presentation by Orinda's own Tamara Ireland Stone,
New York Times
bestselling author of young adult novels that continue to be immensely popular at OIS. Sixth grade students were also given the opportunity to hear a
New York Times
bestselling author, W. Bruce Cameron, writer of the well-known
A Dog's Purpose
and
A Dog's Journey
. Both authors shared their craft with the OIS community of student writers, inspiring authentic learning and risk-taking in pursuit of goals.
|
Upcoming Events
:
- November 9: 7th/8th Grade Dance
- November 13: OIS Site Council Meeting
- November 15: Others First Lunchtime Activity
- November 30: Parents' Club Meeting, 9 a.m.
- December 6-8: Bulldog Theater's The Addams Family
|
|
|
|
Del Rey is focusing on caring and kindness this November. Random acts of kindness abound as students focus on spreading joy to others. Classrooms highlight family traditions and cultures as we head into the Holiday season, and it gives us another opportunity to celebrate all of our families.
The School Wide Read-Aloud for the month of November is
The Day You Begin
, by Jacqueline Woodson. This book inspires readers to explore family stories and roots.
|
Upcoming Events
:
- November 12: Veteran's Day - No School
- December 5: Kidpower Student Training
|
|
|
|
Glorietta students were acknowledged at the monthly Character Trait Assembly for Responsibility, with a focus on the importance of self control and taking care of yourself as well as thinking of others. The assembly also talked about civic responsibilities, such as caring for the planet by following the 3Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle) and the important duty of voting in a democracy.
November's character trait focus is on Kindness and Caring. Glorietta's Student Council recently demonstrated this trait by holding a Crazy Sock Drive to honor beloved former P.E. teacher, Karen Fazio, who loved to wear and share crazy socks. We collected 533 pairs of socks, all of which will be donated to local hospitals and cancer treatment centers. The Student Council will also be supporting a Spirit Week from November 13-16.
Glorietta will wrap up its Cardboard Design Challenge of "making something useful" with a school-wide share out of the unique designs on November 16th. Grade level Long Range Planning meetings in the past month have included work with the District's STEAM coach to identify future projects. Glorietta is excited about the opening of our STEAM lab for regular classroom visits in November.
|
Upcoming Events
:
- November 12: Veteran's Day - No School
- November 15: Superintendent & Board Member Visit, 8:30 a.m.
- November 29: Glorietta Coordinating Council Meeting, 3:15 p.m.
- December 4: Kidpower Parent Training, 7:00 p.m. in the MPR
- December 10: Kidpower Student Training
|
|
|
|
Sleepy Hollow enjoyed a week long celebration of diverse abilities October 22-26. Students were fascinated by the talented AXIS Dance Troop as well as class presentations.
Classes started to visit Sleepy Hollow's revitalized garden in mid-October. With the help of parent volunteers and teachers, students are now able to work in this beautiful outdoor space. Learning about a variety of fruits and vegetables through rotating stations, classes work in small groups to help our garden grow.
Sleepy Hollow's new STEAM Lab is another place students and teachers love to visit. In addition to opening the lab to students during recess, classes come to the lab throughout the week to work on a variety of STEAM design challenges. Fourth grade classes recently completed creating 3D models of topographic maps.
As we embrace November's character trait of Caring and Kindness, Sleepy Hollow is proud to announce that a student-led Green Team is officially underway. A group of 5th grade students started an initiative to pick up the litter found on campus. At the weekly school assembly on November 5, this group invited others to join the "Green Wave" (students wearing green vests) on Tuesdays and Thursdays to pick up trash found on campus. Students are taking great pride in keeping the school clean.
|
Upcoming Events:
- November 12: Veteran's Day - No School
- November 15: School Site Council Meeting, 3:05-4:05 p.m.
- November 16: End of Trimester
- November 28: Kidpower Student Training
|
|
|
|
EFO's annual fall Contact-a-Thon is back on Monday November 12th! To avoid the call, please donate today (
www.orindaefo.org/donate-to-efo
). Invest in Orinda's public schools and help continue to support excellence in education for all grade levels. Thank you!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
