ORINDA UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT
NEWSLETTER
February 13, 2020
SUPERINTENDENT'S UPDATE
Dear OUSD Families,

In the spirit of Valentine's Day, I thank you for the positive impact you make by volunteering your time and talents at your child's school and/or by donating to Parents' Clubs and EFO. Our teachers, staff, and administrators also deserve our gratitude on Valentine's Day and every day for the myriad ways they support our students. I love that our employees understand the importance of supporting the whole child. Happy Valentine's Day, one and all!

OUSD Board Advocacy for Increased Education Funding
"Despite boasting the fifth-largest economy in the world and the highest gross domestic product of any state, California sits near the bottom nationally in nearly every significant measure of school funding...." (California School Boards Assn., www.fullandfairfunding.org ) . It is a priority of the Board to attract and retain high quality teachers and staff in order to provide the best education possible for our students, but budget challenges make this goal increasingly difficult to achieve. On Monday, February 3, the Board held a Special Meeting - Workshop on Funding and Advocacy to share information with the public about the affect on OUSD of chronic underfunding of public education in California and to begin developing a funding advocacy plan. With essentially flat revenue from the state and federal governments and increasing expenses, including employee pensions and costs related to special education, OUSD is deficit spending (see table below).
The reduced cost of living adjustment (COLA) announced in the Governor's proposed budget in January results in a loss of anticipated revenue to OUSD of more than $500K over the next three years. You are encouraged to view the budget slide deck from the Board's Workshop on Funding and Advocacy here . If you have questions and/or would like to get involved in advocacy efforts to increase funding for OUSD and other public schools, email Board Vice President Liz Daoust at ldaoust@orindaschools.org .

Reminder: Orinda Rotary Trivia Bee on Friday, 3/13
Do you have mad trivia skills? The Orinda Rotary Trivia Bee on 3/13 raises funds for the Rotary's Teachers of the Year program that honors the Teachers of the Year from all OUSD school sites! The cost to register your six-person team is $360, and a family-style dinner is included. For more information and the link to register your team, click here . I hope to see you there!

Parcel Tax Oversight Committee Vacancies
The OUSD Parcel Tax Oversight Committee is still seeking volunteers to fill vacancies! The purpose of the committee is to:
  • Inform the public about expenditures of parcel tax proceeds.
  • Review expenditures to ensure parcel tax proceeds are spent for authorized purposes.
  • Provide an annual report to the Board of Trustees at a public meeting.
The Committee meets just twice a year, and the term of service is four years. This is a great way to get involved if you are busy but want to help! For more information and a link to the application, click here.
As always, I welcome your comments, suggestions, and questions on any topic related to our OUSD schools.

Sincerely,

Dr. Carolyn Seaton
Superintendent of Schools
OUSD NEWS
District Calendar
  • Feb 14-17: President's Day Weekend - No School
  • Feb 24: Board Workshop on Funding & Advocacy
  • Feb 28: End of Second Trimester - Elementary Schools
  • Mar 9: Regular School Board Meeting, 6 p.m.
  • Mar 12: Board Coffee at Peet's, 8:15 a.m.; End of Third Quarter - OIS
  • Mar 13: Professional Development - No School for Students
  • Mar 30-Apr 3: Spring Break - No School
  • April 13: Regular School Board Meeting, 6 p.m.
  • April 16: Board Coffee at Peet's, 8:15 a.m.; Sleepy Hollow Open House
  • April 23: Del Rey Open House
  • April 30: OIS Open House
  • May 11: Regular School Board Meeting, 6 p.m.
  • May 14: Board Coffee at Peet's, 8:15 a.m.; Glorietta and Wagner Ranch Open House
Board Shorts
2019-2020 OUSD Board School Assignments:
OIS: Hillary Weiner
Del Rey: Liz Daoust
Glorietta: Jason Kaune
Sleepy Hollow: Carol Brown
Wagner Ranch: Cara Hoxie
The Board of Trustees took the following actions at their February 10, 2020, regularly scheduled monthly meeting:


Curriculum Update
OUSD's Terrific Teachers on Special Assignment (TOSAs) Help Our Teachers Grow

Our TOSAs possess a range of skills that allows them to meet teachers where they are in their learning and provide training directly in the classroom environment. Whether educators are brand new or experienced veterans, we can always get better. Our TOSAs are here to provide that strategic, targeted support for all of our teachers. The research is clear that a well-implemented coaching model for professional development is one of the most effective ways to build a strong and robust culture of learning and improve student outcomes. Our TOSAs are Kevin Cutler (Tech), Ashley Appel (Math), Katie Gardner (Sci./Tech./Engineering/Art/Math - or STEAM), and Betsy Howe (Interim Literacy).

Click on the picture below to hear Del Rey teacher Katie Sahm share her thoughts about the impact TOSAs have had on her growth as an educator. 
Read more about our TOSAs and their impact on instruction in OUSD.
Spotlight on Stuart House,
OUSD Director of Facilities
A Civil Rights Icon in Orinda USD
In recent weeks, Stuart House, OUSD's Director of Facilities, has presented to students at three of our elementary schools about Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and the Civil Rights Movement. The final elementary school presentation is scheduled later this month. Mr. House marched with Dr. King and is able to speak with students about this important time in our nation's history from personal experience. Pictured at left are Mr. House playing "We Shall Overcome" on his guitar during the Civil Rights movement and at an assembly in OUSD with our students singing along.

According to Mr. House, a teachable moment occurred when he shared his story about being arrested for trying to buy an ice cream cone at a Dairy Queen in Alabama, and many of the children laughed. One of the students present shouted out, “That’s not funny!” and the Principal seized the opportunity to point out that the student was correct and that denied rights are not a laughing matter. Thank you, Mr. House, for your willingness to bring history alive and share important lessons with our OUSD students.
Spotlight on OUSD Staff Babies!
OUSD Teachers Ashley Appel (District), Megan Cooperman (Del Rey), Marty Fong (OIS), Katie Gardner (District), Dara Slevin (Wagner Ranch), and Leigh Ann Lawrence (Wagner Ranch) all had babies this school year. Please join us in welcoming these little ones to the OUSD family!

Pictured below:
Top row , L to R: Emilia Marlene Lawrence born 9-16-19, 7 lbs. 3 oz.,18 ¾ in.; Emily Caroline Gardner born 12-2-19, 7 lbs. 10 oz., 21 in.; Hiraya Joie Fong born 11-4-19, 6 lbs. 15 oz.,19 in.;
Bottom row , L to R: Russell Louis Slevin born 7-10-19, 7 lbs., 5 oz., 20 in., Lauren Louise Cooperman born 9-20-19,
7 lbs. 8 oz., 21 in., and Wilhelmina Ming Appel born 10-8-19, 7 lbs., 2 oz., 19 in.
SITE NEWS
GLORIETTA
Glorietta enjoyed the performance of the very talented students in OIS' chorus, orchestra, and jazz band on February 6th. It's always inspiring to see former Glorietta Gophers performing and it encourages Glorietta students to participate in music as they move on to OIS. Glorietta's 2nd graders helped our school community celebrate the Lunar New Year with their annual Dragon Parade on February 7th.


Upcoming Events :
  • February 19: Multicultural Celebration
  • February 20: Glorietta Coordinating Council meeting, 3:15 p.m.
  • March 4: Science and Makers' Faire. 5:30 p.m.
SLEEPY HOLLOW
There is no doubt that Sleepy Hollow loves pets! Sleepy Hollow launched a service project for Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF), which included collecting items to present to ARF at a special assembly. At this assembly, students had a chance to learn how this organization has evolved and met four amazing rescue dogs.  

Sleepy Hollow second graders introduced this month's character trait with a video, explaining the meaning of Empathy. Enjoy this slideshow created by Sleepy Hollow’s 2nd grade classes! 


Upcoming Events:
WAGNER RANCH
In late January, three of Wagner Ranch’s third grade classes began their weekly Mindfulness lessons with Liz Graham of Mindful Littles. Lessons have focused on healthy breathing, identifying feelings in our bodies, and identifying positive feelings. 

In late January, Wagner Ranch fourth graders participated in a three day outdoor education trip to Coloma. While there, they studied local Native American cultures and lifestyle, the California Gold Rush and related aspects of California history, as well as a great deal of time interacting with and learning about the natural environment.


Upcoming Events:
  • February 20: OIS Musician Performance at Wagner Ranch
  • February 20: Community Coalition Book of the Month Club, Pajama Jam
  • February 21: Parents’ Club Coffee Social
  • February 29: Round Up Western Themed Carnival
OIS
On January 30, OIS 8th graders took a walking field trip to Miramonte High School for a presentation, electives fair, pep rally, and student-led tour of the school. Miramonte students and staff members did a fabulous job creating an informative and engaging experience for the 8th grade. 

Thanks in large part to the tremendous support from EFO and the OIS Parents' Club, the instrumental and choral music programs continue to thrive at OIS. In order to promote these outstanding elective offerings to next year's 6th graders, the string orchestra, jazz band, and chorus travel to the District's four elementary schools during the month of February.


Upcoming Events :
  • February 21: 8th Grade Boys: Scoliosis Screening 
  • February 26: 5th Grade Parent Information Night, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
DEL REY
Preparation for the Del Rey Talent Show is underway. Smiles abound as students sing and dance their way around campus! Spring Sing is around the corner, and the school musical Madagascar Jr. is in production! The arts are alive and well.

Through books, assemblies, guest speakers, and specific lessons, Del Rey highlighted Black History Month. Kindergarteners listened to clips of MLK's speech and discussed the powerful words that MLK used, such as Peace, Love, Freedom, Friendship, and Equality, and illustrated and wrote about them. All grades read books about famous Black Americans, such as Ruby Bridges and Rosa Parks, as well as famous athletes and scholars.

 
Upcoming Events :
  • February 21: Family Bingo Night
  • March 2-6: Teacher Appreciation Week
  • March 4-5: Del Rey Talent Show
EFO UPDATE
EFO is working hard to meet out commitment to OUSD for this academic year, but we need everyone's help! Contributions to EFO help to provide incredible educational opportunities for all OUSD students: small class sizes in TK-3rd grade, art and music instruction across all elementary grade levels, OIS librarian instruction, and OIS elective offerings (24 electives to choose from!). These programs are what make our schools so unique! Please make your contribution today . When everyone gives, everyone wins!
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