Oster Newsletter
October 11, 2023
HALLOWEEN HAPPENINGS: Tuesday, October 31st.
Halloween Parade:
We will be hosting our traditional parade on campus with families and friends at 1:00 p.m. Please have your child wear clothing under their costumes so they can easily change out of the costume if they'd like.
Costumes Guidelines:
Students are welcome to wear their costumes to school on Tuesday, 10/31. We ask that children NOT wear costumes depicting violence or violent acts. This includes fake blood, gore, or imagery that would not be "G rated".
Please leave all toy guns, knives, and swords at home. Reserve elaborate costumes, face paint, and make-up for trick or treating as these things can create a learning distraction.
Halloween is an exciting time. Let's all help to make sure it is a safe and positive experience for the children while at school. Thank you for your support with these guidelines.
To attend the Halloween Parade, all visitors must check in through the office with their driver's license and receive a badge.
The parade is one of our most attended events of the year, and we can't wait to celebrate with you. To ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for everyone, please take a moment to read the following important information:
Pre-registration: We strongly encourage all attending adults to pre-register for the event. By doing so, you will receive an official Oster name badge, which will expedite your entry process on the day of the event.
Preregistered Entry: On the day of the event, pre-registered guests may enter through Gate C (near front office). To gain access, please have your preprinted name badge and driver's license ready for to show. This streamlined entry process will help reduce wait times and ensure you can enjoy the parade fully.
Day of Event Registration: If you are unable to preregister in advance, we understand. However, please plan ahead and give yourself plenty of time for day of registration. The registration process can sometimes take up to a few minutes per person, and lines may become lengthy.
Thank you in advance for your support in keeping our students and staff safe. We are looking forward to a fun event.
Harvest Festival, October 28th! Tickets on Sale & Volunteers Needed
A fun afternoon for the whole family, the Oster Harvest Festival is Saturday, October 28th from 3:00 – 7:00 PM.
We will have carnival games, a cake walk, a pumpkin patch, fire truck, and hope to have the beloved Haunted House (5th grade parents be sure to volunteer so we can pull off this rite of passage!) and so much more! Purchase your wristbands at $25 each, $60 for 2 wristbands plus 20 tickets, or separate food and game tickets on Home and School Club’s Website.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: We are excited to offer more fun than ever at our Harvest Festival, but we need parents to help run our games, activities, and Haunted House! SIGN UP TODAY. Each grade is assigned a carnival game, and we have lots of other activities that need volunteers, too! We need your help to make it a great night for our kiddos!
Earthquake Drill
On Wednesday, October 18th, Oster will participate in an Earth Quake Drill. The purpose of our drill is:
Practice drop, cover, and hold procedures
Deploy teams and use established protocols to assess structural damage, conduct search and rescue operations, administer first aid as appropriate
Test our internal communications
What should parent know in the event of a major disaster or emergency involving our school:
1. Remain Calm: In the event of an emergency, it is essential to remain calm. Your child is likely in one of the safest places they could be - under the care of our dedicated school personnel. Our staff members are trained to handle emergency situations, and they will ensure the well-being of all students.
2. Communication: Please be aware that during an emergency or evacuation, there may not be anyone available to answer phone calls in our school office. Do not be alarmed if your calls go unanswered. Instead, rely on alternative communication methods.
3. ParentSquare: In the event of an emergency, we will primarily use ParentSquare to relay important information and updates directly to you. ParentSquare is a reliable platform for receiving crucial messages regarding the situation and instructions on how to ensure your child's safety and pickup. We urge you to check your email and text messages for these updates regularly.
4. Evaluation and Student Safety: Understand that in the event of an emergency, we will need approximately 20-25 minutes to evaluate the school, ensure the safety of all children, and prepare for our student release protocol. Your patience during this time is greatly appreciated.
5. Walk or Bike to School: Consider walking or biking to school during an emergency. Leaving the streets and our parking lot free for emergency vehicles can help expedite the response of first responders.
6. Student Pickup Process: When coming to school to pick up your child, please proceed directly to Gate F, located on Gates Drive. Have your driver's license ready to present to our staff. A student release staff member will assist you in signing out your child. All adults authorized to pick up a student during an emergency must have their driver's license with them. We appreciate your patience as we complete the necessary paperwork to ensure all children are accounted for and released following our protocol.
7. Emergency Contacts: Ensure that your student's emergency and carpool contacts are up to date. Only individuals listed on the emergency contacts will be allowed to pick up your child during an emergency. Inform those designated individuals to bring identification with them when picking up your child.
8. Monthly Emergency Drills: We conduct monthly emergency drills to ensure preparedness for various situations. Please rest assured that during your absence, your child will be in a secure environment with caring adults capable of addressing their physical and emotional needs until you arrive.
Your understanding and cooperation during emergencies are invaluable to all students' safety. We encourage you to keep this information in mind and make any necessary updates to your contact information. If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to contact us.
Thank you for being an active partner in ensuring the safety and well-being of our students.
Electronic Devices on Campus
In today's ever-evolving digital world, we are surrounded by an array of new technologies and devices that have the power to both empower and distract us. In our unwavering commitment to maintaining a productive and undistracted learning environment for your children, we want to take a moment to remind you of our school's technology usage policy.
Key Points of Our Policy:
Device Turn-Off During School Hours: In order to foster a focused and effective learning environment, we kindly request that all smartwatches, cell phones, and iPads be turned off during school hours. Students are required to securely store their cell phones and personal iPads in their backpacks throughout the school day.
Detailed Policy Information: You can find comprehensive details about our technology usage policy in the parent/student handbook. We encourage you to review this section to gain a thorough understanding of our guidelines and expectations.
Parental Involvement:
We firmly believe that responsible technology use begins at home. We encourage parents to engage in open discussions with their children about the responsible use of technology. Here are some valuable suggestions for achieving a healthy balance between the advantages and potential distractions of technology:
Monitor Screen Time: Keep track of the amount of time your child spends on digital devices. Setting reasonable screen time limits can help prevent excessive use.
Establish Clear Device Usage Guidelines: Develop clear guidelines for device usage at home. Discuss when and where devices can be used and establish rules for device-free times, such as during family meals and study hours.
Promote Responsible Online Behavior: Educate your children about responsible online behavior, including the importance of respectful communication and protecting their privacy.
Be a Role Model: Set a positive example by demonstrating responsible technology use in your own life.
By working together as a school community and with the support of parents, we can ensure that our students make the most of the educational opportunities technology offers while minimizing potential distractions.
Parent Workshop:The Importance of Student Attendance
We understand that not everyone was able to attend the recent Parent Workshop on Student Attendance. We recognize the importance of keeping our parents informed about our attendance policy and the legal requirements surrounding regular student attendance.
To ensure that all parents have access to this valuable information, we are pleased to share with you the webinar recording available for your convenience. You can access the recorded meeting here along with the FAQ's.
In this webinar, the following topics were discussed:
Attendance Policy Overview: An in-depth explanation of our school's attendance policy and its significance in promoting academic success.
Legal Requirements: A discussion of the legal obligations related to student attendance and the consequences of non-compliance.
Support and Resources: Information on the support and resources available to parents and students to address attendance challenges.
We encourage all parents to take some time to view the recording, as it contains essential information that can help ensure a positive and successful educational experience for your child.
Upcoming Parent Education at Oster
Please join our parent community for an interactive workshop on how to parent with intention. The workshops will take place on October 12th at 8:45 am at Union Middle School for parents with middle school children, on October 13th at 8:30 am at Oster Elementary School for parents with elementary children, and on October 17th at 6:00 pm at Dartmouth Middle School for parents with either elementary or middle school children. If you would like to attend, please complete this form to help us prepare for these special events.
School Site Council Parents Needed
School Site Council (SSC) is a group of staff members and community members who provide consultation during the review and development of the Comprehensive School Safety Plan and Single Plan for Student Achievement. We have two opening on this year's School Site Council and invite you to be a part of this committee. SSC members serve a two-year term and attend three meetings per year. If you are interested in participating in Oster's School Site Council, please email Mrs. Taormina (taorminal@unionsd.org) or notify the office by the end of the week if you are interested in joining us. Thank you.
Oster Yearbook Flash Sale, Ends 10/20
For just a few weeks the Oster 2023-2024 Yearbooks will be available to order for the early-bird price of $25.
After October 20, the price will increase to $30.
Order yours today and save: http://bit.ly/OsterYB
We are excited to be able to include professional school portraits, as well as on-campus photos for spirit days and other school activities in this year’s yearbook. If you found yourself scrambling to get a copy of the yearbook during the last week of school, or worse, couldn’t buy one because we ran out, this is your friendly reminder to order now.
Oster is again using Balfour to produce our yearbooks. All orders need to be placed directly through Balfour: http://bit.ly/OsterYB
Stay tuned for information about our Cover Art Contest!
Mileage Club at Oster
Mileage Club is off to a great running/walking start! This program is available during the lunch hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays for 6 weeks this fall and again in the spring. Students complete laps around the grass field and receive a foot charm for each week they participate.
Volunteers are always needed to help kiddos count laps and keep the program running smoothly. Click here to sign up to volunteer today!
Lost and Found
Our lost and found is growing by the day. Please stop by the front of our cafeteria, Gate C, to claim any missing items. All unclaimed items will be donated by October 19th.
Enrichment Fund Update
While we have achieved our $100,000 goal, please keep the support coming! Our Enrichment Fund continues throughout the year, and we welcome participating donations at any time. So far, we've had participation from approx. 40% of our Oster families - THANK YOU!
If you have not yet donated for this school year, any donation, small or large, can still be put to use! Let’s get participation, at whatever dollar amount is comfortable for each family, closer to 100%!
Don’t forget to see if your employer matches, these matches are incredibly helpful (Click here to learn more about employer matching)!
Enrichment Fund: The Top 3 Classrooms will win a Pizza Party!
HSC Enrichment Fund results are still be tallied. The Top 3 winners to be announced by October 19th! Thank you again, we are so proud of our Oster Community!
Frozen Fridays
A favorite Oster Tradition, Frozen Friday, happens each week! Stop by after school on Fridays outside the cafeteria to purchase a frozen treat and hang with friends! All treats are $1 or $2. Small bills are appreciated or we can take ApplePay! OR, purchase a Frozen Friday Card here!
Sign up to Volunteer! This is a great opportunity to get involved with HSC & Oster’s connected community and only takes an hour or so on Friday afternoon!
Stay up to date on all the latest Home & School Club News!
Register your Membership Toolkit by visiting www.osterhsc.org!
Get Involved! Check out the variety of volunteering options at: www.osterhsc.org/sign_ups.
Like & Follow:
Facebook @OSTERHSC
Instagram @OSTERHSC1855
Monday, October 9th USD Board Meeting (6pm)
October 19-20 Fall Break (No School)
Tuesday, October 31 Halloween Parade at 1:00 pm
Union School District Information
Join the Union School District Team!
Become a Substitute (Teaching, Instructional Assistant, Office, and Food Service positions available). Apply today: Teaching Positions | Other Positions
Get a full or part time position (Teaching, Instructional Assistant, Office, Food Service, and Extended Care positions). Apply today on EdJoin.
Become a noon duty aide. Contact the front office for more information.
Oster Elementary School
Principal: Lisa Taormina
Email: taorminal@unionsd.org
Website: https://oster.unionsd.org
Location: 1855 Lencar Way, San Jose, CA, USA
Phone: 408-266-8121