Osterizer
April 25, 2021
Earth Day is Everyday in Oster's Garden
This Earth month - learn about your Nature's Neighbors!
What plants and animals can you find at Oster or your home?
Join iNaturalist app - Project 'Oster Cougar's Discoveries' to share your discoveries.
Here is the link to join:
https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/oster-cougars-discoveries
Principal's Message
We are excited to be expanding our in-person instructional hours 8:00-12:00 for students on May 3. Many of our families showed interest in the Extention Activities running from 12:00-2:30 each day. However, I would like to take this opportunity to share we are very limited in space due to staffing. We are working hard to accommodate as many students as possible; however, priority will be given to families in the following order:
- Essential workers
- Students with IEP's
- Low-social economic
- English Language Learners
- All others
If your student is being invited to attend the afterschool Extension Activities (12:00-2:30), you will receive an invitation by Tuesday with more details.
Last week, I shared some of the frequently asked questions from the most recent survey, and I have included some more below. If you have any additional questions, I encourage you to reach out to me.
I look forward to working together as we take this next step towards schools reopening.
~Mrs. Taormina
In-Person Schedule FAQ's
- Can students who are currently in distance learning move to in-person instruction?
Yes. - Will my child be able to remain with his/her teacher?
Oster's plan is to keep students with their current teacher as much as possible. If circumstances require a move to another classroom, families will be contacted. - Will vaccinations be required for students?
We will not be requiring vaccinations for students. - Will students have a recess/snack break?
Yes, all students will have recess time with their class. This will also be an opportunity to eat a snack from home. - When will we know more about the schedule of students remaining in distance learning?
Many of our teachers will be providing simultaneous instruction, meaning that they will be working with both their in-person and distance learners at the same time. The teachers will be providing Zoom links and sign-in schedules prior to May 3. - Will students be able to meet with teachers in the afternoon?
Teachers will have a number of responsibilities in the afternoons. This will include parent communication, student feedback, team collaboration, and planning. Students with questions or needing support should reach out to the teacher. - Will Transitional Kindergarten also be expanding their in-person instruction?
Yes. TK schedule will be 7:50-10:50 Monday-Friday. - How will my child's special education services be impacted?
Students will continue to receive their services, but the schedule may change. Some services may be provided while students are on campus (8-12), similar to a traditional school year. Other services may take place outside of these hours. Your child's case manager will contact families with any changes. - With the schedule change, will Extended Care still be available?
Yes, Extended Care will adjust their sessions to accommodate the schedule change. - Will there be Covid testing for school staff?
Yes, all school staff members will continue to be tested twice per month. - What are Extension Activities?
Extension activities offer students access to STEAM, PE, and art. This program is run by USD activity leaders and will take place from 12:00 to 2:30. There is very limited space available, so priority will be given to students with IEPs, English language learners, low socio-economic status, homeless, foster youth, and students with parents or guardians who are essential workers. Families will be notified about their child's enrollment in the program prior to May 3rd. - Will teachers be leading the Extension Activities?
Extension activities will be provided by activity leaders, not by classroom teachers. - Are students still limited to two cohorts?
There is no longer a limit on the number of cohorts. - Will parents be able to volunteer in classrooms?
The guidelines still do not allow for volunteers on campus. - What type of ventilation and air flow is provided in the classroom?
All of our classrooms have MERV 13 air filters that are regularly changed. Classroom doors remain open to increase air flow. Teachers may additionally choose to open one or more window. - If my child participates in the Extension Activities, will he/she only be with students from his/her class?
No, Extension Activities will be a separate group of students that include children from other classes and/or grade levels. - How will Extended Care and the Extension Activities coordinate schedules?
Students who attend Extended Care will participate in the Extension Activities until 2:30. - How does notification occur if a student tests positive in the class?
Under the current guidelines, if a student tests positive, the families are notified and the class moves into home quarantine. This means that the teacher will do distance learning while everyone is at home. Information about positive cases are also tracked on the USD website. While the classroom is closed the environment would be throughly cleaned and disinfected.
DLAC Information
Parents of English Learners-please save the date! Our next District English Learner Advisory Committee (DELAC) meeting will be held next week on April 29 from 2-3pm on Zoom. Our Associate Superintendent will be presenting our district’s draft Local Control Accountability Plan and would love to hear your feedback. We will also share an overview of one of our favorite online parent resources, the results of our parent EL Needs Assessment, and gather feedback on our current Master Plan for English Learners.
A note for our Spanish speakers: Our community liaison, Paulina, will stay on the meeting from 3-3:30pm to answer any questions you may have or translate any of the DELAC information in Spanish for you. Hope to see you there!
Join Zoom Meeting
https://unionsd.zoom.us/j/89865563793?pwd=WnFwQkcveTdpT1QrTDBWN1dzU0ZwZz09
Meeting ID: 898 6556 3793
Passcode: 134579
Abril de 2021
¡Atención, a todas las familias con estudiantes de inglés, este es un mensaje para usted! Nuestra próxima reunión del Comité Asesor de Estudiantes de Inglés del Distrito (DELAC) se llevará a cabo la próxima semana el 29 de abril de 2 a 3 pm en Zoom. Nuestro Superintendente Asociado presentará información sobre el Plan de Responsabilidad de Control Local de nuestro distrito y le encantaría escuchar sus ideas y comentarios. También compartiremos una descripción general de uno de nuestros recursos favoritos para padres en línea, los resultados de nuestra Evaluación de necesidades de estudiantes EL para padres y recopilaremos comentarios sobre nuestro Plan Maestro actual para Estudiantes de inglés.
Una nota para nuestros hispanohablantes: Nuestro enlace comunitario, Paulina, permanecerá en la reunión de 3 a 3:30 pm para responder cualquier pregunta que pueda tener o traducirle la información de DELAC al español. ¡Esperamos verlos ahí!
Enlace de reunión
https://unionsd.zoom.us/j/89865563793?pwd=WnFwQkcveTdpT1QrTDBWN1dzU0ZwZz09
Meeting ID: 898 6556 3793
Passcode: 134579
Oster Elementary 2021 Silent Auction
Oster Elementary — 2021 Silent Auction
We are so excited to continue with one of our favorite fundraisers of the year – the Silent Auction! Every year Oster hosts this event to raise funds for our teachers, students, and school enrichment programs. Our event will be held virtually this year so all families can participate. The Silent Auction will be held May 14-16, 2021. Details regarding the address for the silent auction are to follow.
To add more items to our auction inventory, we are asking families to donate items to a grade-specific basket that will be compiled by our Silent Auction volunteers. The theme for each grade-level basket is as follows:
TK/Kindergarten: Cooking at Home (ex: pasta, sauces, cookbooks, utensils, seasonings, etc)
1st Grade: Disney (ex: memorabilia, Disney items, movies, puzzles, etc)
2nd Grade: Sports (ex: items with local sports teams, hats, tickets, etc).
3rd Grade: Coffee and Tea (ex: gift cards, coffee beans or tea bags, mugs, etc)
4th Grade: Relaxation (ex: bath salts, skin care, candles, etc)
5th Grade: In the Garden (ex: seeds, plants, gardening tools, books, etc)
If your child attends school in person, there will be a collection box in each room. If your child is distance learning, drop off days will be on Mondays and Fridays in front of the office. The last day to collect items for the baskets will be May 7th.
Interested in helping with the Silent Auction this year? We need you! Please email Samantha at Samantha.roche86@gmail.com and join our wonderful team!
We look forward to seeing you virtually at the Silent Auction!
Go Cougars!
Dates to Remember
May 3: First Day of In-person Schedule Change 8-12 (M-F)
May 10: USD Board Meeting
May 13: HSC Board Meeting
May 14: Oster Spirit Day (Disney Day)
May 31: Labor Day (no school)
June 4: Last Day of School
DMS Cheer Try Outs
If your child is interested in trying out for the DMS cheerleading team next year, an information meeting is being held on Monday, April 26th. In-person tryouts will be held the week of May 10-14 at Dartmouth. (Tryouts are open to 5th, 6th, and 7th graders.)
Visit: https://sites.google.com/unionsd.org/dmscheer to register and receive the meeting link and tryout packet.
Coach Melissa
Dartmouth Middle School Cheerleading
UMS Cheer Try Outs
https://linktr.ee/unionmscheer
April Science Quiz
Yearbook
Amazon Smile
Please consider choosing Oster Elementary Home and School Club as your selected Amazon Smile charity. If you're not a member, consider joining this FREE giving program at smile.amazon.com to support your school.
Did you know Amazon Smile is now available for your mobile device? Open the app and find ’Settings’ in the main menu (☰). Tap on ‘AmazonSmile’ and follow the on-screen instructions to turn on AmazonSmile on your phone. And thanks for supporting Oster!
Oster Elementary School
Email: taorminal@unionsd.org
Website: https://oster.unionsd.org/
Location: 1855 Lencar Way, San Jose, CA, USA
Phone: 408-266-8121
Twitter: @OsterElementary