Oster Newsletter
April 17, 2024
Oster Walk-A-Thon this Friday: 1:15 - 2:15
We need your help to make Walk A Thon a success, click here to sign up and volunteer today!
Participate and fundraise online, it is super simple to get started!
1. Follow this link and it will take you to our Oster HSC Walk A Thon page.
2. Next sign-in to your Membership Toolkit account or create a membership Toolkit account if you don't have one.
3. Once you’re logged in you can find your student’s personal donation page located under their teacher's name and grade.
4. From there, you can upload a picture to personalize your student’s page and even share the link with friends & family through email and social media!
Oster CAASPP Testing (Grades 3rd-5th): May 6-24
Each spring, third through eighth grade students in Union School District participate in the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP). These tests were created specifically to gauge each student’s performance in English language arts/literacy (ELA) and mathematics. Additionally, students in fifth and eighth grade take the California Science Test (CAST). These tests measure the skills called for by the academic standards, including the ability to write clearly, think critically, and solve problems.
Because CAASPP tests are given statewide, they provide an opportunity to measure the skills of all students against the same academic standards. Given online, the tests are computer-adaptive, allowing more precise measurement of individual skills. The CAASPP assessments will be one measure that will be used—along with other information—to measure the progress that our schools and district are making in educating all of our students.
Oster's testing window will be May 6th - May 24th. Within this window, students will take specific tests in the area of ELA, Math, and Science (5th grade only).Although the tests are untimed, tests may take between 4-5 hours (total) over the course of the testing window. We appreciate your efforts to ensure your child is in school on time on these days.
You are an important part of your child’s education. To make sure your child feels comfortable taking tests, you can:
Explain to your child that these tests are tools to help them learn, and they should not be anxious or scared.
Explore the practice tests with your child at caaspp.org/practice-and-training/index.html (enter the “student” interface and log in as a guest) so they can become familiar with the platform and setup of the tests.
Remind your child that you and their teacher want them to try their best and are there to help, every step of the way.
You will receive your child’s results at or before the beginning of the next school year. The results will identify where your child is doing well or needs more help, so you can better support their learning at home and teachers can better support their learning in the classroom.
To learn more about these tests go to the Starting Smarter web page at ca.startingsmarter.org/, or review the Parent Guides to Understanding at https://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/ca/parentguidetounderstand.asp
Milage Club Returns for Spring
We want the students to join the spring session of Milage Club from April 16th - May 30th! No permission slips are needed; any student interested can come out to walk or run on Tuesdays and Thursdays during lunch. Teachers will have cards for students to bring out while they walk.
Parent/guardian volunteers are always needed to supervise students while they walk. Please visit the HSC website to sign up.
HSC Needs Volunteers for (almost) ALL Positions for 2024/2025
Do you enjoy all of the Home & School Club supported enrichment events, activities and programs? Do you want them to continue? We need YOU! HSC needs volunteers for next school year to fill almost all of our Board positions along with MANY event, program and activity leads. For more details on positions, click here.
What are the qualifications? Simple: 1) you must care deeply about your Oster student(s), teachers & staff and, 2) be willing to dedicate some of your time and talent to fostering the Oster Community.
You may be wondering… how much time? As much or as little time as you can give!
You may also be wondering… what if I don’t know what I’d be good at? Ask us! We can match you to a great fit!
Finally, you may be wondering… why do I need to reach out now? Having overlap between existing volunteers and new will create continuity and make everyone’s job easier! New board members and leads will want to spend their time creating a great 2024/2025 and that is best achieved when you get started early! Email VPHSC@osterhsc.org to learn more or offer your time and talents.
Earn Cash for Oster's HSC Programs
For over 25 years, Box Tops for Education has given families an easy way to earn cash for schools — with products they already buy! Today, you can find hundreds of participating products throughout the store. Scan your receipt with the Box Tops app and you’ll earn for your school with every Box Tops product you buy.
To use eScrip, there isn’t one special card, but rather it’s activated by registering store club cards, loyalty cards and community cards for grocery and drug stores, and by registering the credit cards and debit cards that you use when you shop.
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
Yearbooks Going Fast
Yearbooks are selling fast!
Don’t miss out, Click here to order your copies.
April 19th: Oster Walk-a-thon
April 22nd-26th: 5th Graders at Science Camp
April 26th: School Spirit Day-Cultural Appreciation
May 6th-10th: Staff Appreciation Week
May 6th-24th: CAASPP Testing (grades 3rd-5th)
Summer EBT Cards
Eligible children will receive a card loaded with $120 for use during the summer period, spanning from June 1st to August 31st. The EBT cards will be mailed directly to the child’s home address.
Please note, 2024 Summer EBT has different eligibility requirements from Pandemic EBT. Pandemic EBT provided benefits to all children, but for 2024 Summer EBT children must have individual eligibility through for free or reduced-price meals through meal application, alternative income form, local direct certification, or designation as homeless, migrant, or foster. More information is available here.
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