Osterizer
August 8, 2021
Message from Mrs.Taormina
Once again, welcome to the 2021 - 22 school year! The staff and I are so excited to be returning to in-person instruction and can't wait to meet our students this week. As a reminder, school starts on Wednesday, August 11 and has a short-day dismissal time of 1:.15.
With Wednesday just around the corner, I'm sure a mix of anticipation, excitement, and nervousness sums up how most of us are feeling as we head into the start of this school year.
By Tuesday afternoon, classroom assignments will be emailed to parents. While it is not likely, please note that student schedules can fluctuate as enrollment changes and the need to balance classes may arise. Please trust that we have worked diligently to place each child based on teaching style, combinations of students, and student needs. If you are concerned about your child's placement, we ask that you wait two weeks before reaching out to the office as schedule changes are only made in rare situations.
To help you and your student prepare for Wednesday, please watch the two videos linked below and read through the list of frequently asked questions. Also, I will be holding a principal's coffee on Friday at 9:00 to answer any further questions parents may have. For those families unable to attend, I will record the coffee and post it to our website to view later.
TK, Kindergarten, and 1st Grade teachers will be holding a meet and greet on Tuesday. Parents and students are welcome to come on campus for a short time to meet their child's teacher and become familiar with their classroom location. While on campus, all students and adults must adhere to USD health and safety guidelines. Masks are required during the meet and greet.
TK and Kindergarten Tuesday, August 10
Ms. Yoshioka and Mrs. Rogers class: 11:00 - 11:15 (Kindergarten playground)
Ms. Growitz and St. John/Bloomseth: 11:20- 11:35 (Kindergarten playground)
Mrs. Michael and Mrs. Augustine: 11:40 - 11:55.(Kindergarten playground)
First Grade Tuesday, August 10
Students and Parents will meet the 1st-grade teachers on the primary playground from 9:00-9:30.
I want to thank each of you in advance for partnering with us on this journey. I feel truly blessed to be a part of a community that supports our students and teaching staff, and I look forward to the new learning ahead for the 2021/22 school year.
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USD Health and Safety Webinar
Drop off and Pick Up Information
At this time, parents, guardians, and community members cannot access the campus, including the first day(s) of school. Rest assured, Oster has a plan in place to make sure students feel safe, welcome, and get to their class, which includes staff members helping them find their way.
Drop-off is from 8:00-8:10, and school starts at 8:15 am. There are several ways for your student(s) to come to school.
Walking - If your child or family are able, please consider walking as it helps ease car traffic.
- Please obey all pedestrian laws and use the crosswalks.
Driving and parking nearby - Parking near the school and walking from that location.
- Do not temporarily stop on the street, drop students off in the street, stop or park in red zones, or make illegal U-turns in the intersections! This is dangerous for all involved.
Drop-off at the school - Driving through the Oster parking lot and to the drop-off/pick-up zone.
If dropping off using the drop-off/pick-up zone:
- Pull all the way forward regardless of what grade your student is in or which gate you want them to access.
- Do not stop in the red fire zone near the Kindergarten area.
- Driver remains in the car the entire time.
- Students exit on the passenger (or curb) side of the car.
- Students are ready to exit the vehicle.
Pick-Up
TK (AM/PM schedule below)
Kindergarten
Dismissal is 11:25am from August 11 - September 24 (daily) and 1:30pm from September 27 onward (except Wednesdays, which is 1:05pm).
1st - 5th
Dismissal is 2:40 pm every day except Wednesdays (1:15 pm). Please pick your student up at or within 10 minutes of the dismissal time. Supervision ends after 10 minutes. Students who are not picked up will be escorted to the office, and we will call the parent or guardian.
You can pick up your student at the gates, using the drop-off/pick-up zone, or another pre-designated spot off campus that your student walks to meet you. Students are allowed to walk home or ride their bikes, though we don't encourage this practice below 4th grade, especially alone.
Welcome Back Zoom Coffee with Mrs. Taormina
Mark your calendars! Mrs. Taormina will be hosting a Welcome Back Coffee and Q&A for parents on Friday, August 13th at 9:00. The meeting will be recorded and shared on our website for families who are unable to attend.
Calendar Dates
August 18: Back to School Night
September 3: PD Day for staff (No school for students)
September 6: Labor Day (No school for students or staff)
1:1 Technology at Oster
All of our students will continue to have a personal device that they take to and from school each day. As a reminder please take a moment to charge your student's Chromebook in preparation to bring the first day of school. Please charge overnight before trying to use it if you haven't used it all summer. If you have been using it, please have your student log out and turn the Chromebook off (hold the power button until the light goes out). After charging overnight, turn on and sign in. Leave open for at least 30 minutes to ensure any updates are completely installed. Please note all software programs are not currently available due to the transition to our new school year. Contact yuj@unionsd.org if you have any questions or issues.
Communication
Please visit the Oster website at https://oster.unionsd.org/ frequently to get up-to-date information about events, reminders, programs, and important information about the school. The method in which I most often communicate is through email, so please be sure to check frequently.
Before and After School Daycare
This is a reminder that the Union Extended Care Program is currently accepting registration for before and after school care for the 2021-2022 school year.
Union Extended Care is located at Alta Vista, Carlton, Guadalupe, Lietz and Oster Elementary Schools as well as our two middle schools, Union MS and Dartmouth MS. Each program offers daily academic and homework support, STEAM activities, outdoor group games, as well as many other activities that help our USD students stay safe and active outside of school hours.
Register today and guarantee your child’s place in one of our programs for the start of the school year. With USD’s return to a typical school schedule beginning August 11, Extended Care provides peace of mind knowing that your child will be cared for on all school, Staff Development, and early dismissal days for the duration of the school year. We even have optional camps open during school breaks!
Registration for TK-8th grade students is open now. Visit our website at unionsd.ce.eleyo.com to register and read more about Union Extended Care.
If you have any questions about registration or financial assistance options, please contact Kristi Martik at martikk@unionsd.org.
If you have any questions about the Extended Care program as a whole, please contact Andra Feldman at feldmana@unionsd.org.
Warmest Regards,
Andra Feldman
USD Extended Care Supervisor
Resources for Parents
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OSTER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Website: https://oster.unionsd.org/
Location: 1855 Lencar Way, San Jose, CA, USA
Phone: (408)266-8121
Twitter: @OsterElementary