Philosophy

At Ocean Shore School, (formerly Laguna Salada Alternative School) teachers and parents form a working partnership to enrich the educational experience for our children. Because of time and energy contributed by parents, the program is able to provide small group instruction, frequent field trips, special projects, and hands-on learning. Cross-grade interaction is also a hallmark of this program.

Our school is kindergarten through eighth grade, often in mixed grade classes. Ocean Shore School faculty follows State and District curriculum frameworks. The Parent Teacher Organization's goal is to enhance the implementation of these guidelines with parental assistance.

Field Trips

Frequent field trips enrich the educational program. Most classes have at least one field trip a month. With parents serving as drivers and supervisors, children are exposed to the many wonderful resources in our area such as The Lawrence Hall of Science, Mission Dolores, and the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve. Older children can also enjoy overnight and extended field trips to locations such as Monterey, Sutter's Fort, and Yosemite.

Theme Days

A theme day is when all or nearly the day's entire curriculum in the classroom is devoted to a common theme. Students are divided into small groups, and then rotate through various activity centers, each of which is led by an adult. Occasionally, two or more teachers combine to do a joint theme day. Theme days may count toward the families' responsibility for providing one special project each year. The individual expertise and talents of the parents are most welcome.

Band

Ocean Shore School participates in the Pacifica School District Music Program sponsored by the Rob Schneider Music Foundation. The District Music Program provides an opportunity for children to learn the skills necessary to play an instrument and appreciate music. At Ocean Shore, participation in the Beginning Band program is a part of the sixth grade curriculum. In seventh and eighth grade, participation in Advanced Band is optional.

Oceans Week

This Kent award-winning program has been a part of the Ocean Shore School curriculum since 1986. Each year a marine science topic is studied in depth by the entire school for at least a week.

Past topics include:

A large variety of learning experiences are provided, such as learning centers at the beach or other appropriate location, cross-grade rotations through learning centers at school, individual theme days for each classroom, and school-wide assemblies. Seventh grade students develop organizational and leadership skills by leading learning centers.

Technology

Ocean Shore School maintains a computer lab as well as providing access to computers in the classrooms. In addition, our eighth grade classroom uses a Smart Board for algebra and other curricular applications.

Library

The Ocean Shore Library is run by our Parent Volunteers. Our library boasts close to 8,500 volumes, averaging 22 books per student. Each classroom visits the library once a week for an hour. During this time we have read aloud time for the younger students, buddy reading between the lower and upper grades and time to check out books for the week. The library is also open for lunch period for board games and silent reading. We have two Scholastic Book Fairs over the school year as our main fundraiser. We do accept donations of current publications from our families in the program.

Tours

School tours are from 8:45am to 10am on the following days, except for the last date listed, which is at 10:45am to 12pm.

October, 14

October, 28

November, 8

November, 29

December, 8

December, 14

January, 7

January, 12

The Kindergarten Lottery is on January, 21 at 3pm.

Tours may be scheduled by contating the front office at 650-738-6650
For more information on the kindergarten lottery please visit the Pacifica School District website

How To Enroll

An application must be filled for each child seeking admission to the program and may not be completed by anyone other than the parent/legal guardian or his or her designee. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Tours are required prior to an applicant being placed on the wait list. To be offered a space or be placed on the wait list, applicant must tour the school and submit a completed application. Applications must be received within six months of taking the tour. The placement on the wait list will be determined by the date that the application is received or by the tour date, whichever is later. The order on the waitlist of applications received at the same time will be determined by the date the tour is scheduled. Waitlist policies will be kept in alignment with District Policies at all times.

If the family lives outside Pacifica, an application will be accepted after a tour has been taken and the student will be placed on the waiting list. Names will be placed on the wait list according to District policy. However, a space in the program will not be offered until the applicant has established residency or been approved by the district for inter-district transfer. If a student who has left the program wishes to re-enter, a new application must be submitted to the Prospective Parent Liaison. The child's name will be placed on the wait list in the order in which the application is received. Families who previously participated for a semester or more in the program will not be required to tour again.

Kindergarten Lottery

Siblings of currently enrolled Ocean Shore School students will be given first priority for kindergarten admission. In order to maintain their priority status, they must turn in all appropriate paperwork to the front office prior to the last day of school before Winter Recess. In order to compete in the District Lottery all families must complete a tour of the school and turn in the necessary paperwork to the District Office prior to the third Thursday in January. The District Lottery will determine placement into available kindergarten spots and/or a family position on the wait list.

Note:

Kindergarten applications may be accepted after the lottery and will be placed in the order that they are received at the bottom of the kindergarten wait list.

Peer Mediation

Our peer mediation program teaches students how to handle conflicts positively and peacefully. The program recognizes that conflict is a natural occurrence among people, and that there are healthy ways to solve problems. Although parents, teachers and administrative staff are trained to use conflict resolution strategies, the utilization of trained peer mediators enhances the likelihood that students will seek assistance and will want to learn and use these strategies. This program is currently coordinated by the school administrator.

Inclusion

Ocean Shore is proud to maintain a buddy program with our onsite County Class and Special Day Class. Children in Ocean Shore interact with the kids in the C.C. and S.D.C. daily through shared reading, singing and games and activites on the playground. Our 4/5 classes are trained to help with our wheelchair bound kids and have an opportunity to earn their "Wheelchair License". Through this partnership, all the children at Ocean Shore benefit from a shared respect for each other and compassion for individual needs.

Diversity Leadership Group

The Diversity Leadership Group (DLG) facilitates activities that build character and foster awareness and appreciation of diversity. Parents and staff work together through the Diversity Leadership Group to encourage and facilitate activities that promote Ocean Shore's mission and vision of creating an inclusive community. The Diversity Leadership Group provides opportunities for discussion, education, and celebration of diversity. We value a diverse spectrum including all races, languages, religions, socio-economic status, sexual orientations, gender identities, and family structures.

We meet on Thursdays, once a month in the OSS staff room. Meeting dates for the 2010-2011 school year are: October 7, November 4, December 2, January 6, February 10, March 10, April 7, May 12, and June 9. Everyone is welcome.

Environmental Action Team

EAT is the Environmental Action Team. Our mission is to support Ocean Shore School's environmental education and activities, ranging from recycling, composting, and air quality, to landscaping and the organic school garden. We support the school with monthly Planting, Pickup and Picnic days that maintain the outdoor landscaping and gardens, as well as Green School initiatives to promote alternative transportation and waste reduction.

Parent Education

Ocean Shore provides various means of parent training so that parents can be more comfortable and capable when working at school or working with their own children at home. Time spent at training sessions provided by Ocean Shore or preapproved outside agencies (such as literacy training provided by the Pacifica Volunteers) is encouraged and can be credited towards your hours commitment. From time to time, parents or teachers may conduct evening educational sessions at school. These may be one-time events or a series. Past topics have been conflict resolution, parenting teens, and using the internet.

General Meetings

There are three mandatory general meetings each year usually held in September, January and May. The superintendent, school board members, or other members of the community may attend to discuss important issues that impact Ocean Shore and/or the community. Often the Executive Board will present items to the general membership for discussion and then vote to change or adopt new policy. Status reports on various aspects of the school will also be presented. Even if you don't care to participate actively at the meeting, it is still essential that you attend so that you will be informed of the critical issues that are discussed, and you will understand the rationale for any actions that result.

After School Programs

Ocean Shore hosts after school classes throughout the year. Classes are diverse in content including, but not limited to, Yoga, Science, Art, Cooking and Belly Dancing. These classes are provided by parents, teachers and outside contractors for a fee. Sign ups are on a first come first served basis.

Requirements and Parent Contract

Ocean Shore Parent Contract

Specific Requirements of Parent Member

To achieve its goals, Ocean Shore School depends on the active participation of our parent body. We request that each family commit to the following:

The number of children a family has enrolled in the school determines the minimum level of participation hours. Each family is asked to sign a contract on an annual basis, thereby agreeing to abide with this request.

Minimum Number of Participation Hours

1 Child In Kindergarten	85 hours/year
1 Child, Grade 1 Or Above	95 hours/year
2 Or More Children	145 hours/year

It is expected that parents earn at least 15 of their hours doing activities that involve working directly with Ocean Shore students.

Student Handbook

Ocean Shore Student Handbook - Part 1

Ocean Shore Student Handbook - Part 2

Job Descriptions

Parent Welcome Packet
After School Program Coordinator	Alternative Service Chair	Art Program Coordinator
Art Room Monitor	Auditor	Band Coordinator
Band Field Trip	Beach Cleanup Coordinator	Childcare Coordinator
Clusters Coordinator	Communications Coordinator	Community Event Coord
Computer Lab Coordinator	Corporate Donation Coordinator	Copy Room
E.A.T. Coordinator	Evaluations Chair	Field Trip Chair
Family Donations Chair	Fundraising Chair	Fundraising Outreach
Grant Program Manager	Grant Writing Coodinator	Hospitality Chair
Hours Recorder	JO Coach	Job Coordinator
Kitchen Monitor	Library Use Chair	Library Book Fair Coordinator
Library Inventory Chair	Lice Check	Literature Coordinator
Math Fair Coordinator	New Parent Coordinator	Newsletter Editor
Off Campus Event Coordinator	On Campus Event Coordinator	OMBUD
Parent Rep	Parent Training Coord	President
Product Sales Coordinator	Prospective Parent Liason	PSD Parent Council
Psychomotor Coordinator	Recurring Revenue Coordinator	Roster Chair
Scheduler	School Site Council	School Record Keeper
Science Support	Secretary	Social Events Coordinator
Special Project Coordinator	Sweatshirt Coordinator	Treasurer
Vice President	Webmaster	Yearbook Business Manager

General Forms

Ocean Shore PTO Handbook	Ocean Shore Parent Contract	Ocean Shore Check Request Form
Ocean Shore Donation Receipt	Cash/Check Reconciliation Form	Field Trip Application
Volunteer Employee Driver Form	Field Trip Permission Slip	Ocean Shore Logo (in EPS format)

Meeting Calendar

Ocean Shore PTO Meeting Schedule

Minutes and Agendas

Ocean Shore PTO Meeting Agenda - May 10, 2011

Ocean Shore PTO Meeting Agenda - March 8, 2011

Ocean Shore PTO Meeting Agenda - February 8, 2011

Ocean Shore PTO Meeting Agenda - January 26, 2011

Ocean Shore PTO Meeting Agenda - January 11, 2011

Ocean Shore PTO Meeting Agenda - December 7, 2010

Ocean Shore PTO Meeting Agenda - November 9, 2010

Ocean Shore PTO Meeting Agenda - October 12, 2010

Ocean Shore PTO Meeting Agenda - September 22, 2010

Ocean Shore PTO Meeting Agenda - September 14, 2010

Ocean Shore PTO Meeting Minutes - April 08, 2011

Ocean Shore PTO Meeting Minutes - January 11, 2011

Ocean Shore PTO Meeting Minutes - December 7, 2010

Ocean Shore PTO Meeting Minutes - November 9, 2010

Ocean Shore PTO Meeting Minutes - October 12, 2010

Ocean Shore PTO Meeting Minutes - September 14, 2010

Ocean Shore PTO Meeting Minutes - June 8, 2010

Ocean Shore PTO Teacher/Ombud Meeting - January 5, 2011

Ocean Shore PTO Teacher/Ombud Meeting - November 3, 2010

Ocean Shore PTO Teacher/Ombud Meeting - October 6, 2010

Ocean Shore PTO Teacher/Ombud Meeting - September 1, 2010

Purchasing Hours (Alternative Service)

Hours Purchase Agreement

The Alternative Service program was started in the 1970s and has been maintained exclusively through the Ocean Shore parent body. Alternative Service provides another mechanism for families who find it difficult to participate during school hours to meet the hourly participation commitment. Family members purchase commitment hours by paying into a pool of funds that is solely utilized to pay Alternative Service assistants. These assistants work regularly in the same classroom, thus providing consistency and continuity. These Alternative Service assistants "replace" the parent/guardian at school. 100% of the Alternative Service assistants are former or active Ocean Shore parents.

Alternative Service contracts are located in the parent folder of the Alternative Service Coordinator. You may contract for all the hours you plan to purchase and pay in installments or all at once. Fill out the form and attach your check, and leave it in the Coordinator's parent folder. Alternative Service hours purchased are tax deductible.

Philosophy of Fundraising Requirement

Ocean Shore currently sponsors three major school-wide fundraisers a year. Participation in these fundraisers is a commitment obligation for all families. The program suggests a minimum family commitment of $300 per year.

Currently, the three school-wide fundraisers are:

eScrip

Families register their grocery cards and/or credit cards with the e-scrip program, and designate Ocean Shore as the benefactor. Whenever the family makes purchases from participating merchants and uses their registered cards, a percentage of the purchase total will be donated to Ocean Shore on behalf of the merchant.

Click here to register with eScrip and support Ocean Shore School.

Fall Fundraiser

Each Fall there is a major fundraiser that is expected to generate a significant portion of the funds required for the PTO annual budget. In the past, Fall fundraisers have included a carnival, a musical performance, and a Great Day gathering and art show.

Automatic Withdrawal / Automatic Bill Pay or Donation

Each of these options offer simple alternatives for making a financial commitment to the school. You will receive tax credit for all donations. For further information please contact the Fundraising Chair.

Proceeds from these three school-wide fundraisers go directly to the PTO general fund, and comprise the majority of each year's budget.

Fundraising Events

September		First PTO meeting or back to school night - Escrip incentive contest
September	15	Dinner Night
September	25-26	Fog Fest Corn Booth
September	25-26	Fog Fest Bake Sale
September	27	Alumni and corporate donor request letters go out
October	14	Percent of purchase program rolls out
October	16-17	Ewaste and clothing recycling
October	29	Adult Night
November	13	Global Togetherness fundraiser
December	11-12	Barnes and Noble with in store gift program
December	13-17	Collecting orders for extreme pizza delivery and dine in during the holidays
January	20	Dinner night
February	12	eWaste event (maybe)
March		Read-a-thon
April	6	Dinner night
April	18-25	Online rummage sale auction via ebay
May	19	Back to school night silent auction and hospitality