CHECK OUT OUR NEW BELL/LUNCH SCHEDULE FOR THIS YEAR!

A message from Mr. Stanley, our Principal, for the new school year

Dear Parents and Students of Ocean Air School:
 
Wow, it is hard to believe that school is just around the corner! We hope that you are enjoying the summer and making the most of your time. We are busy getting things ready in anticipation of the first day of school, which is Monday, August 30th, at 8:00 a.m.  

If you haven’t stopped by the school lately, you will find that our new childcare building is finished and ready to be filled with students.   This new 3000 square foot building is simply gorgeous and blends right into the design of the school – it is as if it has been here all along!  I’m so happy that our childcare students will have a clean, dedicated space of their own.  

Every new school year brings new and familiar staff faces.  I am pleased to introduce our new staff members:  Mr. Chris Delehanty will be joining our staff as part-time Assistant Principal, sharing his duties between Sage Canyon and Ocean Air.  Debbie Cole will be joining us in fourth grade, Kay Francis will be in second grade, and Michelle Beeson will be teaching music. Additionally, we are happy to add Jeremy Owen who will serve as our school psychologist.  We are so lucky to have enthusiastic, experienced educators join our fabulous Ocean Air staff!

In addition to those joining us, we have a number of familiar faces in new places.  Mrs. Patty Tyson will be joining the 6th grade team, Mrs. Katrina Graupmann will be joining the 5th grade team, Ms. Jodi Neilson will be teaching 2nd grade, and Mrs. Mare Peddie will now be teaching Kindergarten.  

We know that students who feel safe, connected, and engaged in school are more likely to learn well.  To this end, all staff and students will work together to implement and refine a school wide plan that promotes a safe and productive learning atmosphere.  As part of this process, it is important that we gather some information about how our students feel when they are at Ocean Air.  If you haven’t done so already, please take a moment with your child to complete the Ocean Air School Climate survey at http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/WEB22AT3ABBTSM.  Our staff will use our students’ responses to identify areas in which we are performing well, as well as identify areas in which we can enhance our efforts to create a positive social environment for all of our students.  

Looking ahead to the start of school, classroom supply lists for each grade level are posted on our website. The link is: http://www.dmusd.org/oceanair/files/listFiles.aspx?categoryID=629

Be on the lookout for a letter (US Mail) containing information about how to log in and find your child’s classroom teacher. This will be mailed to you from the district office and you can log on starting at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, August 27.  

IMPORTANT DATES:
New Family Orientation
Friday, August 27th, 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Kindergarten Orientation
Friday, August 27th, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m.

First Day of School
Monday, August 30th

Volunteer Fair and Boo Hoo Breakfast
Monday, August 30th, 7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.

Back to School Night
Thursday, September 2nd, 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm

I look forward to working with our dedicated staff, eager students, and enthusiastic parent community this year. I can assure you it will be a wonderful 2010-2011 school year.  

May you enjoy the final few days of summer vacation!

Ryan Stanley
Principal

Ocean Air Volunteers - We Need YOU!

Ocean Air parents - with the start of a new year, and an increase in enrollment, we are eagerly looking for parent volunteers for lunchtime and morning valet times.  Lunch time volunteers will come to the school during the lunch hour and help around the lunch area, playground, and fields - to ensure our kids stay safe during lunchtime and play.  Lunchtime is between 11:15am-12:15pm daily.

Our morning valets help those kids who are dropped-off by car in the mornings to get out of cars safely and quickly.  Valets greet the kids with a smile, unload backpacks, tie the occasional shoe and help drivers be on their way.    Give us 20 minutes in the AM from 7:40 to 8:00 on whatever days are good for you and you too can be a valet!  Even if you can only help out for 5 minutes at the rush just before the bell, we need you!  Do it once a month, once a week or every day! 

Work around your schedule! Wear cool, bright safety vests!  And…..Have lots of fun while keeping our kids safe! THANK YOU!!

Contact Ryan Stanley, Principal, at rstanley@dmusd.org  or 481-4040 ext. 3999
Or Karen Holty, Administrative Assistant at kholty@dmusd.org or 481-4040 ext. 3998

Jodi Neilson, Music Teacher, Receives CMEA Outstanding Music Educator Award

Congratulations to Jodi Neilson, Music Teacher at Ocean Air, for earning the remarkable honor of California Music Educators Association's Outstanding Music Educator Award! Jodi was selected from music educators throughout the entire state of California to receive this prestigious award for her exceptional teaching and professional dedication to providing outstanding music education to children. She will be formally recognized in Sacramento at the CMEA "Honoring Our Stars" Awards Banquet Gala on Friday, March 12, 2010. We are very fortunate to have such a talented educator in our district! Thank you, Jodi, for your dedication and passion. You make us proud!