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Weekly Community Updates - January 26, 2024
Dear Students and Families,
At Oceana, we take pride in fostering a culture that revolves around respect for one another and our wider community. This commitment is part of our vision, mission and school-wide outcomes, emphasizing the importance of creating an environment where students and staff treat each other with dignity and kindness. For Oceana to continue this culture, it is crucial that we continue to embrace our vision as an interconnected learning community in which we honor each other’s individual identities.
Last semester, JUHSD rolled out STOPit, an anonymous reporting platform, allowing students and families to report concerns to school administrators. I want to remind everyone that students can download the STOPit app or report an incident using this link. QR codes can be found on posters displayed around campus for students to instantly report their concerns.
I express my gratitude for our ongoing support in assisting us in establishing a safe and positive learning environment for where both students and staff can thrive.
Take care,
Maritza Torres
Course Request Information
Course Request Presentations
Students in 9th and 10th grade had Course Request Presentations this week: information about graduation requirements and information about the courses that students can request for next year was shared with students. Students received a Course Request Sheet that should be completed and turned in to the office by February 16, 2024. We encourage students and parents/guardians to have conversations regarding the courses that students request for next year.
Attached are the presentations: 9th grade (rising 10th grade) & 10th grade (rising 11th grade)
Course Request presentations for current 11th grade (rising 12th grade) students will be next week.
STOPit: An Online Reporting Tool
STOPit is an online reporting tool designed to deter and help stop bullying, cyber abuse, and other inappropriate behaviors. Through the STOPit mobile and website, anonymous reports can be made to school administrators, with the goal of creating safer and kinder school communities, both on and offline.
This reporting system allows students and families to:
Anonymously report concerns through the STOPit App, or website, which are sent to a 24/7 Incident Response Center
Submit photo or video evidence (App/web only)
Alert designated administrators to issues and concerns before escalating
PSAT Offering
Oceana is offering 11th grade students to take the PSAT 10 assessment this Spring at school at no cost. The PSAT 10 will be administered on Tuesday, March 26, 2024 at 8:30 am.
Here are some important facts about the PSAT 10 assessment:
Taking this test is optional
Taking the test is free of charge
Testing will be at Oceana, during school hours, on 3/26/24
The test is digital
The test takes about 2 hours and 15 minutes.
This test is offered to 11th grade students. Since space is limited, 10th grade students will be able to take the PSAT 10 if there will be available tests.
The PSAT 10 is optional and serves as a practice for the SAT. Please note that since the 2020-21 academic year, numerous higher education institutions have embraced a "test blind/test optional" policy. This policy dictates that any SAT (or ACT) scores submitted by students will not be factored into the decision-making process for admissions or scholarships. Under this policy, colleges and universities are not requiring SAT (ACT) scores for admissions.
If you are interested in taking the test, please sign up by completing this PSAT 10 sign up Google Form.
If you have an IEP or a 504 plan, and would like to request accommodations for the PSAT, you need to print out and complete this Request for Accommodations form, and turn it in to your case manager or Ms. Nozik by January 29, 2024.
The deadline to sign up for the PSAT is January 29, 2024.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Ms. Nozik: mnozik@jeffersonunion.net
Restorative Attendance
Regular and on-time attendance is important so that our students are successful in their classes. Lately we are seeing an increase in the number of times that students are arriving late to class. Starting in January we will resume our Restorative Attendance on Wednesdays after school to encourage students to arrive to class on time.
Restorative Attendance is a time when students meet with an administrator and a campus supervisor to talk about the supports that students may need to arrive to their classes on time. Some examples of supports that we worked on with students in previous years are: figuring out what bus a student needs to take to get to school and helping students set up alarms on their phones to wake up on time. During the Restorative Attendance session we check StudentVUE together with students, see if they are missing any assignments, and hear from them if they need help with any of their classes. If they need help, we have a conversation about how they can get the help that they need. Students then have time to work on their missing assignments or their homework.
A Restorative Attendance session is one hour long, and starts immediately after school on Wednesdays, at 1:15 pm. Students are asked to attend a Restorative Attendance session after they arrive late to class multiple times. Since we can only support a limited number of students at a time, students will be assigned to Restorative Attendance sessions on different weeks. Students (and parents/guardians) will be notified by email at the beginning of the week that they should attend the upcoming Restorative Attendance session. For more information regarding Oceana’s Attendance policy, please see Oceana’s 2023-24 Planner pages 6-7.
MIH Opportunity
MIH is a 6-week program to support students to identify one what they may want to pursue after graduating from high school. Sessions will be Tuesdays, starting February 6th, 2024 during Flex period. Students must commit to all 6 sessions to be eligible to participate.
We are hoping to recruit 20-25 students who are in 10th or 11th grade to take part in this group. Students can sign up by scanning the QR code or click on the following link.
Sign up by January 26th, 2024.
Pride Prom
Celebrate the 2nd Annual Pride Prom, an inclusive, safe, welcoming, night to remember for 9th-12th grade students who attend high school in San Mateo County.
Staff Shout Out
Academic Council: Weekly Update
Academic Council is the shared leadership body at OHS that is made up of faculty, staff, students, administrators and FAMILY MEMBERS/PARENTS. Academic Council (known as AC) makes decisions related to all-aspects of the school. The most important aspect of AC is that the voices of families are heard & valued at OHS.
Access the meeting summary notes here!
Career Day
Thank you to all speakers who joined us at Career Day! See photos of students who listened to various presentations and immersed themselves in potential career paths.
Second 8am Deadline
Seniors celebrated completing their second 8am Senior Exhibition deadline on Wednesday morning. We are so proud of everyone's hard work and look forward to papers being fully submitted for grading on Friday, February 16th!
Outing to Classic Bowling
The OHS Certificate Program concluded last week with an enjoyable outing to Classic Bowling! Wrapping up the week on a positive note, 31 students from Oceana’s Life Skills Program participated in a bowling field trip at Classic Bowling, Daly City. Accompanied by teachers, paraeducators, and various service providers, including psychologist, speech therapist, adapted PE and transition specialist, our program's students had a delightful experience. The outing served as an opportunity for the students to enhance their physical strength, build game endurance, practice attention to games, as well as foster social and communication skills. Several families actively participated in the event, taking on the role of chaperones for the games and providing valuable support to the students as they enjoyed their bowling experience. Oceana takes great pride in offering unique opportunities for our students to practice and develop their skills in self-advocacy.
Valentine's Day Grams
Swing by the student store and place your orders for peers and teachers. We've updated the list with new exciting items! Last day of sales is on Friday, February 2nd.
Senior Sweatshirts Available
Senior sweatshirts will be available for purchase when we return from break! Attached is the sweatshirt designed created by Stacia Johnson.
Send your student with payment to be submitted at the student store.
Cash4College Event
Cash4College event hosted by Skyline College! This annual event is offered to all Oceana senior families who need support in filling out and submitting their financial aid applications! This workshop will be offered in English and Spanish. Register by completing the google form. Remember! Have your FSA ID ready to go before the workshop!
Senior Package
Athletic Recap
Spring Sports!
The first day that teams can practice is January 29th. See the additional graphics for information on specific sports and times.
Track & Field:
- Practice will be everyday
- 3:30pm - Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday
- 1:45pm - Wednesday
Remember to submit a physical in order to participate. That information is posted below in the "registering for sports" section.
Registering for Sports
Team Manager Opportunity
Please reach out to Athletics Director, Dan Johnston (djohnston@jeffersonunion.net) with any interest or questions.
Support Boys Basketball
Attached is the link.
Support Girls Soccer
Any support you can offer to the team would be greatly appreciated!
Support Boys Soccer
Oceana High School's Boys Varsity Soccer Team is hoping that you would support our team by donating money to our GoFundMe page. Oceana Boy’s Soccer relies on donations to fund our program and we would greatly appreciate your support! Every year we gear our profits towards transportation to and from games, uniforms, and soccer equipment. This can be quite expensive, which is why we need your help!
Thank you for considering & donating! - Oceana Boys Soccer
Here is the link:
Support Oceana Cheer
Any support you can offer to the team would be greatly appreciated!
Wellness Contact Information
Questions about school, grades, graduation, college? Our School Counselors, Ms.Owyang and Ms. Holahan can help!
Ms. Holahan: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Grades 9-11, last names A-Li
Ms. Owyang: M-F, Grades 9-11, last names Ll-Z and 12th grade ALL
Click here for the counseling website!
Wellness Counseling Appointment Form
Feeling stressed, anxious, or struggling with other mental health concerns?
Our Wellness Counselor, Jeannette Herbert and Social Worker, Liberty Cajayon are here to help.
To make appointments with our Academic or Wellness Counselors and Social Worker, please use this link for an appointment.
Oceana High School
Website: https://www.juhsd.net/ohs
Location: 401 Paloma Avenue, Pacifica, CA, USA
Phone: 650-550-7300