OHS Weekly Update

Dear Oceanside High School Families and Students,

As we wrap up January and step into the Year of the Snake, it’s the perfect time for a little reflection and renewal. The Snake symbolizes transformation, resilience, and wisdom—qualities that can guide us as we look ahead to the rest of the year.

If your New Year’s resolutions are already feeling like a bit much, you’re not alone! It’s okay to pause and reset. The Snake reminds us that we can shed old habits and create new ones, no matter where we are on our journey.

If you’ve felt a little off track, take today to realign and embrace this opportunity for a fresh start. Let’s head into February with renewed energy, ready to turn challenges into chances for growth.

Here’s to a fresh beginning and the wisdom to navigate what’s ahead!

Wishing you all a wonderful day,

Dr. Skyler M. Garrahy

Principal OHS

@skylergarrahy

Every family should know that every child in the Oceanside Unified School District (OUSD) has the Constitutional right to attend school regardless of immigration status. OUSD does not request or record information about a student’s immigration status. Federal and state laws protect student information from disclosure to others, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). OUSD does not permit non-students, including ICE agents, access to OUSD facilities unless they can produce a warrant signed by a federal judge. School administrators will not permit the disclosure of confidential student information without first consulting their attorney to make sure that the information has been properly subject to a federal judge’s warrant.

Families should consult community resources to learn their rights and additional information will be provided to help families access these resources

Please see below for resources to support:

• Student/Family Rights Checklist

• Step-by-Step Family Preparedness Plan

• OUSD Board Policy & Administrative Regulations

• Community Resource Guide including immigration support services: English & Spanish

• OUSD Family & Community Page

• SDCOE Resource Page for educators, families and students

• MiraCosta College Resource Page

Congratulations to Marcus and Kendall for their acceptance into Lemoyne-Owen College! Way to go Pirates!!

Congratulations to the Boys Soccer team who defeated Torrey Pines last night 3-0. Senior Christian Sanchez scored early and Senior Captain Kellen Love added two more goals to lead the Pirates to their fifth straight win in Coastal League play. Junior Tristan Martinez added two assists and helped the Pirates stay undefeated and improve to 13-0-1. GO PIRATES!

When meeting with your student's high school teacher or counselor, it's essential to ask questions that can help you better understand your student's progress and address any concerns. Here are some questions you can ask:

1. How is my student performing academically in your class?
2. Can you provide specific examples of my student's strengths and areas where they may need improvement?
3. Are there any upcoming assignments, projects, or exams that I should be aware of?
4. How can I support my student's learning and academic success at home?
5. What resources or strategies are available to help my student if they are struggling in your class?
6. Are there any extracurricular activities or clubs that you recommend for my student?
7. What is the best way for me to communicate with you if I have concerns or questions about my student's progress?
8. Can you provide information about the college or career planning process and any upcoming milestones we should be aware of?
9. Are there any advanced classes that my student might be eligible for in the future?
10. What advice do you have for parents in terms of helping their high school students navigate the challenges of adolescence and high school life?

These questions can help you have a productive and informative discussion with your student's teacher or counselor and ensure that you are well-informed about your student's high school experience.

A student who misses 10 days is 25% less likely to enroll in college. Students who attend school regularly are more likely to graduate and find good jobs. Regular attendance fosters a classroom community between teachers and students. Students who attend school are more likely to succeed academically. Students gain background knowledge from discussions while learning in school. Attending school also provides time for social interactions with peers.

As we kick off the second semester, our counseling team is excited to begin academic planning with students in February. During this time, we’ll work with students to review their progress and prepare to select classes for the next school year.
If you have any questions or need additional support, please don't hesitate to reach out to your student's counselor. We look forward to helping our students plan for a successful year ahead!

Below is the schedule of when counselors will meet with students:

The A-G requirements are a set of courses that high school students in California need to complete in order to be eligible for admission to the University of California (UC) system. These requirements are designed to ensure that students have a strong academic foundation in a variety of subject areas. The A-G requirements matter because they play a crucial role in determining a student's eligibility for UC admissions.

The A-G requirements consist of 15 specific college-preparatory courses, which are divided into the following categories:

A. History/Social Science (2 years required)

B. English (4 years required)

C. Mathematics (3 years required, 4 years recommended)

D. Laboratory Science (2 years required, 3 years recommended)

E. Language Other Than English (2 years required, 3 years recommended)

F. Visual and Performing Arts (1 year required)

G. College Preparatory Electives (1 year required)

In order to be eligible for admission to the UC system, high school students must complete these A-G courses with a grade of C or better.

Advanced Placement (AP), dual enrollment, and articulated classes are all options for high school students to earn college credit or gain advanced knowledge and skills while still in high school. Each of these programs has its own advantages and considerations:

Advanced Placement (AP):

• AP courses are high school classes that are designed to be more challenging and equivalent to college-level courses.
• These courses are standardized and developed by the College Board, and they culminate in a standardized AP exam at the end of the school year.
• Students who score well on the AP exams may earn college credit at many universities and colleges, potentially saving both time and money in college.
• AP courses are available in a wide range of subjects.

Dual Enrollment:

• Dual enrollment programs allow high school students to take college courses, often at a local college or at the high school, while still being enrolled in high school.
• The credits earned in dual enrollment courses are typically accepted at most colleges and universities, provided the student earns a passing grade.

Articulated Classes:

• Articulated classes are high school courses that are designed in collaboration with a local college or university to align with specific college courses.
• These classes are often meant to ensure a seamless transition from high school to college by teaching college-level material.
• Students may receive college credit if they demonstrate proficiency in the high school articulated course and meet certain requirements, such as a minimum grade or exam score.

A high school student's path to college and a successful career typically involves several key steps and considerations. Here's a general roadmap to help you plan your journey:

Set Clear Goals:

• Identify your interests, passions, and strengths. What do you enjoy doing? What are you good at? This will help you determine potential career paths.

Academic Preparation:

• Maintain a strong GPA. Good grades can open doors to more college options and scholarships.
• Take challenging courses, including Advanced Placement (AP), dual enrollment or articulated classes when available.
• Prepare for standardized tests like the SAT or ACT. Consider taking test prep courses or using study resources.

Extracurricular Activities:

• Get involved in extracurricular activities, such as clubs, sports, volunteering, or part-time jobs. These activities help you develop skills, leadership, and character.
• Explore your interests and hobbies outside of the classroom.

College Research:

• Research colleges and universities that align with your academic and career goals. Consider factors like location, size, majors offered, and financial aid options.
• Visit campuses and attend college fairs to get a feel for the institutions you're interested in.

Financial Planning:

• Understand the costs of college, including tuition, room and board, and other expenses. Investigate scholarships, grants, and financial aid opportunities.
• Create a budget and savings plan to cover college costs.

College Applications:

• Begin the application process during your senior year of high school.
• Prepare a strong college application, including your transcript, standardized test scores, letters of recommendation, and a well-written personal essay.
• Meet application deadlines, and consider using platforms like the Common Application to apply to multiple schools simultaneously.

Financial Aid:

• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine your eligibility for federal financial aid.
• Search for and apply to scholarships, both from colleges and external organizations.

College Decision:

1. Evaluate acceptance offers and financial aid packages to make an informed college choice.
2. Consider factors like academic fit, financial affordability, and campus culture.

Remember that everyone's path is unique, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Be open to adapting your plan as you discover new interests and opportunities along the way. It's important to set and revisit your goals regularly to ensure you are on the right track to a successful college experience and career.

OUSD is making an important change in our student progress report/report card distribution process. Beginning this reporting period, progress reports/report cards will no longer be printed and mailed home. Instead, parents and guardians will access their child's progress reports/report cards electronically through the Aeries Parent Portal.

• How to print Secondary progress reports/report cards

We are in urgent need of parents to step into Board Positions for next year. Please contact us if you are interested. PTSO is volunteer run and needs new parents to step in as others "graduate". Our organization fills a lot of gaps in our community to support clubs, CTE pathways, students and our amazing teachers and staff.

For those new to OHS, PTSO includes Parents, Teachers and Students to support the school community. Some of our goals are to promote parent interaction, support the faculty and staff and promote student achievement. Each year is a bit different so we welcome your ideas on ways we can support the school. The donations we receive and the funds we raise go toward staff appreciation events, teacher and club grants, student events, and more. We work closely with our principal Mrs.Garrahy, the administrators and counseling team to be responsive to current needs. All members have a vote in how our funds are used and we have a few openings for leadership positions if you want to give some time.

If you would like to join us or renew your membership for the year, please fill out the form here: OHS PTSO Form . If you are interested in volunteering or serving on the board, please indicate that on the form.

Whether you participate in meetings or not, you can support our efforts with a tax-deductible donation. Please go here: PTSO Donation Page (Paypal or CC) or use our new venmo @osideptso. And please join us for our restaurant nights throughout the year.

We typically meet monthly on the first Wednesday of the month at 6pm. Stay connected with us by joining our Facebook group @Oceanside High School PTSO Parents for Pirates or following us on Instagram @piratesptso. We also encourage you to choose Oceanside High School PTSO as your designated charity in your AmazonSmile account. https://smile.amazon.com/ch/77-0684642

Please direct any questions to ohsptsomembership@gmail.com.

The nonprofit Oceanside High School Foundation was originally founded in 1986. Left inactive after the Oceanside High School 90th reunion, this vital organization was re-established in 2005 to organize the school’s centennial celebration. Today, the Oceanside High School Foundation continues to serve the students, staff and alumni of OHS. Working on behalf of Oceanside High School, the Foundation helps provide funds for student programs, scholarships, faculty grant awards, campus improvement projects, the annual All-Class Reunion, Hall of Fame and other activities helping to lessen the disparity between student’s needs and state/district funding. We also serve as a liaison and database for alumni and their respective classes.

OHS Foundation Website