Parent Letter

"There's only one way to succeed at anything, and that is to give it everything”

~Vince Lombardi

Happy Sunday Ochoa Families,

on Monday we observed Labor Day. "Observed the first Monday in September, Labor Day is an annual celebration of the social and economic achievements of American workers. The holiday is rooted in the late nineteenth century, when labor activists pushed for a federal holiday to recognize the many contributions workers have made to America’s strength, prosperity, and well-being. The first Labor Day holiday was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, in New York City, in accordance with the plans of the Central Labor Union. New York was the first state to introduce a bill, but Oregon was the first to pass a law recognizing Labor Day, on February 21, 1887."

-U.S. Dept of Labor

Remember: Students should arrive between 8-8:15AM daily; those with a zero period PE class will arrive by 7:15AM. On Mon, Tues, Thur, Friday, students will dismiss at 3:05PM; every Wednesday they dismiss at 1:30PM. Please see bell schedule linked below.

Families, already, we are experiencing lots of calls to remove students for visits to the doctors, dentist etc. We know that emergencies arise but if at all possible, please schedule these appointments for after school so as not to disrupt student learning. One more consideration, our school loses funding, when students are not in attendance. ADA is a key factor in school funding, and can impact educational programs and services. For example, increased student attendance can result in more funding for classrooms, and ADA funding can also determine the flow of grants for vital programs.

Finally, many students and families have inquired about the distribution of hall lockers. We are working on that process and students will be able to submit their requests as soon as this week. If your student received hardcover textbooks last week, these should be left at home. All students are given a home copy of each textbook along with workbooks for ELA and Math that should be brought to school daily with their chromebooks and chargers.

Thank you in advance for your patience.

-Principal Rowe-Andrews

Monday, September 2, 2024

• No School, Labor Day Obs.

Tuesday, September 3, 2024

Wednesday, September 4, 2024

• College Day- Wear College/University Gear to support a college going culture!
• Students dismiss at 1:30PM
• Teacher Department Collaboration; 1:45PM

Thursday, September 5, 2024

Friday, September 6, 2024

• School Spirit Day~ Wear Black & Yellow

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Looking Ahead:

Monday, September 9, 2024

• Site Based Decision Making Mtg (#1)
• This is a public meeting offered in a hybrid (in person & online) format; agenda will be posted 72 hrs prior to the meeting. (interpretation may be requested)

Tuesday, September 10, 2024

Wednesday, September 11, 2024

• Board of Education Meeting, 6:30PM

Wednesday, September 18, 2024

*Students participating in athletic programs must maintain at least a 2.00GPA.

• 1st Volleyball Game, 4PM
• 1st Flag Football Game
• Back to School Night (confirmed), 6PM

Could your student benefit from homework support? Some social time with friends in clubs? Please contact Mr. Ryan Edmonson at RE2216@husd.us, to enroll in the YEP program.

Ochoa has a nice sized garden and we are looking for families who might be willing and able to help us plan to revitalize it. Currently, we are growing grapes, apricots, pomegranates, and apples. Our Site Based Decision Making Team has been discussing the possibility of creating a garden to table home economics program for our students. If you or someone you know might be able to offer some expertise in this area, please reach out to Principal Rowe-Andrews or Ms. Hiester, Family Engagement Specialist.

We would love to hear from you.

Does your student require public transportation? If you would like to apply for a free AC transit card for your student please click the link below. This is not transportation specific to students with IEPs, but is available for ALL students.

SCHOOL SUCCESS IS DIRECTLY RELATED TO GOOD ATTENDANCE. Ochoa strives for a 98+% attendance rate for our students each year. Poor performance in the classroom is often the result of poor attendance. If students are to achieve maximum value from their middle school education, 100% attendance is the goal. Did you know that the state of California only allows students to be absent, with *valid excuse for less than 10% of the year?

*valid excuses for absences from school are:

• Illness or quarantine
• Medical, dental, or optometry appointments

• Religious Requests, upto one per quarter with prior written notice and approval
• Attendance at funeral services for a member of the immediate family

California law requires all students 6 to 18 years old are required to attend school on time and regularly. Cal. Ed. Code § 48200.

A child is habitually truant if, without valid excuse, they are:

• Absent for three days in a single school year,
• Absent or tardy more than 30 minutes three times in a year,
• Any combination of the above. Cal. Ed. Code § 48260(a).

A child is chronically truant if they have missed 10 percent of the school year. Cal. Ed. Code § 48263.6.

Parents must Report Absences-Please call us!: All absences must be cleared by a phone call or a note within 72 hours of the absence from a parent/guardian to the attendance office (510 723-3130 extension 43111). When absences are not cleared in this manner the family can expect to receive a call from our office or automated phone system.

Students should plan to arrive to school each day between 8 and 8:15AM, unless they have a zero period class. Students with a zero period PE class must arrive at school daily no later than 7:15AM. The first bell rings at 8:20AM and students must be in their seats or on their PE numbers by that time. Even if a student arrives "just 1 minute late," they legally must be marked tardy according to the law. Help us to achieve our daily and annual attendance goals this year and help us to get to 98% or better.

Website: https://ochoa.husd.us
Location: 2121 Depot Road, Hayward, CA
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