Parent Letter

"Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation for all abundance."

~Eckhart Tolle

Happy Sunday Ochoa Families,

Thank you to all of the families who have started to make donations to our annual canned food drive, hosted by our Leadership class. Each year Ochoa holds this drive in an effort to model a spirit of giving and community service for our students. All donated items will be provided to Ochoa families needing additional support during this time. The progress in just two days is wonderful and we ask that you continue to please support this effort. We appreciate you generosity and spirit of giving!

Perhaps you have already heard about the "Critical Budget Shortfall" that Hayward Unified is facing? If not, here are some resources you might want to review HUSD Bd Mtg_11/13/24 Systematic Instructional Review/instructional audit of HUSD (2hr:41min-3:20) and Budget Presentation (4hr:50min-5:10); also please skim the budget page created to educate the community, on the HUSD Budget Solutions 2024-25 Page. Once you have some background information, feel free to take the Community Budget Survey.

Last week, we hosted our November Coffee with the Principal, on Wednesday (11/13) and our ELAC Meeting on Thursday (11/14), both beginning at 9AM in the Ochoa Library. In the Coffee meeting, parents were in attendance in person and virtually, the topic was student success. See the presentation linked below and let us know if you have questions.

Supporting Student Academic Success_Presentation

Basketball Season has begun for all of our middle schools here in Hayward. In the past, we have been able to hold simultaneous games at two different school sites. Due to ongoing construction at the high schools we will be sharing athletic spaces to ensure our High School athletes can continue to compete this year. We are now, for this year, relegated to one athletic space. For this reason, students may attend only their school's games. We will be required to clear the gymnasium of all students after each game. Please read more here==> Letter to the Ochoa Community Re: Gymnasium Clearance.

In preparation for the upcoming Thanksgiving break. I ask that you encourage your students to review their infinite campus, take care of any outstanding assignments before Friday. During the time away, I ask that you encourage your student to spend time on CLEVER. They can read, practice math skills, and so much more. You will see the huge difference 30 minutes of reading, daily can make in their academic outcomes.

Warmly submitted,

-Principal Rowe-Andrews

Perhaps you have already heard about the "Critical Budget Shortfall" that Hayward Unified is facing? If not, here are some resources you might want to review HUSD Bd Mtg_11/13/24 Systematic Instructional Review/instructional audit of HUSD (2hr:41min-3:20) and Budget Presentation (4hr:50min-5:10); also please skim the budget page created to educate the community, on the HUSD Budget Solutions 2024-25 Page. Once you have some background information, feel free to take the Community Budget Survey.

Before you take the survey:

Section #1: asks you to look at a list of opportunities to generate revenue for the district and select all that you believe should be considered.

Section #2: asks you to review a list of priority areas, based on District goals and put them in priority order by clicking the up/down arrows. There are a series of explanations for each priority.

Section #3: asks a series of questions. This is anonymous, so please exhaust your thinking on each of these. My philosophy is, no idea is a bad idea. They all must be discussed and we must weigh pros and cons appropriately.

Section #4: asks you to share your name and contact information in the event you would like follow up of some kind and or the district has clarifying questions.

If you have any questions, do feel free to contact Ms. Rowe-Andrews, Principal or Ms. Sonia Hiester, Family Engagement Specialist. Have questions? Attend an informational drop in session:

12/2 from 12-1PM

12/3 from 8:30-9:30AM

12/9 from 12-1PM

12/10 from 8:30-9:30AM

SBDM meets: **Monday, November 18th: Meeting Agenda (Eng/Span)

Next meeting 12/3/24 ~ Submit Meeting Agenda Items by clicking the box below Due 11/22/2024

I feel it important to share with you the urgency of getting students to school each day. Ochoa, like all schools sets an attendance goal for each month. Although we strive for 98% monthly attendance rate, we have not been able to reach 95% as of yet this year. We are noticing patterns of absences, Monday, Wednesdays, and Friday each week. If your student has appointments, we ask that you make them at the end of the school day whenever possible. We especially are noticing patterns of absences around holiday weekends. More than anyone, we recognize the need to enjoy a little family time, however doing so may come at a cost to your student's learning. Take a look at our attendance rates so far this year.

November attendance= 92.51 (Nov 1-11th)

October attendance = 93.5%

September Attendance = 93.3%

August Attendance = 94.19%

When our students miss instruction, they are still responsible for the work and mastering the content. Repeated absences over time (days, weeks, months, years) has the potential to create learning slide. This can make children fall behind their grade-level peers and create a level of anxiety, when they are unable to perform in the classroom. Help your student move toward the path to success this year and make sure they are in attendance daily and for the duration of the school day. Quarter 2 starts this week, let's turn our attendance rates around. Help Ochoa achieve a 98%!

Keep your Child on Track in Middle School_English

Keep your Child on Track in Middle School_Spanish

• The N-word+ ban policy translated into Spanish for easy access and understanding.

• A document outlining the history and harm of the n-word, also translated into Spanish, to help families discuss the significance of the policy at home.

• A link for families to provide their input on the policy, ensuring their voices are heard.

• A resource guide on how families can support at home (Spanish here and English here) with practical tips on fostering conversations about respect, inclusivity, and the importance of eliminating hate speech.

• Slide decks from the presentation: English presenter and Spanish presenter

• Spanish Words That Are Anti-Black & Anti-Indigenous video

Ochoa Families, there are many interventions that we put in place here at Ochoa to support all of our students; some are especially for those students who may be struggling academically and or behaviorally:

• Attendance incentives & programs (AC Transit Free bus pass)
• COST- Counseling supports (individual/group)
• Tutoring Support (Lunch/ After school/Weekends)
• Focal Student Progress Monitoring
• After school Programming (YEP)
• Restorative Circles & Mediations
• Academic Counselor Check Ins
• Student Success Team Meetings
• Progress reports (weekly)
• Check In-El Spec

This is a non-exhaustive list, however these supports are put in place to ensure your student gets the help they need to be successful and thrive here at Ochoa Middle School. When students do not meet academic or behavioral requirements, they are in danger of being placed on the 1) Risk of Retention List (Academics) or 2) The LOP List (Behaviors). I want to share with you what being placed on either of these lists might mean for your student. Please know that I am sharing this information proactively with the best of intentions for us to work in partnership.

Students at Risk of Retention (ROR)

Identified during the 3rd-4th qtrs

When students are unable to maintain their academics and have three or more "Fs" on their quarterly report card, we begin to hold a series of student success team meetings, academic check ins and start a process of progress monitoring your student. We offer one or a combination of the interventions listed above. If there are no improvements in their grades from Quarter 1 through the middle of Quarter 4, we will make a recommendation for retention. Students with three or more "Fs" on their report cards, will then be placed on the LOP list, where they become ineligible to participate in school related events such as: clubs, games, dances, end of year field trips, end of year fun school related activities up to and including 8th grade promotion. These lists apply to 7th and 8th grades students.

Students on the Loss of Privileges List (LOP):

Students can be placed on the LOP list for a number of reasons. The first, described above for academics and failure to perform. The second reason is based on violations of school rules and policies outlined in our student, district handbook, and california education code. This non-exhaustive list of violations may include:

• attendance
• any disciplinary action (Suspensions, In School Suspensions)
• poor attendance (includes tardies/absences)
• poor behaviors (any disciplinary actions)
• failure to serve consequences (i.e. detentions, community service, study halls, progress reports)
• failure to adhere to dress code
• failure to adhere to cell phone policy
• failure to maintain grades (less than two Fs)

Students appearing on this list will not be able to participate in any school related activities.

Families, this doesn't mean students can't make mistakes, we expect them to, however as we move toward the end of the school year, we do not expect to have to reiterate expectations, especially when there may have been an obvious disregard for the school and district policies. We are here to work in partnership with you and want ALL-100% of our students to participate through year end. Please have a proactive conversation with your children so that they fully understand this process.

Helping middle schoolers develop coping skills for managing stress during difficult times is

crucial, and adults play a key role in this. By encouraging young people to practice deep

breathing, positive self-talk, taking breaks, or getting some exercise, we show them how to

handle life’s challenges constructively.

Just as we guide students, adults also benefit from identifying and using our own coping

strategies, especially when things might feel stressful or challenging. Whether it’s taking a quiet

moment to breathe, journaling, talking through challenges with a friend, or finding time for

hobbies, our actions model resilience.

When adults practice and discuss our own coping skills, we not only build our own emotional

strength but also demonstrate to young people that managing stress is a lifelong skill. Together,

adults and students can create a culture of openness and resilience, showing that finding

healthy ways to cope is something everyone can benefit from.

Here are some helpful online resources for both adults and students to explore coping skills and

support mental health.These resources offer tools, exercises, and techniques to help build coping skills and support mental wellness in both adults and students. Exploring them together can foster a supportive and open approach to mental health for the whole family and school community.

Mindfulness for Teens

GoNoodle Home

The Child Mind Institute

The Calm App

~Mr. Paul Sherreard, Fred Finch

Our meetings this year are:

SSC Meets as follows: (*the team will decide meeting times/medium)

10/17/2024- Hybrid Mtg, 5:30PM

10/22/2024- SSC District Training (mandatory), 5:30-7PM @ The HUB

12/5/2024

1/16/2025

3/20/2025

4/17/2025

5/22/2025- if needed to finalize the SPSA for 25-26

Board Policy 6020: Parent Involvement & Family Engagement

Student athletes must maintain a 2.0 GPA with no more than one "F: Grades will be monitored regularly and students will be advised by the athletic director. School games and evening events must follow school expectations.

• dress code is enforced
• students must attend school; If absent and or on suspension during the day may not attend events/sports etc
• school appropriate language required
• school appropriate behaviors required

Click here to: Visit our Multilingual Learner Department's Webpage

Resources for Families of Multilingual Learners

Parents: Get Involved

District English Language Advisory Committee (DELAC)

Site Level: English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC)

Board Policy 6020: Parent Involvement & Family Engagement

My Schedule: I am at Ochoa the 2nd and 4th Wednesday/every Thursday and Friday.

*Agenda is posted 72 hrs in advance.

Next Meeting: November 18, 2024

Meeting Agenda_Nov. 8, 2024

Join Here: Google Meets Link or In person

Site Based Decision Making (SBDM) was introduced to Hayward USD in 1996 as a strategy for ensuring that staff, parents, and students at individual school sites had a vehicle for engaging in the decision-making that most affected their own sites. Over the years, HUSD board and district leadership have affirmed the importance of SBDM as a means of exchanging ideas, data, and other information necessary to improving educational opportunities for HUSD students.

These are public meetings any member of the Ochoa community is welcome to join meetings, submit agenda items, voice concerns, support process improvements and spending (MAA funds), and offer input to the School Site Council (SSC) team at Ochoa Middle School regarding suggestions for spending that supports student academic achievement.

Board Policy 6020: Parent Involvement & Family Engagement

Monday, November 18, 2024

• SBDM Mtg, 3:30PM, Library

Tuesday, November 19, 2024

• Parent Ambassador Luncheon
• Secondary Subject Matter, 4PM
• District Safety Meeting, 4PM (virtual)
• DAC, District Advisory Committee, 5:30PM (virtual)

Wednesday, November 20, 2024

• College Day- Wear College/University Gear to support a college going culture!
• Students dismiss at 1:30PM
• Basketball (see schedule above)
• District English Language Advisory Committee (DELAC) Mtg, 5:45PM

Thursday, November 21, 2024

• Lifetouch Make Up Pic Day, AM
• AB/AR Influencers Mtg, 4PM
• District AASAI Mtg, 6PM (The HUB)

• School Spirit Day, wear Black & Gold
• Minimum Day, students dismiss at 1:30PM

-------------------------------------------------------

Thanksgiving Break

• 11/25-11/29/24

• SBDM Mtg, 3:30PM

• Future Freshman Day, Rising 9th graders and all 8th grade teachers attend

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 month/year.

October attendance to date= 93.85%

September Attendance = 93.3%

August Attendance = 94.19%

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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