Oster Newsletter
September 6, 2023
Oster's Enrichment Fund has Launched: DONATE TODAY!!
It's that time of year again when Oster's Home and School Club runs its largest fundraiser: Oster's Enrichment Drive.
Oster Elementary Home & School Club is an all-volunteer parent organization open to all Oster families. Their objective is to provide programs and activities that enrich the education of each student attending Oster Elementary School. Each year, they raise funds to support enrichment programs in areas such as music, clay, PE lunchtime games, and field trips not covered by the State or District. In addition they provide each teacher with grade-level funds for supplemental resources, field trips, events, and supplies they may need during the school year. They fund $250 per student each year, which directly benefits each student (details below); as a result, the suggested donation per student is $250 (HSC funds well over $250 per student when you add in support to the school, teachers/staff, and beyond!). Click here to learn more details about programs funded. Regardless of the amount you choose to donate, we encourage every family to participate in this critical fund drive.
The goal is to raise $100,000 by September 22nd. Your direct donation and any employer match will help us pay for the student, school, and faculty programs we have committed to for this school year. Click here to learn more about employer matching. If you donate through your employer's matching grant websites (thank you!!!), please include your student's classroom teacher in the notes section.
Go Cougars!
Be Seen and Heard Assemblies and Parent Night Information
After continued positive feedback from our students, parents, and staff, Union Elementary School District will be hosting our sixth year of Be Seen and Heard© assemblies for K-8 students at all school sites beginning Wednesday, September 20, 2023. These assemblies will reinforce and build upon topics that were covered in last year’s Be Seen and Heard© assemblies. They are presented in the interest of student safety and will address the dangers of child sexual abuse, the differences between a safe and unsafe touch and a safe and unsafe secret, the importance of voice, and identifying trusted adults. Please note that for this year, the assemblies will be virtual and streamed into classrooms via the classroom teacher.
The content of each assembly is differentiated to be age appropriate by grade level. School support staff will be on hand to support students during the assemblies. Each presentation will last approximately 30 minutes. Information about each assembly, by grade level, can be found in the table below. As a parent/guardian, you have the right to determine whether your child attends this assembly. Please see below for opt-out information.
We invite you to attend a virtual parent information night to learn more about the Be Seen and Heard© program. The presenter, Deanna Hynes, will lead parents through an overview of the program and will be available to answer questions. This presentation is open to ALL Union Elementary School District parents/guardians.
Date: September 12, 2023
Time: 6:00 - 7:00pm
Link: https://unionsd.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ffI5Yyh_SaCDtiLRREAUeg
Flier: Parent Night Flier
If you are unable to come to our parent night, you can watch a preview of the program, entitled “Peace of Mind,” at this website: www.victorpacini.com/peace-of-mind-2
Requests to Opt-out:
As a parent/guardian, you have the right to determine whether your child attends this assembly. If you DO NOT want your student to attend the Be Seen and Heard© assembly, please complete this BSAH Parent Opt-Out Form prior to the day of the assembly and either email it to your school principal or drop off a hard copy in the front office.
School Assembly Schedule by Date:
Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023
Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023
Sincerely,
The Learning and Innovation Department
Union School District
408-377-8010 ext. 44221
Assembly Information by Grade Level
Picture Day is Friday, September 8th
Oster Movie Night
Join us for Oster’s fall movie night featuring the Super Mario Brothers! Bring your blankets and/or chairs and settle in for an evening of fun and community.
Friday, September 15 at Oster
Gates open at 6:15 pm
Movie Starts at 7:15 pm
Parents/guardians/adults MUST be present!
This FREE event is presented by your Oster Home & School Club! We will have free popcorn and food available to purchase from local awesome food trucks & more!
Attendance Matters
Electronic Benefit Transfer Cards
Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) is a federal initiative designed to provide food assistance to students who have been impacted by the pandemic and are missing out on meals that would have been provided at school. This program aims to replace those meals with a monetary benefit that can be used to purchase food.
P-EBT benefits have been distributed to all students who attended Union School District last year. The California Department of Education has determined eligibility for P-EBT cards based on the District's status, rather than the individual status of each student. P-EBT cards containing a benefit amount of $120 were mailed to student's home mailing address in August. These cards function like debit cards and can be used at locations where CalFresh Food benefits are accepted.
Families who determine the P-EBT benefits are not necessary can drop off their cards at a collection box which has been made available in the front office area at school. The District is working with the California Department of Education on redistributing returned P-EBT cards to students who are in need of these benefits.
Wednesday, September 6th:Home and School Club Meeting @ 6:00 pm
Friday, September 8th: Picture Day
Monday, September 11th: USD Board Meeting @ 6:00 pm
Tuesday, September 12th Parent Information Night for Be Seen and Heard
Friday, September 15th: Oster's Movie Night
School Breakfast/Lunch Information
The Nutrition Department remains committed to offering students fresh and nutritious meals, prepared using locally sourced ingredients. Students will once again enjoy complimentary breakfast and lunch this school year. We are excited to announce that the menus for the opening weeks of September are now conveniently available through Nutrislice.
Come to HSC’s first board meeting of the year (9/6)!
Join us for the first Home & School Club Board Meeting Wednesday, September 6th at 6:30 in the staff room. Childcare is available, we look forward to seeing you all!
New Oster Spirit Wear - Get it 9/14!
We will have the new swag on sale after school in front of the HSC shed, stop by and get geared up to show your Cougar spirit! Here’s a sneak peek…
Frozen Fridays
A favorite Oster Tradition, Frozen Friday, happens each week! Stop by after school on Fridays outside the cafeteria to purchase a frozen treat and hang with friends! All treats are $1 or $2. Small bills are appreciated or we can take ApplePay! OR, purchase a Frozen Friday Card here!
Sign up to Volunteer! This is a great opportunity to get involved with HSC & Oster’s connected community and only takes an hour or so on Friday afternoon!
Stay up to date on all the latest Home & School Club News!
Register your Membership Toolkit by visiting www.osterhsc.org!
Get Involved! Check out the variety of volunteering options at: www.osterhsc.org/sign_ups.
Like & Follow:
Facebook @OSTERHSC
Instagram @OSTERHSC1855
Oster Band
- Who: 2nd-5th Grade Students
- When: Tuesdays 7:20am-8am (Fall-Spring)
- Where: Oster Cafeteria
No prior experience is necessary. We will teach you everything! We strive to spread the joys of music in our community!
**This is not a Union School District sponsored event.
For more information please contact: artsinitiativesj@gmail.com
**This is not a Union School District sponsored event.
Oster Elementary School
Principal: Lisa Taormina
Email: taorminal@unionsd.org
Website: https://oster.unionsd.org
Location: 1855 Lencar Way, San Jose, CA, USA
Phone: 408-266-8121