Join us at SchoolCARE’s 2013 kick-off meeting and meet other parents involved in our schools’ spring campaign. This meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 16th at 7pm. All are welcome. For more information, contact: ybloom@sbcglobal.net and check out www.albanyschoolcare.org
This Thursday, January 10, is the monthly Parent Teacher Association (PTA) Meeting. The main topic of discussion will be school safety policies (please see the full agenda below). The meeting is at 7pm in the Ocean View Library and childcare is provided.
Ocean View School PTA General Meeting
January 10, 2012 – 7 pm
Agenda:
| Time | Item | Owner |
|
2 min
|
Welcome | June McDaniels |
|
2 min
|
Approval of December minutes | June |
|
5 min
|
Treasurers Report
- Approval of bills
|
Sarah O |
|
5 min
|
Upcoming Events
- Sock Hop – Friday, January 25
- 100-a-Thon Kick-off, February
- Pasta Pomodoro & Barnes & Noble Fundraiser
|
Kate/Sarah O, Katie, Karen |
|
5 min
|
Nomination Committee
- Election of Nomination Committee members in preparation for upcoming PTA Board Election in April
|
June |
|
45 min
|
School Safety – In light of what occurred in Connecticut changes in school policies will be implemented. Principal Georgeson will discuss ways to increase school safety.
|
Principal Terry Georgeson |
Our fall newsletter is now available, highlighting all the great events at Ocean View this fall, for both fun and fundraising. Check out photos from our Fall Festival and Walk-a-thon, which raised over $20,000 for Ocean View!
Click to open the pdf: PTA newsletter December 2012
Below is a message from Ocean View’s Principal, regarding recent events. You may find the same message on the Ocean View website at: http://ov.ausdk12.org/apps/
Dear Ocean View Community:
We are all grieving with those affected by the needless and horrifying violence Friday in Connecticut. Our thoughts, prayers and deep sympathy go out to the families of all of the victims.
Here in Albany we are working together to make sure that our students, families and school staff are safe and that they are aware of resources to support them as they get news of this tragic event.
We have no plan to open this up as a discussion in any of our classrooms at this time. However, we are on alert to be aware of the emotional needs of students. All of us may be feeling a variety of emotions including shock, sadness, or fear. What is most important is that we care for and support one another.
Our District works closely together to immediately respond to and provide support in the event of a school crisis. All schools have a safety plan that is updated annually and schools have been trained in how to implement these plans at their sites. We will be meeting this week as a district to review and discuss current protocols. Changes may be in line and will be communicated to the community if appropriate.
Resources
Families who would like support are encouraged to reach out to resources available at Ocean View School.
At school students can ask their teacher or principal and speak with support service staff at the school who have been trained in helping students cope with trauma and crisis.
To learn about and access the family support services in our area, contact Alameda County Crisis Support Services and Hotline:
1-800-309-2131 or http://www.crisissupport.org/ for more information.
Below are some tips regarding ways to process this event with your child:
¦ Keep the family routines as much as possible
¦ Listen to your children; give children permission to discuss the subject
¦ Keep answers simple and brief
¦ Share your own feelings with them
¦ Provide reassurance that you and their teachers and principal are doing everything they can to keep them safe
Sincerely,
Terry Georgeson
Ocean View Principal
Dear Ocean View Families:
In light of the tragedy that happened yesterday in Connecticut, the following are some TIPS FOR PARENTS WHEN ADDRESSING A TRAGEDY: Whenever a tragedy occurs, children, like many people, may be confused or frightened. Most likely they will look to adults for information and guidance on how to react.
Parents and school personnel can help children cope first and foremost by establishing a sense of safety and security. As more information becomes available, adults can continue to help children work through their emotions and perhaps even use the process as a learning experience.
Here are some helpful tips for parents:
1) Model calm and control;
2) Reassure children that they are safe;
3) Remind them that trustworthy people are in charge;
4) Let children know that it is okay to feel upset;
5) observe children’s emotional state, particularly if they’ve experienced previous trauma (children will express their emotions differently);
6) Tell children the truth and stick to the facts (keep your explanations developmentally appropriate);
7) Monitor your own stress level (talking to friends, family, religious leaders, counselors, can help…as well as getting appropriate sleep, nutrition and exercise);
8) Focus on your children over the week following the tragedy, making time to talk with them. Tell them you love them and that everything will be okay.
Our school psychologist has provided the following website for more information:http://www.
