Shark Bytes

Dear Students and Families,

I hope January is going well and that everyone is looking forward to the upcoming days off! Please note that Oceana will be closed on Monday, January 20th in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Wednesday, January 29th in celebration of Lunar New Year. We hope students enjoy these holidays.

Next week will be an exciting one! On Tuesday, January 21st, we will be recreating the I AM HUMAN picture during Flex Time. We are thrilled to have students participating in this meaningful event. Also, next week, counselors and Vice Principal Mr. Leung will be speaking to 9th - 11th grade students about choosing their classes for the 2025-2026 school year.

We will be ending January with Career Day! Students had until today to submit their top choices for speaker sessions and will receive their finalized schedules next week. We are excited to welcome professionals to Oceana to share their career journeys with students. We encourage students to ask thoughtful questions about the speakers' careers and paths to gain inspiration for their own future careers.

I hope everyone has a great three day weekend!

Take care,

Maritza Torres

It has come to our attention that some cars are driving over the speed limit in the parking lot. For the safety of our students, families and staff, please be sure to slow down when dropping off and picking up students. Thank you for your continued support.

January 20th is the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday and it marks the 30th anniversary as a National Day of Service. Some students will be at Oceana on January 20th doing community service preparing murals and posters for a FlexTime event, the following day, called I AM HUMAN - THEY CAN'T CLIP MY WINGS.

The murals will be of wings that represent Oceana's commitment to helping all our students and our community 'fly' no matter who they are or where they come from. Also, in the words of the East Bay artist, Favianna Rodriguez, "Migration is Beautiful".

Posters are also being made for students to hold for a group photograph that declare "I Am Human". Inspired by the Memphis Sanitation Workers strike of 1968. Martin Luther King Jr. was visiting the strikers to show his support. It was on this trip that he was assassinated. The strikers held signs that read, "I am a Man". Students will be offered the opportunity to hold these signs as they get photographed. Our 'protest' is intended to declare that no matter how much some may attempt to dehumanize others, the Oceana Community remains committed to supporting one another and affirming everyone's right to live life as one's authentic self.

Career Day is coming to Oceana on Friday, January 31st. An overview of the day's format and a link to bios can be found here. Students had time in their advisories to consider the bios of the presenters and submit five preferred choices. Thank you to the wide range of community members who have offered their time to speak to our students!

The penultimate competition for the Oceana CyberSharks (and the league) will be Saturday, January 18. Unlike the last one, this will be held at Jefferson High School in their lower gym. Start time is a little fuzzy, as it always depends on how long it takes for the inspections to complete, but it will go very roughly from 10:30 or 11:00 to about 1:30 or 2pm. There's no cost. Jefferson's main parking lot entrance on Mission Street will probably be closed; so the entrance to use is the one on Bruno Ave (navigate to 11 Bruno Ave in Daly City).

Students will receive their Course Request Sheets for their 2025-2026 schedules during a FlexTime presentation with the counselors between Jan 23 and Feb 6. These Course Request Sheets are due February 12.

Families - If you want to learn more about graduation requirements and what classes your students can request for, you can come to an information session (either Wednesday 2/5 morning @ 7:45 am or Thursday 2/6 evening @ 6:00pm) in the library.

Do you have a current sophomore or junior who may be interested in attending Middle College at Skyline University? An info night for parents and students will be held on Zoom on January 29th from 6:00 - 7:30 PM. Additional information regarding a Shadow day on the 29th and the link to the application have been added to student's Google Classrooms.

This year's yearbook is currently on sale online at Yearbook Forever. The price will be slightly increasing throughout the year, starting in November, so purchase your yearbook now for the best deal!

Seniors! The finish line of Senior Exhibition is in sight, but we still have a few steps to go! To celebrate our second 8 AM Deadline on Wednesday 1/22, there will be complimentary donuts and hot cocoa in the courtyard from 8:00 - 8:25! Feel free to drop by and hang out with some friends while enjoying some breakfast.

Keep going strong, seniors. There is only one more 8 AM Deadline left, and you all got this!

Did you know that students can earn a Biliteracy Seal on their diploma?

Students who exhibit proficiency in English and a second language can qualify for a State Seal of Biliteracy on their Diploma. For Seniors who have met the English proficiency requirement, they can either complete their second language proficiency by finishing (1) 4 years of a second language in high school, (2) passing an AP exam in the second language, or (3) passing a language proficiency test paid by the district.

If your student wants to complete the second language requirement through the district-paid test, please fill out this form by January 20th.

The FAFSA and CADAA are NOW OPEN! Be sure to submit your financial aid applications by the priority deadline on March 2nd. Need support successfully completing your financial aid application? Join us on Wednesday, February 12th in the library from 6-8pm for our annual Cash4College event hosted by Skyline College! Please be sure to have your FSA ID created before the event and the appropriate documents for a smoother process.

Website for FAFSA: https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa

• CHECKLIST FOR FAFSA:

• FSA ID and Password for Student and Parent

• SSN (if you + parent(s) have one)

• Alien Registration Number (if you are not a U.S Citizen)

• Tax Returns and/or W-2 Forms

• Any records of untaxed income received such as: SSDI, child support, TANF, IRA payments, 401(k), or military allowance

Website for CADAA: https://dream.csac.ca.gov/

• CHECKLIST FOR CADAA:

• Dream Act ID and Password for Student and Parent

• SSN or ITIN (if you + parent(s) have one)

• Tax Returns and/or W-2 Forms

• Any records of untaxed income received such as: SSDI, child support, TANF, IRA payments, 401(k), or military allowance

RSVP by completing this google form: https://forms.gle/LNXWMDCY1rFgnnVXA

Check out these workshops if you want info/support with Skyline College! Priority Enrollment Program Day is updated!

Questions? Email Ms. Owyang at aowyang@jeffersonunion.net

Mark your calendars! Basketball Senior Night is scheduled for January 31st in the Oceana Gym.

Interested in the opportunity to contribute to OHS sports and earn community service hours? Our winter sports are in need of responsible and committed team managers throughout the winter season. This commitment includes attendance at practices and games.

Please reach out to Athletics Director, Dan Johnston (djohnston@jeffersonunion.net) with any interest or questions.

Interested in seeing a game? Fantastic! All of our sports games are on our school calendar. Come and support our athletes. Go Sharks!

To participate in athletics, your child must be registered on SportsNet, and you must submit a physical through SportsNet. Please note, physicals are good for one year.

Our Service & Health Fair was today, Friday, January 17th, in the courtyard during lunch! Several non-profit organizations attended to teach students about different ways to spread physical & mental health awareness.

The Excelsior Community Food Pantry distributes fresh groceries to families each week and students can volunteer!

Attached is a slideshow containing all kinds of information you might need to know about Oceana! It discusses graduation requirements, senior exhibition, interim, and more. Additionally, the slideshow has links to digital resources you might find helpful, such as college application guides, SATs, financial aid support, and more.

We encourage all students to review the attached flyer and take advantage of these resources. Mental health is an important aspect of your overall well-being, and we are here to support you every step of the way.

The JUHSD Wellness Page also has many additional support resources.

Wellness Counselor and School Social Worker can provide support with short-term mental health, stress management/mindfulness, grief/loss, anxiety/depression, health appointments, crisis, referrals to community resources/outside counseling, and more! No question or concern is too small!

Click here for the request form!

Alyssa Owyang (she/her), aowyang@jeffersonunion.net, School Counselor, is on campus on Monday, Wednesday & Thursday supporting the 12th grades

Mattias Johansson (he/him), mjohansson@jeffersonunion.net, School Counselor is on campus Monday - Friday supporting 9th-11th graders

Jeannette Herbert (she/her), jherbert@jeffersonunion.net, Wellness Counselor is on campus Monday - Friday

Liberty Cajayon (she/they/siya), lcajayon@jeffersonunion.net, Wellness Counselor II/School Social Worker is on campus Monday - Friday

Website: https://www.juhsd.net/ohs
Location: 401 Paloma Avenue, Pacifica, CA, USA
Phone: 650-550-7300