A Message from the Principal

Dear Ohlone parents,

Well, we're well into the school year now with classrooms all operating at full speed. It's been a really great experience for me to have a chance to visit all of the rooms these past few months. I'm constantly reminded of just how remarkable our teachers are. The time, energy, care, dedication, effort, heart, and soul that each one puts into the nurturing and education of each of our children is admirable, and a bit unbelievable at times as well. But, the entire Ohlone experience is definitely a team effort.

There are so many different parts that play a significant role in the overall experience at Ohlone. Each contributes a part of a giant puzzle that makes this school such a wonderful place to be. It's not a simple puzzle, though. It is one that has over 1,300 pieces total.

While the teachers and their commitment are at the center of the entire experience, the success of each student is enhanced and supported by a host of other professionals. We are so lucky to have the services and talents of a phenomenal school psychologist named Margaret Sachs, for example. We have a wonderful and extraordinarily dedicated resource specialist in Renee Alloy. We have an extremely knowledgeable speech and language therapist named Jenny Zine. Our reading specialist, Gina Fortt, is a wonderful addition to the Ohlone staff. She brings with her some expertise related to literacy that contributes greatly to student growth. On top of all of these support people, we also have an ELL teacher named Katherine Scott who works with English learners and two extraordinary librarians that help to make books come alive for our kids on a daily basis. They all play their part in contributing to the Ohlone picture. I'm in awe of their expertise and commitment.

We can't speak of the classroom experience without mentioning the aides. Some of our aides have been here for a very long time. Their dedication to helping teachers and students, as well as their continuing belief in the Ohlone philosophy, offer their own distinct contributions of the puzzle.

Another major part of the puzzle is our wonderful PTA. They contribute so much to the richness of our children's experience. Not only do they contribute a portion of the school budget, they also sponsor such wonderful programs as the foreign language classes, after school clubs and sports activities, classroom support in coordinating volunteers, sponsoring science programs, and contributing additional funds for classroom materials. They are also the ones who often sponsor such fun nights as the BINGO night, Family Literacy Night, and Family Math Night, to name a few. Our current presidents, Lillian Hom and Jane Dick, are extraordinarily committed to not only making Ohlone a special place, but also advocating for parent education and the core values. It has been such a pleasure working with them.

Then, we have other tremendous puzzle pieces like PAPiE who give us the necessary support to keep significant people and programs operating in our school. Life here at Ohlone would be very different without their efforts. It has been a real joy to work with such people as Farish Haydel, Linda Furrier, and Clint Smith who are committed in helping to raise the necessary funds to keep so many parts of Ohlone alive.

What would Ohlone be without the help and guidance given by the Farm and Core Values Committees and the Site Council? In many ways they are the pieces that keep the puzzle together, that keep the vision of the final product clear to all of us. They are like the edge of the puzzle. The CVC has been instrumental in helping to make Ohlone an extraordinarily inclusive community that all share the same appreciation for our value system. Kristin Lee and Jen Scherer are wonderful people and it's been an honor to work with them over the past few years. Catherine Wytmar, the new Farm Council leader, with the help of a host of very passionate people, have the Farm in the best place it has ever been. MarieLuis Fries and Tanya Buxton have done a phenomenal job making the Farm come alive for us in so many ways. It has well surpassed even the wildest original visions for the Farm. The site council, led by Alex Russell, helps keep the overall vision and implementation of the Ohlone way moving in the right direction.

We have so many more people who contribute immensely to the Ohlone experience. We have a student body made up of phenomenal and caring kids. We have their wonderful parents who contribute in a variety of ways, from working in the classrooms to making sure that their children get to bed on time. We have PE and music specialists that in their own way contribute their prospective puzzle pieces. We also have two fine custodians who consistently work long hours and are willing to do whatever is necessary to help.

And finally, what would we do without the glue that keeps the entire puzzle together and makes sure that the final product is one that is beautiful, coherent, and happy? I'm of course speaking of our office staff, Barbara Portman and Chrys Mcculloch. They have helped to make my adjustment to this new position a very positive and enjoyable one. Their positive attitude and eternal smiles help us all to navigate this journey.

Yes, it takes a lot of pieces to make the thing we call the Ohlone experience, or the Ohlone Way, one that we are all proud to be a part of. I'm sure that there are even more pieces that I've forgotten to mention. It says a lot about all of us, that this very complicated puzzle, with sometimes very challenging pieces, continually finds ways to fit together to create something that is really great and very meaningful. I'm constantly reminded of my need to step back and appreciate what we have here. It's definitely a team effort, an extraordinary, unique, and wonderful puzzle.

Bill

read the Principal's blog at http://www.ohlone.pausd.org/principalblog.html