We are preparing rigorously at Laurel for the upcoming statewide testing that begins May 1^st and continues through May 10^th. Once again, we need your support to assist our children in putting their best foot forward. It is imperative that your child arrives on time each of the testing days and fully participates in the entire testing session.

TESTING WILL BEGIN PROMPTLY AT 8:30 EACH DAY.

THERE WILL BE ABSOLUTELY NO INTERRUPTIONS ONCE TESTING BEGINS, so please schedule all necessary appointments after 12:00 p.m.  STUDENTS WHO ARRIVE AFTER TESTING HAS ALREADY BEGUN WILL GO TO THE LIBRARY. They will remain there until the testing period is completed. Children who miss a test will have an opportunity to do make-ups, but we ask that you help us by avoiding the burden of having to catch students up because they were late. 

Here are a few tips to help your child be successful:

• Review basic facts and information provided by the teacher.
• Be sure your child gets a good night’s rest before every test.
• Make sure your child eats healthy meals during testing days.
• Dress your child comfortably and have him/her arrive on time.
• Send your child to school with positive words such as, “I know you are going to do well.”

Last month, Laurel students were treated to a wonderful assembly to get them excited and prepared for S.T.A.R. testing that began today, May 1st. 

Chris Rubio, the Director and choreographer of CREW, has toured with the off Broadway show STOMP for five years.  He created his own percussion movement group here in San Diego called CREW that features a unique combination of rhythm and movement and utlizes everyday objects to make percussive sounds.  CREW performs all over the United States and performs in over 150 schools a year.  The group promotes healthy lifestyles and teaches kids to develop their own talents and hobbies as a way to stay positive and avoid drugs.

At the assembly, students were reminded that in order to "Rock the Test", they need to have a good nights sleep, eat a healthy breakfast, and have a positive attitude.

All returning students, as well as, new transitional kindergarten and full day kindergarten students must complete a registration packet for the 2012-1013 school year.

The Laurel Office will be open for registration beginning, Monday, April 16 through Friday, June 1.

Office hours will be 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. every day, except Wednesdays registration will end at 1:30 p.m.

“Follow your dreams” was the unified theme as Laurel Elementary School added three new inductees to its ring of honor in the school’s cafeteria Friday.  The hall of fame celebration, dedicated to former Laurel custodian Pete Magana, was the 31st in honoring past standout students, bringing the hall’s total to 90 current members. 

This year’s ceremony paid tribute to former Lions Esmelda Gonzalez, Sandra Origel Opittek and Santiago Rendon.  All three spoke to current Laurel fifth-graders and a host of community and school district officials.  After each speech, inductees watched as their framed picture was hung on the school’s wall of fame inside the cafeteria.

Gonzalez currently works as an intervention specialist and guidance counselor in the Pomona Unified School District, while Origel Opittek is employed as a senior tax auditor with the State Board of Equalization   Rendon serves as a firefighter and hazardous materials technician with the Camp Pendleton Fire Department.

Pictured:  (L-R) Laurel Principal Linda Guerrero, Esmelda Gonzalez, former principal and hall of fame founder Bill Wagner, Sandra Origel Opittek and Santiago Rendon. 

To provide equity regarding early and late-start elementary schools, the OUSD Board of Education adopted Board Policy 6112 in March 2007.  This policy was designed to incorporate a five-year rotation in the bell schedules of the district’s 16 elementary schools.

In August 2012, a new five-year cycle begins, thereby shifting all late-start schools (Del Rio, Garrison, Libby, Nichols, North Terrace, Foussat and South Oceanside) to early-start schedules – 8:15 a.m. to 2:55 p.m., with early dismissal on Wednesdays at 12:25 p.m.

Schools that had previously operated on the early-bell schedule (Ivey Ranch, Laurel, McAuliffe, Reynolds, San Luis Rey and Stuart Mesa) will shift to a late-start schedule – 8:55 a.m. to 3:35 p.m., with early dismissal on Wednesdays at 1:05 p.m.

Due to anticipated modernization and renovation, bell schedules for Palmquist Elementary (early) and Mission Elementary (late) will not change.  If you have any questions, please contact your child’s school site. 

Again, the rotation in the elementary bell schedule begins with the new school year in August 2012.  Middle and high schools bell schedules will remain the same as previous years.  The district appreciates your cooperation and understanding in preparing for the 2012-13 school year. 

Beginning with the 2013-14 school year, the first day of class for all OUSD students will be Tuesday, August 20, 2013.  The slightly earlier start date is a result of a new district-wide calendar unanimously approved by the OUSD Board of Education.  The change was made during the board’s regularly scheduled meeting Tuesday, March 13, 2012. 

Other minor changes regarding the revised calendar beginning in 2013-14 include a shorter Thanksgiving Week holiday and an end to the first semester at the winter break (December 20, 2013).  The last day of instruction for students will be June 4, 2014. 

The district asks that all OUSD families please take note of these changes in order to plan accordingly for the start of school in August 2013.  For questions regarding the calendar change, please call 760-966-4008.  

Each year the Technology Training Foundation of America (TTFA), in partnership with Time Warner Cable-San Diego, holds an annual Technology Heroes Tribute and Tech Tools for Schools Awards recognition program.

Winners are recognized for their commitment for helping prepare students for our technological world and receive computers for their classroom and school.

On Thursday, November 3, 2011, TTFA honored fifth grade teacher, Ken Best, for his support with technology at Laurel.  He was recognized with a TECH HERO award and received 10 refurbished computers for our school. 

OUSD teachers and principals from Palmquist and Ivey Ranch were also recognized for their support of computers at their school sites.

Congratulations KEN BEST!  We at Laurel appreciate all your hard work in helping us meet the technology needs for our students.

 Students were treated to a special assembly with Ronald McDonald on September 29, 2011. 

Ronald demonstrated to students that it is who we are "on the inside", our character, that makes us who we really are! 

He explained to students the imporatnce of being trustworhy, responsible, respectful, and fair to others and how those traits help us build strong character!

The 40 minute assembly included state-of-the-art puppetry, magic and music.  Students and teachers were selected to participate in several fun skits, magic tricks and much, much more.  

Thank you Ronald McDonald!

1410 Laurel St.
Oceanside, CA  92058

(760) 966-4200 Office
(760) 966-1704 Fax

Principal: Linda Guerrero

linda.guerrero@oside.us

The Oceanside Unified School District will offer several options for students to enroll in kindergarten and transitional kindergarten programs for the 2012-13 school year.  Registration for all programs begins April 16, 2012.

Eleven sites will offer full-day programs; five will provide half-day offerings, while an additional five campuses will be home to the district's new transitional kindergarten classes.  School of Choice options are available for all of these programs.  Click OUSD Kinder for information and how to register. 

 Parents interested in sending a child to a school other than his/her current school of residence may apply for a change of campus through the district’s School of Choice (SOC) option.  The Second Window for SOC begins Monday, April 2.  All SOC applications must be completed and returned no later than 3 p.m. on Thursday, June 7.

Two forms of address verification must be attached to the application.  Please note that transportation is NOT provided for students approved for SOC.

Applications can be obtained at all OUSD school sites or the district’s Educational Support Services (ESS) office, located at 2080 Mission Ave.  All SOC applications are reviewed based on priority criteria and school capacity.  Children currently utilizing SOC and who will be attending the same school next year do not need to reapply. 

Students on Interdistrict Attendance Permits no longer need to re-apply for renewal unless the student is matriculating to middle or high school. This form can be obtained at the child’s school of residence.

 Please note that Interdistrict requests must be submitted to and will only be accepted at the ESS Office.  Faxes or e-mail will not be accepted for SOC or transfer requests.  If you have any questions, please call the district at 760-966-7849.