COVID-19:  A Message from President Clayton-Tarvin 11/07/2020

Please see this important message from superintendent Dr. Carol Hansen and me.

For the past six weeks, students have been attending school on campus with our Hybrid Learning Model. Tuesday night, the Board of Trustees held a Special Board Meeting to review the Hybrid Model/Schedule and to consider possible modifications. Overall, things are going well but we are always looking for ways to improve. Teachers are increasing their expertise in delivering instruction each week. Small student cohorts have limited co-mingling of students and staff, which has reduced the possibility of exposure to COVID-19 on school campuses. We are happy to report that our safety protocols are working! We have had over 5,500 students and staff at our school sites for the past six weeks and we have only had seven positive COVID-19 cases with no known spread. However, COVID-19 rates are significantly increasing in our community, state, and nation. Just yesterday, the United States broke its record for the highest number of new coronavirus infections in a single day. In addition, the daily case rate and test positivity rate increased in both California and Orange County this week. Therefore, it is prudent for OVSD to act cautiously at this time. Adding more students to our classrooms would prohibit OVSD from adhering to the California Department of Public Health’s guidelines for social distancing with small cohorts, which could lead to increased exposure to COVID-19 for students and staff. The Board of Trustees determined that OVSD will maintain the current Hybrid schedule through December. However, the Board directed staff to develop options to increase the number of days that students are at school or the number of hours of direct instruction time between teachers and students. We will also consider using an AM/PM schedule versus a split week. This will require negotiations with teachers and classified staff. Transitioning to any new schedule will take time to adequately prepare facilities and staff, and communicate with families. Another Special Board Meeting is scheduled for December 3, so that we may provide an update on progress made regarding a modified and enhanced Hybrid schedule. Safeguarding the health of students and staff, while endeavoring to provide the best education possible, is a delicate balancing act. We will continue to strive to keep students and staff safe, while addressing our students’ academic, social, and emotional needs 

Ocean View School District is one of the top performing school districts in Orange County and the state. With award winning teachers, classified employees, administrative leadership and an experienced board of trustees, the district is a destination educational institution in California.

Thanks to the voters of OVSD and the passage of Measure R, the plans for modernization, repairs, and upgrades to school facilities are making OVSD the premiere school district in Southern California, providing state of the art facilities along with first class learning opportunities for 21st Century learners.

I have been elected as board president for the year 2020, and served as vice-president for the year 2019, served as clerk in 2018, and served as president for 3 consecutive terms (2014-2017) prior to that. During my time on the board of trustees, I have worked diligently to build a team that made partnerships, not politics, a priority. School improvement in the Ocean View School District is an ongoing process. Parents and teachers now have a seat at the table where quality education decisions are made. Measurable results include: improving student achievement, providing challenging academics, decreasing class sizes, and increasing the number of art, music, and after-school programs. We have improved technology and are dedicated to providing state of the art learning environments for all students.

During my twenty-four year career as a classroom teacher and union leader, I have learned the importance of actively listening to and collaborating with parents, teachers, and staff to increase efficiency, resolve issues, and empower the people who work with our students everyday. Students in the Ocean View School District are my top priority. I am proud to have been endorsed by hundreds of teachers, parents, and community members. I am thankful to have been elected in 2012, and re-elected in 2016 to serve the OVSD Community. I am proud to announce that I have been re-elected for the General Election 2020, as no one filed to run against me. I am pleased to be able to serve for another term. Thank you for your support, as we are Ocean View Strong!

News

Thursday, November 5, 2020 5:00 PM

Special Board of Trustees Meeting-In Person School Review

Huntington Beach, CA-OVSD Board of Trustees Meeting, Live Now. We anticipate the Board giving direction to our staff. You can watch it here now.

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Friday, October 30, 2020 8:00 AM

Vote 🗳 Center at OVSD, starting Friday, 10/30!

Huntington Beach, CA-Starting on today, Friday, October 30, 2020, and until Election Day, you can vote in person at our district office. Also, if you haven't received your envelope to vote, lost it, or not registered and qualify, you can do so at any polling station. Starting tomorrow, October 30 at 8 a.m., you can vote in person at any OC Vote Center, but we have one right here at OVSD 17200 Pinehurst Lane, HB 92647, Building E. *Note: Photo of V.P. Patricia Singer and me taken pre-pandemic/mask mandate during primary election 2020. Voting Center is back at OVSD!

 

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Wednesday, October 28, 2020 5:00 AM

LA Times-A Latino enclave in Huntington Beach fights to preserve its heritage and raise its clout

 

 

Huntington Beach, CA-Thanks to LA Times reporter Priscilla Vega for a great story on our Oak View Community, especially local hero Oscar Rodriguez. He’s done so much for HB already, it seems, he’s just begun. Please read this to understand his commitment to our HB residents, especially our kids. I appreciate being able to have given input for this piece. Lastly, please know that Congressman Harley Rouda and I agree, a vote for Oscar Rodriguez is a vote for our children’s health and safety. Our children will always be his first priority.

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Wednesday, October 21, 2020 5:25 PM

LA Times-Ocean View School District board censures trustee for second time

 

Huntington Beach, CA-Last night at the board of trustees’ meeting, in a 4-1 vote, we decided to censure Trustee Norm Westwell for the 2nd time. Unfortunately, Westwell continues to disrupt, malign, and harass staff members, district parents and students. His continued disrespect of community members and colleagues cannot stand. This behavior is unacceptable and must cease. As seen in the photo by the LA Times, Westwell also refused to follow our district policy and CA health order and wear a proper mask, donning a scarf on his face instead. I asked him to do as I do and wear a medical grade mask and a face covering, he refused, turning his camera off, turned his back, and attempted to hide face. We all must be in compliance, just as we require our students and staff to do. He must set a proper example or he won’t be allowed to enter the boardroom for our next meeting in November. Please read this very thorough and accurately written article by reporter Matt Szabo for more details.

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Tuesday, October 20, 2020 8:33 PM

LA Times-Steel is tone deaf and dangerous

Huntington Beach, CA-Michelle Steel is not the right fit to represent us in Congress. The LA Times has published this bipartisan opinion piece that OVSD Trustee Jack Souders and I have written. Health and safety of our children is at stake. We must work to re-elect Congressman Harley Rouda to ensure that our children won’t be poisoned by gross polluters, the same that Steel took thousands of dollars in special interest campaign contributions. She fought OVSD and we can’t allow another trash dump to poison our students and teachers in Oak View or anywhere else ever again. Trustee Souders and I urge you to vote wisely in Congressional District 48. Vote Sierra Club endorsed Rep. Harley Rouda. Our children’s lives depend on it. Read full OpEd by clicking hyperlink above.

*These are the opinions of Trustee Souders and myself and not the entire board of trustees. This is first amendment protected speech, and titles are used for identification purposes only.