OAKLEY UNION

BLOOD DRIVE in honor of Aria Strong, a 5 year old in our community with an extremely rare blood disease that has left her in critical condition, needing several blood and platelet transfusions a week. Please join us in donating blood on Friday, May 10th (10-3), at City of Oakley City Hall (3231 Main Street, Oakley). To make an appointment, click the link within the flyer: https://5il.co/2jym0

Rosa Romero is Delta Vista Middle School's 2023-2024 CSEA Site Employee of the Year! "I love my job because I am able to work with kids everyday. My favorite part about this job is being able to provide kids with the extra support they need to have a positive learning environment." -Rosa

Carla Rivera is Gehringer Elementary School's 2023-2024 CSEA Site Employee of the Year! "My journey in the educational field began as a Bilingual Paraprofessional when my son, who is now a sophomore, started kindergarten at Gehringer Elementary. Two years later my daughter started school too and I expanded my day at work by becoming part of the Campus Supervisor team. When my husband and I moved to this little town named Oakley from San Francisco I didn’t know this gem of a place existed. I enjoy walking along the creek listening to the sound of the stream and riding our bikes as a family from one end to the other making several stops to enjoy nature; the views, and stopping for a bite to eat. Other activities that bring me joy are music/dancing and concerts, trying out new foods, traveling and taking in new cultures, and reading, yet my favorite time of the day is the drive from Delta Vista to Freedom high school at dismissal times to pick up my kids. Being a mom has given me a second opportunity to cherish the many stages of life again. In working in the classrooms, the teachers have certainly given me a crash course on everything that I forgot when I was in school. Their teaching ways and their passion for teaching keep me motivated to work side by side to see the student’s achievements. On the other hand, the students have restored a fire in me to return to school and now I am on my way to earn my BA in Humanities. I look forward to many more years here at OUESD along with my fabulous and amazing coworkers and the rest of our Oakley community." -Carla

Our Nutrition Services Department is in the spotlight for their outstanding efforts in fueling our students' success! Check out the article in The Press highlighting their dedication to providing nutritious meals and how they're nourishing minds and bodies! 🍎🥕 https://www.thepress.net/features/oakley-school-district-honors-lunch-superheroes/article_5875bf92-0e27-11ef-8975-0bbad878adbe.html

Shelly Wyatt is Almond Grove Elementary School's 2023-2024 CSEA Site AND CSEA District Employee of the Year! "I have been with O.U.E.S.D since 2006. First starting out as a para sub, then hired as a Campus Supervisor at Vintage Parkway, gradually taking on multiple roles such as Literacy Support and other Interventions. I moved over to Almond Grove when it opened 10 years ago. Being a team player, going the extra mile, and being dedicated to our students is the best part of my job. Whether I'm just listening to them, tying their shoe or helping them with learning reading strategies. I'm married to my wonderful husband of 35 years. We have two adult children who both are former students here in the Oakley School Dist. Our son is a Firefighter and daughter is in the Insurance industry. In my spare time I love spending time with my family, camping, traveling, exploring and being the passenger when my husband takes a random backroad. In closing I would just like to say I am so honored to receive this title. There's so many amazing staff members here in our district that are so deserving as well. I don't do it for recognition but this is truly so special. Thank You so much!" -Shelly

Congratulations to our outstanding CSEA Site Employee of the Year! Their consistent dedication to our students and families throughout the school year has been truly remarkable. We are immensely grateful for all they do. A HUGE congratulations to you all! Stay tuned for individual posts about these employees in the days to come! Shelly Wyatt - Almond Grove Elementary Carla Rivera - Gehringer Elementary Rosa Romero - Delta Vista Middle Mia Hobson - Iron House Elementary Bernadette Oliveira - Laurel Elementary Rebecca Haro - O'Hara Park Middle Brooke Fernandez - Oakley Elementary Lori Mazzola - Summer Lake Elementary Elke Betonte - Vintage Parkway Elementary

Check out our School Lunch Hero Day! "Thank you to everyone who participated in decorating the site kitchens to make all of our school lunch HEROS feel loved and recognized for all of the hard amazing work they do to make sure our students are fed each day!" -OUESD Nutrition Services

Erin Furnary is Summer Lake Elementary School's 2023-2024 Teacher of the Year! "I absolutely love my job! I always tell my second grade students that I have four main goals to achieve as their teacher: to keep them safe, to enhance and challenge their thinking, to create a positive classroom community, and to prepare them for the next grade level and the world around them. Every day in my second grade classroom is joyous, due to so many reasons why. My scholarly students actively strive to achieve the high academic and behavior expectations we have made and agreed upon since the start of the year. We support every student daily, and choose to experience the highs and lows together, offering empathetic shoulders to lean on. We laugh and giggle during each lesson, always finding the fun within the connections made in phonics, math, and writing. Every student brings their own intelligence, opinions, and questions to the carpet for classroom discussions and circle time, and we're all ready to listen and share. I've been teaching for five years, and each year has become better and better. It's amazing what I have learned, and will continue to learn, from the incredible brains and points of views that come from such tiny humans! I hope with each group of students I get to teach, they will never forget that I will always be cheering them on in their academic careers and lives. I am truly blessed to be a teacher, and work at Summer Lake! Go Sea Turtles! " -Erin Congratulations to you!

Greg Deurloo is O'Hara Park Middle School's 2023-2024 Teacher of the Year! "I have been teaching MS Science for 33 years and still enjoy the classroom. I have been with the Oakley School District for roughly 28 years. I couldn’t have landed in a better place when I got here from Michigan in the Mid 90’s. Over the years I have been fortunate to come in contact with 100’s of awesome people. Terminology and acronyms have changed over the years, but the true driving force educations has not. It is still about the inaction between the teacher and their students that provides the real value. I love teaching science for just that reason. I have shared so many wonderful moment with my students over the years, though experiments, demonstrations, and conversations. My inner 4 year old is alive and well [our sense of wonder] It is always my goal to foster that same sense of wonder for the students in my classes." -Greg Congratulations to you!

Elisabeth (Elli) Hogue is Oakley Elementary School's 2023-2024 Teacher of the Year! "I am so incredibly grateful for all of the amazing teachers and staff that I have been lucky to have worked with throughout the years here at OUESD. It is truly a team effort in everything here, and I love the collaboration that everyone does so we can best support our students." -Elli Elli is a Speech & Language Pathologist. Congratulations to you!

Tim Fox is Laurel Elementary School's 2023-2024 Teacher of the Year! "I’m Tim Fox, a 5th grade teacher and nothing brings me more joy than putting my students first. Beyond the classroom I make sure to interact with the kids during recess and PE because I believe in creating a fun and enjoyable learning environment. Being a teacher isn’t just about textbooks; it’s about making connections. I genuinely enjoy showing my students that learning can be exciting and that their teacher can have fun too. My passion for supporting youth doesn’t stop at academics- I’ve spent years volunteering in sports like baseball, soccer, and basketball. It’s crucial for me to foster not only academic growth but also physical well-being and teamwork. From the classroom to the sports field, I’m here to inspire and support the amazing potential within each of my students. On a personal note I have been married to my amazing wife for almost 25 years and have two children, Hannah 26 and Ethan 19, and a granddaughter- Marianna 4. They have all played key roles in my development as a teacher and I love them all very much!! " -Tim Congratulations to you!

Monica Freeman is Iron House Elementary School's 2023-2024 Teacher of the Year! "I began my teaching career in Antioch and came to OUESD in 2006 to open Iron House. I have taught at Iron House since 2006 - with the exception of 2 years at OPS/ Gehringer/ Vintage Parkway job share. I love the camaraderie in Oakley. When I am not in the classroom, I am working as a transformational health coach, playing with my dogs, or enjoying time with my family. I truly believe that each of us has the ability and choice to do their personal best each day. Age doesn't matter - it is how much you want to show yourself your best that matters. When there are obstacles, it is an opportunity to learn and feel even more amazing once you've overcome those challenges. Each step is a work towards the future you want. So find that support and create something incredible - one step at a time!" -Monica Monica currently teaches 3rd grade. Congratulations to you!

This is our grand prize winner of the National School Breakfast Week Raffle Giveaway: Kaylee Kendall!! The prize is an autographed Klay Thompson Jersey! Congrats Kaylee!!!

Brigette Vinding is Delta Vista Middle School's 2023-2024 Teacher of the Year! "After 28 years in education, I am still a passionate middle school technology teacher dedicated to fostering a love for learning and exploring new technologies among young minds. With a commitment to creating an engaging and innovative classroom environment, I strive to inspire curiosity and prepare students for the ever-evolving world of technology." -Brigette Congratulations to you!

Andrea Spicer is Gehringer Elementary School's 2023-2024 Teacher of the Year! "I have a great passion for helping my students become great leaders and readers. My favorite part about being a Kindergarten teacher is that there is never a dull moment. We share stories, laughter, tears, and joy throughout the day. Our classroom is a safe space where we operate just like a family unit working and learning together each day. I am honored to lead my classroom of small but mighty scholars. I am proud of them each and every day and am grateful I get to lead them on their learning journey. Every day is exciting and new, and I love teaching Kindergarten! " -Andrea Congratulations to you!

Cassie Corder is Almond Grove Elementary School's 2023-2024 Teacher of the Year! "This is my 13th year teaching, lucky 13, but I have been working with children since I was 16. Working with children is my passion! I taught 2nd grade for five years in Pittsburg and I am currently teaching my 8th year in 1st grade at Almond Grove. I am married to my wonderful husband, Chris and we have 2 children - our son Ryan, 10, and our daughter Alyssa, 8. My family and I live in Oakley and enjoy participating in many local sports, community events, and activities. While being TOY this year is a huge honor, the biggest honor has been creating a strong community at Almond Grove and having a staff (who I consider friends) that supports one another and makes us each our best. I feel honored to have been chosen among some amazing educators." - Cassie Congratulations to you!

We are thrilled to announce our OUESD 2023-2024 Teachers of the Year! Oakley is so lucky to have amazing educators on our campuses! Congratulations to all! Be on the lookout for more posts as we will be sharing more about each teacher over the next couple of days.

Parents, did you know your child can ride the wave of success with healthy breakfast options at school?

Keep yourself informed of what's happening around OUESD./ Mantegase informado sobre lo que esta sucediendo en el districto de OUESD. Here is the link to the Superintendent's Newsletter: https://5il.co/2fsq1 Enlace al boletin: : https://5il.co/2fsq2

Celebrating the Year of the Dragon!