Principal Berntsen

 

Welcome to the Ocean Air website! We are incredibly proud of our school and happy that you have taken the time to visit us online. Our website is an excellent vehicle to enhance communication between home and school and to be a valuable source of school news and timely information.

 

We are an amazing school in every way, shape and form. Our school, which opened in August of 2007, is state of the art. 

 

With a dedicated staff, hard-working students, and involved parents, our school’s academic success, as measured by standardized assessments, places us among the top performing schools in the state. In 2013, Ocean Air was one of only 13 California public schools to be awarded the prestigious National Blue Ribbon School Award which stands as a mark of excellence in education. In 2014, Ocean Air was recognized as a California Distinguished School. We are extremely proud of receiving these awards in recognition of our strong academic performance. However, while very proud of our strong performance, we do not rest on past achievements and continuously strive to improve.   

 

In addition to Ocean Air’s rigorous academic program, we understand the value of teaching the whole child. Each week, students receive focused instruction (outside of the homeroom class) by credentialed teachers in the areas of science, music, art, physical education, and enrichment. STEAM+ provides robust and engaging opportunities for students to experience an interdisciplinary approach to learning. Purposeful learning occurs around clear concepts that require students to think critically and explore solutions to real-world problems. Our STEAM+ specialists work together with classroom teachers to enhance the core curriculum by providing students with opportunities for hands-on activities, problem-solving, teamwork, and exposure to the fine arts beyond what is possible in the general education classroom. Science and engineering concepts fuse together with technology and art! Physical education and music collide in ways never before imagined.

 

As part of a quality educational program, it is also our responsibility to support the character development of our children. To help students develop a range of skills they need for school and life, Ocean Air will support the development of empathy, self-control, embracing diversity, integrity, and grit across our classrooms, school, and home. To help us, we have implemented a comprehensive, research-based character education program called Second Step. The Second Step program for kindergarten through sixth grade is a universal, classroom-based curriculum designed to increase students' school success and decrease problem behaviors by promoting social-emotional competence and self-regulation. It teaches skills that strengthen students' ability to learn, have empathy, manage emotions, and solve problems. Using Second Step skills creates a safer, more respectful learning environment that promotes school success for all.  

 

Again, thank you for taking a moment to visit our website and we look forward to your involvement in our school.

 

Sincerely,

Krista Berntsen