A Castaic Middle School teacher is receiving a lesson in paying it forward while recovering from a kidney transplant, grateful for the support of family members and his “second family.”
The latter is how Ro Osano, 54, identifies with his co-workers at the Castaic Union School District.
Osano also loves his job teaching in the 2,565-student, kindergarten-to-eighth-grade school district, clearly, and since he was diagnosed with kidney failure about two and a half years ago, both families have really come through for him, he said.
“Castaic (Union) is such a small district and everybody knows each other, and we’re all a family,” Osano said. “From day one at Castaic, I just always felt that we’re a family.”
His sister, Rhoda Tolosa, definitely made the biggest contribution in June, donating her kidney to Osano.
“She’s a great person,” Osano said, “and I love her to death, and her kids are so great.”
But the surgery requires about three months of recovery time for Osano’s immune system, he said.
He’s expected to return to the classroom Sept. 29; however, Osano only had enough sick time left to cover August, due to the fact that he’s been ill, and he’s donated time to help others in the past.
After finding out how much time he would need for his recovery, Osano requested assistance from his second family, through the school district’s Catastrophic Leave program.
Catastrophic Leave is a policy allowing a teacher to request the donation of unused sick days from their fellow teachers.
If a teacher is interested, he or she can donate a (combined) maximum of 60 days, which is in accordance with state and federal law, said Wendy Mullins, assistant superintendent of human resources for the Castaic Union School District.
The district approves such requests to use the policy on a case-by-case basis, according to district officials.
After the board approved the motion, an email went out notifying district teachers and staff of the request.
And the response was immediate.
“I had people submitting donations literally within hours of me sending out the email,” Mullins said. We’ve already received a number of donations.”
Osano is allowed to use those sick days, which will allow him to receive income during his doctor-ordered respite.
News of his co-workers’ willingness to help is hardly surprising to those who work with Osano, including Castaic Middle School Principal Bob Brauneisen, who praised Osano’s fortitude and effort as he tried to work through his sickness last year.
“Everyone in this district is aware of his strong contribution to the CMStv program,” Brauneisen said.
Every year, the students of the school’s TV production class, CMStv, work toward the opportunity to compete with the skills they’ve learned at the annual Student Television Network conference at the end of the year, Brauneisen said.
Osano helped pioneer the middle school’s broadcast program, CMStv, which includes a 10-15 minute weekly news program modeled after CBS’s iconic news series, “60 Minutes.”
Student producers are responsible for pitching their stories, videotaping, and all post-production work. Once complete, segments broadcast schoolwide.
Osano’s leadership is a big part of the school’s regular success at the conference, he said, commending Osano’s sacrifices to make that possible.
“He works with these kids on the weekends and after school,” he said, “and (Osano) runs fundraising events so these kids can afford to go.”
In fact, Osano was undergoing dialysis during the last conference, so in between his time commitments to the children, he made arrangements with a local hospital for his treatments so he would miss as little time as possible.
“Regardless of his health, he sacrifices to fulfill their dreams of competing in and doing well at (the conference),” Brauneisen said.
Osano’s health is improving, and he’s been doing his best to help his temporary replacement with lesson plans in his absence.
He’s also, per his doctor’s orders, trying to exercise more to build up his immune system but, at the same time, trying to take it easier. His parents also are helping him recover, he said.
His latest ailment is “cabin fever,” he joked, referring to his eagerness to get back to the classroom.
“I’ve been told to slow down,” Osano said, mentioning an extensive medicinal regimen he must abide by while teaching.
“It’s just such a fun age to teach to,” he said. “Middle school is just a great age, and I think the kids are a lot of fun.”
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54 Comments
Rachel Michelle Davis
So happy he was able to have the surgery.. Hope my husband is so lucky when the time comes :-)
So happy he was able to have the surgery.. Hope my husband is so lucky when the time comes :-)
Get well soon Ro glad you are ok, you were my kids favorite teacher , the one who always bought girls scout cookies from Sami
Get well soon Ro glad you are ok, you were my kids favorite teacher , the one who always bought girls scout cookies from Sami
Lynn Potts Easton Sheila Statti Lopez
Lynn Potts Easton Sheila Statti Lopez
Wishing the best of luck and speedy recovery!
Wishing the best of luck and speedy recovery!
Feel better Ro-
Feel better Ro-
Prayers for a speedy recovery Mr. Osano!!
Prayers for a speedy recovery Mr. Osano!!
Prayers mr osano
Prayers mr osano
I remember mr Osano!!! He was one of my teachers. Prayers for a speedy recovery….
I remember mr Osano!!! He was one of my teachers. Prayers for a speedy recovery….
Feel better soon Ro!
Feel better soon Ro!
Prayers for a speedy recovery Mr. Osano…..wish u all the best
Kaycie Rosas! By the way I saw dr delamious (yes, I totally butchered the name.. maybe?) He said congrats and becoming a Mrs.
Never had you as a teach but I know Kaycie Rosas loved you!! Get well soon!
Omg! Mr. Osano! Long long time ago. Hope he has a great recovery
Hope you recover soon!
He was my teacher in Middle School….good guy
Get well soon Mr. Osano…
Mr. Osano wishing him a full recovers #cms
The Holens are wishing you a speedy recovery! CMS is not the same without you there!!
Sending prayers for you from the Elchico family Mr. Osano!
He got me suspended like 3 times lmfao
He still was a dope teacher!!
What hospital is he at. Im so heart broken
Get better Mr. Osano
Get better Mr. Osano! I loved your class and those kids need you!
Awesome, get well.
Get well soon Mr. Osano!
Cydnee Cydnee Joy Dos Santos
Get well soon and we will be praying for your quick return to the students who love you!!
Get Well Mr. Osano. Praying for you
Hey better soon Mr.O!!! We are all posting for a full recovery!! We love you
Nichole Petrie
Get well soon
My prayers are with you Mr.O.
Praying for a fast recovery Mr. Osano!
Our Pastor just had his kidney transplant last Wed hope your doing as well as he is
Yeah!!!#transplant recipient. Im grateful to god. You will be too it’s an amazing journey and a chance at an amazing new beginning. God bless you and your donor. May you take each day as a blessing♥♡♡♡♡♡
God bless him
God bless him
Get better mr. Osano!
Aw speedy recovery Mr Osano xx
Get better Mr. Osano! You sparked my love for film and television way back in the 7th grade, that love still pushes me to this day. Your advice, “Attention to detail!” still resinates in my mind. Hope to drop by your classroom when you get back and say hi!
Awww he was my fave!! Wishing him a speedy recovery!
OMG!
Get better mr osano!
Love you Ro! ❤️
Susy Janette Martinez omg…. Remember him…
Sending prayers your way for a speedy recovery