Superintendent's Interview with AUSD Teacher of the ...

AUSD Newsletter   |   September 22, 2023         Events Friday, Sept. 22:  Island Bowl at Encinal Tuesday, Sep. 26, 6:30 pm:   Board of Education Meeting via Zoom and in person at Council Chambers at City Hall Friday, Sept. 29, 4:30 pm:  Dedication of Dr. Ardella Dailey Preschool Program, 500 Pacific Avenue Monday, Oct. 9:  Staff Development Day (no school for students) Thursday, Oct. 12, 6:30 pm: Community Forum: Creating Inclusive School Libraries Tuesday, Oct. 17, 6:00 pm: Community Advisory Committee Meeting , via Teams Thursday, Nov. 9, 6:30 pm: Community Forum: Recognizing and Responding to the Fentanyl Epidemic Superintendent Scuderi Interviews Teacher of the Year Jessica Kerber This week we’re launching a series of interviews between Superintendent Scuderi and AUSD teachers and staff. The interviews are meant to spotlight the high-quality instruction happening in our classrooms and help the community understand the goals of our 2023 Strategic Plan. For our first interview, Superintendent Scuderi interviewed 2023 Teacher of the Year Jessica Kerber. Ms. Kerber has taught English at Encinal Jr. & Sr. High School since 2005. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature from UC Berkeley and her teaching credential through Project Pipeline. During the interview, she and Superintendent Scuderi discuss the relationship between student engagement and achievement, choosing texts that are relevant to students, and how they both stay motivated and inspired despite the many challenges present in public education. Interview video Press release about Ms. Kerber Strategic Plan To see and translate captions on the video: Click "CC" at the bottom of the video screen Click the Settings gear icon Select "Subtitles/CC" Select "Auto-Translate" for a menu of languages available for the captions AUSD Publishes Family-Friendly Budget Guide In response to community questions about the school district’s budget, AUSD has published a “Family-Friendly Guide to the AUSD Budget.” The guide, which is published digitally, provides general information on the annual budget approval budget cycle for school districts and the different types of revenues and expenditures. It also includes specific information on AUSD’s budget for 2023-24. “School district budgets are notoriously complex and subject to many variable factors including state funding decisions, local enrollment, and the availability of grants and other one-time funding sources,” says Superintendent Pasquale Scuderi. “Our hope is that this guide will help our entire community understand not only the complexity of the budget but also how we identify priorities and make funding decisions.” Read the Budget Guide Community Voices: Hispanic Heritage Month and Jewish High Holy Days This year, AUSD will invite members of the Alameda community to share their thoughts and valuable cultural insights during the heritage months, religious holidays, and historical days we celebrate in AUSD. We started this practice last week with Rabbi Cynthia Minster’s  words on the meaning of the Jewish High Holy days , which began with Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, on September 15. This Sunday at sundown, Jewish Alamedans will begin their celebration of the Jewish holiday Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15 - Oct. 15), Alcance President Carmen Preuss shares her thoughts on celebrating the Latino community's diversity and shared connections and the value of integrating Latino families' cultural and linguistic assets into school communities. Carmen also shares a list of local events and establishments honoring the month. 14 AUSD School Recognized by California PBIS California PBIS has recognized 14 AUSD for excellence in the implementation of the core features of Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports, a proactive and school-wide approach to defining, teaching, and supporting appropriate student behavior. To acknowledge this honor, California PBIS is currently displaying our district’s name and the names of recognized school sites on the California PBIS Webpage and will also display them at the 8th Annual California PBIS Conference in Sacramento on October 11 - 13, 2023. AUSD schools received honors across all four categories: Platinum   Gold Silver Bronze Bay Farm  Edison  Franklin Lincoln Paden Ruby Bridges Love May Lin Otis AHS Earhart EJSHS Wood  ASTI Learn more about AUSD's PBIS program Bay Farm School and Edison Elementary School Recognized on Federal Green Strides Tour The US Department of Education's "Green Strides Tour" wound its way through central and northern California this past month and included stopes at both Bay Farm School and Edison Elementary School. The tour highlights the achievements of schools that have received the prestigious federal Green Ribbon Schools (ED-GRS) award for school sustainability. It is intended to promote state and local collaboration regarding school facilities, health, and environmental education.  Officials from federal, state, and local agencies attended the tour, in addition to community members and representatives from local non-profit organizations. All expressed enthusiasm and admiration for our schools' ambitious green programs! View the slideshow Open Enrollment: September 18 - October 13 AUSD’s open enrollment period for benefits is now open. Please look in your inbox for messages from Deborah Dobbins, sent earlier this week. These emails include information about rate charts and plan summaries, scheduling appointments with a representative, and applying for cash-in-lieu. Find more information on AUSD’s Benefits web page AUSD's Protocols on Smoky Days This week’s poor air quality raised questions among families and staff about AUSD’s practices when wildfire smoke drifts into our region. Over the last several years, AUSD has developed protocols for responding to various levels of air quality that are likely to occur here. Those protocols include: Monitoring air quality carefully and continually when there are forecasts of wildfire smoke. Tracking air quality via several sources , including AirNow (US EPA) and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District . Following statewide guidance prepared by a working group of leaders from education, air quality, and public health to determine how we adjust school activities – especially lunch, recess, PE, and athletic practices and sports – in response to the "air quality index" (AQI). Maintaining improved ventilation at our school sites via MERV-13 HVAC filters and HEPA air purifiers. Please note that these  filter out the particulates from smoke but not the smell of smoke. Providing N95 or KN95 masks to protect against wildfire smoke. As a reminder: all of our school sites have N95 masks in the front office for any student or staff member who needs one. A table of the exact measures to be taken as air quality worsens is available on our Safety Procedures for Natural Hazards web page . Affordable Housing Opportunity The City of Alameda recently announced the availability of 25 new Below Market Rates (BMR) townhomes at the Island View and Waterside developments along the Alameda Marina. These homes are priced for households that make Very Low to Moderate Incomes (see table of income limits below). Pre-applications will be accepted until September 24, 2023 at 5 pm. A lottery will be held September 26. AUSD employees receive a preference point in the lottery . More information At its September 12 public meeting, the Board of Education heard an update on implementation of the Strategic Plan and approved the 2022-23 Unaudited Actuals Financial Report. The Board also approved resolutions allowing AUSD to hire educators who are not yet fully qualified if fully qualified educators cannot be found. Agenda and video At its September 26 public meeting, the Board of Education will hear presentations on 2023-24 enrollment and developing a new three-year Local Control and Accountability Plan in alignment with the Strategic Plan. The Board will vote on designating a Board Liaison for local revenue measures. This meeting will be held at City Hall and via Zoom. Agenda and Zoom information …Otis Elementary teacher Erin Cogan  who has been accepted into the Fulbright Global Classroom program for the 2023-24 school year.  The year-long program brings together teachers from across the United States to learn strategies for bringing an international perspective to their schools. Ms. Cogan will participate in a rigorous online course this fall, attend a symposium in Washington D.C. in February, and then do an international field placement for two or three weeks in the spring. Her “capstone” project will be a Global Education Guide to help AUSD teachers learn to bring global awareness, diverse perspectives, and mutual understanding to their classrooms. We'll share more information about her journey and project later this year! ...to the IslandHacks students for their successful, first-ever high school hackathon. The social coding event, which Alameda students organized, was open to all Alameda high school students and held at Encinal Jr. Sr. High School's Media Center. A whopping 80 students attended! Students in attendance collaborated on an innovative coding project, participated in a coding workshop, and could network with their peers in tech. IslandHacks also assembled a tech career panel with panelists from across the industry: Kevin Zhou of Amplitude, Flora Liao of Clockwise, Jason Atwater of Exelixis, and Jordan Eldredge of Meta. "The event went well and provided an enjoyable experience for participants to collaborate with others, enhance their coding skills, and gain insights into STEM careers," said EJSHS senior Allen Liao. *Photo credit to Chris and Emilia of IslandHacks ...Bay Farm School Principal Katherine Crawford Please Take Our Local Funding Survey! AUSD is currently exploring funding options to maintain our quality local schools. Specifically, we are exploring the possibility of combining and renewing our local parcel tax Measures B1 (passed in 2016) and A (passed in 2020). We recently sent a mailer to Alameda residents with both information about about the steps AUSD is taking to explore funding options and a tear-off survey. We encourage you to take the survey and mail it back to us. The survey - with translations in five languages - is also available on our website if that is more convenient. We value your input as we analyze our ongoing funding needs and priorities. September 2023 Survey Local Funding web page with more information Parcel Tax Oversight Positions Available AUSD is now accepting applications for the Parcel Tax Oversight Committee. The committee is comprised of 11 community members (including parent/guardians and district employees) and meets four to six times a year to review the district’s compliance with the terms of its two parcel taxes: Measure B1 and Measure A. Measure B1 (passed in 2016) raises about $12 million per year for core programs, including AP classes, neighborhood schools, small class sizes in grades K-3, athletics, enrichment, and technology. Measure B1 went into effect on July 1, 2018 and will sunset on June 30, 2025. Measure A (passed in 2020) raises about $10 million per year solely for retaining and attracting high-quality employees by raising salaries. In the past, AUSD has had separate oversight committees for its parcel taxes. Because the district now has two parcel taxes running concurrently, however, in October of 2020 the Board of Education voted to create a combined committee to help manage the revenue streams as one unified program. The deadline for applying is October 15. Full press release Dr. Ardella Dailey Preschool Program Dedication on September 29 All are welcome to join us on September 29 when we gather to name the district’s preschool program after Dr. Ardella Dailey. The Board voted in December, 2022 to name the preschool program after Dr. Dailey, who over the last 40 years has worked as a principal, administrator, superintendent, and Board member with AUSD.  She is currently an Associate Professor of Educational Leadership in the College of Education and Allied Stiudies at CSU-East Bay. More information on the renaming process During the gathering, speakers will give remarks about Dr. Dailey’s many contributions to AUSD and the surrounding community, and a new plaque honoring her will be unveiled. The event will be held at WCDC (500 Pacific Avenue) and will begin at 4:30 pm. September 18-29: California High School Voter Education Weeks The California Department of Education has designated the last two weeks of September (that’s September 18-29 this year) as “High School Voter Education Weeks.” The goal of the program is to promote civic education and engagement among high schoolers. During these weeks this year, the Alameda League of Women Voters will be supporting students in setting up tables where students can register and pre-register to vote.  (In California, any person who is at least 16-years-old and otherwise eligible to vote can preregister to vote. Once preregistered, the person will be automatically registered at age 18.)   You can find pre-registration information on the Secretary of State’s website ; students can register to vote here . Or look for the voter registration tables at the high schools later this month! Library Card Sign-Up Month! Alameda Free Library is celebrating Library Card Sign Up Month by promoting its many resources and programs, including books, magazines, music and videos, as well as audiobooks, streaming movies, and do-it-yourself classes via Creativebug. Students are especially encouraged to get a library card, and new card holders can choose a limited-time card featuring art by Caldecott winning author/illustrator Jon Klassen or a design celebrating your Freedom to Read. Keep an eye on the library’s calendar for more special programs and information all September long. You can contact the reference desk at refdesk@alamedafree.org or at 510-747-7713 with any questions you may have. September 22: The Island Bowl is Tonight! AUSD’s storied Island Bowl between Alameda High School and Encinal High School takes place tonight oon Encinal’s Don Grant Football Field. Gates open at 3:45 pm for the 5:00 pm varsity game. Hornets fans should enter via the boat ramp; Jets fans should enter at the 3rd Street gate. Encinal comes to this game with 1-3 record. Hornets arrive with 3-0. City of Alameda Job Fair AUSD staff will be at the City of Alameda’s 9th Annual Job Fair this coming Tuesday, September 26, at South Shore Center. Please look for us to learn about our current job openings, benefits, work place culture, and more! Job Fair details AUSD’s current job openings The 31st Annual Citywide College Night Alameda Unified School District, St. Joseph Notre Dame High School, and the College of Alameda are hosting the 31st Annual Citywide College Night on October 4 from 6-8 p.m. at the College of Alameda Gym. Representatives from various CSUs, UCs, and private colleges will be in attendance. This is a great opportunity to meet college representatives and learn more about the application process! Talk to your high school counselors for more information about this free college planning event.

Friday, Sep 22 2023

Superintendent's Interview with AUSD Teacher of the ...

AUSD Newsletter   |   September 22, 2023         Events Friday, Sept. 22:  Island Bowl at Encinal Tuesday, Sep. 26, 6:30 pm:   Board of Education Meeting  via Zoom and in person at Council Chambers at City Hall Friday, Sept. 29, 4:30 pm:  Dedication of Dr. Ardella Dailey Preschool Program, 500 Pacific Avenue Monday, Oct. 9:  Staff Development Day (no school for students) Thursday, Oct. 12, 6:30 pm: Community Forum: Creating Inclusive School Libraries Tuesday, Oct. 17, 6:00 pm:   Community Advisory Committee Meeting , via Teams Thursday, Nov. 9, 6:30 pm: Community Forum: Recognizing and Responding to the Fentanyl Epidemic Superintendent Scuderi Interviews Teacher of the Year Jessica Kerber This week we’re launching a series of interviews between Superintendent Scuderi and AUSD teachers and staff. The interviews are meant to spotlight the high-quality instruction happening in our classrooms and help the community understand the goals of our 2023 Strategic Plan. For our first interview, Superintendent Scuderi interviewed 2023 Teacher of the Year Jessica Kerber. Ms. Kerber has taught English at Encinal Jr. & Sr. High School since 2005. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature from UC Berkeley and her teaching credential through Project Pipeline. During the interview, she and Superintendent Scuderi discuss the relationship between student engagement and achievement, choosing texts that are relevant to students, and how they both stay motivated and inspired despite the many challenges present in public education. Interview video Press release about Ms. Kerber Strategic Plan To see and translate captions on the video: Click "CC" at the bottom of the video screen Click the Settings gear icon Select "Subtitles/CC" Select "Auto-Translate" for a menu of languages available for the captions AUSD Publishes Family-Friendly Budget Guide In response to community questions about the school district’s budget, AUSD has published a “Family-Friendly Guide to the AUSD Budget.” The guide, which is published digitally, provides general information on the annual budget approval budget cycle for school districts and the different types of revenues and expenditures. It also includes specific information on AUSD’s budget for 2023-24. “School district budgets are notoriously complex and subject to many variable factors including state funding decisions, local enrollment, and the availability of grants and other one-time funding sources,” says Superintendent Pasquale Scuderi. “Our hope is that this guide will help our entire community understand not only the complexity of the budget but also how we identify priorities and make funding decisions.” Read the Budget Guide Community Voices: Hispanic Heritage Month and Jewish High Holy Days This year, AUSD will invite members of the Alameda community to share their thoughts and valuable cultural insights during the heritage months, religious holidays, and historical days we celebrate in AUSD. We started this practice last week with Rabbi Cynthia Minster’s  words on the meaning of the Jewish High Holy days , which began with Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, on September 15. This Sunday at sundown, Jewish Alamedans will begin their celebration of the Jewish holiday Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15 - Oct. 15), Alcance President Carmen Preuss shares her thoughts on celebrating the Latino community's diversity and shared connections and the value of integrating Latino families' cultural and linguistic assets into school communities. Carmen also shares a list of local events and establishments honoring the month. 14 AUSD School Recognized by California PBIS California PBIS has recognized 14 AUSD for excellence in the implementation of the core features of Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports, a proactive and school-wide approach to defining, teaching, and supporting appropriate student behavior. To acknowledge this honor, California PBIS is currently displaying our district’s name and the names of recognized school sites on the California PBIS Webpage and will also display them at the 8th Annual California PBIS Conference in Sacramento on October 11 - 13, 2023. AUSD schools received honors across all four categories: Platinum   Gold Silver Bronze Bay Farm  Edison  Franklin Lincoln Paden Ruby Bridges Love May Lin Otis AHS Earhart EJSHS Wood  ASTI Learn more about AUSD's PBIS program Bay Farm School and Edison Elementary School Recognized on Federal Green Strides Tour The US Department of Education's "Green Strides Tour" wound its way through central and northern California this past month and included stopes at both Bay Farm School and Edison Elementary School. The tour highlights the achievements of schools that have received the prestigious federal Green Ribbon Schools (ED-GRS) award for school sustainability. It is intended to promote state and local collaboration regarding school facilities, health, and environmental education.  Officials from federal, state, and local agencies attended the tour, in addition to community members and representatives from local non-profit organizations. All expressed enthusiasm and admiration for our schools' ambitious green programs! View the slideshow At its September 12 public meeting, the Board of Education heard an update on implementation of the Strategic Plan and approved the 2022-23 Unaudited Actuals Financial Report. The Board also approved resolutions allowing AUSD to hire educators who are not yet fully qualified if fully qualified educators cannot be found. Agenda and video At its September 26 public meeting, the Board of Education will hear presentations on 2023-24 enrollment and developing a new three-year Local Control and Accountability Plan in alignment with the Strategic Plan. The Board will vote on designating a Board Liaison for local revenue measures. This meeting will be held at City Hall and via Zoom. Agenda and Zoom information …Otis Elementary teacher Erin Cogan  who has been accepted into the Fulbright Global Classroom program for the 2023-24 school year.  The year-long program brings together teachers from across the United States to learn strategies for bringing an international perspective to their schools. Ms. Cogan will participate in a rigorous online course this fall, attend a symposium in Washington D.C. in February, and then do an international field placement for two or three weeks in the spring. Her “capstone” project will be a Global Education Guide to help AUSD teachers learn to bring global awareness, diverse perspectives, and mutual understanding to their classrooms. We'll share more information about her journey and project later this year! ...to the IslandHacks students for their successful, first-ever high school hackathon. The social coding event, which Alameda students organized, was open to all Alameda high school students and held at Encinal Jr. Sr. High School's Media Center. A whopping 80 students attended! Students in attendance collaborated on an innovative coding project, participated in a coding workshop, and could network with their peers in tech. IslandHacks also assembled a tech career panel with panelists from across the industry: Kevin Zhou of Amplitude, Flora Liao of Clockwise, Jason Atwater of Exelixis, and Jordan Eldredge of Meta. "The event went well and provided an enjoyable experience for participants to collaborate with others, enhance their coding skills, and gain insights into STEM careers," said EJSHS senior Allen Liao. *Photo credit to Chris and Emilia of IslandHacks ...Bay Farm School Principal Katherine Crawford Please Take Our Local Funding Survey! AUSD is currently exploring funding options to maintain our quality local schools. Specifically, we are exploring the possibility of combining and renewing our local parcel tax Measures B1 (passed in 2016) and A (passed in 2020). We recently sent a mailer to Alameda residents with both information about about the steps AUSD is taking to explore funding options and a tear-off survey. We encourage you to take the survey and mail it back to us. The survey - with translations in five languages - is also available on our website if that is more convenient. We value your input as we analyze our ongoing funding needs and priorities. September 2023 Survey Local Funding web page with more information Parcel Tax Oversight Positions Available AUSD is now accepting applications for the Parcel Tax Oversight Committee. The committee is comprised of 11 community members (including parent/guardians and district employees) and meets four to six times a year to review the district’s compliance with the terms of its two parcel taxes: Measure B1 and Measure A. Measure B1 (passed in 2016) raises about $12 million per year for core programs, including AP classes, neighborhood schools, small class sizes in grades K-3, athletics, enrichment, and technology. Measure B1 went into effect on July 1, 2018 and will sunset on June 30, 2025. Measure A (passed in 2020) raises about $10 million per year solely for retaining and attracting high-quality employees by raising salaries. In the past, AUSD has had separate oversight committees for its parcel taxes. Because the district now has two parcel taxes running concurrently, however, in October of 2020 the Board of Education voted to create a combined committee to help manage the revenue streams as one unified program. The deadline for applying is October 15. Full press release Dr. Ardella Dailey Preschool Program Dedication on September 29 All are welcome to join us on September 29 when we gather to name the district’s preschool program after Dr. Ardella Dailey. The Board voted in December, 2022 to name the preschool program after Dr. Dailey, who over the last 40 years has worked as a principal, administrator, superintendent, and Board member with AUSD.  She is currently an Associate Professor of Educational Leadership in the College of Education and Allied Stiudies at CSU-East Bay. More information on the renaming process During the gathering, speakers will give remarks about Dr. Dailey’s many contributions to AUSD and the surrounding community, and a new plaque honoring her will be unveiled. The event will be held at WCDC (500 Pacific Avenue) and will begin at 4:30 pm. September 18-29: California High School Voter Education Weeks The California Department of Education has designated the last two weeks of September (that’s September 18-29 this year) as “High School Voter Education Weeks.” The goal of the program is to promote civic education and engagement among high schoolers. During these weeks this year, the Alameda League of Women Voters will be supporting students in setting up tables where students can register and pre-register to vote.  (In California, any person who is at least 16-years-old and otherwise eligible to vote can preregister to vote. Once preregistered, the person will be automatically registered at age 18.)   You can find pre-registration information on the Secretary of State’s website ; students can register to vote here . Or look for the voter registration tables at the high schools later this month! Library Card Sign-Up Month! Alameda Free Library is celebrating Library Card Sign Up Month by promoting its many resources and programs, including books, magazines, music and videos, as well as audiobooks, streaming movies, and do-it-yourself classes via Creativebug. Students are especially encouraged to get a library card, and new card holders can choose a limited-time card featuring art by Caldecott winning author/illustrator Jon Klassen or a design celebrating your Freedom to Read. Keep an eye on the library’s calendar for more special programs and information all September long. You can contact the reference desk at refdesk@alamedafree.org or at 510-747-7713 with any questions you may have. September 22: The Island Bowl is Tonight! AUSD’s storied Island Bowl between Alameda High School and Encinal High School takes place tonight oon Encinal’s Don Grant Football Field. Gates open at 3:45 pm for the 5:00 pm varsity game. Hornets fans should enter via the boat ramp; Jets fans should enter at the 3rd Street gate. Encinal comes to this game with 1-3 record. Hornets arrive with 3-0. City of Alameda Job Fair AUSD staff will be at the City of Alameda’s 9th Annual Job Fair this coming Tuesday, September 26, at South Shore Center. Please look for us to learn about our current job openings, benefits, work place culture, and more! Job Fair details AUSD’s current job openings The 31st Annual Citywide College Night Alameda Unified School District, St. Joseph Notre Dame High School, and the College of Alameda are hosting the 31st Annual Citywide College Night on October 4 from 6-8 p.m. at the College of Alameda Gym. Representatives from various CSUs, UCs, and private colleges will be in attendance. This is a great opportunity to meet college representatives and learn more about the application process! Talk to your high school counselors for more information about this free college planning event.

Friday, Sep 22 2023

Air Quality This Week

Dear families, Air quality in our region has dipped over the last 24 hours and is forecast to be in the "moderate" to "unhealthy for sensitive groups" range for the rest of this week. We'd like to take this opportunity to remind you of AUSD’s protocols on smoky days. First, please be assured that  AUSD monitors air quality carefully and continually when there are forecasts of wildfire smoke.  Second, w e track air quality via several sources , including AirNow (US EPA) and the  Bay Area Air Quality Management District .  Third, w e  follow statewide guidance that was prepared in 2019 by a working group of leaders from education, air quality, and public health to determine how we adjust school activities – especially lunch, recess, PE, and athletic practices and sports – in response to the "air quality index" (AQI). Those protocols are described in the table below. More detail is available on our Safety Protocols for Natural Hazards webpage .   Fourth, v entilation at our school sites  benefits from both  MERV-13 HVAC filters and HEPA air purifiers. Please note that these  filter out the particulates from smoke but not the smell of smoke.   Fifth, public health officials recommend using  N95 or KN95 masks  to protect against wildfire smoke. As a reminder: all of our school sites have N95 masks in the front office for any student or staff member who needs one. We encourage all families to monitor air quality when wildfire smoke is in the region and look for communications from their school principals and our District Office to keep abreast of current status and activity changes.   Thank you, Susan Davis Senior Manager, Community Affairs

Wednesday, Sep 20 2023

Two AUSD Schools to be Featured on Federal "Green" T...

AUSD Newsletter   |  September 8 , 2023          Events Tuesday, Sep. 12, 6:30 pm: Board of Education Meeting via Zoom and in person at Council Chambers at City Hall Thursday, Sept. 14, 5 - 8 pm:  AEF Back-to-School BBQ Fundraiser Friday, Sept. 22: Island Bowl at Encinal Friday, Sept. 29, 4:30 pm: Dedication of Dr. Ardella Dailey Preschool Program, 500 Pacific Avenue Bay Farm and Edison to Be Featured on Federal Tour In honor of their significant contributions to environmental programs in AUSD and across Alameda, the US Department of Education is including both Bay Farm School and Edison Elementary School on this year's Green Strides Tour. The tour highlights the achievements of schools that have received federal Green Ribbon Schools (ED-GRS) awards for school sustainability. It is intended to promote state and local collaboration regarding school facilities, health, and environmental education. The three-day tour will bring federal, state, and local officials to schools in central and northern California, including in San Francisco, Oakland, Los Altos, Woodside, Livermore, Clovis, and Atwater. It will visit Bay Farm and Edison on September 19. More information Meet This Year's Student Board Members! This year we welcome two new student representatives to our Board of Education - Mirabelle Kruger (Encinal Jr. Sr. High School) and Lianna Lau (ASTI) - and welcome back Talia Kotovsky (returning student member for Alameda High School). All three members are eager to advocate for their peers, shape district leaders' perspectives on critical issues, and continue to strengthen the AUSD community. We asked each student board member four questions to help introduce them to the community. Meet the students AUSD Summer Program Helps More Students Become College Ready In a  session designed to help more Black and Latino students be college ready, AUSD offered a a math program this summer that featured small class sizes, one to one coaching, and innovative ways of teaching mathematical concepts. As a result, 100% of the enrolled students improved their grades and are now back on the college track. The program was funded by a state Anti-Bias Education Grant, designed by AUSD staff and teachers, and taught by teachers from Encinal Jr. & Sr. High School and Lincoln Middle School. The grant also paid for 16 AUSD math teachers to participate in professional development led by a UC Berkeley professor who specializes in developing robust, engaging classroom experiences for students. Read about the program Lum Site Begins Preparation for Wood Construction Alamedans driving past Lum Elementary School may notice trucks and workers on the site this month. Those workers are preparing the campus to have its buildings removed starting in November, so that a temporary campus can be built next summer. That campus, in turn, will house Wood Middle School students and staff while their site is transformed into a modern learning environment, complete with  a new classroom building, a new library and administration building, a new gymnasium, and a beautiful new campus with gardens and outdoor learning areas. We honor and acknowledge the history of Lum Elementary and the memories that many of our community members have of that campus. At the same time, we are very excited about our plans to renovate Wood Middle School. You can learn more about these projects in this story on our website   and on our  Wood Middle School construction web page. At its August 22 public meeting , the Board of Education heard presentations on AUSD's enrollment so far this year and the Extended Learning Opportunity program. The Board voted to approve new subcommittee assignments for the Board Members and to increase their meeting stipend from $120 per meeting to $126 per meeting. Agenda and video At its September 12 public meeting , the Board will hear an update on AUSD's Strategic Plan. The Board will vote to approve the 2022-23 unaudited actuals financial report and a resolution to authorize hiring teachers on provisional permits. Agenda and Zoom information   Mental Health Resources Available for Students, Staff, and Families AUSD offers a wide range of mental health resources through our own staff and via and our partnerships with other organizations. Those mental health resources include: CareSolace - a concierge service that helps families and students find local mental health supports and services. The web-based system is available in more than a dozen languages and is free. (Special thanks to Alameda Education Foundation for sponsoring the service for AUSD!) Alameda Family Services : This local agency provides free counseling and other supports to children, teens, and families. The organization also provides  School-Based Health Centers, staffed with California Board Registered mental health professionals and MFT and MSW trainees who provide brief counseling with a focus on assessment, stabilization, and skill building. In addition, all AUSD employees have access to the Magellan  Employee Assistance Program , which offers free emotional, legal, and financial counseling. More information is available on our Mental Health Resources page . Parcel Tax Oversight Positions Available AUSD is now accepting applications for the Parcel Tax Oversight Committee. The committee is comprised of 11 community members (including parent/guardians and district employees) and meets four to six times a year to review the district’s compliance with the terms of its two parcel taxes: Measure B1 and Measure A. Measure B1 (passed in 2016) raises about $12 million per year for core programs, including AP classes, neighborhood schools, small class sizes in grades K-3, athletics, enrichment, and technology. Measure B1 went into effect on July 1, 2018 and will sunset on June 30, 2025. Measure A (passed in 2020) raises about $10 million per year solely for retaining and attracting high-quality employees by raising salaries. In the past, AUSD has had separate oversight committees for its parcel taxes. Because the district now has two parcel taxes running concurrently, however, in October of 2020 the Board of Education voted to create a combined committee to help manage the revenue streams as one unified program. The deadline for applying is October 15. Full press release Library Card Sign-Up Month! Alameda Free Library is celebrating Library Card Sign Up Month by promoting its many resources and programs, including books, magazines, music and videos, as well as audiobooks, streaming movies, and do-it-yourself classes via Creativebug. Students are especially encouraged to get a library card, and new card holders can choose a limited-time card featuring art by Caldecott winning author/illustrator Jon Klassen or a design celebrating your Freedom to Read. Keep an eye on the library’s calendar for more special programs and information all September long. You can contact the reference desk at  refdesk@alamedafree.org or at 510-747-7713 with any questions you may have. AEF BBQ On Thursday, September 14, AEF is hosting its first-ever fall fundraiser: the Back-to-School BBQ. The event will feature an old-fashioned BBQ (vegan options provided), music, and a silent auction. Proceeds go to: Teacher Mini Grants Backpacks and supplies for low-income students Middle School Sports League Mental Health Care support Enrichment After School Classes and Summer Camps Visual Arts programs Date:  September 14, 5 - 8 pm Location:  The Rake Purchase Tickets Dr. Ardella Dailey Preschool Program Dedication on September 29 All are welcome to join us on  September 29 as we name the district’s preschool program after Dr. Ardella Dailey. The Board voted in December, 2022 to name the preschool program after Dr. Dailey, who over the last 40 years has worked as a principal, administrator, superintendent, and Board member with AUSD and has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to social justice and supporting our most vulnerable students and families. Dr. Dailey currently serves as an Associate Professsor of Educational Leadership in CSU-East Bay's College of Education and Allied Studies.  During the gathering, speakers will give remarks about Dr. Dailey’s many contributions to AUSD and the surrounding community and a new plaque honoring her will be unveiled. The event will be held at WCDC and will begin at 4:30 pm. More information on the renaming process September 18-29: California High School Voter Education Weeks The California Department of Education has designated the last two weeks of September (that’s September 18-29 this year) as “High School Voter Education Weeks.” The goal of the program is to promote civic education and engagement among high schoolers. During these weeks this year, the Alameda League of Women Voters will be supporting students in setting up tables where students can register and pre-register to vote.  (In California, any person who is at least 16-years-old and otherwise eligible to vote can preregister to vote. Once preregistered, the person will be automatically registered at age 18.)   You can find pre-registration information on the Secretary of State’s website ; students can register to vote here . Or look for the voter registration tables at the high schools later this month!

Friday, Sep 08 2023

AUSD Welcomes New Administrators | Strategic Plan Fo...

AUSD Newsletter   |   August 25, 2023         Events Friday, Sep. 1, 5-8 pm:  Alameda Fire Department Maui Relief Fundraiser, Faction - 2501 Monarch St, Alameda, CA 94501 Monday, Sept. 4: Labor Day, No School Tuesday, Sep. 12, 6:30 pm: Board of Education Meeting via Zoom and in person at Council Chambers at City Hall Thursday, Sept. 14, 5 - 8 pm:  AEF Back-to-School BBQ Fundraiser Friday, Sept. 22: Island Bowl at Encinal AUSD Welcomes Six New Administrators This year, we’re delighted to welcome six new site administrators to the AUSD community: Mark Figueras Segado, Bryan Dunn-Ruiz, Dr. Tri Nguyen, Karen Ringewald, Jessica Siebert, and Juan Flores. They represent diverse educational experiences and are committed to equity and excellence for all students. We are excited to get to know them and see how their leadership strengthens their communities. Meet the new administrators Strategic Plan Focus: The Graduate Profile To help the AUSD community better understand our new Strategic Plan, this year we will introduce one feature of the plan each month via the newsletter. Sometimes we’ll explore a topic area through a short article; other times we may use videotaped interviews, an instructor spotlight, or a slideshow. Our goal is to find multiple ways to describe both AUSD’s goals and the strategies we are implementing to reach those goals. To kick off the series, this month we’re focusing on AUSD’s “graduate profile.” Such profiles describe the skills and characteristics a district wants its students to develop by the time they graduate. Different students develop these competencies in different ways and along different timelines, of course. But a clear articulation of these abilities sets a “north star,” or student-centered guide, for the short- and long-term decisions and determinations a district and its community makes. To develop the profile, district staff and site leaders met with and surveyed teachers, administrators, staff, students, and community members to gather input on who they want students to be (i.e., their values, skills, and knowledge)  upon graduation. After reviewing more than 500 submissions and much discussion and collaboration, district staff developed a profile that was submitted to the public and approved by the Board of Education. That profile is comprised of four major pillars: I am College, Career, and Life Ready I Seek Opportunities and Challenges of Learning I Know Myself and Work Effectively with Others I Build Community Through Understanding and Service Learn More August 22 Regular Meeting At its August 22 public meeting, the Board of Education heard updates on the district's 2023-24 enrollment and the Extended Learning Opportunities Program, which provides afterschool care for students in grades TK-6.  The Board voted to increase the stipend of Board Members by $6 per meeting and to re-organize the subcommittee assignments. Superintendent Scuderi also swore in two new student Board Members for this year: Mirabelle Kruger from Encinal Jr. & Sr. High School Lianna Lau from ASTI Mirabelle and Lianna will join Talia Kotovsky, who is returning for her second term as the Alameda High School representative. Agenda and background materials The next Board of Education meeting will take place on September 12. Fentanyl Resources Available Fentanyl overdoses are increasing rapidly across our state and nation, especially among teens and young adults. To help our AUSD community learn about this dangerous drug, we have created a new Fentanyl Information for Families webpage . We encourage families to peruse the resources on this page, which include background information, instructions for using Narcan (a drug that can reverse an overdose), and tips for talking to teens. We have also created materials: for staff who want to learn more about fentanyl and administering Narcan high school students, who will learn about the drug in their advisory classes this year Last spring we invited all CSEA-27 staff who want to learn how to use Narcan to hands-on training at the District Office. This year we plan to continue to offer trainings to our staff. Parcel Tax Oversight Positions Available AUSD is now accepting applications for the Parcel Tax Oversight Committee. The committee is comprised of 11 community members (including parent/guardians and district employees) and meets four to six times a year to review the district’s compliance with the terms of its two parcel taxes: Measure B1 and Measure A.  Measure B1 (passed in 2016) raises about $12 million per year for core programs, including AP classes, neighborhood schools, small class sizes in grades K-3, athletics, enrichment, and technology. Measure B1 went into effect on July 1, 2018 and will sunset on June 30, 2025. Measure A (passed in 2020) raises about $10 million per year solely for retaining and attracting high-quality employees by raising salaries  The deadline for applying is October 15. Full press release AEF BBQ On Thursday, September 14, AEF is hosting its first-ever fall fundraiser: the Back-to-School BBQ. The event will feature an old-fashioned BBQ (vegan options provided), music, and a silent auction. Proceeds go to: Teacher Mini Grants Backpacks and supplies for low-income students Middle School Sports League Mental Health Care support Enrichment After School Classes and Summer Camps Visual Arts programs Date:  September 14, 5 - 8 pm Location:  The Rake  Purchase Tickets Alameda Fire Department Maui Relief Fundraiser Join Fire Department personnel and other community members in a fundraiser for victims of this month's devastating fires in Maui. This event will feature food, music, t-shirts, and more! Date:  September 1, 5-8 pm Location: Faction (2501 Monarch Street)

Saturday, Aug 26 2023

Superintendent's Welcome Back Video | Bay Farm Schoo...

AUSD Newsletter   |   August 11, 2023           Events Monday, Aug. 14:  First Day of School Tuesday, Aug. 22: Board of Education Meeting via Zoom and in person at Council Chambers at City Hall Monday, Sept. 4: Labor Day, No School Welcome Back! In his  welcome back video today, Superintendent Scuderi discusses: Exciting strategic initiatives we are taking this year to improve instruction, student experience, and family support Hiring and fiscal challenges that we continue to address Reminders about what to do before the first day of school and how to get involved with your schools and district To see and translate captions on the video: Click "CC" at the bottom of the video screen Click the Settings gear icon Select "Subtitles/CC" Select "Auto-Translate" for a menu of languages available for the captions Parcel Tax Oversight Committee Positions Available AUSD is now accepting applications for the Parcel Tax Oversight Committee. This is an excellent opportunity for staff, students, parents/guardians,  and community members to learn more AUSD's budget, programs, and priorities. The committee is comprised of 11 community members (including parent/guardians and district employees) and meets four to six times a year to review the district’s compliance with the terms of its two parcel taxes: Measure B1 and Measure A. Measure B1 (passed in 2016) raises about $12 million per year for core programs, including AP classes, neighborhood schools, small class sizes in grades K-3, athletics, enrichment, and technology. Measure B1 went into effect on July 1, 2018 and will sunset on June 30, 2025. Measure A (passed in 2020) raises about $10 million per year solely for retaining and attracting high-quality employees by raising salaries. The deadline for applying is October 15. Full press release New Bay Farm School Building to Open on First Day of School When Bay Farm School students and staff arrive at school on Monday, they’ll find a campus that has been transformed by the addition of a spacious, light-filled classroom building and outdoor learning spaces. The 4000-square foot building, which replaces 4 aged portables, houses four classrooms with plenty of windows, state-of-the-art HVAC systems, and new educational technology. The site also features an outdoor teaching patio and landscaped courtyard, both of which can be used for outdoor learning by groups of various sizes. “We cannot emphasize enough how important instructional spaces are to staff’s ability to teach and students’ ability to learn,” says Superintendent Pasquale Scuderi. “Light-filled classrooms, outdoor learning spaces, and up-to-date educational technology are key to keeping students engaged, focused, and thriving.” Press release 2023-24 Updates to AUSD’s COVID Protocols AUSD’s protocols for students who test positive for COVID-19 or who have symptoms of COVID-19 will change slightly in this new school year, especially in terms of what families need to provide for their students to return to school. We still ask families of students who have tested positive to: Complete the “COVID-19 Symptoms and Positive Cases" form under the Family Resources tab of your school's home page. Read the automatically generated instructions you will receive Keep your child home for five days Students can still return on Day 6 as long as their symptoms are improving and they have been fever free for 24 hours And we still ask families of students who are symptomatic to: Complete the “COVID-19 Symptoms and Positive Cases" form under the Family Resources tab of your school's home page. Read the automatically generated instructions you will receive Test your child when symptoms appear and again in several days (rapid tests are available at all school sites) ·Students can return once their symptoms are improving and they have been fever free for 24 hours. Public health agencies still recommend that students mask for ten days f they learn they were exposed to a positive COVID-19 case. We will also continue to ask students to mask if there is a positive case in a class with an immuno-compromised student.  The big change, however, is that AUSD no longer requires a negative test for either positive or symptomatic students to return to school.   Instead, we ask that families keep students home until they are symptom free. This protocol aligns with the most up-to-date guidelines from both the California Department of Public Health and the Alameda County Public Health Department. For more information, please see our COVID-19 Protocols web page . Superintendent's Letter: "Supporting Climates of Inclusion and Respect" On August 9, Superintendent Scuderi sent a message to all AUSD families asking them to talk to their students to “to reinforce non-negotiable expectations of respect for the ancestry, race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability status, or gender expression of all in our school communities.” These conversations, the Superintendent notes, are a key to what needs to be a collective effort to teach students that expressions of bigotry and racism are inappropriate, unacceptable, and harmful. “Sustaining a genuinely inclusive and globally respectful school community requires a partnership between families and schools. While we will continue to refine the formal educational components and behavioral responses on our end, we urge each family in AUSD to have a short, direct, and hopefully courageous conversation about these expectations prior to the beginning of the school year.“ Please take the time to read this letter if you have not done so already. Full letter Back-To-School To Do List Just three more days until the first day of school! Please be sure to: Complete the Data Confirmation process (log into your Aeries portal to get started)* Submit an application for Free and Reduced Priced Meals (it's part of Data Confirmation and if you qualify you get lots of other benefits, including free college applications and PSATs) Have your student take a COVID-19 test this Sunday night (August 13) Plan a safe walking or biking route to your child's school. Riding, walking, skating, and scootering help students stay healthy and reduce the amount of greenhouse gases and local air pollutants being emitted in our community. Plus it's more fun to walk and ride than to be driven in a car! You can find safe routes and more information on our " Getting to School" web page . *Please be sure to doublecheck that your data confirmation went through - in some cases the system asks you to go back and submit pages again.

Friday, Aug 11 2023

Graduation Highlights | Student Voice: Choose Your ...

June 16, 2023 District News And Off They Go! Class of 2023 Steps into Their Futures Nearly 700 AUSD seniors crossed the graduation stage last week in ceremonies marked by whoops of joy, tears, and excited cheers, as well as moving speeches about what these students – who were freshmen when the pandemic hit in March, 2020 – have experienced. Check out our graduation story for news on where our graduates are going plus links to slideshows of each high school's commencement ceremony. Read the full story The Office of Equity Celebrates Black Students at Black Promotion Celebration On May 25, the Office of Equity, in collaboration with the College of Alameda (COA), hosted a joyous promotion ceremony and reception for 230 Black-identifying 5th, 8th, and 12th-grade students and their families at the COA campus. Students listened to speeches from keynote speaker Dr. Cameron Parker and their peers and received a certificate of achievement and tassel from the Office of Equity. Alameda Mosaic  gifted seniors beautiful, handmade leis that matched their school colors, and, following the promotion ceremony, COA catered dinner for all those in attendance. "It is vital to host events like the Black Promotion Celebration because our society so often reflects negative stereotypes of Blackness with daily reminders that reinforce those narratives," said Shamar Edwards, Director of Equity for African American and Multiethnic Student Achievement. "The Black Promotion Celebration is a counter-narrative that centers Black culture and recognizes the excellence of our Black scholars. The sense of pride that we see in our students and their families is priceless!" Thanks to everyone who helped coordinate and support the ceremony, and congratulations to the students for their achievements! Graduate Spotlights from the Class of 2023 Our students graduate after a wide range of educational and personal experiences, and they embark on a wide variety of paths once they have their diplomas. To honor the Class of 2023, we chose four students - one from each of our high schools - to interview about their feelings upon graduating, their next steps, how the pandemic shaped their high school experience, and what advice they would give a new student at their school. Graduate  Spotlight Interviews Community Members Provide Scholarships for AUSD Grads Many of our graduates this year received scholarships from various colleges, universities, and organizations. We congratulate all of our seniors who applied for and received these scholarships. We’d also like to thank the local community members and alumnae who contribute funds each year support seniors, often in memory of loved ones who have passed. Full list of scholarship recipients School Spotlights Encinal Marketing Students Create "Choose Your Alameda Adventure A-Z" Looking for fun summer plans around the island? The Encinal Jr. Sr. High School Advanced Marketing students may have a plan for you! This spring, the marketing students at Encinal were asked to undertake a project for the Alameda Chamber of Commerce’s  Visit Alameda initiative as a part of the Junior Chamber leadership seminars series. The students used each alphabet letter to highlight family-friendly activities visitors could enjoy when they come to Alameda. The entries were compiled into the StoryMaps app and displayed after the program. We invite you to see what Alameda sights the students recommended visitors check out! The Chamber of Commerce plans to link the project on the Visit Alameda website, which will launch soon. Congrats on a job well done! Choose Your Alameda Adventure A-Z Employee Spotlights 5 Questions for Veteran Teacher Roxanne Clement When Roxanne Clement joined AUSD in 1975, classrooms had no computers, school offices used mimeograph machines (rather than copiers), all phones were landlines, and even answering machines were not yet common.  Music couldn't be streamed; it was played on 8-tracks or LPs. Hip huggers, bell bottoms, and pet rocks were popular, as was "All in the Family" and the newly launched "Saturday Night Live." Gerald Ford had become president a year earlier (when Nixon resigned), the Vietnam War had ended five months earlier, and Patricia Hearst was about to be captured in San Francisco. It was, in short, a very different time, and Clement, the most senior teacher in the district, has been working for AUSD ever since. On the eve of her retirement last week, we sent her some questions about her perspectives on the changing education landscape and what some of her best experiences have been. Q&A with Roxanne Family News Jobs Available! Looking for part- or full-time work with a diverse organization that is committed to equity and excellence and provides benefits (including a pension)? We’re hiring for special education teachers, math and science teachers, paraprofessionals, and campus security right now!  Check out our website or the QR on this flyer for more information. AUSD Job Opportunities Free Summer Meals Program Starts June 23 In Case You Missed It Challenges and Choices Board Presentation We encourage families and staff to review Superintendent Scuderi’s presentation “Challenges and Choices: A Primer on the Future of AUSD Resources, Revenue and Programs” from the June 13 Board of Education meeting. The presentation details current and upcoming fiscal and programmatic challenges facing AUSD, including declining enrollment, unusually high special education costs, expiring local revenue measures, operating a large number of schools for our size, the need to provide competitive salaries to attract high-quality teachers, staff shortages in public education, and how AUSD’s revenue differs from that of other districts in Alameda County. We'll have lots more information about this next year, but this is a good way to start to understand what sorts of challenges AUSD is facing. Presentation slide deck Reminders Next Year's Bell Schedules Community Partner News Rhythmix Cultural Works Kicks Off PAL in the Parks with Gemelan Sekar Jaya June 17 Rhythmix Cultural Works is kicking off its summer concert series, PAL in the Parks, this Saturday, June 17, with a performance from Balinese music and dance ensemble Gamelan Sekar Jaya. The event starts at 12 pm at Jean Sweeney Open Space Park and is free to all. More information Celebrate Juneteenth at Corica Park June 18 School-Based Health Centers Summer Hours and Services Free Summer Classes Available at College of Alameda Did you know high schoolers can take summer classes at College of Alameda for free and for   UC and/or CSU credit? The courses cover subjects such as anthropology, astronomy, biology, computer literacy, health and medicine, government, sociology, college success, career planning, economics, history, fitness, and yoga. The full list of classes, plus the link to enrollment, is available here . Upcoming Events Jun. 17, 12:00 pm:  PAL in the Parks - Gemelan Sekar Jaya , Jean Sweeney Open Space Park Jun. 18, 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm:  Black Achievers Alliance and Unite Alameda 4 Change Host Juneteenth Freedom Day 2023 Event, Corica Park Jun. 19: Juneteenth, AUSD's District Office closed to the public Jun. 27, 6:30 pm,  Board of Education Meeting Jul. 4: Independence Day, AUSD's District Office closed to the public Aug. 14: First Day of School

Friday, Jun 16 2023

Cookbooks, Kente Cloth, and Cochlear Implants | CAAS...

June 2, 2023 District News English Learners Build Language Skills With Trip to San Francisco English Learners sporting “Multilingualism is my Super Power!” t-shirts took a field trip to San Francisco last week to see the sights, practice English, and revel in being someone who speaks more than one language. As part of their city adventure, students rode the ferry, counted piers, talked to street artists, visited the aquarium, practiced words for describing city sights (e.g., crowded, busy, tall, old, new, colorful) and got to ogle the famous Pier 39 sea lions. “Many of the students were on the ferry and at the aquarium for the first time," says Deveny Dawson, instructional coach and project lead. "The day was full of language, laughter, new experiences, and new friends!" Altogether 70 English Learners from all nine of AUSD elementary schools took part in the field trip. Full story CAASPP Scores Available Soon For the last seven years, AUSD has been administering the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress ( CAASPP ). This statewide test helps us determine whether students have acquired the English Language Arts, Science, and Mathematics skills for specific grade levels. In addition, students who have been identified as English Learners upon enrollment take the English Language Proficiency Assessment of California ( ELPAC ) every year. Results of this year’s tests will be available this month in your Aeries Family Portal. For directions on how to access them, please go to our June 1 letter to families . This letter can be translated into other languages by clicking on the flags in the lower right-hand corner of the page. School Spotlights Four AUSD Schools Receive LIGHT Award Programs Grants for Innovative Projects Eleven teachers across four AUSD schools won Light Awards from the  Intrepid Foundation last this month, which will allow them to move forward with two innovative projects next year. Six teachers at Paden Elementary School will receive a $30,000 grant for their project, The Power of Play. The Paden community has explored this research since the 2017-2018 school year through their  Learn and Play by the Bay program. Currently, the program explores play outside the classroom through their Makerspace and play shed. The Intrepid Foundation grant will allow them to deepen their research by integrating play into the classroom to inspire "choice, wonder, and delight." "This project will build on this team's passion for educating the whole child, and will return some of the joy to the teaching profession,” the team noted in their application.Five teachers from Maya Lin School, Wood Middle School, and Island High School and their organizational partner  IDEAL Bay Area will also receive a $30,000 grant for their project, “Our Changing Planet - Community of Practice.” Through their collaboration, the team aims to "deepen our understanding of environmental justice, indigenous wisdom, and creative practice, to better understand our world, and as educators advocate for just climate solutions." The grant team drew inspiration from the district project Our Changing Planet, launched in collaboration with IDEAL in 2019 at Bay Farm Elementary, Love Elementary, Maya Lin School, Otis Elementary, Paden Elementary, Ruby Bridges Elementary, Edison Elementary, and Wood Middle School. The Power of Play Grant Team at Paden: Erin Head Michael Kramer Wong Joanna Katz Christine Schnetz Lianna Girshman Eva Cohen The Our Changing Planet - Community of Practice Grant Team: Constance Moore - Maya Lin School Emily Roberts - Maya Lin School Lindsey Shepard - Wood Middle School Marci Nettles - Wood Middle School Heidi Guibord - Island High School IDEAL Bay Area - Organizational Partner Read Intrepid Foundation's press release Read about The Power of Play Read about Our Changing Planet - Community of Practice Read about Our Changing Planet in practice Listen to CHLL Podcast: "Teachers Preparing Students as Changemakers on Our Changing Planet" Wood Middle School BSU Learns About   The Wood Middle School Black Student Union (BSU) spent part of this spring learning about the origin and significance of Kente Cloth, a textile art and tradition that emerged among the Asante (also known as Ashanti) people during the 17th century. Kente Cloth, which is indigenous to what is now known as Ghana, is purely hand woven; no machinery is used. Each block, pattern, and color has a distinct name and meaning, and the cloth often includes Adinkra symbols, which represent concepts or sayings. These fabrics were originally used exclusively to dress kings and their courts. Today, it is still reserved for special occasions and ceremonies. “It’s not just a pretty pattern on cloth,” says Educational Equity and Family Engagement Coordinator Shanti Croom. “Kente Cloth represents the history of a people, as well as their ethics and culture. It symbolizes African heritage for people around the world.” Each of the BSU students received a Kente Cloth stole this spring. The stoles are a symbol of achievement and overcoming adversity. “These stoles pay homage to the ancestors' sacrifices, reunite African Americans with Africa, and affirm their hope and confidence in the future,” Croom says. When asked “What makes you proud to wear a Kente Cloth?” students responded: “It’s from my heritage and it makes me feel special” “Knowing that they take a lot of time and effort to make.” “It has an important meaning to me and my culture.” “It makes me proud to show my culture.” “To represent where I am from.” “It makes me proud to represent my people.” “It’s a chance to get closer to my culture.” “It’s African and I should be proud.” The WMS BSU was established last fall. Once a week, students meet to discuss their future goals (academics, behavior, or personal), past and current events, and learn about various topics that pertain to the Black experience. Names and grades of students from left to right: Front row: Ms. Shanti (BSU Advisor), Terrence Newell (8th), Danielle Bandy(6th), Jayla Anderson(8th), Sumaiya McCoy(7th), Madison Owens (8th). Back row: Jeremiah Pope (6th), Dash Footman (6th), Naiya Hartley(7th), Paris Ross (8th), Will Logan (8th), Malik Williams(8th), Diamond Butler(8th), and Marley Banks(8th). To learn more about Kente Cloths, please click the following links:   Websites- Smart History:  Kente Cloth   Black Perspectives: " The History and Significance of Kente Cloth in the Black Diaspor a"  Videos -   Everything You Need to Know About Kente Cloth History All You Need to Know about Ghana's Kente Cloth How Authentic Kente Cloth Graduation Stoles are Made Kente Weaving: Not Just a Cloth, It is our Heritage   F ab Lab Students at Island High School Create 3D Models of Cochlear Implants for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students In Island High School's Fab Lab this spring, teacher Jeannie Llewellyn and her students have  expanded their toy cochlear implant transmitter project to include more students from the Deaf/Hard of Hearing Program. This work culminated with a small event where students and families could pick up personalized teddy bears fitted with the toy CI transmitter and talk to the student designers. Students spent several weeks collaborating on this project and creating prototypes. Junior Adam Best-Leung developed a prototype that included teeth to assist in gripping the bear's ears. Their design influenced future designs from other students. Some students started personalizing the toy CI transmitters, adding imprints of Spiderman, robots, and animals and creating them in bright colors. Junior Jesus Guandique Munoz was the most productive in the class, creating five toy devices for students. The group, as a whole, worked hard on this project. Full story Ruby Bridges Elementary School Hosts Annual Senior Assembly Last week, former Ruby Stars, almost entirely from Encinal Junior Senior High School, returned to Ruby Bridges Elementary School one last time to impart secondary school wisdom to the fifth-grade students during their annual Senior Assembly.  Each year, the number of returning students continues to grow. This year, the Stars welcomed a record-breaking 28 seniors "to hand off the baton- the baton of successful learning, building positive friendships, meeting academic challenges, multiple teachers and demands, and survival beyond elementary school," said Ruby Bridges principal Danielle Pharr-Matthews, "As graduating seniors, they offer this valuable advice and motivation to our promoting 5th-grade students while fostering a sense of belonging to a greater community." Full story 4th-Graders at Maya Lin Create Cookbooks Inspired by Bay Area Artist Bryant Terry In March, we shared a  story about the Black Excellence project that 4th-grade students in Mary Otieku and Janet McNamee's classes at Maya Lin were developing: a cookbook inspired by Bay Area artist, author, and chef Bryant Terry, who visited their class. They recently finished their months-long study, and we are happy to share the finished project! Students dug deep for inspiration, choosing foods that comforted them or reflected their identities and experiences. Eloise French, the creator of "Boom Boom Bread," said, "When we had to choose our food, we couldn't just choose any random one. It had to be food that gave us memories, was a tradition, or religion." Full  stor y and slide show Board Briefs May 23 Regular Board Meeting At its public meeting on May 23, the Board heard presentations on the  recommendation for a new K-5 History/Social Science Curriculum; the advisor/mentor program launching next year to support African-American students; the process for developing Single Plans for Student Achievements at the school sites; and proposed 2023-24 budget by site and by program. The Board also voted to approve new members for the Bond Oversight Committee.  Agenda and video The next Board of Education meeting will take place on June 13. May 31: Special Study Session on School-Level Initiatives  to Support African-American Achievement At the May 31  Special Board Meeting, staff from Ruby Bridges Elementary School, Wood Middle School, and Encinal Jr. & Sr. High School talked to Board Members about the outcomes for African-American students at their schools and detailed current and planned efforts to support and engage those students and their families next year. Those strategies include providing mentor/advisors,  continuing to carefully review and analyze the data,  incorporating new grading practices, growing Black Student Unions, and developing closer and more trusting relationships with families. Agenda and presentations (Video should be posted next week.) Kudos To... …Ryland Li, a Bay Farm School first grader whose original music composition, “ Dolphins Drumming ,” won an Award of Excellence in the California PTA’s Reflections program this year. Bao Ky Yu Pham, a 2nd grader at Bay Farm School, won an Award of Merit for his Visual Arts submission featuring polar bears on an ice berg. This year’s theme was “Show Your Voice.” Of the thousands of entries submitted, only 23 students across the state received Awards of Excellence and only 89 received Awards of Merit. In addition, Lydia Merritt-Derieg’s poem, “ The Silent Journey ” was chosen as one of the top ten poems in the Grades 4-6 category of the national Creative Communication Contest!   …Sophia Dela Pena, an 8th grader at Encinal Jr. Jets, who recently received a Hope of America Award from the Kiwanis. The award recognizes and encourages students who have demonstrated academic accomplishments, leadership, and good character. Sophia received her award in a special ceremony that included Mayor Ashcraft.   …the Encinal Jr. Sr. High School and Alameda High School 2023 Creative Youth Awards artists who received recognition for their submitted work and the dedicated teachers (Maggie Adams - EHS, Andrea Szeto - AHS, Nancy Read - AHS, and Laura Eggett - AHS) who encouraged their students to submit their art. Student artists from two CTE classes at EJSHS and six CTE classes from AHS presented artworks and performances from various mediums, including art, film, music, photography, graphic design, and writing. The annual contest, sponsored by the Bay Area Creative Foundation, received over 2,200 entries from students all over the Bay Area. Each student who submitted an artwork received a complimentary one-year Masterclass Membership. Student works are currently available in the Creative Youth Awards Gallery online. Click through the list below to see the work of each talented artist! Encinal Jr. Sr. High School Der Vampir - Lainey Calnin  | The Bay - Sabastian Saechao  | Paralysis of Depression - Violet Sorenson (pictured above)  | Cat Crossing - Sarah Berhane Alameda High School Close Your Eyes - Raye Tanjuakio  | Liminal Slump - Dylan Watt  | Asteroid Man - Jackson Tripi  | A Small Bite, A Glimpse of Love – Justin Ha  | Sweater – Gabriel Pagal  | Moonset -- Jack Yeun  | An Apathetic End in a World of Pulverizing | Precariousness - Nolan A.  | Crow - Caleb Wong  | Bloo Byrd - Matthew (Matt) Wilson  | Home - Lucy Vo  | Blossoms - Alana Pampo  | Chinese Garden - Tongbei Yu  | Thorax to the Max - Charlotte Bond  | Crimson Rain Sought Flower - Allison He  | Mirror, Mirror…. - Gabriela Tadeo  | Alternate Perspective - Cameron Louie  | The Circular Ruins - Simon Beil  | Untitled - Alissa Yu  | As Time Passes By - Katie Nguyen  | The Lost Ones - Heran Girma and Jazmin Ortiz  | The Lost Butterfly - Heran Girma  | With Your Help - Justin Ha  | Collage of Eyes - Luna Witherrell  | Wild | Iris – Luna Witherrell  | With You   - Rosalie Fong  | Inside – Lucy Vo  | Serenity - Caleb Wong  | Blue Roofs - Alexis (Lexi) Olsen  | Lone Ride - Christopher Dwa  | San Francisco Night - ZhengYang Yu  | The Key – Yeuk Hei (Ellie) Cheung  | The Unknown Key – Yeuk Hei (Ellie) Cheung  | Natural Radian – Myles Handler  | Nature’s Revenge – Michelle Fan  | Alone Time - Cameron Choe  | Away from it All – Katie Leung and Lauren Yee  | Fading Memory - Michelle Ganbaatar and Zoe Hochderffer  | Etude Fantasy Ornaments by J. Corigliano – Emma Lai  | Soundless Rain - Luna Witherrell Family News Jobs Available Looking for part- or full-time work with a diverse organization that is committed to equity and excellence and provides benefits (including a pension)? We’re hiring for school nurses, paraprofessionals, and noon supervisors right now!  Check out our website or the QR on this flyer for more information. AUSD Job Opportunities State Program Provides Money for College Funds The State of California recently launched the “California Kids Investment and Development Savings Program,” called CalKIDS for short. CalKIDS deposits $100 in special accounts to all newborns, so that families can start saving for college and career training. Low-income students in public schools can receive as much as $1500.00. Eligible newborns and students are automatically enrolled in the program, based on information received from the California Department of Public Health and the California Department of Education. Families are encouraged to make regular deposits to the accounts. Money in the accounts can be used on tuition, books, computer equipment, supplies, and other expenses associated with college and career training. More information, as well as information on  how to check your child’s eligibility, is available on the CalKids website. In Case You Missed It Curriculum Advisory Committee Meeting AUSD’s Curriculum Advisory Meeting met on May 30 to discuss the new K-5 history curriculum that was recently adopted, the progress on adopting a new high school math curriculum, our work on bringing AVID courses to secondary schools, and an update on expanding the kindergarten day. We’ll have more information about these efforts in our next newsletter. May 30 Curriculum Advisory Group Presentation Reminders Right at School Registration Open Welcome letters and registration links for the Right at School afterschool program went out to all families with students in grades TK-5 last month. As a reminder, that program will be free for families of students that qualify for free and reduced meals, are homeless, or are foster youth. All other families can apply to attend for a fee. Please check your ParentSquare accounts for the emails and our  Afterschool and Activities page for more information. You can also: Watch a recording of Right at School's parent information session held April 6 Watch a recording of the ELOP information session provided to Alameda Mosaic by district staff on March 29 Community Partner News Free Summer Classes Available at College of Alameda Did you know high schoolers can take summer classes at College of Alameda for free and for   UC and/or CSU credit? The courses cover subjects such as anthropology, astronomy, biology, computer literacy, health and medicine, government, sociology, college success, career planning, economics, history, fitness, and yoga. The full list of classes, plus the link to enrollment, is available here . Summer Happenings at the Alameda Free Library The Alameda Free Library’s June Newsletter is now available and is chock full of summer activities for adults and children alike - including the annual Summer Reading Challenge, lectures and classes, movies, games, book clubs, resources, and performances. AFL June newsletter Upcoming Events June 3: LGBTQ End-of-Year Celebration June 3: Bay Area Walk 4 Hearing Upcoming Events June 3, 11:00 am - 1:00 pm:  LGBTQ+ Pride  Celebration, Encinal Jr. Sr. High School June 6: Community Advisory Community Meeting to recap and preview the Strategic Plan via Zoom June 8:  Last Day of School June 13 , 6:30 pm:  Board of Education Meeting via Zoom and in person at Council Chambers at City Hall June 27,  6:30 pm:  Board of Education Meeting via Zoom and in person at Council Chambers at City Hall August 14: First Day of School

Saturday, Jun 03 2023

Teen Mental Health Program | 3 School Spotlights | "...

May 18, 2023 School Spotlights Island High School Builds Community with Roots and Culture Thursdays Each Thursday, students or staff at Island High host an event to share information about the cultures that shape their identity through activities such as trivia, music, food, knowledge, or dance.  The events, called "Roots & Culture," help build community, find joy in diversity, and raise awareness of the wide range of backgrounds of the Island High community.  "Roots & Culture is a simple way to bring attention to and celebrate our vibrant cultures and educate each other about ourselves," says Island Student Support Provider Aki Moore.  Read more Maya Lin School Puts on Soundsuit Parade Earlier this week, Maya Lin 1st and 5th graders danced and sang through the halls in a colorful “soundsuit” parade based on the work of artist Nick Cave. Students who participated in the parade crafted their suits from a wide range of materials, including paper grocery and leaf bags, streamers, pom poms, paper plates, beads, paint, cloth, and boxes. Their parade started indoors, where other students cheered them on, and then wound around the blacktop outside, to the delight of parents and other community members.  Learn more and view the slideshow Franklin's Kindergarten Class of 1938 Breaks Guinness World Record The Franklin Elementary School community can add Guinness World Record holders to their list of accomplishments. In December 2021, we  shared the story of the Sadler School kindergarten class of 1938's 83rd class reunion. Sadler School, now known as Franklin Elementary School, was located in a cottage near Franklin Park from 1930 until 1951, where the current Franklin Elementary School stands today. On June 29, 2021, the kindergarten class of 1938 gathered for their 83rd class reunion at Ole's Waffle Shop in Alameda. After three denials and a lengthy approval process, Sadler alumni Porter Davis confirmed that the class holds the Guinness World Record for "The Longest Running Class Reunion." Congrats to the AUSD alums on their joyful accomplishment! Board Briefs May 23 Regular Meeting At its May 23 regular meeting, the Board of Education will hear presentations on the 2023-24 budget, how schools develop their "SPSAs" (or school site plans), the recommendation for a new K-5 Social Science curriculum, and a new program to provide advisors to support African-American students and families. This hybrid meeting will begin at 6:30 pm at City Hall (or via Zoom). Agenda and Zoom details Kudos To... …the Otis Student Council, teachers Gaby LoParo and Adrienne Brown, and the Otis community for their successful food drive in April. The student council, comprised of 4th and 5th graders, assigned food groups to each grade level. Kindergarteners were to bring cereal or crackers, first graders brought beans, second graders donated pasta, third graders collected rice, fourth graders gave canned soup, and fifth graders had canned veggies/fruits. Students dropped off their items in their classroom from April 17 through 21. At the end of the drive, student leadership collected the food and packed it up for LoParo and Brown to deliver to the Alameda Food Bank. All in all, the school donated five boxes of food for families in need. Great job, owlets!   …Encinal Jr. &  Sr. High School students Zach Lachs, Octavian Yuen, Ila Cantrell, Sesina Haile, and Surina Castro for representing the school and district at the International Career Development Conference in Orlando, Florida, in late April. Zach and Octavian participated in the invite-only culminating competition after receiving high scores in a series of local and statewide competitions. In addition, Ila, Sesina, and Surina secured an invitation to attend the Thrive Academy, a leadership training seminar held at the conference offered exclusively to high-performing DECA chapters. This year, over 22,500 participants from 14 countries competed for scholarships in the most attended conference in DECA history. "I am proud to report how outstanding our students performed," said Derrick Lyons, Encinal's Career Technical Education Marketing teacher, "The amount of extra time these competitors put in, attending afterschool training every Wednesday, gave me the push, as their Advisor, to give them no less than 100%." Lyons also extended his thanks to the various community members who contributed to the success of Encinal's DECA chapter this year, including the Encinal staff and parents, Encinal DECA Alumni Kate Meade, and the Alameda Chamber of Commerce.   …the three Alameda High students who recently placed in the California Association of Teachers of English Student Creative Writing Contest.  Qi Yu Cen’s “My Sea Change” won first place in the essay division. Ronit Ball’s “Cycle” won first place in the poem division. And Naomi Hoangwas named a “Writer of Distinction” after submitting her poem, “To blow the wind for flying birds.”  Cen’s and Ball’s first place entries have now been sent to compete against other first-place entries from the eight councils of CATE.   Mental Health Awareness Month Mental Health First Aid Since the 2021-22 school year, AUSD staff have provided a unique program to support AUSD high schoolers. Called “Teen Mental Health First Aid,” the program teaches students how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among their friends and peers. Only one other district in the Bay Area is providing this training. And the effort, says Student Services Coordinator Jodi McCarthy, “is crucial to our support of the mental health needs of our students, especially given the devastating effects of the pandemic over the last three years.” Read more In Case You Missed It AUSD Student Art on Display at AEF's "Art Changes" Exhibit If you haven’t already, don’t miss the opportunity to see works from talented student artists across 10 AUSD schools at the 2023 Alameda Education Foundation "Art Changes" Student Exhibit. Among their creations are robots, book covers, planets, and suburban landscapes inspired by the works of four Art Changes artists, blacksmith Celeste Flores, abstract painter Ken Gotuaco, children's book illustrator and Maya Lin teacher Constance Moore and en plein air painter Claire Lau. AEF will display student creations through June 24. This year, students from Bay Farm, Earhart, Edison, Franklin, Love, May Lin, Otis, Paden, Ruby Bridges, and Lincoln Middle School participated in the exhibition. Learn more about Art Changes and the Exhibit Reminders Right at School Registration Open Welcome letters and registration links for the Right at School afterschool program went out to all families with students in grades TK-5 in March. As a reminder, that program will be free for families of students that qualify for free and reduced meals, are homeless, or are foster youth. All other families can apply to attend for a fee. Please check your ParentSquare accounts for the emails and our Afterschool and Activities page for more information. You can also: Watch a recording of Right at School's parent information session held April 6 Watch a recording of the ELOP information session provided to Alameda Mosaic by district staff on March 29 Community Partner News May 20: Asian and Pacific Islander Arts & Culture Festival Rhythmix invites all community members to celebrate Asian and Pacific Islander (API) Heritage Month with family and friends at Alameda’s beautiful, new Bohol Circle Immigrant Park.  The event will include performances, hands-on arts activities for youth, and Asian- and Pacific-inspired foods. The festival is produced in partnership with the City of Alameda’s Public Art Commission, Recreation and Parks Department, and Forward Alameda. Saturday, May 20: 2-4 pm More information AC Transit Survey AC Transit is reviewing how bus service works across its service area through the Realign plan. This is an inclusive planning process that will evaluate the existing service network and respond to changing travel patterns. The plan is likely to have a direct impact on the supplementary school service provided in Alameda, so it's super important that families engage in the process. More information, including a link to a survey, is available on the  ACT Transit website . Direct Survey Link Upcoming Events May 20: Free Screening of "Sign the Show" On Saturday, May 20, AUSD is sponsoring a special screening of “Sign the Show,” an award-winning documentary about using American Sign Language to provide the deaf community access to live performances such as concerts and standup comedy. Featuring entertainers such as Kelly Clarkson, D.L. Hughley, Andre 3000, Camryn Manheim, Waka Flocka Flame, and Andrew Santino, this award-winning documentary provides humorous and heartfelt insights into the art of using ASL to open new worlds to the deaf community. The screening will be followed by a live, ASL-interpreted Q&A with the film producers.  The screening is sponsored by AUSD, the Alameda Education Foundation, the Academy of Alameda, and Christopher and Trudi Seiwald. The content is PG-13. You can get a taste of the documentary via its   trailer . The event will run from 2 to 4 pm at the Frederick Chacon Little Theater (2200 Central Avenue). Tickets are free, but reservations are required. Please scan the QR code on the flyer to save your seat (or go to the event website ). June 3: Bay Area Walk 4 Hearing June 3: LGBTQ End-of-Year Celebration Upcoming Events May 20, 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm: Asian and Pacific Islander Arts & Culture Festival , Bohol Circle Immigrant Park May 20, 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm:  Free Screening of "Sign the Show," Frederick L. Chacon Little Theater May 21 - 27: Classified School Employee Week May 22, 6:30  pm:  North Region SELPA Community Advisory Committee Meeting  about post-secondary transition planning (via Zoom ) May 23, 6:30 pm:   Board of Education Meeting  via  Zoom  and in person at Council Chambers at City Hall May 29: Memorial Day, No school May 30, 6:00 - 7:00 pm,  Curriculum Advisory Committee (via Zoom) ) May 31, 5:00 pm:   Board of Education Study Session on African-American Student Achievement June 3, 11:00 am - 1:00 pm:  LGBTQ+ Pride  Celebration, Encinal Jr. Sr. High School June 6: Community Advisory Community Meeting to recap and preview the Strategic Plan via Zoom June 8:  Last Day of School

Friday, May 19 2023

Strategic Plan Summary Released | Paden Journalists'...

May 5, 2023 District News AUSD Publishes Strategic Plan Summary Over the last several years, AUSD staff, board members, and community members have been working on a Strategic Plan. This is the first such plan since the 2010 Master Plan was developed 12 years ago. Since that time, of course, many conditions have changed, including: the state’s public education funding system, standards, and assessment tools; AUSD’s demographics;  the social and political climate in which students learn;  and our awareness of urgent issues related to mental health, racism, and climate change. AUSD  leadership strongly felt we needed a new framework for responding to changing mandates, changing conditions, and changing priorities. We encourage our students, staff, and families to take a few minutes to review the plan and learn how they can help support its implementation. More detail on the specific actions that will be taken over the next several years will be added by the end of this school year. AUSD’s Strategic Plan School Spotlights Paden Elementary School Creates "Paden Pelicasts" Budding journalists and television personalities are working together at Paden to create the student-centered "Paden Pelicast" show every week. The idea for the show came from Teacher Librarian Erin Head, inspired partly by former principal Drew Sarratorre's Wednesday student radio announcements and Edison Elementary School's "Otter Morning Show," which Head read about in the  district newsletter this fall. Read more Franklin Elementary School Hosts a Nestwarming Party  for Frankie the Falcon Students at Franklin Elementary School recently worked on improving playground behaviors. They were so successful that they were able to build their mascot, Frankie the Falcon, his first nest at the school. Congrats to the Falcons for SOARing their way to their nest-warming party! See our slideshow about the nest- building project Board Briefs May 9 Regular Board of Education Meeting At its May 9 public meeting, the Board of Education will hear presentations on STAR Reading and Math assessments, full-day kindergarten plans, the 2023-24 budget, and reductions for certificated and classified staff for next year.  This meeting begins at 6:30 pm and will be held both in-person (at City Hall) and on Zoom. Agenda and Zoom details  Kudos To... … Cam Brossard , a Maya Lin 5th grader who participated in the national Autism Transit Project, in which students got to make professionally recorded announcements honoring Autism Awareness Month (April). Those announcements then aired at transit agencies across the country. Cam’s announcement about paying for BART tickets with a smart phone or watch played at the Fruitvale BART Station and was then included in a CBS story that aired last month. Watch the CBS story   … AUSD staff members who were recognized at the annual Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) Region 6 Awards Ceremony on April 27. The regional chapter, which represents administrators in both Alameda and Contra Costa County, honored Jodi McCarthy as its Student Services Administrator of the Year.  The following AUSD administrators were also nominated by the Alameda chapter and recognized at the awards ceremony as runners-up for regional awards: AUSD Curriculum and Instruction Administrator of the Year: Vernon Walton AUSD Special Education Administrator of the Year: Julie Venuto AUSD Elementary Principal of the Year: Danielle Pharr-Matthews AUSD Technology Administrator of the Year: Anne Barreto AUSD Superintendent of the Year: Pasquale Scuderi In addition, AUSD Assistant Superintendent of Education Services, Kirsten Zazo, was recognized for Outstanding Service as a representative to the ACSA Student Services and Special Education Council. Two AUSD employees were selected by the local chapter but chose not to participate in the regional program:  Kai Dwyer, principal of Wood Middle School (AUSD Middle Grades Principal of the Year) and Kerri Lonergan, senior executive assistant (AUSD Confidential Employee of the Year). Congratulations to all! Spotlight Students AUSD Honors Encinal Student Lelon Neely The Alameda Unified School District will be honoring “Spotlight Students” in a new column in the newsletter. A Spotlight Student is someone that has made progress in their educational performance. Today AUSD is shining a spotlight on 9th grade Encinal High School student Lelon Neely, a kind, wise, and honest student who has made remarkable progress toward his goals in the last year. Read more Mental Health Awareness Month Care Solace Access for the AUSD Community Did you know that AUSD staff, students, and families have access to Care Solace,  a free. online resource with live 24/7 staffing that can help you find local mental health-related programs and counseling services? The program, which is funded by Alameda Education Foundation, taps into a vast database of mental healthcare resources to find carefully vetted local therapists and programs in minutes. You can access Care Solace services 24/7 in two ways: Call (888) 515-0595 or email weserve@caresolace.org to speak with someone from the Care Concierge team. Visit   AUSD's custom link Once you answer ten simple questions, you will receive a call back from a Care Concierge who will help you find a mental health provider who has availability and accepts your insurance (including Medi-Cal, Medicaid, Medicare, private insurance, and those that have no insurance). Note:  All information entered on the Care Solace website is completely confidential and securely stored. They do not share specific user information with any third parties, including AUSD. AUSD Staff Member Publishes Poem about Mental Health  In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, Equity & Family Coordinator and poet Shanti Lair-Croom published a poem about mental health and wellness in the  Alameda Post. Following the poem, Lair-Croom shares a personal note about how experiences with mental health vary based on experiences and crucial mental health resources. Read poem In Case You Missed It AHS PTSA Shares Links to Media Career Panel Discussion Last month, AHS PTSA Vice President, Joe Keiser, assembled and moderated a media career panel for AUSD students via Zoom. The panel featured four media professionals at various career stages: AHS alum and actor Taylor Takahashi, NPR journalist Deepa Fernandes, writer and director Tamar Halpern, and San Francisco Chronicle Critic and Total SF podcast co-host Peter Hartlaub. The recording is available on the AHS PTSA YouTube channel for those unable to attend or who want to rewatch. Learn more about the panel Watch the media career panel Reminders Right at School Registration Open Welcome letters and registration links for the Right at School afterschool program went out to all families with students in grades TK-5 last month. As a reminder, that program will be free for families of students that qualify for free and reduced meals, are homeless, or are foster youth. All other families can apply to attend for a fee. Please check your ParentSquare accounts for the emails and our Afterschool and Activities page for more information. You can also: Watch a recording of Right at School's parent information session held on April 6 Watch a recording of the ELOP information session provided to Alameda Mosaic by district staff on March 29 Next Year's Bell Schedules Next year, students will be released early from school on Wednesdays so that school site staff have time for collaboration.   This shortened day will apply to all grades, TK through 12. Afterschool providers have been informed of this plan. Under the new schedule: TK-5 will be released at 12:10 pm Middle schools will be released at 1:55 pm High schools will be released around 2:30 pm (exact time to be announced by school sites) Community Partner News May 11: Bestselling Author Joanna Ho  to Speak at Alameda Free Library  Joanna Ho, local author of the  New York Times bestselling book “Eyes that Kiss in the Corners,” will be speaking at the Alameda Free Library Main Library branch on Thursday, May 11, at 3:30 pm. Ms. Ho will share her insights about her work, her journey as a writer, and the importance of diverse representation in books. More information about the event Upcoming Events AUSD Students to Exhibit Art at the 2023 AEF "Art Changes" Student Exhibition Talented student artists from 10 AUSD schools submitted over 700 works of art, including watercolors, collages, drawings, ceramics, and poetry, for the 2023 Alameda Education Foundation "Art Changes" Student Exhibit. Among their creations are robots, book covers, planets, and suburban landscapes inspired by the works of four Art Changes artists, blacksmith Celeste Flores, abstract painter Ken Gotuaco, children's book illustrator and Maya Lin teacher Constance Moore and en plein air painter Claire Lau. AEF will display student creations from May 6 - June 24, with a free opening reception hosted by AEF at Rhythmix Cultural Works on May 6 from 2 - 4 pm. This year, students from Bay Farm, Earhart, Edison, Franklin, Love, May Lin, Otis, Paden, Ruby Bridges, and Lincoln Middle School participated in the exhibition. Learn more about Art Changes and the Exhibit Upcoming Events May 8, 6:30 pm:   North Region SELPA Community Advisory Committee Meeting  about advocacy in education in partnership, with non-speaking students and their families May 8 - 12: Teacher Appreciation Week May 9, 6:30 pm:   Board of Education Meeting   via  Zoom and in person at Council Chambers at City Hall May 11:  Bike to Work and School Day May 17:   Community Advisory Community Meeting  to talk about LCFF Goals 4, 5, and 6 via  Zoom May 21 - 27: Classified School Employee Week May 23, 6:30 pm: Board of Education Meeting  via  Zoom  and in person at Council Chambers at City Hall May 29: Memorial Day, No school May 31, 5 pm:   Board of Education Study Session on African-American Student Achievement

Saturday, May 06 2023