New Guide to Elementary Report Cards | EHS Students ...

AUSD Newsletter   |  November 22, 2024     Events November 22 & 23,  7:00 pm: EHS Drama production of "The Outsiders" November 25-29 : Fall Break, all schools closed December 11, 6-7:30 pm,  Curriculum Review Meeting via Teams December 11 , 7-8 pm : "Speak Up at School: Idenifying and Interrupting Hate Speech" (Grades 6-12 Session) via  Zoom (information below) December 17 , LCAP Community Advisory Committee Training Session   New Guide to Elementary Report Cards Released Looking for more information on elementary report cards and content standards? The Curriculum and Instruction team have created an “AUSD Report Card Family Guide” that includes:   Explanations of what your child’s scores mean Information about each area of the card for each grade  Guidance for families about ways they can support their child’s learning Additional resources for families seeking more information Additional resources that may be supportive for your family Currently, guides are available for grades K, 1, and 2. The team plans to add more grades over the next several months. Review the guide on the AUSD website Teacher of the Year Nominations Open Do you know a teacher who goes above and beyond in (and out of) the classroom? Alameda Unified School District (AUSD) is now accepting nominations for its 2025 Teacher of the Year.“Research continually confirms that expert teachers who can deliver thoughtful and high-quality instruction are indisputably the most important factor in how much our children learn,” says Superintendent Pasquale Scuderi. “The Teacher of the Year program provides us with an annual opportunity to identify, showcase, and learn from our most talented and effective educators. I am looking forward to learning more about the excellent teachers we have in this district.”   Nomination forms are available  here. Anyone can nominate a teacher; the deadline to submit nominations to the nominee’s principal is  5 pm on January 6, 2025. The winner will be honored by the Board of Education in May and by the Alameda County Office of Education inext fall. He or she also becomes eligible for the Alameda County Teacher of the Year Award, as well as potentially the State Teacher of the Year Award. AUSD's 2024 Teacher of the Year was Emily Pieri  a second grade teacher at Franklin Elementary School. Ms. Pieri was honored for her exemplary teaching practices and her commitment to the Franklin community. You can learn more about her  here . Learn more Encinal Students Organize Model UN Conference Members of Encinal High's Model UN Club organized and hosted the school’s first-ever Island Model United Nations conference this past weekend. Students from four high schools – Encinal, Alameda, ASTI, and Piedmont - attended to serve as delegates and discuss two critical global issues: Global Vigilante Violence and Combating the Illicit Arms Trade . The idea for the “Island Model UN” came about when Encinal’s Model UN (MUN) club was unable to register for UC Berkeley’s annual Fall Conference. Despite that setback, club members wanted students to have an opportunity to practice public speaking, collaboration, and diplomacy.  Prior to Saturday’s all-day event, participants had to research their countries’ interests on the topics and submit position papers.  During the conference, they had to advocate for their countries’ interests and work with other country representatives to find meaningful and viable solutions – all while following the procedures and protocols of a UN meeting, including forming blocks of countries, developing resolutions, participating in moderated and unmoderated caucuses and voting on motions .   Paden Students Advocate for Marine Sanctuaries Students in Ms. Kielty's third grade class  at Paden gave a presentation on marine sanctuaries to their whole school during a morning ceremony last week.  Students talked one by one about how marine sanctuaries protect biodiversity, jobs, "marine babies," and fish "for people who like to eat fish."  They also urged their peers to sort their trash, avoid littering, pick up trash they see on the yard, and make posters.  Great job, Pelicans!   November 12 Board of Education Meeting Board Members heard presentations on the 2023-24 Math and English Language Arts Smarter Balanced Assessments and the enrollment timeline for 2025-26. The Board also heard an update on an initiative to keep classrooms cooler.  Agenda and video The next meeting will take place on December 10.    ...Alameda High School's Football team , which broke the 33-33 series tie when it beat Encinal High School in the 69th annual Island Bowl earlier in November. The final score was 42-7.   ... the  Hornets' Flag Football team, which won the North Coast Section's first championship game 26-20 against Alhambra after a five-hour game.  “It was an instant classic in our first year," NCS commissioner Pat Cruickshank said in a November 15 Sports Illustrated story . “It was honestly one of the coolest moments I have had as commissioner.”    ...the  EHS Jets' Water Polo team , which qualified for the NCS playoffs this season for the 9th consecutive year. The team ultimately lost to Alhambra, but still: 9 years straight! ...the Encinal Women's Volleyball team , which beat Sonoma Academy 3-0 for third place in the NCS Playoffs. This qualified the team for the CIF State Tournament for the first time in school history. There, Encinal triumphed first over College Prep and then Arcata before ultimately falling to Ranco Cotate in a 25-23, 25-17, 26-24 match. County Public Health Department Issues Warning about Pertussis The Alameda County Public Health Department has issued health advisory about a concerning number of Pertussis cases in our area.  More than 60 confirmed or probable cases of Pertussis (or “whooping cough”) have been reported in Alameda County during the 2024-2025 school year, along with multiple high school outbreaks.  This is a significant increase compared with recent years.   No hospitalizations have been reported, but Pertussis can cause severe illness or, in rare instances, death. As such, ACPHD advises any person who has Pertussis-like symptoms to avoid spending time with pregnant persons or infants, who are at the highest risk of severe disease. Symptoms Early pertussis symptoms are similar to colds (i.e., runny nose, low/no fever, mild cough) After 1-2 weeks, however, symptoms worsen (including: vomiting, breathing problems,  extreme fatigue whooping sounds) Babies may gasp or gag, stop breathing, or have seizsures Avoiding Pertussis Pertussis spreads very easily in group settings such as schools and child care centers. It is also preventable! The best prevention is to get your child vaccinated . Routine childhood immunizations include pertussis prevention at 2, 4, 6, 15-18 mos, 4-6 years of age, and again at 11-12 years of age and are required for kindergarten and middle school entry. All adults should get at least one dose too. If you are exposed, exposed, confer with your doctor about whether you should take antibiotics.   A person infected with Pertussis is considered contagious for 21 days after the onset of cough or until 5 days of antibiotics have been completed.   Sources: ACPHD , CDC   Avoiding Other Respiratory Viruses To reduce pertussis and other respiratory illnesses this winter, our District Nurses are also asking that sudents and staff with fevers stay home, wear masks when they return to work, and practice frequent handwashing. CDC: Reduce Your Risk from Respiratory Viruses this Holiday Season General guidelines on when to keep children home from school are available on our " When Your Child is Sick" web page . LCAP Meetings Scheduled  The three-year Local Control and Accountability Plan describes the goals, actions, services, and expenditures to support positive student outcomes that address state and local priorities. The LCAP provides an opportunity for local educational agencies (LEAs) to share their stories of how, what, and why programs and services are selected to meet their local needs. AUSD's LCAP web page Each year, an LCAP Community Advisory Committee partners with district staff to develop the next year's LCAP.  The meetings this year have been scheduled for: 12/17/2024 Training on LCAP 1/28/2025   LCAP Overview and Data 3/25/2025 Projects 4/29/2025 LCAP Adjustments 6/3/2025 Final LCAP Please RSVP here  to sign up to participate. Housing Wait List Opening The Housing Authority of the City of Alameda (AHA) will open its wait lists for the Housing Choice Voucher Program and select Project-Based Voucher Programs from 12 pm on December 3 until 12 pm on December 16. Information on how the wait list process works, as well as the actual applications, are available on the AHA website. These materials are translated into multiple languages. December 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 20, 21:  Food Bank Players: "A Christmas Carol" J oin former Encinal teacher Gene Kahane and his merry band of Food Bank Players (including a number of AUSD alumni!) for their production of Dickens' classic "A Christmas Carol."  Performances are at 7 pm at the First Congregational Church, with the exception of the 2 pm show on December 8.  All shows are free and first come, first serve. All donations support the Alameda Food Bank.   November 22 & 23: EHS Production of "The Outsiders" December 11: Curriculum Advisory Committee This year's curriculum reviews include: Secondary World Language 6th and 7th Grade Social Studies Elementary English Language Arts 5th Grade Sexual Education   December 11, 6 pm meeting   Via Teams 6 pm - 7:30 pm Join the meeting now March 12, 6 pm meeting Via Teams 6 pm - 7:30 pm   Join the meeting now December 11: Identifying and Interrupting Hate Speech  

Friday, Nov 22 2024

Enrollment Season Kicks Off | Island Bowl Logistics ...

AUSD Newsletter   |   November 8, 2024     Events November 8 - 16:  AHS Drama production of "Antigone 3021" (information below) November 15-23: EHS Drama production of "The Outsiders"  (information below) November 11 : Veteran's Day, no school November 12:  Board of Education Meeting November 13, 7-8 pm : "Speak Up at School: Idenifying and Interrupting Hate Speech" (Grades TK-5 Session) via  Zoom (information below) November 25-29 : Fall Break, all schools closed December 11 , 7-8 pm : "Speak Up at School: Idenifying and Interrupting Hate Speech" (Grades 6-12 Session) via  Zoom (information below) Enrollment Season Begins This Month AUSD’s 2025-26 enrollment season, which includes both information nights (for elementary, middle, and high schools) and actual enrollment (for all grades), begins next week. Information nights for secondary schools take place November, December, and January. Actual enrollment for all grades (not just transitional kindergarten and kindergarten) opens on January 27.  AUSD's Enrollment Web Page 69th Island Bowl is Tonight! The AHS and EHS football teams meet at Thompson Field tonight for the annual Island Bowl. Encinal had held the title since 2018, but last year, Alameda High School broke EHS's winning streak in a brutal 34-0 game. So far this season, AHS has a 7-2 record and is ranked #11 in North Coast Section Division 2; EHS has a 4-5 record and is ranked #10 in North Coast Section Division 5.The annual game has been played and celebrated since 1955. As of this year, the series is tied 33-33 and there have been two ties.   Here are a few things to keep in mind as you make your plans to attend: The JV game begins at 4:30 pm; the varsity game begins at 7 pm. You can buy tickets at the game, but we highly recommend you buy them at GoFan ahead of time, as this game tends to sell out. AHS GoFan link EHS GoFan link Parking on Clement Street is now only available on the south side. If you are driving, please arrive early so that you have plenty of time to find parking and walk to the field calmly and safely. No backbacks are allowed in the game. All students and families are expected to be respectful and considerate of the opposing team, their supporters, the game officials, and nearby residents. There will be no in-and-out privileges; once you leave the field, you cannot come back in We are looking forward to an exciting game and positive spirits tonight!   Bay Farm School Votes! While adults across the island followed elections at the national, state, and local level, Bay Farm students held their own election about the very serious matter of their dolphin mascot's name. Using a bracket system, the school winnowed down the candidate names from eight to four to three.  Final results showed that the incumbent name, "Squirt," handily won with 259 names versus the two other finalists:  "Neptune" (138) and Coral (128).  Congratulations, Squirt! And thank you to all the staff and volunteers who helped with this effort!   November 12 Regular Board Meeting At its November 12 public meeting, the Board of Education will hear presentations on the 2023-24 CAASPP results, as well as updates on projected enrollment for 2025-26 and AUSD's classroom cooling initiative. The meeting will be conducted at  District Office and via Teams and will begin at 6:30 pm. Agenda Mental Health Supports for Students, Families, and Staff AUSD and its partners offer a wide range of mental health services and supports, including individual and group counseling and the Care Solace program, which can help students, families, and staff find therapists who are covered by their insurance and have availability. We also have compiled links to hotlines and other resources that can provide immediate help for those who need it. L earn more on our: F amily Guide to Students Supports page Mental Health Resources page Suicide Prevention page I dentifying and Interrupting Hate Speech Join Melissa Saunders on November 13 as she leads a family forum on "Identifying and Interrupting Hate Speech." Ms. Saunders, who is a counselor and AUSD's LGBTQ Liaison, will discuss: - The impact of hate speech on all groups  - How to talk about children about hate speech - Hate speech and social media - How to intervene if your child is impacted by hate speech - And more! Wednesday night's session is for TK-5 families. A second session for families of students in grades 6-12 will take place on December 11. Register at the QR links or: Register for the TK-5 session Register for the 6-12 session Sponsored by the Alameda PTA Council and AUSD. AEF Displays Student "Art Across the Island" This fall, the Alameda Education Foundation’s “Art Across the Island” program is displaying the creative work of students from five different schools at five different locations in our community.    Since 2016, when AEF launched the program, the non-profit’s volunteers have put up more than 6500 pieces of art at venues including Alameda Free Library branches,  Rhythmix Cultural Works, and local businesses. We thank AEF for organizing this project and our local partners for displaying the artwork of the community’s young people! Read about this fall's displays     Gibbons/Fernside/High Intersection Improvements Proposal Survey & Pop Up The City of Alameda is holding an on-site meeting about proposals for the intersection of Gibbons, Fernside, and High Street tomorrow, November 9 , from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. Intersection proposal (pop-up event handout) Gibbons Dr at Fernside/High proposal survey   Students of ASTI This year two ASTI students - Munaza Sarwary and Lillian Saechao - are profiling their peers with short bios and photographs this year.  Much like the famous “Humans of New York,” the “Students of ASTI” will introduce the broader community to how students at ASTI view their studies, their school, and the world around them. Max Gurevich, Junior C urrently, I am a teacher's assistant for Integrated Math 1, and my high school classes are Science Seminar, Leadership and Economics. My college classes are English 1A, Spanish 1B, and Biology 10. I would say one highlight of this year so far was doing movie night, which was one of the events I was running. It was really fun working with people and seeing the lower grades coming and participating.  My favorite class right now is probably Science Seminar, because it is basically just a free work period  and we have access to a lot of resources, like high quality tech material, that you won't usually have access to outside of these classes. Outside of school, I like performing music. It's small stuff, but sometimes I'll play drums for small groups and that's kinda fun. I also like spending time with friends. I like filming things, too,  even if it's not really good. It's fun to film and edit things even if it's just for me and my friends too watch. Haley Huynh, Senior For my high school classes, I am taking Foreign Language Seminar, Leadership and Math Seminar. My college classes are Precalculus, Trigonometry and Humanities. A highlight of this year so far I would say was Bonding Day.  It was just fun seeing everyone participating in the stations we planned out, and putting it together and knowing it went successfully was nice.  My favorite class ever I would say is Leadership. Leadership is fun sometimes because I like planning the school events and knowing I am doing something for the school is nice. Outside of school I enjoy playing basketball and flag football, or just hanging out with my friends. I also like eating. As for college apps, I have finished my PIQs and I need to edit them. It's going slowly. I just wish I could spend more time on it, or prioritized it more. Any advice I have is to start early, maybe in August, try to work on it as much as you can. Superintendent Scuderi's Election Message In a November 4 message to the AUSD community, Superintendent Scuderi emphasized the importance of voting and civic education, as well as AUSD's commitment to providing safe learning space for all students.   "This election is playing out in stressful and tension-filled ways for many but rest assured that our school district’s mission and commitment to serving our students and families will remain steadfast, no matter the outcomes," he wrrote. "We are committed to facilitating inclusion, respect, and learning opportunities for all our kids at all times." Superintendent Scuderi also reminded the community of students' rights, responsibilities, and requirements around protests and walk-outs. September 4 Community Message November 8-15: AHS Drama Production of "Antigone 3021" November 11: Veterans Day Holiday November 13 and December 11: Speak Up at School November 15 - 22: EHS Drama Production of "The Outsiders"      

Friday, Nov 08 2024

AUSD to Explore Classroom Cooling Strategies | Kinde...

AUSD Newsletter   |   October 29, 2024       Events October 29, 5-7:30 pm:  Healthy Kids, Health Schools Wellness Fair, Ruby Bridges Elementary School October 29, 6-7:30 pm : Secondary Math Night, Encinal High School November 1:  Minimum Day for Elementary Schools (12:10 release) November 11 : Veteran's Day, no school November 12:  Board of Education Meeting November 13, 7-8 pm : "Speak Up at School: Idenifying and Interrupting Hate Speech" (Grades TK-5 Session) via  Zoom (registration information below) December 11 , 7-8 pm : "Speak Up at School: Idenifying and Interrupting Hate Speech" (Grades 6-12 Session) via  Zoom (registration information below)      AUSD to Explore Cooling Strategies for Classrooms   In response to rising temperatures due to climate change, AUSD is set to explore a range of heat mitigation strategies to help keep teachers and students cool over the coming years. The response was triggered by a week of record-breaking heat in October, which brought temperatures in some classrooms into the mid 80s. All new construction in AUSD includes air conditioning, but strategies under consideration for existing buildings include ceiling fans, split air conditioners, shade, and tinted window coverings. “We know these high temperatures make teaching and learning very difficult,” says Superintendent Pasquale Scuderi. “And we are very grateful for the hard work of students and staff during these heat waves. We know it has been tough on everyone, and we are committed to reducing that stress over the coming years.”  Full article Groundbreaking Celebrates Several Bond Projects AUSD staff, students and community members gathered tlast week to celebrate the start of construction of several projects across the district. Made possible due to funding from Bond Measure B and designed by  Quattrocchi Kwok Architects (QKA), these include the modernization of Wood Middle School, as well as projects at Alameda High School and Encinal Jr. & Sr. High School. “We want to thank the community for its support of Measure B, which is really a show of support for the youth of Alameda and their future,” said AUSD Superintendent Pasquale Scuderi. “These new facilities will provide a myriad of improved educational, arts and recreational opportunities for our students and residents. Multiple studies have shown that the spaces kids learn in are an integral part of the instructional experience and that having clean, functional spaces with natural light contributes to students' achievement, well-being and connectivity. We’re grateful to QKA and our contractor partners for working in collaboration with our  staff and families throughout this process.” Press Release Descendent of First Slave to Write a Narrative Visits High Schools Students in AP African-American Studies at Alameda High School and Encinal Jr. & Sr. High School were visited last week by Regina Mason, the great-great-great granddaughter of William Grimes, an African-American barber who wrote the first narrative of a formerly enslaved American. Ms. Mason has spent the last 20 years researching Grimes, whose book, Life of William Grimes, the Runaway Slave, was published almost 40 years before the Civil War. Mason discovered Grimes and his narrative while researching her family history.  Such narratives are rare, as most slaves could not read or write. “His story is not widely known,” she says, “but I’m on a mission to change that. He was an ordinary man who did an extraordinary thing: He boldly inserted himself into American history.” Read more Kindergarteners Visit Safety Town The Alameda Fire Department hosted 675 kindergarteners (plus their teachers and scores of volunteers) last week for Safety Town, an event that teaches young learners about fire safety, traffic safety, what emergency responders do, and how their vehicles work. The kinders took buses from their schools to AFD’s Station 5 on the base, which is now used for training. Then one group went into a meeting room to learn about fire safety from Firefighter Joel and Freddie, a talking fire truck. The other group went to Safety Town – several miniature city blocks where they learned rules about crossing the street and wearing helmets – and then toured a fire engine and an ambulance. Then the two groups switched. Periodically, the firefighters asked the students who they should call in case of emergency. A chorus of high-pitched voices responded, “911!” each time. This was the 51st year of Safety Town and the first time it had been organized since the pandemic. It is a   joint project of the Alameda Fire Department, the Alameda Police Department, AUSD, the Kiwanis of Alameda, and the Bayview Women’s Club, and we’re deeply grateful for the partnership. Special thanks, too, to AUSD’s Jane Lee and Erin Ashworth for organizing this large project. Watch our reel of this super-cute day! October 22 Board of Education Meeting At its October 22 public meeting the Board of Education heard presentations on Maya Lin School's Initiatives to Support African-American Achievement Early Literacy The Academy of Alameda's Charter Renewal Process Potential Heat Mitigation Strategies for AUSD Classrooms Agenda and Video The next regular meeting will take place on November 12.   ... Kevin Gorham,  a media teacher and Athletic Director at Encinal Jr. & Sr. High School, for being inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame by the California Historical Radio Society earlier this month. Mr. Gorham started at KJAZ producing the morning show and doing news and sports. From there he went to 610 KFRC, where he worked on the Dr. Don Rose Morning Show and also produced the Carter B Smith Show and Saturday’s with Sinatra when the station transitioned to Magic 61. His next stop was K-101 for 10 years, where he produced, engineered and worked as a sidekick on the Don Blue Morning Show.  Encinal's radio studios and transmitters were built in 2016; classes and student broadcasting began in August, 2017. The hope, Gorham says, is to " cultivate the next generation of broadcasters." … Family Engagement Coordinator and Scholar Advisor Shanti Croom , whose documentary, “Descendents: The Story of Us” won the “Lunda Award” from the 22nd Oakland International Film Festival this month. The documentary was directed by Alamedan Shaun Daniels and produced with financial support from the Alameda Education Foundation.  In “Descendents,” Alameda community members tell the stories of how they or their families came to America. Film festival judges noted that the documentary “best illustrated the journeys/ migration and obstacles several families faced right here in the United States in their pursuit towards the American dream.” Porter Davis,  a 92 year old graduate of Franklin Elementary School (formerly Sandler School) for getting into the Guiness Book of World Records forthe longest running class reunion after he gathered his kindergarten class of 1938 together for their 83rd reunion at Ole's Waffle Shop. Last week, Mr. Davis gave the actual plaque to this year's kindergarteners during their lunch hour and also showed them pictures of himself as a five year old. After chatting with their kindergarteners for a few minutes he told Principal Lynnette Chirrick how impressed he was that she knew all their names. "Well, they all have a special place in my heart!" she told him. ... our latest Data Confirmation winners: Lincoln Middle School (98.97% completed);  ASTI (92.42% completed); and Wood Middle School! (92.17% completed). A big thank you to the parents for getting these important documents filled out this year and to staff for staying on top of it!   "Safety Hub" Provides Cyber Safety Resources Developed by a team of cyber safety experts, AUSD's Online "Safety Hub" provides information about a wide range of online safety topics to families, including social media, screen time, predators, scams, and bullying, as well as reviews of websites. Resources include articles, videos, and how-to guides, and fresh material is posted regularly. This week, for instance, the site is featuring a story about the risks of social media "therapy" for students,  a review of  "8 Ball Pool," and a discussion of how families can help mediate the online pressure to have a perfect body.   October 29: High School Math Night Please join our math teachers and specialists tonight for a Math Night for high school families. During this session, you'll have a chance to learn about our new high school math curriculum and how AUSD's math instruction is changing. You'll also get tips on how best to support your student from home. The event will be held in Room 3105 at Encinal Jr. & Sr. High School, from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm. All families are welcome! November 13 and December 11: "Identifying and Interrupting Hate Speech" Join counselor and LGBTQ Liaison Melissa Saunders to learn about talking to students about all types of hate speech. Ms. Saunders will share information on the impact of hate speech, how it manifests online, and also how best to intervene if your student is impacted by hate speech, as well as answer questions from the audience. November 13 is for TK-5 families; December 11 will be aimed at 6-12 familes.  Pre-registration required. You can use the QR code on the flyer or use the links below to register. - Register for the November 13 session for TK-5 families -  Register for the December 11 session for 6-12 families

Tuesday, Oct 29 2024

Superintendent's Community Message about LGBTQ Histo...

AUSD Newsletter   |   October 15, 2024     Events October 15, 6 pm:  Family Forum: Finding Resources and Supports for Your Students October 22:  Board of Education Meeting October 24, 4-5 pm:  Wood Middle School Groundbreaking Ceremony October 24, 6:30-8:30 pm ,  " Tell Them We Are Rising ," showing, Fred Chacon Little Theater October 29, 5-7:30 pm:  Healthy Kids, Health Schools Wellness Fair, Ruby Bridges Elementary School October 29, 6-7:30 pm : Secondary Math Night, Encinal High School November 11 : Veteran's Day, no school Superintendent's Message As we move through LGBTQ+ History month, we are committed to learning more about those who have contributed to the progress that has been made in the fight for equality. We do this while also acknowledging the many challenges that still exist and at the same time recommitting ourselves to continuously improving our community toward the full realization of inclusion and respect for all.   Many schools, historically, have not produced positive experiences and supportive environments for LGBTQ+ students and families. Many were - and in lots of places still are - hotbeds of bullying and ridicule, and of labeling and name calling and worse. Many communities have shown indifference or disdain toward the inherent and sometimes amplified challenges of young people coming out or embracing or exploring their identities, subjecting young folks to environments that have historically and unreasonably questioned or condemned them simply for becoming themselves.     I think we are better than that and can do even better moving forward. Our LGBTQ+ students should always know that we love them, that we hold their futures as vital, and that we will stand with them and support them always.   To the families of our LGBTQ+ students, we recognize the love and support you show your children, and how vital that love is to them navigating their futures with confidence. As educators we hope to enhance and expand that support in our schools.   "Equality means more than passing laws,” wrote pioneering LGBTQ+ activist Barbara Gittings. “The struggle is really won in the hearts and minds of the community, where it really counts."  To respect the history and activism of the LGBTQ+ community for me means to both honor that history through learning and to continue insisting on a present and a future that prioritizes care, respect, and inclusion for all.   For more information on AUSD's LGBTQ programs, please see our LGBTQ Resources web page. District Counselor Provides Lessons on Hate Speech This fall, AUSD’s Melissa Saunders, a district counselor and AUSD's LGBTQ Liaison, has been visiting 4th and 5th grade classrooms across AUSD to help students learn to identify and respond to hate speech. The effort - part of a package of strategies designed to reduce hate speech among students - covers the nature of hate speech, why it’s harmful, how to recognize it, and how to respond. Read more AHS Shelters in Place due to "Swatting" Incident This afternoon a Veteran Affairs office received a call on their crisis line from a man who claimed to be in a bathroom at AHS with a rifle. Veteran Affairs immediately contacted the Alameda Police Department and Alameda High School, who in turn also contacted Alameda PD and then AUSD District staff. In these situations, our schools first secure students and staff through protocols such as a shelter in place or lockdown and notify law enforcement. They also notify the District Office, who sends staff to support to the site to help, centrally manages logistics and communications, and monitors security cameras to help the investigation. APD arrived at AHS around 3:20 pm and did a thorough sweep of the campus. Students were dismissed at 3:50 pm. All students and staff were safe throughout the investigation.   We currently believe this was a “swatting” incident, in which someone makes a false emergency call in an effort to get a police SWAT team to respond. Multiple school districts across the country have received a similar call this week. Nevertheless, we take every threat seriously and will always follow safety protocols in these situations. We want to emphasize that we know these  types of incidents can be deeply concerning to all involved, and that we regularly conduct drills so that students and staff can practice their response to them. We'd also like to thank AHS students and staff for quickly complying with the shelter in place directions today and the Alameda Police Department for their very swift and thorough response. October 8 Board of Education Meeting At its October 8 meeting, the Board of Education heard presentations about the Academy of Alameda's charter renewal petition, AUSD's study of special education programs and needs, and data and needs of AUSD's LGBTQ+ students. The Board will also vote to certify that the district's instructional materials are sufficient.  Agenda and Video The next Board of Education meeting will be on October 22 at 6:30 pm. October 15: Finding Resources for Your Student In this virtual family forum, AUSD staff will discuss how families and students can find the academic, emotional, and social resources they need to be successful. The session will be held via Teams and will include time for audience questions. All TK-12 families are welcome!   ASTI Students Document Campus Life This year two ASTI students - Munaza Sarwary and Lillian Saechao - are profiling their peers with short bios and photographs this year.  Much like the famous “Humans of New York,” the “Students of ASTI” will introduce the broader community to how students at ASTI view their studies, their school, and the world around them. Fiona Qui, freshman My name is Fiona Qiu! I have Biology, English, Integrated Math 1, Navigating Life, Spanish 1, and PE!  Currently I am working hard in my music program as a violinist outside of school and playing violin is one of my hobbies! Another one of my hobbies is dancing, I dance to some covers from songs. An interesting story about me is I became principal in an orchestra for a few weeks and performed while being principal! I love ASTI so much. The community is super kind to us and gives lots of opportunities such as clubs! I joined many clubs such as the dance club, which has been really fun. The people were not judgy and we all had a fun time learning dances! A highlight in ASTI is we got penpals and we wrote two letters to them and we finally met them! My penpal was super kind, and I enjoyed our time together! ASTI has been a great school for me academically and socially and has boosted my confidence a lot! Kate Schafer, senior This fall I am taking Anthropology, English 5, and Art 4 for college. For ASTI, I have Science Seminar, Leadership, and Foreign Language Seminar. Outside of school I play sports (track and cross country and basketball). I also like doing art. I enjoy reading as well. ASTI Is cool. People are very close to one another. You can get a lot of help, and people will remember you and help you out since it's a smaller school. My highlight at of ASTI is Sports-o-rama, That was really fun. Hispanic Heritage Month Last year, we launched the “Community Voices” series to acknowledge history and heritage months. In this series, we ask community members from the group being acknowledged to write short essays about what the month means to them. We asked Jorge Melgoza, the interim principal of Island High School, to write about Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 - October 15) this year. This celebration, which was established in 1968 as a week and expanded in 1988 to a month, honors Hispanic and Latino history and culture. Principal Melagoza’s Essay More information on Hispanic Heritage Month Superintendent's Message about Excessive Heat On October 7, Superintendent Scuderi sent a message to all staff and families about AUSD’s responses to excessive heat and the plan to explore heat mitigation strategies.  You can read his full message here. Please also note that staff will give a presentation on potential heat mitigation strategies at the October 22, 2024 Board of Education meeting. October 24: WMS Groundbreaking The public is invited to our October 24 groundbreaking ceremony for the new campus at Wood Middle School. The ceremony will include information about the new campus, as well as updates on current construction projects at Alameda High School (a new swim center and upgrades to Kofman Auditorium) and Encinal High School (the new athletic field).  Please join us on the blacktop at Wood's temporary site - the former Lum campus. October 29: AUSD & PTAC Wellness Fair Join us October 29, 5 to 7:30 pm, for AUSD's first-ever Mental Health Wellness Fair, presented in partnership with the PTA Council. Topics include finding resources, supporting students at home, and digital citizenship. All families welcome!  Childcare and dinner are free; please register at the QR code below.  October 29: Secondary Math Night Please join our math teachers and specialistson October 29,  for a Math Night for high school families. During this session, you'll have a chance to learn about our new high school math curriculum and how AUSD's math instruction is changing. You'll also get tips on how best to support your student from home. The event will be held at Encinal Jr. & Sr. High School, from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm. All families are welcome!

Wednesday, Oct 16 2024

ASTI Named "Blue Ribbon School" | AUSD Flag Survey |...

AUSD Newsletter   |  September 30, 2024     Events October 5:  Alameda Pride Event October 5:  Navigating the College Experience, Alameda Free Library October 5:  Filipino Island Fest, Alameda Waterfront Park October 8:  Board of Education Meeting October 9:  Walk & Roll to School! October 11: LGBTQ+ Teen Center Opening October 14: Professional Development Day: Schools Closed October 15, 6 pm:  Family Forum: Finding Resources and Supports for Your Students October 22:  Board of Education Meeting October 29, 5-7:30 pm:  Healthy Kids, Health Schools Wellness Fair, Ruby Bridges Elementary School October 29, 6-7:30 pm : Secondary Math Night, Encinal High School ASTI Designated as 2024 Blue Ribbon School The US Department of Education announced earlier this week that the Alameda Science and Technology Institute (ASTI) has been named a 2024 Blue Ribbon School. It is the second time the school has received this award; the first time was in 2015. The award honors academically excellent elementary, middle, and high schools. Just 33 schools in California and 356 nationwide received the award. ASTI was designated an "Exemplary High Performing School," which means it is in the top 15 percent of schools statewide, as measured by various assessments. “The National Blue Ribbon Award is one of the most prestigious awards that a public school in this country can win,” says Superintendent Pasquale Scuderi, “and I’d like to congratulate the ASTI community on earning it. We are very proud of the hard work and discipline shown by ASTI’s administrative team, teachers, and students in sustaining and improving this early college program for the last two decades.” Take our Survey to Choose a New AUSD Flag! In response to student, staff, and family requests, AUSD is creating a flag to represent its “Everyone Belongs Here” motto. Board Member Ryan LaLonde, who is an artist and graphic designer, has drafted two flags that AUSD community members can choose between. Both flags feature the "Everyone Belongs Here" shield created by students on the LGBTQ Round Table in 2015. That motto and design was signed onto by a wide range of organizations, as well, including the City of Alameda, the Alameda Education Association, Alameda Education Foundation, the Alameda Chamber of Commerce, and Alameda Family Services. One of the proposed designs has a plain blue background. Like the original "Everyone Belongs Here" poster, the other flag includes statements such as "All Faiths," "All Gender Identities," "All Nationalities," "All Families," "All Races," and "All Ethnicities" to illustrate AUSD's broad, inclusive philosophy and policies. While the writing won't be easily legible on the flag when it's raised, it signifies that all groups are included. The survey is attached to this newsletter. Please respond by October 15. Parcel Tax Oversight Positions Available AUSD is now accepting applications for the 2024-25 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 14. Full press release Meet our 2024-25 School Board Members We’re delighted to introduce two new board members this year: Eugene Krueger, who will be representing Encinal Jr. & Sr. High School and Tabitha Kim, who will be representing Alameda High School. Lianna Lau will represent ASTI for a second term this year. We sent each student member a set of questions to learn more about why they wanted to be a part of the Board of Education what they hope to accomplish, and how they would counsel peers who want to explore leadership opportunities. Read the interviews Island High School Holds Day of Healing Island HIgh School's students and staff engaged in a Day of Healing last week that centered on the powerful work of Ashanti Branch, founder and executive director of the Ever Forward Club, a non-profit organization that mentors middle and high school students, especially at-risk men of color.  The day included a viewing of the award-winning documentary, "The Mask You Live In," an assembly with Mr. Branch, and student reflections on the masks they present to the world and how those can limit the expression of authentic selves.This work matters,  Principal Jorge Melagoza stressed during the assembly, because "our talking about ourselves, not being afraid to share who we are, will help us build a stronger community here. The work starts by taking off your masks and being your real selves." A team of district and site staff are currently exploring ways to reimagine the continuation high school and what else can be offered through its program.  Read more Lincoln 7th Grader Wins Prestigious Colin Powell Medal of Courage Congratulations to former Otis Owl and current Lincoln Lion Elena Sweet, who received a 2024 Colin Powell Medal of Courage Award last week. The UC Benioff Hospitals gives this award to people who demonstrate courage and compassion. Elena received the award for the resilience and creativity she exhibited during her ten months of intensive treatment for Ewing Sarcoma, a very rare form of bone cancer. While undergoing chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery, and physical therapy, for instance, Elena designed dream apartments for members of her nursing team, and organized a talent show, games of sharks and minnows, and a henna business to serve other patients - all at UC Benioff Children’s Hospital in Oakland, where she was being treated. “She wasn’t just helping herself cope,” Hania Thomas-Adams, MA, CCLS, a Child Life Specialist at the hospital, says in a video about Elena produced by UC Benioff Hospitals. “She was thinking about everyone else.” Read Elena's full story   September 24 Regular Board of Education Meeting The Board heard a presentation on the 2024-25 Local Control Accountability Plan and AUSD’s enrollment as of the 20th day of school. The Board voted to approve the schematic design for a new campus for Otis Elementary School and authorized AUSD to hire teachers on “Provisional Intern Permits (PIPs).  Meeting agenda and video The next Board meeting will take place on October 8. Board Member Update During Board Member comments at the September 24 public meeting, Board Member Heather Little issued an important update about her health. You can read that statement  here .   … Four of AUSD’s elementary schools  for achieving outstanding participation in the recent data confirmation process. This process, which ensures the district has accurate and up-to-date information for all students at the start of each school year, received exceptional engagement from the families of these schools. First Place:  Paden Elementary School (100% of families completed data confirmation) Second Place:  Edison Elementary School (99.58%) Third Place:  Maya Lin School and Earhart Elementary School (both 98.95%) We're grateful to the families and staff of these schools for their dedication in getting this important work completed so early in the school year!  ... Maya Porter, a third grade teacher at Love Elementary School   who is our September Data User of the Month! Maya was chosen for being “one of the rock star teachers” at AUSD’s Summer Session this year.  She tracked test scores at the beginning and end of the session to make sure students made academic progress - and kept it all organized on a spreadsheet so she could acess it quickly. Thank you, Maya, for your hard work and commitment to our students!   ...the  Filipino American National Historical Society Museum   for lending Alameda High School and Encinal Jr. & Sr. High School two displays on history of Filipino immigration to the United States. The displays, which are comprised of four panels each, document immigration from the 17th century up through the 21st century. They will be in the schools' media centers until October 4, in honor of Filipino American History Month and will then go to the October 5 Filipino Island Fest.  Displays have also been set up at the main branch of the Alameda Free Library and at City Hall.  A special thank you also goes to Cynthia Bonta for initiating getting the displays to our high schools. Below, Erwin Minda, Board President for the Filipino American National Historical Society Museum, and his wife, Corey, pose afer setting up the displays at Encinal Jr. & Sr. High School . October 4: "Words that Made a Difference: Brown v. Board of Education" 2024 is the 70th anniversary of the unanimous decision in the landmark Supreme Court case, Brown v Board of Education , which outlawed segregation in schools.  "Words That Made a Difference," by local playwright and educator Cynthia Acker, Ed.D., weaves excerpts from the actual transcripts in the the five cases that comprised Brown v. Education  with the memoirs of then Chief Justice, Earl Warren, to remind us of the power of that case and the need to continue to uphold its tenets. The October 4 show begins at 8 pm at Alterena Theater; tickets are available here . October 5: Navigating the College Experience The Alameda Free Library invites high school students and their families to attend "College 101: Navigating the College Experience," a program focused on helping students and their families better understand the college experience. WHEN: Saturday, October 5, 1:30-3:30pm WHERE: Alameda Free Library, Main Branch, 1550 Oak Street WHO: High school students and their families REGISTER: https://www.alamedafree.org/college101 Hosted by Study Smart Tutors, the session will cover many important topics, including: First-year experiences Financial aid The role of a student's family in supporting their college journey Practical advice to help empower students and their families to navigate the college pathway confidently October 9: International Walk and Roll to School Day October 11: LGBTQ+ Teen Center Opening   October 15: Family Forum: "Finding AUSD Resources for Your Child" In this virtual family forum, AUSD staff will discuss how families and students can find the academic, emotional, and social resources they need to be successful. The session will be held via Teams   and will include time for audience questions. October 29: "Healthy Kids, Healthy Schools" Fair Join Alameda Unified School District and Alameda PTA Council for the first ever "Healthy Kids, Healthy Mental Health" Wellness Fair for families and students of all ages on Tuesday, October 29, from 5 pm to 7:30 pm at Ruby Bridges Elementary School. Learn how you can nurture your child's emotional health at home and how to find mental and emotional health resources provided to stuents and families in schools. Free dinner, child care, and art activities will be available for children, plus a mindfulness and yoga workshop provided by Shawnte Forrer , free prizes and giveaways. Register here or via the QR code in our flyer. All are welcome!

Tuesday, Oct 01 2024

15 AUSD Schools Win Positive Behavior Awards | LWV T...

AUSD Newsletter   |  September 13 , 2024         Events September 19: AEF Back to School BBQ September 24, 6-8 pm: Annual College Night, College of Alameda September 24: Board of Education Meeting October 5:  Alameda Pride Event October 14:  Professional Development Day: Schools Closed October 15, 6 pm:  Family Forum: Finding Resources and Supports for Your Students October 29, 5-7:30 pm:  Healthy Kids, Health Schools Wellness Fair, Ruby Bridges Elementary School October 29, 6-7:30 pm : Secondary Math Night, Encinal High School A USD Schools Receive PBIS Awards The California State PBIS Coalition has recognized 15 AUSD schools for their implementation of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports during the 2023-24 school year. The recognition levels range from Platinum (the highest) to Bronze.  Nine AUSD schools won the Platinum award. PBIS is a proactive and school-wide approach to defining, teaching and supporting optimal student behavior. It emphasizes acknowledging and directly teaching appropriate behavior as opposed to punishing inappropriate behavior. It also provides a continuum of supports for students who struggle to meet the school expectations. Not every school site’s PBIS program is the same. But all robust PBIS programs consist of: clearly defined school-wide expectation, explicit teaching on those expectations, acknowledgment of appropriate behaviors, and individual support where needed.  Research has shown that the benefits of PBIS include increased attendance, student and teacher reports of more positive and calm environments, and reductions in the number of behavioral disruptions on campus. More information is available on our  PBIS web page .   Schools recognized for their implementation last year are: Platinum Level Recognition: Bay Farm Otis Franklin Lincoln Love Maya Lin Paden Ruby Bridges Wood Gold Level Recognition : Edison Encinal Silver Level Recognition : Alameda High School ASTI Earhart Bronze Level Recognition: Island High School We are deeply grateful to our principals, counselors, teachers, and students for the hard work and vision they bring to the work of cultivating positive schoolwide cultures across our district,. High School Voter Registration Alameda Unified School District (AUSD) high school students have teamed up with the Alameda chapter of the League of Women Voters (LWV) to register and pre-register their peers to vote in the upcoming elections. The initiative is designed to educate students on the importance of voting and increase student involvement in the democratic process. “Many among the youth view voting as a burden as opposed to a gift, when in reality it is an honor that must be valued,” says Dean Alis, an 11th grader at Alameda High who has been involved with voter registration efforts since his freshman year. ”Voting is actually a powerful tool for change.” The registration efforts, which will take place next week at all four high schools, will take place during drop-off, lunch, leadership, and advisory periods. Research shows that voter turnout among 18- to 24-year-olds has consistently been the lowest of all age groups, and the disparities grow even wider when looking at African-Americans, Latinos, and those with no college experience. “For over 100 years the League has been empowering voters to fully participate in our democracy,” says Linday Bytof, a retired judge, political scientist, and chair of the Youth Outreach Committee of LWV of Alameda. “Voting is in our DNA and we have a responsibility to share our mission with the next generation. We do this by encouraging young voters to get involved, teach them how to get involved, then stand back and watch them put their passion into action.“ Read more  September 10 Regular Board of Education Meeting At its September 10public meeting, the Board of Education heard updates on the Alameda Education Foundation’s programs and the District’s Strategic Plan. The Board also voted to approve the 2023-24 Unaudited Actuals Budget Report.   Agenda and Video September 12 Board Policy Subcommittee Meeting The Board reviewed policy updates distributed the California School Board Association, and discussed policies related to flags displayed at school sites, hate speech, and concurrent enrollment in community colleges. Agenda and policies reviewed Mental Health Service Available for Students, Staff, and Families Thanks to the  Alameda Education Foundation , AUSD is able to partner with Care Solace to help students, staff, and family members find mental health counseling services. Care Solace's web-based system and care team are available 24/7 to help you find therapists who take your insurance and have openings in just a few minutes. Families can access Care Solace services 24/7 in two ways: 1. Call (888) 515-0595 or email  weserve@caresolace.org to speak with someone from the Care Concierge team. Representatives are standing by to take your call or email 24/7. 2. Students and their families can visit AUSD’s  custom link . 3. Staff (and/or their family member) have their own  custom link . Once you answer ten simple questions, you will receive a call back from a Care Concierge within one hour. That concierge will assist you in finding a resource, including making phone calls on your behalf to save you precious time and will help you navigate who accepts your insurance. Care Solace takes into account all types of private/employer insurance, including Medi-Cal, Medicaid, and Medicare, and those that have no insurance. The provider will also be specific to age, gender, zip code, and any special requests. 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. More information can be found at the links below: Care Solace - Letter to Families Care Solace - Letter to Staff Care Solace - What to expect Ordering Vegetarian Meals for Elementary Students #DYK? This year, elementary school families can preorder vegetarian meals by the week or even year for their students. That makes it easier for families and also helps our Food & Nutrition Services accomodate students' dietary preferences. Extra vegetarian meals will always be available, but preordering saves you time and assists us in better managing the meal distribution. Please place your orders for the week by Sunday. If you miss the Sunday deadline, email  Nutrition@alamedaunified.org to have your child added to the list. Students in middle and high school can ask for the vegetarian meal on a daily basis  and do not need to pre-order. Below Market Rate Housing Lottery Rise Housing, on behalf of the city of Alameda, is acepting pre-applications for three Below Market Rate Homeownership Waitlists. Preference points (including for AUSD employees) apply.  Income limits range from $130,000 (for one person) to $186,000 (for four people).   Learn more New Alameda LGBTQ+ Teen Center Opening September 19: AEF Back to School BBQ September 24: 32nd Annual College Fair AUSD is hosting its 32nd Annual College Fair Tuesday, September 24th, from 6-8 p.m. There will be over 50 colleges and universities in attendance, and it’s a great opportunity for students to meet with college representatives in person to discuss post-secondary options after high school. There will also be representatives from the Armed Forces and our local community colleges. The College Fair is being held in the gymnasium at the College of Alameda: 555 Ralph Appezzato Parkway. The event is FREE, and open to all students, parents and staff. Please encourage your students to attend! View, Appreciate or Reply October 5: Alameda Pride Fair ​

Friday, Sep 13 2024

Filipino Educators Join AUSD Ranks | Tech Employee ...

AUSD Newsletter   |   August 28, 2024       Events September 2:  Labor Day Holiday - All schools closed September 10, 6:30 pm: Board of Education meeting September 12, 4 pm:  Board Policy Subcommittee Meeting September 19, 5-8 pm:  AEF Back 2 School BBQ (see below) September 24, 6:30 pm:  Board of Education meeting September 26, 7:00 pm : Livescan/Fingerprint event, District Office (details to come  AUSD Hires 14 Educators from the Philippines for New School Year  Among the dozens of new teachers in AUSD this summer are 14 educators from the Philippines who were hired as part of an innovative effort to fill teaching positions during the current teacher shortage. The teachers, who come from across the many islands that comprise the Philippines, are all fully credentialed.  Four of the teachers are working as special education teachers here, and 10 are working as paraprofessionals.  The educators come for a variety of reasons - from wanting to visit the United States to wanting to learn new teaching strategies to bring back home. But the program also benefits the AUSD community, not only by helping us find teachers during a nationwide educator shortage, but bringing new perspectives and enthusiasm to our schools. “As a Filipino-American, I am so incredibly proud that they are here to share the best of the Filipino values,” she says. “The Philippines is a collective society. It is important to help our neighbors and family in times of need. We say, ‘Bayanihan -kung sama-sama’ (we are together, we can do it).” Read the whole story AUSD Employee Averts CrowdStrike Crash Donovan Moretz, AUSD's network adminstrator, had planned to take July 19 off. But when he woke up at 6:30 am and looked online, he saw reports of a massive CrowdStrike outage. The company had released an update to its Falcon software, which organizations around the world use to detect and block hackers and malware, but it hadn't synced properly with Windows operating systems. This was about to result in the largest IT outage in history. Donovan, who is going into his 11th year here in AUSD, immediately checked his email and found alerts that 12 of AUSD’s 56 servers had been affected. Donovan was able to fix the issue from home by calling up the backups created the night before and essentially rebuilding those servers. “We had the critical data covered by 7:30 am,” he says. “By 9:00 am everything was up and running again.” Donovan attributes AUSD’s quick recovery to the district’s rigorous back-up systems. “In the end, we only lost a day’s worth of data,” he says. (Going forward, AUSD will back up data four times a day.) His supervisor, Robyn Odell, however, also cites Donovan’s expertise and quick wits. “Donovan saw the problem and immediately acted to ensure systems were up and running by the time most staff started their workday,” she says. ‘His skill and willingness to take responsibility can’t be underestimated. We are very lucky to have him on our team.” August 27 Board of Education Meeting At its August 27 public meeting, the Board of Education heard updates on AUSD’s current enrollment and the Expanded Learning Opportunity Program (ELOP). The Board approved a resolution in support of High School Voter Education Weeks and granted an easement at Encinal Jr. & Sr. High School to the City of Alameda.       Agenda & video   The next regular Board Meeting will be on September 10, and there is a Board Policy Subcommittee Meeting at 4 pm on September 12 at District Office. ...W ood Middle School 7th grader Sophia Habek , who this summer won 1st Place plus the National Championship Title in Y-12 Women’s Epee at the 2024 Fencing Summer Nationals in Columbus, Ohio. (An epee is a type of blade used in sport fencing.) This is Sophia’s second National Championship (she won her first last summer). She is coached by her father, Maestro Abdul Habek, who is the head coach with the UC Berkeley fencing team and also coaches at East Bay Fencers Gym in Oakland.  Congratulations, Sophia! See Something, Say Something As we settle into the routine of a new school year, we want to remind you to report any suspicious people or activity in or around our school sites to school staff. In most cases, what seems unusual is not a threat. But we hope that all of our families, students, and staff will keep an eye out so that we can act quickly to investigate if something seems “off.” Please also remind your students to bring their concerns to trusted adults. In many cases, we become aware of troublesome situations because our youth come forward. Thank you! Family Engagement Survey This year, we would like to introduce a series of virtual community events and workshops designed to assist parents and guardians in accessing valuable resources and support for their students and families. These sessions will cover a range of topics aimed at enhancing the well-being and educational success of our students.  Depending on the subject matter, these informational meetings will be conducted by AUSD staff or feature expert guest speakers who will provide insights and guidance. Our goal is to create an engaging and supportive environment where families can learn, connect, and find the assistance they need to thrive. Scan the QR code to access the Family Engagement Survey via ParentSquare or click here . Data Confirmation Don’t forget! All families need to complete Data Confirmation in order to be fully enrolled at AUSD. This annual pro cess allows families to cupdate emergency contacts, acknowledge annual authorizations, and review District policies. We ask that all families complete the process to make sure we have up to date information for your student. You can find the Data Confirmation link in your Aeries portal. For more information, go to our Data Confirmation web page. September 19: AEF "Back 2 School BBQ" The Alameda Education Foundation (AEF) invites you to mix and mingle with folks who support Alameda public school students and teachers! Enjoy a BBQ dinner and drinks at one of Alameda’s favorite watering holes - The Rake at Admiral Maltings . Your ticket will include a plate of BBQ or vegan options plus a beverage.  The evening includes a silent auction featuring unique Alameda oriented items like Pizza with (AUSD Superintendent) Pasquale (Scuderi). Plus a raffle to win $500 in Southwest Airlines tickets! Bay Area favorite, Ukulenny , will add a special 'Island style' sound to your evening. Want to treat our hardworking educators to a fun night out? There are educator sponsorships available, too! WHEN: Thursday, September 19, 2024 | 5 - 8 PM WHERE: The Rake @ Admiral Maltings TICKETS: $75.00 per person More information and tickets are available on the AEF website .   Back to School Nights AUSD invites families to attend Back to School Night, an exciting opportunity to connect with teachers, learn about the upcoming school year, and explore the classrooms where students will learn and grow. Please note that the dates for Back to School Night may vary depending on each school's individual calendar. We encourage you to check with your child's school for specific dates and times, and we look forward to seeing you there and starting the new school year together! September 18: Descendents Video at Film Fest Shanti Croom’s “The Descendents: The Story of Us,” has been selected for the 22nd Oakland International Film Festival and will be shown there at 6 pm on September 18. The film tells the stories of Alameda community members and how they and their ancestors came here. It was designed to help our community deepen our understanding and appreciation of each other and our histories. Ms. Croom, who works as a Family Engagement Coordinator with AUSD, was executive producer on the film. Shaun Daniels, with Castaway Productions here in Alameda served as Director, and the Alameda Education Foundation sponsored the film. Tickets

Wednesday, Aug 28 2024

Superintendent's Welcome Back Message | AUSD Welcome...

AUSD Employee Newsletter   |   August 14, 2024         Events August 15:  First Day of School! August 27, 6:30 pm: Board of Education Meeting  September 21, 12 pm: “Speak Up for Love” Poetry Slam Superintendent's Message  Dear students and families, As we gear up, rev up, or maybe just take long deep breaths ahead of the start of the school year, I wanted to welcome students and families back. Our teams have spent long and warm summer days prepping our campuses for the teaching and learning that gets underway Thursday. As educators and families, we all play individual and collective roles in co-constructing, with our students, their educational experiences in and out of the classroom. The thoughtfully designed lesson and assignment is always complemented when we find time for students to unplug and read at home in the evenings. Executive function and creativity develop and expand at all grade levels when we teach skills and facilitate creative endeavors in our schools. As parents, we can reinforce those experiences outside of school by ensuring there is time to reflect and make meaning of those concepts and expressions in regular conversations with family at home. We are not naïve about the expansive distractions that parents, like educators, face from technology in various forms. And while we cannot yet assert that we have ideal solutions or polished policies for these dilemmas of focus, we can engage in those conversations together. In the interim, I do believe we, schools and community, can all lend some intentionality to insisting that there are periods and places in the day or evening where the phone gets put away, the gaming system gets powered down, and the scrolling and surfing at least drops in volume. Together as educators and community members we hold a sizeable responsibility – one that includes that students both acquire objective skills and knowledge, and, with our collective prompting, that they discover and embrace the emergent talents and interests within themselves, the very things that will make them better citizens and, hopefully, happier and more fully realized versions of their ever-evolving selves. The late educator, Bell Hooks, spoke of classrooms in ways I would expand to talk about communities themselves, especially in relation to education. “As a classroom community,” she wrote, “our capacity to generate excitement is deeply affected by our interest in one another, in hearing one another’s voices, and in recognizing one another’s presence.” It’s a genuine privilege to be on this ride with you and your family, and on behalf of myself, our executive team, and the Board of Education, welcome back to school. Pasquale Scuderi Superintendent Alameda Unified School District AUSD Welcomes New Principals and Assistant Principals As schools open this week, we're delighted to announce the hiring of new principals and assistant principals across our district. These new site administrators bring a wealth of education, experience, enthusiasm and passion to their new roles here.  Check out the article on our website to learn more about these talented school leaders!       Full article Teachers, Staff Prepare for New Year with Expert PD Sessions Teachers and principals from across our school sites engaged in a wide range of professional development opportunities aimed at learning about new and existing curricula, supporting students socially and emotionally, creating inclusive classrooms, and grading students accurately.  The opportunities included sessions on teaching literacy, math, and science; supporting students who receive special education services; and developing more culturally responsive teaching practices.          Learn more August 13 Regular Board Meeting At its first regular meeting of the 2024-25 school year, the Board of Education heard a presentation on staff positions that will lose their funding over the next several years.  The Board voted to approve a resolution granting an easement to the City so their staff can access a stormwater drain near Encinal Jr. & Sr. High School. (This is part of the Measure B construction of a new athletic field and bleachers at that school.) The Board also voted to approve a resolution supporting SB 899, which State Senators Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) and Catherine Blakespear (D-Encinitas) proposed to strengthen and make more uniform laws that take firearms away from people who are deemed a threat to themselves or others.  Board President Williams brought this resolution forward in the wake of the tragic shooting of the Killian family in July. The Board approved it unanimously. The meeting was adjourned in honor of the Killian family.       Agenda and video The next Board of Education meeting will be held at 6:30 pm on August 27. In Memoriam: Audrey Hyman  We are saddened to report the passing of Audrey Hyman on August 12 after a valiant fight against cancer. Audrey worked with AUSD for nearly 13 years as a kindergarten, 3rd, and 4th grade teacher, and intervention lead at Lum, Otis, Edison, and Ruby Bridges. During that time she also was a vital member of the LGBTQ+ Round Table and served on Alameda's Social Services Relations Board. Between 2013 and 2017, Audrey served as president of the Alameda Education Association. During that time, she was the lead negotiator on two successive bargaining cycles that lead to a 9% increase in compensation. Equally important, she ushered in a new era of improved relations between labor and management here in AUSD. Audrey and her family moved to Elk Grove in 2020, where she worked again as a 5th grade teacher in a Title 1 school. Audrey will live on in the lives of the students she taught, the employees for whom she advocated, and the community members and social justice initatives she supported so passionately.   A memorial service will be held for her at 1 pm this coming Sunday, August 18, at Eternal Home Cemetary for those who would like to gather to express their love and pay their respects.   New! Family Engagement Survey This year, we would like to hold community events or workshops to help families learn more about the resources available to students here in Alameda Unified. In an effort to better understand families' needs and interests, we have created a survey about possible workshop topics. The survey is attached to this newsletter. Once we have analyzed the results, we will plan five or six events for the 2024-25 school year. Please fill it out by September 10. On-Line Volunteer Registration Don't forget that our brand new, super easy, online volunteer registration system launched last month! The system is built on the Family ID platform that AUSD already uses for sports registation, and allows you to upload required documents (such as car insurance and TB test results) via an easy-to-use online form. Find the registration form, plus more information, on our Volunteering web page or the QR code on the flyer.   August 30: Free Tickets to Stanford Football Game for Educators September 21: Speak Up for Love Poetry Slam

Wednesday, Aug 14 2024

A New Focus on the "N" Word | Countdown to the First...

AUSD Newsletter   |   July 18, 2024     A August 1, 6 pm:  Talking to Children about Gun Violence and Loss (with Alameda Family Services), Alameda High School media center First Week of August:   Data Confirmation Opens Aug 13, 6:30 pm:   Board of Education Meeting Aug 15:  First Day of School Superintendent's Community Message In a mid-summer letter to AUSD staff and families, Superintendent Scuderi discusses AUSD’s  focus on slurs and other hate speech, especially the “N” word. “During Community of Practice meetings last year, our principals discussed how best to respond to hate speech on their campuses,” Superintendent Scuderi writes. “This coming school year, we will be focusing on hate speech and slurs of all kinds with the broader AUSD cmmunity, but especially the use of the 'N”'word. We want our entire AUSD community to understand our thinking on this topic, and we hope that we can come together, as a community, to support more thoughtful understandings and stringent policies about this slur.” As part of the focus, students and/or their parents/guardians will be asked to sign a compact this year, in which they acknowledge AUSD’s policies against hate speech and pledge to refrain from using it. The letter includes a link to “Why It’s So Hard to Talk About the N Word,” a TedX talk by Elizabeth Stordeur Pryor, PhD., Associate Professor of History at Smith College, on the history and evolution of the “N” word. We encourage all of our families to watch it this summer. Read the letter Countdown to Start of School It’s hard to believe but the 2024-25 school year is now just around the corner - or rather - in just one month!  Here are a few things we suggest you do before the First Day of School: 1. Put the First Day of School on your calendar (hint: It’s August 15) 2. Complete the mandatory  Data Confirmation   (first week of August) 3. Register to volunteer   4.  Explore bike/walk routes to your child’s school  We’ll be sending lots more information over the next several weeks. Please keep an eye on your ParentSquare portal! Superintendent Scuderi's Message to the Community About Recent Shootings In the wake of the tragic shootings in our town on July 15, Superintendent Scuderi sent a message to all AUSD families and staff detailing the resources we have available to help community members. Those resources include links to mental health supports and guides to talking to children about gun violence and homicide. "We encourage you to stay connected to family and friends in the coming days, to stay alert to signs of emotional distress in your children and yourself, and to seek support if you need it," he wrote.. "As a community, Alameda has shown itself to be strong, kind, and generous time and time again, and I hope we all can draw on those qualities to help ourselves and each other process this terrible incident." Full Letter AUSD Summer Services Summer Meals As a reminder, AUSD is offering a free meal program to children at four locations: Alameda Boys & Girls Club, Alameda Point Collaborative, Academy of Alameda, and Shinsei Garden Apartments. Breakfasts and lunches are free to all children and teens, 18 years and younger. No application or ID needed. Summer Health Services Alameda Family Services is offering mental health services, medical services, sports physicals, sexual/reproductive health services, and other supports throughout the summer at its School-Based Health Centers and Love Elementary School. Call 510-748-4085 or email schoolbasedinfo@alamedafs.org to make an appointment or learn more. On-Line Volunteer Registration Don't forget that our brand new, super easy, online volunteer registration system launched last month! The system is built on the Family ID platform that AUSD already uses for sports registation, and allows you to upload required documents (such as car insurance and TB test results) via an easy-to-use online form. Find the registration form, plus more information, on our Volunteering web page or the QR code on the flyer. Water Shuttle Now Available From Alameda to Oakland The City of Alameda launched their new Oakland Alameda Water Shuttle yesterday. Called “Woodstoc k,” the bright yellow free shuttle will run  between Alameda Landing and Oakland’s Jack London Square every 30 minutes: Wednesday and Thursday: 7 am - 7:25 pm Friday:  8:00 am - 8:00 pm Saturday and Sunday: 8 am to 8:20 And yes, you can bring bikes! The shuttle had a mechanical issue towards the end of its first day, but is back in operation as of July 19.  Be sure to check the  City's website  for updates and the most current schedule. 

Thursday, Jul 18 2024

Superintendent's Summer Message | Class of 2024 Head...

AUSD Newsletter   |  June 21, 2024       Events   June 25, 6:30 pm: Board of Education Meeting July 4: Independence Day. All summer school sessions and District Office closed. August 13, 6:30 pm: Board of Education Meeting August 15: First Day of School Superintendent's Summer Message In his first letter of the summer, Superintendent Scuderi discusses current educational initiatives that will be explored this summer, as well as AUSD's continued commitment to recognizing, responding to, and preventing hate-motivated behaviors - including speech - on our campuses. " All our students have a right to access learning, creativity, and expression in a way that is unencumbered by harassment, bullying, or discrimination," he writes. "Any forms of those acts are unacceptable, and we must also be conscious, preventative, and decisively responsive when those acts manifest to include a student’s race, religion, culture, ability, gender, gender identity, and sexual orientation. "This summer we plan to provide some resources, readings, and updates on some of the topics we are working on and thinking through to support culture and climate in our schools. We hope to initiate community thinking and conversations with families around some of the recurrent topics and issues related to school culture and climate that we hear about as school leaders."    Read the full letter Class of 2024 Heads off for Colleges and Career More than 700 Alameda Unified students graduated earlier this month in ceremonies marked by whoops of joy, tears, music, jokes, awards, flowers, balloons, and heartfelt advice from adult and student speakers alike.   Alameda High School graduated 423 students; Encinal High School graduated 199 students; ASTI graduated 29 students; Island High School graduated 37 students; and the Alameda Adult School graduated 20 students. Because ASTI is an Early College, two-thirds of this year’s graduates had already earned their AA degrees from the Peralta Community Colleges by the time they received their ASTI diplomas. Due to the pandemic, this class of students attended their first semester of classes remotely, moved to hybrid attendance, and emerged with abilities to persevere and connect through hard times. “In my opinion, the magic ingredient each of you possesses is grit,” teacher Amy Haines said in her comments at the Island High School graduation. The graduates are headed off now to a wide range of community colleges, California State Universities, UC Campuses,  public and private colleges, and even some institutions of higher learning in other countries. We will miss the Class of 2024 and wish them the very best in this next stage of their lives. You can learn more about our graduates' plans in  this community bulletin  and in the short profiles of them that we published on the  AUSD Facebook page ,   Instagram ,  Twitter , and   LinkedIn . Summer Facilities Projects In addition to our annual maintenance and deep clean of all school sites, AUSD is managing a number of major construction projects this summer, including: Building a temporary campus for Wood Middle School Demolishing the current Wood Middle School Beginning work on a new athletic field for Encinal Jr. & Sr. High School Excavating the pool at Alameda High School in preparation for building a new one Building fences at Encinal Jr. & Sr. High School and Alameda High School Initiating updates at Kofman Auditorium Installing a new HVAC system for Alameda Child Development Center (ACDC), as well as a new electrical system for ACDC and Island High School. All of these projects were made possible by the Measure B Facilities Bond passed in 2022. Thank you, Alameda! In addition, AUSD is installing a new heating furnace at Earhart Elementary and putting new roofs on Ruby Bridges Elementary School and both of Alameda High School’s gymnasiums. We’re aware these projects can cause some dust, noise, and traffic congestion, and we appreciate the community’s patience and support as we continue to work to create better facilities and campuses for our students and staff. Earhart Elementary and Maya Lin Schools Make "Honor Roll" Congratulations to both Earhart Elementary School and Maya Lin School, both of which have been included in the Educational Results Partnership’s 2024 Honor Roll.   Honor Roll schools and districts are those that perform highly on the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) English Language Arts and Math Assessments, for all cohorts of student populations served, and that are improving outcomes for historically underserved student populations.  This year, Maya Lin School made the Honor Roll in the “Star” category (schools in which more than 33 percent of students are socio-economically disadvantaged). Earhart Elementary School was recognized in the Scholar category (school in which less than 33 percent of students are socio-economically disadvantaged). Now in its 9th year, the program engages business leaders in recognizing successful schools and educational systems that are preparing students with the fundamental skills needed to be successful in the workforce and in life.  Congratulations again to the students, staff, and families of these two schools! More information on ERP's Honor Roll Program June 11 Board of Education Meeting The Board heard presentations on the 2024-25 Local Control Accountability Plan, the proposed 2024-25 AUSD budget, and on the 2024-25 Single Plans for Student Achievement. Agenda and Video June 25 Board of Education Meeting At its June 25 public meeting, the Board of Education will hear presentations on Alameda Family Services' programs in AUSD and on AUSD's data for 2023-24. The Board will vote on the both the 2024-24 Local Control Accountability Plan and the 2024-25 budget. The meeting begins at 6:30 pm at City Hall and via Zoom. Agenda and Zoom   AUSD Summer Services AUSD's free summer meals program is in full swing at four locations: Alameda Boys & Girls Club, Alameda Point Collaborative, Academy of Alameda, and Shinsei Garden Apartments. Breakfasts and lunches are free to all children and teens, 18 years and younger. No application or ID needed. Meals are available every weekday except July 4. Summer Health Services Alameda Family Services is offering mental health services, medical services, sports physicals, sexual/reproductive health services, and other supports  throughout the summer at its School-Based Health Centers and Love Elementary School.Call 510-748-4085 or email schoolbasedinfo@alamedafs.org to make an appointment or learn more.

Friday, Jun 21 2024