3rd Annual OUSD Robotics Invitational is Big Success...

Friday, March 21, 2025 3rd Annual OUSD Robotics Invitational is Big Success, With Older Students Inspiring Younger Learners Oakland - Chabot Space and Science Center was the center of the robotics world in Oakland on a recent school day. Students from more than a dozen schools across the District converged on the center to put the robots they created in head to head competitions with other school teams’ creations. The competition was fierce, and educational. And it was especially inspiring to the elementary school learners on hand, as they got to watch the high school and middle school students and their robots battle it out. “I was really fascinated by how they moved… I’m really interested in Lego robotics, and I think it’s really fun and exciting to see what works and how it works,” said International Community School 5th grader Jennifer. The elementary, middle, and high school students took part in the day with different challenges for their different age groups. The schools included were Brookfield Elementary, International Community School, Lockwood STEAM Academy, Claremont Middle, Elmhurst United Middle, Roosevelt Middle, CCPA Middle, and CCPA, Fremont, McClymonds, Oakland, Oakland Tech, and Skyline high schools. “I thought it was cool,“ said 5th grader Annaliah from Brookfield Elementary School. “It looked hard… I feel like I could do it... or maybe I can’t, but I want to try, to try new stuff and try my engineering skills.” “I love seeing the kids so impressed by the creations we made, and I think that’s really motivating to show them that it’s really possible for them to do something like that,” said Fremont High 9th grader Cesia. “Being able to solve all this stuff is pretty cool, and motivating others. And even just like the little fun with others, and other teams, I feel like that, since people here are really nice, and we get to learn more from others. Even just seeing everyone else’s robot is amazing.”  The high school and middle school students had their robots compete against each other in a square field in which they attempted to pick up plastic blocks and move them into collection areas, or hang blocks on bars around the field. The first challenge was to have the robots do some of the work autonomously, and then to do the rest of it by remote control. “(Our robot) is doing good, we still have some troubles that we need to work on, but we’re working,” said a Fremont High junior named Junior.  “It’s great that I get to iterate, and try new things with hardware, so I can actually try to obtain a goal, and try different methods to get there,“ said junior Kenneth from Oakland Tech who says he plans to pursue robotics in college and beyond. “I think it’s a really cool opportunity that most schools do not offer. Like, you could not find this outside of club activities or just going ahead and doing it yourself. I think it provides a lot of opportunity and chances for people who may not normally do these things on their own to go ahead and try them.” The younger students from OUSD elementary schools watched a Planetarium movie about what it will take for astronauts to get to Mars and they worked on robots themselves, making functioning Lego robots (pictured). They clearly drew important inspiration as they watched the older students and their robots compete. “You can have good teammates, and you can work together to make something way better,” said ICS 5th grader, Israel. The integration of younger students into the Robotics Invitational is very intentional and about offering students more opportunities. “I was actually just talking to one of the high school kids who was like, oh, we didn't do this when we were little,” said Chris Junsay, the District's High School Science Coordinator. “So, I actually think we're setting the bar higher because kids at the younger age now have exposure to the programs we have for them, whether it's Legos, coding, computer science, so now they come with a stronger, better base so that by the time they get to that middle school, high school level, one, they have experience, but also, they have expectations for us to say, ok, you all have this, we want to meet you there, and hopefully when we see this in 5-6 years, in high school, the spaces will be even more crowded because we have so many elementary and middle school kids having that early experience.” The day also included support for 9th and 10th grade girls who came to learn more about robotics and STEM (science, technology, engineering, math). They did several challenges and took part in a round table discussion with STEM professionals. ### About Oakland Unified School District In California’s most diverse city, Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) is dedicated to creating a learning environment where “Every Student Thrives!” More than half of our students speak a non-English language at home. And each of our 77 schools is staffed with talented individuals uniting around a common set of values: Students First, Equity, Excellence, Integrity, Cultural Responsiveness and Joy. We are committed to preparing all students for college, career and community success. To learn more about OUSD’s Full Service Community District focused on academic achievement while serving the whole child in safe schools, please visit  OUSD.org  and follow us @OUSDnews.

Saturday, Mar 22 2025

State Superintendent Tony Thurmond Visits Brookfield...

Tuesday, February 25, 2025 State Superintendent Tony Thurmond Visits Brookfield Elementary to Honor Beloved Community Member Who Helped Make College a Reality for More than 160 Students Oakland - College is one of the goals we set for all students who graduate from OUSD high schools, and for many it is a way to reach their dreams. Of course, paying for college can be a major challenge for many young people. But because of one longtime Oakland real estate agent, multiple classes of young people have been able to attend and graduate from college with major financial support. That agent is Oral Lee Brown, and she just enjoyed Oral Lee Brown Day in California courtesy of State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tony Thurmond. The Superintendent visited Brookfield Elementary on Tuesday, February 18 for a panel discussion with Brown and two of the former students she helped who are now successful adults. They had a candid discussion in front of 4th and 5th graders at Brookfield, which is the school where Brown adopted a class of 1st graders in 1987 and guaranteed all of them she would cover their college education as long as they remained OUSD students, graduated from high school, and made it to college. “It’s a great day to be in Oakland with these wonderful students here at Brookfield Elementary School, and to be with someone who helped start a program at this very school, some 38 years ago, and that’s Ms. Oral Lee Brown. And we are honoring her today for her contribution that has resulted in more than 160 students not just graduating from high school, but getting support and going to college or post-secondary education,” said Superintendent Thurmond. The two former students who Brown helped in 1987 are now in their 40s. “You know, we come from a neighborhood where not too many of us were even thinking about college, right? So, without her, I might not be here, maybe in jail somewhere. There’s no telling. But for her to still be doing what she’s doing even years later, we could always talk to her and have that mentor, and that just keeps me level-headed,” said Michael Tatmon (on right), who graduated from college and is now a fitness trainer for U.C. Davis and the City of Oakland. “Thank God we had her because she… other kids, all that stuff on the way (challenges on the streets) we still had after school programming. She took us on college tours, it would take me all day to explain it. It got so bad (good) that I was quiet about it, people would get jealous about it because… we were no different from the rich kids, really. Top tier,” said Cory Edwards (on left) who graduated from college and is a firefighter with CalFire. “To be able to watch that child that I chose so many years ago, and now he or she is standing on that stage, with their degree, headed to a job, that he or she wants, it’s a feeling that you can only get by doing what I have done, so go get that education,” said Oral Lee Brown to the current Brookfield students who asked a series of questions. One question asked by a girl was, “are you going to continue helping kids attend college?” Brown responded, “Yes ma’am, until the day I die. I have 101 students in high school, middle school, and college as we speak. And we have a foundation that will outlive me. And that’s one of the things we are putting in place to make sure that on my demise that someone will take the foundation to higher heights. It should not stop with me, it should only get better when I leave.” Brown explained to students why she has helped so many people over the years and continues to do so. “I am a firm believer that it doesn’t matter where you come from. Set your mind on your goal and go where you need to go… Teach that child the way that he or she should go, and he will succeed. Of the 23 students (in that class from 1987), 21 finished school, but 19 went to college and graduated.” The students were inspired by all that Oral Lee Brown said. One indicated that she now plans to be a better student. “I want to learn more… I’m going to go to college. I’m going to learn more than I did last year,” said a 5th grader named Mirian. The event happened as part of the State Superintendent’s celebration of Black History Month. OUSD thanks Oral Lee Brown for making so much history with and for Oakland students over the past 38 years!  ### About Oakland Unified School District In California’s most diverse city, Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) is dedicated to creating a learning environment where “Every Student Thrives!” More than half of our students speak a non-English language at home. And each of our 77 schools is staffed with talented individuals uniting around a common set of values: Students First, Equity, Excellence, Integrity, Cultural Responsiveness and Joy. We are committed to preparing all students for college, career and community success. To learn more about OUSD’s Full Service Community District focused on academic achievement while serving the whole child in safe schools, please visit  OUSD.org  and follow us @OUSDnews.

Wednesday, Feb 26 2025

OUSD Board of Education Approves Academic Calendars ...

Friday, January 24, 2025 Dear Oakland Unified Community, You gave us your ideas for the District’s academic calendar, and we listened! Last spring, we asked families for feedback about the annual school year calendar to inform the creation of the calendar going forward. About 2,500 families responded to a survey to share their suggestions, including the timing of its release and how it aligns with other Bay Area school districts.  Notably, nearly 500 families rated receiving the academic calendar for the subsequent school year by the end of January as very important. We are pleased to share that this feedback has informed much of the District’s work to create the calendar. On Wednesday, January 22, the Board of Education voted to approve the proposed academic calendar for the 2025-26 school year. Additionally, to allow for even more long term planning and to foster stability, the Board also approved the academic calendars for the 2026-27 and 2027-28 school years. As we work to finalize a public-facing version of the calendars and have them translated into several languages, we want to share some important dates for the upcoming school year because we know these are top of mind for many families and staff. 2025-26 OUSD Academic Year Calendar Important Dates First Day of School:  Monday, August 11, 2025 Winter Break & PD Day:  Monday, December 22, 2025 - Monday, January 5, 2026 Cesar Chavez Day & Spring Break:  Friday, April 3, 2026 - Friday, April 10, 2026 Last Day of School:  Thursday, May 28, 2026 We will share the full calendars for next school year and the two subsequent years as soon as they are available. In community, OUSD News

Saturday, Jan 25 2025

We Send Our Love and Support to All People Impacted ...

OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT Friday, January 10, 2025 Dear Oakland Unified Community, Like you, I have been heartbroken watching the news coming out of Southern California. It is unbelievable to see the devastating fires and their aftermath, including entire communities such as Pacific Palisades just leveled. I know many of us have family and friends in the impacted areas, and we have been deeply concerned about how their world has been turned upside down because of evacuation, or worse, because of loss of homes, businesses, and even lives. The destruction is hard to even grasp. The fires across Los Angeles County have burned more than 56 square miles, collectively an area larger than San Francisco. 180,000 people have been evacuated, at least ten people have lost their lives, and about 10,000 structures have been destroyed.  The fires continue to burn today, and fortunately, the weather conditions have improved from earlier this week, which is allowing fire crews to make some headway. But it will be some time before the fires are out and the cleanup and recovery can really begin. In the meantime, all the people who have been forced away from their homes have so many needs that have to be filled: food, housing, clothing, assistance with pets, etc. Likewise, the school communities in the fire zones are deeply impacted. We know that numerous schools have been destroyed. All this is why I reach out to you. Just like it takes a village to raise a child, it takes community to support one another through difficult times. I have been in touch with my fellow superintendents in the L.A. area, and they have shared the many needs their communities have. Here is a list of organizations we can all support that will get help where it’s needed most.  State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond and the California Department of Education have joined forces with Oakland-based nonprofit  SupplyBank.org  to send help and resources to school communities. The American Red Cross  is accepting donations online. The California Fire Foundation  is taking donations to provide aid and resources for both fire crews and residents. The California Community Foundation  is accepting donations to its Wildfire Recovery Fund. Friends in Deed  is accepting donations to help homeless and at-risk residents. The L.A. Dream Center  is serving as an evacuation center for residents forced to leave their homes.  The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank  is acting as a first responder for this disaster. World Central Kitchen’s Relief Team  is providing water and food to first responders and families. The California School Employees Association offers the  Dorothy Bjork Assistance Fund  for members who need emergency assistance. The California Teachers Association provides members with assistance through the  Disaster Relief Fund . The California Federation of Teachers also provides a  CFT Disaster Relief Fund  for members. Please join me in sending whatever support you can to these organizations, and let’s help our fellow Californians who are experiencing heartbreaking loss. In community, Dr. Kyla Johnson-Trammell Superintendent

Friday, Jan 10 2025

Honoring our Indigenous Community in the Month of No...

​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Thursday, November 21, 2024 Dear Oakland Unified Community, ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ November is Native American / Indigenous People’s Heritage Month, and has been observed in OUSD since our Board of Education passed this resolution declaring the celebration in 2020.  No one has been in North America longer than our first ancestors, Native Americans, and this month we honor their history, culture, and impact in our country and in Oakland, and reaffirm the support of Indigenous students, staff, and families across the District. We also acknowledge the current contributions of the Native American community here in Huichin (Oakland). OUSD recognizes that we are located on Ohlone territory that encompasses the six Bay Area cities of Oakland, Alameda, Albany, Berkeley, Emeryville, and Piedmont. The Title VI Native American Education Program develops strategies to support our growing contingent of more than 700 students identifying as Native American and Indigenous. We are fortunate to have many Indigenous People serving in our schools and offices. Read to learn how one staff member’s heritage influences her work with young people, and for details on upcoming events. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Read More ​ ​ ​ ​ I wish everyone a happy Native American Heritage Month. In community, Dr. Kyla Johnson-Trammell ​ ​

Thursday, Nov 21 2024

OUSD Board of Education Continues Conversation about...

Thursday, November 14, 2024 Dear Oakland Community, I am writing to share another important update about ongoing discussions that will shape the future of our schools. As you have been hearing for months now, the District is currently spending more money every month than it is receiving in revenues and we are taking a comprehensive approach to recommending efficiencies across our staffing, footprint, and facilities assets to ensure our long-term sustainability. We are projecting the 2025-26 deficit to be $95 million or about 10% of the District’s overall budget.  As part of this approach, District staff are working on an overall plan to restructure our organization to have better-resourced schools that provide high-quality educational opportunities for all Oakland students. Proposed school mergers are projected to save the District about $3 million. Together with an estimated savings of $92 million from district wide staff consolidations, it would achieve an estimated $95 million in ongoing savings, equal to the current projected 2025-26 deficit. With all that in mind, at its regular meeting on Wednesday evening, the Board of Education heard the details of the proposal to merge ten co-located schools into five schools, each on a single campus. As Superintendent Dr. Kyla Johnson-Trammell mentioned in  this community message  last Friday, November 8, the ten schools that share campuses and could be merged if the Board approves the plan are: Manzanita Community School / Manzanita SEED Elementary School Fred T. Korematsu Discovery Academy (KDA) / Esperanza Elementary School Think College Now (TCN) / International Community School (ICS) Life Academy / United For Success Academy (UFSA) EnCompass Academy / Acorn Woodland Elementary After hearing the presentation from Chief Academic Officer Dr. Sondra Aguilera, the Board heard public comments from dozens of students, families, and staff members in person and remotely.  The Board is currently scheduled to vote on the plan to merge the ten schools at their next regularly scheduled meeting on December 11. If the Board approves the plan, the ten schools will be merged for the start of the 2025-26 school year. If the plan is not approved, the District must identify additional ways to balance the budget and provide better-resourced schools to students.  Should the Board vote to approve this merger on December 11, we commit to: Regular updates on our progress  Transparent communication throughout the process Support for students, families, and staff during transitions Preservation of each school's unique strengths and traditions, including Dual Language and Special Education programs Opportunities for community input and engagement We encourage your participation through: Attending or viewing the next Board meeting online (December 11) Sharing thoughts during public comment periods Engaging in upcoming community sessions, including  Board Director-led Town Hall meetings Reaching out to school principals with questions We know that change can be hard for students, families, and staff, but we believe these changes will create stronger schools that better serve Oakland's students. And we know that with help from our community, the schools can work together to find a way forward that delivers excellence for our students. In community, OUSD News

Friday, Nov 15 2024

OUSD Honors Our Psychologists During School Psycholo...

​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ November 14, 2024 Dear Oakland Unified Community, ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ This week, November 11-15, is National School Psychology Week, the perfect opportunity to highlight our psychologists or “school psychs” for the crucial work they do to support our students, families, and staff. Through their work evaluating students and analyzing findings, our school psychs help students, families, and site teams discover the unique strengths and needs that each student brings to school. Many of our school psychs provide consultative support to help staff and parents or caregivers discover the ways they can adapt their approach to best support young people with disabilities. This is a critical part of a healthy system of services in place for our students.  Read on below to meet a few of our outstanding school psychologists. Join us in thanking them and all OUSD school psychs for the work they do in putting students first. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Read More ​ ​ ​ ​ In community, OUSD News ​ ​

Thursday, Nov 14 2024

<Update> Proposed Plan to Merge All Shared Campuses

Friday, November 8, 2024 Dear Oakland Unified Community, I am writing to share important information about upcoming discussions that will shape the future of our schools. On November 13, the Board of Education will discuss a proposal to merge several co-located schools as part of our district's broader vision to create stronger, more sustainable Quality Community Schools. This proposal, which will be voted on at the December 11 Board meeting, focuses on merging 10 schools at 5 existing shared campus locations. First and foremost, I want to emphasize: students will continue attending school at their current campuses. As I said, these proposed mergers involve schools that already share the same campus, meaning no student will need to travel to a different location. Instead, these changes will allow us to combine resources and staff to create stronger educational programs where our students are now. By bringing these school communities together, we aim to provide: Joyful learning environments with expanded electives and enrichment activities Rigorous academics that prepare students to succeed in college, career, and community Enhanced and expanded academic programs, including after school and during the summer Greater opportunities for science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) education More teachers and staff working collaboratively at each site Stronger student support services Modern facilities and technology Sustainable funding for vital programs Improved college and career preparation The proposed mergers include: Manzanita Community School / Manzanita SEED Elementary School Fred T. Korematsu Discovery Academy  (KDA) / Esperanza Elementary School Think College Now (TCN) / International Community School (ICS) Life Academy / United For Success Academy (UFSA) EnCompass Academy / Acorn Woodland Elementary While these changes stem from budget challenges, our focus is on creating schools that better serve our students. By combining resources at these shared sites, we can: Reduce administrative overhead Pool resources for stronger programming Create more collaborative teaching environments Provide more comprehensive student support Build more sustainable school communities Should the Board vote to approve this merger on December 11, we commit to: Regular updates on our progress  Transparent communication throughout the process Support for students, families, and staff during transitions Preservation of each school's unique strengths and traditions Opportunities for community input and engagement We encourage your participation through: Attending or viewing Board meetings online (November 13 and December 11) Sharing thoughts during public comment periods Engaging in upcoming community sessions, including Board Director-Led Town Halls Reaching out to school principals with questions We understand that change can bring uncertainty, but we believe these changes will create stronger schools that better serve Oakland's students. By working together, we can build more sustainable, joyful, and successful learning environments for all our children. With commitment to our community, Dr. Kyla Johnson-Trammell Superintendent

Saturday, Nov 09 2024

Engaging OUSD: Center Open House | CSU College Day |...

Below are upcoming events and opportunities to engage with OUSD Events  |  Meetings   |  Reminders  |   Take Action   Friday, November 1, 2024 This is your chance to shout out the OUSD teachers and staff that go above and beyond, the community members who show up for your school, and student leaders for all that they do! We invite you to nominate someone in the OUSD community for an award. It only takes a few moments, but it can make a world of difference to the nominee to know that they are appreciated. Honoring Our Own Nomination Form Tomorrow , Saturday, Nov. 2 OUSD CSU College Day 9:00 AM- 12:00 PM Fremont High School (4601 Foothill Blvd, Oakland) Join us to learn about California State University options at all 23 CSU campuses. There will also be application support, transcript analysis, parent workshops, raffles, and more. This event is open to all PK-12 students. Bring the whole family! Learn more here. Tomorrow , Saturday, Nov. 2 The Center's Community Open House 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM The Center (2850 West Street, Oakland) The Center is home to Oakland Unified School District’s Central Kitchen, Education Center, and Instructional Garden. Join us for a fun-filled day where you can explore everything our center has to offer. Whether you're a student, parent, or community member, this event is open to everyone! Come meet our staff, tour the facilities, and learn about the exciting programs we facilitate. There will be activities, take-home goodies, wood-fired pizza, tours, and more! Learn more here . Tomorrow , Saturday, Nov. 2 Elementary Rugby Clinic  Highland Community School (8521 A Street) Calling all OUSD TK-5 students ! Come experience the excitement of rugby in a special touch-only clinic designed for young learners. We invite all OUSD elementary-aged students and families to join us for a safe and fun introduction to rugby, where they will learn the fundamentals of the game, teamwork, and important life lessons like sportsmanship, resilience, and communication.  Click here for flyer Tomorrow , Saturday, Nov. 2 Oakland Devo Mountain Biking Club Join us for a Fun Ride! 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM Joaquin Miller Park, Sequoia Arena Gate It's that time of year to get the stoke going! Whether you are a shredder that likes to compete or a beginner who's looking for a new adventure... Devo is here to teach middle schoolers to mountain bike and find new thrills while having fun! Come and try mountain biking at one of our Fun Rides. Register at https://oaklanddevo.com/registration      Monday, Nov. 4 4th Annual Oakland Athletic League Golf Tournament  Sequoyah Country Club (4550 Heafey Road, Oakland) Join us for not only a fun day of golf, but a powerful opportunity to support and uplift our community’s young athletes. Click here for details . Tuesday, Nov. 5 Election Day Don't forget to vote! Read about what's on the ballot locally that affects OUSD . Wednesday, Nov. 6 School Governance Drop In Office Hours Zoom Link 12:00 - 1:00 PM For Staff & Families: Join us with your questions and best practices for engaging families in school governance! This is a shared learning space for staff and families who serve on the School Site Council, Site English Language Learner Subcommittees, or another committee connected to the SSC. We offer tools and resources to support committee members. At this coming session, there will be tools shared on how to do a data walk with your teams. There is always time to ask any questions related to this committee work. Click here for flyer Wednesday, Nov. 6 Skyline High School Prospective Family Info Night Join the Skyline community to learn more about what Skyline High School has to offer incoming freshmen.  Enrollment season for 2025-26 is just around the corner, and several schools like Skyline have already scheduled school tours and information nights. Find out more here . Monday, Nov. 11 Veterans Day OUSD offices, schools and child development centers are closed Wednesday, Nov. 13 Regular Meeting of the OUSD Board of Education 5:00 - 11:00 PM Attend the meeting in person at La Escuelita (1050 2nd Avenue, Oakland) or  click here to watch the meeting virtually . Advisory Committees Present their Reports to the Board Join leaders from the four advisory committees of OUSD on Nov. 13 (and every 2nd Wednesday) when they report to the Board and the OUSD community. Learn about progress on their priorities for the 2024-25 school year. Regular meetings of the Board of Education are typically held on the second and fourth Wednesday of every month Monday, Nov. 18 Community Advisory Committee for Special Education: Public Meeting Focus: Responding to Board and Staff Proposals for Balancing the OUSD Budget and Restructuring our District–Impact on Disabled Students and Special Education 6:00 to 8:30 PM Zoom Link: ousd.zoom.us/j/81585161385 Meeting ID: 815 8516 1385 By Phone: 1-669-900-9128 Interpretation available in Spanish, Cantonese, and Arabic. For questions and requests, write to cintya.molina@ousd.org Wednesday, Nov. 20 Parent and Student Advisory Committee: Public Meeting Focus: Responding to Board and Staff Proposals for Balancing the OUSD Budget and Restructuring our District 5:30 to 8:30 PM Zoom Link: ousd.zoom.us/j/87604702837 Meeting ID: 876 0470 2837 By Phone: 1-669-900-9128 Interpretation available in Spanish, Cantonese, and Arabic. For questions and requests, write to cintya.molina@ousd.org Monday, Nov. 25 - Friday, Nov. 29 Thanksgiving Holiday Break OUSD schools are closed all week. OUSD offices and child development centers are closed Thursday and Friday. Note meeting date changes below due to Thanksgiving Break. Tuesday, Dec. 3 Meeting of the Foster Youth Advisory Committee 5:30 - 8:00 PM Thursday, Dec. 5 Meeting of the District English Language Learners’ Sub-Committee (DELLS) 6:30 - 8:30 PM

Friday, Nov 01 2024