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  • Superintendent's Community Update, March 20, 2025

    Staff Professional Development, Students Study Abroad, Facility and Technology Committees Forming Dear Albany Community,   Anyone who knows me knows that my favorite part of my work is being in classrooms and engaging with students. A close second is working alongside our staff and growing together professionally. That is why I’m especially excited about tomorrow’s Professional Development Day! AUSD staff will focus on enhancing student support strategies and deepening our commitments to the youth we serve. Sessions are tailored to different staff roles. Elementary and AMS teachers will learn proactive strategies around classroom structures, routines, and expectations to create a positive learning environment, and instructional and social-emotional supports that meet diverse student needs.  I will meet with all staff to foster a common understanding of our shared responsibility and commitment to our students' success. In addition we will discuss a draft Theory of Action, shaped by perspectives and priorities shared with me during my Listening Campaign. We will then determine next steps in strengthening support for both students and staff. All teachers will have time to work collaboratively in teams to plan for instruction. Secretaries and clerks will meet separately to discuss their roles, provide insight into school communication needs, and discuss future training. Custodians will meet to discuss common needs and expectations, fostering alignment across sites, and counselors will participate in a hands-on workshop on the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative. This professional development day is all about equipping us with practical strategies while strengthening our shared vision for the work ahead. I’m looking forward to engaging with staff tomorrow, and I know that after these sessions, we’ll be even better at supporting our students. AHS Students Study Abroad Twenty-one Albany High School (AHS) students have chosen to participate in the Council on International Educational Exchange’s (CIEE) summer study abroad program. The Global Navigator Scholars program includes AHS students studying Spanish language and culture in Barcelona, Madrid, and Seville, as well as Buenos Aires and the Yucatan. Other students will get a look inside world governance in Amsterdam; examine global entrepreneurship in Berlin and Singapore; and experience daily life in Lisbon, Rome, Milan, Toulouse, and Tokyo.  These study abroad programs are not school-sponsored activities. However, CIEE is the oldest and largest nonprofit, nongovernmental study-abroad and intercultural-exchange organization in the United States, and has been in existence since the 1940s. I am confident that these students will return with an expanded understanding of our world and its myriad cultures.    Facilities and Technology Committees Second call! I am convening Facilities Master Plan and Technology Committees to bring diverse voices into the decision-making process as we plan for the 2025–26 school year.  I strongly encourage students, parents/guardians, and community members interested in these topics to apply   through this form  (closes Thursday, March 27).   Facilities Master Plan Committee: Discusses district facility needs and makes recommendations. Essential as we develop the Measure L Bond Program Priorities. Meets monthly from Spring 2025 to Winter 2025. Zoom meetings: March 31,  5:00-6:00 pm . Future dates TBD. Technology Master Plan Committee: Assesses current tech programs and plans improvements. Gathers input from stakeholders. Meets monthly until June 2025. Zoom meetings: March 31,  6:30 - 7:30pm . Future dates TBD. Important Dates   March 21:  Staff Development Day, no school for students April 14–18:  Spring Break, all schools and offices closed Upcoming Board of Education & Committee Meetings All  Board of Education meeting agendas  are published in advance of the meeting. Access agendas at the link above, or through the  AUSD Events Calendar .  March 25:  Regular Meeting,  6pm , Albany City Hall (note time change) April 8:  Regular Meeting, 7pm, Albany City Hall April 22:   Board Policy Committee Meeting, 5pm, District Office April 24:  Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee Meeting, 5:30pm, District Office April 29:  Regular Meeting, 7pm, Albany City Hall Sincerely,  Sara Stone Superintendent Albany Unified School District

    Thursday, Mar 20 2025

  • Superintendent's Community Update, March 14, 2025

    Unity Week and Diversity Week, Anti-Hate Activities, Facilities and Tech Committees, Young Singers Perform, Frank Wells Scholarships Awarded, & U.S. Dept. of Education Dear Albany Community,   Last week Albany Middle School had their Unity Week, and this week Albany High School has celebrated Diversity Week. These special focus weeks align with District goals around inclusive and welcoming schools. It is a fact that students learn better when they feel they belong at their school. Each day has been incredibly fun, and I am confident that they will improve learning as students bring that sense of safety and belonging into the classroom. During lunch last week at AMS, students held  Compliment Battles,  took part in a  Collaborative Dance,  and enjoyed  Cooperative Games . Students and staff dressed in clothing with numbers for  Everyone Counts Day , wore hats on  Put A Lid On Bullying Day , and ended the week with wearing Cobra gear to emphasize  Cobra Unity .  At AHS, the week started with  International Food Day , where clubs raise funds by offering foods reflecting their cultural heritage at lunch. In the collage photo above you can see students in their  Culture Day  attire for the assembly featuring student performances (more photos are  here ). This assembly was a powerful reflection of our district’s commitment to building school communities where every student feels safe, valued, and supported.  AUSD Is Anti-Hate Our shared goal is to create school communities where every student feels safe, supported, and a true sense of belonging. All anti-hate activities sponsored by AUSD affinity groups are welcome and supported. To ensure events align with our district's values, we are implementing a structured and transparent vetting process for speakers and programs. Our priority is to foster learning experiences that promote kindness, respect, and constructive dialogue. These conversations are essential, and I remain committed to working together to uphold our shared values and cultivate an inclusive school environment for all. Facilities and Technology Committees I am convening Facilities Master Plan and Technology Committees to bring diverse voices into the decision-making process as we plan for the 2025–26 school year.  I strongly encourage students, parents/guardians, and community members interested in these topics to apply   through this form . Please note that committee selection will be based on achieving a balanced representation of roles and perspectives, so not all interested individuals may be invited to join. Facilities Master Plan Committee: Discusses district facility needs and makes recommendations. Essential as we develop the Measure L Bond Program Priorities. Meets monthly from Spring 2025 to Winter 2025. Zoom meetings: March 31, 6:30-7:30 pm. Future dates TBD. Technology Master Plan Committee: Assesses current tech programs and plans improvements. Gathers input from stakeholders. Meets monthly until June 2025. Zoom meetings: March 31, 5:00 - 6:00pm. Future dates TBD. Young Singers Perform Back in November, we announced that  nine AUSD elementary school students  had been invited to join the Children’s National Honor Choir. Eight of those students traveled to Chicago last weekend and performed at the  Organization of American Kodály Educators (OAKE) Annual Conference . Congratulations! Frank Wells Scholarships Awarded The Association of California School Administrators set up a scholarship in memory of  Dr. Frank Wells for an African American student graduating from a regional high school and planning to attend a college, university, or community college. Five students were selected, including Salem Tesfaye, an Albany High School senior. Congratulations, Salem! U.S. Department of Education Although the financial support that AUSD receives from the federal government is only 1% of our budget, I am disturbed by recent news of mass lay-offs at the U.S. Department of Education. That department serves an important leadership role as we strive for better public education for all children. While these cuts likely won’t have an immediate impact on California school districts, since most education decisions and funding are handled at the state and local levels, there is concern about how reductions in federal programs could affect students with disabilities and those from low-income backgrounds. Cuts in these areas could disrupt essential services that many students depend on. I am committed to working alongside other educational leaders and state officials to advocate for our students and ensure they continue to receive the support they need.  Important Dates   March 21:  Staff Development Day, no school for students Upcoming Board of Education & Committee Meetings All  Board of Education meeting agendas  are published in advance of the meeting. Access agendas at the link above, or through the  AUSD Events Calendar .  March 18:   Board Policy Committee Meeting, 5pm, District Office March 19:  Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee Meeting, 5pm, District Office March 25:  Regular Meeting, 7pm, Albany City Hall Sincerely,  Sara Stone Superintendent Albany Unified School District ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    Friday, Mar 14 2025

  • Superintendent's Community Update, March 7, 2025

    Women’s Herstory Month, School Budget Planning, SchoolCARE, Art Contest Winners, and Ramadan Dear Albany Community,   AUSD is proud to recognize March as  Women’s Herstory Month , as described in this link to the proclamation passed by the Board of Education. The 2025 National Women's History theme is  "Moving Forward Together! Women Educating and Inspiring Generations"  to celebrate the collective strength and influence of women who have dedicated their lives to education, mentorship, and leadership. Students at all levels will be studying the contributions of women this month, and throughout the year. School Budget Planning Every year from January to March, school districts review projected enrollment for the following year to determine budget and staffing. Since enrollment drives our budget, it also determines how many staff members we can employ. Our goal is always to align resources with the priorities in our Strategic Plan and LCAP to best support students. Schools receive funding based on enrollment, with additional funds for students who are low-income, English learners, or in foster care. SchoolCARE Supports Your Student Albany Unified is fortunate to have incredible community support, including  Albany SchoolCARE , a dedicated, all-volunteer nonprofit that raises funds to help us hire additional staff across our schools. However, due to the timing of their fundraising, SchoolCARE is not yet able to commit to the full level of funding needed for the upcoming year. Because we must follow legal deadlines for staffing decisions, some of these positions are currently on the list for possible reduction, which the school board must review and approve by March 15. We are working closely with SchoolCARE to adjust fundraising timelines in the future to provide greater budget certainty. This is a preliminary notice, and we remain hopeful that with continued community generosity, we will be able to rescind these layoffs once SchoolCARE’s anticipated donations are received.  To ensure all these supplemental positions that serve students, and are funded by  SchoolCARE , are restored, please consider donating generously!   Thank you for your continued support of our students and schools. SchoolCARE is also in urgent need of volunteers to support their fundraising efforts. First, flyers for their Spring Sprint fundraising drive need to be dropped on porches across Albany during the last weekend in March. If you would like to spend a few hours getting your steps in while doing good for the community, email  albanyschoolcare2001@gmail.com . SchoolCARE is also looking for passionate supporters and new board members to help with fundraising, event planning, outreach, and more. No experience or special skills are needed—your time and enthusiasm are all that’s required. AHS Students Are Reflections Winners Albany High School students competed in  Reflections , a longstanding art contest and flagship program of the National PTA. Reflections is a celebration of the arts and art education.  This year, Albany High's Award of Excellence winners were: Kira Maulana — Visual Arts Felipe Toledo — Music Composition Summer Shen — Dance Choreography Evelyn Mulen Cano — Literature Alayna Zuniga — Photography We are delighted to share that Kira, Felipe, and Evelyn's entries won their categories at the county level. We are even more pleased to share that Felipe's composition " Embrace " received an Award of Merit from the State PTA, and Evelyn's work " Las Grietas del Alma/The Cracks in Our Soul " won the Award of Excellence for High School Literature and will be moving on to represent Albany High School at the National PTA .  All of these students will be recognized at an upcoming PTSA celebration in the spring. March Is Ramadan Ramadan is February 28 until March 29, which means that some AUSD students will be fasting during the day. All schools have made areas available to these students so they can choose not to be at a lunch table. At elementary schools and AMS, students are welcome in the library. PE teachers are aware that some students may be low on energy and need accommodations during this time.  Important Dates   March 6–14:  Elementary grades 1st–5th on conference schedule, 8:30am–1:45pm. TK/K schedule is unchanged. March 7–8:  Shrek: The Musical, various times, Albany High School Little Theater. Get tickets  here . March 7:  Ramadan Iftar Potluck, 5:30–8:30pm, Ocean View Multipurpose Room March 21:  Staff Development Day, no school for students Upcoming Board of Education & Committee Meetings All  Board of Education meeting agendas  are published in advance of the meeting. Access agendas at the link above, or through the  AUSD Events Calendar .  March 11:  Regular Meeting, 7pm, Albany City Hall March 18:   Board Policy Committee Meeting, 5pm, District Office March 19:  Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee Meeting, 5pm, District Office March  25:  Regular Meeting, 7pm, Albany City Hall Sincerely,  Sara Stone Superintendent Albany Unified School District

    Friday, Mar 07 2025

  • Dr. Frank Wells Library Dedication Ceremony

    The Albany High School Library will be dedicated to and named the  Dr. Frank Wells Library , to honor our previous Superintendent who passed away a year ago this month. The library dedication ceremony has been scheduled for 4pm, Friday, March 14 at the Albany High School Library. All are welcome to attend.

    Thursday, Mar 06 2025

  • Superintendent's Community Update, February 28, 2025

    Adult Transition Program, Instructional Leadership, and Listening Campaign Survey Dear Albany Community, Happy Friday! I continue to enjoy my time meeting with students and staff from across our district. This week I was able to visit our Adult Transition program, led by the talented instructor Ashley Saks. Albany Unified’s Adult Transition Program serves individuals with disabilities from 18 to 22 years. The students shared highlights of their program with me which include learning life skills, job skills, community integration, and enjoying enriching experiences like art, music, and yoga. Instructional Leadership High-quality instructional leadership fosters effective teaching through data-driven decision-making and a culture of continuous learning. To achieve this, we must work collectively to set a clear academic vision and ensure principals support educators in promoting equity and rigorous, engaging instruction. Since the start of my superintendency, I have been working with our principals to build our collective knowledge of instructional leadership and high-quality teaching. Yesterday, the principals, directors, and I visited the high school to conduct Learning Walks, observing instruction and identifying patterns across classrooms. We know that our principals play a vital role in setting the tone and direction of their schools, and that their daily demands often leave little time for focused planning. To address this, we will attend the UnboundEd Leadership Institute next Monday–Wednesday, deepening our understanding of high-quality, grade-level, engaging, affirming, and meaningful (GLEAM) instruction and working together across schools to plan together for next steps in building collaboration around high-quality instruction. The Assistant Principals will be at the Albany Middle School and Albany High School, and a Senior Director or the Assistant Superintendent will be on-site at our Elementary schools to ensure smooth operations at each school.  Listening To You You can help direct the District right now by taking a moment to provide your input in my  Listening Campaign Survey . As part of my first 90 days as your Superintendent, I want to listen to students, staff, and parents to learn all I can about what makes Albany schools great, and where we can improve. I have enjoyed meeting and talking with many of you, and the insights have been phenomenal. However, I will never be able to talk to everyone in this short timeline. My quick survey will expand the scope of input to encompass the majority of the District. Please take a moment now to provide your thoughts on Albany Unified by clicking the link above. You can be confident that the results will be used to improve the District for all students.  Important Dates   March 5–8:  Shrek: The Musical, various times, Albany High School Little Theater. Get tickets  here . March 7:  Ramadan Iftar Potluck, 5:30–8:30pm, Ocean View Multipurpose Room March 21:  Staff Development Day, no school for students Upcoming Board of Education & Committee Meetings All  Board of Education meeting agendas  are published in advance of the meeting. Access agendas at the link above, or through the  AUSD Events Calendar .  March 4:   Board Policy Committee Meeting, 5pm, District Office March 11:  Regular Meeting, 7pm, Albany City Hall March 18:   Board Policy Committee Meeting, 5pm, District Office March 19:  Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee Meeting, 5pm, District Office March  25:  Regular Meeting, 7pm, Albany City Hall Sincerely,  Sara Stone Superintendent Albany Unified School District ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    Friday, Feb 28 2025

  • Know Your Rights Workshop TONIGHT 2/27 at 7pm

    The Know Your Rights Workshop is TONIGHT, Thursday, 2/27 at 7pm on Zoom. Please see the flyer to sign up or  click here . It extremely important that we are all aware of our legal rights. Hosted by the Southwest Asian and North African (SWANA) Parent Engagement Group and Familias Latinas de Albany.  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ha habido un pequeño cambio. El taller Conozca sus Derechos se realizará MAÑANA jueves 27 de febrero a las 7:00 p. m. en Zoom. Consulte el folleto actualizado para inscribirse o  haga clic aquí . Ahora es extremadamente importante que conozcamos nuestros derechos legales, así que difunda la información. ¡Espero verlos mañana en Zoom!  

    Thursday, Feb 27 2025

  • Superintendent's Community Update, February 14, 2025

    Dr. Frank Wells Library and Scholarships, Black History Month Celebration, Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee Needs You, & Mid-Winter Break     Dear Albany Community, At Tuesday’s Board of Education meeting, trustees passed  Resolution 2024-25-13  renaming the library at Albany High School as  The Dr. Frank Wells Library . The remarkable resolution, crafted by committee, serves as a summary of Dr. Well’s life and many impactful achievements during his 30-year career in public education. Over the past six months, the committee has worked together to find a meaningful way to honor Dr. Wells, who served as Albany Unified’s Superintendent for five years before his passing last March. I really appreciate all their hard work, especially the thoughtful recommendation. A naming ceremony is being planned for the library and details will be shared when available.  Dr. Frank Wells Scholarships  Other lasting memorials to Dr. Wells are two scholarships that have been established in his name. The  California Association of African American Superintendents and Administrators  created the  Dr. Frank G. Wells Legacy Scholarship , available to any California high school senior. The  Frank Wells Memorial Scholarship  from the  Association of California School Administrators  is for to African-American students in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. Both organizations encouraged Albany High students to apply for these scholarships. Although the application windows have closed for this year, these opportunities will be a continuous honor to Dr. Wells’ memory.  Black History Month Celebration Last night’s Black History Month Celebration was a powerful and joyful tribute to Black excellence, culture, and resilience. The event was filled with love, energy, and a deep sense of community, thanks to the incredible performances and contributions from our talented students. I want to deeply appreciate Ms. Williams, Mr. Cason, Ms. Fisher, Mr. Pierce, Ms. Grogans, Ms. Boyd, Mr. Luna-Sparks, Ms. Halperin, and Mr. Friedman. The AHS Vocal Soul delivered a heartfelt rendition of  Love You Long Time , while the performance of  Lift Every Voice and Sing  was truly moving. Ocean View and Cornell students shared moving songs and sentiments. Marin Elementary’s recitation of poetry by Nikki Giovanni and Langston Hughes added depth and inspiration, the AMS Black Alliance readings and dance, and the hip-hop routine from our AHS students, helped to create a meaningful and memorable evening. It was a beautiful reminder of the importance of celebrating Black history not just this month, but every day. We Still Need You!  The Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee (CBOC) has grown as people have joined, but we still need at least four more members. Please consider being a part of this critical committee that examines the expenditures AUSD has spent from our school bond funds. As we gear up to spend the new Measure L bond funds on new construction projects, we must have a full CBOC. We are looking for an active member of a business organization representing the Albany business community, a member of a senior citizens’ organization (such as AARP or the National Council on Aging), and two “public at large” community members. See the  Special Vacancy Notice to apply!   Mid-Winter Break Starts Now When classes were dismissed today, the AUSD mid-winter break began. Next week, February 17–21, all schools and offices will be closed. District staff will be taking a much-needed holiday. I hope that your family has a relaxing and pleasant break. Important Dates   Feb. 17–21:  Mid-Winter Break, all schools and offices closed March 7:  Ramadan Iftar Potluck, 5:30–8:30pm, Ocean View Multipurpose Room Upcoming Board of Education & Committee Meetings All  Board of Education meeting agendas  are published in advance of the meeting. Access agendas at the link above, or through the  AUSD Events Calendar .  March 4:   Board Policy Committee Meeting, 5pm, District Office March 11:  Regular Meeting, 7pm, Albany City Hall March 19:  Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee Meeting, 5pm, District Office March  25:  Regular Meeting, 7pm, Albany City Hall Sincerely,  Sara Stone Superintendent Albany Unified School District ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    Friday, Feb 14 2025

  • AUSD Board of Education Meeting – Tuesday, February ...

    Dear Albany Community, The  Albany Unified School District (AUSD) Board of Education  will hold its regular meeting on  Tuesday, February 11, 2025, at Albany City Hall  (1000 San Pablo Avenue, Albany, CA 94706). Closed Session:  6:00 PM Open Session:  7:00 PM (Open to the public, in person and via Zoom) We invite you to attend the Open Session in person or virtually. Meeting details, including the agenda and agenda packet, are available on the  AUSD School Board website . As part of the meeting, a  special resolution will be presented to the Board to honor our late Superintendent, Dr. Frank Wells, naming the Albany High School Library " The Dr. Frank Wells Library. "  We encourage the community to join us in recognizing Dr. Wells' lasting impact on our district. How to Join the Meeting Virtually: Zoom Webinar (Video):   Click here to join  (Webinar ID: 92912804708) Zoom by Phone:  Dial  1-669-444-9171  or  1-669-900-6833 , then enter  Webinar ID: 92912804708# Watch Live or On-Demand: Live Stream & Recording:  Meetings held at City Hall are streamed live and recorded on the   City of Albany’s YouTube page . Meeting Recordings:  Available on the  AUSD School Board website  within five business days. Accessing Agendas, Packets, and Minutes: To view agendas, packets, minutes, and meeting recordings, visit the  AUSD School Board website .  Scroll to  "Current and Upcoming Meetings"  for the latest information. The  HTML Agenda Packet  can be opened in any browser, and downloadable  PDF versions  are also available. We encourage community participation and look forward to your engagement.

    Saturday, Feb 08 2025

  • Superintendent's Community Update, February 7, 2025

    Resources To Discuss Racism, AHS Makes Honor Roll, and Great Events Happening   Dear Albany Community, As we celebrate Black History Month, I want to take this opportunity to express my deep appreciation for the rich history, culture, and contributions of Black Americans. Black history is  our  history, and while we take time this month to highlight and honor these contributions, we recognize that this history must be woven into our teaching and learning every month. At AUSD, we are committed to ensuring that our curriculum reflects the diverse narratives that shape our community so that all students see themselves represented and valued. To further this commitment, I am continuing our listening sessions to hear from students, staff, families, and community members. These sessions provide an important opportunity to ensure that we are fostering a sense of care and belonging for all students so they feel safe, respected, and empowered to learn. Thank you for being part of our AUSD community as we work together to create an inclusive and supportive environment for all students. Family Resources To Discuss Racism Black History Month is a great time to discuss race with your children. Luckily, last year the  AUSD Wellness Committee , facilitated by our Executive Director of Students Services, Deb Brill, and Teacher On Special Assignment, Jen Gripman, put together age-appropriate resources to help families have meaningful conversations with children from Kindergarten to high school about race. The  Impact of Racism  set includes a short video, talking points, and guiding questions. Click the links below to open a file with a live video link. A second set on  Allyship  is also available at the link above and on the  AUSD website  under Parent/Student Resources. Please take advantage of these excellent resources that will help you broach a topic that can be difficult to discuss. Grades K–2 What Is Racism? Grades 3–5 The Look Grades 6–8 Because I’m Latino… Grades 9–12 Teenagers Discuss Microaggressions and Racism Albany High Makes The Honor Roll  The Educational Results Partnership has listed Albany High School in their  2024 Honor Roll  list of California’s top performing schools. This organization recognizes top public schools, school districts, and charter schools in California that have outperformed their peers in closing achievement gaps. This year 1,823 schools in California made the Honor Roll, approximately 21% of all eligible schools in the state. Results are based on data of student outcomes on the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) for the 2024 academic year.  I’d also like to congratulate AHS’s Albany Dance Company for winning first place on their jazz routine at USA’s Northern California Regional Competition last Saturday! Great Events Happening This Sunday, February 9. Albany’s Pride, AUSD’s LGBTQIA+ Advocacy group, is having  Community Time  to gather, play, and chat at Marin Elementary Playground, 1–3pm. Bring a snack to share if you can, but it’s ok to just come!  The Asian Pacific Islander Parent Engagement Group’s (API-PEG) annual celebration and potluck dinner for  Lunar New Year  is also this   Sunday, February 9, 4:30–7pm .  Sign up here  if you’d like to bring a dish. There will be food, games & crafts for kids, Asian authors, and performances.  On Wednesday, February 12, 6:30pm, Albany Disability Squad's  Family Support Group  is having their monthly Zoom meeting. Join them for this drop-in group where parents support each other’s frustrations and triumphs.  On Thursday, February 13, 6–8pm, AUSD’s Black Parent Advisory Group (BPAG) will host a  Celebration of Black History Month  with student performances, food, and fellowship!  Save the Date! On March 7, SWANA (Southwest Asian and North African) Parent Engagement Group is hosting a  Ramadan Iftar Potluck  6–8pm, Ocean View Multipurpose Room.  Sign up here , if you’d like to bring a dish.  Important Dates   Feb. 9:  Albany’s Pride Community Time, 1–3pm, Marin Elementary Playground Feb. 9:  API-PEG   Lunar New Year Celebration & Potluck, 4:30–7pm, Ocean View Multipurpose Room Feb. 12:  Albany Disability Squad’s Family Support Group,  Zoom Meeting at this link  or dial (408) 638-0968, Meeting ID: 886 0018 4968. ( Peer to peer support, not professional counseling ) Feb. 13:  BPAG Black History Month Celebration, 6pm, Albany High School Little Theater Feb. 17–21:  Mid-Winter Break, all schools and offices closed March 7:  Ramadan Iftar Potluck, 5:30–8:30pm, Ocean View Multipurpose Room Upcoming Board of Education & Committee Meetings All  Board of Education meeting agendas  are published in advance of the meeting. Access agendas at the link above, or through the  AUSD Events Calendar .  Feb. 11:  Regular Meeting, 7pm, Albany City Hall Sincerely,  Sara Stone Superintendent Albany Unified School District ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    Friday, Feb 07 2025

  • Superintendent’s Message: Our Commitment to Inclusio...

    Dear AUSD Staff, Students, and Families, As new executive orders continue to emerge from the federal government, I want to take a moment to reaffirm AUSD’s unwavering commitment to  all  of our students, families, and staff. Last week’s executive order,  Ending Radical Indoctrination in K-12 Schools , calls for the removal of federal funding from schools that include instruction on topics such as gender identity, racial history, equity, and privilege. It also mandates the promotion of “patriotic education.” While these directives may cause concern, I want to reassure our community that  our district’s values and priorities remain unchanged . Education is not about blind allegiance—it is about  critical thinking, engagement, and preparing students to be thoughtful, informed citizens . Teaching about race, identity, and history is not “subversion” or “extremism”—it is  an honest and necessary exploration of our collective past and present . Recognizing and supporting our LGBTQ+ students is not radical—it is  a fundamental commitment to ensuring every student feels seen, valued, and safe . Advocating for schools to remain protected spaces, free from immigration enforcement, is not un-American—it is  pro-child . I recently attended the Association of California School Administrators Superintendents’ Symposium, where education leaders across the state gathered to discuss how best to support our communities through these shifting federal policies. There was a shared commitment to upholding  inclusive, student-centered education , and I want to assure you that AUSD will continue to work alongside our colleagues at the county and state levels to  ensure our schools reflect the values of equity, inclusion, and intellectual freedom . My role is not to advance a political agenda, but it  is  my responsibility to  protect our students, uphold the integrity of education, and ensure that every child in AUSD has the freedom to learn, grow, and thrive . We will not allow fear or divisive rhetoric to dictate how we educate our students or support our community. Preserving inclusion and intellectual freedom in our schools requires all of us. I look forward to working together in the weeks and months ahead to ensure that every student— regardless of background, identity, or immigration status —feels safe, valued, and supported. In my view,  that  is the truest form of “patriotic education” we can offer. With appreciation and commitment, Sara Stone Superintendent, Albany Unified School District

    Monday, Feb 03 2025