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Interim Superintendent's Community Update, November ...
Honor Bands and Choirs, Goodbye, & Happy Thanksgiving Dear Albany Community, Last week I called out the nine elementary students accepted into the Children’s National Honor Choir. When so many school districts have lost fine arts, you can be proud that Albany has built and maintained an excellent music program. Music education starts in elementary, continues through middle school, and culminates at Albany High. At the school board meeting on Tuesday, the AHS Vocal Soul acapella group sang (photo above, video here ). They were fun, inspiring, and amazed everyone present with their voices. Honor Bands and Choirs As I stated last week, it’s difficult to get into an honor choir. High schoolers may have in-person auditions consisting of sight reading, tonal memory, singing an Italian aria, and scales/triads. Middle schoolers may submit a virtual recorded audition consisting of vocalizing and singing a solo piece. Here are the secondary students who have been accepted into honor choirs this year. California Music Educators Association (CMEA) Bay Section Honor Choir (7th–9th grades): Zella Hoffman, Hazel Hosmer, Kenta Siu, Zeyana Tesch-Said, & Elizabeth Urbania California Choral Directors Association (CCDA) Coastal Honor Choir (a regional honor choir for 9–12th graders): Kalia Balagtas, Julian Baldwin, Zoe Botwinick, Ella Boyd, Cassidy Clark, Sam Garcia, Yazmin Gonzalez, Max Lim, Talia Mickelson, Basye Mummert, Kiana Sipes, Liam Watt, Thea Weckstrom, Finn Willits-Musell, Annalise Winkle, & Michael Yang CCDA All State Honor Choir (the most prestigious state-wide choir for 6th–12th graders): Julian Baldwin, Pepper Blythe, Zoe Botwinick, Ella Boyd, Mia Boyd, Calvin Caro-Disterhoft, Jasper Ervice, Yazmin Gonzalez, Hazel Hosmer, Isabella Li, Max Lim, Anika Maderas, Talia Mickelson, Basye Mummert, Willa Myers, Olivia Regni, Kiana Sipes, Liam Watt, Finnegan Willits-Musell, & Michael Yang It is also highly competitive to be accepted into an honor band. Over 2,500 students auditioned for the all-state bands this year via a blind recording submission and several Albany students received an acceptance. AHS All-State Band : Joel Min, Grace Ha, & Emilie Yoo AMS All-State Band : Sam Hardy & Kai Tangherlini These All-State Band and Honor Choir students will be attending and performing at the California All-State Music Education Conference . They will work with highly respected guest conductors from across the country. My sincere congratulations to these fine young artists! Time For Me To Say Goodbye When I became your Interim Superintendent, Albany Unified had recently experienced the unexpected passing of Dr. Frank Wells. Although I was relishing returning to my retirement after filling in at Piedmont Unified as an Interim Superintendent, I felt a call to come to Albany. It has been a joy to be here. In the future, I expect that you will see improvements in learning for all groups, especially the groups that have traditionally been underserved. Your new, permanent Superintendent, Sara Stone, is an experienced leader. Albany will thrive under her leadership, and I will watch your progress with pride. It has been an honor to serve in Albany Unified. Thank you for the opportunity to help you through a difficult time. Happy Thanksgiving Break To All! All schools and offices will be closed next week. Please take time to relax and renew your energies with friends and family. Important Dates Nov. 25–29: Thanksgiving Break, all schools and offices closed. Upcoming Board of Education 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 . Friday, Dec. 13: Regular Meeting, 6pm, Albany City Hall ( This meeting will include the swearing in of new board member(s) and the election of officers—the Annual Organization of the Board) Sincerely, Donald Evans, Ed.D. Interim Superintendent Albany Unified School District ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Friday, Nov 22 2024
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Interim Superintendent's Community Update, November ...
Election News, Children’s National Honor Choir, 16th Annual Albany Community Craft Fair, & Transportation Plan Dear Albany Community, Election results have continued to be updated and Albany elections appear determined, although the election has not yet been certified. It is likely that Board of Education President Veronica Davidson will serve a second term. Dayna Inkeles will fill the vacancy created as we say goodbye to Melissa Boyd, whose four-year term will be completed in December. I thank these community members for their incredible service as past and future Board members. I also thank the candidates that ran but were not elected for their clear commitment to Albany schools. Measure L Passes It also appears that Albany students will benefit from Measure L, the school bond measure that extends, but does not increase, the current tax rate. After the passage of Measure L is certified, the District will make plans to issue bonds to financial markets to bring in $63.8 million in total proceeds. A careful prioritization of projects described in the 2023–24 Facilities Assessment at upcoming public meetings of the school board will allow the District to build a slate of projects that will make the best use of these funds. A bond construction program is long and complex, involving local and state agencies, dozens of contracts, and citizen’s oversight of all expenditures. These Updates will keep you informed of each step along the way as AUSD strives to provide the best learning environments possible to our students. Children’s National Honor Choir Nine AUSD students from the elementary 4th and 5th grade choir program have auditioned for and been accepted to the Organization of American Kodály Educators (OAKE) Children’s National Honor Choir . The OAKE organization promotes music education of the highest quality, universal music literacy, and lifelong music making. Pictured above is the 2024 Children’s Choir performing at the organization’s annual conference last March in Chicago, which included six AUSD students. This is an amazing accomplishment for these students who represent all three elementary schools in Albany. Congratulations to these fine young singers! Cornell Elementary: Leyla Gaines, John Patrick Hilliard, Summer Nguyen, & Alex Russell-Xu. Marin Elementary: Ranger Hatton, Hannah Radl, & Anjuli Sharma Ocean View Elementary: Lobsang Bayul & Nazaria White 16th Annual Albany Community Craft Fair Come join us at Albany Middle School for the 16th Annual Albany Community Craft Fair this Sunday (details below)! Jump start your holiday shopping and spend a day filled with creativity, fun, and unique handmade crafts. You can find plants, ceramics, jewelry, apparel, body care products, and many other crafts while enjoying live music and treats from our Cobra Cafe. This is a beloved community event where student and adult artists join together for mutual inspiration and to support arts in education. Last Chance For Input On City’s Transportation Plan The City of Albany is gathering feedback from all users of Albany’s roads, paths, and sidewalks about biking, walking, and rolling throughout the city. Your input on the Active Transportation Plan (ATP) website will guide the development of infrastructure projects and programs to support safe, comfortable, and accessible travel in Albany. Comments on the map and survey are only open through Tuesday, November 26 . Please consider the areas surrounding our schools and don’t delay getting your comments in! Important Dates Nov. 14–16: AHS Theater Ensemble presents A Midsummer Night's Dream, 7pm nightly, and a 2pm matinee on Saturday, Nov. 16. Tickets available here , and, if not sold out, at the door. Nov. 17: 16th Annual Albany Community Craft Fair, 11am–3pm, AMS gymnasium Nov. 12–22: Elementary Schools (Cornell, Marin, and Ocean View) on conference schedule. TK/Kindergarten: 8:30am–1:30pm daily, no change in schedule 1st–5th Grades: 8:30–1:45 daily Nov. 25–29: Thanksgiving Break, all schools and offices closed. Upcoming Board of Education 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 . Nov. 19: Regular Meeting, 7pm, Albany City Hall Dec. 13: Regular Meeting, 6pm, Albany City Hall Have a great weekend, Donald Evans, Ed.D. Interim Superintendent Albany Unified School District ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Friday, Nov 15 2024
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Interim Superintendent's Community Update, November ...
Election Results, Veterans Day Holiday, Threatening Talk, and a Midsummer Night’s Dream Dear Albany Community, Election week is over, and although the Alameda County Registrar of Voters has not certified the final election results, it appears that our school bond, Measure L, was approved by voters. I will wait until next week to expand on this, but could not let this Friday pass without extending my deep and sincere thanks to everyone who supported this much-needed bond to help the District improve school facilities. On Monday, the CBS News video story on AHS students Nirvaan Jaswal and Sam Beynon, aired. These students worked hard to get Measure V for youth voting on the ballot, and preliminary results indicate that they also may have been successful. Monday Is Veterans Day Next Monday, November 11 is Veterans Day, and all schools and offices will be closed. I hope your family will spend some time together having fun and making memories. I also hope that you will take a moment together to reflect on the meaning of this day and, if you have the opportunity, perhaps thank a veteran. Last year at the wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington Cemetery, President Biden made these remarks: “We’re the only nation in the world…that’s built on an idea. Every other nation is based on things like geography, ethnicity, religion. But we’re the only nation built on the idea that we are all — all created equal, endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights. We haven’t always lived up to it, but because of our veterans, because of you, we’ve never walked away from it. For throughout the annals of history, whenever and wherever the force of darkness has sought to extinguish the light of liberty, American veterans have been holding the lantern as high as they can for us all.” Threatening Talk Is An Unfortunately Common Issue Among Youth At the end of September, a very disturbing article was published in the New York Times stating that since the shooting earlier in the month at Apalachee High School in Georgia, more than 700 children had been arrested for making threats against schools. This article in Campus Safety magazine expands on the topic. (Note that the linked articles may not be available to everyone.) Unfortunately, young people across the country are using threatening phrases as expressions, and in most cases there is zero actual intent to act. We have had this happen at Albany schools. We always take any threat to the safety of our students and staff extremely seriously. I encourage you to let your children know, in an age-appropriate manner, that threats to safety or talk of guns or shooting can result in a police investigation. Children across the country have found out in incredibly traumatic ways that loose talk meant as a joke can land them into the hands of law enforcement. A Midsummer Night's Dream In mid-November, you have a chance to see Shakespeare’s classic comedy, “ A Midsummer Night's Dream” . Follow our heros Helena, Demetrius, Lysander, and Hermia as they run away into the forest and are discovered by the mischievous fairies who live there. Albany High's Theatre Ensemble presents Shakespeare’s play, abridged for modern audiences and family friendly! See details below. Important Dates Nov. 11: Veterans Day, all schools and school offices closed Nov. 14–16: AHS Theater Ensemble presents A Midsummer Night's Dream, 7pm nightly, and a 2pm matinee on Saturday, Nov. 16. Tickets available here , and, if not sold out, at the door. Nov. 17: AMS Craft Fair, 11am–3pm, AMS gymnasium Nov. 12–22: Elementary Schools (Cornell, Marin, and Ocean View) on conference schedule. TK/Kindergarten: 8:30am–1:30pm daily, no change in schedule 1st–5th Grades: 8:30–1:45 daily Nov. 25–29: Thanksgiving Break, all schools and school offices closed Upcoming Board of Education 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 . Nov. 19: Regular Meeting, 7pm, Albany City Hall Dec. 13: Regular Meeting, 6pm, Albany City Hall Have a great weekend, Donald Evans, Ed.D. Interim Superintendent Albany Unified School District ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Friday, Nov 08 2024
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Interim Superintendent's Community Update, November ...
Congressional Award Winner, Native American Heritage Month, Independent Study, & Last Election Reminder Dear Albany Community, It has been a busy week! Yesterday was Halloween, with parties and parades across the District. It’s also been Homecoming Week at Albany High School, culminating with the Homecoming Dance tomorrow night. Cameras were rolling at the high school on Tuesday, as CBS News Bay Area interviewed Alex Li and Nirvaan Jaswal about their efforts to expand voting rights to 16-year-olds through the local ballot initiative Measure V. We also had a surprise visit from representatives from U.S. Congressman John Garamendi’s office! Congressional Award Winner Congratulations to AHS junior Alex Bowen who has received the Congressional Award—Silver . The Congressional Award provides an opportunity for young people to set and achieve personally challenging goals that build character and foster community service, personal development, and citizenship. To earn a Congressional Award, participants set and achieve individual goals in four program areas: Voluntary Public Service, Personal Development, Physical Fitness, and Expedition/Exploration. Congressman Garamendi’s representatives came to Albany High earlier today (see photo above) to acknowledge Alex and present him with the official medal and certificate. November is Native American Heritage Month The AUSD Board of Education issued this Proclamation in honor of Native American Heritage Month. AUSD has been working on integrating more information about local Native American culture into our curriculum. In the summer of 2023 Albany High teachers created an introductory lesson about the Lisjan Nation and the indigenous landscape. After review and approval by the Lisjan Nation Curriculum Collective, the lesson was shared with over 500 students during the 2023–24 school year. Students in some classes looked at the rematriation work of the Bay Area Sogorea Te Land Trust , whose goal is to facilitate the return of indigenous land to Indigenous people. It’s important for all Albany schools to continue to find ways to integrate indigenous culture, history, and heritage into our program. Traveling? Consider Independent Study We want all students to be in class everyday because of the benefits it brings to their academics, personal relationships, and social-emotional health, and ask that you commit to arranging travel plans around the school schedule. Sometimes, however, there are circumstances out of your control and your student(s) will be out of school for five or more days . If you are able to notify the school at least five days before the first day of absence, an Independent Study packet can be prepared. Independent Study helps your student keep up with classroom lessons so that they won’t be behind when they return, and the District will not lose funding caused by absences. Please know, however, that nothing can replace the learning a student receives by being at school in person. Last Election Reminder I have mentioned here before that the AUSD Board of Education passed a Resolution in support of the State’s Proposition 2 ballot measure. Districts can stretch their dollars further by pairing local bond funds with state grants. “Local school districts may qualify for matching funds from the state for facility construction, improvements and repairs if local voters approve a local bond measure,” consultant Michael Coleman said in this CalMatters article . “For this reason, we see a record 267 local school bond measures on this November 2024 ballot. The two go together.” Just like those other 266 districts, AUSD has put a school bond, Measure L , on the November ballot. Projects include infrastructure upgrades including HVAC, security and other building needs. Please vote on or before November 5! Important Dates Nov. 6: District and Site English Language Learner Advisory Committee Meetings, 6–7pm, Ocean View Elementary Library 6–6:30pm: District English Language Advisory Committee (DELAC) 6:30–7:00pm: School Site English Language Advisory Committee (ELAC) Nov. 11: Veterans Day, all schools and school offices closed Nov. 12–22: Elementary Schools (Cornell, Marin, and Ocean View) on conference schedule. TK/Kindergarten: 8:30am–1:30pm daily, no change in schedule 1st–5th Grades: 8:30–1:45 daily Nov. 25–29: Thanksgiving Break, all schools and school offices closed Upcoming Board of Education 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 . Nov. 19: Regular Meeting, 7pm, Albany City Hall Dec. 13: Regular Meeting, 7pm, Albany City Hall Have a great weekend, Donald Evans, Ed.D. Interim Superintendent Albany Unified School District ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Friday, Nov 01 2024
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Interim Superintendent's Community Update, October 2...
Ocean View Fall Festival, Superintendent Transition, Make Plans to Vote, and Halloween Dear Albany Community, Ocean View Elementary had a wonderful Fall Festival last Saturday. This PTA fundraiser is their biggest event of the year, featuring the Walkathon in the adjoining Ocean View Park. One of the student participants is pictured above, with his parent and teacher Hanna Miller, who was counting the laps students completed for their pledges. Kids and adults enjoyed carnival games, food, a huge inflated obstacle course and being outdoors on a beautiful day with their school community. PTA events like the Fall Festival not only fund all sorts of extras at school, they build our connections with one another. Connect with your school’s PTA/PTSA and find out all the things they are doing for students! Superintendent Transition On Wednesday, it was announced that Ms. Sara Stone will be joining AUSD as the new, permanent Superintendent . I am so pleased that the Board of Education has made this excellent choice! Ms. Stone is a gifted educational leader and a person of impeccable integrity. I will continue as the Interim Superintendent until Ms. Stone starts on December 1, and will remain available to ensure the District continues to run smoothly during the transition. You can be confident that Albany Unified will be in good hands. Make Plans To Vote I want to encourage everyone to vote in the upcoming election. There are four candidates running for the two available seats on the Board of Education. The Board sets the direction and goals for the District and oversees the budget, so these Board positions are truly important. The District also has a school bond measure on this ballot, Measure L , which would not raise the tax rate but would extend the duration of the current tax rate to achieve funding for school facility projects. Halloween Is Next Thursday Ghosts, witches, superheroes, and a huge variety of creatures will be visible at Albany schools on Halloween, which is next Thursday, October 31. The elementary parades are a joy to watch, and I hope that many of you can attend. At AMS, the 6th Grade Halloween Party is a beloved, if scary, tradition. Note that Halloween is not an early release day, students will be released at the regular time of 1:30pm for TK and Kindergarten, 3:05pm for 1st–5th grade, and 2:00pm for 6th graders. Please see school communications for information about Halloween parades and parties. Important Dates Oct. 31: Halloween, all schools are on their regular schedules Upcoming Board of Education 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 . Nov. 19: Regular Meeting, 7pm, Albany City Hall Dec. 13: Regular Meeting, 7pm, Albany City Hall Have a great weekend, Donald Evans, Ed.D. Interim Superintendent Albany Unified School District ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Friday, Oct 25 2024
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Measure L Fact Sheet
Measure L Fact Sheet There is a local bond measure on the November 5 ballot, Measure L (click for the District's webpage on Measure L with a rate chart and the official Resolution). Regular US Mail Service should have delivered a printed copy of this Fact Sheet to all early in September, however, it has been reported that many did not receive it. The Measure L Fact Sheet is pictured below, and is attached in pdf format.
Monday, Oct 21 2024
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Interim Superintendent's Community Update, October 1...
Statewide Testing Scores Released, Great Shake-Out, Attendance Is Important, Measure L Is On The Ballot Dear Albany Community, Albany Unified supports the whole child, meaning that we see our students as individuals with complex human needs. One human need that AUSD can address is the need to learn. When focused on academic achievement, we are a data-driven district. That data comes to teachers and administrators as scores from classroom assignments and assessments. While scores do not define a student, they are an indicator of learned/not learned. When scores are used as the basis for the next step, whether that is using a different approach to teach that concept again, or to indicate that the student is ready for the next concept, education becomes a cycle of learning and assessing. Below I will describe Albany’s collective scores in the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP). It’s important to remember that this is not a complete picture of the District, but a snapshot of how our students did last spring on this particular state assessment. When we consider an individual student, other information such as report card grades, classroom assignments, and teacher observations are critically important to better understand their progress and needs. AUSD’s CAASPP Scores The CAASPP statewide test is given to students in grades 3rd–8th and 11th and helps us determine in a broad overview whether students have learned specific English Language Arts and Mathematics skills. Individual scores are used by teachers and administrators to help plan programs for students who may require additional support. In aggregate, the scores provide information about our educational program. In the 2023–24 school year, Albany Unified students scored far above the statewide and county averages. Percent of Students Who Met Or Exceeded Standards Albany Unified Alameda County Statewide English Language Arts 75% 55% 47% Math 68% 47% 36% This top-level data is not a complete picture . On the website linked above, you can filter the data by many different criteria. AUSD staff look very carefully at CAASPP, and many other data sets, in order to improve instruction throughout the District, especially for subgroups who have traditionally been underserved. The Great Shake-Out Yesterday, Thursday, October 17, was the statewide earthquake safety awareness day called the Great California Shake-Out . Cornell, Albany Middle School and Albany High School had drop-and-cover drills this week, and Ocean View will have one next week. Marin is scheduled to have a full-release drill in early November. AUSD schools have drills throughout the year accompanied by a great deal of age-appropriate reassurance that the drills are practice. It is essential for student and staff safety to learn and be comfortable with emergency procedures. These drills will help students carry out a familiar process in the event of a true emergency. Attendance is Important Every Day All families strive to ensure that their children don’t miss school days. It can be difficult, but it is a fact that “now and then” absences add up. By third grade, poor attendance can negatively influence reading proficiency to the degree that students may be held back. In sixth grade, chronic absence becomes a leading indicator that a student will drop out of high school. The good news is that when students improve their attendance, they also improve their academic outcomes and likelihood of graduation. Measure L Is On The Ballot Mail-in ballots have arrived throughout the city, and I want to encourage everyone to vote. I know it is a long ballot, with many City of Albany measures and the District's Measure L , which would extend the current tax rate for longer to achieve funding for school facility projects. There is the City’s Measure V , which would allow youth aged 16 and older to vote in future elections. If passed by Albany voters, and approved by the Board of Education, high school students could be voting for AUSD school board members in 2026, a fascinating experiment in civic engagement. It is up to voters to decide this and many other issues. If you have not received a Voter Information Guide by mail, you can access it online at www.acvote.org . Click on Voter Profile (top-right corner). Enter your voter information to log in. Once you are in your Voter Profile, choose the "ELECTION" tab and click on the link to see your Voter Information Guide. Please vote! Important Dates Oct. 20: Jewish Parent Engagement Group Sukkot Celebration, 10am–12pm, Cornell Elementary School Picnic Tables Oct. 24: Black Parent Advisory Group Meet and Greet, 6–8pm, Albany Middle School Library Upcoming Board of Education 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 . Oct. 22: Regular Meeting, 7pm, Albany City Hall Nov. 19: Regular Meeting, 7pm, Albany City Hall Have a great weekend, Donald Evans, Ed.D. Interim Superintendent Albany Unified School District ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Friday, Oct 18 2024
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Interim Superintendent's Community Update, October 1...
Professional Development, Week of the School Administrator, and Citizens' Bond Oversight Committee Dear Albany Community, We had a great turnout on Thursday as Albany's Pride, AUSD’s LGBTQIA+ advocacy and engagement group, and supporters celebrated National Coming Out Day by chalking a beautiful Progress Pride flag outside of Albany High School. See the photo above of the gorgeous results and the somewhat messy crew that created it. Professional Development Next Monday Next Monday, October 14, will be a holiday for students, but staff will be busy at school. You may wonder what teachers do on AUSD’s two annual staff development days. There are a wide range of programs based on grade level and speciality. Next Monday, elementary teachers will participate in a cross-site collaboration by grade level or subject area focusing on a curricular area, and also have training on using math games in the classroom as a way to build skills, boost engagement, and support different learning styles. English Language Development (ELD) teachers will receive specialized training. At the secondary level, Albany Middle School teachers will be trained on modifications and accommodations for students with special needs, supporting students who have experienced trauma, and best practices for differentiating their instruction to engage students who are at different levels with the curriculum. Albany High School teachers will be working on their accreditation report and meeting in instructional teams and subject-matter departments to improve curriculum and instruction. Week of the School Administrator October 13–19 is the week of the school administrator. The school board passed this Resolution at Tuesday’s meeting, which points out that school administrators, such as principals, assistant principals, and directors, are passionate lifelong learners that believe in the value of quality public education. Please take a moment next week to thank your school administrators for all they do to lead our schools and keep them running smoothly every day. Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee An important part of AUSD’s bond program is the Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee , a group of Albany residents appointed by the Board of Education to oversee all expenses paid by bond funds. You can view their annual reports to the Board at the link above, which are always presented at a regularly scheduled public meeting of the school board. Reports are posted to the committee’s webpage, where they remain available to the public. Measure L is a new, local school bond on the November ballot. Measure L would not raise the current tax rate, but would fill in the gap as other bonds are paid off (see graphic here ). AUSD has over $144 million in facility needs (including HVAC replacements, building repairs, and accessibility improvements) to keep schools in good repair and able to handle the additional strains of our warming climate. Despite advertising for new members for the Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee last year, vacancies remain. AUSD will be accepting applications soon for this committee, which continues to inspect financial records related to AUSD’s current bonds, and will be critically important if Measure L is approved by voters, and AUSD enters a new phase of facility projects. Important Dates Oct. 12: Southwest Asian & North African (SWANA) Parent Engagement Group Meet and Greet, 11am–2pm, Ocean View Elementary School Playground Oct. 20: Jewish Parent Engagement Group Sukkot Celebration, 10am–12pm, Cornell Elementary School Picnic Tables Oct. 24: Black Parent Advisory Group Meet and Greet, 6–8pm, Albany Middle School Library Upcoming Board of Education 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 . Oct. 22: Regular Meeting, 7pm, Albany City Hall Nov. 19: Regular Meeting, 7pm, Albany City Hall Have a great weekend, Donald Evans, Ed.D. Interim Superintendent Albany Unified School District ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Friday, Oct 11 2024
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Interim Superintendent's Community Update, October 4...
Measure L School Bond, Classroom Visits, Walk & Roll To School Day Dear Albany Community, It’s been hot out there, but Albany schools have all done well this week to keep students comfortable while learning. The unusual heat made me think about the timeliness of Measure L , the school bond placed on the November ballot by the AUSD Board of Education. The district is in a situation where previous bonds are getting paid off and we have the opportunity to remain at the same tax rate, but raise significant additional funding, by “filling the gap.” The important thing, to me, is what Measure L would do for Albany schools. Although the aging HVAC systems at the middle school and high school held up this week, these systems are near the end of their mechanical life span and will need to be replaced before long. Bathrooms and locker rooms need to be modernized, the AHS Fine Arts Building is inadequate, and temporary buildings at several campuses are at, or past, their usable life. Capital projects take years of lead time for planning, design, and state approval. Albany Unified is looking to the future so that thoughtful processes can begin on these critical projects. Rather than reacting to breakdowns or other types of emergencies, the school board has acted to keep Albany students in functional, well-maintained buildings into the future. Classroom Visits Last week I mentioned that I have been visiting classrooms. It is always a joy to see educators working with students, but my responsibility goes further than that. When I visit schools, I look at how well our District initiatives are being implemented at each site. I look for how instruction is being delivered in classrooms. This summer, district administrators met in a retreat. The question posed to administrators was, “ How are we holding ourselves accountable for student learning? What does equity look like for students not meeting academic expectations and for students exceeding academic expectations? I will continue to focus administrators’ attention on this key question throughout the year. International Walk & Roll To School Day Next Wednesday, October 9, is International Walk & Roll To School Day. One of the special things about Albany is that it is possible for many students to use “active transportation”, that is, modes of transportation that are human-powered, to get to school. Active transportation is good for students as it provides them with healthy exercise, and it is a great transition from the home environment into the school day. It’s good for the environment and it helps reduce car traffic around the schools. If you/your student are able, please consider walking or rolling to school on October 9. Some schools will be tallying results to see all of the different modes of transportation their students have used to get to school. Important Dates Oct. 9: International Walk & Roll To School Day Upcoming Board of Education 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 . Oct. 8: Regular Meeting, 7pm, Albany City Hall Oct. 22: Regular Meeting, 7pm, Albany City Hall Have a great weekend, Donald Evans, Ed.D. Interim Superintendent Albany Unified School District ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Friday, Oct 04 2024