The Oakland Education Roundup from the Week of October 13th

Everything education from the last week in Oakland, budget updates, the launch of a new parent group, community meetings, the college fair, the Black Girl Power Conference, podcasting opportunities for youth, California’s latest polls, updates on state testing, the need to reform CA’s special education system, opportunities to help educators, grants for murals and much more, take a look and share

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Oakland 

Superintendent Kyla Johnson-Trammell Shares a 2017-18 Financial Update

Parent-Led Group, Oakland REACH to Hold Oakland Schools Accountable

The Education Bet We Should Make-Child-Parent Education Centers

OUSD Avoids State Takeover with Two-Year $32 Million Budget Cuts

School Board Focuses on Balanced Budget after This Year’s $17 Million Shortfall

OUSD College Fair

Community Meeting the OUSD school Year is changing

Last day to complete Blueprint for quality schools survey

The Power of One Small Gesture Can Dramatically Boost AP Enrollment

African American Female Excellence Program host first Black Girl Power Conference

Teachers from Alameda, Oakland selected as Alameda County Teacher of the Year

For Oakland youth and Families

Radio and Podcasting Class for Youth from KALW and EOYDC
Free Flu Vaccine Available For All Participating Oakland Elementary Schools

The GIRL Project Shine Workshop

East Bay Children’s Book Project Is in Peril

Meeting recaps

Amending the Budget—But is it Enough?

Mills Teacher Scholars Gather

OUSD Board of Education

ACOE Board Meeting

Special Meeting of the OUSD Board of Education

Community Advisory Committee for Special Education

OUSD’s Office of Equity Announces Expansion 

Best of the Rest

 California voters want more school choices

Why heads are still scratching over California’s standardized test scores

7 years to a bachelor’s degree

Is computer-based testing at fault for California schools’ failures in English and math?

PARCC Scores Lower for Students Who Took Exams on Computers

Special education in “deep trouble” and still needs reform, says California education board president

 Educator Opportunities

Free Field Trips to the Exploratorium this Fall

School Retool Fellowship Application

Apply for Paint the Town

West Oakland School and Resource Fair Public 

 How you can help

Help an Oakland student and educator whose home was destroyed by fire

Support students with Listening Tools

Bring Coding and Engineering to Life with Lego Robots 

October Morning Volunteers Needed at Alameda County Community Food Bank

Oakland

Superintendent Kyla Johnson-Trammell Shares a 2017-18 Financial UpdateAs Superintendent Kyla Johnson-Trammell begins her first year as Superintendent, she has named fiscal vitality as a top focal point

Parent-Led Group, Oakland REACH to Hold Oakland Schools Accountable– A new parent led group, Oakland REACH, hosted a press conference and parent celebration at DeFremery Park.

The Education Bet We Should Make-Child-Parent Education Centers– We are at a rare moment when public opinion and education research are aligned in California and we need to seize the day.

OUSD Avoids State Takeover with Two-Year $32 Million Budget Cuts– While FCMAT representatives tell the board they will be “amazed” how much money OUSD saves by closing schools.

School Board Focuses on Balanced Budget After This Year’s $17 Million ShortfallOakland Board of Education members are gaining a deeper understanding of operating public schools in tough times as they work with new superintendent Kyla Johnson-Trammell to maintain a balanced budget after former Superintendent Antwan Wilson left the district with a two-year $32 million shortfall, including $17 million this year.

50+ college reps at the OUSD College Fair on 10/10

Community Meeting the OUSD school Year is Changing Sondra Aguilera, OUSD Senior Deputy Chief of Continuous School Improvement, and Jenine Lindsey, Director of Labor held a meeting on 10/10 about future school year calendars. Learn more about the changes and share your thoughts by taking our surve

The Power of One Small Gesture Can Dramatically Boost AP EnrollmentSending short, encouraging notes to students, and talking with them about their potential, can dramatically boost enrollment in Advanced Placement courses.

Mills Teacher Scholars held a gathering on 10/12 at Mills College for current teacher scholars, Mills Teacher Scholars’ alumni, and friends.

Board of Education had a meeting on 10/11; you can see the agenda here.

ACOE Board Meeting on 10/10

Special Meeting of the OUSD Board of Education was held on 10/9 to cover Core Values and getting to the Future State, you can see the meeting agenda here

Community Advisory Committee for Special Education met on 10/9 to hear learnings from the September Study Session about school-site support for Special Education in OUSD and discuss initiatives and changes currently underway for Special Education.

African American Female Excellence Program host first Black Girl Power Conference– The chant of “Black girl power!” chant echoed throughout a room filled with purple balloons and ribbons early Saturday morning. More than 100 girls and their mothers, teachers, mentors—and one father—filled an auditorium on the Mills College campus for the first Black Girl Power Conference hosted by the African American Female Excellence Program (AAFE).

OUSD’s Office of Equity Announces Expansion– On September 26, the Oakland Unified School District Office of Equity (OoE) recently hosted a reception at E14 Gallery in downtown Oakland.

Teachers from Alameda, Oakland selected as Alameda County Teacher of the Year– Encinal Junior & Senior High School teacher Kevin Gorham has been selected as an Alameda County Teacher of the Year.

For Youth and Families

Free Flu Vaccine Available For All Participating Oakland Elementary Schools. Shoo the Flu program will return this fall for teachers and students at elementary schools throughout Oakland.

Radio and Podcasting Class for Youth from KALW and EOYDC – Calling all East Oakland Youth 14-18! Tell a story you care about, in your own voice– take the Radio and Podcasting class from KALW and EOYDC.

The GIRL Project Shine Workshop began on 10/11 free for girls ages 11-14 living in the San Antonio district of Oakland. Come on down after school dismissal for art and dance classes. Food and homework support available throughout the session Workshops will be held every Wednesday from 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM through December 13. Doors open at 1:00 PM. EastSide Cultural Center 2277 International Blvd. Oakland, CA 94606 Questions? Please contact Shaunnah Ray

East Bay Children’s Book Project Is in Peril– The beloved nonprofit, which supplies books to low-income kids throughout Oakland, has lost its lease and may have to shut down.

California

California voters want more school choices – When it comes to education, Californians see the wealthy awash in school choice, the poor with few options and, surprisingly, the middle class with some — but not a lot — of choices in selecting a school, a poll released Thursday shows.

Why heads are still scratching over California’s standardized test scoresDespite most teachers and students having an additional year to get familiar with the exam, and an additional year of instruction conceivably tailored to improve on student weakness identified in the test.

7 years to a bachelor’s degree: California community college students who transfer to UC or CSU schools are trapped in a system that adds $38K to the cost of a diploma. The main goal for most community college students in California is to transfer to a four-year university to earn a bachelor’s degree.

 

Is computer-based testing at fault for California schools’ failures in English and math?More than half of students in California schools are failing to meet English standards – with even more failing math.

PARCC Scores Lower for Students Who Took Exams on ComputersThe Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers acknowledged the discrepancies in scores across different formats of its exams in response to questions from Education Week.

Special education in “deep trouble” and still needs reform, says California education board president– Michael Kirst says the special education system, rooted in concepts and laws that need updating, is battling to recruit and retain fully prepared teachers.

Opportunities/Funding for Educators

Teachers: Free Field Trips to the Exploratorium this Fall. Take BART to the Exploratorium and get free admission for your class, plus free round-trip BART tickets. Click here to Register or email for registration.

10/15 – School Retool Fellowship Application: Oakland Winter 2018 Cohort Educate78’s School Design Lab and the Rogers Family Foundation, in support and collaboration with Oakland Unified School District, are excited to announce a second Oakland-based School Retool. Cohort.School Retool is open to school leaders in public schools throughout Oakland. We are seeking leaders who want to change the status quo of public education, are passionate about access to Deeper Learning for all students, are willing and ready to try out a new, immersive learning experience, and are committed to fully participating in the work of the fellowship. You can find more info here

9/19 – 11/30 Apply for Paint the Town!  Apply for Oakland’s new street mural programfrom September 19th – November 30th.  This pilot program allows community members to paint temporary street murals on Oakland’s roads.  Make sure to come to an application clinic hosted at an Oakland Public Library, where community members can learn about the program and receive assistance on applications.  Attending a clinic is not required to apply but they encourage you to come!  The dates and locations of the clinics are available on the website.  If you have more questions, email [email protected] and visit the website for all application materials. 

12/16 – West Oakland School and Resource Fair Public · Hosted by Enroll Oakland Charters

Oakland families are invited to learn more about their public school options. There will be:
* School Booths (Elementary, Middle, High schools) – Visit with school principals, teachers and families
* Enrollment Booths – Explore and compare public schools using Oakland’s school finder. Get help with your online application and/or enroll online.
* Resource Booths – Learn more about support services provided by local community organizations

How you can help

 

Help an Oakland student and educator whose home was destroyed by fire. Huber was an Education for Change student, and is now an Education for Change teacher in the Fruitvale neighborhood of Oakland. He and his family represent Oakland at its best, and in the early hours of Friday, September 8th, they awoke to their home on fire. Thankfully, nobody was hurt, but you can imagine the pain, stress, frustration, and anger in seeing your family home on fire. We are asking that you donate whatever you can to help Huber and his family respond to this loss quickly so that he can resume the job he loves and support his family. Help spread the word!

 

Support students with Listening Tools – A strong listening center is much needed in all elementary school classrooms. The stacks of CD’s and cassettes on a day to day for engagement, enrichment in both love for learning and academic standards. My students need a protected space with a CD player and timers to listen, learn and be heard.  Be the first to donate | $484 still needed, Ms. Semana Aspire College Academy, Oakland CA

 

Bring Coding and Engineering to Life with Lego Robots at Oakland Sol. This is the second phase of our great robot adventure, where students experiment with engineering concepts and coding practice, as well as learning about the design phases of a technical project. My students need these EV3 Mindstorms kits to take their skills to the next level! 2 donors | $466 still needed… Give to Mr. Davis

 

October Morning Volunteers Needed at Alameda County Community Food Bank Alameda County Community Food Bank 7900 Edgewater Dr Oakland, 94621.  Harvest Season has begun!  Truckloads of fresh produce that need to be sorted and bagged are coming in daily.  Helping hands are urgently needed in October to ensure that the large quantities of incoming produce get out the door — and into the community!  To find out more about dates or to register for a shift, go here.  If you have a group of 5 or more, please go to Weekday Group Volunteering.  Information about other Food Bank volunteer opportunities can be found at www.accfb.org/volunteer.

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