OUSD schools closing to students as of 6:00 p.m. today-OUSD Press Release

COVID-19 Update Dear Oakland Unified Community,As concerns about coronavirus have risen, my leadership team and I have been working closely with the Alameda County Public Health Department (ACPHD) and the Alameda County Office of Education (ACOE). They have kept us up-to-date on the best recommendations for how to conduct school business during this time of uncertainty.…


Who Is Silenced When Privilege Tantrums? Student Board Members, the Unsung Heroes of OUSD.

A guest post from OUSD Director Jumoke Hinton-Hodge. We don’t often hear about the unsung sheroes and heroes of our boards of education, the student board members! They represent the authentic voices of everyday students. They sit side-by-side with elected board members, attend meetings twice a month, special meetings and facilitate youth convenings upwards of…


Richmond families, students and staff fight attempt at wrongful school closure

A Richmond public high school is facing closure despite impressive academic results over a five year existence  Press release Richmond, CA – March 8, 2020 – After the West Contra Costa Unified School District failed to renew the charter petition for John Henry High School, the second highest performing school in Richmond which serves over 300…


Confronting Environmental Injustice- Connecting with Kyla

February 27, 2020 “If power plants, waste handling, chemical plants and transport systems were located in wealthy areas as quickly and easily as in poor areas, we would have had a clean, green economy decades ago.”— Majora Carter, Urban Revitalization Strategist Dear OUSD Community:Unfortunately, this story is all too familiar to our students of color…


Air Testing Underway at McClymonds High School This Weekend; Preliminary Tests Results Are Promising

Oakland, CA – Days after McClymonds High School was shut down to students and staff, the campus was bustling with activity for much of Saturday, February 22, as experts in toxic materials and environmental health took dozens of air samples throughout the school buildings. Because of a special piece of equipment, the test results could be…