Dear Friend, 

With the start of the school year, I think we all realize the new year promises to be full of many challenges for our schools and our students.  Budget cuts continue to dominate the landscape resulting in program and personnel changes throughout the district.  It can all be very unsettling. 

Yet, there is much to be positive about.  Recent test results show academic gains throughout the district among our students.  Our two major high school, Alameda and Encinal, were named as two of Newsweek’s “America’s Best High Schools.”

The other good news is that I see more and more of our local community stepping up to support our schools.  Just this summer alone, we have received support from many local businesses and organizations including:

●     Alameda Theatre and Cineplex (Summer Movie Series fundraiser)

●     Angela’s (Thirsty Thursdays, 6:00 – 8:00 pm on the patio)

●     Alameda Business Network (donations and raffle sales from August mixer)

●     Alameda Kiwanis Club (donations and volunteers for the AEF school supply drive)

●     Alameda Wine Company (2nd anniversary celebration event)

●     Alameda Community Fund (grant for music support)

●     Alameda Towne Centre (School Supply Drive & Instrument Donation Drive)

●     Bank Of Alameda, Park Street Location (School Supply Drive)

●     Comcast Foundation (grant)

●     Harbor Bay Club (raffle sales from July anniversary party)

●     Pirates in Paradise event sponsored by dozens of waterfront businesses (visit our web site for a sponsorship listing) 

Junior pirates learning about rowing.

●     Color Me Mine (School Supply Drive)

●     Tomas Michaud of Starland Music (proceeds from June concert)

●     TheFundraisingBooth.org (supplied fresh kettle corn to ATC concert goers with proceeds to AEF)

●     Tuckers Ice Cream (School Supply Drive)

●     Windermere Foundation ($1000 grant to aid homeless students)

●     YOU – Thousands of dollars worth of donations from the community to our School Supply Drive.  Now many of Alameda’s homeless students will receive backpacks filled with essential school supplies to help them off to a strong start this school year. 

Our Teacher Supply Store held its grand opening this past Friday, August 27th.  The Foundation works with local organizations to secure donations of office supplies, office furniture, art supplies and other items that can be used in the classroom.  These items are housed in our Free Teacher Supply store in Portable 7 at the Woodstock Educational Center on Ralph Appezzato Parkway (Formerly Atlantic Ave.) Donations are always needed to support the AEF Teacher Supply Store and will be accepted on most Thursdays from 3-5pm during the school year.  Check our website for the store schedule. 

When we weren’t busy with events this summer, we launched a new and improved web site to make it easier for all of you to learn about AEF and opportunities to support Alameda schools.  Check it out at www.alamedaeducation.org 

An exciting new feature of the site is our “Shop-4-Education” page where shoppers can shop for special products, services or events that support the important work of AEF.  We encourage our supporters to support these local businesses and events.   If your business or organization would like to participate, simply fill out the online form or contact info@alamedaeducation.org.

At AEF, we are committed to helping our schools provide excellence in education to our students in spite of budget shortfalls.  While we can’t immediately make up for the millions of dollars our district stands to lose due to State cutbacks, we can – with your help – support programs that help our students thrive.  For example, we can purchase sheet music and pay instrument repair costs to support our award-winning high school music programs, we can provide art supplies to support our elementary school Art Docent program, and we can continue to provide an active sports program for our middle school students, among many other programs. 

As we move into fall, we will be sharing information about exciting upcoming opportunities to Support Student Success!

Thursday 10-12: Support our Teachers at the AEF Teacher Supply Store
Support Alameda’ Public School Teachers by coming out to the AEF Teacher Supply Store as we continue to prep for our grand re-Opening. Teachers are invited to come to the AEF Teacher Supply Store and stock up on items they need for the classroom. We need your help getting ready to welcome Alameda’s teachers back to work! Bring your garden gloves and plan to be outside as we clean up the playground area also used by the preschool next door! 
 
Directions: Portable 7, behind Woodstock Education Center: 3rd street & Ralph Appezzato Memorial Pkwy (formerly Atlantic Ave.), Alameda, CA 94501. Left onto Third St. from Ralph Appezzato Memorial Pkwy and take an immediate left onto the driveway next to the building.  Follow the driveway to the parking lot. Portable 8 faces Ralph Appezato Memorial Pkwy.

Thursday 1-3pm : Support Alameda’s Homeless Youth!
AEF needs help putting together backpacks and school supplies from the AEF School Supply drive. We have over 200 backpacks and supplies to support Alameda’s homeless children and will be filling the backpacks at Alameda Towne Centre today at 1pm. Join AEF at the store front next door to Zeytini Restaurant (in the corridor between Trader Joes & Safeway.) We will be there until we’ve filled every backpack we can!

Thursday & Saturday 5:30-7pm: Last push for our 2010 School Supply Drive at the Summer Beats Concert Series at Alameda Towne Centre
We are still in need of supplies for Alameda’s most needy students. Donations made to our school supply drive are already being distributed through Alameda Family Support Services. Your donations are getting into the hand of children in need. But we still need your help.
 
We have a large need for the following items:
Scientific Calculators
Pencil Boxes and pencil bags
Scissors (4 inches and smaller with metal edges)
Colored Pencils
 
Donations can also be brought to Tuckers Ice Cream, the Bank Of Alameda on Park Street, and Color Me Mine in Alameda Towne Centre.
 
Thank you for your support in these efforts. Your time and donations have a tremendous impact on Alameda’s children.

The hard work of Deborah and these sponsors introduced Alamedans to small boat regattas, dragon boat racing, and many other water-oriented activities.  A highlight of the day was the dragon boat race between the Alameda Police Department and Fire Department (AFD won). Food, music, entertainment, art and an outstanding raffle complemented the day.

Besides being fun-filled, the generosity of these sponsors to put their hard work on this event towards benefiting Alameda public schools is much appreciated.  AEF will use the proceeds to support art, music, drama, sports and much more in our schools.

These days, community support is essential to strong schools and the support of these local “pirates” will go a long way towards helping our schools – and our students – thrive.

AEF is also accepting donations of gently used musical instruments (in working order) and art supplies to support music & art in Alameda’s public schools.

The Fashion Show features the newest fall line for children and adults from Old Navy, Dress Barn, Payless ShoeSource, Bon Voyage Luggage, Kohl’s and more. Freddy the Frog will be there with food, fun, and fantastic giveaways. Admission and parking are free! Center Court Stage 1:30-3:00pm

 See the invite for more details!

When:  August 21, 10 am – 5 pm,

Where:  by Pasta Pelican at Mariner Square, 2455 Mariner Square Drive, Alameda.

Why:     A Fund Raiser for Alameda Public Schools and to learn more about Alameda’s hidden treasure – our beautiful waterfront!  See what Alameda’s premier waterfront has to offer:  kayaking, canoeing, rowing, whale boating, dragon boating, and more!

A suggested donation of $10 (adults) and $5 (children) benefits Alameda Education Foundation’s after-school programs.  Other proceeds from the many events featured in “Paradise” will also benefit AEF programming.

10:00-11:00       PRACTICE TIME APD & AFD, DJ MUSIC & HOOP PARTY

11:00-11:15        JLAC—- HEAT 1

11:15-11:30       BOARDSPORTS—- KAYAKS HEAT 1

11:30-11:45       JLAC—–HEAT 2

11:45-12:00       BOARDSPORTS—-KAYAKS HEAT 2

12:00-12:15       JLAC—–HEAT 3

12:15-12:30      BOARDSPORTS—-KAYAKS HEAT 3

12:30-12:45       JLAC——HEAT 4

1:00-2:00            AFD & APD DRAGON BOAT RACES —DRAGON FLYERS

2:00-3:00            PUBLIC BOAT RIDES, EARL J. MUSIC

3:00-4:30            PUBLIC BOAT RACES CONT, MUSIC BY RETROZ IN Pasta Pelican, RAFFLE

4:30-?                 AFTER EVENT PARTY MOVES DOWNSTAIRS

“Pirates in Paradise” will feature kayaking, canoeing, rowing, whale boating, dragon boating and more on August 21, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM, on the waterfront at Mariner Square in Alameda.  There will even be a special “Paddle It Out” competition between our Alameda Fire and Police Departments around 1pm!  Live music, food, art, entertainment and a raffle are also part of the waterfront festivities that day.

Proceeds from the event will benefit AEF.   With the difficult position our schools are in these days due to the drastic budget cuts from the State, it really is up to the community to ensure that quality education continues in Alameda.  We are thrilled to have the support of so many waterfront and West End businesses and we encourage all of our AEF supporters to come on down to this special event!

Besides raising needed funds for AEF, the event should be a lot of fun!  A highlight of the day will be the Alameda Fire Department and Alameda Police Department “Paddle It Out” in dragon boats during a Boat Regatta (around 1pm).  Guests can also enjoy watching Jack London Aquatic Center’s exhibition crew race. The John Beery organization will offer boat rides, AAA Premier Scuba will demonstrate scuba basics in the pool at Cardinal Point, BOARDSPORTS will demo Stand -Ups, and more!

Wright Way Insurance Agency will be giving away a free software program featuring m.i.l.k (Managing Identification for Lost Kids).  Food will be provided by the Pasta Pelican Restaurant, Music by RETROZ Band, and entertainment by Hoop Party.  The Frank Bette Center for the Arts will have local artists’ exhibits on display. A raffle will feature prizes ranging from Margaret Fago prints to a 18′ Caravell speed boat.

“Pirates in Paradise” is sponsored by Wright Way Insurance, Pasta Pelican Restaurant and John Beery Yachts.  Other sponsors include:  Encinal Yacht Club Jr. Sailing Program, Jack London Aquatic Center, West Alameda Business Association, Metropolitan Yacht Club at Mariner Square, AAA Premier Scuba, East Bay Regional Park District,Club Nautique,Cardinal Point, Marina Village Yacht Harbor, Margaret Fago, Hoop Party, Fast Imaging Center, Alameda Boys & Girls Club, Frank Bette Center for the Arts, Alameda Recreation and Parks Department, Alameda Dragon Boat Association, BOARDSPORTS, Oakland Strokes, Alameda Police Department, Alameda Fire Department, and Bladium Sports and Fitness Club

The event will be held in front of Pasta Pelican Restaurant, 2455 Mariner Square Drive, Alameda.  A suggested donation to the Alameda Education Foundation of $10 for adults and $5 for children at the event will let people into the Boat Regatta.  Friday night will kick off the weekend with a party at The Pirate’s Lair upstairs at The Pasta Pelican beginning at 5:30 p.m.  Live music, dancing and no host cocktails and hors d’oeuvres.

For more information on Pirates in Paradise, please call Deborah Wright at 510-908-3939.

Tuckers, the Bank of Alameda on Park Street, Color Me Mine are all hosting donations bins & St. Joseph Homeless and Shelter Services Ministry will be supporting this effort through their annual school supply drive! Alameda Towne Centre continues to support and promote the AEF School Supply Drive and donations can be brought to the Towne Centre Summer Beats concert series Thursdays and Saturdays from 5:30 to 7:00. And don’t forget the Concerts at the Cove on August 13th. Donations may be brought to the AEF table.  The Alameda Kiwanis Club of Alameda has joined the AEF School Supply Drive and is collecting donations and sharing information about the supply drive .

All these efforts still need your support. Consider taking advantage of the back to school specials at places like Office Max. This week I was able to purchase binders at $.30 each, binder filler paper for $.20 and 12 pencils for $.25! For less than $5.00 I filled 2 bags of school supplies! Please

School supplies for over 900 homeless students

Requested items include: pencils, pens, erasers, glue sticks, spiral notebooks, binder notebooks, blinder paper, pencil cases, pocket folders, markers, crayons, scissors, protractors, compasses, colored pencils, backpacks, tab dividers, post-its and calculators (for algebra and above).

School Supplies for 500 classrooms

AEF is also collecting new supplies for our teachers than can be used in the classroom.  We’re searching for dry erase markers, reams of copy paper, new office supplies, craft paints, paint brushes, glue sticks and anything on your classroom wish list.  Remember AEF’s Teacher Supply Store if you have a business that is down -sizing or going out of business. 

Art Supplies for every school site

With ongoing budget cuts based on the loss of CA State funding, every school site in Alameda is struggling to maintain art programs. AEF’s goal is to provide a minimum of $1000 per school site in art supplies to support volunteer driven art docent programs. These committed volunteers bring art into the classroom on a regular basis and they need our support. New art supplies can be donated to the Teacher Supply store and will be made available to schools through the Art Docent Program and PTA’s.

Musical Instruments for Middle & High Schools

Dust off that old instrument and give it a new life! Donate your unused instrument (in working order) to the Alameda Education Foundation to support  band programs in middle & high schools . AEF will be collecting instruments as part of our school supply drive in Center Court of Alameda Towne Centre or at the AEF Teacher Supply Store.

Donations will be accepted at the following locations:

Summer Beat Concerts: AEF Table at Centre Court, Alameda Town Centre, 5:30-7pm Thursdays and Saturdays 7/15– 9/18/10

Concerts at the Cove: AEF Table-  8/13/10 5:30-7:00pm

Color Me Mine- 8/14 & 8/15 with special discounts for donors!

Tuckers Ice Cream Parlor on Park Street- Donations will be accepted until 9/18

Bank of Alameda on Park Street- Donations will be accepted until 9/18

St. Joseph Homeless and Shelter Services Ministry will be supporting this effort through their annual school supply drive!

AEF Teacher Supply Store– Thursdays 10:00am -12:00pm   8/5/10, 8/12/10, 8/19/10, 8/26/10

Please contact AEF if your business or organization would like to host a donation bin: info@AlamedaEducation.org

Cash donations are also requested.  Just $4.00 purchases a backpack for a needy student and $15 provides a year’s worth of supplies. $1,000 can purchase art supplies for nearly 300 elementary students!  Donations may be made by check and sent to AEF “School Supply Drive”, PO Box 1363, Alameda, 94501.

Proceeds from event benefit Alameda Public Schools

Alameda, CA.   Kayaking, canoeing, rowing, whale boating, dragon boating and more will be on deck for the public to enjoy during “Pirates in Paradise,” a fun-raising event on August 21, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM, on the waterfront at Mariner Square in Alameda.  Live music, food, art, entertainment and a raffle are also part of the waterfront festivities that day.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the Alameda Education Foundation, a local non-profit that supports vital programs in art, music, drama, sports and more in Alameda public schools.  “This event is a great way to introduce the community to our hidden treasure – Alameda’s beautiful waterfront,” commented event organizer Deborah Wright.  “Many Alamedans have no idea what sort of “fun-factor” exists in our own backyard, the incredible waterfront of the Alameda-Oakland Estuary!”

The event began simply as a fun way to raise awareness of these water-oriented activities, explained Wright, but participating organizations also wanted to do something to help Alameda’s struggling schools.  “‘Pirates in Paradise’ is a way of giving back and supporting our schools,” said Anthony Lincoln of the RETROZ Band, one of the event’s sponsors and Pasta Pelican Restaurant’s Friday Night dance band.  “Supporting our youth is essential to their ability to grow to becoming contributing members of our community.”

A highlight of the day will be the Alameda Fire Department and Alameda Police Department “paddling it out” in dragon boats and kayaks during a Boat Regatta.  Guests can also enjoy watching Jack London Aquatic Center’s exhibition crew race. The John Beery organization will offer boat rides, AAA Premier Scuba will demonstrate scuba basics in the pool at Cardinal Point, BOARDSPORTS will demo Stand –Ups, and more!

Wright Way Insurance Agency will be giving away a free software program featuring m.i.l.k (Managing Identification for Lost Kids).  Food will be provided by the Pasta Pelican Restaurant, Music by RETROZ Band, and entertainment by Hoop Party.  The Frank Bette Center for the Arts will have local artists’ exhibits on display.   A raffle will feature prizes ranging from Margaret Fago prints to a 16’ Hobie Cat.

Alameda Education Foundation President Bill Sonneman commended the businesses’ involvement in helping public schools.  “Our schools are in a difficult position these days due to the drastic budget cuts from the State,” said Sonneman.  “It really is up to the community to ensure that quality education continues in Alameda, and we are thrilled to have the support of so many waterfront and West End businesses to make that happen.”

The Alameda Education Foundation has supported Alameda’s public schools since 1982.  Programs include after-school sports for Alameda’s public middle school students; after-school enrichment classes for elementary school students; Adopt-A-Classroom that provides $500 mini-grants for classrooms; art, music and drama support. and a Teacher Supply Store that provides materials and supplies for Alameda teachers.

“Pirates in Paradise” is sponsored by John Beery Yachts, Pasta Pelican Restaurant, and Wright Way Insurance.  Other sponsors include:  Encinal Yacht Club Jr. Sailing Program, Jack London Aquatic Center, West Alameda Business Association, Metropolitan Yacht Club at Mariner Square, AAA Premier Scuba, East Bay Regional Park District, Club Nautique, Cardinal Point, Marina Village Yacht Harbor, Margaret Fago, Hoop Party, Fast Imaging Center, Alameda Boys & Girls Club, Frank Bette Center for the Arts, Alameda Recreation and Parks Department, and Bladium Sports and Fitness Club.

The event will be held in front of Pasta Pelican Restaurant, 2455 Mariner Square Drive, Alameda.  A suggested donation to the Alameda Education Foundation of $10 for adults and $5 for children at the event will let people into the Boat Regatta.   Friday night will kick off the weekend with a party at The Pirate’s Lair upstairs at The Pasta Pelican beginning at 5:30 p.m.  Live music, dancing and no host cocktails and hors d’oeuvres.

More information on Pirates in Paradise AEF may be found at:  www.AlamedaEducation.org (see “events” under “ways to give.”) or by calling Deborah Wright at 510-908-3939.   Teams that wish to enter the Regatta should contact Deborah for more information.