]]> http://alamedaeducationfoundation.org/2009/07/02/dear-ausd-community/feed/ http://alamedaeducationfoundation.org/2009/07/02/bills-word-for-june-2009/ http://alamedaeducationfoundation.org/2009/07/02/bills-word-for-june-2009/#comments Thu, 02 Jul 2009 17:24:23 +0000 guy http://alamedaeducationfoundation.org/?p=383

Time for some good news!

Congratulations to Alameda and Encinal High Schools. They are among the top 6% of schools in the country! Newsweek magazine released its top schools list and both schools made the list for the fifth year in a row, ranking 602nd and 1,087th, respectively. This ranking is based on the number of AP, IB (International Baccalaureate) and Cambridge tests taken by all of the schools’ students divided by the number of graduating seniors.

Six Alameda High School seniors were named National Merit Finalists this year, representing the top 1% from 8,000 National Merit Semi-Finalists. This is the most ever for one year in Alameda High’s history.

These are just a couple reasons why it is so important for our community to support our schools. In spite of almost constant budget shortfalls due to the State’s financial mess, the State providing about 80% of the AUSD budget, our schools are doing a great job of educating our children. But it is up to us as a community to keep the momentum going!

And here are some of the ways AEF, with your help, is supporting student success:

Tommie & Emil Q. Miland Scholarship
The Miland scholarship fund was created in 2003 by Emil Miland, a former student of the AUSD and accomplished cellist, with AEF in honor of his parents. Music is a major influence in the Miland family, and through this scholarship fund Emil Miland hopes to instill this same passion for music in graduating seniors.

This year’s recipients of the scholarship are Leslie Ji from Alameda High school and Amber Fields from Encinal High School

Middle School Sports
As you know, AEF took up the reins of middle school sports after the program was eliminated for budgetary reasons. In this first year we offered basketball in the winter and track in the spring, and had over 290 participants. You can check out the track results on our web site at www.alamedaeducationfoundation.org

AEF would like to thank the Alameda Rotary Club for their generous grant of $1,000 towards this vital program. Currently, we have funding for one more year and will be launching volleyball this fall.  We are actively seeking funding to continue into the 2010-2011 school year and beyond.

Free Teacher Supply Store
As part of our efforts to provide teacher support and promote environmental responsibility, we continue to offer our Free Teacher Supply Store where teachers can pick up donated school supplies. We will be holding our annual summer drive to collect supplies over the next few weeks. Please visit our site for exact dates and times. The store is located at 1980 Third Street, behind the Woodstock Education Center. We need volunteers during the summer drive hours, Thursdays, 10-noon, starting July 9^th-feel free to show up and help organize.

Speaking of school supplies, the Alameda Youth Advisory Commission is conducting a school supply drive to provide new school supplies for the approximately 10% of AUSD students who are homeless.  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).  AEF will set up a barrel at its Teacher Supply Store just for this collection.

Finally, it’s always nice to be recognized. This year AEF was nominated by the Alameda Council of the Boy Scouts of America for its Community Leadership Award, which recognizes individuals or groups who, through their practice and example, provide inspiration and leadership for youth in Alameda. While we didn’t win this year, it was an honor to be nominated and we are encouraged by the Scout’s recognition of the important work we do for the young people of this community.

It’s a community effort so please consider making a donation and becoming a Dollar-a-Day partner.

Sincerely,

Bill Sonneman
AEF President

Supporting Student Success!

In this month’s letter, I have updates for you on our Master Plan process, the Safe Schools curriculum, and our budget.

AUSD Master Plan

At the March 24th meeting, I proposed to the Board that we begin the Master Plan process, to be completed by December, which will provide guidance for decision-making over the next several years. Our school district faces many challenges ahead, and important decisions about facilities, programs and staffing will have to be made. These decisions will impact all of our community so it is imperative that students, families, and staff-as well as the overall Alameda community-participate in the Master Plan process and face the challenges together.

We have scheduled three community meetings to address a series of questions and engage the community in a dialogue about the future of our schools.

The meeting schedule is as follows:

• Can AUSD live on state funding alone?

Wednesday, May 20th, 6:30-8:00pm at Henry Haight Elementary School, 2025 Santa Clara Avenue.

This first meeting will look at what it would mean for the district to “live within our means,” surviving on only state and federal funds.

• What would a district of charter schools look like?

Tuesday, June 2nd, 6:30-8:00pm at Edison Elementary School, 2700 Buena Vista Avenue.

The second meeting will address the potential impacts if the District were to convert some or all of our schools to charter schools. There are complex legal, organizational and financial issues to be examined in this scenario.

•  How do we define and provide for a quality education in light of the funding challenges we face?

Tuesday, August 18th, 6:30-8:00pm at Will C. Wood Middle School, 420 Grand Street.

At this meeting, we will look at how to define and provide for a quality education.

We will be scheduling more meetings in the fall. Please be sure to come to as many of these community meetings as you can, your contribution is very important.

Safe Schools Curriculum

On May 18^th, the Board continued to hear public comments on the proposed curriculum, carried over from the May 12^th meeting. Comments continue to be welcome. Action by the Board of Education on the Proposed Supplemental Adoption is scheduled for May 26^th.

“Education is the key to unlock the golden door to freedom.” - George Washington Carver

Budget Update

The state budget crisis remains unresolved. On May 14th, the Governor released two versions of what is known as the “May Revise” to outline proposed changes to the January budget. Presuming that all of initiatives 1A-1E pass on the May 19th ballot, the total proposed cuts to K-14 education amount to an additional $1.0 billion in 2008-09 and an additional $2.2 billion in 2009-10. If they fail, these cuts grow to $1.6 billion in 2008-09 and $4.8 billion in 2009-10.  As such, the state budget impact on AUSD will be unknown until the results of the May 19th election are final.

Currently, the AUSD projected net loss is $7 million in funding through 2008/2009 and 2009/2010. Factors contributing to the loss are the state budget crisis, declining student enrollment, the opening of the new Nea Charter school as well as increased operational costs related to staffing, school programs and technology. These are ongoing costs, meaning we can expect these deficits to carry over year to year. One analogy would be to liken this type of “carried over” funding loss to paying your bills from your savings account. Eventually savings funds would run out, and you would need to bring in more money or cut back on monthly expenses.

The District is looking at several short-term options for covering these expenses. Mandated reserve funds, categorical flexibility, and Measure H funds are such options. With reserve funds being limited, and parcel taxes and categorical flexibility temporary, these are short-term fixes that along with possible cuts would allow us to “get by” for now. They are not solutions.

The District will continue to provide updates as we get more information. An update on the May Revise is scheduled for the May 26th Board meeting, and at the June 9th meeting, a draft of the 2009-2010 budget will be presented. The final 2009-2010 budget is scheduled to go before the Board of Education on June 23rd.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please call or e-mail me at kvital@alameda.k12.ca.us.

Sincerely,

Kirsten Vital

Superintendent

AEF has been involved in a variety of activities this spring, all to support student success among our Alameda public school students.  Yet, even with the variety of events that you’ll read about below, there remains one constant: they would not be possible without community support.  So let me begin with some thank yous.

Thank you to all who visited our booth at Washington Park on Earth Day on April 25th.  We were able to promote our latest green project, 41 pounds, which helps reduce junk mail, promote care of the environment and support AEF.   Visit our web site and click on the 41 pounds logo to sign up!

On Earth Day, the Alameda Theatre and Cineplex showed the movie, “Earth.” Classes were offered discounted tickets and a donation was made to the Alameda Education Foundation.  Thank you Alameda Theatre!

April 26^th was our first-ever Run 4 Education event. Over 100 participants took part in the 5K Run/Walk and 100-yard dash.  It was a fun event that promoted education and helped to support all of AEF’s many programs, including after-school enrichment, visual and performing arts, teacher support, technology, and sports.  Check our results and photos from the event on the “events” tab of our web site.  Again, a big thank you to the many volunteers, and to Alameda Towne Centre, for making this event possible.  Alameda Towne Centre also provided a Day of the Arts event on this day and made donations to both AEF and local elementary schools.

Track is now underway at Chipman, Lincoln and Wood Middle Schools.  As you may recall, middle school sports were cut due to district budget shortfalls a couple years ago.  But, recognizing the importance of sports to round out students’ academic lives, the Alameda Education Foundation is now funding sports at our three middle schools.  The track program boasts over 120 kids participating, and it’s still growing.  There will be two practice meets and one championship on May 14, May 28, and June 3, respectively. Field events will be conducted separately for the last two meets.  Check out our web site for all the details.

I’ve had the chance to meet with all the coaches and we’ve visited the practices, and I can tell you that we’ve got some gifted coaches working with some talented and hard-working student-athletes.  And again, the greater community - high school coaches, former runners and coaches, parents, teachers, and community members - are helping to make this program possible.  I hope you’ll come cheer on the kids at the meets!

With summer just around the corner, let me tell you about a summer series we’re sponsoring, again in conjunction with the Alameda Theatre and Cineplex.  For just $10.00, you can purchase a package of 10 Monday or Tuesday morning movie tickets, showing such features as Shrek and The Black Stallion.  It’s a great opportunity to entertain the kids and, again, benefit AEF.  Visit our web site to buy your tickets or purchase them at Daisy’s, 1347 Park Street.

AEF will be moving soon.  Our Teacher Supply Store is moving to Woodstock and our office will be moving to district headquarters later in the summer.  More details to follow.

The work AEF does directly impacts the quality of our schools and our community.  And we can’t do it without you.  Please become a Dollar-a-Day partner and help Support Student Success!

Save the dates!  AEF has two special events coming up this month that benefit our school children - and our entire community.

Earth Day, April 25^th, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., Washington Park.  AEF is going Green!  Environmental stewardship is one of our core targets and at Earth Day we will be introducing a new service that both helps the environment and supports AEF programs.

AEF has partnered with 41pounds.org to help families reduce junk mail.  The average family receives approximately 41 pounds of junk mail and 100 million trees are destroyed to produce junk mail each year.  Creating and shipping junk mail produces greenhouse gas emission equivalent to 9 million cars.  But when you sign up with 41pounds.org, your junk mail will be reduced by 80 - 95%.   Better yet, when you sign up and designate AEF as your organization to support, we receive a portion of your subscription to help us fund essential programs such as greening our schools.

Run 4 Education, April 26^th, 8 a.m. Registration, Alameda Towne Centre. AEF is happy to announce our first ever Run 4 Education.  Co-sponsored by Alameda Towne Centre, events include a 100 Yard Dash for kids under 10 years old at 9:00 a.m. followed by a 5 K Run/Walk for all ages at 9:30 a.m. After the race, there will be a Day of the Arts / Earning4Learning Finale with performances from local school, music and art groups.  Proceeds from the run benefit AEF programs.

You may register for the race via our web site at: www.AlamedaEducationFoundation.org

We also need volunteers.  Students may earn community service hours by helping, but do require an adult for each group.  We need at least 15 more adults to make this event run smoothly.  To volunteer, please send your name, phone number and availability to info@AlamedaEducation.org.  Volunteers are needed  from 6:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Middle School Sports. Basketball may be over, but track is just around the corner.  As you know, AEF has committed to funding middle school sports, which were cut due to district budget shortfalls.  We believe it is important for students to have athletic opportunities that round out - and support - their academic lives at school.  We began with basketball this winter, will offer track this spring, and volleyball in the fall.  Programs such as these are possible only because of community support, so thanks to all of you who support AEF!

AEF Presentations. We’ve developed a new power point presentation to show off the wonderful work we’re doing and how it benefits Alameda students and, indeed, the entire Alameda community.  I would love to show it to your group, business or organization and talk with you about our work and how we can work together to support our important goals.  Please call or email me so we can set up a time:  510-748-4008 x 105 or bill@AlamedaEducation.org

Finally, I’d just like to remind you all of our core targets of support that we believe help make our schools and community stronger - and support student success:

• Visual and Performing Arts
• Athletics
• Teacher Support
• After-School Enrichment Classes and Programs
• Environmental Stewardship
• Technology in the Classroom

It’s a community effort so please consider making a donation and becoming a Dollar-a-Day partner.

Sincerely,

Bill Sonneman

AEF President

Supporting Student Success!

I’d like to thank everyone for their feedback on the February Superintendent’s message and let you know that during the school year, I will keep you updated monthly on important issues facing our schools. As always, I welcome your comments, questions, and suggestions via email at kvital@alameda.k12.ca.us or by phone at (510) 337-7060.

This month, in addition to updates on the budget and Measure H, I feel it is important to take the time to talk about another important issue that AUSD is working to address: our responsibility as a school district, and as a school community, to ensure that all students and their families feel safe and welcome.

Update on Measure H

As you may know, in August 2008, two Alameda taxpayers brought separate lawsuits against the District to invalidate Measure H.

On March 17^th, Judge Kenneth Mark Burr of the Alameda County Superior Court denied Plaintiffs’ motion for summary judgment in the case of Borikas et al v. Alameda Unified School District. Plaintiffs in the Borikas case have been seeking to overturn Measure H, the parcel tax supporting Alameda schools that was passed by 66.9% of Alameda voters in June 2008.

In the March 17^th ruling, the judge determined that the plaintiffs had failed to present evidence that Measure H violates Government Code section 50079, which governs how special tax rates are applied.   Specifically, the ruling stated: “The Court finds that Plaintiffs have not shown that the special tax imposed by Measure H violates the uniformity requirement of Government Code section 50079.”

Judge Burr also determined that the plaintiffs had failed to demonstrate that exemptions for certain properties owned by seniors and persons receiving supplemental social security disability income are invalid.  Specifically, Judge Burr stated, “The provisions in Measure H imposing requirements on those seeking exemptions do not violate Government Code section 50079.”

The plaintiffs had requested summary judgment to preclude a trial. The March 17^th denial of summary judgment clears the way for the case to proceed to trial before the same judge.

Additionally, the judge consolidated a second lawsuit against Measure H, Beery et al v. AUSD, with the Borikas case due to the similarity of claims. The judge has set a September 17^th trial date for the consolidated actions.

Information on the court cases can be found online. The link to the court website is at

http://apps.alameda.courts.ca.gov/domainweb/html/index.html.

The case number for Beery is RG08405984.  The case number for Borikas is VG08405316.

AUSD will continue to vigorously defend Measure H.

Budget Update

Our 2009-2010 multi-year projection is complete, with a gap of approximately $5 million, which we project to close with funds from Measure H and by taking advantage of the flexibility that districts have been temporarily granted by the state to move funds between budget categories.  Because of Measure H, drastic cuts have been averted, and there are no plans at this time to close schools.

However, it is important to note that the state budget will be subject to revision by the Governor in May under what is called the “May Revise.” At that time, it is possible that further funding cuts may be made by the state. Because of the uncertainty this creates, we must prepare for the possibility of further cuts.

Unfortunately, due to a 20% cut in categorical funding from the state, on March 13 the District sent 103 layoff notifications to AUSD staff, including temporary and probationary teachers, administrators and categorically funded certificated positions, all for the 2009-2010 school year. The timing of the layoff notification was dictated by our obligation to provide a certain period of notice under state education code. However, it is our intention to rescind some or all of these recent notifications if the May Revise numbers permit. Ensuring adequate staffing under unreliable state funding is just one of the many challenges that we and other districts face, and even more so in a poor economy.

Additionally, the District has opened negotiations with AEA (Alameda Education Association, representing our teachers) to allow us the option of negotiating modifications in their current contract to allow us some flexibility due to the current funding concerns.

The final budget is scheduled to go before the Board on June 23^rd. In the meantime, we will continue to meet with the community, staff, and school board to discuss and plan for any potential impacts of further cuts.

AUSD Master Plan Process to Begin

AUSD has made more than $7 million in cuts over the last 7 years and each year, we find ourselves grappling with the challenge of providing quality education with greater funding challenges. It is time for the District to look at ways to become more financially sustainable. In addition, as evidenced by the current kindergarten enrollment numbers, it is also time for the District to develop a plan to address demographic changes. At the March 24^th meeting, I proposed to the Board that we begin the Master Plan process, to be completed by this December to address curriculum, facilities and the district’s financial stability. This will be a public process that will include community workshops and public input. I will let you know more details about this process as we move forward.

“Safe Schools” Curriculum: Addressing Issues of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

Achieving AUSD’s goal of Excellence and Equity for All Students cannot be accomplished without providing a safe and welcoming atmosphere for all students. That includes protections against harassment of all kinds, including harassment based on actual or perceived sexual orientation and gender identity of our staff and our students, their families and associates. Studies show that this type of harassment increases the risk for: lower attendance rates and grades, a higher dropout rate, increased alcohol and drug use, and suicidal thoughts in students.

Harassment of any kind has no place in AUSD. Students, their families, and staff have the right to feel safe and respected at school. Developing policies, procedures and curriculum to prevent, identify and address harassment is the right thing to do, and it is the law.

In addition to each student’s constitutional right to equal protection, state laws passed in 2000 (AB 537-the Student Safety and Violence Prevention Act) and 2007 (AB 394-Safe Place to Learn Act) require public schools to protect students from discrimination and harassment based on actual or perceived gender, gender identity, and sexual orientation. School districts are responsible for developing their own plans for compliance and are subject to monitoring by the California Department of Education. Schools found to be out of compliance have been subject to lawsuits, monetary settlements, and consent decrees that require them to take corrective action.

In 2008, prior to my hiring, the district convened a task force to develop recommendations towards implementing policy and procedures to ensure our district is in compliance. The task force conducted research on lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered (LGBT) bias and harassment in our schools and researched policies and curriculum.

Since January of this year, the task force held community meetings at Otis and Washington in February, and most recently at Bay Farm, Ruby Bridges and Earhart. At these meetings, options for the curriculum were presented and discussed, and feedback from the community was received. Many have also written directly to the district with comments and concerns about the curriculum. It is apparent to me that there needs to be clarification about the process of moving forward, and what the curriculum will and will not include.

Since the first two community meetings at Otis and Washington in February, working with the LGBT committee I revised the matrix of lessons and materials and eliminated some of the materials that were presented. More recently, I incorporated the additional input we received at the March community meetings and met with principals and teachers to refine the lessons further. (The draft proposed curriculum will be found on the AUSD website http://www.alameda.k12.ca.us/ after Friday, April 23.)

First, it is my job as Superintendent to have staff draft the proposed curriculum. I will then ask the Board of Education to adopt my recommendation. The Board will have the option of accepting what I propose, or, they could vote to reject what I recommend and make recommendations to me on what they feel are appropriate alternatives. No curriculum will be taught without at least three things happening: 1. a public hearing on the proposed curriculum, 2. my recommendation on the curriculum, and 3. a board vote on that proposed curriculum, all of which will be publicly noticed. The following meetings are the next steps in the process, all of which will take place at regular board meetings:

• April 28, 2009: Update to the Board of Education on the work thus far and synthesis of the community feedback

• May 12, 2009: Information and Public Hearing on the Proposed Supplemental Adoption of Safe Schools Curriculum Addressing Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

• May 26, 2009: Action by the Board of Education on the Proposed Supplemental Adoption

We have reviewed the feedback, held focus groups with principals and are about to begin focus groups with teachers.  We are revising the lessons to reflect Alameda’s community.  In addition, I want to clarify that this will be the 9th lesson added to the Caring Schools Community curriculum at each grade level, which was adopted by the Board of Education 2 years ago as the district’s Safe Schools curriculum.

Unlike ongoing subjects such as math or reading, the lesson will consist of no more than one single lesson for each grade level, for grades K-5.  The lesson will be taught during the first three months of the school year as the 9^th lesson of Caring Schools curriculum.

I appreciate the time that so many in the community have taken to provide input on the proposed curriculum and process, and I look forward to that continued dialogue as we move towards implementation.

Please be assured that in this process, I am looking for opportunities to achieve consensus[ME1] . Where I find such opportunities, I am working towards facilitating agreement within the framework of meeting our responsibility of providing a safe and welcoming atmosphere and achieving legal compliance.

However, I am aware that many in the community have strong feelings about this issue, and not everyone is going to be pleased with the outcome of whatever policy is implemented. As we move forward, I ask everyone to keep in mind our responsibility as a district for providing a safe and welcoming environment for all students, and our obligation to develop policy and a curriculum that we believe best enables us to protect the rights of all our students, their families, and staff.

Once again, thank you for your continued interest in Alameda schools, and I welcome your feedback.

Sincerely,

Kirsten Vital

Superintendent

The Alameda Education Foundation believes that every child in the Alameda Unified School District deserves a well-rounded, high-quality education. Strong schools help make our community safe, resilient to economic downturns, and a pleasant place to live.  But we need your support to keep our school programs strong!

With education funding from the State in a constant state of crisis (the state provides about 80% of school funding), AEF’s mission is clear:  to support programs that take financial pressure off the district and support excellence in our public schools.

One such program AEF recently launched is funding for middle school sports. Teachers, students and administrators alike testify to the difference it is making in students’ lives.  Wood Middle School science teacher Jeannette Frechou says “Thank you AEF, you brought life back to middle schools.”  Wood student Elijah Fisher proclaims “this year is better because we get to play basketball and represent our school.”

Betsy Ingram from Chipman Middle School says “I have seen a 100% change in my students’ attitudes since we started basketball,” and Vice Principal Kirsten Zazo reports she had half as many students in her office for discipline issues when basketball started - and “none were basketball players.”

This program is a testament to what AEF can do with community support! In addition to middle school sports, AEF supports after school enrichment opportunities; teacher support; and visual, music and performing arts programs.  We hope to add programs to enhance technology in the classroom and promote environmentally sustainable sites.

But we need your help. Last fall, one of our vendors, Count Me In Inc. (who handled online registration for many of our programs) went bankrupt, taking with it over $40,000 from AEF.  This, coupled with the economic downturn, has led to massive restructuring. We’re bare-bones, but we’re determined! Our work is so essential to the well-being of our students and our community that we simply cannot fail.

Nothing else so directly affects a child’s future and a community’s prosperity as good schools.  Become an AEF “Dollar-a-Day” partner and help keep our schools top notch!

P.S.  Hey, we’re not picky.  Give more, give less, but please give something!

Donations may also be made online at www.AlamedaEducationFoundation.org

I am very proud and excited to be your new Superintendent. I want to thank everyone I have met in my very short time here for their kind and welcoming words.

It is my goal in these first weeks on the job, to listen to you and learn. I have been enjoying my tours of the schools and plan to visit each one several times in the coming months. I want the administrators, the families, the teachers, the staff and the students to know me as a familiar and accessible face in their hallways. I want you to feel free to pick up the phone and call me or send me an email with your thoughts, questions, or concerns, and to let me know when something is working well.

As you may know, I served as an Associate Superintendent in the Oakland Unified School District, where I worked to ensure that families and communities were actively involved in improving their individual schools. I also served the Los Angeles Unified School District as a Director of Instruction and Health & Human Services, and in the Santa Monica Malibu Unified District as co-principal at Santa Monica High School, where I worked on school reform efforts, including the implementation of an Advanced Placement (AP) access program that tripled the number of underrepresented students enrolled in AP courses.

I am energized and excited to be part of the first-rate Alameda Unified School District. I look forward to continuing that excellence and looking for ways to build on it with your help and support. While there are many challenges that our district faces, particularly given the current economic climate, there are also many opportunities as we pursue our goals of excellence and equity in our schools.

As I’ve been out in the schools and the community, many of you have asked me about some very important issues. Let me tell you what some of the questions have been, and answer them to the best of my ability at this time. Be assured that I will be providing you with as much information as I can about these issues and others as we move forward.

I want to hear from you. I can be reached at 510-337-7060 or by email at kvital@alameda.k12.ca.us. Please note, if you send me an email and do not get a response in a timely manner, it is possible that your email may be getting stopped in the district’s strong filtering system that we use to control spam. If you find this is the case, please call me at 510-337-7060. By calling me, you can ensure that your issue or question gets addressed. Also, please be sure to give us your email address over the phone at that time. That way, we can add your email address to our list of “safe” addresses which should enable any future email messages to pass through.

In addition, I am working on updating the district’s website so it is more user-friendly and provides the information you need. I will keep you updated on that progress as well.

Kirsten Vital, Superintendent
2200 Central Avenue
510-337-7060 phone
510-522-6926 fax
kvital@alameda.k12.ca.us www.alameda.k12.ca.us

Basketballs are bouncing once again in Alameda middle school gyms, thanks to the Alameda Education Foundation’s funding of middle school sports, and the sound is music to the ears of Chipman Vice Principal Kirsten Zazo.

“The week before basketball started, I had 26 students in my office for discipline issues.  The next week there were half that many and none were basketball players,” reports Zazo.  “Sports makes students feel a part of the community and enables them to be successful in something, which not all can do solely through academics.”

And while self-esteem and improved behavior are worthy benefits of sports, the real winner does end up being academics.  Student-athletes at Chipman, Lincoln and Wood middle schools must maintain a minimum 2.0 grade-point average to participate.  Coaches conduct regular grade checks and if students fall behind or miss assignments, they’re referred to their school’s tutoring program. Student-athletes must also sign an Athletic Code of Conduct contract before they can play.

While other districts are closing doors and eliminating programs, “it’s pretty amazing to be adding a program,” says AEF President Bill Sonneman. “It’s a testament to what AEF and its donors can do.”  One of AEF’s primary goals, he continues, is “to support programs that take financial pressure off the district while supporting continued educational excellence in Alameda public schools.”

By comparison, Western Contra Costa recently announced plans to close four district campuses and Novato High School, which played Encinal High School for the D-3 NCS Football Championship, proposes eliminating all athletic programs in its 2009-2010 budget.

Because of support for sports in our schools, AEF is able to fund a sport for each season:  basketball in the winter, track in the spring and volleyball in the fall. AEF pays for coaching, referees, league games and registration while the Alameda Unified School District (AUSD) provides facilities and supervision.

AUSD eliminated middle school sports as part of its 2006-2007 budget to address funding shortfalls. Last year when the district was facing an additional $4 million in state budget cuts (the state provides 80% of school funding), all sports were on the chopping block. That’s when Alamedan and KNBR co-host Tom Tolbert got his radio station, KNBR, and the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame (BASHF) to raise more than $52,000 for AUSD sports.  The donation included a $30,000 grant from BASHF and $20,000 from baseball superstar Dontrelle Willis.  Willis not only played baseball for four years at Encinal High School, he participated in middle school sports at Chipman.  Community members donated the rest of the money.

Measure H, the parcel tax passed by 66.9% of Alameda voters, and the state’s decision to delay education cuts saved high school sports, for the present time.  And now AEF is stepping up to the plate by bringing back middle school sports.

That’s something Wood Middle School 7^th grader Eiljah Fisher is excited about.   A 4.0 student, Elijah says this year is “better because we get to play basketball and represent our school.”  He adds that many students want to play and are happy that the program this year is free (a pay-to-play system run by Alameda Parks and Recreation was attempted last year).

Wood science teacher, Jeannette Frechou, says sports have “brought life back to middle schools.  Many students need sports to round out their academic lives.  We here at Wood see a difference in many of our students’ academics because of sports this year.”

AEF currently has funding to support middle school sports for two years.  The foundation is actively seeking funding for a third year - and beyond.  In January, Governor Schwarzenegger proposed reinstating the education cuts and extending them into next year. The district is anticipating $4.3 million in cuts over the next year-and-a-half and an additional $2.7 million loss due to increasing expenses, declining enrollment and loss of students to the new NEA Charter School.

“We want to establish a model in case we need to take over other programs that find themselves on the chopping block down the road,” says AEF’s Sonneman.  “We’re looking for creative ways to take some of the financial stressors off AUSD.”

Kids can tell you that playing sports is fun, but research indicates just how beneficial it really is.  According to a study done by Michigan State University, kids that play sports actually do better in school and have enhanced social skills.  Sports also help prevent drug and alcohol abuse.  For girls, the benefits may be even greater.  The President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports has reported that athletically active girls develop increased self-esteem and

confidence, are more likely to finish high school and college, and have a healthier body image.

Chipman’s Zazo already knows this.   And now, thanks to AEF, Elijah and many other middle school students will have the opportunity to know that, too.

“Like many businesses, AEF has been impacted by the country’s economic downturn,” said Bill Sonneman, President of AEF. “AEF’s financial challenges have been further compounded by a vendor’s lack of payment, leaving us in the difficult position to make cuts that include eliminating the position of Executive Director.

As ED, Brooke Briggance has brought passion, voice and commitment to this post and her absence will certainly be a loss for AEF. However, Brooke is an active parent in our community and plans to continue her dedication to our schools.”

The Foundation’s volunteer board will continue to provide programs and fundraising for Alameda’s students and teachers, assisted by two part-time employees. AEF’s Executive Committee will divide the duties of the Executive Director among them.

“Alameda supports its teachers and students and AEF will focus on continuing to provide popular programs, like Adopt-A-Classroom and Enrichment, while working to restore middle school sports and supplement music, art and other programs our children need,” said Judy Blank, AEF Past President and Executive Committee member.

“The financial threats to California’s schools are very real. AEF is taking action to sustain the organization long-term so we may meet the challenges ahead and support our schools in every possible way, added Sonneman. “We look forward to working with our new Superintendent and the community to help shape the future of Alameda’s schools.”

About The Alameda Education Foundation
The Alameda Education Foundation is a non-profit organization that works to support educational excellence in the Alameda Unified School District. Working for over 23 years, AEF provides money, materials, and other resources to supplement the educational opportunities available in the city’s school district.

Please contact Bill Sonneman at bill@alamedaeducation.org for further information