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AEF Thanksgiving 2020 Newsletter

by · Published · Updated

This year is like no other. School hallways remain empty and the bells remain silent. Teachers are having to teach in ways they never imagined, students require virtual classrooms at home, internet access is no longer an option, culturally responsive teaching is more important than ever, and most everybody is stressed.

But thanks to you, AEF is providing the support our students and teachers need to be successful during this unprecedented time. Your support of Equipped 4 Success Reimagined is making a difference!

Teacher Mini Grants

With your support, AEF is providing mini-grants to enable teachers to apply for specific needs for their students. In the first two months of school, AEF provided over 30 mini-grants to AUSD teachers.

"The Google Slides that I was able to purchase with the mini-grant are so well done, super engaging and interactive which helps keep our students learning during these trying times!"  Title I Elementary Coach

EHS music teacher with drums

Encinal Music Teacher Tony Gennaro poses with the bucket hand drums built with mini grant funds.

"THANK YOU SO MUCH for the grant! It made my whole day and relieved a lot of stress from my mind about how I can afford a lot of the materials and resources I need to teach online."  Teacher of the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing

"I cannot thank you enough for your generous fulfillment of my mini-grant. As we came together for distance learning this year, I knew how important music would be to our students. Not only does music give our students a creative outlet, but they love the sense of coming together to embrace a creative project."  Encinal Jr.-Sr. High School Music Teacher

Virtual Classrooms

Prior to school starting, AEF purchased and distributed over 2,000 grade level school supply kits and backpacks to Title I (low-income) schools.

Volunteers distributing school supplies


Love Elementary volunteers distributing school supplies.

"I just wanted to send our deepest gratitude for all the support AEF has provided our children. The school supplies and backpacks make a big difference in the lives of our families."  Title I Principal

Technology Support

AEF has purchased and distributed over 2,000 headsets to Title I students. We also continue to work with AUSD, the City of Alameda, and community partners to develop long-term strategies to ensure that high-speed internet is accessible to all students in Alameda.

"I gave the headphones out to my students on Wednesday and already I hear the difference! The super quiet talkers can now be heard and those with other family members working in the background are no longer distracted by that outside noise! Thank you so much for making this happen!" Title I teacher

Mental Health Care Coordination

Students, staff, and their families are experiencing high levels of stress and anxiety this year. With your support, AEF is sponsoring Care Solace, an online web-based resource with live 24/7 concierge service to connect individuals to local mental health related programs and counseling services.

Care Solace mental health services

Culturally Responsive Materials

Our teachers are dedicated to doing their best to understand and be responsive to cultural differences among their students. With your help, Alameda Education Foundation provided 500 district teachers with Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain. We look forward to continuing to support AUSD equity and anti-racism initiatives.

Did You Know?

The 2020 CARES Act passed by the government on March 27, 2020 expands charitable contributions:

  1. You can deduct $300 for monies given to charity even if you don’t itemize your deductions.
  2. You are able to deduct your charitable contributions up to 100% of your income, which is above the previous limit of 60% of your AGI (adjusted gross income).
  3. Corporations can deduct up to 25% of taxable income vs. 10% previously allowed.

The 2020 CARES Act expires Dec. 31, 2020.
You can learn more about Equipped 4 Success Reimagined and make an online donation here.

Donate to AEF

Checks can be mailed to:
AEF
P.O. Box 1363
Alameda, CA 94501

Happy Thanksgiving from everyone at AEF!