Author: jill

Academy of Alameda Mini City

3D Mini City Project and More

Here’s a great story from Kristen Smeal, Middle School Technology (Grades 6-8) teacher at the Academy of Alameda:

What a fun year! We were able to purchase 3D printers for our Technology program and they provided so many fun opportunities. I had students who were not even in my classes stop by just to look at the printers. It was really cute!

I thought I’d send along a photo of the 3D mini city ‘Olympianville’

 » Read more about: 3D Mini City Project and More  »

Beanbag chairs for calming in the classroom

Chairs for Calming in the Classroom

Marissa Nowlan, a Nea Community Learning Center 1st Grade Teacher, was in need of special seating for some of her students. She wrote “I have four students, two of whom have extremely high needs, that enjoy being in beanbags in the library. I’d wanted to purchase some as a means to give a calm and safe place for regulation for when these students have overstimulating moments. The beanbags have been the biggest blessing this school year!

 » Read more about: Chairs for Calming in the Classroom  »

AEF girls flag football

Last Week of AEF Summer Camps!

Our Enrichment Camps are open to all TK – 8 grade students (you don’t have to live in Alameda or attend an Alameda school), with small class sizes and teachers who are specialists in their fields. Your students will learn valuable new skills, be engaged, active, and have FUN! We also offer 50% scholarships for qualified participants.

And AEF is also offering Sports Summer Camps for the first time this year!

 » Read more about: Last Week of AEF Summer Camps!  »

Multilingualism is my Superpower

Multilingualism Rocks!

Ms. Candice Camp is an Instructional Coach working with K-5th, multilingual English learners across the District. She wanted to help English learners at school reclassification ceremonies celebrate and be proud of the hard work it takes to become ‘reclassified’ with a t-shirt that says “Multilingualism is my Superpower”.

Reclassification for English Language Learners (ELL) means that a student is officially recognized as having achieved sufficient proficiency in English to no longer require special language support services.

 » Read more about: Multilingualism Rocks!  »

Boys Basketball 2024-25

AEF’s New Sports Camps Build Skills, Confidence and Community

This summer, AEF’s NEW Sports Summer Camps are giving student-athletes more than just a place to play; they’re providing an opportunity to grow both on and off the court and field. With offerings in Boys Basketball, Girls Basketball, Boys Soccer, and Girls Soccer, AEF camps are designed to help middle school athletes sharpen their skills, build confidence, and prepare for school-year athletics in a supportive, high-energy environment.

What makes AEF Summer Camps Different?  » Read more about: AEF’s New Sports Camps Build Skills, Confidence and Community  »

Ruby Bridges Kindergarten class whiteboard

First Year Kindergarten Teacher Gets Classroom Supplies

New Kindergarten teacher at Love Elementary School, Jana Lee, applied for funds to help set up her classroom as a first-year teacher. She wanted to purchase an easel to do whole-group activities at a level closer to students, and games, read-alouds, and more to supplement targeted intervention. For example, she wished to buy rhyming and other phonemic-based activities for small-group interventions. Ms. Lee needed help facilitating both whole-group instruction, so students can be engaged and are able to participate themselves,

 » Read more about: First Year Kindergarten Teacher Gets Classroom Supplies  »

New color printer at Ruby Bridges

A Color Printer to Build Community Around Art

Margarethe Olsson, Grades TK – 5 Art Teacher at Ruby Bridges Elementary, put in an application for an AEF Teacher Mini Grant to purchase a color printer, paper and inks to fund several projects in the art room. One project would be a community wall where all students could see themselves represented in the larger school community. Students would take photos, print them and embellish them with frames or backgrounds, so each photo represented the way students wanted to be seen. 

 » Read more about: A Color Printer to Build Community Around Art  »