“Thank you so much for AEF’s generosity! I just received the last of the items (manipulatives and toys for helping to increase small motor skills) and we have slowly started to use them! I am introducing one new manipulative/ toy a week and the kids are loving them! Once we have practiced with each thing the kids will have access to all of them and they will be able to choose which thing they want to do after work time to help with their small motor skills.
Paden Elementary holds an annual Family Literacy event called ‘Reading Around the World’. Betsy Weiss, the Instructional Coach at Paden School said:
“I am super excited to grow this amazing event by including all of our English Language Learners, their families, and the classroom teachers who are helping them develop their literacy skills in English. ”
AEF hopes that Paden continues to hold this popular event and thank you to AEF donors who contributed to making this such a success!
The Juniors at Encinal High School participated in a field day where they played games together, ate a BBQ lunch, and got to know each other better. These students were Freshmen during COVID, so they missed out on a lot of typical student social interactions during the pandemic. Class officers decided that it was important for the social-emotional health of the whole class (of approximately 250 students) to have a bonding event that would help build class spirit.
Micheal Burns, music teacher at Paden School asked for funding to tune the main piano that’s used every day in his music classes. AEF was happy to keep the music flowing at Paden!
“Thank you Alameda Education Foundation! The piano sounds fantastic and really needed the tuning. Brandon had to go through the piano twice to bring it up to pitch and to make sure the tuning holds. But, it really makes a big difference in the classroom.”
“I have 23 students with varying reading levels and I am a new teacher. Thank you so much for the grant for my classroom. I was able to complete my library and now have multiple sets for each reading level and a much needed laminator. I was also able to purchase other supplies and rewards for my star store”.
Stephanie Lisle
1st Grade Teacher
Ruby Bridges Elementary School
Emily Parbarcus is a teacher at Encinal High School. Here is her original Mini Grant request:
“I would like to take my students on a walking field trip this year to see the USS Hornet. I have, in conjunction with Hornet staff, developed an educational program for U.S. History students. They visit different stations throughout the day to learn about Japanese Internment, the Battle of Midway, the Moon Landing, and many other events the Hornet has been involved in.
“Thank you for facilitating a generous donation to the Alameda...
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Who is AEF?
The Alameda Education Foundation is made up of people like you who support educational opportunities, innovation and equity for Alameda public school TK-12 students.
After School Enrichment Classes
Registration for AEF Winter/Spring 2024-25 classes (at AUSD schools) will open on January 9, 2025 at 9:30 AM. You may preview classes starting December 12, 2024. Click here to learn more.
In my position as a McKinney-Vento liaison, I am often times a family’s last resort when they are looking for resources or supplies. With the support of AEF and the mini grant program, I was able to provide numerous families with personal hygiene sup… Read more
Aki MooreAUSD McKinney-Vento Liaison
My daughter absolutely loved the acrylic painting class and pastels class. She has often felt ‘ahead’ of most art classes, but was clearly challenged and inspired by these. Picking her up on Thursdays and seeing her excitement over their latest creat… Read more
ParentAfter School Enrichment Student
Thank you for your Teacher Mini Grant! AEF has made classroom activities happen that would not otherwise occur for our wonderfully diverse Title 1 identified school. Through your generosity, learning is not just more attainable but more fun. These ar… Read more
Scott Hixon3rd Grade TeacherLove Elementary School
The art created through coding is incredible. I love that you display the code used to create the works as well as the works themselves. Not only does it provide a window into the process, it’s also art. Thank you so much! I know our community wil… Read more
Rosemary Van LareSenior Librarian Alameda Free LibraryBay Farm Island Branch
I love that we have a few hours a day to forget about the turbulence of the outside world and just sweat & smile.
Just Sweat and Smile
There was a 6th grade student who is small in stature with not a lot of strength in his arms who was very frustrated the whole season that he could not serve over the net. During the games, he was discouraged and disappointed that this skill seemed t… Read more
Volleyball Team Support
One student was new to track. She was unsure of herself at the beginning. She improved steadily throughout the season. She identified her strengths and weaknesses as a runner and transitioned from short distance to long distance. She found success in… Read more
New to Track
They learned how to work through controlling emotion, and understanding that everybody is needed, specifically when we had 4 girls playing in the game at one point!
Everybody is Needed
A few of the players on the D2 team expressed some difficulty adjusting to middle school as 6th graders. But being a part of the team helped them form new friendships and become more comfortable in the middle school atmosphere. One player in particul… Read more
MSS Builds Self Confidence
I wanted to reach out to let you know that we have really enjoyed our experience in the gymnastics class at Otis and would love to see it offered again. The teacher was incredibly experienced and worked really well with the energy of the kids (my son… Read more
Positive Enrichment Experience
Thank you, Vicki and AEF, for supporting our CTE teachers! I appreciate your willingness to help so many of our teachers do innovative projects.
Thanks AEF For Supporting TeachersFelicia Vargas, AUSD Career Technical Education
“Hi Coach Debra! I just wanted to tell you thank you for everything. From how much I’ve improved to the knowledge I’ve learned. I have to admit that in the beginning, I wasn’t the most excited about running, but the more I kept going the less I compl… Read more
Thank You Coach Debra
Thank you so much for your help getting my son registered in track! He attended his first track training this afternoon and LOVED IT!
Student Enthusiastic About Track
I was happy to have a learner-athlete who is obese join our team. We added a new coach and made adjusted workouts so that they would have appropriate training. We focused on areas of strength, but also they were able to try a relay and the 100. They … Read more
Sports Impact Student Health
One of my students comes from a difficult background, and they have been struggling with some of their classes. They demonstrated interest in joining the team, and even tried out in order to see if they would be able to make the team. Throughout the … Read more
Academic Tie-Ins Work
I was also super proud of one of my athletes the day of our championship track meet. This boy had been a bit of a troublemaker throughout the season but when he saw that one of his teammates (that is also special needs) was sad and upset to learn he … Read more
Teamwork Builds Character
One student – who had never participated in ANY sport before, came to practice consistently, – very focused on improving times and main goal was to not always come in last – he was never discouraged. Enjoyed being out there with a team. His Mom has c… Read more
Impact of Sports
I had a student who enjoyed PE volleyball and I encouraged her to tryout. She was so excited she made the team, she had never played before and was new to a lot of team sports. She did so well, she became a starter on my Divsion 1. She improved each … Read more
A Coach's Dream
I had different two parents tell me that during volleyball it was the happiest they have seen their kid and that volleyball became a place they felt safe and could be themselves and not worry about the non positive things going on at school and home.… Read more
Volleyball Feedback from Coach
After our team party last week, one mom emailed me. She said her daughter came home all smiles and announced, “Mom, I found my thing! Sign me up for volleyball every year!”
Feedback on Volleyball
There were a few kids that didn’t think they could make the team and I had them come out and try anyway. Two out of the 4 kids ended up being very good and the other 2 were happy they played and will practice on their own. One of them asked me to bor… Read more
Middle School Sports Coach Feedback
AEF Middle School Sports Program is so crucial and vital to the overall success of the student athletes in our City of Alameda. You can tell just by the community support at games with all the spectators cheering on their teams. The schools show so m… Read more
Praise from a Coach
It was a fun afternoon and I’m super proud of how my son did in his events. He was initially resistant to joining track but it seems like he is really enjoying it now.
Chris Kiuchi, Parent
Thank you for making this so inclusive! My son’s goal is to shave 30 seconds off his 400 by the end of the season. He had a lot of fun yesterday and he is looking forward to the long jump today.
Track and Field Response
I love it that you are structuring donations this way [according to teachers and students most in need]! I really appreciate how the district and AEF are working to provide opportunities and extra funding to all students, especially those who need it… Read more
Teacher Mini Grants
…I am happy to support them [AEF and AUSD] in any way I can. I am a fervent believer in the need for strong Public education and admire your and AEF’s support of same.
Note from AEF Donor
Thank you AEF and all your donors! I truly appreciate the opportunity you guys gave me. Thank you again!
Shedy AboughunemStudentEncinal High School
Thank you for supporting Encinal students! Shedy is a low-income, first generation student who most likely would NOT have applied to college were it not for your financial assistance with his applications. We so appreciate all that you do for the Ala… Read more
Lee KaplanEncinal High School
Thanks so much for your dedication! Love the character building and fitness for my student.
Cross Country Builds Fitness
Your program is amazing! Thanks for showing these kids all the fun of XC!!! I appreciate that you do all that on top of coaching the kids, organizing the meets, and figuring out the carpool. My son has gained a lot of confidence and enjoys running, t… Read more
Amazing Cross Country Program
My son has gained a lot of confidence and enjoys running, thanks to this program. We are very grateful to you and Don for offering this opportunity to the kids. Thank you so much.
Thanks Asteroids Coaches Debra and Don
Thank you for hosting a fabulous meet. My student’s team had a blast on the very scenic course.
Asteroids Cross Country
Thank you again for the great season. My son says he would like to run in the spring (and summer!). We’re glad he found something he likes to do.
Cross Country Enrichment
Thank YOU so much for a great season! My student enjoyed the program so much, he is really motivated to continue running.
Cross Country
Thanks Coach Debra for these photos; and thank you for the entire season where you have been an amazing coach/mentor and friend to our kids.
Thanks CC Coach Debra
I wanted to thank you for the most generous of support this year for both myself and my wonderful students. Remote learning and teaching can be a challenge for students and teachers alike, but the resources AEF has provided has made it far more doab… Read more
Mr. Scott Hixon3rd Grade TeacherLove Elementary School
