Category: Programs

Filipino American History Month

Filipino American History Month

Filipino Americans are the second-largest Asian American group in the nation and the third-largest ethnic group in California, after Latinas/os and African Americans. The celebration of Filipino American History Month in October commemorates the first recorded presence of Filipinos in the continental United States, which occurred on October 18, 1587, when “Luzones Indios” came ashore from the Spanish galleon Nuestra Senora de Esperanza and landed at what is now Morro Bay, California. In 2009, U.S.

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Hispanic Heritage month

Hispanic Heritage Month

National Hispanic Heritage Month, which begins in the United States each year on Sep. 15 and ends on Oct. 15, celebrates U.S. Latinos, their culture and their history. AEF’s Art Changes program features five artists who represent Hispanic Culture: Brazilian landscape painter Alex D. da Silva, Joaquin Newman who builds on the tradition of Mayan art, Bolivian-American painter and weaver Miguel Arzabe, water-colorist and muralist Irene Juarez-O’Connell,

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Storybuilders program

Learning to Write and Tell Stories

Thank you, Julia and all AEF members, for your generous support to our grade level and my class with all that you do for our students and our special community. In these tricky times, I am especially appreciative of the timely and very teacher-friendly grants you provided this 2024-’25 school year. AEF’s fundraising and grant writing allowed all three of our classes to experience Berkeley Rep’s award winning Storybuilders program where over a 10-week period an artist visited our classrooms to develop a play from scratch.

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Theater in the classroom

Theater in the Classroom

To all the amazing folks at AEF,

Thank you so much for all the support you’ve given 3rd grade at Love Elementary this year. Your generous and well-timed grants have really made a huge difference—and honestly, made things a lot easier for us teachers!

Because of AEF, we got to take part in Berkeley Rep’s ‘Storybuilders‘ program, which was such a cool experience. It gave the students a fun way to build skills in storytelling,

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Queer History

Students Learn About Bay Area Queer History

Using our AEF Teacher Mini Grant, we were able to hold an amazing and educational event where local drag queens presented on queer history in the Bay Area! Many students came to learn and ask questions about queer experiences and culture. They learned about ethical fashion and how these performers create fabulous looks, all while being environmentally conscious.”

Thank you so much for your support!

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Student Art on Display Throughout the Summer

Student art can be seen throughout the summer at the Bay Farm Island Branch library and at the West End Library. Summer exhibits include Matisse-inspired collage from Maya Lin, botanical prints from Ruby Bridges and watercolors based on The Great Wave Off Kanagawa from Otis. Lilac will feature watercolors from Love and See Spot Run will have computer generated art by the Jr. Jets. Student art will return to the Children’s Section of the Main Library in September with ‘alebrijes’

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