Category: Visual Arts

What Black History Month Means to Me

by Renate Westbrooks, from the AUSD Newsletter Community Voices

For this month’s Community Voices essay, we [AUSD] asked Renate Westbrooks to write about what Black History Month means to her. Ms. Westbrooks, a longtime educator here in Alameda, currently works as the Focal Scholars Advisor at Ruby Bridges Elementary School. She also serves on the board of the Alameda Education Foundation, and this year, Girls Inc. of the Island City chose her as one of its Women Who Dare Awardees!

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What People Say About AEF

At least half of the 8th graders on our team are planning on participating in high school sports, and all of those kids have told me that it was because of the exposure they got through AEF Sports that have made them want to continue next year.

Playing High School Sports

A few students would have been unable to participate without the generosity of the scholarship program.

Thank You!

The mother of one of our athletes sent me an email before the season. Her son had never participated in track and wasn’t currently doing any sports. He mainly sat on the couch playing video games after school with limited social interaction. Since … Read more

Building Social Skills

One of my students got his GPA up above a 3.0 and had zero behavior issues during the season.

Academic and Behavioral Improvements

I’m super proud of the leadership development of my three co-captains who partnered to lead their team, demonstrating exceptional leadership. They took charge of warmups during practice, developed their voice in directing offensive and defensive stra… Read more

Leadership Development

Our boys really came together as a team , never gave up and pushed themselves every game and practice.

Perseverance

This year we had a student that had never played organized ball be an intricate part of the team displaying a tremendous amount of heart and hustle.

Finding New Passions

One student was able to join basketball for the first time and overcame a rough start and to become a great contributor to the team. Being part of the team improved his emotional and mental health. He felt part of the school for the first time and sh… Read more

Impact of Sports on Mental Health

One particular 8th grader showed great improvement this season. They had been up and down the last two years with behavior, grades, and attendance, basketball stabilized this student and enabled them to improve in those areas.

Basketball Stabilizes Students

Seeing the learners improve throughout the season and step up. And, when the players would pick each other up and support each other especially when we were down or if the game wasn’t going our way.

Supporting Each Other No Matter What

Players were motivated and got their grades up to be able to play.

Improving Academic Performance

The cheering in games was incredible, the sheer motivation they gave to each other was amazing.

Teammate Support

One of my players is a new student this year and in the 6th grade. She played on JV and she was extremely nervous the first quarter of the season. By the end of the season she started to warm up and was really excited to play. Her mom let me know tha… Read more

Making a Difference for Students & Families

I had one student who had behavior trouble and had Ds in all of his classes. When those choices he was making kept him from playing volleyball, he really started putting in the work and making better choices at school. He was able to pull up his grad… Read more

Academic Impact of Sports

It was one of our players first time play organized basketball and she hadn’t generally really played much basketball at all. As the season went on she improved her skills especially in terms of rebounding and defense. I also saw her start to bond a… Read more

Developing Friendships On & Off the Court

I had a young lady doubt that she could help any team after playing for the first time last year. I talked her into trying out and she didn’t expect to make the A team but earned the opportunity. The lesson I highlighted was to never sell yourself … Read more

Can't Make a Shot You Never Shoot

One of our shyest students became a starter and team leader this year! They really came out of their shell and led the team to a Championship!

Girl's Basketball Feedback

I feel like it went really good… It impacted me by really showing that hard works pays off. Because, I personally feel like I improved a lot mentally from the beginning of the season. And I found a new outlook on not just basketball but sports in g… Read more

From Wood MS Power Forward

I feel good about the season. I think it impacted me by making me a better leader.

From Wood MS Point Guard

Please know that your support makes a significant difference in the lives of our students and we’re so very grateful!

Lee KaplanEHS College and Career counselor

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