Mar/Apr Newsletter – Wiggles, Three-pointers and Celebrating
Message from the AEF President
Dear Friend,
The time has arrived again for the premier Alameda public education event – Salute To Education. On Friday April 21st at Rhythmix on Blanding, the Alameda Education Foundation (AEF) will be honoring school volunteers and innovative programs from all our Alameda public schools and charters. This will be the 34th year we have celebrated the impressive work being done in our schools. Additionally, Salute To Education is a time to celebrate with members of our community in support of our schools. Pam Chang, AEF board member, and her committee have planned a fun-filled evening that includes gourmet hors d’oeuvres from Alameda restaurants, California fine wines and local craft beer. A raffle, including tickets to Disneyland, champagne tasting at Domain Chandon, a bicycle, portable poker table, and ‘around the town’ packages, will be held as well. Tickets do sell out, so please considering buying your tickets early.
Salute To Education:
6:00 – 9:00 pm at Rhythmix Cultural Works, 2513 Blanding Ave, Alameda
$30 per ticket in advance through April 19th.
Thank you to our sponsors whose financial support helps make this event possible. “Top of the Class” sponsor: Tim Lewis Communities “Honor Roll” sponsors: Alameda South Shore Center, Catellus/Alameda Landing, Frank Ghiglione/Rodgers Trucking Co., Pacific Union/Alameda, and State Farm Insurance/Team Kelly Lux.
Thank you to the Connosseurs’ Guide to California Wine, Al Wright Photography, and all our generous raffle and food donors. You can check them all out here.
Sincerely,
Bill Sonneman
AEF Spotlight
Salute to Education 2017 to Honor Alameda Innovative School Programs
Lum Elementary 3rd grade teachers recognize that some students have the ‘wiggles’ and Lum has implemented a flexible seating environment, including stand up desks and stools that let students wiggle while they sit; these flexible learning spaces accommodate the individuality of Lum students.
Encinal Jr. and Sr. High School teacher Paul Igaz has created a multi-media program where students make films and get to act like an adult behind the camera and play like a kid in front of it.
AEF Announcements
AEF Boys Basketball season ends on an exciting note!
AEF’s Middle School Boys basketball season was one for the records. We crowned two new champions this year: Bay Farm in Division II and the Academy of Alameda in Division I. Bay Farm came from behind to win the DII division by one point over Lincoln, 38-37, thanks to a last second three-pointer by Gabriel Garcia. While not quite as close in DI play, the Academy of Alameda and challenger Lincoln kept it going back and forth, but the Academy learned to fight through mistakes and setbacks to come out on top, 43 – 31. One cannot help but realize the tenacity these students learn through this program will take them far in school, career and life.
For a fun recap, please see ‘Notes from AUSD‘ that was featured in the April 4th Alameda Journal.
Track & Field Volunteers Needed!
Would you like to get some fresh air, springtime sunshine, and make a difference in your community? Come get ‘track-side seats’ to all the excitement of AEF’s middle school Track & Field series! You don’t need any experience or special skills, but you’ll be integral in making the meets occur. Limited commitment, maximum fun! Track & Field meets are in April and May.
Equipped 4 Success Coordinator Position available
AEF manages a community wide school supply drive called Equipped 4 Success. Equipped 4 Success is a collaboration of AEF, the Alameda Unified School District, and several Alameda nonprofits. AEF is looking for a coordinator for Equipped 4 Success who will be responsible for many aspects of the drive, including monitoring collection bins, receiving deliveries of supplies, recruiting and scheduling volunteers, and coordinating with our partners for pickup of backpacks. The work will take place in July – August 2017.
If you are interested, please click here for a full job description and to apply.
AEF Summer Camps – Early Bird Pricing until April 30th
Early bird pricing continues until April 30th for AEF’s summer camps. All camps are being held on the Haight Elementary campus, with after-care available from ARPD. We are offering camps in languages, cooking, technology, arts, engineering and more! All camps feature small class sizes and are taught by experts in their fields.
For more information and to register, click here.
Summer Camp Youth Internships still available
Interns work alongside AEF summer camp instructors during our half-day summer camps, which are held from June 26 – July 28, 2017 at Bay Farm School. Interns assist the instructor providing extra supervision for the camp participating and hands-on assistance to students who may need extra help in completing activities. For students aged 14 – 17. It looks great on college applications – and it’s fun!
Applications close April 15th! Apply here!
Enrichment winter/spring class registration continues
Our final selection of after-school classes begin NEXT WEEK! Whether your student wants to learn how to be a Ninja (which teaches body awareness, self-control and self-confidence), design an App, or become a mini-Architect, AEF is offering over 150 after-school classes this winter and spring.
Click here to view a full selection of classes and to register.
SAT/ACT Test Prep
When you see high school students laughing, high- fiving and hugging their instructor after spending a good part of spring break in a SAT/ACT prep course, you know it’s a special kind of course. AEF’s SAT/ACT spring break Hybrid Crash Course was taught by Felix Test Prep. Owners Natalie and Ryan bring not only years of experience and success, but a unique way of connecting with students that helps them gain confidence and a positive attitude to perform their best.
Registration is open for our July SAT and ACT programs for sophomores and juniors, as well as for our August personal statement workshop for seniors.