November 2018 Newsletter

Message from the AEF President

Dear Friend,

Thanksgiving is always my favorite day of the year. I personally have so much to be thankful for. I have cherished my involvement with the AEF since my retirement from AUSD. Vicki, Sarah, Rich and Yenju are the wheels that make the AEF go. I am thankful for them, coaches, providers, volunteers and school staff who always put the needs of our students first. Our quality programs could not function without them.

Thank you so much, donors. We rely on you so much. Without your continued support the AEF could not exist.

The AEF’s commitment to enriching the lives of our students is what attracted me to the AEF. It is what continues to motivate me and for that I am thankful as well.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Bill Sonneman
AEF Board President

Adopt a Classroom

Adopt A Classroom presentation at Haight Elementary

Fall is Adopt A Classroom time! So far we have presented over 70 teachers with $500 donations from the community. One new teacher told us: “As a newer teacher, I truly am so grateful to extend my personal funds and be able to provide a warm, nurturing classroom. I am so appreciative!” Our goal is 200 teachers, and we are particularly looking for “open” adoptions that we can direct to teachers in need at low-income schools.

We rely on Adopt A Classroom program sponsors to support the administrative costs of this program so that we can give 100% of each donation to the teacher. Thank you to our 2018-2019 Adopt A Classroom sponsors: Pump Repair Service Co./Dave & Joanne Archer, Alameda Marina, Catellus, Bill & Lois Sonneman, Alameda Firefighters Local 689, and State Farm Insurance/Team Kelly Lux.

Middle School Sports

Encinal Jr. Jets volleyball team gets ready for the playoffs

In Middle School Sports action, volleyball playoffs and championships have been postponed due to the bad air quality. The second round of playoffs will be Nov. 27 and the championships on Nov. 29. You can check the schedule here. Our fall program includes 10 teams and 132 6th – 8th graders from all 7 public middle schools. On deck is girls basketball beginning Dec. 4th, followed by boys basketball in February and then track & field in the spring. In all, approximately 700 students will participate in our sports program this year.

After School Enrichment

Fall after-school Enrichment classes are underway. One hundred classes at 11 school sites provide students with programs in athletics, academics, arts, and science and technology. From beginning violin to keyboarding to cross country, we offer a wide range of engaging classes for thousands of students each year.

Members of the “Alameda Asteroids” enrichment program cross country team ready to race

College Application Time

It’s college application time, and AEF helped prepare many students for this competitive process this fall by offering a variety of College Admissions Prep Courses for high school students. Look for more programs over spring break and next summer and fall.

Support Our Robotics Program

Robotics competitors at the May 2018 event

Planning has begun for the 2018-2019 Robotics program. Students from participating schools will be programming robots in preparation for an Island-wide competition on May 11, 2019. Robotics is funded by a joint venture of the Alameda Education Foundation and Alameda Municipal Power called Power UP For Learning. For as little as $1 per month, you can support Robotics and other technology education for Alameda students. Sign up by Nov. 30th, and AEF will receive an extra $50 per signup!

Art Across the Island

If you go into one of our public libraries or the new Grocery Outlet this fall, check out the amazing student artwork on display as part of AEF’s Art Across the Island program. Each year, we display over 1,000 pieces of student art on an ongoing, revolving basis.