Supporting Student Success: November 2015
Message from the AEF president
Dear Friend,
The AEF is the midst of Adopt A Classroom season. Twice last month I presented 50 adoptions. What fun it is to surprise a teacher with $500. New teachers are surprised beyond belief, especially teachers who come from other districts who always tell me this never occurred in the their last district. Many teachers who have been adopted before see me at the door and the smiles they give me are priceless. My new title has become “the adopt a classroom guy,” even at Encinal where I served as principal. I will take that title any day. A special thanks to the AEF Board members who have helped on these busy adoption days especially our AAC chair Kathie Wolfe as well as Kathy Moehring, Diane Foster and Pam Chang.
Sincerely,
Bill Sonneman
AEF News
Raiders Tickets Available
The Oakland Raiders are on a roll and the Alameda Rotarians have a special price break just for AEF supporters! Rotarian Day at the Raiders is Dec. 6th when the Raiders take on the Kansas City Chiefs. Our friends at Alameda Rotary are selling tickets for the discounted price of $75 ($85 value). Tickets are prime lower level sideline seats and include an exclusive tailgate party and stocking stuffers from the Raiders. Purchase your tickets today to guarantee group seating at www.alamedarotary.org. All proceeds benefit AEF’s Adopt A Classroom program.
Warriors Tickets!
Bring your friends and family out to the 2015 NBA Champion Golden State Warriors as they take on the San Antonio Spurs on Monday, January 25, 2016 at 7:30 PM. Our friends at the Warriors have saved 100 tickets from this otherwise sold-out game just for AEF friends. Purchase now and tickets are only $75 with no taxes, surcharges or fees. Tickets are available only until Dec. 1st or until they are sold out, whichever comes first. A portion of each ticket sold will benefit AEF’s Middle School Sports program. Go to warriors.com/alameda and enter the password: Warriors.
What’s New in AEF Programs
Adopt A Classroom
We have made over 70 teachers smile, laugh and cry so far this year by presenting them with Adopt A Classroom checks. Our goal for the year is 200, so keep those donations coming in so we can help more classrooms in need! Check out our Adopt A Classroom photos here and please consider donating today!
One hundred percent of each gift goes to the teacher thanks to our generous Adopt A Classroom underwriters, including our major sponsor, the Alameda Rotary Club. Other sponsors include Alameda Point Partners, Catellus, Tim Lewis Communities, and Wellguard Insurance Solutions.
Oakland Symphony Young People’s Concert success!
Over 3,000 elementary students learned a little world geography and listened to fabulous symphony music when the Oakland Symphony brought their Young People’s Concert to the Kofman Auditorium on October 23rd. AEF was pleased to be able to sponsor the Young People’s Concert for the second year in a row. Many thanks to those who helped underwrite some of the costs of the program and provide volunteers, including the Anonymous Fund and The Shuler-Heimburger Family Fund at the East Bay Community Foundation, the Alameda Elks Lodge #1015 and generous community members.
Introducing students to various forms of the Visual and Performing Arts is a key component of AEF’s mission. Students who experience the arts as children are more likely to be interested in learning more as they get older. The Arts are a core component of a well-rounded education. Experiencing and creating works of arts benefits students in their intellectual, personal and social development. If you also believe the Arts are vital for student education, please consider making a donation to AEF’s Arts fund today!
Powering up students…and robots!
AEF will be partnering with AUSD and Wood Middle School to support a district wide after school Robotics program. The MakerSpace at Wood will serve as a community school space for a multi-faceted approach to provide programs for elementary, middle, and high school students. Robotics at all levels teaches critical thinking skills, problem solving, teamwork, time management, and can provide a gateway into the growing technological fields. Plus it’s fun!
You can support this vital program by enrolling in Power Up For Learning, which is a collaboration of Alameda Municipal Power and AEF. By agreeing to add a small amount to your monthly power bill, you can help students across Alameda benefit from being on a competitive city-wide Robotics team. Sign up by Nov. 30th and Alameda Municipal Power will donate an additional $50 for each new participant. Please enroll today!
Volleyball Championships
AEF’s Volleyball Playoffs and Championships begin Nov. 16th. Come cheer on your favorite middle school team as they compete for the title of “Champion”. A complete schedule and results may be found here.
Enrichment
Winter/Spring Enrichment classes are being planned now for K – 8th grade students. We look forward to exciting new programs this winter/spring in a variety of areas from the arts to technology and everything in between. Class schedules will be available online on our website in mid-December.