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Claremont MS Principal Selection Process Begins School Parents, Incoming School Parents, Teachers and Staff, and School Community to Elect Applicant Review Panel April 19: RCPC Board Elections; Six Seats. vote for rcpc repS: page 3 Reprieve: CVS Closing Extended for a Year Closing… Re-opened! Closing…? Re-...

By Annette Floystrup

Parents, neighbors and, most importantly, the 4th Bore Coalition, opposed this plan. The consensus was that using air quality mitigation funds for a parking lot was inappropriate. An alternate plan to replace the lawn behind the gym on Birch Court with...

OUSD Extends Filing Period for Parcel Tax Rebate Seniors, Low-Income Property Taxpayers Eligible for $120-$195 Rebates In an article published in the Oakland Post, Temescal resident Len Rafael noted that Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) parcel ta...

Investing in Our Children: a Message from Your OUSD District 1 Director who is also an OUSD parent, I show up to every meeting with one focus: our students. I know firsthand that our public schools are not only places where children learn, but also com- munity anchors that strengthen and revitalize our neighborhoods. When schools are str...

Enrollment Time: Finding the Appropriate School for Your Student OUSD Opens Schools for Visits To give parents a better sense of the schools they are considering, the Oakland School District is hosting open houses and school tours (local schedule at right). Families can learn more about the district’s educational op...

Meet current Peralta parents, discuss their experi- ences at Peralta School, and find out about our strong academic instruction and vibrant programs in art, music and gardening. Thursday, November 16, 6:45pm. 460 63rd Street. To RSVP for childcare or for more informa- tion...

...Optometry’s Summer from page 3 is also a good match for the particular needs of Claremont students and the school community. The PRC has met weekly since early April to develop interview questions for the candidates, who are prescreened by OUSD. Parent and community surveys were tabulated this week. The results will influence questions the PRC develops over the next two weeks. Trunk Show Featuring Men’s and Women’s EyeWear

...t, especially compared to the total raise of $3.3M that OUSD offered Oakland’s combined 2,700 teachers and staff for 2014/2015. — Alex Naughton Board of Education Director Jody London Responds Editor: As a long-time resident of Oakland and OUSD parent, I understand frustrations over perceived wasteful spending in our schools. As a member of the Board of Education, it is my responsibility to ensure we use our scarce tax dollars wisely. I take all three roles seriously, which is why I supp...

...r A Word from the Rockridge News’ New Editor by Ryan Phillips I ’m thrilled to step into the role of editor at The Rockridge News. A little bit about me: I’m an Oakland native (born in Merritt Hospital), an Oakland homeowner, and an active OUSD parent. by RCPC Board R CPC welcomes Ryan Phillips as the new editor of The Rockridge News. Ryan is a seasoned journalist with vast communications and editing expertise in the nonprofit and educa­ tion sectors. I swim with Temescal Masters, cheer ...

Rajiv Bhatia, MD, MPH, is a Rockridge resident and OUSD parent. He directs Environmental Health for the City of San Francisco.

schoolers is intense. The same week that Ronald and Reggie spoke at Peralta, that school hosted a Middle School Information Night at which parents met with representatives of various middle schools, both public and private. Later in the month, fourth- and fifth-grade parents were invited to a “Claremont Mix and Mingle” held at a private home. Lefkowitz also is part of a team of sixth-grad...

ments of the auditorium restoration project. To make a contribution to the Steinway restoration, send a check payable to Oak- land Technical HS PTSA (Parent Teacher Student Association), c/o Camille Reed, 6243 Rockwell Street, Oakland, CA 94618. For additional information, please e-mail Camille at Camille888@sbcglobal.net. Tech Piano Parents: Note Oakland Unified School District’s Options Enrollment...

Tech, from previous page See Shakespeare’s Classic Comedy — with bonus musical numbers A Midsummer Night’s Dream getting bids from vendors for lighting and sound, and overseeing the install. The partnership with OUSD and in-kind support of local businesses, parents, and foundation funding were critical. Brekke explains, “Having volunteered to work on a number of school projects, I am amazed at the change parents can make with OUSD as a partner. With each impro...

By Judith Doner Berne

position at OUSD is very difficult.” State money, she said, is available to provide transitional kindergarten (TK) and after-school programs to every elementary school, which could boost enrollment and add hours for Photo provided by Benjamin Salof “I understand t...

...eral important topics: Lead Contamination Board-Union Relations Salop: “Since these lead tests were conducted in April and May 2024, students and staff have been drinking from potentially contaminated water supplies without any notice from OUSD or EBMUD, even when OUSD’s board policy requires that ‘the Super- intendent or designee shall, within one business day, notify teachers, other school personnel, and parents directly, through written notice, or electronic mail’ if lead levels excee...

By Jody London

that deal with lighting, tile work, flooring, windows and more. Spend time learning about them, their products and services and what they can do for you. They represent New Year Brings Changes to OUSD by Jody London, District 1 director With the New Year, there has been a lot going on in the Oakland Unified School District (OUSD). As the District 1 Board Director serving North Oakland, I want to share recent developments. Chabot School Sets Onl...

a new Facilities Master Plan and members of the school board need to know what improvements you’d like to see. The Facilities Master Plan will help determine what changes we make to OUSD facilities and campuses over the next five years. With input from throughout the com- munity, this plan will provide a framework for continual improvement over the next generation of Oakland students and families. Following is a list of community ...

By Gigi Gimble

The June 2026 page 11 Claremont Middle School PTA Raises $1,500 at Plant Sale by Gigi Gimble and Finn Pestal, CMS Seventh Grade Students $1,500. “The PTA supports teach- ers with classroom stipends, fills in gaps where OUSD funding has been reduced, and provides additional learning opportunities for all students at CMS,” said Shaudi Bazzaz, a CMS parent and the event organizer. On May 3, the Claremont Middle School PTA hosted a plant sale featuring heirloom tomatoes,...

By Judith Doner Berne

n November 5, Rockridge voters will have a choice of two candi- dates to represent Rockridge on the board of the Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) — a nurse midwife and mom with two children in Oakland Schools, and a UC Berkeley junior and 2022 graduate of Oakland Technical High School. Rachel Latta and Benjamin Salop are running to replace Sam Davis in District 1. Davis is retiring after f...

the impact such closures will have on working parents. Having attended many school board meetings during the pandemic, I have nothing but respect for the school board members that are doing their best to represent families. We are especially fortunate in Rockridge to be represented by Sam Davis, a...

are proud parents of an OUSD student. That has deepened our love and commitment to Rockridge. As a parent, I care deeply about the community my children grow up in. My goal as a member of the RCPC board is to continue to help keep Rockridge thriving socially and...

...rgy by 2030, and completely off of fossil fuels for heating and transportation by 2040. It also laid the groundwork for a more holistic and comprehensive ecological sustainability policy, and its implementation. The resolution is rooted in OUSD’s values of equity and justice, and high- lights the need to keep the concerns of Black, Indigenous and People of Color central in the implementation of its goals. This effort was supported by a coalition of students, families, teach- ers, and dis...

...the first year. An additional 500 families will enroll in year two and another 1,000 in year three. Within the next decade, the vision is to reach all of the most vulnerable families in Oakland, serving approximately 2,200 babies and their parents each year at scale. 2. K2College The Oakland Promise will establish a universal college savings program in Oakland Public schools, setting college as an expecta- tion for all. By 2020, every Oakland student entering kindergarten will have a col...

By Stuart Flashman

...feway a list of Claremont School Principal Recommendation Committee Makes Progress Selecting a permanent principal for Clare- mont Middle School is moving forward consistent with the hiring plan outlined by Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) Regional Executive Officer Mia Settles and Kyla Johnson-Trammell, the district’s Director of Talent Development, at public meetings held in February and March. OUSD policy calls for the creation of recommendations to the district and the board of...

in the stores yet, but go to CDbaby.com (http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bungalowens) or iTunes to listen and purchase. Visit the ensemble’s Web site: http://www. lullaymysweetone.com/ Parents: Note Oakland Unified School District’s Options Enrollment Window for the 2011-12 School Year runs from Dec 6, 2010 to Jan 14, 2011. http://publicportal.ousd.k12.ca.us/ousd/site/default.asp from page 10 watch volunteers. To our neighbors who de...

By Jane Mason

Chabot Elementary Presents its Annual Fundraising Auction, ‘A Spring Gala’ by Jane Mason, Chabot parent Chabot’s community is gearing up for its biggest fundraiser of the year—the annual auction. Every spring the school reaches out to parents and local businesses, which donate gener- ously, and students and teachers get busy creating one-of-a-kind...

By Shelly Fierston

...needs of students and their teachers. In spite of this, schools like Chabot, Hillcrest and others have flourished due to an outpouring of community involvement. At Claremont, huge changes have occurred as a long-time Rockridge neighbor and parent of a Claremont 6th and 8th grader, to add a different perspective. As most of us know, California is 46th in the nation in per student spending. In the Oakland Unified School District (OUSD), the money for anything but the most rudi- mentary bas...

...ng together is key.” She argues that Ward should consult with the community before closing schools and pay as much attention to morale and academ- ics as he does to dollars. When the trend is toward smaller neighborhood schools with strong parent involvement and emphasis on academic success, Dr. Ward may be moving in the wrong direction, she said. Further, budget woes and draconian remedies make headlines that upstage the district’s remark- able turnaround in student achievement. Bad pre...

...such a joy,” Zaid said, “to have my work combined with his.” Rockridge born and bred, Gil’i and his brother Ro’e, 22, are both Oakland Tech graduates. Gil’i is a sophomore at Harvard, majoring in mathe- matics. Ro’e teaches kindergarten at OUSD’s Emerson Elementary in Temescal. “It’s a very carefully written book,” said Pamela Waxman, who has known Zaid since their kids attended the same summer camp. “The plot and characters seem very nimble to me. The characters are just unusual.” A sce...

...y, a particle physi- cist) is skeptical that I can stay home for any extended length of time. He always knew when he married me that Oakland was part of the deal.” Their two children, who chose Bishop O’Dowd for high school after attending OUSD elementary and middle schools, may have somewhat prepared her for the time when “Mayor” won’t precede her name. According to Schaaf: “Even the mayor can be reduced to a parental irritant in the eyes of a teenager.” Questions or suggestion? Please ...

...unity college, or childcare facil- ity resides in the rental unit. Ballot Measures, from page 2 Measure S: Non-Citizen Voting This ballot measure would amend the City Charter to allow the City Council to authorize non-citizens, who are the parents, or legal guardians, or certain caregivers of qualified minors, to vote for the OUSD directors. if they are otherwise eligible under State and local law. This would potentially enable all such individuals to influence the direction of school bo...

By Susan Montauk

...n elementary school and Rise Community Elementary and New Highland Academy, which currently share an East Oakland campus, will am Davis views the Oakland Uni- fied School District from several angles: as a former teacher, school volunteer, parent, and vice president of its school board. Elected to the OUSD board in November 2020 from District 1, which includes Rockridge, fellow board members immediately chose him as vice president and re-elected him this year. Davis is the only trustee w...

...chools. They throw salt into our wounds as they say it’s not in their jurisdic­ tion, yet have conversations be­ hind closed doors that shutter our schools. They are not representing their constituents. The Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) school board has an agenda that does not align with teachers, parents and students. They have a blueprint plan to close more than 24 of our public schools across Oakland. Our public schools belong to everyone. Please join us as we work to Save Ou...

By Oakland Unified School District

very spring, the Chabot PTA hosts an annual auction to raise money to support enrichment programs and other vital student services that are not paid for by Oakland Unified School District (OUSD). These programs – music, science, art, technology, library, small group specialists and Kindergarten Spanish – are made possible by the generosity of parents, neighbors and local businesses who support the school’s spring Auction and Gala. – was ...

By Natalie Mehta

Chabot Elementary School Prepares for Spring Auction Community Donations Develop Educated Citizens by Natalie Mehta, Chabot parent and auction co-chair The Chabot Elementary School community is now planning one of our biggest fundraisers: the Spring Auction. This year, our hard work is focused on meeting (or beating!) our $160,000 goal, which supports the dynamic enrichment...

By Natalie Mehta

Chabot Elementary School Spring Auction Community Donations Help Bridge the Funding Gap by Natalie Mehta, Chabot Parent Gone are the days of the school PTA when bake sales funded “bells and whistles” for our schools. As OUSD budgets continue their downward trend, more community resources are needed to bridge the public funding shortfall. At Chabot Elementary, the...

...ailed by substitute teacher Ernie Jacob. “I’ve been subbing here for years,” he said. “There’s a big improvement. It’s more controllable.” Meantime, the competition for middle by Judith Doner Berne Although Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) is a “Schools of Choice” district, Rockridge parents have readily sent their

...ol Centennial Celebration Claremont Middle School Library News Claremont Wins School District Library Program Award At the year-end school district meeting, Claremont School Library was presented with the Oakland Unified School District’s (OUSD) award for “Best Innovative Practice in School Libraries” for 2013. The 7th grade “Blind Date With A Book” project was judged to be the most inventive program in the district this year. Thanks again to Dorice Velez, Jen Vetter and Beth Johnke for ...

By Jane McDermott

... signed up for the program this summer. The intern is selected from a pool of applicants comprised of high school juniors from Oakland Tech. The process is coordinated by FORL board member Tracy Weber and Oak- land Unified School District (OUSD) guidance counselor Louis Thomas; the final selec- tion is made by head librarian Pat Lichter, and librarians Gay Ducey and Erica Suskind. According to Lichter, what made Quinn stand out from the other 12 finalists was his experience at demanding ...

By Jody London

...reatest educational opportunities for Oakland’s children, and for the city as a whole. Four- teen task forces are meeting regularly to plan implementation of this strategic vision. Learn more about the task forces and their meetings at www.ousd.k12.ca.us. On Saturday, March 12, the community is invited to a youth and family conference focused on Region 1, which includes North and West Oakland. The conference will give students, parents, caregivers, and community

By Jody London

... believe the actual cuts would result in as much as $900 less per student. I encourage you: stay informed on this matter, and share this information with your friends across the state. Legacy of State Administration From 2003 through 2009, OUSD was run by a state-appointed administrator; during those six years, the district had three different state administrators. Some good things happened: academic performance district-wide continued to improve; better systems and processes were develo...

By Jody London

...ew Superintendent Tony Smith has been working under direction from the school board to reduce the structural deficit. If the June ballot measure passes, the district will be able to adopt a budget that eliminates the structural deficit. ■ ■OUSD entered receivership because it faced a shortfall of about $35 million. The district comes out of receivership owing the state $100 million. Apparently the state administrators viewed loans from the state – an initial loan of $65 million and a sub...

...s East Bay Open Studios is Saturday, Feb 20. The event dates are Sat. and Sun. 6/5 and 6/6 and 6/12 and 6/13. Get more information and register online now at www. proartsgallery.org. School Board Director Jody London invites you to discuss Parent Empowerment: Building Mutually Satisfying Home-School Partnerships. Sat., 2/27, 9am to 12pm, Emerson Elem. School, 4803 Lawton Ave. Refreshments and childcare provided. For more info and to RSVP: Jody.London@ousd.k12.ca.us or 459-0667. See Artic...

tions answered by current parents, and to visit classrooms. OUSD’s registration period for the 2010-2001 school year will run from December 7 though January 15. Peralta Tours will be held from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. on the following dates: ■ ■Lawyers in the Library: Free legal advic...

...students drew render- ings of what they wanted the new buildings goal is met, the students will be able to take pride in how they helped make Chabot a beautiful school, garden, and park. The importance of a hands-on liaison between Chabot, OUSD, contractors, archi- tects and the community became evident as the project entered its active phase last summer. Shelly Fierston, a parent volunteer and self-professed detail-oriented person, took on the role of construction liaison. Shelly acts a...

...ls the safety and well-being of so many people. As to the students who created the general chaos on the street, we are working to identify the students who were most disruptive and defiant, and they are being disciplined as well. We have a parent-led Positive School Climate Task Force that is meeting regularly to develop strategies [to prevent this type of vio- lence]. We have partnerships with the Rockridge District Association, the Rockridge Crime Prevention Council, the Rockridge Libr...

...lateral Hillcrest Boundary Shift Not Helpful Editor: Many residents of North Oakland are aware of the growing over-enrollment challenges facing our fine neighborhood schools. But what most residents of North Oakland do not know is that the OUSD [Oakland Unified School District] Board is now considering recommendations to address over-enrollment that were submitted unilaterally by the parents and administration of Hillcrest School. The recommendations solve Hillcrest’s problem without reg...

... and tools. • Artist volunteers to work with students. • Art supplies. • Books for middle and high school students on the arts and social justice themes. • Ideas for community service projects. • Contact Principal Linda McCluskey, lmcclusk@ousd.k12.ca.us or 879-1580. Peralta Elementary School • Contributions for a $50,000 fund-raising drive. • Volunteers to water and tend the garden. • Mentors to spend one-on-one time with students during the day or afterschool. • Contact Parent-Teacher ...