January 25, 2019
 
In This Issue
  • AEA Ratifies TA with AUSD
  • Comment Period Open for Haight Renaming
  • Alameda Spelling Bee Returns!
  • "Secret" Sale to Benefit School Art Programs
  • Transportation Workshops Next Week
  • School Smarts Reminder
  • Upcoming Events
AEA Ratifies Tentative Agreement with AUSD

We're excited to announce that the Alameda Education Association has ratified the tentative agreement (TA) signed with AUSD last month. The TA provides a 4.5% salary increase to teachers, nurses, speech and language pathologists, and counselors for the 2018-19 school year. The TA also provides an additional paid professional development day for AEA members and longevity compensation for years of service to the district. 

The Board of Education will vote on ratification of the TA at its next public meeting on February 12.

Photo of Haight elementary school
Comment Period Open for Haight Renaming

The Board of Education is now taking public comment on the recommended new name for Haight Elementary School. The proposed name, "Love Elementary School," is the result of a year-long process that included a petition calling for a new name, the formation of a renaming committee, the development of criteria for a new name, a six-week public name submission period, and two elections. You can learn more about the process and how to participate here.
Register Now for the Alameda Spelling Bee!

Registration is now open for the 2019 Alameda Spelling Bee, which will be held February 2, 9:30 am - 12 pm, at Otis Elementary School. The contest is open to students in grades 4 through 9 who live or attend school in Alameda. Prizes will be given to the winning spellers. Top spellers will be sponsored to participate in the Alameda County Spelling Bee, which will be held in San Leandro on Saturday, March 16, 2019.

Please register here by January 31. For additional information - including rules, practice lists, and other details - please visit http://alamedaspellingbee.org.

    
Secret Art Sale This Week!

The Frank Bette Center for the Arts (FBCA) is organizing a fundraiser to benefit Alameda school art programs. Called the "Secret Art Sale," the fundraiser will feature artwork from students at Bay Farm School, Maya Lin School, Alameda High School, Lincoln Middle School, and Otis Elementary School, as well as artists from around the Bay Area.
 
These pieces will be displayed anonymously and sold for $20 each January 25 to January 27 (see times below). The "secret" will be revealed when art collectors discover whether they have invested in a valuable piece of art from a well-known artist or a potential masterpiece from a student!
 
Proceeds will be split evenly between the Frank Bette Center for the Arts and the schools.
 
When:   January 25 (3 pm - 7 pm)
January 26 (11 am - 7 pm)
January 27 (11 am - 2 pm) 
 
Where: Southshore Center (across from Charming Charlie)
 
For more information, please visit the Frank Bette Center website.
Otis Drive and AC Transit Workshops Coming Up

The community is invited to public workshops focused on two transportation issues: a proposed fare increase for AC Transit and improvements to Otis Drive between Westline Drive and Willow Street.  

AC Transit
The AC Transit Board of Directors is considering proposals for an upcoming fare change. To make sure community members within AC Transit's service area are aware of the proposals, public meetings will be held next week on the following dates: 

Monday, January 28, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Hayward City Hall, Room 2A
777 B St, Hayward, CA 94541
 
Tuesday, January 29, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
El Cerrito City Hall, City Council Chambers
10890 San Pablo Ave, El Cerrito, CA 94530
 
Wednesday, January 30, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
AC Transit General Office, 2nd Floor Board Room
1600 Franklin St, Oakland, CA 94612
 
The proposed fare increase, along with directions on how to participate, is is described here.  

Speeding and Safety Concerns on Otis Drive
T he City of Alameda  is holding public workshops this spring to review options for making Otis Drive between Westline Drive and Willow Street safer for bicyclists, pedestrians, and cars.The first meeting is January 31 at 6:30 pm at Wood MIddle School. As we have many families using Otis, Grand, and Willow to get to and from school, we encourage families to attend! More information is available  here .
 

Flyer for School Smarts 2019
Reminder: School Smarts is Still Open!

Are you equipped to give your child the strong academic and social emotional skills needed to succeed in school?

Join us at our School Smarts sessions beginning in January! Free dinner and childcare is provided. Sessions have started but we still have space!

Sessions and materials are available in multiple languages:
Upcoming Events

 
January 28, 8:00 am 
Transitional Kindergarten and Kindergarten Enrollment Begins
 
January 31, 6:30 pm
Workshop on Improving Otis Drive (between Westline Dr. and Willow St.)
Wood Middle School
 
February 12, 6:30 pm
City Hall
 
Alameda Unified School District | 510-337-7000  | www.alamedaunified.org
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