To be sure, November has been filled with highs and lows. On the bright side, California and Oakland voters came through with a loud and clear message in support of children. Unfortunately, the Presidential election has cast a shadow over local successes but, thankfully, being the resilient Oaklanders that our community is, we have managed to dig deep and find ways to show the world that our city is filled with strong and caring people. Since November 8, circles of solidarity and support large and small have sprung up across our city -- a memorable one numbering in the thousands holding hands around our beautiful Lake Merritt and many others in smaller groups within our schools, churches and community spaces. 

Holding Hands Around the Lake. Photo credit: Samantha Rogers, 7th grade.
OCO organized a gathering of congressional, county, city, OUSD, faith and community leaders  in support of our immigrant families.
Each gathering has lifted our spirits and confirmed that we are very fortunate to have each other. I continue to feel deeply grateful for the countless ways that our community shows up and contributes to making Oakland the special place that it is.

Due to the extra demands related to the election and news about our Superintendent's departure, this newsletter will be a shorter than previous ones. It will highlight these stories, some references and resources available to assist students and families, other School District news, and upcoming events. Please stay tuned for more to come.  It will be a busy December and 2017.

Congratulations to our school board members in Districts 1, 3, 5 and 7 on their reelections!

District 1:  Jody London
District 3: Jumoke Hinton-Hodge
District 5: Roseann Torres
District 7: James Harris

Great news on State Propositions and Local Measures!

Voters passed Prop 51 for the state to issue $9 billion in bonds to fund improvement and construction of school facilities for K-12 schools and community colleges.

Prop 55 was passed by voters to extend the personal income tax increases on incomes over $250,000 approved in 2012 for 12 years in order to fund education and healthcare.

Voters supposed repealing most of the 1998 Proposition 227, the "English in Public Schools" Initiative , thus effectively allowing non-English languages to be used in public educational instruction.

Local voters passed this measure of establishing a tax of $120 per parcel for 12 years to provide a districtwide educator salary increase designed to attract/retain teachers and provide middle schools with art, music, languages, and other enrichment programs.

Measure HH passed in favor of establishing a tax of one cent per ounce on sugar-sweetened beverages, including products such as sodas, sports drinks, sweetened teas, and energy drinks while exempting milk, juice, baby formulas, and diet drinks. A community advisory board will make recommendations to the City Council about funding programs that improve children's health and will issue annual public reports detailing the impact of funded programs.

In the News
Restorative Justice

Restorative Justice  (RJ) is a set of principles adopted by OUSD to build community, respond to conflict, and provide a welcoming reentry to returning students. We help to create an environment where all students can thrive through a 3-tier school-wide model: community building (prevention/relate), restorative processes (intervention/repair), supported reentry (individualized/reintegrate).
OUSD hosted student-led events during RJ Week in Oakland to stand in solidarity with the community. Multiple middle school students came together at Bret Harte in the above photo.
Student Protests
Following the announcement of the November 8, 2016 Presidential election results, over 1,000 students from across OUSD participated in anti-Trump protests through peaceful walkouts and teach-ins expressing their fears and concerns. More news on East Bay Times and SF Gate.
Photo Credit: Tatia Ogleton, Montera parent.
Continuing the Conversation
The election results have come as a surprise to many, but there are resources to help. Both youth and adults are trying to make sense of the Presidential election results. This article here assists parents in talking about the election with their children. The Superintendent has also provided several resources to assist families in continuing the conversation.
Superintendent's Resignation and Search
On Tuesday, November 22, BOE President James Harris announced the resignation of OUSD's Superintendent Antwan Wilson.  Some of 
the D istrict's achievements  during Superintendent Wilson's tenure and under his leadership in OUSD include:  bringing the District's audits up to date resulting in a AAA bond rating, completing a teacher's contract that included a 15%
increase, supporting important work such as RJ and Manhood Development that have improved graduation rates and reduced suspension rates and collaborating with the Mayor on the launch and roll out of the Oakland Promise.  
 
Supt. Wilson will be taking the helm in the Nation's Capitol as Chancellor of Washington D.C. Public Schools.  While we are disappointed that he did not stay longer, we wish him well as we continue to move forward in service of Oakland's youth. Press release  and  video  coverage is available  here . The School Board is in the process of preparing for a superintendent search.  To sign up for superintendent search updates, click  here .
OUSD Sophomore Performs at the White House!
Nicholas Reeves, a student from Oakland Tech, performed the cello at the White House and scored a positive remark at the end from the First Lady. The Sphinx quartet was one of the twelve to be honored with the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award. 

Upcoming Events
Board of Education and District 4 School Meetings/Events

November 28th - Board Engagement
Board of Education Community Engagement Meeting on the Local Control Accountability Plan ("LCAP") and related District budget topics @ 5:30 pm, Fremont High School, 4610 Foothill Blvd., Oakland

November 30th - School Board Meeting
Board of Education Regular Meeting @ 5 pm at La Escuelita's Great Room

November 30th - Skyline Production
"Prospect High: Brooklyn" @ 7 pm in Skyline High School's Auditorium.  Another outstanding production by Skyline students and their drama teacher and director, Ms.  Awele. Don't miss it!
December 2nd
Bret Harte: Choir Performance @ 6pm
 
December 3rd
Montera's 5th Annual Craft Fair at Montera Middle School @ 10 am - 4 pm
December 6th
Sequoia: How to Talk to Kids About Race and Racism @ 6 pm
 
December 7th
Sequoia: Sequoia Sings! @ 8:30 am
 
December 10th
Sequoia: artSPARK @ 3:30 pm
 
December 10th
Bret Harte: Choir OYC Winter Performance @ 6 pm
 
December 14th
Montclair: Winter Sing @ 10 pm
 
December 14th
Sequoia: Choir Performance @7 pm
 
December 14th
Bret Harte: Winter Concert @ 6 pm
 
December 15th
Thornhill: Winter Concert @ 9 am
 
As a friend reminded me a few days ago, "We are the World."  While the hairstyles from that memorable performance are very 1985, the message and iconic voices are evergreen and reassuring.  In that spirit, I wish you and yours much peace and joy during the holiday season.  

Sincerely,
For more District-wide information, please  sign up here  for OUSD's newsletters.

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Nina Senn, Vice President & Director - District 4, 
Oakland Unified School District, 
1000 Broadway, Oakland, CA  94607