Meeting Time: November 06, 2019 at 6:00pm PST
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Agenda Item

C.-4 19-2225 7:30 PM - Public Hearing by the Board of Education of Roses In Concrete - Petition and Proposed Charter - Grades K-8 - July 1, 2020-June 30, 2025 (Renewal).

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    Ingrid Jacobson about 5 years ago

    Roses in Concrete is a very special school. My kindergartner is thriving: learning what it means to be a part of the school and greater community as well as strong academic learning. Please renew for another 5 years.

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    Ruth Cardenas about 5 years ago

    Roses in concrete is a great school. My daughter has been going there for only a few months and she is thriving in kindergarten.I’m amazed at the amount of learning she is achieving and the confidence she feels at this school. Having been born and raised in Oakland myself as well as my husband it is so refreshing to be surrounded by a community which is collectively working together to better our children’s educational experience. The staff is warm and welcoming and is the glue bringing our community together in the name of educating and growing our children. I read through all the supportive comments on this thread and do not want to repeat everything that was said word for word but I couldn’t agree more or have said it any better. I see roses growing and becoming an even better school as each day goes by.

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    Danielle Mason about 5 years ago

    Roses in Concrete is a haven for our children who know first hand the impacts of oppression on all ends. Roses gives them a voice, and cultivates free thinkers who go on to innovate solutions to problems that plague humanity. We are a caring community of parents who thrive because of the culture that Roses has implemented with our children. My daughter has shown phenomenal improvement in the few months that she has been at Roses, she knows Spanish, can identify and spell sight words and has basic math skills. She has also shown growth in her ability to solve problems. Now that may be standard for a child her age, but there is no denying that this wouldn’t be possible without the attentive care given by her kindergarten teachers. All schools seek improvement and Roses is no different, but we have a strong desire to make lasting and impactful change in our communities. Please renew the license for Roses in Concrete, if not it would disrupt the lives and brilliant minds of our future.

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    Brian Feagans about 5 years ago

    The question of how to define student achievement reminds me of Einstein’s quote on measuring intelligence: “Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”

    I strongly believe that Roses got this one right. They measure what is important to their community. Cultural identity, self-esteem, relationships, and sense of belonging are not only the right measures for their students, they represent skills desperately needed across Oakland. The fact that the board now sits in a separate room for these meetings, isolated from the public, is telling of the divisions and tension that exist.

    Roses is actively developing a new generation of youth with skills needed and valued in Oakland: youth who are proud of who they are and where they come from; who know how to create a sense of belonging and respect within a diverse community; who are skilled at solving issues of social justice and social equity.

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    Taniesha Ramirez about 5 years ago

    Roses in Concrete NEEDS to stay open. They are needed for the community, 5 years isn't enough time for them to show their full potential. The attentiveness of these teachers, the love and care that they give, the hope the provide, the morning affirmations.... These things are all needed to make sure these students are successful. Give this school a chance to show you what they are really made of. With more love and time, Roses will do even more amazing things.

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    Amy Argenal about 5 years ago

    Roses in concrete has developed an amazing community in which our young ones can thrive. It is an economically and racially diverse school that centers racial and social justice. It is also one of the few schools that has dual immersion for black and brown youth. This allows for a cultural bridge between communities and really represents the demographic of East Oakland. My son is a first grader and we have had nothing but positive experiences at the school. The teachers and the staff are extremely caring and really center the community. We are as parents welcomed to participate in morning circle and everyone in the community is welcomed upon entering each morning. I encourage the OUSD board members to visit the school to really understand what is happening. Upon entering, you will see the amazing art of the scholars and know you are in a place where culturally relevant learning is taking place.

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    Emmanuel Leon about 5 years ago

    Roses in Concrete has been amazing in the development of my niece. The curriculum and bilingual way of teaching, along with social justice and arts is great and something that is missing from other schools in OUSD. Not only has she made great strides academically, she has flourished in her social skills. She has surpassed any and all expectations we had when she began at this school. The educators have taken time to nurture her interests in reading and singing. In not renewing the charter, you will be doing a disservice to my niece, other students (that are also thriving there) and the community as a whole. Please vote Yes for a renewal.

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    Melanie Fields about 5 years ago

    This is my sons first year of school- kinder and boy is he thriving! I’m thrilled and thoroughly impressed with the program at Roses and the educators desire to teach. My son loves his school and peers. He’s learned so much since the start of the school year and I look forward to his continued education at Roses and concrete! Please Vote yes to renew the sites status!

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    Basti Medrano about 5 years ago

    I love Roses in Concrete because of the dual immersion program they have and how they integrate social justice, arts and science into their curriculum. It is a very unique educational experience and everyday my son comes home and tells me everything he has learn and he also tells me how much he loves his school and to me it's very rewarding to know that my son wakes up everyday happy to go to school! I can't imagine what it would do to him if Roses In Concrete closes, I'm pretty sure a lot of families will be greatly affected if it closes. Please vote to keep it open. Thank you.

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    Melina Leon about 5 years ago

    Roses in Concrete was the best decision I have made for my daughters education. The bilingual way of teaching, social justice, arts is something I wish I had growing up attending OUSD. She has excelled in all academic categories that had been in huge part to the educators at this school that go above and beyond for their students. Not renewing will be detrimental to the community and the students that are thriving there. Please vote for renewal

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    Michael Hsieh about 5 years ago

    Roses in Concrete Community School provides a unique educational program that is based on a culturally relevant curriculum for the East Oakland community. Offering English and Spanish languages and incorporating arts and science program with funding from numerous foundations, Roses in Concrete offers its students an unprecedented educational experience that is unmatched locally and nationally. Renewal of its charter will be critical to continuing the ground breaking work being implemented at the school. Kindly vote in favor of it.