Meeting Time: November 04, 2020 at 6:00pm PST
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Agenda Item

20-2116 Submission Public Hearing by the Board of Education of Alternatives In Action, Inc. - Alternative in Action High School - Petition and Proposed Charter - Grades 9-12 - July 1, 2021 - June 30, 2026 (5 Year Renewal).

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    Stephany Gomez over 3 years ago

    I support and hope that Alternatives in Action stay OPEN! I am an alumni from Class of 2011. I have always been so proud to rep and inform people of AIA, because it helped me in so many ways. I love that the teachers make you feel like family and always open to help or hear you out.
    I started high school at Skyline but that was too big of a school for me and I needed something that was smaller and more one on one help. As soon as I joined AIA my grades changed a lot (better). The help students get here at AIA are way different than any other school, because the teachers make sure everyone is on the same page or if not always makes time for students for one on ones.
    I also appreciate that AIA helps a lot with plans for after high school.
    I give my support to AIA because it has helped me and many others succeed!

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    Delia Rodriguez over 3 years ago

    I fully support AIA and wish OUSD bord to vote in favor

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    Estrada Loryn over 3 years ago

    Alternatives in action high school offers something more than education, it gives a space for youths and families to be part of and to grow. Youths there learn to be part of their community and impact it. They are able to foster their love for education in a small community that empowers them to use the necessary tools to sick for higher education.

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    Gabriela Soto over 3 years ago

    Im a parent of two high school graduates of Alternatives in action. It should remain open because it helped my daughters graduate with other schools thought my kids had no hope to want to learn. But they helped my kids learn, start doing great in school, teaches them about life, they changed my kid for the best.

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    April Angeles over 3 years ago

    I strongly urge the OUSD board to vote in favor of keeping the AIAHS community open to the families that it serves. This is my fifth year teaching at AIAHS and my tenth year teaching overall. I continue to be blown away by the heart and dedication that the adults of this community put into the well-being of the youth and of each other. AIAHS is a safe, welcoming, and caring place that keeps in mind the holistic well-being of youth. Our community has experienced many traumas together, but through persistence in education and wraparound clinical and counseling services, we have seen our youth succeed. Youth come out of AIAHS better-equipped academically, emotionally, and socially. This is evidenced by youth returning to the school after they graduate to share their success stories and reconnect with adults and younger students. Our youth continue on to two-year community college programs, four-year colleges, and the workforce. Many of our youth return back to AIAHS as staff.

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    Lena Ayala over 3 years ago

    I can't imagine a world without it here to serve our people.

    "our people" AIA is inclusive. All are welcome and all are loved. AIA is 1 big family that only continues to grow.

    I am 32, I graduated in 2006. This place has been a part of my heart for more than half of my life. It is where teachers cared enough to see me, to push me to my potential. It is where teachers invested in me, helping me find my voice (time and time again.) It is where I met my now husband. It is where I was able to dive into my passion and my growth.

    I am forever grateful and thankful to AIA and for all of the people I have in my life because of our connections and community of AIA.

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    Bianca Forrester over 3 years ago

    Alternatives in Action offers an extraordinary program to support Oakland youth. AIA provides a pathway for students many of whom by all metrics were unable to experience success in more traditional school settings. AiA's leader Ms. Phung Lai is a champion for equity with deep Oakland roots and an unrelenting commitment to ensuring that Oakland's diverse and deserving youth have access to rich curriculum that meaningfully engages all learners.

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    Kimi Kean over 3 years ago

    I am thrilled to offer my support of the renewal of the Alternatives in Action high school. AiA offers and extraordinary, unique program that successfully serves students who have not thrived in other school settings. The ability of a pregnant teen to find support, acceptance, and academic progress in the AIA environment. Oakland desperately needs more schools that have the capacity to meet the needs of our highest needs students. Thank you for considering my strong recommendation for the renewal of AIA.

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    Jasmine Martinez over 3 years ago

    I fully support Alternatives In Action High School. I am an alumna that attended all 4 years of high school. After I graduated, thanks to the support of AIA I enrolled in a 4-year college. In middle school, I attended a big school and I was failing many of my classes. I love that AIAHS provides the space for youth who do not learn well in a big traditional High School. Before AIA, college never crossed my mind and now I am in my 3rd year. I live in the community of AIA and I am very passionate about helping my community. That is the reason why I came back to AIA to work as a Teacher's Aide. I am so happy to be back, to pass on the traditions that AIA taught me, and to build relationships with all the youth. Even after I graduated, the staff at Alternatives in Action always remained family to me. I hope to continue my career and continue working with AIA. I hope Alternatives in Action High School remains open so that many other youths have a story to tell similar to mine.

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    Austin Razavi over 3 years ago

    I work with middle schoolers and have had some go to this school, and they have done a GREAT job with them and their families. They go above and beyond to support students with diverse needs. Our city's education system is better with AIA as part of it!

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    Nimka Kurzfeld over 3 years ago

    I have taught and tutored at AIA high school for years. I have worked at four other schools in my career and have never seen a school more fit for serving students. The genuine care that students feel here, the sense of mattering as a person, and if teachers holding high expectations for them has been unmatched in my years as a parent and teacher. The way they nurture young people to grow into leaders who make excellent educational and life choices is really a beautiful thing. Please, please, please keep this gem of a school alive!!

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    Phung Lai over 3 years ago

    Alternatives in Action High School is a small school community that believes in the power of young people. Our commitment to youth leadership empowers them to take ownership of their education and power. In my time here, I have grown personally and professionally. I continue to evolve because of the youth and families who have challenged me to see them, hear them, and advocate with them. I have learned so much from their resiliency and tenacity to survive in a system that has not always worked in their favor. I have had the privilege to co-create a space with our youth and families to thrive and have their voice heard, and to show them that they matter. I believe all youth deserve a second chance, and our school provides youth that opportunity.

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    Sierra ThaiBinh over 3 years ago

    Alternatives in Action High School has served youth in the Bay Area for 20 years. We strive to provide the best example of unconditional care and learning to young people who have often not found the individualized support they need to have a real shot at post high school education or other career pathways. We welcome the opportunity to collaborate with OUSD to continue serving Oakland youth and I hope you will allow us to do that by renewing our charter. Thank you!

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    Anel Huidor over 3 years ago

    Aia shaped me into the woman I am today, without their support and love they gave I wouldn't be where I stand today!

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    carolina ayala over 3 years ago

    Alternatives In Action has changed my life many times in my life. I attended the highschool all 4 years. I became a teacher there for several years. I love the community, the values the staff , students and families bring. I love what AIA stands for and the positive role it places in many people's lives. This place isn't just a school or a workspace. This place is a HOME. Once also known as Home Base. Home Sweet Home also used to fall under the umbrella . Its no coincidence why. There's no place like home and this place is a home for so many. A place many of us can always go back to. I can't imagine a world without it here to serve our people.

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    Sonia Ayala over 3 years ago

    I'm a parent of an 11th grader student really happy with the school environment that they have. Wish for them to remain open is a small school and that's why it is a special due to the connection they have with families.

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    Clarisa Hernandez over 3 years ago

    So much support and guidance from staff! I wouldn’t be where I am at today if it wasn’t for AIA!

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    Tracey EdwardsMoore over 3 years ago

    For over 20 years Alternatives in Action has been an integral part of the lives of so many families and has served those families and communities well. Since moving to East Oakland, AIA high school has continued to be not only integral in the lives of the youth and families but also in the community. We've done good by our youth and families and an important partner in the community.

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    Maria Padilla over 3 years ago

    Maria Elena Garcia Buenos días o tades
    Yo soy madre de familia y tengo 2 hijos en alternativos en acción a nombre de mi familia y personalmente les pido por favor que la escuela se mantenga abierta.
    la escuela cuenta con personal extraordinario, excelentes alumnos, buen soporte por parte de todo su personal .
    Los alumnos se sienten confortables eyos están muy bien adaptados.
    Es muy duro imaginar que tendríamos que enfrentarnos algún cambio.
    Yo sí estoy a favor de que se mantenga abierta laescuela.
    Muchas gracias por su comprensión

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    Diego Rivas over 3 years ago

    Alternatives in action es muy especial para mi ya que es una gran escuela con exelentes maestro que apoyan mucho a los estudiantes y han logrado crear una bonita comunidad.