H.-1 20-2116 Decision Public Hearing: Adoption by the Board of Education of Resolution No. 2021-0142 - Denying Petition of Alternatives In Action High School and Written Findings of Support Thereof (Petition and Proposed Charter - Grades 9-12 - July 1, 2021 - June 30, 2026 (5 Year Renewal)).
I strongly urge you to support AIA's continued charter. This school has been offering a positive alternative for Oakland students, a place they can feel a sense of belonging and success. To take this away during this already unstable time is unjust. Please support their charter renewal!!!
I oppose the closing of AIA. They have helped so many students graduate who never thought they could including myself! I had transferred to AIA my sophomore year from a big school and it was the best decision I made. The teachers help give more one on one attention to the students that need it & most importantly actually get to know who their students are as people. AIA also provides after school programs that gives students a way to help their community that no other high school does.
Every community benefits from an alternative Highschool format. Kids who have to work and help support their families, kids who don’t thrive in a traditional Highschool setting and kids who just need a diploma! Please renew this charter!
As a former alumni and restorative justice coach at AIA High School. I strongly oppose the recommendations of denial of renewal to AIA, this school has not only giving me the opportunity to graduate high school, but also gave me the opportunity to have a voice. And as a small charter school I had the one on one support from the teacher. As it has done to many of the students that have attended here in the East Oakland community. Working as a coach for AIA was one of the greatest experience because the school always felt like a tight community, the students had the resources they need it. This school has giving many of our East Oakland kids to have a voice, to be leader and be resilient.
Through AIA I have personally witnessed my own sister's transformation and growth. Graduating from Alternatives In Action and continue on to college. A few years ago, I worked with an organization that did case management with Oakland youth and had to find school sites for students who were falling through the cracks and getting pushed out, then we found AIA. They welcomed everyone and continue to do so. Oakland wants AIAHS to exist. Say yes to our youth, say yes to our families, say yes to AIAHS!
Through AIA I have personally witnessed my own sister's transformation and growth. Graduating from Alternatives In Action and continue on to college. A few years ago, I worked with an organization that did case management with Oakland youth and had to find school sites for students who were falling through the cracks and getting pushed out, then we found AIA. They welcomed everyone and continue to do so. Oakland wants AIAHS to exist. Say yes to our youth, say yes to our families, say yes to AIAHS!
I am writing in opposition of closing AIA. It would be such a detriment to the community if their charter renewal is not granted. Many students have credited AIA to being the sole reason they graduated, so why would we deny future youth the same opportunity? Please allow this wonderful organization to continue.
I strongly disagree with the recommendation to deny Alternatives in Action’s charter renewal. To deny the renewal poses a huge risk to a community who has an extensive history of facing many inequalities. Having worked with the organization for 8 years I witnessed many times how the school helped countless students attain their high school diploma and supported many others in pursuing higher education. This school is apt at meeting students where they are at like I have seen very few other schools so. Please, do not be gate keepers for our community. In addition to providing academic support, the school excels at fostering a love of learning, a culture of co-creation, and a sense of community in the youth like no other place I’ve worked at. We need schools like AIA to be supported and not at risk. Alternatives in Action High School should, instead, receive full support and be used as a model for other educational institutions. I strongly believe that this school needs your approval.
Having worked at a variety of charter schools and large traditional public schools, in addition to larger CMOs; I can attest to the fact that I have never seen a school like Alternatives in Action High School. From the student population to the staff and the Board; everyone carries themselves professionally and they do this to ensure that the students who attend the school have the best possible services and support they can get. There is no school quite like it - individualized support, caring adults, career pathways, unique student population, and more - this school closing down at the hands of OUSD would be a huge disservice to the community of East Oakland. The pandemic has increased the severity of challenges in education, which is being felt across the world. AIA is a tiny beacon in all of that, which continues to support its students to thrive, and to close a school during a pandemic is unconscionable.
I strongly disagree with the recommendation to deny Alternatives in Action’s charter renewal. AIA is a very special place that has supported Oakland’s youth for the past twenty years. In my four years of working at the school, I have seen the immense impact that this community has had on students and their families. It is a place where young people that have struggled in a traditional school setting will find the will to take ownership of their own academics. I am baffled that such a recommendation and decision is being made during a pandemic, especially considering the communities that the school serves. Closing AIA would be a great loss to the immediate surrounding community and would present yet another barrier on the path to expand educational opportunities for Oakland’s youth.
I am writing to express strong support for AIA.
AIA serves a critical need in the Oakland community by serving some of our most vulnerable young people. It is unfair and illogical to compare data from AIA to comprehensive high schools when considering renewal. When compared to peers, AIA has a strong track record of delivering strong academic outcomes and graduation rates. I urge the District to consider its responsibility to serving all Oakland students and taking fair and equitable measures to support youth who are often being failed in other schools. Please approve AIA for 5 years.
I write in support of Alternatives in Action’s charter renewal and in opposition to the staff recommendation to decline I write as Executive Director and Founder of Community School for Creative Education, and as a long time Faith in Action leader. In both roles I have been focused on providing our Oakland youth and their families strong choices. In both roles I ask that you renew Altnernatives in Action. Alternatives in Action is a DASS school. In Oakland there are painfully few strong DASS options for our most vulnerable youth. It does so with committment and power and staying power. Further, under 1505 Alternatives in Action as DASS school is eligible for 5-year renewal. Most, it is singular among DASS schools in Oakland for its whole child aproach brought in the service of those who deserve this holistic approach most: our at risk youth. Please approve Alternatives in Action.
AIA serves some of the Bay Area's most vulnerable and marginalized youth for almost 20 years. AIA is considered a DASS school and should receive unique consideration at renewal. They should not be compared to comprehensive high schools, but should be compared to peer alternative schools. When compared to other DASS schools, AIA outperforms its peers in academic achievement and it also outperforms many comprehensive high schools in graduation rates and A-G completion. AIA meets a vital need for families and youth in Oakland, especially those that the traditional public schools have failed. I ask that you consider approval of its charter for 5 years.
My name is Dr. César Cruz. I’ve been an educator in Oakland since ‘94 and the co-founder of Homies Empowerment. As someone whose spoken at AIA, conducted workshops and worked closely with the leadership I've come to know that AIA receives students primarily in years 10-12th when things have not worked out at neighboring schools. What students find at AIA is authentic caring, support and dynamic leaders including Phung Lai, Lizbeth Gomez and Kenia Rodriguez.
AIA is a place of health and wellness, a place that includes a community closet, a food program for all and ethnic studies.
AIA has an 83% college going rate for students who have previously been suspended, expelled or pushed out. AIA should be celebrated to move beyond its 20 years of existence.
This is not a corporate charter nor an unproven idea. This is a veteran school meeting a vital need. It is worth championing, especially now. Be bold and courageous as you center kids and families in a good way.
Sincerely,
Dr. Cruz
Please do not deny this truly unique and supportive school. I have volunteered for the org and met some exceptional students who have become community minded and had new hopes and dreams discovered because of this program. Without AIA many students will not have another option. This school models what public and private education should look like. I can’t honestly believe the county would consider excluding them when it’s needed most!
Mi hijo llego a Alternativas en Acción despues de haber sufrido racismo. Le ayudaron tanto que pudo pasar sus clases que casi iva a reprobar. Se graduó gracias a el plan que le ayudó su maestra y ahora esta en college. Por que cerrar una escuela que reconoce en nuestros niños el potencial que en otros lugares no ven? Y yo como padre me ayudaron sus maestras a entender y apoyar a mi hijo. Los padres queremos Alternativas en Acción siguiendo educando a nuestros hijos y a nosotros tambien. Ellos me enseñaron a creer en mi hijo y a ser un mejor padre. Mi hijos es exitoso gracias a Alternativas en acción.
Alternativas en Acción posee programas y apoyos para nuestros jóvenes para encarar la inequidad, la evasión a la diversidad y fomenta arduamente la inclusion en conjunto con la resiliencia!
Personalmente he sido testigo de la transformación de jóvenes rechazados de otras escuelas y aquí ellos descubrieron herramientas “professional and life skills” además de la enseñanza académica y su capacidad de resiliencia al punto de aceptar retos para ser exitosos y tener su plan para perseguir una carrera en colegio!
Tenemos que hacer que la high school Alternativas en Acción crezca para incrementar el impacto de nuestros jóvenes. Se les ha discriminado como en la época de Martin Luther King Jr. Queremos jóvenes que Sean escuchados y apoyados como lo hace Alternativas en acción para poblar los trabajos NO las cárceles!
Muchos jóvenes cambian su destino de ir a la calle por mejor ir a college cuando asisten a Alternativas en Acción! No les cierren las puertas a nuestros jóvenes.
I strongly urge you to support AIA's continued charter. This school has been offering a positive alternative for Oakland students, a place they can feel a sense of belonging and success. To take this away during this already unstable time is unjust. Please support their charter renewal!!!
Keep this vital program going, please!
I oppose the closing of AIA. They have helped so many students graduate who never thought they could including myself! I had transferred to AIA my sophomore year from a big school and it was the best decision I made. The teachers help give more one on one attention to the students that need it & most importantly actually get to know who their students are as people. AIA also provides after school programs that gives students a way to help their community that no other high school does.
Every community benefits from an alternative Highschool format. Kids who have to work and help support their families, kids who don’t thrive in a traditional Highschool setting and kids who just need a diploma! Please renew this charter!
As a former alumni and restorative justice coach at AIA High School. I strongly oppose the recommendations of denial of renewal to AIA, this school has not only giving me the opportunity to graduate high school, but also gave me the opportunity to have a voice. And as a small charter school I had the one on one support from the teacher. As it has done to many of the students that have attended here in the East Oakland community. Working as a coach for AIA was one of the greatest experience because the school always felt like a tight community, the students had the resources they need it. This school has giving many of our East Oakland kids to have a voice, to be leader and be resilient.
Through AIA I have personally witnessed my own sister's transformation and growth. Graduating from Alternatives In Action and continue on to college. A few years ago, I worked with an organization that did case management with Oakland youth and had to find school sites for students who were falling through the cracks and getting pushed out, then we found AIA. They welcomed everyone and continue to do so. Oakland wants AIAHS to exist. Say yes to our youth, say yes to our families, say yes to AIAHS!
Through AIA I have personally witnessed my own sister's transformation and growth. Graduating from Alternatives In Action and continue on to college. A few years ago, I worked with an organization that did case management with Oakland youth and had to find school sites for students who were falling through the cracks and getting pushed out, then we found AIA. They welcomed everyone and continue to do so. Oakland wants AIAHS to exist. Say yes to our youth, say yes to our families, say yes to AIAHS!
This school is the only support for students who struggle with English and big public schools. Please do not kill it.
I am writing in opposition of closing AIA. It would be such a detriment to the community if their charter renewal is not granted. Many students have credited AIA to being the sole reason they graduated, so why would we deny future youth the same opportunity? Please allow this wonderful organization to continue.
I strongly disagree with the recommendation to deny Alternatives in Action’s charter renewal. To deny the renewal poses a huge risk to a community who has an extensive history of facing many inequalities. Having worked with the organization for 8 years I witnessed many times how the school helped countless students attain their high school diploma and supported many others in pursuing higher education. This school is apt at meeting students where they are at like I have seen very few other schools so. Please, do not be gate keepers for our community. In addition to providing academic support, the school excels at fostering a love of learning, a culture of co-creation, and a sense of community in the youth like no other place I’ve worked at. We need schools like AIA to be supported and not at risk. Alternatives in Action High School should, instead, receive full support and be used as a model for other educational institutions. I strongly believe that this school needs your approval.
Having worked at a variety of charter schools and large traditional public schools, in addition to larger CMOs; I can attest to the fact that I have never seen a school like Alternatives in Action High School. From the student population to the staff and the Board; everyone carries themselves professionally and they do this to ensure that the students who attend the school have the best possible services and support they can get. There is no school quite like it - individualized support, caring adults, career pathways, unique student population, and more - this school closing down at the hands of OUSD would be a huge disservice to the community of East Oakland. The pandemic has increased the severity of challenges in education, which is being felt across the world. AIA is a tiny beacon in all of that, which continues to support its students to thrive, and to close a school during a pandemic is unconscionable.
I strongly disagree with the recommendation to deny Alternatives in Action’s charter renewal. AIA is a very special place that has supported Oakland’s youth for the past twenty years. In my four years of working at the school, I have seen the immense impact that this community has had on students and their families. It is a place where young people that have struggled in a traditional school setting will find the will to take ownership of their own academics. I am baffled that such a recommendation and decision is being made during a pandemic, especially considering the communities that the school serves. Closing AIA would be a great loss to the immediate surrounding community and would present yet another barrier on the path to expand educational opportunities for Oakland’s youth.
I am writing to express strong support for AIA.
AIA serves a critical need in the Oakland community by serving some of our most vulnerable young people. It is unfair and illogical to compare data from AIA to comprehensive high schools when considering renewal. When compared to peers, AIA has a strong track record of delivering strong academic outcomes and graduation rates. I urge the District to consider its responsibility to serving all Oakland students and taking fair and equitable measures to support youth who are often being failed in other schools. Please approve AIA for 5 years.
If it weren’t for AIA I wouldn’t of graduated high school.
I write in support of Alternatives in Action’s charter renewal and in opposition to the staff recommendation to decline I write as Executive Director and Founder of Community School for Creative Education, and as a long time Faith in Action leader. In both roles I have been focused on providing our Oakland youth and their families strong choices. In both roles I ask that you renew Altnernatives in Action. Alternatives in Action is a DASS school. In Oakland there are painfully few strong DASS options for our most vulnerable youth. It does so with committment and power and staying power. Further, under 1505 Alternatives in Action as DASS school is eligible for 5-year renewal. Most, it is singular among DASS schools in Oakland for its whole child aproach brought in the service of those who deserve this holistic approach most: our at risk youth. Please approve Alternatives in Action.
AIA serves some of the Bay Area's most vulnerable and marginalized youth for almost 20 years. AIA is considered a DASS school and should receive unique consideration at renewal. They should not be compared to comprehensive high schools, but should be compared to peer alternative schools. When compared to other DASS schools, AIA outperforms its peers in academic achievement and it also outperforms many comprehensive high schools in graduation rates and A-G completion. AIA meets a vital need for families and youth in Oakland, especially those that the traditional public schools have failed. I ask that you consider approval of its charter for 5 years.
My name is Dr. César Cruz. I’ve been an educator in Oakland since ‘94 and the co-founder of Homies Empowerment. As someone whose spoken at AIA, conducted workshops and worked closely with the leadership I've come to know that AIA receives students primarily in years 10-12th when things have not worked out at neighboring schools. What students find at AIA is authentic caring, support and dynamic leaders including Phung Lai, Lizbeth Gomez and Kenia Rodriguez.
AIA is a place of health and wellness, a place that includes a community closet, a food program for all and ethnic studies.
AIA has an 83% college going rate for students who have previously been suspended, expelled or pushed out. AIA should be celebrated to move beyond its 20 years of existence.
This is not a corporate charter nor an unproven idea. This is a veteran school meeting a vital need. It is worth championing, especially now. Be bold and courageous as you center kids and families in a good way.
Sincerely,
Dr. Cruz
Please do not deny this truly unique and supportive school. I have volunteered for the org and met some exceptional students who have become community minded and had new hopes and dreams discovered because of this program. Without AIA many students will not have another option. This school models what public and private education should look like. I can’t honestly believe the county would consider excluding them when it’s needed most!
Mi hijo llego a Alternativas en Acción despues de haber sufrido racismo. Le ayudaron tanto que pudo pasar sus clases que casi iva a reprobar. Se graduó gracias a el plan que le ayudó su maestra y ahora esta en college. Por que cerrar una escuela que reconoce en nuestros niños el potencial que en otros lugares no ven? Y yo como padre me ayudaron sus maestras a entender y apoyar a mi hijo. Los padres queremos Alternativas en Acción siguiendo educando a nuestros hijos y a nosotros tambien. Ellos me enseñaron a creer en mi hijo y a ser un mejor padre. Mi hijos es exitoso gracias a Alternativas en acción.
Alternativas en Acción posee programas y apoyos para nuestros jóvenes para encarar la inequidad, la evasión a la diversidad y fomenta arduamente la inclusion en conjunto con la resiliencia!
Personalmente he sido testigo de la transformación de jóvenes rechazados de otras escuelas y aquí ellos descubrieron herramientas “professional and life skills” además de la enseñanza académica y su capacidad de resiliencia al punto de aceptar retos para ser exitosos y tener su plan para perseguir una carrera en colegio!
Tenemos que hacer que la high school Alternativas en Acción crezca para incrementar el impacto de nuestros jóvenes. Se les ha discriminado como en la época de Martin Luther King Jr. Queremos jóvenes que Sean escuchados y apoyados como lo hace Alternativas en acción para poblar los trabajos NO las cárceles!
Muchos jóvenes cambian su destino de ir a la calle por mejor ir a college cuando asisten a Alternativas en Acción! No les cierren las puertas a nuestros jóvenes.