Meeting Time: December 18, 2020 at 8:00am PST
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Agenda Item

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)).

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    Geyson Carrillo over 3 years ago

    I came into AIA in my sophomore year because my last school did not help me in any way. AIA gives support like no other school, teachers are always behind you and that is what most students need, at least that's how I feel. As a senior I can say that I’m truly thankful for this school because AIA has prepared me for college. My experience at AIA has been the best, I have no bad comments about this school, and all I can say is, AIA thank you for everything.

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    Frances Brown over 3 years ago

    As a new teacher at AIA I can attest to the unique amount of support that this staff provides to students. These students here have advocated for their education by choosing to come to this school, in many cases after realizing that others schools were not going to serve them in the way that they needed. To choose to not renew the charter is to ask students who have worked hard to be here to make a huge and unnecessary effort to find a new community, new supports, and new schools in the middle of extremely trying times. The strengths of this community lie in it's ability to show up for students and staff alike in the face of struggle, tragedy, pandemic, and the innumerable institutions that maintain systems of oppression. Not renewing the charter of this school will create an extremely difficult hurdle in the lives of my wonderful, self-advocating students.

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    Maria Morales over 3 years ago

    This school is important to me because I have met good people, friends and teachers have helped me a lot, something I like is that it is a small school and the teachers support the students equally I enrolled to this school because it is the closest school to my house.

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    Princess Garcia over 3 years ago

    AIAHS is important to me because it is one of the only safe learning environments I’ve ever been in. My experience at AIAHS has supported me by helping me achieve the 4.0 gpa since my freshman year to this day. I appreciate this school but mainly its staff and caring adults because we’d be nowhere without them. Another of the many things I appreciate about AIAHS is the 110% support and engagement given to the students and vice versa. Many of us have improved drastically in the academic aspect. AIA is a special place because I have never been supported in a school academically, mentally, and emotionally. We receive support for our lives outside of school and that means the world to many of us. Without AIAHS I would be in a school where i didnt feel supported academically and I would be struggling mentally due to the lack of support. I wouldn't be aiming to go to college. Thankfully, I am not in that situation thanks to AIAHS and its supportive, loving, and caring community.

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    cheryl nunez over 3 years ago

    I oppose the order of closing down AIA because this school is a safe place for everybody, they help you with your goals and offer support whenever you need it. I love this school and I would not think about gong to another school, this place has helped me grow not only as a student but as a person too. Ive learned a lot from this school and I hope for future students that attend AIA one day to experience the same joy I did. AIA focuses on our education and how to help us and they create a safe space so we could all be comfortable, I have grown so much academically.

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    A M over 3 years ago

    AIA is the closest school for some students, we learn friendship and we have good communication with mostly all of the teachers they support each of us and also they put your wellness first and they will always understand you if you are in a difficult situation and they won’t let me lie whenever there is a problem they listen to your reasons before giving you a punishment and they will always be fair to everyone, they make every day of school a better place.

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    jacqueline orozco over 3 years ago

    This is my first year at aia and due to corona i cant have the save experience as others but so far while being here the teachers have been so loving , supportive and patient. Through out my school years i have attended many school and i have never felt this welcome and support by the teachers and students.

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    yeny horta over 3 years ago

    My name is Yeny Horta Im a senior at AIAHS this my third year here. I came this school on the starting of my sophomore year and I have enjoyed to be in this school. This school is a part of me for the reason that thanks to the coaches there I been able to feel comfortable with doing my work and being more open minded with my peers. AIAHS has been a great resource for me to stay focus and be successful. The coaches are very helpful they always making sure student are catching up with work having support groups after school.Teachers make sure to understand the different types of learning ways the student have so they can help them more and grow. AIAHS is important to me because the school always making me feel welcome to come in school every single day to be ready to learn new things. Over this pandemic of Covid-19 all teachers and staff members from AIAHS has been really helpful. Please keep the school open.

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    Carlos Rodriguez over 3 years ago

    AIAHS is important to me because its a different school compared to others, others school there isn't many students that succeed because there isnt that much support for the students who need it and in AIA all the teachers help student who need more help i chose to go to AIA because I knew that there would be more support and help from staffs and it feels more homie than any other place because its small this school and these staffs will help me move on forward to college

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    any garciia over 3 years ago

    Pienso que AIA es muy importante porque brindan el apoyo necesario también como ayuda para muchos estudiantes sirve de mucha ayuda para personas y brindan la ayuda necesaria que todos necesitamos y quieren que todos entrémoos ala universidad también que tenemos que termina la escuela y que todo es muy importante...

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    Niku Shah over 3 years ago

    AIA is a great school that supports the youth in our community. I am very concerned that the youth will be in another transition period if AIA closes, and that too during a pandemic. Removing a bedrock of the community during a time of crisis will not be helpful and I am greatly concerned it will cause more suffering and pain in the community. Please regard this point in your decision making. Thank you.

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    BJ McIntyre over 3 years ago

    I strongly oppose any motion to close AIA. Alternatives In Action has been a hidden treasure in the Oakland community for several years now. Its commitment to community impact beyond classroom instruction is direct evidence of this school's noble intentions and dedication to Oakland youth. Please study the History of AIA, talk to its students, and try not to judge based on test scores and political opposition to charter schools. I was raised in Oakland and still pay property taxes just several blocks from the school, where I teach. I understand the need for AIA because I dropped out of OUSD at age 15. I went through a variety of alternative ed programs to eventually earn a Masters degree in Teaching. I chose to teach at AIA because it appeals to my young self and refuses to let students fail. By actively closing the school you will be actively failing Oakland youth. We are in the middle of the worst Pandemic since Spanish Flu. Please be human/humane and do the right thing.

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    Fernando Morales over 3 years ago

    AIA is very good school and for me i don't really like school and aia help me to like it know i want to go to college and finish school because aia make me have that mindset and i think this is a very good school because i never had sum teachers that help me alot that will ask you for help every 5 minute but yea this schole provided me with that and i really like this school for they way is show us student to be someone in the future

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    Elias GrandeSola over 3 years ago

    AIA is important to me because this school has help me a-lot i have improved a-lot in this school cause the teachers help you a-lot when you need it and you will get the support, and the thing is that this school and there staff will always keep supporting there students.

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    Masiel Robles over 3 years ago


    AIAHS es importante para mi porque me gusta mucho como nos enseñan y también soy una persona que solo habla español y los maestros me hablan español, yo elegí venir a AIA porque mi hermana también estudia ahí, ya es su último grado, en mis otras escuelas no me hablaban español y me sentía mal por eso es que no me gustaría que cerraran esta escuela, algo que aprecio de la escuela es que a mi papa le hablan español también y él puede entender todo lo que los meat tos de quieren decir, siento que si no asistirá a esta escuela mis clases no irían bien ya que tendría que hacer las cosas en inglés también siento que esta escuela te enseña de una manera fácil y las horas se pasan rápido cuando aprendes con los maestros, mi experiencia en AIA me ha apoyado en mi inglés y en todas las dudas que tengo cuando no entiendo mis trabajos.

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    Yendy Ruiz over 3 years ago

    AIA is important to me because it is where I spent all four years of my high school life and is where I will finish. It is sad to know that once I am out of high school I won’t be able to return and visit my old teachers and staff. This is where I grew and matured and throughout my experience taught me new things about life and new academic materials.

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    carlos jimenez over 3 years ago

    i attended AIA because i got afew family members there also when I came to this school i felt like it was the one the teachers there and the community feels safe i had transfered school cause the last one i wnet to they didnt really gave help

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    Savannah Lee over 3 years ago

    AIAHS is important to me because they’re always there for me. It may sound like a normal thing but to me it isn’t. In previous schools, they’ve helped me but they never put in any effort to double check if I need further help or instructions. At AIA, each coach I’ve had has always checked in with not only me but other classmates to double check and see if everyone is catching on. This school makes me feel comfortable with making mistakes because I know that the coaches will help me fix and learn from my mistakes. I feel like if the school didn’t get its charter renewal, I’d have to start all over again instead of continuing my 3 remaining years at a school I feel comfortable in, a school that I’m really achieving in.

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    Antonio Almaguer over 3 years ago

    Alternatives in Action is a school that made me who I am today because the coaches are really supportive. I’m not just saying just because, they actually do their best go out of their way to support you in any way possible. I came to this as a last option but I stayed for all 4 school years because of the community. I hope this school doesn’t get closed because I want people to experience what I did in this school specifically the funny moments and how chill some of the teachers are like you can really talk to them.

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    Ramon Tovar over 3 years ago

    AIA is important to me because it is a different experience from other schools. My
    experience at AIA has supported me by making me want to stay in school and keep going
    to college.