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 oppose this decision because there are many people who need this school because its such great help to them because of the support the school gives. i would believe many of you who have made this decision have children and for one moment Id like you to think how hard it'll be to not only do online classes but also having to change schools where everything is new again. The stress the juniors and the rest of the students will undergo is uncalled for and should just be kept as normal because this school has helped a lot and it gave more people the chance and the opportunity to succeed in life.
My name is Victoria Ojo. I am a student at AIAHS. The reason that I came to AIA is that I was having trouble at my old school and I felt that often I got off track and needed more support. AIA is important to me because our youth is a big part of our community, and we are like a family bonded type of school. My experience at AIA has supported me by taking me risk and speaking out more, Something else I appreciate about AIA is everything. Especially my peer’s and our staff Indeed, AIA is a special place because it feels like home. I feel safe there, I feel loved, I feel cared about, I feel important. The main reason I think you should renew AIA is that this is a school that brings us all together. If AIA is not renewed it would break our community apart. Thank you for hearing my comments and for your consideration.
AIAHS is important to me because I didn't like how public schools are structured, Also In this school instead of reading some History books written by A racist white, men who wrote the book from his point of view, we learn about the truth about thanksgiving.
My name is Silvia Lopez. I am a student at AIAHS.
The reason that I came to AIA is because I heard that it was a good school and also because it is close to my house.
AIA is important to me because so far all the teachers and staff have supported me on what I need help with.
My experience at AIA has supported me by learning and exploring things that I’ve didn’t known.
Something else I appreciate about AIA is that my teacher helps me when I need help and listen to me when I have questions.
Indeed, AIA is a special place because every staff member supports all students and listens to them and also cares about what the students think. The main reason I think you should renew AIA is because I feel like all the other schools don’t care about what the students think about and what the students want for the future. Infact, if AIA is not renewed I won't find another school like aia.
Thank you for hearing my comments and for your consideration.
For 20 years, Alternatives in Action High School has served youth and families who want leadership, voice and a second chance. Many of our youth and families choose our school because of our restorative, unconditional education approach in which we believe all youth are wise and resourceful. Many of our youth and families are also highly mobile and our school provides a supportive, safe, and stable environment. We are a small, community-based educational program with staff who care and provide individualized supports to meet the needs of our youth and families. Youth who weren’t successful at other high schools, or need a place to thrive are given another opportunity to be academically successful, graduate, access higher education, and explore post high school career pathways. Our youth and families need our school to stay open for them! Alternatives in Action High School is their option!
AIAHS is important to me because it’s very different from other schools that I have gone to. The reason why it’s different from other schools that went to is because the teachers and staff here are really supportive and at my other school they would support you but not as much as AIAHS does. AIAHS have supported me by helping me out on my credits and putting me in the right classes, they have also taken time out of their own day to help me with my work. AIA is a special place because you really can’t find a school like this, this school really helps you a lot for example if you’re behind they would make sure that you graduate on time. Without AIAHS I would most likely still be at my old school getting in trouble, not going to class, not doing my work when I’m supposed to. I can say that has helped me and changed me because ever since I came to this I haven’t got in trouble and I go to class everyday.
My experience at AIA has been incredible from building relationships to bettering my writing, reading, and taking risks. This school has incredible staff who didn't give up on us students who were struggling with things, I am grateful for this school and all the staff. It is sad to hear that my school might not get renewed because I have grown so much at this school and with everything going around they have still kept me focused with every little help they can. I hope that you could understand that one visit does not summarize or show that we do not deserve a renewal, I hope that you could consider the renewal because this school has all the possibility to teach every student.
I returned from Mexico recently after 7 years of leaving there and when I came back a couple of months ago, the counselors at AIA were very supportive and attentive, they helped me find a way to obtain my credits and all of the teachers are so, very patient and understanding with their students even in the middle of a pandemic. I believe they are a school that deserves to be up for more generations to enroll and be supported by this great's school system
This school gives support like no lther school, ive had friends who have moved from skyline where the teachers dont really help with credits and they have been less stressed and doing better
My name is Bryan Mendoza. I am a student at AIAHS The reason I came to this school because it was nearby. AIA is important to me because the teachers are very helpful. Also I like that the school is small and the teachers do whatever they can to help the students.
I came into AIAHS as a freshman in 2018 but only stayed for a month and left and I decided to come back a year later halfway through three sophomore year. I made the decision to transfer back after my other school did not meet my expectations. I decided to return since the one month I was in AIAHS as a freshman was very positive. The teachers and staff members were very supportive so I decided to come back. when i returned i felt welcomed back; the staff members continued being supportive. I’m comfortable with the teachers and staff since they’ve done nothing but be supportive. They try to build a relationship with their students for them to understand them. I refuse to go back to a school that had me crying day after day due to the amount of work given.
Hola mi nombre es Dianey Jimenez y tengo dos hijas en la escuela AIAHS. Mi opinión es que la preparatoria AIAHS es una escuela muy importante para y mi familia por que nos hacen sentir como parte de la comunidad. Tenemos apoyo para los estudiantes. Se necesita que se siga continuado abierta la escuela. Ellos dependen de los recursos estudiantil de la escuela AIAHS para ser exitosos.
AIA puts students first. They support the student body with a routine in school days, familiar faces of classmates and the continued push of classes, school work and school activities. Denying the charter for AIA would be a disservice to the Oakland community. AIA inspires Oakland youth to realize their leadership potential and prepare them for college, career, and community life through dynamic educational, skill-building, and real-world experiences. The high school provides innovative opportunities and support that help students succeed and ultimately become contributing adults. My experience with this as a Board Member and my interaction with the students of AIA and the AIA staff is extremely positive, supportive and responsive culturally, academically and personally. AIA provides joy to the community and its students. I would hope that in this day and cultural climate that an institution that promotes all these things would be promoted by OUSD as opposed to denied.
My name is Caitlin McNaughton and I am a former Alternatives in Action teacher. I worked as the full time ELD teacher between 2016 and Spring 2020 and I LOVE the AIA community and would be heartbroken to see the school close. As the ELD teacher, I worked primarily with AIA's population of newcomer students. In this role, I saw firsthand how our newcomers were able to learn and grow academically, socially, and emotionally due to the wrap around care that AIA provides. While I always knew that AIA was a special place, it wasn't until taking on a new job in a large public high school that I realized just how special AIA truly is. Many students will only be successful in this small, supportive, flexible environment. Teachers and staff at AIA hold students with rigor and high expectations, but also with love. That is what so many of our students need as they navigate the many challenges in their lives. Closing the school is the worst thing you can do for these students. It's their home.
As a former teacher at AIAHS, I feel strongly that this unique charter model should stay open. The school meets a need in the Oakland community and serves students who would not otherwise be served by the public education system. It will be to their detriment, and the detriment of the community, if this charter is not renewed—a sad thing indeed for the entire community. Please keep AIAHS open to continue the amazing work they do.
As a previous parter (Lawrence Hall of Science UC Berkeley) I have see how the school works with students. It has a good structure to support students. Teachers care for their students and go above and beyond to help them.
As an alumni of Alternatives in Action I know the hardships of finding a school that is there to support you not only academically but also emotionally; however this school does so. AIA strives to provide an excellent education to all its students. It guides them by providing one on one support when necessary and they do not allow a student to fall behind. Alternatives in Action should not be closed but rather remained open as it has impacted its community and youth in great ways and it will continue to do so.
Alternatives in action is offering a rigorous, community oriented, and anti-racist alternative to students who have struggled in other schools. They should not be compared with schools whose student population is not comparable. If closed, we would be denying youth of a high quality school that many families are choosing for their scholars and disrupting lives in our community during a year where their lives have already been significantly disrupted. The trauma that this decision will cause will echo through Oakland.
Most youth find AIAHS after feeling failed by other traditional schools around the Bay Area. They come to AIAHS with gaps in their education and often feel like schools aren’t meant to serve them. Our school was founded by students, which places them as the highest priority. I have never experienced a school that openly solicits feedback from students about their education and the governance of their school. Because of this students come to AIAHS and find a place that works for them and meets them where they are. Students that express never dreaming of graduating high school let alone attending college are able to see that as a possibility for themselves. At AIAHS students are educated to advocate for themselves as learners and members of a community. To separate our community at this time, would mean taking away critical support structures from students in the middle of a pandemic. I urge the board to consider the impact that a denial would have on the students and families of AIAHS.
I oppose this decision because there are many people who need this school because its such great help to them because of the support the school gives. i would believe many of you who have made this decision have children and for one moment Id like you to think how hard it'll be to not only do online classes but also having to change schools where everything is new again. The stress the juniors and the rest of the students will undergo is uncalled for and should just be kept as normal because this school has helped a lot and it gave more people the chance and the opportunity to succeed in life.
Dear OUSD,
My name is Victoria Ojo. I am a student at AIAHS. The reason that I came to AIA is that I was having trouble at my old school and I felt that often I got off track and needed more support. AIA is important to me because our youth is a big part of our community, and we are like a family bonded type of school. My experience at AIA has supported me by taking me risk and speaking out more, Something else I appreciate about AIA is everything. Especially my peer’s and our staff Indeed, AIA is a special place because it feels like home. I feel safe there, I feel loved, I feel cared about, I feel important. The main reason I think you should renew AIA is that this is a school that brings us all together. If AIA is not renewed it would break our community apart. Thank you for hearing my comments and for your consideration.
AIAHS is important to me because I didn't like how public schools are structured, Also In this school instead of reading some History books written by A racist white, men who wrote the book from his point of view, we learn about the truth about thanksgiving.
Dear OUSD,
My name is Silvia Lopez. I am a student at AIAHS.
The reason that I came to AIA is because I heard that it was a good school and also because it is close to my house.
AIA is important to me because so far all the teachers and staff have supported me on what I need help with.
My experience at AIA has supported me by learning and exploring things that I’ve didn’t known.
Something else I appreciate about AIA is that my teacher helps me when I need help and listen to me when I have questions.
Indeed, AIA is a special place because every staff member supports all students and listens to them and also cares about what the students think. The main reason I think you should renew AIA is because I feel like all the other schools don’t care about what the students think about and what the students want for the future. Infact, if AIA is not renewed I won't find another school like aia.
Thank you for hearing my comments and for your consideration.
AIA is a special place to me because the teachers help me get through my work whenever I
need help.
For 20 years, Alternatives in Action High School has served youth and families who want leadership, voice and a second chance. Many of our youth and families choose our school because of our restorative, unconditional education approach in which we believe all youth are wise and resourceful. Many of our youth and families are also highly mobile and our school provides a supportive, safe, and stable environment. We are a small, community-based educational program with staff who care and provide individualized supports to meet the needs of our youth and families. Youth who weren’t successful at other high schools, or need a place to thrive are given another opportunity to be academically successful, graduate, access higher education, and explore post high school career pathways. Our youth and families need our school to stay open for them! Alternatives in Action High School is their option!
AIAHS is important to me because it’s very different from other schools that I have gone to. The reason why it’s different from other schools that went to is because the teachers and staff here are really supportive and at my other school they would support you but not as much as AIAHS does. AIAHS have supported me by helping me out on my credits and putting me in the right classes, they have also taken time out of their own day to help me with my work. AIA is a special place because you really can’t find a school like this, this school really helps you a lot for example if you’re behind they would make sure that you graduate on time. Without AIAHS I would most likely still be at my old school getting in trouble, not going to class, not doing my work when I’m supposed to. I can say that has helped me and changed me because ever since I came to this I haven’t got in trouble and I go to class everyday.
My experience at AIA has been incredible from building relationships to bettering my writing, reading, and taking risks. This school has incredible staff who didn't give up on us students who were struggling with things, I am grateful for this school and all the staff. It is sad to hear that my school might not get renewed because I have grown so much at this school and with everything going around they have still kept me focused with every little help they can. I hope that you could understand that one visit does not summarize or show that we do not deserve a renewal, I hope that you could consider the renewal because this school has all the possibility to teach every student.
I returned from Mexico recently after 7 years of leaving there and when I came back a couple of months ago, the counselors at AIA were very supportive and attentive, they helped me find a way to obtain my credits and all of the teachers are so, very patient and understanding with their students even in the middle of a pandemic. I believe they are a school that deserves to be up for more generations to enroll and be supported by this great's school system
This school gives support like no lther school, ive had friends who have moved from skyline where the teachers dont really help with credits and they have been less stressed and doing better
My name is Bryan Mendoza. I am a student at AIAHS The reason I came to this school because it was nearby. AIA is important to me because the teachers are very helpful. Also I like that the school is small and the teachers do whatever they can to help the students.
I came into AIAHS as a freshman in 2018 but only stayed for a month and left and I decided to come back a year later halfway through three sophomore year. I made the decision to transfer back after my other school did not meet my expectations. I decided to return since the one month I was in AIAHS as a freshman was very positive. The teachers and staff members were very supportive so I decided to come back. when i returned i felt welcomed back; the staff members continued being supportive. I’m comfortable with the teachers and staff since they’ve done nothing but be supportive. They try to build a relationship with their students for them to understand them. I refuse to go back to a school that had me crying day after day due to the amount of work given.
Hola mi nombre es Dianey Jimenez y tengo dos hijas en la escuela AIAHS. Mi opinión es que la preparatoria AIAHS es una escuela muy importante para y mi familia por que nos hacen sentir como parte de la comunidad. Tenemos apoyo para los estudiantes. Se necesita que se siga continuado abierta la escuela. Ellos dependen de los recursos estudiantil de la escuela AIAHS para ser exitosos.
AIA puts students first. They support the student body with a routine in school days, familiar faces of classmates and the continued push of classes, school work and school activities. Denying the charter for AIA would be a disservice to the Oakland community. AIA inspires Oakland youth to realize their leadership potential and prepare them for college, career, and community life through dynamic educational, skill-building, and real-world experiences. The high school provides innovative opportunities and support that help students succeed and ultimately become contributing adults. My experience with this as a Board Member and my interaction with the students of AIA and the AIA staff is extremely positive, supportive and responsive culturally, academically and personally. AIA provides joy to the community and its students. I would hope that in this day and cultural climate that an institution that promotes all these things would be promoted by OUSD as opposed to denied.
My name is Caitlin McNaughton and I am a former Alternatives in Action teacher. I worked as the full time ELD teacher between 2016 and Spring 2020 and I LOVE the AIA community and would be heartbroken to see the school close. As the ELD teacher, I worked primarily with AIA's population of newcomer students. In this role, I saw firsthand how our newcomers were able to learn and grow academically, socially, and emotionally due to the wrap around care that AIA provides. While I always knew that AIA was a special place, it wasn't until taking on a new job in a large public high school that I realized just how special AIA truly is. Many students will only be successful in this small, supportive, flexible environment. Teachers and staff at AIA hold students with rigor and high expectations, but also with love. That is what so many of our students need as they navigate the many challenges in their lives. Closing the school is the worst thing you can do for these students. It's their home.
As a former teacher at AIAHS, I feel strongly that this unique charter model should stay open. The school meets a need in the Oakland community and serves students who would not otherwise be served by the public education system. It will be to their detriment, and the detriment of the community, if this charter is not renewed—a sad thing indeed for the entire community. Please keep AIAHS open to continue the amazing work they do.
As a previous parter (Lawrence Hall of Science UC Berkeley) I have see how the school works with students. It has a good structure to support students. Teachers care for their students and go above and beyond to help them.
As an alumni of Alternatives in Action I know the hardships of finding a school that is there to support you not only academically but also emotionally; however this school does so. AIA strives to provide an excellent education to all its students. It guides them by providing one on one support when necessary and they do not allow a student to fall behind. Alternatives in Action should not be closed but rather remained open as it has impacted its community and youth in great ways and it will continue to do so.
Alternatives in action is offering a rigorous, community oriented, and anti-racist alternative to students who have struggled in other schools. They should not be compared with schools whose student population is not comparable. If closed, we would be denying youth of a high quality school that many families are choosing for their scholars and disrupting lives in our community during a year where their lives have already been significantly disrupted. The trauma that this decision will cause will echo through Oakland.
Most youth find AIAHS after feeling failed by other traditional schools around the Bay Area. They come to AIAHS with gaps in their education and often feel like schools aren’t meant to serve them. Our school was founded by students, which places them as the highest priority. I have never experienced a school that openly solicits feedback from students about their education and the governance of their school. Because of this students come to AIAHS and find a place that works for them and meets them where they are. Students that express never dreaming of graduating high school let alone attending college are able to see that as a possibility for themselves. At AIAHS students are educated to advocate for themselves as learners and members of a community. To separate our community at this time, would mean taking away critical support structures from students in the middle of a pandemic. I urge the board to consider the impact that a denial would have on the students and families of AIAHS.