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Agenda Item
N.-3 24-2010 Initial Public Hearing by the Board of Education on Education for Change Public Schools - Ascend Charter School - Petition and Charter (Renewal) - Grades TK-8 - July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2030, pursuant to Education Code Section 47605.
Good evening, my name is Itzel Sanchez Cuadra and I am an Ascend alumni who is now a sophomore at latitude high. I went to Ascend my entire elementary and middle school years. Throughout those 9 years, I learned many things like how to work in a group and manage, as well as plan events such as a boat dance. Thanks to ASCEND, i am proud to say they have prepared me enough to say that this will be my second year taking honors humanities. Ascend also helped me develop into a responsible and reliable young lady, which has had its benefits like being invited back into the community, not as a student but as a leader. As a high schooler slowly navigating the real world, having these experiences that Ascend has provided me helps me not only expands my skill set. but it has also helped me be exposed to greater opportunities. Ascend is a great school that provides an opportunity filled and diverse community where anyone can feel welcome.
I have worked in Oakland public schools for over 15 years, and ASCEND is truly unique. ASCEND is one of only four schools in all of Oakland implementing a full model of Expeditionary Learning. This means that in addition to supporting academic and social emotional development, we also give students opportunities to apply their learning to our local community. Last year our 8th graders inspired others to care about water quality by testing the water quality at 9 different locations across the Bay Area, creating visitor guides for these places, recording their own podcasts, and then presenting their findings to NASA. As part of their Expedition on Changemakers, Kindergarteners interviewed local activists and then partnered with one of the activists to plant more native trees. I urge you to renew ASCEND's charter so that our students can continue to leverage their learning to make the world a better place.
I have worked in education my whole adult life - and at ASCEND for the better part of a decade. I have worked for and NPS, for district schools, and now for a charter school. I helped organize the union at ASCEND. I am by no means a blanket supporter of "the charter school movement", but we aren't talking about charter schools as a monolith. We are talking about ASCEND. ASCEND is what charter schools are supposed to be. Not a replacement for the public school system, but a space where a different approach to educating our youth can be piloted. An approach that centers the whole child, that is rooted in community, and is rooted in best practice. ASCEND is my second home, and I am not alone in feeling that.
This is my fourth year as an ELD Specialist at ASCEND. The care and commitment of teachers, staff, admin, families, and community members create a rich and rigorous educational experience for all students that extends beyond the walls of our school. We work hard to collaborate across grade levels and content areas in order to hold high expectations and meet the needs of all learners, all while creating a warm and welcoming environment for our students. I am proud to be a member of this community and advocate strongly for the renewal of its charter.
I strongly support the renewal of ASCEND's charter. This is my 7th year as the SLP at ASCEND and I am proud to be part of the special education team. My colleagues and I work tirelessly to provide robust services in an inclusion setting so that all learners can feel successful. ASCEND means so much to our students, their families, and our community! Thank you for your support.
I've worked at ASCEND for five years and been a teacher here for three. I grew up in East Bay schools. I know how rare and special ASCEND is. Our connection with families is so unique and strong. Our advocacy for our students' cultures, wellness, and sense of belonging at school are a goal that we are always working towards. I feel at home working here and am in strong support of continuing to teach in this building for many years to come.
I am writing to encourage the OUSD School Board members to vote in support of renewing ASCEND School’s charter. ASCEND is a school that educates students with an expeditionary learning lens to empower students to advocate for what they need. The vision of ASCEND supports students to envision the world we want, and paths to make the world a more just and equitable place. As a school, ASCEND sees students as whole humans with social emotional needs, and deserving of rigorous academic instruction. ASCEND educators are represented by their local chapter of the California Teachers Association (CEFC), and exemplifies how charter educators can work within the teachers union infrastructure to best support our students.
Please consider the impact , This school is not only a school . This school is a branch from a org that in completely committed to improving . No matter where we have started as a school . We are growing,learning and building together along families and community . Check us out before you count us out!!!
Good evening, my name is Itzel Sanchez Cuadra and I am an Ascend alumni who is now a sophomore at latitude high. I went to Ascend my entire elementary and middle school years. Throughout those 9 years, I learned many things like how to work in a group and manage, as well as plan events such as a boat dance. Thanks to ASCEND, i am proud to say they have prepared me enough to say that this will be my second year taking honors humanities. Ascend also helped me develop into a responsible and reliable young lady, which has had its benefits like being invited back into the community, not as a student but as a leader. As a high schooler slowly navigating the real world, having these experiences that Ascend has provided me helps me not only expands my skill set. but it has also helped me be exposed to greater opportunities. Ascend is a great school that provides an opportunity filled and diverse community where anyone can feel welcome.
My name is Dr. Jaime Colly, VP of Local Advocacy at CCSA and I am writing in support of EFC, Ascend charter renewal.
I have worked in Oakland public schools for over 15 years, and ASCEND is truly unique. ASCEND is one of only four schools in all of Oakland implementing a full model of Expeditionary Learning. This means that in addition to supporting academic and social emotional development, we also give students opportunities to apply their learning to our local community. Last year our 8th graders inspired others to care about water quality by testing the water quality at 9 different locations across the Bay Area, creating visitor guides for these places, recording their own podcasts, and then presenting their findings to NASA. As part of their Expedition on Changemakers, Kindergarteners interviewed local activists and then partnered with one of the activists to plant more native trees. I urge you to renew ASCEND's charter so that our students can continue to leverage their learning to make the world a better place.
I have worked in education my whole adult life - and at ASCEND for the better part of a decade. I have worked for and NPS, for district schools, and now for a charter school. I helped organize the union at ASCEND. I am by no means a blanket supporter of "the charter school movement", but we aren't talking about charter schools as a monolith. We are talking about ASCEND. ASCEND is what charter schools are supposed to be. Not a replacement for the public school system, but a space where a different approach to educating our youth can be piloted. An approach that centers the whole child, that is rooted in community, and is rooted in best practice. ASCEND is my second home, and I am not alone in feeling that.
This is my fourth year as an ELD Specialist at ASCEND. The care and commitment of teachers, staff, admin, families, and community members create a rich and rigorous educational experience for all students that extends beyond the walls of our school. We work hard to collaborate across grade levels and content areas in order to hold high expectations and meet the needs of all learners, all while creating a warm and welcoming environment for our students. I am proud to be a member of this community and advocate strongly for the renewal of its charter.
I strongly support the renewal of ASCEND's charter. This is my 7th year as the SLP at ASCEND and I am proud to be part of the special education team. My colleagues and I work tirelessly to provide robust services in an inclusion setting so that all learners can feel successful. ASCEND means so much to our students, their families, and our community! Thank you for your support.
I've worked at ASCEND for five years and been a teacher here for three. I grew up in East Bay schools. I know how rare and special ASCEND is. Our connection with families is so unique and strong. Our advocacy for our students' cultures, wellness, and sense of belonging at school are a goal that we are always working towards. I feel at home working here and am in strong support of continuing to teach in this building for many years to come.
I am writing to encourage the OUSD School Board members to vote in support of renewing ASCEND School’s charter. ASCEND is a school that educates students with an expeditionary learning lens to empower students to advocate for what they need. The vision of ASCEND supports students to envision the world we want, and paths to make the world a more just and equitable place. As a school, ASCEND sees students as whole humans with social emotional needs, and deserving of rigorous academic instruction. ASCEND educators are represented by their local chapter of the California Teachers Association (CEFC), and exemplifies how charter educators can work within the teachers union infrastructure to best support our students.
Please consider the impact , This school is not only a school . This school is a branch from a org that in completely committed to improving . No matter where we have started as a school . We are growing,learning and building together along families and community . Check us out before you count us out!!!