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)).
This school should stay helping our kids. This is the only place where they can receive the support from people who truthfully care and put them as priority and no like other schools who just care about grades and statistics. They take in any kid no matter they background as long as they are willing to grow and be open minded. No other school around here does it.
I strongly oppose the closing of AIA. If it wasn’t for AIA I don’t think I would’ve ever graduated high school. I graduated AIA the year of 2015. The structure is so different from what I ever experienced. Us students had a voice. We would have firewalks senior year that gave us a feel of what the real world would be like after graduation and we shared why we were ready to transition. We would also have community impact projects where students plan events to give back to our community. At the beginning of each year we would go on school retreats which was a great way for students to get to know each other. I think students really benefit from this school because it was more than just our A-G requirements they showed us things we can actually take on into the real world. Every student needs that teacher that believes in them, help guide them, and push them to get to where they want to be. I myself still keep in touch with 3 of my teachers from AIA.We weren’t just a school we were family
AIA is a blessing for what it does for all the students who have more challenges to overcome than any of us can engine. Please do not stop providing alternative to those that do not benefit or thrive in standard top down driven environments. Not everyone learns the same or has the support within their Iives to succeed without alternative methods. Please do not close down AIA, the long term payoffs will be realized with future and current contributing members of Oakland.
I strongly believe this school is worthy of a charter renewal. AIAHS is unique within the surrounding community, in its purpose, methodology, and the students it serves. This school provides both a four year high school experience as well as an opportunity for students who have not been successful at other Oakland schools. It retains a diverse staff with little turnover each year, who are dedicated to building relationships and academic capacity. Students find a home here, where they can be themselves and achieve their goals. The school leadership is dedicated to continuing to excel in its strengths, and to grow in all areas. AIAHS is needed in this community, and at this time.
I strongly oppose the recommendation to deny Alternatives in Action's charter renewal. Alternatives in Action High School is a true gem and safe haven for many young people. At AIA we empower young people to grow, learn, and be contributing members in their communities. We don't just say we believe in young people as a slogan or catchy phrase - we live and breathe it and our current and former students can attest to that. We are a unique community and our only intention is to be in service of the youth and their families. In no shape or form do we aspire to expand and "steal" students from other schools. Many students are able to, and have succeeded in other traditional school settings AND the reality is that just as many students, if not more, have not been successful in those schools. And when students are at their lowest point and no longer believe in their academic success, we do and we act on that belief.
The idea of assessing and closing a school in the middle of a pandemic seems unfair at best and reprehensible at worst. I believe that AIAHS deserves an opportunity to adequately show who we are and why we are important to the community before a permanent decision has been made. I have spent the last three years of my teaching career with AIA and have witnessed firsthand their deliberate and considerate approach to teaching and learning. Again, I urge you to reconsider the recommendation to close this school.
As a former board member of AIA, and member of the Governing Committee, I have been witness to AIA for over 4+ years. OUSD along with other school districts have struggled to maintain educational excellence with a growing number of underserved communities and populations. The economic inequities have only increased over the years further straining access to success based educational centers. AIA aligns if not exceeds OUSD’s Mission statement, Vision, Priorities and Commitments. AIA remains in lockstep with its community having persevered through fiscal and operational challenges with better outcomes than ever recorded. Removing partners, like AIA, from OUSD when the community needs dedicated and selfless educators committed to underserved communities would be tragically detrimental. 2020 has been a year of challenges and AIA has demonstrated that even through these trying times they are committed to the students and educators making Oakland better and stronger together.
This charter school has been the last place many students can get a high school diploma. Closing the school may cause many students to drop out of school completely. I oppose this position of denying the charter. Charter schools have great value for parents and students.
This school has provided a significant resource to the community's young people, to help them succeed in school, and to begin their adult lives with a strong foundation. Why on earth would we choose to close it at any time, and even more, why close it NOW when school resources are so vital to the community?
I am a ESL Teacher at AIA and I would like to ask that the Board keeps our school open since it is a positive learning institution that serves all the needs of our minority students. Since I started working at AIA, I have enjoyed working with such wonderful group of student. I feel blessed to be able to teach and motivate my students in order to reach their academic and personal goals.
As a Senior Development Officer at the East Bay Community Foundation, I strongly oppose closing AIAHS. California (particularly the Bay area) has been suffering an educational crisis for some time with a system that leaves our most disadvantaged (primarily lower income) students at risk. These students come to AIAHS with gaps in their education and often feel like schools aren’t meant to serve them. AIAHS was founded by students, which places them as the highest priority. Students come to AIAHS and find a place that works for them and meets them where they are. Students are given the life skills needed to advocate for themselves and positively contribute to our. To tear about this community during an existential crisis is unjust and inhumane. I urge the board to consider the impact that a denial would have on the students and families of AIAHS.
AIAHS is an important model of learning for youth in Oakland. Closing this school will severely impact the community surrounding the school as well as the many partnerships the school has developed over the years with community leaders. Closing the school in the middle of a pandemic leaves many youth and their families with a major life disruption that COVID has already created with economic and healthcare hardships. Please do not close this school and please approve AIAHS’s charter.
I have been at AIA since my freshman year and I am currently a senior. AIA has helped me improve my academic performance throughout my years here. It is a very supportive school that makes sure all of the students are doing well in school, getting them prepared for their career path in life. I have benefited in many ways at this school therefore I strongly oppose closing our school down. AIA has helped so many students be successful in life and continue to support them after high school as well. I am very glad to be apart of this community. This school will definitely support future generation students and help them accomplish their goals.
I believe Alternatives in Action has provided a place of hope and safety for their students and families. It allows teachers who truly enjoy their jobs to work with a community that is underserved. It is important to continue to provide for education in ways where those who need it most can thrive and become more than what society expects.
I strongly oppose the closing of this stronghold and sanctuary for the youth that gives an alternative positive tribute to our intricate lifestyles. At times it's astonishing the simple way that everyone has their own place in the society; still like other schools, there is a variety of student, resulting in people finding their own preferences in what they like; nevertheless, everyone had one thing in common, They now go to AIAHS. It did not matter the past, they could start over and grow accustomed to The environment in which I and many others had been comfortable. This is like a second home, place of study, and improvement among my psychological moral decisions and personal negotiations education-wise. Most people have a tendency to procrastinate and prolong things and or just not pay attention and this place helps the community youth to grow and overcome their changes and hurdles they may think can stop them when in reality they show They are more than what they face. Burgeon.
This school should stay helping our kids. This is the only place where they can receive the support from people who truthfully care and put them as priority and no like other schools who just care about grades and statistics. They take in any kid no matter they background as long as they are willing to grow and be open minded. No other school around here does it.
I strongly oppose the closing of AIA. If it wasn’t for AIA I don’t think I would’ve ever graduated high school. I graduated AIA the year of 2015. The structure is so different from what I ever experienced. Us students had a voice. We would have firewalks senior year that gave us a feel of what the real world would be like after graduation and we shared why we were ready to transition. We would also have community impact projects where students plan events to give back to our community. At the beginning of each year we would go on school retreats which was a great way for students to get to know each other. I think students really benefit from this school because it was more than just our A-G requirements they showed us things we can actually take on into the real world. Every student needs that teacher that believes in them, help guide them, and push them to get to where they want to be. I myself still keep in touch with 3 of my teachers from AIA.We weren’t just a school we were family
AIA is a blessing for what it does for all the students who have more challenges to overcome than any of us can engine. Please do not stop providing alternative to those that do not benefit or thrive in standard top down driven environments. Not everyone learns the same or has the support within their Iives to succeed without alternative methods. Please do not close down AIA, the long term payoffs will be realized with future and current contributing members of Oakland.
I strongly believe this school is worthy of a charter renewal. AIAHS is unique within the surrounding community, in its purpose, methodology, and the students it serves. This school provides both a four year high school experience as well as an opportunity for students who have not been successful at other Oakland schools. It retains a diverse staff with little turnover each year, who are dedicated to building relationships and academic capacity. Students find a home here, where they can be themselves and achieve their goals. The school leadership is dedicated to continuing to excel in its strengths, and to grow in all areas. AIAHS is needed in this community, and at this time.
I strongly oppose the recommendation to deny Alternatives in Action's charter renewal. Alternatives in Action High School is a true gem and safe haven for many young people. At AIA we empower young people to grow, learn, and be contributing members in their communities. We don't just say we believe in young people as a slogan or catchy phrase - we live and breathe it and our current and former students can attest to that. We are a unique community and our only intention is to be in service of the youth and their families. In no shape or form do we aspire to expand and "steal" students from other schools. Many students are able to, and have succeeded in other traditional school settings AND the reality is that just as many students, if not more, have not been successful in those schools. And when students are at their lowest point and no longer believe in their academic success, we do and we act on that belief.
The idea of assessing and closing a school in the middle of a pandemic seems unfair at best and reprehensible at worst. I believe that AIAHS deserves an opportunity to adequately show who we are and why we are important to the community before a permanent decision has been made. I have spent the last three years of my teaching career with AIA and have witnessed firsthand their deliberate and considerate approach to teaching and learning. Again, I urge you to reconsider the recommendation to close this school.
Oppose! Oakland Unified needs all the alternatives possible for Oakland students. It has earned the right to continue. Please do not deny the Charter.
Strongly oppose. The kids need us!
As a former board member of AIA, and member of the Governing Committee, I have been witness to AIA for over 4+ years. OUSD along with other school districts have struggled to maintain educational excellence with a growing number of underserved communities and populations. The economic inequities have only increased over the years further straining access to success based educational centers. AIA aligns if not exceeds OUSD’s Mission statement, Vision, Priorities and Commitments. AIA remains in lockstep with its community having persevered through fiscal and operational challenges with better outcomes than ever recorded. Removing partners, like AIA, from OUSD when the community needs dedicated and selfless educators committed to underserved communities would be tragically detrimental. 2020 has been a year of challenges and AIA has demonstrated that even through these trying times they are committed to the students and educators making Oakland better and stronger together.
This charter school has been the last place many students can get a high school diploma. Closing the school may cause many students to drop out of school completely. I oppose this position of denying the charter. Charter schools have great value for parents and students.
This school has provided a significant resource to the community's young people, to help them succeed in school, and to begin their adult lives with a strong foundation. Why on earth would we choose to close it at any time, and even more, why close it NOW when school resources are so vital to the community?
I don't think they should close the school because even if it's a small school the teachers are more aware of us
Aia helped me mentally and physically they though me how to write an essay
Why close a proven value generator serving communities worst hit by the pandemic. I strongly oppose.
I am a ESL Teacher at AIA and I would like to ask that the Board keeps our school open since it is a positive learning institution that serves all the needs of our minority students. Since I started working at AIA, I have enjoyed working with such wonderful group of student. I feel blessed to be able to teach and motivate my students in order to reach their academic and personal goals.
As a Senior Development Officer at the East Bay Community Foundation, I strongly oppose closing AIAHS. California (particularly the Bay area) has been suffering an educational crisis for some time with a system that leaves our most disadvantaged (primarily lower income) students at risk. These students come to AIAHS with gaps in their education and often feel like schools aren’t meant to serve them. AIAHS was founded by students, which places them as the highest priority. Students come to AIAHS and find a place that works for them and meets them where they are. Students are given the life skills needed to advocate for themselves and positively contribute to our. To tear about this community during an existential crisis is unjust and inhumane. I urge the board to consider the impact that a denial would have on the students and families of AIAHS.
AIAHS is an important model of learning for youth in Oakland. Closing this school will severely impact the community surrounding the school as well as the many partnerships the school has developed over the years with community leaders. Closing the school in the middle of a pandemic leaves many youth and their families with a major life disruption that COVID has already created with economic and healthcare hardships. Please do not close this school and please approve AIAHS’s charter.
I have been at AIA since my freshman year and I am currently a senior. AIA has helped me improve my academic performance throughout my years here. It is a very supportive school that makes sure all of the students are doing well in school, getting them prepared for their career path in life. I have benefited in many ways at this school therefore I strongly oppose closing our school down. AIA has helped so many students be successful in life and continue to support them after high school as well. I am very glad to be apart of this community. This school will definitely support future generation students and help them accomplish their goals.
I believe Alternatives in Action has provided a place of hope and safety for their students and families. It allows teachers who truly enjoy their jobs to work with a community that is underserved. It is important to continue to provide for education in ways where those who need it most can thrive and become more than what society expects.
I strongly oppose the closing of this stronghold and sanctuary for the youth that gives an alternative positive tribute to our intricate lifestyles. At times it's astonishing the simple way that everyone has their own place in the society; still like other schools, there is a variety of student, resulting in people finding their own preferences in what they like; nevertheless, everyone had one thing in common, They now go to AIAHS. It did not matter the past, they could start over and grow accustomed to The environment in which I and many others had been comfortable. This is like a second home, place of study, and improvement among my psychological moral decisions and personal negotiations education-wise. Most people have a tendency to procrastinate and prolong things and or just not pay attention and this place helps the community youth to grow and overcome their changes and hurdles they may think can stop them when in reality they show They are more than what they face. Burgeon.