Automated Email Updates Are Back
You may have noticed that the AHS website has not been generating its usual “News Update” email. While the process may seem simple, there is actually a fair amount of code and automation that happens behind the scene to compile those messages and send them out. The backend needed some TLC, which has been de-prioritized during the pandemic.
We’re happy to announce that, as of today, the system is back up and running. Of course sharing news with our community is important to us. Rest assured that critical messages from the past few months were sent to all families via the school’s Intouch Notification System. The AHS News Update emails cover general information and celebratory items that are posted on the News page of the AHS website. If you know someone who would like to start receiving these messages, they can sign up at the bottom of that page.
We pay per-subscriber for our email list service, so if you wish to no longer receive the AHS News Update emails, instead of sending them to spam or archiving them, please use the unsubscribe link located at the bottom of this message.
Thank you for your patience. We’re excited to once again start delivering school and community news to your inbox… but only once per day, and only when new items have been posted :)
If you have website-appropriate news to share, use the contact form on the AHS website or send an email to ahs-webmaster@ausdk12.org
Giving Tuesday DON Campaign Appeal
Dear AUSD Community,
Albany students are asking for your help on Giving Tuesday to realize their dream of a diverse, inclusive curriculum. In response to national events last spring, some Albany High students formed a group, Diversify Our Narrative AUSD, to advocate for local change. Here’s their plan and their demands: https://linktr.ee/ausddon
Albany teachers and administrators have embraced our students’ passion. This is not just an issue for Albany High―at every grade level, our curriculum needs to expand. The DON students have been meeting with elementary school principals to work on a history project appropriate for their age that represents diverse points of view.
Please join us in the fight for grass-roots, local change! We have the will, but the way is difficult. The biggest hurdle in making changes at Albany schools this year is the money to buy books by nonwhite authors with underrepresented perspectives. Albany Unified School District hopes to make a huge leap forward this year by doubling the funds devoted to new book purchases. Our students, administrators, and teachers want to raise $50,000 in the Diversify Our Narrative 2020-21 Campaign. So far, only $4,079 has been raised.
Donate on this Giving Tuesday! You can make an earmarked donation expressly for Diversify Our Narrative curricular materials, $300 buys a classroom set of paperbacks. This year, there is a special $300 tax deduction available, even for those that do not itemize. All donations to AUSD are fully tax deductible and receipts are provided, and all earmarked funds received this school year will be expended by June 30, 2021.
Donate today online via MySchoolBucks (account set up is easy and free), drop a check through the mail slot on the door of the Student Enrollment Center at 1200 Solano Ave., or mail a check to:
Albany Unified School District
Diversify Our Narrative Campaign
819 Bancroft Way, Berkeley, CA 94710
Albany High School student statement:
“AUSD Diversify Our Narrative would first like to express our gratitude for all the support and positivity we have received throughout our campaign. We would like to encourage you to donate any amount to our collaborative fundraiser with the Albany School Board. Our goal is to double the current budget available for literature at all AUSD schools in order to purchase the materials needed to meet our demands. Recently, we added seven new members to our group in preparation to begin work on a new history project. We hope to work directly with elementary school faculty and teachers to evaluate and diversify the curriculum. Once again, your encouragement means a lot to us and we will continue to work towards a better Albany.”
Together with our students,
Frank Wells, Ed.D.
Superintendent, AUSD
Hour of Code Is Coming! December 7-13
Stuck at home, all day, every day? Join the club. But, also, join the Alameda County Office of Education and literally millions of people around the world as they pledge to spend at least one hour next week thinking about computer science and programming.
Albany Middle School Virtual Auction and Craft Fair!
We are excited to announce The Albany Middle School Virtual Auction and Craft Fair! They both start this Friday, but you can preview them right now
http://www.ams-pta.org/auction-virtual-craft-fair/
The bidding and buying will begin Friday, November 27th, and run through Sunday, Dec 6th
This year, the two events will run simultaneously, and both be accessible from one central event link.
The 4th annual Albany Middle School Auction will have lots of great items to bid on, such as original artwork, gift certificates to local stores and restaurants, wine, custom painted portraits, Zoom parties with AMS teachers, and much more.
In addition to the auction, the AMS PTA is also hosting its first Virtual Craft Fair! We know how the AMS community loves to shop for the winter holidays at our usual in-person craft fair, so we've gathered some past year's vendors, as well as new artists to create an online version of this fun event. Log on and do your shopping, support local artists and give to the AMS PTA at the same time. When you use the code "COBRA" in your purchase, a portion of your sale will be donated to AMS.
We rely heavily on these two events to fund the programs and supplies that AMS teachers and administration have deemed critical for the students. 100% of the profit from these events will go towards these programs.
Get ready to do your holiday or winter shopping and bidding!
Freshman Forum Advisory Board
Each year, freshmen at Albany High undertake a major research project called Freshman Forum to investigate a problem facing our society and examine possible solutions. The project is grounded in real-world problem solving, with a strong emphasis on research & credibility.
Ms. Scheuer, our librarian and leader of this project, would like to invite community members, parents and upperclassmen to join the Freshman Forum Advisory Board (FAB) to help provide advice on framing the research topics for students. In the past, students have explored topics such as gun control, vaping, wildfires, opioid epidemic and mass incarceration. We evaluate the topics each year, adding some and taking away others.
The Freshman Forum Advisory Board will support Ms. Scheuer in considering which topics to include this year, and how to frame the questions. If you have interest or expertise in areas such as local or state government, public health, environmental protection or prison reform, we would highly value your help. The FAB will meet once a month for a one hour (virtual) meeting in December, January and February. If you’re interested in joining us, please contact Ms. Scheuer (email: mscheuer@ausdk12.org).
Berkeley Food and Housing Project Item Drive
AHS Leadership students organized an item drive to benefit the Berkeley Food and Housing Project, a local organization that helps homeless members of our community. We are collecting donations in bins located at the atrium of the high school. All items must be new, and please make sure your donations come from this list. If you are able, please take the opportunity to help our fellow community members get through this difficult time.
The event runs until this Friday, November 20.
North Region SELPA November 23, 2020 CAC Meeting
Please see the attached flyers for the upcoming SELPA Community Advisory Planning Committee meeting.
English
Spanish
Mandarin
Take the Meals! 3 Free Meals And a Snack!
Recent federal funding now allows AUSD to expand our food services to provide three (3) meals and a snack FREE for ALL children 18 and under.
The Albany School Food Project is pleased to announce that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued another waiver that allows us to provide supper and snack in addition to the breakfast and lunch we are currently serving. The USDA is covering the cost for these meals during COVID-19. You are not taking away from someone who may need it more.
Beginning Monday, November 2nd, AUSD will serve these additional grab and go meals FREE to ALL children 18 and under (regardless of enrollment in the district or eligibility for free/reduced meals). Meals can be picked up at the Albany High School multipurpose room on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 11:30am - 1:30pm.
Children do not need to be present to pick up food and no barcode is required. Social distancing measures are in effect and face coverings are required.
Please feel free to contact Chef Sabina with any questions: 510-558-2608.
Note: Food services will be closed on the following dates due to holidays: November 11 and 25-27th.
COVID-19 Information & Readiness Dashboard
Following the Alameda County Public Health Department guidance, Albany Unified School District has launched a readiness Dashboard to help track our preparedness to reopen schools. The Dashboard, which will be updated weekly, is intended as a transparent means for the community to track AUSD progress toward reopening our schools.
Target Dates for Pivoting to Hybrid Instruction: (BOE approved on 10/8/20 & subject to change)
November 2: Preschool Hubs (teacher/student ratio 1:7) & Hubs for our most vulnerable students
November 30: Preschool (teacher/student ratio 1:14)
January 4: TK-1st Grade
January 11: 2nd-3rd Grade
January 18: 4th-5th Grade
February 1: 6th-12th Grade
Superintendent’s Forum Series: Nov. 5th & Dec. 10th
COVID-19 and Reopening Schools Community Information Nights
Thursday November 5th, 2020 6:00-8:00pm via Zoom
Reopening Schools: Health and Safety Protocols
https://ausdk12-org.zoom.us/j/92532126143
Join Executive Director of Student Services, Director of Facilities and our District Nurse on the application and enforcement of the reopening plan specifically related to the health components needed to keep all students, staff and families safe.
School reopening guidance from Alameda County Public Health Department
Preventing transmission
Health screening
COVID District and School Site LIaison roles
Case investigation and contact tracing
Communication/Exposure letters to the community
Thursday December 10th, 2020 6:00-9:00pm
Reopening Schools: Program options
https://ausdk12-org.zoom.us/j/92532126143
District staff will provide an update on the instructional programs being developed for students returning to a hybrid model of instruction or continuing with remote instruction for the 2020-21 school year.