Dinner at Aunt Mary's Cafe-

   4307 Telegraph Ave
in Temescal, between 43rd and 44th Streets

   A special 3 course Prix Fixe dinner at $35 per person
     (not including drinks, tax, or gratuity) to be held on
     Tuesday, December 15th.

     Part of the proceeds will benefit one of our neighborhood schools
     through the Emerson Elementary PTO.  Whether you have a child
attending,
     wish to support the school, or simply want to try one of our new
fabulous
     Temescal restaurants on a Tuesday evening, please come out and join
us!

     Just stop by between 5:30 and 9pm to enjoy what my own seven year old
     daughter called her "favorite restaurant" on the recent Taste of
Temescal
     cuisine crawl held by the Temescal Telegraph Business District.

     - Jesse Phelps, Emerson PTO Co-President

Nice Video about OUSD
Posted by: "jody_district1" OaklandJody@...   jody_district1
Thu Nov 19, 2009 11:31 am (PST)


Subscribers to this group might be interested in a great video OUSD has just
released about the Options school choice process, which starts in a few weeks,
and the progress in Oakland's schools in general. It is posted right on the OUSD
home page: www.ousd.k12.ca.us.

If you want to post it on your school's web site, contact Rebecca Hopkins, she
can set you up with a wmv file. Rebecca.Hopkins@...

- Jody London

Little League Baseball – Register for spring 2010

Registration is now open for North and South Oakland Little League (NollSoll) in
spring. Most elementary school students under grade 3 would likely register to
be in the "farm league division"  For description of what division your child
might fit in, please see this chart provided by NollSoll
(http://www.nollsoll.com/noll/levelsofplay.asp ). In the registration process,
your answers to age and skill questions will determine your child's division.

Each year, volunteer coaches are typically needed. This rewarding job is usually
shared between two or three parents.  When you register, be sure to include a
preference to be on a school team, but don't be surprised to discover that the
team is made from several schools. That's one of the wonderful things about
Little League- meeting new friends. Note, girls are welcome in Noll Soll. See
site for various details. www.nollsoll.com

This Wednesday, October 28, Oakland Unified's School Board will be holding its
regular, bi-weekly business meeting in the new multi-purpose building at Chabot
Elementary, 6686 Chabot Road.  The meeting starts at 5 p.m.  This will be the
community's first chance to see the newly completed multi-purpose room at
Chabot, which was funded through the 2006 Measure B General Obligation bond. 
(The new classroom building will be complete later this year.)

Among the items on the agenda are:
• Recognition of several individuals and groups from North Oakland who go above
and beyond in serving our students (this will happen in the first hour);
• Presentation and discussion of the District's academic and fiscal priorities
as we begin to develop the budget for the 2010 – 2011 fiscal year (due to the
State budget crisis, the District anticipates needing to cut an additional $28
million from its unrestricted fund, on top of the $69 million we have
experienced for 2008 – 2009 and 2009-2010);
• Report on several governance principles.

The full agenda can be found at:
http://ousd.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx   Click on the link for the October 28
Board meeting.

Members of the community are welcome to attend any or all of the meeting, which
usually goes until 9 or 10.  We will not be offended if you sit in the back and
eat a burrito.
---
Jody London
Director, District 1
Oakland Unified School District
jody.london@...

Today's message is brought to you by the letters Q, E, I, and A.

QEIA stands for Quality Education Investment Act.  QEIA is a pot of money the
State gives to counties to be distributed to school districts for qualifying
schools.  The QEIA fund was created as the result of the settlement of a lawsuit
between CTA and the State over Governor Schwarzenegger's improper withholding of
Prop 98 funds from public schools.  In 2008-09, OUSD had 19 schools receiving
QEIA funds.  P/S:  all my QEIA background info comes from Margit Birge, OUSD
parent extraordinaire.  Thanks, Margit.

For 2009-2010, the State has decided to use QEIA funding to supplant rather than
supplement General Purpose funds to California school districts.    As a result,
Oakland Unified's General Purpose funds were reduced by $4.7 million for
2009-2010.

Since the QEIA fund was created as the result of a settlement between CTA and
the State over Governor Schwarzenegger's improper withholding of Prop 98 funds
from schools, it seems clear to me that the intent of the settlement (and
subsequent legislation codifying the settlement) was to supplement not supplant
existing state education funding.

I've contacted Assemblymember Swanson's office and asked his staff to look into
this issue.  I have also emailed State Senator Loni Hancock's office.  I urge
each of you to contact your political representatives to urge them to demand
that the State use QEIA to supplement not supplant.  This is money California
voters set aside for public education free and clear per their YES vote on Prop
98.  We reluntantly agreed to funding conditions to restore the stolen funds per
CTA's settlement with the State.  Now, the State is trying to to steal our kids'
money a second time by using QEIA to supplant not supplement the State's funding
obligation to public education.  I call bullsh*t on that.  Tell your Rep that
QEIA must supplement NOT supplant General Purpose dollars to public education.

This link will provide you with your political representatives contact info by
zip code:  http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/yourleg.html   Below is a sample email that
I sent to my Reps.

Best Regards,
Jesse Phelps
OUSD parent

---------------------------------
I recently learned that the State is using QEIA funding to supplant rather than
supplement GP funds to California school districts.  As a result, Oakland
Unified's General Purpose dollars were reduced by $4.7 million for 2009-2010.

Since the QEIA fund was created as the result of a settlement between CTA and
the State over Governor Schwarzenegger's improper withholding of Prop 98 funds
from schools, it seems clear to me that the intent of the settlement (and
subsequent legislation codifying the settlement) was to supplement not supplant
existing state education funding.

I know [insert political representative's name here] is committed to adequate
public education funding.  I urge your office to look into this matter and take
steps to ensure that QEIA funds are used to supplement not supplant.  I assume
that school districts around that state as well as the CTA are looking into this
issue.  I ask that your office work with them and with California public school
parents to restore this state funding to our school districts as soon as
possible.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

Best Regards,
Jesse Phelps
[contact info]

Reminder that this Wednesday, September 30, I am hosting a Town Hall meeting
with Oakland Unified's new Superintendent, Dr. Tony Smith. The meeting will be
from 7 - 8:30 p.m. at Oakland International High School, 4521 Webster Street.
---
Jody London
Director, District 1
Oakland Unified School District
jody.london@...

Currently a school in Livermore is winning!

*****************************************************************
Hi Jesse,

Thank you for voting for Emerson Elementary School in the "America's Favorite
School" contest sponsored by Care2 and GreatSchools!

With your help, your school could win $20,000. Tell your friends, family and
neighbors about this contest and ask them to vote for Emerson Elementary School!

Get started spreading the word now:

Use your personalized contest URL to promote your school:

http://www.care2.com/schoolcontest/600202?refer=9717.03.1253303933.279250

Post your school's page to Facebook
Tweet the contest for your school
Use our tell-a-friend tool to send an email to friends and neighbors
Visit and bookmark your personalized promo page for more options to spread the
word
You could be a winner, too! When your friends and neighbors vote through your
personalized URL, you will be credited for recruiting them. The 20 people who
recruit the most people to vote during the contest will win a $50 gift card.


Click here to login to the contest site and retrieve your personalized pages
from any computer.

Here are some more fun ways you can make a difference in children's lives with
Care2 and GreatSchools:

Click to help sponsor needy children — it's free, simple and your click
generates a real donation to help Care2 sponsor 16 children through Children
International
Take the "Great Parents Pledge" on GreatSchools.net and make a promise to
encourage your kids this school year
Sign the petition to fight childhood hunger
Thank you again for voting and supporting our schools!

Tell your friends, tell your neighbors!

The new website is up, although it is still far from complete.

http://sites.google.com/site/emersonelementarypto

Thanks!

Jesse Phelps

Dear Non-Profit Partners:

There are 21 restaurants signed up to participate! I can have limited posters
available if you let me know how many you would like. Keep in mind, I am trying
to keep printing costs to a minimum because each dime we spend dilutes from the
proceeds.

Checks are made out to: Temescal Telegraph Community Association

Physical tickets should be available by 3 pm tomorrow.

Tickets can be ordered online on our website too: There is a fee of $1.62 for
each ticket to be paid by the person ordering.

www.temescaldistrict.org

Direct link:

http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/81976

Happy Selling! This event is going to rock!

Darlene Rios Drapkin

Temescal Telegraph BID

4430 Telegraph Avenue #49

Oakland, CA 94609

510-860-7327

www.temescaldistrict.org

> Prepared Remarks of President Barack Obama
> Back to School Event
> Arlington, Virginia
> September 8, 2009
>
> The President: Hello everyone – how's everybody doing today? I'm here with
> students at Wakefield High School in Arlington, Virginia. And we've got
> students tuning in from all across America, kindergarten through twelfth
> grade. I'm glad you all could join us today.
>
> I know that for many of you, today is the first day of school. And for
> those of you in kindergarten, or starting middle or high school, it's your
> first day in a new school, so it's understandable if you're a little
> nervous. I imagine there are some seniors out there who are feeling pretty
> good right now, with just one more year to go. And no matter what grade
> you're in, some of you are probably wishing it were still summer, and you
> could've stayed in bed just a little longer this morning.
> I know that feeling. When I was young, my family lived in Indonesia for a
> few years, and my mother didn't have the money to send me where all the
> American kids went to school. So she decided to teach me extra lessons
> herself, Monday through Friday – at 4:30 in the morning.
>
> Now I wasn't too happy about getting up that early. A lot of times, I'd
> fall asleep right there at the kitchen table. But whenever I'd complain, my
> mother would just give me one of those looks and say, "This is no picnic for
> me either, buster."
> So I know some of you are still adjusting to being back at school. But I'm
> here today because I have something important to discuss with you. I'm here
> because I want to talk with you about your education and what's expected of
> all of you in this new school year.
>
> Now I've given a lot of speeches about education. And I've talked a lot
> about responsibility.
>
> I've talked about your teachers' responsibility for inspiring you, and
> pushing you to learn.
>
> I've talked about your parents' responsibility for making sure you stay on
> track, and get your homework done, and don't spend every waking hour in
> front of the TV or with that Xbox.
>
> I've talked a lot about your government's responsibility for setting high
> standards, supporting teachers and principals, and turning around schools
> that aren't working where students aren't getting the opportunities they
> deserve.
>
> But at the end of the day, we can have the most dedicated teachers, the
> most supportive parents, and the best schools in the world – and none of it
> will matter unless all of you fulfill your responsibilities. Unless you show
> up to those schools; pay attention to those teachers; listen to your
> parents, grandparents and other adults; and put in the hard work it takes to
> succeed.
>
> And that's what I want to focus on today: the responsibility each of you
> has for your education. I want to start with the responsibility you have to
> yourself.
>
> Every single one of you has something you're good at. Every single one of
> you has something to offer. And you have a responsibility to yourself to
> discover what that is. That's the opportunity an education can provide.
>
> Maybe you could be a good writer – maybe even good enough to write a book
> or articles in a newspaper – but you might not know it until you write a
> paper for your English class. Maybe you could be an innovator or an inventor
> – maybe even good enough to come up with the next iPhone or a new medicine
> or vaccine – but you might not know it until you do a project for your
> science class. Maybe you could be a mayor or a Senator or a Supreme Court
> Justice, but you might not know that until you join student government or
> the debate team.
>
> And no matter what you want to do with your life – I guarantee that you'll
> need an education to do it. You want to be a doctor, or a teacher, or a
> police officer? You want to be a nurse or an architect, a lawyer or a member
> of our military? You're going to need a good education for every single one
> of those careers. You can't drop out of school and just drop into a good
> job. You've got to work for it and train for it and learn for it.
>
> And this isn't just important for your own life and your own future. What
> you make of your education will decide nothing less than the future of this
> country. What you're learning in school today will determine whether we as a
> nation can meet our greatest challenges in the future.
>
> You'll need the knowledge and problem-solving skills you learn in science
> and math to cure diseases like cancer and AIDS, and to develop new energy
> technologies and protect our environment. You'll need the insights and
> critical thinking skills you gain in history and social studies to fight
> poverty and homelessness, crime and discrimination, and make our nation more
> fair and more free. You'll need the creativity and ingenuity you develop in
> all your classes to build new companies that will create new jobs and boost
> our economy.
>
> We need every single one of you to develop your talents, skills and
> intellect so you can help solve our most difficult problems. If you don't do
> that – if you quit on school – you're not just quitting on yourself, you're
> quitting on your country.
>
> Now I know it's not always easy to do well in school. I know a lot of you
> have challenges in your lives right now that can make it hard to focus on
> your schoolwork.
>
> I get it. I know what that's like. My father left my family when I was two
> years old, and I was raised by a single mother who struggled at times to pay
> the bills and wasn't always able to give us things the other kids had. There
> were times when I missed having a father in my life. There were times when I
> was lonely and felt like I didn't fit in.
>
> So I wasn't always as focused as I should have been. I did some things I'm
> not proud of, and got in more trouble than I should have. And my life could
> have easily taken a turn for the worse.
>
> But I was fortunate. I got a lot of second chances and had the opportunity
> to go to college, and law school, and follow my dreams. My wife, our First
> Lady Michelle Obama, has a similar story. Neither of her parents had gone to
> college, and they didn't have much. But they worked hard, and she worked
> hard, so that she could go to the best schools in this country.
>
> Some of you might not have those advantages. Maybe you don't have adults in
> your life who give you the support that you need. Maybe someone in your
> family has lost their job, and there's not enough money to go around. Maybe
> you live in a neighborhood where you don't feel safe, or have friends who
> are pressuring you to do things you know aren't right.
>
> But at the end of the day, the circumstances of your life – what you look
> like, where you come from, how much money you have, what you've got going on
> at home – that's no excuse for neglecting your homework or having a bad
> attitude. That's no excuse for talking back to your teacher, or cutting
> class, or dropping out of school. That's no excuse for not trying.
>
> Where you are right now doesn't have to determine where you'll end up. No
> one's written your destiny for you. Here in America, you write your own
> destiny. You make your own future.
>
> That's what young people like you are doing every day, all across America.
>
> Young people like Jazmin Perez, from Roma, Texas. Jazmin didn't speak
> English when she first started school. Hardly anyone in her hometown went to
> college, and neither of her parents had gone either. But she worked hard,
> earned good grades, got a scholarship to Brown University, and is now in
> graduate school, studying public health, on her way to being Dr. Jazmin
> Perez.
>
> I'm thinking about Andoni Schultz, from Los Altos, California, who's fought
> brain cancer since he was three. He's endured all sorts of treatments and
> surgeries, one of which affected his memory, so it took him much longer –
> hundreds of extra hours – to do his schoolwork. But he never fell behind,
> and he's headed to college this fall.
>
> And then there's Shantell Steve, from my hometown of Chicago, Illinois.
> Even when bouncing from foster home to foster home in the toughest
> neighborhoods, she managed to get a job at a local health center; start a
> program to keep young people out of gangs; and she's on track to graduate
> high school with honors and go on to college.
>
> Jazmin, Andoni and Shantell aren't any different from any of you. They
> faced challenges in their lives just like you do. But they refused to give
> up. They chose to take responsibility for their education and set goals for
> themselves. And I expect all of you to do the same.
>
> That's why today, I'm calling on each of you to set your own goals for your
> education – and to do everything you can to meet them. Your goal can be
> something as simple as doing all your homework, paying attention in class,
> or spending time each day reading a book. Maybe you'll decide to get
> involved in an extracurricular activity, or volunteer in your community.
> Maybe you'll decide to stand up for kids who are being teased or bullied
> because of who they are or how they look, because you believe, like I do,
> that all kids deserve a safe environment to study and learn. Maybe you'll
> decide to take better care of yourself so you can be more ready to learn.
> And along those lines, I hope you'll all wash your hands a lot, and stay
> home from school when you don't feel well, so we can keep people from
> getting the flu this fall and winter.
>
> Whatever you resolve to do, I want you to commit to it. I want you to
> really work at it.
>
> I know that sometimes, you get the sense from TV that you can be rich and
> successful without any hard work -- that your ticket to success is through
> rapping or basketball or being a reality TV star, when chances are, you're
> not going to be any of those things.
>
> But the truth is, being successful is hard. You won't love every subject
> you study. You won't click with every teacher. Not every homework assignment
> will seem completely relevant to your life right this minute. And you won't
> necessarily succeed at everything the first time you try.
>
> That's OK. Some of the most successful people in the world are the ones
> who've had the most failures. JK Rowling's first Harry Potter book was
> rejected twelve times before it was finally published. Michael Jordan was
> cut from his high school basketball team, and he lost hundreds of games and
> missed thousands of shots during his career. But he once said, "I have
> failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed."
>
> These people succeeded because they understand that you can't let your
> failures define you – you have to let them teach you. You have to let them
> show you what to do differently next time. If you get in trouble, that
> doesn't mean you're a troublemaker, it means you need to try harder to
> behave. If you get a bad grade, that doesn't mean you're stupid, it just
> means you need to spend more time studying.
>
> No one's born being good at things, you become good at things through hard
> work. You're not a varsity athlete the first time you play a new sport. You
> don't hit every note the first time you sing a song. You've got to practice.
> It's the same with your schoolwork. You might have to do a math problem a
> few times before you get it right, or read something a few times before you
> understand it, or do a few drafts of a paper before it's good enough to hand
> in.
>
> Don't be afraid to ask questions. Don't be afraid to ask for help when you
> need it. I do that every day. Asking for help isn't a sign of weakness, it's
> a sign of strength. It shows you have the courage to admit when you don't
> know something, and to learn something new. So find an adult you trust – a
> parent, grandparent or teacher; a coach or counselor – and ask them to help
> you stay on track to meet your goals.
>
> And even when you're struggling, even when you're discouraged, and you feel
> like other people have given up on you – don't ever give up on yourself.
> Because when you give up on yourself, you give up on your country.
>
> The story of America isn't about people who quit when things got tough.
> It's about people who kept going, who tried harder, who loved their country
> too much to do anything less than their best.
>
> It's the story of students who sat where you sit 250 years ago, and went on
> to wage a revolution and found this nation. Students who sat where you sit
> 75 years ago who overcame a Depression and won a world war; who fought for
> civil rights and put a man on the moon. Students who sat where you sit 20
> years ago who founded Google, Twitter and Facebook and changed the way we
> communicate with each other.
>
> So today, I want to ask you, what's your contribution going to be? What
> problems are you going to solve? What discoveries will you make? What will a
> president who comes here in twenty or fifty or one hundred years say about
> what all of you did for this country?
>
> Your families, your teachers, and I are doing everything we can to make
> sure you have the education you need to answer these questions. I'm working
> hard to fix up your classrooms and get you the books, equipment and
> computers you need to learn. But you've got to do your part too. So I expect
> you to get serious this year. I expect you to put your best effort into
> everything you do. I expect great things from each of you. So don't let us
> down – don't let your family or your country or yourself down. Make us all
> proud. I know you can do it.

Don't forget to come out for the first PTO meeting of the school year!

5:30 pm to 7:30 pm on Wednesday, Sept. 9th, 2009, in the Emerson school
cafeteria.  Potluck from 5:30 to sixish, so bring a dish, and then we will start
a movie for the kids and move to the library to discuss our issues.

Meet with the incoming parents and greet the familiar faces of our group from
last year, and help us select and confirm officers for the PTO.

We have lots to discuss, and we hope to get the fundraising and outreach on
track immediately, so we hope to have as many people as we can involved.  If you
know another parent, please grab them and bring them along.

If you are a parent or a teacher you are automatically a member of the PTO, no
fees needed.  If you are a neighbor or the parent of a soon to be Emerson
student, you are welcome at any time!  We need your help to continue to forge
Emerson into the best school it can be!

We are working in partnership with Faith Network, and with their help can now
offer tax credits for donations.  We are also partnering with the Temescal
business community for the October 'Taste of Temescal'- for more info see
http://www.temescaldistrict.org/

I can't wait to see you all there!  This will be an exciting year!!!

Jesse

Volunteer Faire For Oakland Schools, Links  Community To Volunteer O
Posted by: "burdcarolyn" burdcarolyn@...   burdcarolyn
Mon Aug 31, 2009 11:42 am (PDT)




– if you've been looking for a volunteer job that makes a
difference, look no further! School volunteers are making a real
difference in the lives of students and helping to raise test scores!

The <http://montclairaction.com/> Montclair Community Action Group
<http://www.montclairaction.com/> has organized a "trade show with a
twist" where all Oaklanders can learn about school volunteer
opportunities in one easy-to-reach location.

The Volunteer Faire (a free event) will be held on Saturday, September
12, 2009, from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Oakland Main Library's West
Auditorium (125 14th Street, enter on the Madison Street side). Oakland
Schools Superintendent, Tony Smith, will be opening the Faire at 11:00
a.m.

The Faire will be setup like a small trade show. Representatives from
Oakland School's Volunteer Office and 14 school-based organizations
will be at tables in the West Auditorium ready to speak with attendees,
describe their programs and answer questions. Current volunteers will
also be there to talk with attendees about their experiences.

Variety of programs and time commitments. Sample programs include:
reading and writing tutoring, school yard monitors, teacher aids,
library assistants, mentoring, entrepreneurship, nutrition, career
presentations. All programs include training and support. If you find a
program that meets your interests and schedule, sign-up at the Faire!

Transportation. Walk from Lake Merritt BART. Free event parking at 13th
& Madison St and 1500 block of Madison at Scottish Rite Ctr. lot.

More information: This Volunteer Faire is an all-Oakland event, in
partnership with the Montclair Community Action Group, Oakland Unified
School District and other participating school-based groups. For more
info. Visit www.MontclairAction.com <http://www.montclairaction.com/>
or send an e-mail to VolunteerFaire@....

Inter-City Youth Development Programs (Major League Baseball Scouting Bureau)
announces its 19th annual free baseball instructional program. The 10-week
training camp meets every Sunday from Sept. 13 - Nov. 15 at the Laney College
Baseball Field, 900 Fallon Street.

9 a.m. - 11 a.m./7 - 12 years
11 a.m. - 1 p.m./13 - 19 years

Kids receive training in fundamentals, develop skills, and compete. The coaches
have extensive professional playing, scouting, and coaching experience. The
program is headed by Jethro McIntyre, Albert Strane, and Daryl Thomas.

For more info:  Bert (510) 472-7215, Daryl (510) 205-5507, or Jethro (925)
550-1938.

The parent who brought this to our attention at the School Board last week said
after her son participated, he changed his focus from soccer to baseball, it was
so great.

I'm pleased to announce that Oakland Unified's new Superintendent, Dr. Tony
Smith, will be my guest at a Sept. 30 Town Hall meeting at Oakland International
High School, 4521 Webster Street.  7:00 - 8:30 p.m.  Light refreshments
provided.  For more information and/or to RSVP, contact me at
jody.london@....

Let's give Tony a rousing North Oakland welcome!

Reminder:  Garden work day w/ carpentry opportunities!
Posted by: "Peralta Garden Committee" cfrost@...   chris.frost47
Fri Aug 21, 2009 11:57 am (PDT)


Tomorrow, Sat Aug 22 there is a general garden and ground fix up day at
Peralta starting at 9:00 am.

* The campus looks fabulous!
* Come see how big the pumpkins have grown!
* Come prune the roses and trim the walkways.

We also need help building sheds.

Luis Mesa will be on site near the solar panels helping to coordinate new
sheds.

Chris Frost

(Volunteer Coordinator)

Oakbook article: Sharing the Wealth in OUSD
Posted by: "nikoleaw@..." nikoleaw@...   LanglyLuvr
Fri Aug 21, 2009 7:19 pm (PDT)


(http://www.theoakbook.com/)

An interesting way for teachers in Oakland to get help with buying
"extras" for the classroom:

____________________________________
NEWS
Sharing the Wealth in OUSD

It's not the least bit unusual for teachers to spend $1,000 a year of
their own money on classroom supplies. And now that public school budgets in
California have plunged by around 30 percent over the last two years,
teachers will be digging deeper into their own bank accounts for basics like
paper, pencils, crayons, and other essentials – a category that often includes
clothes and food.


It's not the least bit unusual for teachers to spend $1,000 a year of
their own money on classroom supplies. And now that public school budgets in
California have plunged by around 30 percent over the last two years,
teachers will be digging deeper into their own bank accounts for basics like
paper, pencils, crayons, and other essentials – a category that often includes
clothes and food.

Oakland schools with large numbers of wealthy – or at least comfortable –
parents augment this shortfall with ample amounts of money and time. The
PTA at Crocker Highlands, for example, aims to raise $200,000 this school
year. That's $550 a student. At other schools, parents' groups are lucky to
raise $1,500 a year.

Holly Kernan, a parent at _Crocker Highlands_
(http://www.crockerschool.net/?page_id=227) , has an idea about how to help
distribute community
resources around the district in this time of serious economic want. Kernan
started a Facebook page called _Support Oakland Teachers/Schools_
(http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=256275720480&ref=mf#/group.php?gid=256275\
720480) .
It's a place where teachers can post things they need for their classrooms
and community members can step up with what's wanted.

"The hope is to ease the burden. If there's a teacher that needs fresh
snacks for a week, maybe there'll be someone in the community who can help,"
said Kernan.

If you've been resisting _Facebook_ (http://www.facebook.com/) , Support
Oakland Teachers/Schools is a good reason for signing up and making sure as
many people with a stake in Oakland's public schools find out about it.

Hello friends:

Join me for a day at Mosswood Park as we watch the SF Mime Troop's new show "Too
Big to Fail". Bring a lunch, a chair or blanket!

1:30PM for music- show starts at 2:00PM
Mosswood Park
Sat, Aug 29th @ 2:00 PM (Music 1:30)
W. MacArthur Blvd. & Broadway, Oakland

See you there!
Ellen Gierson
Neighborhood Crime Prevention Council beat 12X
in the Temescal
510-658-8713

Oakland's Test Scores Reveal
Broad Has Failed

Tuesday, the state Education
Department released results for state testing from last Spring. Today's article
in the Oakland Tribune Wednesday, August 19, 2009 was almost gloating:

"Up, Up, Up: Test scores win
raves" raved the headline. The sub head: "80 percent of Oakland students
results rise; district increases outpace state average".

Oooooooooo!!! What a great
confirmation of the district's schemes of corporatization and privatization
since the Broad Foundation essentially ran their hostile take-over in 2003 with
the State Takeover of Oakland Public Schools!!!

Or is it? Here's how the SF
Chronicle presented the same story:

Headline: "Gaps in test
scores remain wide" Sub head: "Black, Hispanic students far behind whites,
Asians".

"Despite a seventh straight
year of improved test scores statewide, results released Tuesday showed that
California schools failed to make a significant dent in a historically
immovable achievement gap".

"Based on the rate of
improvement from 2003 to 2009, it would take up to 105 years to close the
white/Hispanic achievement gap and at least 189 years to close the white/black
gap, which has failed to narrow by even a point in English since 2003….".

Interesting difference.
Let's turn to page 11 of the Tribune, where the story continues INSIDE the
paper:

The Trib reports that
"Oakland's scores remain well below the state average, especially in the upper
grades".

It goes on to discuss the
achievement gap, "The test scores of Oakland's public schoolchildren were
divided along racial lines. About 43 percent of black and Latino fourth-graders
showed proficiency in English, while 88 percent of their white peers and 70
percent of Asian students hit that target. The gap was similar in math."

The Chronicle reports that
the same gap is 31 points statewide in English and 24 points in Math".

Conclusion: The
Achievement Gap, as measured by "proficient students" in Oakland, is far worse
than the state average. A real breakdown of these stats would show what
everyone already knows: that achievements on test scores most accurately
reflect the square footage of the students' principal domicile.

Oakland hill elementary
schools provide a hugely superior education to their students, while Flatland
elementaries, in the main, do not. The pattern holds in secondary schools. Test
scores always reflect class and socio-economic levels. This has been common
knowledge since the Civil Rights Era first raised the issue of Equality.

Neither paper carried
comparisons of the other categories: far below basic, basic, and advanced. It
would be interesting to see how Oakland students did in these categories as
well, though we can guess. However, we can thank the Tribune for its uplifting
and inspiring take on the story.

Test Scores

In the NCLB-driven of public
education, 2009, everything successful is based on using test scores to measure
how well schools, students and teachers "perform". However, what states call "
standardized testing" is completely bogus as any sort of a detailed scientific
measure. Here's why:

(1) States adjust test
categories every year. The midpoint of the range that defines success and
failure can be moved whenever. These categories are also different in every
state. Test scores are known to make strange gyrations in election years.

(2) A decade ago,
statistical experts would have laughed out loud if an educational professional
used test data from tests that schools openly taught to. This data is largely
invalid. Teaching to the test throws a complete monkey wrench into the works.
Are you measuring what the kids knew, how much a given teacher taught them, or
how long they drilled for the test? Scientific tests can only test for one
thing at a time. Further, in California, only half the questions change each
year. This obviously facilitates teaching to the test.

The US really has two school
systems. Standardized tests, as gross measures, prove this every year. The
suburban schools test the best in the world. Even US schools with up to 49%
poverty still test very high. Central city urban schools test some of the
worst. This educational apartheid has been increasing since the 1970's and is
the result of definite and specific policies.

For example, California's
public schools have gone from first in the country to last since 1978 when Prop
13 was passed. This limited so severely the money from local property taxes,
that school districts could raise, that today in the state most money comes
directly from the state. That is policy. Stanford University reported two years
ago that California public schools have been underfunded by a trillion dollars
since 1978. That's policy too.

Naturally, the largest
impact of this falls on the schools where the process of education is
complicated by all sorts of socio-economic issues like poverty, no jobs, broken
homes, homelessness, high rates of non-English speakers, gangs, community
violence, drugs, mortgage scams, etc. You know, things that tend to destabilize
families.

The Achievement Gap

All the above was predicted
and predictable thirty years ago. For twenty years, in the `50s and the `60s,
the Civil Rights Movement demonstrated over and over that poverty and
segregation inevitably make schools unequal. None of this is a surprise.

Back in those days the call
was for Equality, to use whatever was necessary to make schools actually equal.
By ruining California's public schools, Prop 13 definitely helped make the
schools more equal. This is an important point. Education as a Civil Right can
only exist if it means real Quality Education. The demand on society and the
government was to raise all schools to the level of the best.

The Achievement Gap is a
statistical reflection of a reality that was never addressed, of a failure of
government policy to establish what the people of this country demanded. But
the Achievement Gap is also a reflection of statistics that have lost their
way. Statistics are quantitative; Equal Quality Education has always demanded a
change in quality. – specifically, that we bail families out of economic
distress.

Without such changes in
policy, the Achievement Gap is similar to asserting that weighing someone in
itself eliminates malnutrition. We have to attack the policies that
create this situation.

When exactly did America
decide that Quality Education was not the goal? Was it when the government told
us they had to bail out the banks Or did they tell us "there's simply no money"
some time before that? When did we reject, what was commonly understood in the
Civil Rights Era, that real equality meant concrete, financial support to
eliminate socioeconomic problems? Maybe it was without public discussion at
all.

Six Years of Broad Have
Failed

Eli Broad, as we well know
in Oakland, is the billionaire who bankrolls a lot of so-called "Institutes"
that are active in privatizing and corporatizing public education. His minions
have run the downtown central administration and held the position of
State-Imposed Administrator since 2003.

The Broad People advocate,
and engineer, closing schools they claim are unsuccessful, opening lots of
charters, the rigid implementation of text-book driven curriculum that features
teaching to the test, and massive amounts of testing.

Oakland has over 30
charters, the highest concentration in the state. Over 40 schools have been
closed or restructured to implement the high stakes testing agenda. Oakland's
fifth graders must take SIX literacy tests in one year before they are moved
into Middle School! This is the corporate model of education that has been
spread around the company by corporations who aim to make a profit from public
schools.

Eli Broad is a silent
partner behind a new team that claims that public education is an issue of
civil rights. They are not talking about the traditional approach.

This team, "The 3 Payasos",
is made up of Arne Duncan, Newt Gingrich and Al Sharpton! Gingrich's record is
abundantly clear. He spent so much of his time in Congress driving families off
of Aid for Families of Dependent Children that somehow he forgot to deal with
Civil Rights issues. Chicago school got much worse under Duncan, who pushes the
privatization line. Al Sharpton is now funded by an investment outfit that
tried to privatize New York's off-track betting last year.

All three, plus Eli,
advocate for huge increases in charter schools, as the civil rights
solution, strangely enough, only for inner city schools! Yet across the
country, charters do pretty much the same, as a group, as public schools. But,
where is the missing money that was diverted from California schools, money
that could be used to really help families and communities eliminate
socio-economic problems?

We're not talking about
"just throwing money at problems". Since the State Takeover, Flatland schools
in particular have seen librarians and social workers all but eliminated.
Counselors and custodians, art, science and most foreign language have been
decimated.

Equal Quality Education
requires support. Historically unequal communities have specific problems that
must be addressed.

The corporate folks are
always talking about making data-driven decisions. So let's take them at their
word. Six years of their policies have not altered the historic inequality in
Oakland schools one whit. The Achievement Gap is still disastrous. Most
teachers will tell you that the Broad-inspired, corporate educational approach
is, in the main, bad for children, especially students who need support for the
social problems that block educational success.

So far, the people of the
United States have fed $13 trillion to bankers who have performed
"far-below-basic". If we can bail them out, this country can bail out our
public schools.

The Broad approach has
failed! It is a bogus corporate and profit driven approach that pushes the
fraud that they can succeed without demanding that government fund Quality
Education as a Civil Right.

Steven Miller

Life Academy

August 19, 2009

Hi Bruce!

I haven't heard anything further as regards the proposed 'Taste of Temescal,'
but I am not sure if that is because nothing's happening, or because I have been
on vacation and too busy to follow up myself.

Eric?  Any news on last night's meeting about the community organization, or
about the proposed night out?

Hope everyone's well!

If you didn't make it to the potluck picnic, please try to come to the first
meeting of the year for our PTO on 09/09/09!  5:30pm - 7:30pm, the first half an
hour being a potluck dinner.

As we have support from our new fiscal agent, Faith Network, and are now a
functional non-profit, I hope we can do larger fundraisers with more community
support (not to downplay the wonderful contributors who gave without the tax
deduction!), as we would love to be able to help the school directly to cover
budgetary shortfalls and increase program availability.

There are several things I hope to discuss, and I want to meet the new parents
who are incoming and welcome them to our group!

Thanks!

Jesse

--- In EmersonSchoolNeighbors@yahoogroups.com, Bruce Williams <blwfloors@...>
wrote:
>
> Hi Jesse,
> sorry I missed the news about the potluck--I've been remiss in checking my
e-mail!
> I'm curious about how plans  for  working with Temescal Merchants on a fund
raiser are progressing.
>
> Let me know if there's any way I can help.
>
> Regards,
> Bruce
>
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: Jesse Phelps <gurujulp@...>
> To: EmersonSchoolNeighbors@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Friday, August 14, 2009 6:38:46 PM
> Subject: [EmersonSchoolNeighbors] Emerson Parent Potluck - New and Improved
Double Hours!!!
>
>
> Hi Everyone!
>
> We had a miscommunication on the date for the potluck (and I say
miscommunication because I told everyone Sunday August 15th, a date which
doesn't exist), so I will be on the Emerson Campus both Saturday and Sunday from
11am - 2pm for anyone who wishes to bring a dish and chat with the group.
>
> While calling to follow up, I encountered enough people who had factored
Saturday into their plans that I don't want to end up missing some people.
>
> So please come by tomorrow, Saturday 08/15/2009 AND Sunday 08/16/2009 from
11am to 2pm, if you can make it, so that we can get as many people involved as
possible.
>
> I apologize for the mixup, and I hope that everyone can come by and meet the
folks who show up.
>
> Thanks, hope to see you there!
>
> Jesse Phelps
> Emerson Parent Teacher Organization
> Co-President
>
>
>
>
> __________________________________________________
> Do You Yahoo!?
> Tired of spam?  Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
> http://mail.yahoo.com
>

Yes, she was in Ms Latessa's class last year for first grade, and this year will
be in either Mr Delaplane's or Ms Mader's class for second.

The other first grade teachers are Ms Cotteral, and Ms Aiello was teacher for a
mixed K/1st grade class last year.

Hopefully the mixed class won't be necessary- not that it is a bad thing- it
helps the 1st students who need a refresher, and it speeds up learning for some
K students who are ahead of the curve, but it is tough on the teacher!

Nothing but praise for all of them- but I know everyone from K up through second
fairly well.  I haven't had a lot of interaction with the upper grades yet.

Thank you!!!!!
   Your daughter was in first grade last year right? Who was her teacher?



--- In EmersonSchoolNeighbors@yahoogroups.com, "Jesse Phelps" <gurujulp@...>
wrote:
>
> The office staff is currently on vacation, returning on the 24th.
>
> There is no need to register more than once, I was concerned about that myself
last year, so I asked at the office.  You don't even need to call, as long as
you have not registered at another school, you just show up on the first day of
school and the names will be posted at the front with the classrooms and
teachers shown.
>
> If you have any other questions, feel free to ask!
>
> Jesse
>

The office staff is currently on vacation, returning on the 24th.

There is no need to register more than once, I was concerned about that myself
last year, so I asked at the office.  You don't even need to call, as long as
you have not registered at another school, you just show up on the first day of
school and the names will be posted at the front with the classrooms and
teachers shown.

If you have any other questions, feel free to ask!

Jesse

Hi Everyone!

We had a miscommunication on the date for the potluck (and I say
miscommunication because I told everyone Sunday August 15th, a date which
doesn't exist), so I will be on the Emerson Campus both Saturday and Sunday from
11am - 2pm for anyone who wishes to bring a dish and chat with the group.

While calling to follow up, I encountered enough people who had factored
Saturday into their plans that I don't want to end up missing some people.

So please come by tomorrow, Saturday 08/15/2009 AND Sunday 08/16/2009 from 11am
to 2pm, if you can make it, so that we can get as many people involved as
possible.

I apologize for the mixup, and I hope that everyone can come by and meet the
folks who show up.

Thanks, hope to see you there!

Jesse Phelps
Emerson Parent Teacher Organization
Co-President

Hi-
Got a call from the nice people at Emerson Elementary - there will be a
Kindergarten Orientation gathering on Saturday at the Emerson campus (4803
Lawton Ave). I believe the times are 11:00 AM to 1:00 or 2:00 PM. If anyone else
on this list has a child slated to go to Emerson - would like to meet you. We
are on a waiting list for another school but I'm hoping that I show up and meet
some other great parents and I can actually feel good about sending my kid to
Emerson. The principal is great and I think the school could be great too, but
it takes a village.

If I am wrong about the time feel free to jump in, I may be off by an hour on
start or end.
Thx

1a. school lunch changes
    Posted by: "jamie flaherty-evans" shoegirl71@... shoegirl71
    Date: Wed Aug 12, 2009 8:06 am ((PDT))


Hi everyone-

I am a co-President of Cleveland Elem and am working with a group called Slow
Food USA to help make change to the quality of public school lunches thru the
Children's Nutrition Act that is up for re-authorization in Congress this fall.
My friend is heading up the campaign for the East Bay and would like to get
local PTA's more involved since PTA's are ground zero for change such as this.
I've agreed to spread the word however I can.

I know that there were quite a few schools interested in Revolution Foods being
the food purveyor for OUSD, and they are seeking the same type of change. I
don't want to post everything here as I'm not sure if it is appropriate, but if
you think you, your PTA or your school's parents would like the information on
how to help (sign a petition, send a letter to legislators and/or participate in
an Eat-In), you can email me off-line ( shoegirl71@...) and I'll send the
attachments that you can pass on.

Thanks!

jamie flaherty evans
shoegirl71@...
510.334.8606

FREE MUSEUM DAYS INFORMATION, ENJOY!
Posted by: "Ellen Gierson" ellenrocs@...   ellenbo30090
Thu Jul 23, 2009 5:35 pm (PDT)



FREE MUSEUM DAYS

Free 1st Sunday

Asian Art Museum
200 Larkin Street (between Fulton & McAllister)
Civic Center, across from City Hall
San Francisco, CA 94102
Tel: (415) 581-3500
Also discounted every Thursday evening: $5.00 after 5:00p
Free 1st Tuesday

Cartoon Art Museum
655 Mission Street (between 2nd & 3rd)
San Francisco, CA 94105
Tel: (415) 581-3500
First Tuesday is "Pay What You Wish Day."

de Young Museum
Golden Gate Park
50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive
San Francisco, CA 94118
Tel: (415) 863-3330
Also: $2 discount on regular admission with Muni pass or transfer.

Legion of Honor
Lincoln Park
34th Avenue & Clement Street
San Francisco, CA 94121
Tel: (415) 863-3330
Also: $2 discount on regular admission with Muni pass or transfer.

San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SF MOMA)
151 Third Street (between Mission and Howard)
San Francisco, CA 94103
Tel: (415) 357-4000
Also discounted every Thursday evening: Half price admission from 6:00p to
9:00p.

Yerba Buena Center Galleries
701 Mission Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
Tel: (415) 978-2700
Free 1st Wednesday

Exploratorium
at the Palace of Fine Arts
3601 Lyon Street
San Francisco, CA 94123
Tel: (415) 561-0399
Groups of 10+ must have reservations

Bay Area Discovery Museum
East Fort Baker
557 McReynolds Road
Sausalito, CA 94965
Tel: (415) 339-3900
From 9a to 4p, beginning October 1, 2008. Replaces Free Second Saturday
afternoons.
Free 1st Thursday

Berkeley Art Museum & Pacific Film Archive
2626 Bancroft Way
2621 Durant Avenue
(Between College & Telegraph)
Berkeley, CA 94720
Tel: (510) 642-0808
Free admission to galleries, public programs, and 5:30p PFA screening.

Burlingame Pez Museum
214 California Drive
Burlingame, CA 94010
Tel: (650) 347-2301

Free 2nd Sunday

Oakland Museum of California
1000 Oak Street
Oakland, CA 94607
Tel: (510) 238-2200

WHO WAS LOOKING OUT FOR OAKLAND'S SCHOOLS...AND WHO WAS NOT

By J. Douglas Allen-Taylor
__________________________________________________________

From the July 9, 2009 UnderCurrents column of the Berkeley Daily Planet
newspaper

The Berkeley Daily Planet is available online at http://www.berkeleydailyplanet
UnderCurrents is archived at http://www.safero.org/undercurrents.html
__________________________________________________________

It seems somewhat odd, doesn't it, that our good friends at the Oakland Tribune
waited until the State of California officially turned (back) over the keys to
the Oakland Unified School District Administration Building to write one of the
better articles summing up the damaging effects of the state takeover ("Oakland
School District: Is It Better Off After The State Takeover?" July 6, 2009
http://www.insidebayarea.com/oakland/ci_12753927). Oakland could have used the
help of the city's major media local newspaper during a time when many residents
(and some of the city's political leaders) were fighting to regain local
control. Still, better late than never. I suppose.

It has been so long ago, you have to be reminded that the sole reason the state
took over OUSD in the first place in 2003 was, supposedly, to put the district's
finances in order. You only have to quote from Katy Murphy's Tribune article to
see howŠumŠunsatisfactorily that particular endeavor turned out for the locals.

"Although financial problems triggered the Oakland school district's takeover,"
Ms. Murphy writes, "the state administration appeared to be more focused on
redesigning schools and overhauling central office services than on stabilizing
the district's finances. None of the three state-appointed administrators had
strong financial backgrounds, and the district has had three chief financial
officers since 2007. Š In 2008, Oakland Unified balanced its budget for the
first time since before the state takeover. The budget is balanced again this
year, but because of deep state funding cuts-including several announced in late
May-the district's surplus cash reserves are all but depleted. The district also
plans to spend the rest of the $100 million state loan in the coming year,
leaving the schools with no cushion and a debt that could take decades to
repay."

Ms. Murphy writes that at the time of the state takeover, estimates of Oakland
Unified's debt "ranged wildly" between $35 million and close to $100 million (my
information at the time was that the actual debt was closer to the lower
figure), and the Tribune story adds that coming out of state receivership, the
district is $89 million in debt, with an additional $18 million deficit
forecasted for the 2010-11 school year. Even if you take the highest figure-$100
million-as the OUSD shortfall that triggered the 2003 takeover (and, as I said,
I believe the actual shortfall figure was lower), the combined $89 million/$18
million debt-deficit figure means that Oakland Unified is in worst financial
shape-by $7 million-after the state takeover than before.

Astonishing, it would seem, for a state takeover whose rationale for coming into
being was solely to put Oakland Unified's finances back in order.

Of course, it's not as if (some) people didn't see the problem while it was
going on, and tried to do something to correct it. One of those was Sandr้
Swanson, who is now in his second term as California Assemblymember from
Oakland.

As Mr. Swanson tells the story, he heard numerous citizen complaints about the
state's handling of Oakland Unified's affairs while Mr. Swanson was campaigning
door-to-door throughout Oakland during the 2006 Democratic primary. At that
time, the state had been running the Oakland schools for three years, and were
making something of a mess of it. Mr. Swanson promised folks that if elected, he
would do something about the problem.

Mr. Swanson is the rare political office-seeker who exceeds expectations. He did
more than "something." He introduced a return-Oakland-Unified-to-local-control
bill on the day of his swearing-in as a member of the Assembly, a day when most
new Assemblymembers are enjoying the welcoming parties and trying to find out
where their offices are located. Mr. Swanson did not stop there, but instead
dogged State School Superintendent Jack O'Connell every time Mr. O'Connell
dragged his feet on giving pieces of the school district power back to Oakland
residents. At one point, when the funds ran out for continued Fiscal Crisis
Managmeent Assistance Team (FCMAT) assessments of the Oakland schools-without
which, the state legislation prevented return to local control-Mr. Swanson had
the more money for the assessments put into the state budget.

And earlier this year, after Mr. O'Connell simply ignored FCMAT's recommendation
that Oakland regain local control of its finances-as Mr. O'Connell had simply
ignored all of the previous FCMAT recommendations concerning returning Oakland's
local control-the Assembly passed Mr. Swanson's AB791 "to complete the
transition to local control." The 44-26 Assembly vote for Mr. Swanson's bill
supporting Oakland local school control had to be an embarrassment to Mr.
O'Connell, and certainly one of the major reasons why the State Superintendent
eventually gave up and gave back to Oakland our schools.
In fact, without Mr. Swanson's dogged persistence on the Oakland school issue
over the last three years, it is probable that local control would still be
years away. Mr. O'Connell gave every indication that unless he was forced to do
so under pressure, he would hold onto the Oakland schools indefinitely.

So what is the point of this column? Not to praise Mr. Swanson for his actions
on the Oakland school issue-although, yes, I'm praising Mr. Swanson, because
praise is due-but to contrast Mr. Swanson's actions in this matter to those of
another state officeholder from Oakland, former State Senator Don Perata.

Unlike Mr. Swanson, Mr. Perata actually did have some responsibility for the
Oakland school takeover. In fact, some people have argued-myself included-that
Mr. Perata was the driving force behind the 2003 state seizure of the Oakland
public schools.

Mr. Perata-as everyone knows-was the author of SB39, the 2003 legislation that
stripped the Oakland School Board of its governing powers and ended the tenure
of Oakland School Superintendent Dennis Chaconas. What most observers forget-or
never knew-is that SB39 was actually the second Oakland school takeover bill
introduced by Mr. Perata. The State Senator introduced the first school takeover
bill-SB564-in 1999 as part of a coordinated effort by Mr. Perata and
then-Oakland Mayor Jerry Brown to get the Oakland School Board to fire then-OUSD
superintendent Carole Quan. SB564 would have allowed Mr. Brown to appoint a
trustee to run the schools, rather than the state. The pressure play worked, Ms.
Quan was forced to resign, and the school board appointed Assistant Oakland City
Administrator George Musgrove to take her place. Mr. Brown was able to run the
Oakland schools through Mr. Musgrove for a brief period, until the school board
hired Mr. Chaconas as
the permanent superintendent.

Whether or not there was sufficient justification for a threatened Jerry Brown
takeover of the Oakland schools in 1999 or the eventual state takeover in 2003
is a long subject for another time.

The point is that in the respective years immediately preceding the introduction
of his two takeover bills-SB564 in 1999 and SB39 in 2003-Mr. Perata displayed
and intense public interest in how the Oakland schools were being operated by
the Oakland School Board and their selected superintendent. And in a San
Francisco Chronicle article published immediately after Ms. Quan's announced
resignation ("Oakland Schools Chief Resigns Amidst Pressure" April 14, 1999
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/1999/04/14/MN14270.DTL), the
Chronicle reported that "[d]espite Quan's announcement, Perata said he will
proceed with his bill, but he added the district can avoid a takeover
'altogether if it simply admits there is a crisis, takes responsibility and
proves it can implement radical reform.'"

Mr. Perata's intense public interest in the running of the Oakland Unified
Schools appeared to last only so long as the district schools were seized by the
state in 2003. At that point, all mention of any Perata concerns about reforms
and fiscal responsibility for the Oakland schools disappeared from the local
press.

One should remember that Mr. Perata was elected president pro tempore of the
California State Senate in December of 2004-one of the three most powerful
positions in California state government-and continued in that position for the
next four years. He certainly could have used that position to monitor the state
takeover of OUSD and make sure it was run right, but there is no evidence that
Mr. Perata did.

It was during those four years that massive evidence of the state mismanagement
of the Oakland Unified School District was exploding all over, both in
statements of members of the Oakland school board members or representatives of
local parents groups or the Oakland Education Association, in certain sections
of the local press, and-significantly-in reports from the Fiscal Crisis
Management Assistance Team, the education professionals called in by the state
takeover legislation to monitor the situation in the Oakland schools.

In its 2006 report on Oakland Unified, for only one of many examples, FCMAT
wrote that The reforms undertaken by the district [under state control] have not
always been compatible with the goal of fiscal recovery and the return to local
governance." FCMAT then added ominous detail of the direction the state takeover
was taking Oakland Unified's financial situation: "The size of the district's
long-term debt has increased and the district has not remedied its previous
pattern of deficit spending," the report continued. Expenditures surpassed
revenues in the 2004-05 and 2005-06 budget years. Although the district was
still closing its books at the time of FCMAT's visit, district reports showed
deficit spending of $2.9 million and an undesignated unrestricted fund balance
of -$8.3 million. The draw down of the remainder of the state loan, while
perhaps necessary, will tend to inflate the district's revenues for the 2006-07
budget year with one-time funds
that will not support ongoing operational expenditures."

These were red flags that something was seriously wrong with the state's
management of OUSD's affairs, and such warnings continued throughout the many
FCMAT reports. But if Mr. Perata was listening, there is no public evidence that
he did anything to intervene.

At one point, the State Superintendent had failed so long to create a fiscal
recovery plan for Oakland Unified-a necessary step spelled out in the takeover
legislation for return to local control-that demonstrators had to get themselves
arrested in the office of OUSD State Administrator Randolph Ward in order to get
Mr. O'Connell to write the recovery plan.
In the spring of 2006, Sandr้ Swanson was hearing these concerns as he walked
door-to-door in Oakland, campaigning for the Assembly, and even more so after he
was elected. When the original state money ran out for FCMAT to continue its
evaluation of Oakland Unified, another necessary step for making sure the
district was on track towards fiscal solvency and local control, it was
Assemblymember Swanson who stepped in and had more money put in for the
evaluations in the state budget.

Meanwhile Mr. Perata-the author of the state takeover legislation and the man
who had howled so loudly about the situation in the Oakland schools-sat silently
on his hands and appeared to do nothing to help the OUSD situation.

But we have seen this type of disappearing act from Mr. Perata many times over
the years, making headlines and noise when it is to his political (or economic)
advantage, and then ducking out when the important work needs to be done for the
public good.

It is one of the reasons I wonder why so many people seem to think Mr. Perata,
as mayor, would be good for Oakland. But perhaps they'll let me know.

I believe the Emerson Parent Teacher Organization is meeting tomorrow night
(7/8) at the school, they usually meet around 5:30. Hopefully Jesse or Beth will
send a reminder. Welcome to Emerson!

Jody London
School Board Director, District 1

--- In EmersonSchoolNeighbors@yahoogroups.com, "Monika Brooks"
<monika.brooks@...> wrote:
>
> Hello All,
>
> My Name is Monika Brooks and my son, Kenneth Greer has just been enrolled in
Emerson Elementary.  Kenneth will be starting the 4th grade and I am excited to
be a part of the Emerson community.
>
> Please let me know if there is anything I can do to volunteer or be of
assistance!
>
> Monika Brooks
> monika.brooks@...
>