Community engagement and service are key parts of the Alameda Unified School District culture and something we seek to instill in students starting in the earliest grades. Each year, we are impressed by the many service projects initiated by students and staff at our school sites.
For instance, ASTI students and staff are collecting toy donations for Children’s Hospital. Edison Elementary School is running its Annual Turkey Drive with the goal of raising enough money to donate 100 turkeys to the Alameda Food Bank, which serves 1200 local families a week. Paden Elementary School is collecting gift cards to support families who are in need this winter. Encinal High School is going for a holiday hat trick by running three holiday drives—one for food (for the Alameda Food Bank), one for coats (for One Warm Coat), and one for toys (for Toys for Tots). Love Elementary School is collecting both toys and food this year, and fifth graders at Franklin Elementary volunteered at the Food Bank this year, while first graders are collecting food for this local resource.
We are grateful for the hard work and generosity of our schools in helping people in need in our community, and we are forever grateful to the community itself for its hard work and generosity in supporting our students, staff, and families. Whether it’s supporting bonds and parcel taxes, or volunteering, or speaking up on behalf of our young people, we know we are extremely fortunate to live in this public-minded community!
Speaking of bonds, we’re happy to report that after several months of delay, during which we worked out agreements with the Bay Conservation and Development Commission, the Encinal High School athletic field project is officially underway. The construction area has been completely fenced off, which we realize may be a slight inconvenience to some members of the community accustomed to walking there, but we need to do this for safety reasons. The EHS field project is funded through the Measure B Facilities Bond (passed in 2022). Thank you, Alameda, for supporting a measure that is so crucial to our being able to provide modern, safe learning spaces for our students and staff!
Susan Davis is the Senior Manager of Community Affairs for the Alameda Unified School District. Reach her at [email protected].
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