Prospective parents and students are invited to learn more about Skyline High School on Nov. 9.  The Farnsworth Theater will open its doors at 6:15 p.m. for a viewing of our special Performing Arts slide show, to be followed at 6:30 p.m. by a welcome, introductions, and a presentation about Atlas, Skyline’s innovative new program for freshmen.  After the general meeting, visitors will divide into smaller groups to experience a series of presentations in various classrooms. Small groups of teachers from each academic department and academy will rotate through each room in order to visit with families in a more intimate setting.  Skyline High School understands the importance of your high school decision and wishes to serve you by answering all of your questions about our school.  Skyline High School is a comprehensive public high school located in the Oakland hills.  It is well known for its outstanding Performing Arts department, strong sports programs, and many student clubs.  Skyline offers a wide variety of AP classes and electives, including Mandarin, French and Spanish.  Seven school academies are offered for more focused study: Architecture & Graphic Design; Computer Science & Technology Academy; Education; Green Energy; Sports, Health & Fitness; Media, Law & Democracy; and Performing Arts.

Oakland Tech Performing Arts Info Night
The Performing Arts Department invites every parent of our Dancers, Actors, Musicians, Singers and Techies to a performance/informational presentation on Wednesday, Nov. 10 at 5:30-7:00pm, in the Theater.  We have a fantastic performance season planned and we need each of you to be a part of it.  Come out and meet the Teachers and Staff, see a GREAT performance from our students and find out how you can help YOUR student have a successful year in the Performing Arts.  If you have any questions, please contact Phyllis Hall at thinman01@mail.com.

Please join us to learn about what Oakland Tech has to offer your child at the annual Information Night/Open House on Wednesday, November 3rd from 6:30 – 9pm (time tentative, please confirm closer to event date). This program is designed for families of prospective students, and will begin in the Oakland Tech Library.  The principal and staff will be on hand to provide information and answer your questions. You will have the opportunity to learn about our nationally renowned Paideia program, our academies, special academic programs, AP courses, Arts program, athletics and more! The evening will include presentations by the staff, an opportunity to visit the school and classrooms, and to meet teachers.
You may also wish to view information about  School Tours and Shadow Days at Oakland Tech.

From Coach Sato:  Cal offers free youth admission to events:

Cal Volleyball vs. Oregon State
Saturday, October 2nd
7pm – Haas Pavilion, Bancroft Way at Dana, UC campus
**All youth (12th grade and under) are FREE!**

No registration necessary.  Adults will still need to purchase ticket the night of the match.

Cal Men’s and Women’s Soccer: FREE FOR EVERYONE – EVERY MATCH

For the Men’s Soccer Schedule, visit:
http://www.calbears.com/sports/m-soccer/sched/cal-m-soccer-sched.html

For the Women’s Soccer Schedule, visit:
http://www.calbears.com/sports/w-soccer/sched/cal-w-soccer-sched.html
storative Justice?

This FREE event is hosted by Oakland Unified School District and Laney College in partnership with United College Action Network (U-CAN)  and United Black Student Unions of California.  Wednesday, September 15 from 4 to 8pm at Laney College Student Center (900 Fallon Street, Oakland, CA 94607).
Students will be able to receive:

• ON THE SPOT Admissions and Scholarships
• Application Fee Waived for Many Colleges
• Face-to-face contact with official college admission representatives
• Exposure to many Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs)
• Assistance and information regarding SAT and ACT college admission tests

Bring an official transcript and ACT/SAT score(s), if taken, for each college application you plan to complete.

For more information: Troy Flint, Spokesperson, Oakland Unified School District (510) 473-5832 or troy.flint@ousd.k12.ca.us.

Please read this pair of articles from the February 17  Oakland Tribune regarding the quality of education in our public schools., and what students need to learn in order to be successful in high school, college, career and life.

http://www.insidebayarea.com/top-stories/ci_14414801

http://www.insidebayarea.com/oaklandtribune/localnews/ci_14412103

The School Board will be examining in great detail in coming months how to restructure the OUSD budget to accommodate the significantly smaller amount of money (10% of our general fund) available for Fiscal Year 2010-2011, with further reductions expected in the future due to the State budget crisis.
An online survey has been posted where anyone – teachers, parents, community members, staff – can provide the School Board with feedback.   The OUSD budget survey is also now online in Spanish and Chinese.  Your input to the survey is appreciated. Whatever you can do to get the word out, to bring this to the attention of families, staff, and the community at large makes a difference. Jody London will be at this Saturday’s PPTG meeting for you to come to ask questions and give feedback personally.  They do not say when the survey will close. The link is http://publicportal.ousd.k12.ca.us/199410102104342143/blank/browse.asp?a=383&BMDRN=2000&BCOB=0&c=57084

The Oakland Public Library is in the process of updating all our patron records. Having your current contact information will allow you to receive notification of overdue items by phone or e-mail, and be notified promptly when held items are ready for pick-up. Next time you visit us, please bring a photo ID (if the ID has an outdated address, please also bring a recent bill or postmarked letter with your current address). Young people without photo ID may come in with a parent or legal guardian, whose address verification will suffice for both adult and child. We are aiming to accomplish a complete update by the end of February.

Edna Brewer’s graduating class is busily raising funds to help provide scholarships for its educational trip to Washington D.C., scheduled for May 24–29, 2010. In November and December, 8th-graders sold coffee, tea and other items through We Care Coffee. Family and friends can still place orders and benefit Brewer through the company’s website, www.wecarecoffee.com. You can either go directly to the custom-label coffee selection and look for our custom Brewer-label coffee, or you can choose from many other items. When you place your order you will be asked if you are supporting a particular group, so be sure to identify Edna Brewer Middle School and your child’s name.

This past Friday, 8th-graders hosted the first movie-night D.C. fundraiser in the Panther Playhouse, and it was a great success. Almost 120 kids were in attendance to enjoy pizza and watch the Paul Blart Mall Cop movie. The evening netted almost $750 for the trip. It took a big crew of parents and students to make the event run smoothly, so thanks to all who came and helped and/or brought desserts/snacks to sell. Stayed tuned for details about our next movie night, which will be in January.

Finally, the 8th-graders will be hosting a gift-wrapping fundraiser at Barnes & Noble at the Emeryville Bay Street shopping complex on Tuesday, Dec. 22, from 7:00 – 9:00 pm. Make your Barnes & Noble purchases and get them beautifully wrapped by Edna Brewer students—all proceeds will benefit the D.C. trip scholarship fund.

The Oakland Unified School District’s Open Enrollment period runs from December 7–January 15. During this time, schools host tours and open houses and the district arranges option fairs for families to get a head-start planning for the 2010-2011 school year. Options applications are due to the Student Assignment and Bilingual Testing Office at 2111 International Blvd by 3 pm on January 15. While the Options Process does not guarantee that every child will be accepted into his or her first-choice school, it does expand the educational opportunities available to all Oakland students and families.

In early March, applicants will be notified by mail of their school assignments, and the Appeals window opens for parents who want a different school assignment. Parents are encouraged to register at their assigned school by the specified dates.

On December 8 and 9, Edna Brewer’s school counselor, Ms. Philips, reviewed the High School Options choices form with all of the 8th graders. Each student will receive an Options form that must be reviewed and completed by parents and returned to their advisory teacher after vacation on January 4. It is a great idea to visit the high schools to see if they would be a good fit for your child. If you have questions, please contact Ms. Philips at Alice.Philips@ousd.k12.ca.us or call the school at 531-6600.

To download the OUSD Options Informational Brochure for the 2010-11 School Year, and for the School Tour and Open House schedule, go to the OUSD website at: http://enroll.ousd.k12.ca.us. You can also call the Student Assignment & Bilingual Testing Office at 510-434-7780, or visit the office at 2111 International Blvd, Oakland, between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m., Monday through Friday.