AAREA® Newsletter March 2014

AAREA® Newsletter March 2014
March 5, 2014
www.theaarea.org
March 2014

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

Nelson Mandela

Celebrating a Living Legend in our Community: Ms. Bobbie Brooks

 

Bobbie Brooks, co-founder of the African American Regional Educational Alliances was honored at the 5th Annual AAREA Professional Development Breakfast for her significant and priceless contributions in civic, community, and social programs which enhance and advance the education and the quality of life for African American families.
Although Bobbie is retiring as AAREA’s Interim Executive Director, she will continue to be in advisor to the Board and support AAREA by working on special projects and initiatives. Please join us as we thank her for her limitless commitment!

AAREA Honors Bay Area Educational Pioneers

On Saturday, February 1st, AAREA hosted the 5th Annual Professional Development Breakfast. This year’s theme “Cutting to the Core: Linking Compelling Common Core Instructional Practices to the Achievement of African American Students”, focused on how educators can improve their skills and knowledge about the transition to Common Core State Standards (CCSS). Following is a pictoral re-cap of the highlights of the event.

Young, Gifted & Black gave an invigorating performance during the opening session.
Dr. Jamal Cooks and Dr. Ruth Cossey in the plenary session
Participants engaged in a workshop session.

Aisha Knowles of Alameda County Fire Dept accepts the Educational Service Award

It was truly an inspirational day with approximately 100 participants including district and school administrators, counselors, teachers, parents, and community leaders.AAREA will continue to explore and assist educators with the transition to Common Core State Standards through a follow-up professional development series. Be on the look-out for announcements coming soon.

The Return of….


Family College Day

April 19, 2014 2-5pm

AAREA in partnership with Choose College Educational Foundation (CCEF) will host SuperSATurday Family College Day on April 19, 2014 2-5pm at Chabot College in Hayward immediately after the 10th Annual African American Student Achievement and Excellence Awards. After the ceremony, Family College Day invites the community to join the celebration in honoring and showcasing the brilliance of Bay Area students.

Students enjoying themselves at the 2012 event.

This FREE fun, family-friendly event will feature:

  • College, test prep and financial aid resources and information

  • Academic and career resources and information

  • Health and Wellness resources and information

  • Children’s Activities and Games

  • Youth performances and Guest speakers

  • Contests, Games, Prizes and More

GET INVOLVED:Bring a group of students or become a sponsor, partner, vendor and/or volunteer. For more information, contact Monique August at 510-614-3000 or click on the following link: 2014 SS Sponsor/Vendor Info

PARTNERS IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Hayward Unified School District and the African American Student Achievement Initiative

The achievement gap of African American students in Hayward Unified School District (HUSD) is not

much different than other local urban public school districts, however, how they are working towards supporting African American students is rather unique. They have created the African American Student Achievement Initiative (AASAI) to assist in meeting the needs of African American students and parents. This Initiative has four key strategies: 1.appropriate intervention, 2.culturally relevant practices, 3.improved discipline and school climate policies and 4.practices and parent and community partnerships.

William McGee, HUSD Board of Trustees, addresses AASAI parents at a meeting

HUSD and AASAI are working together to support the needs of African American students through family outreach, Learning Academies for the CAHSEE, and Algebra and Literacy intervention. Through this model, HUSD is seeing positive changes in the success of African American students. For more information, visit http://www.husd.k12.ca.us/AASAI

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS

2014 Education Summit for 1st Generation College Bound Students

Saturday, March 8th 8:30-1pm

CSU East Bay

25800 Carlos Bee Blvd, Hayward, CA 94542

Waddell & Reed Financial Services’ “A Plan for All Seasons” Financial Planning Workshop

Wednesday, March 12th 6- 9pm

ConneXion @JLP

520 3rd Street Suite 109, Oakland, CA 94607

Tools for Success: Common Core, College and Career Conferences

Thursday, March 13th at Holy Names University

Wednesday, March 19th at CSU Long Beach

Thursday, March 27th at UC Merced

AAREA Regional Parent Network Meeting

Saturday, March 15th 10am-12noon

ConneXion @JLP

520 3rd Street Suite 109, Oakland, CA 94607

AAREA-SLZUSD Common Core Corner Parent Workshop:Technology in the Common Core

Monday, March 17th 6-8pm

SLZUSD Board Room

15510 Usher Street, San Lorenzo, CA 94580

AAREA 10th Annual African American Student Achievement and Excellence Awards

Saturday, April 19th 10am- 2pm

Chabot College, Performing Arts Center

25555 Hesperian Blvd., Hayward, CA 94545

AAREA-Choose College SuperSATurday Family College Day

Saturday, April 19th 2- 5pm

Chabot College, Ampitheatre

25555 Hesperian Blvd., Hayward, CA 94545

In This Issue

Celebrating the Brilliance of Black Students

Nominate a student today!

The African American Regional Educational Alliances (AAREA), in collaboration with Chabot College and R.T. Fisher Educational Enterprises, Inc. will host the 10th Annual African American Student Achievement & Excellence Awards on Saturday, April 19th at Chabot College Performing Arts Center in Hayward, CA.

Student accepting his award

We invite schools, churches, and youth serving organizations to nominate outstanding African American youth in Southern Alameda County transitioning into middle, high school, or college. Students may be nominated in one of the following five categories:

  • Academic Excellence

  • Academic Potential and Success

  • Cultural Leadership and Civic Involvement

  • Resilience and Spiritual Consciousness

  • Visual/Graphics and Performing Arts

Nominate your students now! Nomination Deadline: March 14, 2014

Download the nomination packet by visiting www.theaarea.org or clicking the following link: 2014 SAE Awards Nomination Form

To get a glimpse of last year’s event, click 2013 AASAE Awards to view a short video.

For more information or to receive a paper copy, contact us at (510) 614-3000 or info@theaarea.org
Family enjoying the AFAM Student Achievement Awards in 2013

CONNECTIONS IN OUR COMMUNITY

ConneXion Logo
A Female, Black Owned, Professional Rental Facility in Oakland
AAREA has hosted the 5th Annual Professional Development Breakfast at ConneXion@JLP for the past two years.
Professional Development Breakfast Opening Session in the Atrium at ConneXion @ Jack London Park

Semajh Bilaal, the Director of the ConneXion, is always able to assess our needs and make recommendations to assist us with ensuring our events and meetings are a success. We recommend ConneXion for any professional event or meeting. It is easily accessible and affordable, has excellence customer service, and offers a variety of facility and service options.

Semajh Bilaal, Director of ConneXion showing her support at the Professional Development Breakfast

ConneXion@Jack London Park is located in Oakland’s Jack London District at 520 3rd St Suite 109. To find out more, attend their next Open House on Thursday, March 20th 4 -6pm. This event is Free and features facility tours, incentives, refreshments, and networking.

Visit www.connexionjlp.com to stay up to date on special promotions and upcoming events. Contact Semajh Bilaal at 510-614-3000 ext 107 or info@connexionjlp.com for more information or to schedule a private tour.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

Teaching Tolerance

www.teachingtolerance.org

Teaching Tolerance is a project of the Southern Poverty Law Center that provides printed and web publications focused on enhancing classroom and community environments.

AAREA commonly refers to their resources in professional development sessions with educators as well as parent informational sessions.

As schools are moving toward implementing CCSS in the classroom, members of the Teaching Tolerance organization are making available supplemental resources to support classrooms in providing more equitable text to build diversity in meeting the Common Core State Standards. Tolerance.org has numerous resources from reading lists to actual lesson plans to support multiple ages and classes to engage in powerful dialogue.

To take advantage of Teaching Tolerance resources, visit teachingtolerance.org

COMMUNITY ALERT: CAL GRANT DUE MARCH 3RD

According to the Doorways to College report by Ed Trust, not enough students are applying for Cal-Grants. Tens of thousands of students are missing out on this resource. Make sure your students know and apply for the Cal-Grant. Priority deadline is March 3rd.
For more information on the Cal-Grant program and to obtain a copy of the Doorways to College report, visit www.edtrust.org
African American Regional Educational Alliances
520 3rd Street, Suite 109, Oakland, CA 94607
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AAREA® Contact Information

African American Regional Educational Alliances®

22568 Mission Blvd.
Suite 517
Hayward, CA 94541

(510) 614-3000

Co-Founder/Interim Board Chair: Robyn Fisher

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Testimonials
Barbara Heisser
Coordinator of Special Projects, Pleasanton Unified School District
Thank you Bobbie for such an inspiring celebration of our black students on Sunday.  What a grand group of students and what an incredible ceremony honoring them!  I am very interested in joining your organization and representing the Tri Valley area on behalf of the students but also on behalf of the unrecognized  black teachers and administrators.  For a very long time, black teachers and administrators in Dublin, Pleasanton, and Livermore have been hidden and unrecognized and all of them are doing tremendous things for our students.  Black students in our area are rarely even noticed let alone recognized for the good work that they do and I really that I have an opportunity to change that now.  Let me know what I can do-I want to get involved.  I was very touched by your presentations and very honored for my children who received these awards and I want to make that possible for more of our deserving students. Thank you again!
Tina Harris
Parent of student at American High School
Ms. Brooks - I wanted to send you a note of thanks for the wonderful ceremony yesterday. I am so glad that my husband and I were able to attend, as this was such a meaningful event. The speakers were all so great, especially Bishop Keith L. Clark. My son really enjoyed his words of wisdom. You have obviously worked tirelessly to continue this very important endeavor, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Dorothy Allen
Ethnic Studies Co-chair, James Logan High School
I would like to thank you and SACAAAE for honoring me yesterday. I am really touched that a group of my peers (African American peers) think enough of what I do as an educator to single me out as one of the honorees. I would also like to congratulate you and SACAAAE for a program that was very well done and a pleasure to be a part of. Tommie, Lindsay, and I were talking after the program and we would like to know how the African American staff at James Logan High School can become a part of this fantastic program? Thank you again!
Cindi Newbold
Ms. Brooks, I really enjoyed the breakfast meeting last Saturday! I find myself refreshed for the work to come. The environment was warm, inclusive and full of life!  
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