Oakland Unity High School and Oakland Food Connection come together for the first annual “Community Gardening Day”. Please join us Saturday, March 13th, 2010 (10:00 am – 2:00 pm). Staff from Unity and OFC will team up with students, parents, and volunteers to build new garden beds in preparation for the Spring harvest.
UNITY Alumni Newsletter, February 2010.
Hello Unity Alumni!
Dear Unity Alumni Classes of ’06, ’07, ’08, and ’09;
We have many things to be proud of this year. As well as keeping a busy on-campus schedule full of activities, school visits, and other improvements, we are very excited to congratulate members of our first class of Unity Alumni who will be graduating this spring from colleges all over California!
As our community continues to grow and spread out further into the world, we recognize the importance in staying connected and keeping in touch with all of our Unity Family. We hope to make this Alumni Newsletter a regular occurrence, though know you can always check out and see pictures of what’s been going on at www.unityhigh.org. We’re still working on getting more email addresses of all our alumni so if you know someone who didn’t get this, please forward it to them with a cc: to alumni@unityhigh.org.
We are proud of all of our alumni, and hope you will continue to be role models and resources for our current students, just as we hope to remain a resource and support for you. Please keep in touch – we’d love to know about what you’ve been up to, your successes, and general life updates. Read on for more highlights of the year and information on staying connected.
Sincerely,
Principal David Castillo
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Check out updates on your Alumni classmates, here!
Tell us how you’re doing! What and where are you studying? Any new hobbies? How are you feeling about life in general? Send personal updates by email to alumni@unityhigh.org and join the Unity Alumni Facebook group!
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School News:
Hoopla - The Boys Basketball team won the Bay Area Charter Schools Athletic Conference championship back in March 2009. Coached by Mr. Driscoll (Biology/Chemistry teacher) and Assistant Coach Chris Bibbens (Unity Alumni Class of ’07), the team beat Envision Academy in the final. Forward Leroy Anderson (Class of ’09) was named the team’s MVP. This season also looks promising as they head into the playoffs in March 2010. With many new and enthusiastic players, the Girls Basketball team also remains full of energy despite their struggling season.
Off to See Obama - In December 2009, Unity juniors spent a week in Washington, D.C., exploring national monuments and museums. They got to meet with elected officials and other students from all around the country. For many, it was their first time out of Northern California. The trip was organized through ‘Close Up’ and led by English teacher Ms. Grant and Asst. Principal Mr. Zarazua. Everyone had a great time, despite the cold weather! See pictures here.
Breathe In, Breathe Out – For two days in between the first and second semester, Unity students took a break from academics to participate in our second annual Intersession. It was a chance to experience something totally new or focus on a special interest. This year was a great success, with programs and activities such as mountain biking, digital film production, and a trip to Angel Island. See pictures of mounting biking and Angel Island.
I Dreamed a Dream Act – In February 2010, Unity seniors visited the State Capitol and participated in the “Stand Up for the DREAM Act” Summit. The Dream Act would enable certain undocumented immigrant students who graduate from US high schools, the opportunity to earn conditional permanent residency, which hits close to home for many of our students. The Summit raised awareness and students got to hear from representatives from the legislative caucuses, scholars, educators, community activists and students. See pictures here.
For more news and school updates, visit www.unityhigh.org.
Also, check out the Oaktown Teen Times, which features stories about Unity High as well as articles written by current Unity students.
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Alumni Updates:
Congratulations to Unity Alumni who will be graduating from college this spring 2010!
*Note: Please excuse us if we missed anyone, please let us know if you or someone you know from Unity is graduating this spring and we’ll be sure to congratulate you in our next issue!
New Additions: Ms. Ramos, college counselor and ESL teacher, gave birth to a beautiful baby girl in December 2009, as did Ms. Duros, the current Unity History/Social Sciences teacher.
The Power of the Pen: Adrianne Batiste (Class of ‘09) and current senior Virginia Urzua were committee members for The Best American Nonrequired Reading, a compilation of fiction, journalism, essays, comics and humor writings, published in October 2009. Adrianne and Virginia got to help read, discuss, and select which of the hundreds of submissions would be published in the book.
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Messages:
Class of ’08 – Did you miss last year’s summer reunion barbecue? Stay connected with us so you won’t miss out again!
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Stay updated on your Unity friends, here! Email your life updates to alumni@unityhigh.org and join the Unity Alumni Facebook group!
On February 28th, 2010, twelve seniors from Oakland Unity High School will visit the Stanford University campus to hear Valentino Achak Deng deliver a presentation. The seniors are currently reading a novel about Valentino’s life, entitled What is the What, and have listened to a presentation by the author of the novel, Dave Eggers.
With perspective and humor, Valentino Deng uses his extraordinary life to illuminate the lives, and the struggles, of millions. With storytelling grace, he takes the audience from the senseless tragedies of his early life (civil war in Sudan, refugee camps in Kenya) to his time in America to the hard-won triumphs of today (the opening of the Marial Bai secondary school in 2009). The powerful story that emerges is a testament to both the senselessness of war and the resilience of the human body and mind. Deng is a speaker of bottomless compassion, and of hope and integrity — a man whose unforgettable life has humbled and enlightened thousands around the world.
Unity seniors visited the State Capitol today and participated in the “Stand up for the DREAM Act” Summit. The Summit was to raise awareness about the plight of undocumented students and promote the DREAM Act as an effective, bipartisan solution. Distinguished panelists included representatives from the legislative caucuses, scholars, educators representing K-12 and higher education, community activists and students.
We also had time to stop by UC Davis on our way home to visit Unity alumni for a tour of the campus.
Check out the pictures here from Intersession Day 2 Tamarancho MTB Experience.
Experience Unity like you’ve never seen it!
JUNTA De las escuelas Charter con
el Superintendente del OUSD, Tony Smith, Ph.D.
La Fecha: Lunes, 8 febrero, 2010
La Hora: 6:30 de la tarde
El Sitio: Unity Escuela Secondaria
6038 Brann Street (calle traviesa: Seminary Ave.)
Agenda de la Junta:
o El vision por Oakland del Superintendente con un foco en las escuelas charter
o La respuesta del Superintendente a los temas en cuanto a las escuelas charter
o Una oportunidad para preguntas y respuestas
o Unos comentarios finales por el Superintendente
TOWN HALL
with OUSD Superintendent Tony Smith, Ph.D.
Date: Monday, February 8, 2010
Time: 6:30pm
Location: Unity High School
6038 Brann Street
(cross street Seminary Ave.)
Come take advantage of an opportunity to engage with the District Superintendent on the topic of charter schools!
Town Hall Agenda:
- Superintendent’s vision for Oakland with a focus on charter schools
- Superintendent’s response to key charter-related topics
- Public question and answer opportunity
- Superintendent’s closing remarks
Thanks to the ASP staff (Ms. Wang / Mr. Contreras / Ms. Herrera) for organizing this event for our students. Looks like everyone had a great time, including the Warriors!
A: Oakland Unity high School padres / tutores
De: David Castillo / Principal / Oakland Unity High School
Fecha: Jueves, 21 de enero 2010
Al comenzar la transición de Semestre 1 y Semestre 2, tenemos algunos cambios de horario importante que usted necesita tener en cuenta. Por favor revise estas fechas para las próximas dos semanas:
Viernes, 22 de enero 2010
Último día de clases regulares y programa después de clases
Lunes, 25 de enero – Miércoles, 27 de enero 2010
Examenes Finales Semestre 1 (no ASP). Por favor recuerde a todos los estudiantes a estudiar y dormir mucho, para que puedan hacer bien en sus exámenes finales. Los estudiantes de asesoramiento de la Sra. Grant estaran vendiendo desayuno para recaudar fondos para alivio del terremoto en Haití, para que los estudiantes deben llegar temprano (07:45 am) para el desayuno. Los estudiantes saldran a las 11:30. Algunos estudiantes estarán obligados a quedarse hasta las 12:00 del mediodía a petición de sus funciones de asesoramiento.
Jueves, 28 de enero – Viernes, 29 de enero 2010
Enero de desarrollo profesional (no hay clases se celebró)
Lunes, 1 de febrero – Martes, 2 de febrero 2010
Los resultados 2009-2010 Intercesión a Oakland Unity High School. Durante estos dos días, los estudiantes estarán en varios talleres en la escuela de 08.15 am – 3:00 pm, y otros serán fuera de la escuela que participan en las actividades. Para los estudiantes que están fuera de la escuela en las actividades, por favor revise los detalles sobre el permiso y transporte y el tiempo de la información. La escuela es obligatoria para estos días, y todos los estudiantes se espera que estén en la escuela.
Miércoles, 3 de febrero 2010
Primer día de clases regulares incluyendo Semestre 2 programa después de clases. Bienvenido de nuevo!
