Although our schools are out, the Board of Education has one more meeting June 26 before taking a six-week break. The agenda for that meeting includes several items of interest to the general community.
First, the board will vote to approve members of the Committee to Consider High School Consolidation. The committee, which is being convened at the board’s request, will analyze the viability, desirability and effects of combining Alameda and Encinal high schools into one comprehensive campus.
The district received 49 applications for the committee between May 23 and June 14. The superintendent is recommending that 15 of those applicants be on the committee. Those applicants represent a wide range of personal and professional backgrounds and include students, staff and families at both high schools.
The committee will meet seven to eight times next fall to review data about a variety of factors related to a potential merger of the schools including demographic projections; traffic, transportation and parking concerns; and how a merger would affect course offerings, staffing, special education, student mental health, school climate and opportunities in athletics, the arts and school leadership.
All meetings will be widely advertised and open to the public. The committee’s work will culminate in a report laying out several possible scenarios for a new configuration of schools to be presented in February. The full presentation is available at tinyurl.com/AUSD-BoE-agendas.
Second, the board will also consider changes to the district’s homework policy at the June 26 meeting. The proposed changes, which were developed by a homework workgroup made up of parents/guardians, teaching staff and site administrators, reflect the group’s review of current research and model policies.
The proposed policy includes a number of new provisions, including that homework grades can only help (not hurt) a student’s grades; that homework turned in late should receive credit; that the amount of homework should fall within set, grade-level, weekly maximums; and that homework should not be assigned to be completed specifically during school breaks.
Third, board members will hear a presentation on proposed changes to the district’s dress code policy. Under the current policy, students can be taken out of class for infractions ranging from wearing too-short dresses and shorts to wearing shirts that reveal cleavage. This has resulted in students in general missing class time and feeling “body-shamed” and female students in particular being targeted for dress code violations.
A Dress Code Workgroup met throughout the spring of 2018 to review the current policy, review model policies and engage site staff on possible changes. The resulting language focuses on allowing students to dress comfortably for school, engage in learning without fear of discipline or body-shaming and support all students in developing a body-positive self image — regardless of gender, gender identification, body type, personal style, race/ethnicity or sexual orientation.
The proposals for the homework and dress code policies are based on the priorities of improving student wellness and self-esteem, helping students lead more balanced lives and providing maximum opportunities for learning and success. These presentations are also available at tinyurl.com/AUSD-BoE-agendas.
Susan Davis is the Alameda Unified School District’s senior manager for community affairs. Reach her at 510-337-7175 or sdavis@alameda.k12.ca.us.
