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Oakland Kids Go Back to School

Published

11 years ago

August 20, 2015

With school set to start on Monday, families of Oakland’s 48,000 public school students are getting ready while the Oakland Unified School District’s 2,500 teachers are already back at school, holding meetings, arranging desks and preparing bulletin boards in their classrooms.

Parents who are looking for backpacks and school supplies for their students can check out the Attend and Achieve Back to School Rally, organized by Oakland Natives Give Back on Saturday, Aug. 22 at Oakland City Hall. Registration is from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.

To register online, go to attendandachieve2SR2015@eventbrite.com.

Educator Dr. Kitty Kelly Epstein reminded teachers in an article published on her Facebook page, “In the midst of the flurry of activity inside and outside the classroom, teachers are being encouraged not to lose sight of the significance of the first day and the first week for setting the tone for the whole school year.”

“The first day of school is the most optimistic of the school year for many students,” she said. “They are sure that it will be a better year than last; they will do well; avoid old mistakes; make new friends; and make mom happy.”

“Start off with an interesting, interactive activity on which every student can do well. Do not waste the spirit on an hour of rules,” she said, while emphasizing the importance of ground rules like “No put downs.”

Within the Oakland Unified School District (OUSD), work has been continuing nonstop all summer – hiring new staff, conducting trainings for teachers and other employees and cleaning and repairing schools.

The district has hired 16 new principals, who have been receiving training in new curriculums and developing safety plans for all schools.

In the midst of a regional and national teacher shortage, OUSD is also struggling to hire credentialed teachers for every classroom to start on the first day of school rather than substitutes who by law must be replaced every 30 days.

As of Aug. 12, OUSD had 77 teacher vacancies, including 38 in elementary schools, 12 in middle schools and 23 in high schools.

Eight of the vacancies were in science, five in math, three in elementary bilingual education and 20 in special education.

To reduce the numbers of suspensions and expulsions, OUSD has developed Restorative Justice and Positive Behavior Support plans for every school.

District staff has also worked with school design teams on improvement plans for four Intensive Support Schools: Castlemont, Fremont and McClymonds High schools and Frick Middle School.

School redesign plans are scheduled to be implemented in Fall 2016.

School repair and renovation projects included $600,000 to remove portables from Bella Vista Elementary School, $2.5 million for kitchen and cafeteria fire repair at Claremont Middle School and $60,000 for bleachers and restroom upgrades at Fruitvale Elementary School.

The district moved ahead this summer on building a new $32 million central kitchen and commissary at the site of the now closed Marcus Foster School in West Oakland.

OUSD is also spending $440,000 to relocate administrative staff from Lakeview Elementary School and other sites to the district headquarters at 1000 Broadway.

In his opening of school statement to the community, Oakland Unified’s Supt. Antwan Wilson emphasized the district’s commitment to improve educational opportunities for special education students.

“For too many years, students with special needs, both in Oakland and around the country, have not been afforded the opportunities that many other students take for granted,” he wrote this week in an open letter to the school community.

“To be frank, these students have often been excluded: from rigorous and engaging classroom experiences; from events that bring students together, like prom and sporting events; even from their school’s graduation,” he said.

“That is the culture of the past, which separated students and divided them from their peers. In the Oakland Unified School District, we are moving away from this history of exclusion to a new era of inclusion.”

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New Protections for Ticket Buyers: Gov. Newsom Signs Assemblymember Isaac Bryan’s Bill

OAKLAND POST — Assembly Bill 1349 expands state regulation of original ticket sellers, resellers and online resale marketplaces. The law targets deceptive sales practices, ticket-buying software and speculative listings — tickets advertised for sale by sellers who do not possess them or have authorization to sell them.

Published

6 days ago

October 4, 2026

Post News Group

Assemblymember Isaac Bryan (D-Ladera Heights). File photo.

By California Black Media Staff

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation on Sept. 27 authored by Assemblymember Isaac Bryan (D-Ladera Heights) that strengthens consumer protections for Californians purchasing tickets to concerts, sporting events and other live entertainment.

Assembly Bill 1349 expands state regulation of original ticket sellers, resellers and online resale marketplaces. The law targets deceptive sales practices, ticket-buying software and speculative listings — tickets advertised for sale by sellers who do not possess them or have authorization to sell them.

“Buying a ticket shouldn’t come with hidden risks or unfair practices,” Newsom wrote on social media after signing the measure.

Under AB 1349, ticket sellers are prohibited from listing tickets before they have been officially released unless they have authorization or a legally enforceable right to receive them. Online marketplaces must also take reasonable steps to prevent speculative ticket sales on their platforms.

The law prohibits sellers from using bots, multiple accounts, email addresses or internet protocol addresses to circumvent ticket limits, presale restrictions, electronic queues and other controls. It also bans websites and advertisements designed to mislead buyers into believing they are purchasing tickets from an authorized seller, venue or event organizer.

Sellers who violate certain provisions and fail to provide a promised ticket may be held liable for twice the ticket’s contracted price. Buyers may also recover nonrefundable expenses incurred while attempting to attend an event, along with reasonable attorney’s fees and court costs.

Pastor Tecoy Porter Sr., president of the National Action Network’s Sacramento chapter, said the law establishes needed accountability.

“Buying a ticket to a concert or show shouldn’t mean entering a marketplace where the rules are stacked against you. This year, we worked with a coalition of consumers, civil rights advocates, community groups, and businesses to make AB 1349 stronger. Consumers deserve enforceable rules that protect them. We thank Assemblymember Bryan for his leadership, and we will keep working to make ticketing fair for every Californian.”

Jose L. Barrera, national vice president for the Far West Region of the League of United Latin American Citizens, also praised the measure.

“Californian families deserve certain protections when they buy tickets. Assemblymember Bryan listened to communities across California and delivered a bill that puts fans first. We thank him and Governor Newsom for making it law.”

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Zakiya Jendayi Arrested, Locked Out of Home by Sheriff’s Deputies

OALAND POST — On Tuesday, deputies followed Jendayi as she left her residence of 13 years to file documents in her case at the Appellate Court. Deputies arrested her upon arrival and transported her to Santa Rita Jail.

Published

6 days ago

October 4, 2026

Post News Group

By Tanya Dennis

Yesterday, more than 10 Alameda County Sheriff’s deputies arrived to take possession of Zakiya Jendayi’s home on behalf of a court-appointed administrator. Jendayi was arrested at the courthouse and transported to Santa Rita Jail around the same time.

Jendayi, who has been embroiled in a probate court battle to retain the inheritance bestowed on her by a longtime friend and colleague who passed away in 2013, had received a notice of eviction last month.

With help from neighbors, friends and clergy, she was able to fend off the eviction from 3614 Randolph Ave. in Oakland and even obtained a reprieve when her bid to file bankruptcy was approved by a county court.

But Philip Campbell, the court-appointed administrator, had already placed Jendayi’s home in his name in October 2025.

On Tuesday, deputies followed Jendayi when she left her residence of 13 years to go to the Appellate Court to file documents in her case. Deputies arrested her upon arrival and transported her to Santa Rita jail.

Undersheriff April Luckett-Fahini said Jendayi was arrested for “safety reasons.” At this time, it is unknown what charges were used for the arrest.

In Jendayi’s absence, Campbell came to her residence accompanied by deputies, had the property taped off with yellow crime tape, and had the locks changed.

Afterward, Campbell requested a police escort to his car amid several angry neighbors who had been advocating that officials pause the eviction pending Jendayi’s appeal.

“Zakiya Jendayi is a respected Black elder in our community,” said Alameda County Supervisor Nikki Fortunato Bas, who has been working with Jendayi to prevent her eviction. “It’s outrageous that she was arrested. There needs to be more justice and equity in our probate system.”

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Ask California: Golden State Releases New AI Chatbot

Gov. Gavin Newsom introduced the prototype as part of the state’s broader effort to use artificial intelligence to make government services easier to access. The launch follows his March 2026 executive order directing state agencies to responsibly implement generative AI while protecting privacy, security and civil liberties.

Published

3 weeks ago

September 22, 2026

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By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

California has launched AskCA, a new artificial intelligence-powered chatbot designed to help residents find and navigate state and local government services through a single online platform.

Developed by the state’s Office of Data and Innovation, AskCA is designed around major life events rather than individual government agencies. Californians can use the tool to find information about finding a job, starting a business, accessing family services and recovering from disasters.

“When a Californian needs help, they shouldn’t have to become an expert in government to find it,” said Newsom. “We’re using the best technology California has to offer to make the government more efficient, effective, and more engaged.”

The state is now seeking Californians age 18 and older to participate in the pilot and help test and refine AskCA’s responses. Officials said subject matter experts across state governments are helping inform the chatbot’s answers, which are designed to draw from verified government sources and provide actionable information.

The prototype grew out of California’s response to the January 2025 Los Angeles wildfires. Early testing included more than 140 fire recovery leaders and Altadena wildfire survivors, a dozen job seekers and more than 100 general users.

Jeffery Marino, director of the Office of Data and Innovation, said the tool is intended to remove the need for residents to understand how government agencies are organized before they can get help.

“Californians should not have to understand how the government is organized just to get basic help,” Marino said.

AskCA’s technology will also be used in a new job-skills matching feature that the California Department of Human Resources plans to launch Sept. 30 on CalCareers. Job seekers will be able to upload a resume and receive potential matches to state job classifications.

The state said the CalCareers pilot will not store personal information or require users to have a CalCareers account. California plans to continue testing AskCA as officials evaluate its accuracy, performance and usefulness before expanding the system.