Temescal Alley

Weekday mornings in Temescal Alley are quiet. The clinking of a spoon against the side of a coffee cup can be easily heard over the faint hum of traffic from nearby Telegraph Avenue. The occasional burst of male laughter or the sound of a buzzing electric razor escapes through the barbershop’s open door. A small handful of people, some on vacation, others perhaps taking a day off a la Ferris Bueller, walk languidly past the little shops, some with coffee…

By on November 23, 2015
Leona Kwon, the ethnic studies teacher at Castlemont High School, explains an assignment to her students.

Ethnic studies courses to be offered at all OUSD high schools

Thanks to an Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) school board vote Wednesday night, within the next three years ethnic studies classes like this one will be offered at all Oakland high schools. The courses may count as an academic graduation credit, but will not be required.

By on October 29, 2015
Members of the group BAMN were told to step away from the podium after speaking over the allotted time during the public comments section of Wednesday night's OUSD board meeting. Photo by Erika Alvero.

OUSD meeting punctuated by argument rolls out budget transparency, special ed plan

During Wednesday night’s Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) Board of Education meeting, the CFO presented a new web tool which would make the district’s annual budget more accessible to the public, special education staffers explained a service plan that’s being implemented in stages over the next three years, and the district’s civic engagement coordinator delivered an explanation of a proposed ethnic studies curriculum.

By on October 15, 2015
The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the East Oakland Youth Development Center took place on September 29.

Members, staff of East Oakland Youth Development Center celebrate opening of newly expanded facility

EOYDC serves students in East Oakland with free after-school programming. It was founded in 1973, officially opening in 1978. The existing facilities recently underwent renovation as well as the construction of over 6,000 square feet of additional space including an art and ceramics studio, an Apple Mac lab, a rooftop deck and an exercise studio where dance, yoga and martial arts classes are held.

By on October 9, 2015