The event is free. Bring a canned good to donate to the Alameda Food bank and receive a door prize ticket.

Temple Israel is located near the Alameda Bay Farm Library.

For more info see
www.templeisraelalameda.org/calendar/events

(510) 522-9355

or write to templeisraelevents@yahoo.com.

Green wrote that Alameda SOS “puts forth the very same message we’ve been hearing for years… your money or your kids”. And he says we’ll be hearing many more of the same from Alameda SOS.  I too have been hearing a repetitive message— from Dennis Green over and over again that he is against the parcel tax.

Of course Alameda SOS will talk about parcel taxes, and the effect of failing to pass a parcel tax to school budgets and kid’s education– that is the mission of Alameda SOS, to push for a parcel tax. What other message should they push?

Alameda Unified is not perfect, but there has been measurable improvements. Here are some recent items from the AUSD website.

1. Alameda Schools Continue Gains with 2010 API scores http://bit.ly/cdT2JM

2. AUSD’s John Nolan wins Alameda County “Teacher of the Year” award.  http://bit.ly/aAirpH

Alameda County “Teacher of the Year” John Nolan supports a parcel tax in this article I found.  http://bit.ly/apJWgM The article notes:

3. AUSD schools Earn High Marks with 2010 scores http://bit.ly/dDb3D1

Readers can go to the AUSD website for more announcements. http://www.alameda.k12.ca.us/

Green continues that “no real reforms have been pursued, except a few charter schools”. Wait a minute, isn’t that contradictory? I guess Green did not want to say “some reforms have been pursued, such as charter schools.”

Dennis Green asks readers to take notice of the repetitive message from Alameda SOS and parcel tax supporters. Well Dennis Green is being pretty repetitive himself.

Green writes that a vote for the parcel tax is a vote for the AUSD “status quo”. From the looks of the 2010 AUSD test scores, the status quo is not as bad as he paints it to be.

Being an informed and critical thinker, requires one to listen to both sides of the argument. Since I cannot produce a film as rebuttal, here are some articles you may find informative

Most of the items mentioned have been reported in my report on the Wed Oct 27, 2010 meeting with Aquatic Design Group, AUSD, and the city. Click here to read my report.

The AUSD announcement included this additional info:

“…the school board directed that as soon as possible there be a meeting of the subcommittee of the school board and the City Council to reach agreements on working together on future management and maintenance of the pools.  The Mayor and Interim City Manager attended and spoke at the Tuesday board meeting and agreed to such a subcommittee meeting.  The subcommittee met to address these issues at 10 am, yesterday, Thursday October 28^th.  At that meeting, the City agreed to share the cost of contracting with Aquatic Design Group and to work together on continued improved communication with the school district.  In the interim, the city will continue to manage the day to day operations and maintenance of the pools until they re-open.  At the joint subcommittee the elected officials agreed to look at a long term city operational lease of the district’s recreational facilities including the pools.  The Board of Education will be looking at this at their November 9^th board meeting at City Hall.

Of interest, she reported that “In the third quarter of 2010, [bank owned properties] represent nearly 27 percent of total properties for sale.”

The AEF and Alameda PTA council hosted a BOE candidates forum on Oct 19 2010. Please view the videos to listen to the candidates. Pick your choices wisely.

Click here to view part 1
Click here to view part 2

Walking into the 3rd floor conference room, I took a seat. I saw the representatives from Alameda Unified (AUSD) were board member Trish Spencer, board president Ron Mooney, superintendent Kirsten Vital, chief business officer Robert Shemwell, and counsel Danielle Houck, and Mr Robbie Lyng, director of facilities. Also present were Alameda County supervisor Alice Lai-Bitker and Mr Ruben Briones, deputy chief of staff. From the city present was interim city manager Ann Marie Gallant and ARPD director Mr Dale Lillard. Mayor Beverly Johnson arrived a little late. Mr. Dennis Berkshire, senior associate from Aquatic Design Group (ADG) of Carlsbad CA.

Members of the public were also present. Including Mr Don Krause, president of the Alameda Island Aquatics.

Mr Shemwell began with a brief agenda:

• Review of directions from the Oct 26 AUSD meeting
• Report on the Oct 27 meeting earlier in the day between AUSD, Mr Berkshire, and Alameda County
• Discussion of pool facilities at Encinal HS and Alameda HS
• The next steps after today.

Mr Shemwell recapped on the Oct 26 board meeting, the school board directed him to contact the representative from Alameda’s privately run Lincoln and Franklin pool association. Mr Steve Dunn from Commercial Pool Systems of Martinez CA, was not available today Oct 27. But Mr Shemwell had arranged to have Mr Dunn come on Oct 28 at 2pm and walk and inspect both AHS and EHS pools. Mr Shemwell noted that Mr Steve Dunn was not working for free and that Mr Dunn knew of his Mr Berkshire from ADG.

On today’s Oct 27 meeting with Alameda County, Mr Shemwell began by saying that pools have different designs and there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Mr Shemwell and Mr Berkshire spoke to County Environmental health group including Mr Ariu Levi.

Mr Levi had previously suggested to Ms. Spencer regarding the possibility of using safety vacuum release system (SVRS) and 24×24 drain covers. Mr Berkshire spoke to Mr Levi and discussed the design of AHS Emma Hood pools.

Mr Dennis Berkshire spoke about the previous contractor hired by the city had made changes to comply with the federal VGB standard, but not with California’s law, AB 1020. Mr Bershire was able to make a persuasive argument that the existing work done on AHS pools to make it compliant to VGB was acceptable because the pool drains were gravity fed. And that the current AHS pool system would not create an “undue suction hazard”.

Alameda County requested that ADG put their application for AHS pool in writing and resubmit. The Emma Hood pool would just need a written description that supports assertion that the current VGB repairs would be sufficient. The county’s environmental health department would review it and get back to AUSD by next week. Mr Shemwell gave the good news that if all goes well, they expected to be able to reopen the Emma Hood Swim Center by middle of next week Nov 3 or 4.  Alameda county also wanted written assurance that Alameda would not “substantially change the program”, or use of the AHS pool. Mr Berkshire would include in the written submission his assessment that AHS pools currently are able to “maintain clear water” and “maintain safe water” and that AHS would not change the usage which would affect these. Mr Shemwell and Mr Berkshire thanked county supervisor Alice Lai-Bitker for assisting to arrange the meeting and expediting the process.

The discussion next focused on the 3 pools at Encinal HS. The pools were built in 1955 and renovation was done in 1967. We were told that the many changes at the pool resulted in a “hodge podge” and there were remnants of original drains an upgrades. The Encinal pools are not totally gravity fed drains that go to a surge tank. On the other hand, the Alameda HS pools are gravity-fed (not suction).

Mr Berkshire and Mr Shemwell reiterated that they will work to find a solution for Encinal pool that would reopen the pools in the shortest time. Mr Shemwell added that they want a solution that is the “least invasive” and “least financial burden”. Mr Berkshire discussed with the county several proposals that would satisfy the County’s regulators. Mr Berkshire noted that there may need to be some piping work done on Encinal to make it compliant to the laws. And the best case is Encinal may be able to open in 2 weeks after Alameda HS pools reopen. But the worst case, he said may take “2 to 3 months” to reopen Encinal pools. Mr Shemwell will be making additional details available next week regarding Encinal.

Mayor Beverly Johnson spoke on how she is proposing that the city help the swimmers affected by the closure. Interim city manager Gallant mentioned they will try to work with organizations with private pools to “lease pool time” for use by Alamedans. There was discussion of the pool at Mariner Square Athletic club. And there was mention of a private pool on Hegenberger road in Oakland.

Mr Don Krause spoke on how the Harbor Bay Club has been so generous in opening their pools for displaced swimmers. And the Franklin and Lincoln pool association for allowing pool time for the Alameda Aquatic masters team. And coach Bob’s team is currently swimming at Chabot College’s pool at 5am in the morning daily.

In summary, it is good to hear about the AHS pool opening in the near future. This is not the end of the issue. This is a good start after a drastic closure. We hope to continue to advocate for Alameda’s swimming community.

• I want to especially thank the many swimmers, parents, Alameda citizens and athletes who attended and spoke up on the Oct 26 2010 AUSD meeting. This includes the many Alameda HS and Encinal HS students and graduates. And thanks to Ash Jones, Lil and Norma Arnerich. Thanks to Coach Bob Radecke, Mr Don Krause, and Mr Eric Delore of the Alameda Islanders. Thanks to coach Lani Molina. Thanks to the coaches on the swim, water polo and masters.
• I also want to thank board member Trish Spencer, who was the only AUSD board member who attended the Wed Oct 20th meeting. I especially appreciated Ms. Spencer for responding to emails and asking more questions, and engaging with us in dialogue.
• I want to thank vice-mayor Doug deHaan, council member Frank Matarrese, and Mr Rob Bonta who attended the Oct 20th Wed meeting.
• I want to also thank Mr Robert Shemwell, Ms. Danielle Houck, and superintendent Vital who gave time to listen to Mr Eric Delore of Alameda Islanders and water polo athletes at the Oct 18th meeting at Bay Farm elementary school.
• Thank you to Mr Berkshire for getting results for AHS pool.
• Thank you to Alameda county supervisor Alice Lai-Bitker and Mr Ruben Briones, chief of staff.
• Thank you to Harbor Bay Club, Piedmont Swim Club, and Franklin and Lincoln Pool associations.
• Thank you to Chabot College for the use of the pool.
• I want to thank any unnamed city, county, ARPD and AUSD officials who worked together on this pool issue.

UPDATE:

10/30/2010 AUSD has posted this on their website http://www.alameda.k12.ca.us/index.php/home/latest-news/163-alameda-pools-moving-towards-re-opening

I came across this discussion among my coworkers I wanted to share with you. Please read and I hope you can ponder the issues raised.

John wrote:

I don’t think that California schools are necessarily bad or perform badly but I do think our country as a whole is going in the wrong direction with education…though I have heard highly recommend that anyone that has children, grandchildren, or plans to have children see the movie “Race to Nowhere”  I just came back from a viewing of it and also just finished reading the book  ”Nurture Shock” which discusses similar topics – also recommend this book highly…it will open your eyes.

I was fortunate to be able to stumble on to a play based Parent Participation preschool when my oldest child was an infant and have been immersed in a culture through this school that embraces children learning through play and emphasizes the importance of not over-scheduling children and not pushing them in directions that may not fit their temperament. It has opened my eyes to all the things that need to be changed with the values of our current school system.  Very slowly, programs are popping up here and there that are embracing these values…unfortunately, it is not easy to get in and you generally have to be economically advantaged to be able to participate because these schools require work in the classroom (when many parents have to be at work) or are in economically advantaged districts that have the money to implement such programs. Hopefully though, these programs will show such improvements to the children they are turning out that the current education regime will take notice and embrace these alternatives. It will be costly I am sure so the advances will continue to be slow.

I respect and admire anyone who goes into the teaching profession today and anyone who has been suffering through it the past 10 years. These poor teachers have an uphill battle to face with academic standards being pushed down young children’s throats before they are developmentally ready. I am thankful our preschool education led us to a charter school that my child is able to attend where there is a very good balance between teaching to the current “standards” and focusing on the “whole child” with art, physical activities, agriculture and music.

We are failing our students in so many ways. I am really hoping that the No Child Left Behind legacy of teaching to the test goes by the wayside and we find a way to educate our children in a way that  makes sense for today’s realities. Unfortunately, I don’t think the current administration has anymore idea about changing the way we educate our children but are instead still focused on evaluations dismissing “low performing” teachers and principals.

I don’t have the answer. I hope that by passing on the information about the Race to Nowhere movie and Nurture Shock book, I can help by stirring up some thoughts  that may help mobilize other parents to push their children’s school administrators to fight the “test” and educate our children in the ways that they have been taught through their education programs rather than just teaching to that dreaded test!

http://www.racetonowhere.com

http://www.thecaseagainsthomework.com

http://www.nurtureshock.com

On 10/26/2010 8:21 PM, Kathy C wrote:

Totally agree.  That is why there is no good way to measure teacher’s performance because their performance outcome also depends on their students and parents.

I am currently in a teacher credential program.  I will never understand how high the standards for CA teachers are until I am in the program.  Some candidates may choose not to finish the program because the demands for teachers are incredibly high.

In my own opinion, it is harder than my graduate school program and the pay as a teacher can’t really measure up with those in high tech career.  I feel if someone chooses to finish the program and stay in teaching, most likely he/she is passionate about this career.  The satisfaction being a teacher doesn’t come from material things like money, but it is from how you can touch student’s life and make a difference.

US has a very unique characteristic in students’ makeup that no other countries have.  We have a large amount of immigrants.  There are a lot of English Learners at school.  Public school systems have to give all students equal opportunities in education.  In the credential program, there is one course to teach teachers to help EL students.  Other courses also always mention the importance of helping disadvantage students.  I think this standard alone is worth the applause.

People come to the US because everyone has a chance to succeed as long as they work hard.  The admission ticket is the education.  Everyone’s children deserve the same quality of education.  US education system helps every child and that’s awesome.  Another great thing (most of you have known this) is it encourages critical thinking skills and creativity.

Consider this job:

1. You can’t go to restroom any time you like.  You may not even have a restroom break the whole morning or afternoon.

2. You have only 40 minutes for lunch.  People will come and talk to you for 10-15 minutes.  You spend 15 minutes to plan what to do in the afternoon and you only get 10-15 minutes to eat everyday.

3. Your subordinates don’t do their work and you can’t fire them.  You are also their guardian when they are at work.

4. You have to take on two extra activities in your company on top of your job duty.

5. You need to bring overtime work home everyday.

6. Whenever you can’t get to work (vacation, sick, etc), you need to find someone to fill in for you.  You also need to leave instructions on what to do.

7. No great pay.
You know what I am talking about.  That is not the whole picture of being a teacher.  But you get the idea.

In any professionals, there are always good ones and bad ones.  There is always room to improve in any system.  While people are still trying to figure out how to measure teacher performance, don’t forget to show your support, respect, and encouragement to your child’s teachers.  We discourage them enough by cutting their pay, reducing prep time, increasing the classroom size and criticizing them as a whole.  They really don’t deserve it.

Kathy
On 10/26/2010 9:10 AM, Peter T wrote:

I think education depends on 3 pillars: Good Teachers + Motivated students + Supportive parents.  We cannot blame it on just the teachers alone.  All 3 must work together to make great things happen!!

Rod Smith, a masters swimmer whose day job involves managing hundreds of pools for housing complexes throughout California and the west coast, explained how he had to make sure all of these pools had to pass muster (for the new anti-entrapment laws) or he would lose his job. Not once did a pool have to close and the modifications cost at most $15,000. The BOE just voted to spend $10,000 on a study that inevitably just leads to more work. The consulting firm (Aquatic Design Group) is in the business of building large swimming complexes.

As one speaker said…. this isn’t rocket science. It’s plumbing!

Bob Ploss, who is an architect for East Bay Parks and Recreation and has been involved in construction management for 30 years, was bewildered about the need for 3 different consulting firms to do the work of one. He also wanted to know who the project manager is — if there is one. According to Mr. Ploss, this looks like a bad case of the blind leading the blind. If there is no project manager, we can easily be over-billed. Where is the accountability?

Click here to read his full post on the pool fiasco. Can we start calling it Alameda Poolgate?

Photo credits to Aquatics Fan blogger. Standing room in board chambers and in the overflow room as well. Date: Oct 26 2010

Outside the City Hall Oct 26th Tue night, there was a group of Alamedans who held a vigil to “save our schools”. The AlamedaSOS parcel tax supporters group denied being behind the vigil, as they posted a notice on their facebook and twitter feed. From the looks of it, it seems that the vigil was organized by supporters of Clay Pollard and James Pruitt.  Here is a flyer passed out today announcing the vigil.

The meeting was held at the council chambers on the third floor. There was so many people there– kids, teens, adults and seniors.

The mayor, Beverly Johnson, addressed the AUSD board at the beginning of the meeting. Alameda Patch blogger, Eve Pearlman, reported that the mayor and interim city manager took responsibility for the sudden pool closures. They reiterated that they are working to reopen the pools as soon as possible, and they are working with Alameda County environmental health authorities.

The meeting also included a presentation from Wood school. There were students there who made a presentation to superintendent Vital and the BOE.

Next AUSD chief business officer Robert Shemwell gave an update on the pool closures. He presented a timeline to how the chain of events led to the pool closures. He also stated that on the AUSD website, interested parties can sign up to get email updates on the pool closures as well as subscribe to the RSS feed. I tried the link, but it did not work on my Chrome web browser. AUSD also has this page for pool info. Ms. Vital had also provided this letter last week regarding the pool closure. Mr Shemwell reported that the consultant hired by AUSD is going to have a meeting with Alameda County on Wed Oct 27th to discuss the issue. (Note: for additional documents regarding the pools. See this link)

Mr Shemwell said the consultant had informed him of 3 possible scenarios. The first scenario is that Alameda County can review the existing certification from the original contractor hired by the city and get the county to approve it. And the most severe scenario would involve draining the pool and make changes to add drains to the pool and may take 2 to 3 months to complete. He also mentioned there was a task force to ensure that the pools remain a long term part of Alameda.

Now the interesting part. President Mooney opened the floor for discussion.

First speaker was Mr Rod Smith. He presented his credentials as he works for a organization that manages several properties. He said he is familiar with the requirements to retrofit their many pools to comply with VGB and AB 1020.  He mentioned that the cost to retrofit their pools were from $500 to $10,000 per pool. And he said that he has worked with the Alameda County department of environmental health, and the inspectors have been very easy to work with.

Next speaker was Mr Bob Ploss. He introduced himself as a certified landscape architect and a member of the Alameda Aquatic masters swim organization. He commented that his business involves similar types of project management. But the information he has heard from Mr Shemwell and from the AUSD website portrays a “convoluted contracting process”. He has researched this issue and he still does not know who is the project manager? Is there a timeline or scope?

Next speaker was Ms. Lani Molina, she is the water polo coach. Ms. Molina spoke very eloquently about the importance of reopening the pools. She spoke of how these kids are working hard to “get recognized by colleges” for their athletic achievements.

Next coach Bob Radecke, who is the swim coach at AUSD as well as the head coach of the Alameda Island Aquatics team. He mentioned how swimming is part of developing a “well rounded education” and of the “difficulty of getting into good colleges”.

A parent I spoke with said her middle school daughter and friend swim on coach Bob Radecke’s team. Because the Alameda pools are closed, they have been negatively impacted. Coach Bob was able to find some pool time at Chabot Community College in Hayward, at 5am in the morning. So these parents and kids now wake up at 4:30am and drive every Monday to Friday from Alameda to Hayward so their kids can maintain their swim routines. These kids on coach Bob’s team are hardworking athletes and have participated in the junior olympic meets and the more prestigious Far Western competitions.  Every day they miss a swim practice, it takes two days to catch up. The kids have clear goals to go to colleges and universities, and they need to maintain and improve their performances in order to get the attention of these college swim programs.

Another individual spoke on how he went to AUSD schools and now he is  a paramedic. And how his sister Moy Cortez taught him to “never give up”. He mentioned how he learned lessons as part of the water polo team. One of the most important lessons he learned from participating in water sports is “how to win an unwinnable race”.

An agitated female speaker addressed the board. She recounted how the AUSD said that the would need Measure H to keep the pools open. And how she walked door to door to campaign.  But now she was very upset that the board has closed the pools so abruptly.

Next the president of the Alameda Aquatic Masters spoke of how the group has been around for 30 years. She mentioned that “98% of us are voters and residents” of Alameda. She also spoke of how the Alameda Masters recently organized an event that brought 900 swimmers from 25 countries to Alameda to compete.  ”We represent the face of Alameda to the world”. She shared on how the feedback on the meet was so overwhelmingly positive, their team was asked to host another event in the future. She also spoke of how Linda Gilchrist, the former president of the group, was nominated as coach of the year. Finally, she shared on how she “felt great disrespect” by the sudden closure of the pools on October 15th without warning.

A senior from Alameda High School (AHS) spoke on how she has been swimming for 12 years. She shared her schedule as waking up at 4am, pool by 5am, school at 8am, then pool again at 4pm. And she has a 4.1 GPA with 4.6 GPA last year. She shared how swimming has taught her to be “goal driven” by “setting standards for myself” as well as to “refuse to give up”. She shared how the swim team has “given me a second family”.

Lauren Williams from AHS spoke on how the swim centers are a “place of magic for me” and “I love what I’m doing”. Another female spoke on how “you’re breaking our hearts” by the pool closing.

Mr Barry Parker spoke about how tonight we all heard from these swimmers and “products of AUSD” and how he felt about Mr. Shemwell’s presentation of the timeline. Mr Parker accused the board of having a “knee jerk reaction” in closing the pools.

Mr Ash Jones, a well respected individual in Alameda swimming circles, spoke about how he felt when he heard about the pool closures. He said he felt it was “disrespectful” and a “bunch of baloney” and how the board has “not been straightforward”. He shared on how the kids in the room know about the Emma Hood swim center, but he himself knew “Emma Hood when she was still alive”.

Board President Ron Mooney addressed the crowd saying that he understands the importance of reopening the pools and the AUSD will work closely with the mayor to reach this goal.

Mr and Mrs Arnerich came to the mic. Mr Arnerich spoke of how he originally did not plan to attend the meeting since they were in Brentwood. He spoke of how Emma Hood was the first cashier at the pool when it opened in 1955. And Emma Hood was the mother of his wife, Norma Arnerich.  He had very strong words for the board, as he himself ran the swim center for 21 years. He said that the joint agreement between AUSD and the city”..my understanding the contract ended 10 years ago”. Mr Arnerich spoke on how the members sitting in front of him, that they got elected promising to “be a problem solver”. He asked the boards to consider “What can we do to open these pools?” and that they should take more initiative to “solve this problem”.

Alameda Unified board member Trish Spencer said she had called up Mr Ariu Levi from the Alameda County environmental health department, and corresponded with him about the pools. She mentioned that Mr Levi had gave her suggestions on how he thinks the pools can be made compliant with AB 1020 and VGB. Ms. Spencer wanted the board to work with pool local experts such as Mr Rod Smith and Mr Bill Paden. Mr Paden runs and maintains the Franklin pool and another one in Alameda. And they have been able to retrofit their 2 pools to comply with Alameda county inspectors. She said she did not believe that AUSD needed to pay a contractor from LA $10,000 to study the situation, when we have local pool experts who have worked with Alameda County.

UPDATE:

10/30/2010 AUSD has posted this on their website http://www.alameda.k12.ca.us/index.php/home/latest-news/163-alameda-pools-moving-towards-re-opening