#OaklandUndivided Reaches Major Milestone in Effort to Provide 25,000 Oakland Students with Free Computers and Internet Access; Media is Invited to Laptop Distribution Event on Thursday
The press release sent from The Oakland Unified School District to Zennie62Media is below:
Oakland, CA — Eric Yanez (below), a 4th-grader at Hoover Elementary School, had problems with distance learning. But many of those challenges have evaporated as Eric now has a computer and internet access through the #OaklandUndivided campaign. “My son got a Chromebook from #OaklandandUndivided and it has helped tremendously,” said Guadalupe Canchola, Eric’s mother. “We both are so grateful as it has helped to ease the new way of school with distance learning. Initially, he would use my phone for the zoom class and a borrowed tablet for the actual school work and it was just so different and a little frustrating a lot of the time.”
Eric Yanez
Those challenges are exactly what the #OaklandUndivided campaign is designed to address for all Oakland public school students in need. The campaign, which is a joint venture of Tech Exchange, Oakland Promise, Oakland Public Education Fund, the City of Oakland and Mayor Libby Schaaf, and OUSD, began about five months ago with one goal: to ensure every public school student in need has access to a computer, internet, and tech support. While the work is far from over, this is an important update for the community on some key milestones coming out of last week’s National Digital Inclusion Week, during which the campaign handed out devices at 25 schools across Oakland and highlighted the impact these devices and resources have had on families and teachers.
Oakland OUSD Student
Most importantly, this week, the campaign expects to reach the halfway mark and hand out the 12,500th computer of the original 25,000 units. These devices are for students to keep at home and to provide consistent access for families.
On Thursday, October 15 the campaign will host a computer distribution event with Mayor Schaaf and OUSD School Board District 7 Director, James Harris at Castlemont High School.
The focus for the #OaklandUndivided team after that will be to get the rest of the 25,000 computers into the hands of Oakland students in need.
“Everyday we get closer to closing the digital divide in Oakland,” Mayor Libby Schaaf said. “This week marks a critical milestone, but it is only progress achieved — not mission accomplished. We’ll continue to work with our amazing community partners until the digital divide is closed for good, and every child and family in Oakland has a device and the consistent internet access they need to reach their full educational potential.”
Until they receive the #OaklandUndivided computers, Oakland students in district-run and charter schools who have needs for technology at home, still have one of the more than 23,000 computers and 7,000 hotspots that were loaned out by schools since the shelter in place took effect last March. “We are pleased that the #OaklandUndivided campaign has made such important progress,” said OUSD Superintendent Kyla Johnson-Trammell. “It’s obvious that in this time of distance learning, we have prepared our students for success by ensuring that they have the tools they need at home to fully access their education. I thank the #OaklandUndivided team for all their hard work. It has indeed paid off!”
Oakland OUSD Students Get Computers
Almost all students have either a loaner or an #OaklandUndivided device. But the campaign knows there are some students who remain disconnected. If you are a family in Oakland public schools, make sure to fill out the Tech Check survey to receive your device(s) to ensure your student has access to a computer and the internet. If you know of a student or family in need who does not currently have access to technology resources, including a computer to participate in remote learning, please complete the OUSD Technology Intake Form. OUSD will ensure that the students identified there receive a computer within 48 hours.
One of the most important aspects of this effort has been the tech support supplied by the campaign. OUSD students can be confident that any issues they encounter with their device or internet access will be addressed quickly. So far, there have been a few problems, which the team quickly resolved. If families are having any issues with #OaklandUndivided devices such as mic issues, error messages, etc., they can contact Tech Exchange for support by texting or calling 510-866-2260.
Parents are clearly pleased with the results. “His interaction in class has been awesome and his weekly grades have been 100%,” said Guadalupe Canchola, mother of Hoover Elementary student, Eric Yanez. “Thank you all again for providing and donating such an important tool for our kids to continue learning despite anything new being thrown their way.”
WHAT: #OaklandUndivided High School Device Distribution Event
WHEN: 2:30 p.m., Thursday, October 15
WHERE: Castlemont High School, 8601 MacArthur Blvd
About the Oakland Unified School District
In California’s most diverse city, Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) is dedicated to creating a learning environment where “Every Student Thrives!” More than half of our students speak a non-English language at home. And each of our 81 schools is staffed with talented individuals uniting around a common set of values: Students First, Equity, Excellence, Integrity, Cultural Responsiveness and Joy. We are committed to preparing all students for college, career and community success.
Earlier this week, I ended my 2020 State of the City address by recognizing that this November’s election is so consequential it could chart a new path for our state and our nation. I meant it.
I hope you’re as fired up as I am about this Presidential race, and how proud we can all be to vote for native Oaklander Kamala Harris for Vice President along with Joe Biden.
If you want to help turn out voters in critical states it is easier than ever to do right from home. Check out these easy phone banking options with SwingLeft or Indivisible. If you’re too shy to phone bank, www.voteforward.org is an easy way to send personalized, nonpartisan letters out to simply encourage folks to vote.
And there are some transformational California Measures on the 2020 ballot! I’m most excited to vote for Schools & Communities First – Prop 15! It will close corporate property tax loopholes to reclaim nearly $12 billion every year for schools and vital services for our local communities, while protecting residential properties and small businesses. (In fact, with Prop 19 seniors and disaster survivors will have more residential property tax protections than they have today). We also need Prop 16 to pass, so we can consider diversity and racial equity in public decisions and level the playing field. And to advance criminal justice reform, vote for Props 17 & 25 and against Prop 20.
I’m also super passionate about electing Derreck Johnson for At-Large City Council – as is Kamala Harris. A 3rd-generation, gay, African American Oaklander raised by a single mother in the Acorn housing projects, he graduated from an HBCU and started House of Chicken & Waffles in Jack London Square, where 70% of employees have been formerly incarcerated. He’s the former Chair of Oakland’s Workforce Development Board and in 2012 Congresswoman Barbara Lee presented him with the City of Oakland’s Citizen Humanitarian Award. His life experiences are particularly needed as Oakland meets this moment to advance racial justice and help our economy recover.
Since Oakland created the At-Large seat 40 years ago, it has never been held by an African American. Its current incumbent Rebecca Kaplan has made budget proposals deemed “reckless” and “designed to appease special interests.” She tried to kill Oakland’s Department of Transportation, which not only is fixing Oakland’s broken and dangerous streets, but is nationally recognized for its commitment to equity. And the East Bay Express criticized her for a “shady political campaign” and “poor decision-making” which “raises concerns about her ethics.”
Here’s my complete Voter’s Guide:
I’m supporting all of Oakland’s Congressional, State and Special District Board incumbents, with the exception of challenger Jean Walsh for AC Transit.
Here’s where I stand on State & Local Propositions & Measures:
Yes on Prop 14 to expand stem cell research.
Yes on Prop 15 to permanently increase public school and local services funding by closing a big corporate property tax loophole.
Yes on Prop 16 so our public institutions can consider diversity and racial equity in our work to lift-up ALL Californians.
Yes on Prop 17 to restore the right to vote for parolees.
Yes on Prop 18 to let 17 year-olds vote in primaries if they’ll be 18 before the general election.
Yes on Prop 19 to allow seniors, people with disabilities and disaster survivors to maintain their tax base on a replacement home.
NO on Prop 20 sentencing reform rollback because over-incarceration don’t work.
Yes on Prop 21 to expand rent control options for cities.
NO on Prop 22 to protect new hard-earned rights for gig workers.
Yes on Prop 23 to improve standard of care at Dialysis Centers.
You decide Prop 24 RE: Consumer Privacy. There are pros & cons.
Yes on Prop 25 to end the unjust money bail system.
Yes on Measure V to extend a utility tax on unincorporated Alameda County for their services.
Yes on Measure W to increase sales tax by a half-cent to fund county services, especially public health and homelessness.
Yes on Measure Y to upgrade & repair our classrooms.
Yes on Measure QQ to allow youth to vote for School Board members.
Yes on Measure RR to allow city fines to exceed $1000.
Yes on Measure S1 to strengthen Oakland’s Police Commission.
Oakland City Council Races
You know I love Oakland. Please trust my careful assessments in these Oakland City Council Races:
At-Large: Derreck Johnson – deeply-rooted Oaklander and small business & workforce leader made for this moment.
District 1: Dan Kalb – ethical, progressive hard-working legislator and environmental champion.
District 3: Lynette Gibson McElhaney – grieving mother & grandmother herself, a powerful advocate for violence prevention & community development.
District 5: Noel Gallo – with deep roots & decades of public service, a tireless worker for clean streets and public education.
District 7: Treva Reid – East Oakland couldn’t ask for a more competent, deeply experienced & compassionate new leader. Marchon Tatmon has my #2 for his Budget Advisory Commission & homeless services experience.
Oakland School Board
You know I’m passionate about public education and OUSD’s success. Please support these Oakland School Board candidates:
District 1: Austin Dannhaus – former teacher, focused on educational equity, quality schools for all students and results; Board and finance experience critical for during this time. Sam Davis has my #2 due to his past experience with families in Oakland and commitment to dialogue.
District 3: Maiya Edgerly and Mark Hurty (Dual Endorsement)-
*Maiya-founder of an non-profit that supports students to get into HBCUs, that is aligned with Oakland Promise’s vision to support students be first in their family to complete college.
*Mark-former Oakland teacher, passionate about educational equity; kind and open to dialogue, presently helping to lead an non-profit aligned with #OaklandUndivided’s vision to close the digital divide.
District 5 – Leroy Gaines and Jorge Lerma (Dual Endorsement)-
*Leroy- a former teacher and OUSD principal for >10 years – selected OUSD principal of the year, kind, demonstrated leadership, strong relationships with educators, students & families, history of results.
*Jorge- a former Oakland teacher, principal and leader for decades, founded Latino Education Network; a gentle soul, committed to equity, pre-K, K12 experience, and a champion of Oakland Promise.
District 7: Cliff Thompson -a teacher and principal for >40 years with deep roots, Oakland education experience; kind soul who cares deeply for equity & quality schools for all students, demonstrated leadership.
So much is at stake this election! As I said in my State of the City, we must vote — and volunteer — like our lives depend on it.
Bridging the Digital Divide in Oakland
From YouTube Channel: October 1, 2020 at 01:57AM
ONN – For students and families living in the East Bay, the pandemic has shown just how deep the high-tech digital divide can be. Now, a number of nonprofits in Oakland are working to make things a little less unequal by raising money, and bringing technology to those who need it most. Scott Budman reports.
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