MLA Bulletin
April 4, 2020
A Message from the Principal
I hope you are all healthy and finding peace during these difficult times. As you have likely heard by now, OUSD schools will be closed throughout the remainder of the school year. Though we are saddened by this news, we support our Superintendent in making the difficult decisions she needs to make in order to protect our students, staff, and families from contracting the Coronavirus. We miss you and your kiddos more than you can imagine and can't wait to see you when schools reopen in the fall.
This closure will have many implications on our community, some of which we can't yet anticipate. We are trying our best to proactively plan and respond to the shifting realities of this "new normal" to best meet the needs of our community. Specifically, we know the following will have to come into focus for our team:
- Prioritizing Basic Needs: Many of our MLA families are finding themselves out of work and without the basic protections of our government due to their documentation status. A committee of MLA teachers has started a "community Apoyo" group to respond to the needs for support with funds and groceries. Read more about these efforts and how you can help in the "giving" section below.
- Rethinking Learning Plans: When we closed schools in March for the original shelter-in-place, we were told to create 2-week plans. It is now clear that we need a more intentional and sustainable plan for the remainder of the school year. Teachers are returning from spring break on Monday, April 6. At the suggestion of the OEA Teachers Union, teachers are being given two additional days of planning to ensure they are ready to launch online learning on Wednesday, April 8. In order to ensure your family has access to our learning plans, please complete the MLA Covid-19 Survey linked here by Monday, April 6 at 5pm. We will share an updated Bulletin on Tuesday, April 7, with more detailed information about how to access online learning plans, following the teachers' 2 planning days. Thank you for your patience.
- Virtually Planning for Next Year: Despite the Shelter-In-Place, we continue to work hard to ensure we are ready to move fully into Sherman and Maxwell next year. Our team continues to hold online interviews of new candidates, online ordering of books, furniture, and supplies, phone check-ins with new families, and online move coordination meetings with the District. Once we have a clear picture of what our move timeline looks like, we will share that with you and ask for your support. But rest assured... it's happening!
It is very important that EVERY family complete the MLA Covid-19 Survey linked here by Monday, April 6 at 5pm, as this survey gives us important information about your basic needs and tech needs, and ensures we have your correct address should we need to send you books or materials. This information is confidential and will not be shared outside of the MLA staff.
Thank you for reading.
With love,
Bri
Giving to Support MLA Families
- GoFundMe: Funds donated to the MLA GoFundMe crowdsourcing site will directly support MLA families impacted by the CoronaVirus. Our teacher Apoyo committee will use these funds to purchase gift cards and groceries for MLA families who cannot afford food or internet at this time.
- OaklandEdFund: All funds donated to the MLA EdFund account between now and May 1 will be redistributed to MLA families in need through cash disbursements of up to $599 per family. Donations made to the EdFund are tax-deductible.
- Cada Familia: All funds donated to the MLA PTSA through Cada Familia will continue to support MLA's instructional programming and staffing for the 2020-2021 school year. Donations to the MLA PTSA through Cada Familia are tax-deductible.
Auction Update:
- A lot has happened since the MLA PTSA annual auction and party, but it raised more than $36,000 to support our school. Many parent volunteers, businesses, professionals, hosts, and artists came together to donate or volunteer-- thank you all! Check out Facebook for the complete list.
- Special thanks to Tala Aziz, DDS, and Tara Stoop, Bright Body Medical Weight Loss Center, for their sponsorship.
- Many of the businesses that donated to our auction have direct ties to the MLA community. If you are able to safely patronize them in these times, please do, and tell them thanks for supporting MLA!
- Got a question about an auction item? Email mlasubasta@gmail.com.
MLA Zoom Asamblea
Please click on this link to join:
https://ousd.zoom.us/j/364021369?pwd=M2NlMWlEUVk2aXRsdzZtRkFqZXF6UT09
Note -- you may need to download the Zoom app prior to joining us, so give yourself a little bit of time to prepare. Zoom can be accessed via smartphone and computer.
Wednesday, Apr 8, 2020, 02:30 PM
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Community Updates
- The deadline to accept enrollment offers from round 1 has been extended until April 9. If you have a new student entering MLA next year, please make sure you accept their spot in Schoolmint by April 9.
- The second round lottery applications are due by April 17. The second round lottery will take place on April 30. If you are on the waitlist, new offers will be made on April 30 and beyond.
2020-2021 Hiring:
We have some exciting new roles to share with the community. If you know someone who might be a good fit for our team, please share these roles with them:
- 4th-5th Grade Bilingual Math Teacher
- 4th-5th Grade Maternity Sub (fall semester only)
- TK-2 SDC Teacher for students with mild to moderate disabilities
Shelter in Place Resources
- Computers: We are loaning computers to families who have internet access in their homes. Please see the computer pickup schedule below.
- Internet: If you do not have internet access in your home, please visit https://www.internetessentials.com/ to sign up. If you need help, please reach out to your child's teacher via email or TalkingPoints.
- Food: The District's Grab N Go food drop-off locations will continue to operate during spring break and will distribute food on Mondays and Thursdays from 8am-12pm.
- News and Updates: Please continue to visit the District's Website for updates about school closures and resources. https://www.ousd.org/coronavirus
Melrose Leadership Academy
Email: mlaschoolquestions@gmail.com
Website: www.melroseleadershipacademy.org
Location: 4730 Fleming Avenue, Oakland, CA, USA
Phone: (510)535-3832
Facebook: facebook.com/melroseleadershipacademy