MLA Bulletin
March 7, 2020
A Message from the Principal
Dear MLA Community,
I am writing to you now with an important update about our budget and instructional program. The update below is an invitation to continue to roll up our collective sleeves and work collaboratively to ensure MLA's students continue to thrive.
I recognize that MLA is an economically diverse community and that some families may not be able to make a donation to support the school. I'm deeply grateful for every family's involvement, from volunteering in the classroom and on field trips, to supporting your child's learning at home, to carpooling and organizing play dates. I appreciate the PTSA's many loyal donors. At this time, I am asking that any family that can make an additional financial contribution do so before April 10th in order to ensure we maintain the level of high-quality programming that our students deserve. Every dollar counts.
Oakland is facing crippling budget cuts, and has had to make hard decisions about where to concentrate its limited remaining resources. While these new funding formulas hurt us, they are a result of the District's decision to concentrate its limited resources in schools who have high percentages of low-income students. The district's commitment to prioritize Oakland's students who are furthest from opportunity is one that is in alignment with MLA's mission and core values. Our number of students who receive free or reduced lunch has decreased rapidly since we opened our dual language program. 10 years ago, we served 90% low-income students. This year, we serve 40% low-income students. As a result, our budget has decreased dramatically, as the resources follow the students who are most in need.
Specifically, our budget for next year has changed in the following ways:
- We have lost $80,000 from our discretionary budget, which pays for technology, tech licenses, supplies, copiers, and some people's jobs, such as our full-time subs.
- We have lost the funding for 2.5 teachers. This includes our TK-8 visual art teacher and 1.5 of our middle school teachers, as the District is no longer providing the staffing necessary for dual language or electives at the middle school level.
- These cuts together amount to a loss of approximately $400,000.
Our plan:
- Thankfully, we received a grant from Salesforce that will offset some of the loss to the middle school program!
- We will be revising our schedule and staffing model to make every dollar count.
- We need to raise $210,000 in order to maintain our program for the '20-'21 school year.
Our current financial situation:
- We have raised approximately $80,000 through the generous donations of the MLA community this year. Thank you!
- 70 of our 475 families are giving between $5 and $100 dollars every month through Cada Familia. 27 of those families are donating over $50 a month! Thank you!
- We need to raise an additional $130,000 before April 10. On April 15, PTSA will vote on how to spend the funds that have been raised by April 10. We will plan our '20-'21 programming based on the funds raised by April 10.
Our ask:
- Give whatever you can before April 10th via the CADA FAMILIA link. https://melroseleadershipacademy.org/donate
- We need to raise $350 per student in order to maintain our programming.
- 40% of our families receive free and reduced lunch and may not be able to contribute financially. If you are a family that has financial means, we ask that you keep this in mind and consider donating an additional $250.
- Our Auction is open TWO MORE DAYS until March 9th. Please share this link far and wide. https://www.32auctions.com/MLA2020
Our students deserve a high-quality dual language education with ample enrichment opportunities. Our teachers deserve professional development and personalized coaching to support them in growing as educators and in implementing our complex and beautiful model. Our families deserve the peace of mind that their child will have a qualified substitute should their teacher call in sick. Yet, this level of programming is not possible now without your financial support.
Again, thank you for everything you do for our students every day.
In community,
Bri
Protecting Ourselves from the Coronavirus
- Purchased and distributed cleaning wipes and hand sanitizer to all classrooms.
- Revised our cleaning schedule and routine to include frequently touched areas.
- Invited families (THANKS CATI and ADRIENNE) to come give kids tutorials on hand-washing and safe sneezing/coughing.
- Shared videos and articles with teachers to share with their students.
What you can do to help:
- If you notice flu-like symptoms in yourself, your family, or your child, please keep your children home and call Adriana and Maria in the office to let us know.
- Remind your children to wash their hands for 20 seconds (twice through the Happy Birthday/ Feliz Cumpleanos song), cover their sneeze/cough with a tissue or their elbow (vampire cough or dab cough), and not touch their face.
- Donate additional cleaning wipes and hand sanitizer to your child's classroom.
- Volunteer to help our custodians with their new cleaning schedule.
We will be following the District's lead and will not close school unless there is a confirmed case of the Coronavirus, or exposure to the Coronavirus in the MLA community. Per CDC and City of Oakland recommendations, if you or your family are having symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath) and you suspect you may have coronavirus, stay home and call your health provider or clinic. Please reach out directly to Bri if you or your family has been exposed to the virus. (818)300-5025.
Volunteer Help Needed in March
CoronaCleans
- Every morning during drop-off, we invite families to help us wipe down the play structures, door knobs, stair railings, toilet handles, chromebooks, etc.
- Please bring your own lysol wipes and gloves.
Power Hour -- Held Needed!
- Please join other MLA parents for the Parent Volunteer Power Hour every other Wednesday at 8:30am to support our teachers and students.
- The next Power Hour is March 18th at 8:30am.
- Please sign-up here, Power Hour Sign-UP
Teacher Appreciation Lunch
- Kindergarten families will be responsible for the next lunch on March 11th at 11am.
- Families can sign-up here to bring something for the teachers and staff.
- Contact Jen Houser with any questions, 917-678-9069
Social Justice Education Committee
We need your help in talking to the OUSD school board members about the facilities and maintenance needs of MLA.
- Please sign up to come on a visit. Sign up here: http://bit.ly/MLAlobby
- Questions? Please contact MLA parent Kimi Lee, 213-864-1744 or email kimiandjanko@gmail.com
MLA Volunteer and Visiting Policy
Please see the updated Volunteer and Visiting Policy here. This policy has been clarified to support student safety and a focus on learning.
FOR MORE VOLUNTEER INFORMATION EMAIL drtarastoop@gmail.com
Upcoming Events in March
- March 9-13: Maestra Lindsey (1st) Saludos week @ Maxwell
- Tuesday, March 10: Design Team Meeting, 3:30-5:30pm
- Wednesday, March 11: Teacher Appreciation Lunch (hosted by kindergarten families)
- Thursday, March 12: School Site Council Meeting, 5:30-7pm
- Friday, March 13: NO AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM
- Saturday, March 14: Community Service Day (both campuses)
- March 16-20: Maestra Alvarez (1st) Saludos week @ Maxwell
- Monday, March 16: 4-5th Grade Family Committee
- Wednesday, March 18: Power Hour, 8:30am
- Thursday, March 19: Maestra Alvarado (4-5) Crew on Fieldwork to StopWaste
- Saturday, March 21: MLA Welcome Day for new TK-2 families @ Sherman; 9-10:30am
- March 23-27: Maestra Ramirez (1st) Saludos week @ Maxwell
- Tuesday, March 24: Design Team Meeting
- Friday, March 27: No School (in celebration of Cesar Chavez's birthday)
Spring Break: March 30-April 3
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