Two fourth-grade classrooms at Otis Elementary School have agreed to take part in The Bioma Project. “Developed by students for students,” the project was created in Maryland by several high school students who decided to help develop the next generation of environmental leaders. The project starts to teach about sustainability and conservationism in a student’s elementary school education.
The only school chosen from Alameda Unified School District this year, Amelia Earhart Elementary School on Bay Farm Island was selected for a 2020 California Distinguished Schools Award. The program is operated by the California Department of Education to recognize outstanding education programs and practices.
Schools are chosen for successful practices resulting in reducing the achievement gap and for exceptional student performance.
Many students spend more for college than they should because they’ve made some common mistakes when seeking financial aid.
Some people don’t bother to apply for financial aid because they don’t think they’ll qualify. But all students should submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to find out if they’re eligible for state and federal student aid programs. Not filing may hurt a student’s chances of getting more free money for college.
The 75 second graders at Bay Farm Elementary School have started work on new community service projects this year. The effort is called “We Love Our Town!” For their first project, the kids planted more than 600 spring bulbs in November around the school. Then, on Dec. 20, the kids collected hundreds of socks, hats, scarves, jackets and toiletries in support of the annual Christmas Eve Soup Kitchen held at Alameda’s Pappo Restaurant. The soup kitchen was again well attended this year with a line out the door of people in need of the kids’ and restaurant’s generosity.
