This Saturday, Feb. 3, marks the fourth year of the Alameda Spelling Bee. The contest to prove the best student speller in town takes place at 9 a.m. at Otis Elementary School, 3010 Fillmore St., and is open to Alameda students in grades 4 through 9.

Players from the Oakland Raiders and representatives from the National Football League (NFL) visited Maya Lin School on Tuesday to reward students there for winning the Super Bowl Play 60 Challenge, a fitness program developed by the NFL and the American Heart Association.  

John Zugnoni’s letter to the editor (“Allow Oakland Students Here,” June 13) is obviously written from a perspective external to public education in general, and outside of public education in Alameda in particular.

Host families are needed in Alameda for 17 more students visiting from Spain this summer. A total of 25 students, ranging in age from 13 to 18, will arrive on Monday, June 30, and depart on Monday, July 28.

Alameda students in grades nine through 12 who have written speeches with the theme: “Celebrating the Legacy of Nelson Mandela” will receive cash awards for their efforts Saturday, March 22, noon to 2 p.m. at the Alameda Main Library, 1550 Oak St.