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Bridges Into School: Supporting Kindergarten Transitions at OUSD

9/8/2023

 
Young children in OUSD's 2023 Summer Kinder Bridge program sit on a colorful carpet with their backpacks from First 5 Alameda CountyChildren in this year's SKB program were excited to receive backpacks from First 5 Alameda County. Photo courtesy of The OUSD Early Learning Department.
​Kindergarten can be a big adjustment for children and families, requiring them to adjust rapidly to new routines and expectations. Research and experience shows that making that transition as smooth as possible builds the foundation for children’s academic and social-emotional skills as well as positive family-school connections. The OUSD Early Learning Department has been intentionally building strong transition practices to support children entering kindergarten and transitional kindergarten (TK). This past summer, the Summer Kinder TK Bridge program was successfully scaled to 14 OUSD elementary school sites, where early childhood educators provided a four-week foundational program for children.


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Caring and Conversation: Lockwood CDC Fathers Event

6/6/2023

 
Over 20 fathers and father figures celebrate connecting with each other at OUSD's Lockwood Child Development Center
​“What does fatherhood mean to you?” and “What do you most want for your child’s education?” These are among the questions that participants in an Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) early learning event recently pondered together. The event, “Fathers and Father Figures Kindergarten Readiness Conversation and Celebration,” was the brainchild of teacher Ms. DaMonica Robinson, and was held at OUSD’s Lockwood Child Development Center. 


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Nurturing Positive Beliefs About Students, Jobs and Selves: ROCK Survey Results

2/28/2023

 
OUSD educators participating in a ROCK Professional Learning Community (PLC)OUSD educators participating in a ROCK Professional Learning Community (PLC)
​Since 2017, through the Resilient Oakland Communities and Kids (ROCK) initiative, Oakland Starting Smart and Strong (OSSS) has been building knowledge about resilience, trauma and its impact on children, and self-care for educators. Examples of ROCK supports for early childhood educators include: in person and virtual trainings, Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), educator coaching, yoga, and self care resources.


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Developmental Screening in Oakland:  Recommendations for an Inclusive and Effective System

11/15/2022

 
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As we discussed in a previous blog post, developmental screening helps families understand a child’s development, celebrate milestones, and identify supports for delays in development. Oakland Unified School District (OUSD), First 5 Alameda County/Help Me Grow (HMG) and other partners have been expanding access to developmental screenings for young children in Oakland. ​


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Many of the photos on this site appear courtesy of Hasain Rasheed Photography
  • About
    • Our Purpose
    • Our Team >
      • Staff & Consultants
      • Supporters
      • Lead Planning Team
      • Task Force
      • Featured Leaders
    • Contact Us
  • Our Work
    • Racial Justice >
      • Promising Practices
      • ROCK
    • Community Leadership >
      • Early Learning Symposium
      • Family Child Care Policy Program
    • Systems Change >
      • Developmental Screening
      • Strategic Plan
    • Data, Policy & Advocacy >
      • Policy & Advocacy
      • Early Development Instrument
    • Collective Impact >
      • Year in Review
      • Results & Impact
  • RESOURCES
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    • Presentations
  • EVENTS
  • NEWS
    • Blog
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  • Get Involved