Alameda Unified School District

Our final promotion ceremony took place last Friday, when our littlest learners graduated from AUSD's preschool, the Alameda Child Development Center.

The regalia was official (caps and gowns!), and the families were as excited as those of high school seniors. Thank you to the staff for creating such a warm and welcoming event and helping each student feel celebrated!

Continuing our graduation coverage, Encinal seniors celebrated the close of their high school journeys last week to the cheers and applause of the Class of 1976 (yes, that was 50 years ago!).

"You don't need to have it all figured out today, tomorrow or a year from now," one student speaker advised her classmates. "But be the architect of your own future.

"May we be a reflection of what's possible," she added.

Congratulations to Alameda High's Class of 2026, which graduated under sunny skies at Thompson Field last Friday.

"In many ways we are taught and increasingly conditioned to see differences before we see each other," Superintendent Scuderi told the graduates.

But "progress has never come from people refusing to talk to one another or work together," he continued. "It comes from people willing to listen, learn, and work together toward something greater than themselves.

"Class of 2026:

- Be innovators who never lose your humanity.

- Be artists who help others see the world—and one another—more clearly.

- Be builders, scientists, and entrepreneurs who create solutions that serve more than just yourself

- And choose connection, cooperation, and compassion over division."

Encinal's Junior Jets got to be the first class to hold a celebration on the new Jets' Field last week, when the 8th graders were promoted to high schoolers.

In his remarks to the class, teacher Jasper Doell urged students to be "the change this world needs," and to "be kind even when it's hard. Above all, be kind to yourself. In the next four years you will be challenged many times. But find the strength to be kind."

Wood Middle School 8th graders promoted to high school last week during a packed ceremony at Kofman Auditorium.

These students spent the last two years at the temporary campus and won't get to attend the new Wood school, which is opening in August.

But they should feel pride when they see the new campus, Principal Jessica Lucio reminded them.

"While it may feel like a bummer that you won’t get to walk the halls of the brand-new Wood Middle School, I want you to remember this," she said. "That new school is happening because of you. Because of your families. Because of your voices, your presence, your perseverance. You are the reason the future of Wood is brighter.

"In the future whenever you pass by that new building, I hope you smile and say, 'That’s ours. We helped build that.'" Because you did. And it will always be a part of your story.

Island High School's graduates spoke movingly of their journeys to get their diplomas yesterday, as well as the significant lessons they learned along the way and their gratitude to staff for offering emotional support, guidance, and resources.

"I want to thank the staff for believing in me when I barely believed in myself," one student said. Addressing her classmates she added, "Don't ever let someone else write your story."

Alameda Adult School held its graduation ceremony last night at the Little Theater, and it was filled with laughter, tears, and compelling stories about the power of vision and persistence and the crucial roles played by supportive families and teachers. Congratulations to all who reached this major milestone, and we wish you the very best in your journey forward!