Alternatives in Action

Students are investigating owl pellets to identify and analyze the bones of prey animals, using evidence to learn about food webs, predator-prey relationships, and ecosystems. They will then create a CER (Claim, Evidence, Reasoning) poster connecting their findings to other science units such as genetics, habitats, biodiversity, and energy flow within ecosystems.

**********
Los estudiantes están investigando gránulos de búho para identificar y analizar los huesos de los animales de presa, utilizando evidencia para aprender sobre redes tróficas, relaciones depredador-presa y ecosistemas. A continuación, crearán un cartel de CER (Claim, Evidence, Reasoning) que conectará sus hallazgos con otras unidades científicas como la genética, los hábitats, la biodiversidad y el flujo de energía dentro de los ecosistemas.

Congratulations to our ground-breaking student-athletes! We had 15 students participate in our first year as a multi-sport athletics team. Our players competed in Oakland, Vallejo, Richmond, Walnut Creek, San Leandro, and beyond.They competed on CIF-sanctioned teams, including participation on a divisional championship team!

This past week we celebrated their accomplishments with attendance at an game and a phenomenal dinner catered by . Although none our female players were able to make it, they were highly recognized.

Thank you to , , and everyone else who made this possible!

A shout out goes to the former AIA staff and students who paved the way through independent teams and leagues, including a legendary soccer championship through the Bladium league!

***********
¡Felicitaciones a nuestros innovadores estudiantes-atletas! Tuvimos 15 estudiantes que participaron en nuestro primer año como equipo de atletismo multideportivo. Nuestros jugadores compitieron en Oakland, Vallejo, Richmond, Walnut Creek, San Leandro y más allá. Compitieron en equipos sancionados por CIF, ¡incluida la participación en un equipo de campeonato divisional!

La semana pasada celebramos sus logros con la asistencia a un juego y una cena fenomenal ofrecida por . Aunque ninguna de nuestras jugadoras pudo lograrlo, fueron muy reconocidas.
¡Gracias a , , y a todos los demás que hicieron esto posible!

Un grito va al ex personal de AIA y a los estudiantes que allanaron el camino a través de equipos y ligas independientes, ¡incluyendo un legendario campeonato de fútbol a través de la liga Bladium!

Congratulations to our students who were selected for Oakland Promise scholarships! This amazing opportunity has helped thousands of young people in Oakland further pursue their dreams. We're so appreciative to be part of this community. Congratulations, ladies!

**************
¡Felicitaciones a nuestros estudiantes que fueron seleccionados para las becas Oakland Promise! Esta increíble oportunidad ha ayudado a miles de jóvenes en Oakland a perseguir sus sueños. Estamos muy agradecidos de ser parte de esta comunidad. ¡Enhorabuena, chicas!

Amazing news via our friends .school

We are so proud of all of the hard work and dedication that Zayra has put in to reach this milestone. Zayra has put in the WORK to make this happen as she consistently comes into our office, has a clear game plan, and executes all her personal and school responsibilities seamlessly. Zayra plays a pivotal role in our school community by encouraging and helping others who are also working towards their degrees. Now that Zayra has her AA completed, she will quickly begin her BA degree in Management. Wish her luck as she starts the next part of her degree journey! 

*************

Noticias increíbles a través de nuestros amigos .school

Estamos muy orgullosos de todo el arduo trabajo y dedicación que Zayra ha realizado para alcanzar este hito. Zayra ha trabajado para que esto suceda cuando constantemente entra en nuestra oficina, tiene un plan de juego claro y ejecuta todas sus responsabilidades personales y escolares sin problemas. Zayra juega un papel fundamental en nuestra comunidad escolar al alentar y ayudar a otros que también están trabajando para obtener sus títulos. Ahora que Zayra tiene su AA completado, rápidamente comeSerá su licenciatura en Administración. Desearía su suerte cuando comienza la siguiente parte de su viaje de grado!

Congratulations to the Oakland Unity High girls' soccer team for recently defending their league championship! The squad was undefeated and ranked as high as #2 in the state, according to MaxPreps.

AIAHS junior Jasmine played with Unity, as part of a multi-school agreement. It's been a great partnership!

These pictures are from their semifinals victory.

**********

¡Felicitaciones al equipo de fútbol femenino de Oakland Unity High por defender recientemente su campeonato de liga! El equipo estaba invicto y estaba tan alto como el número 2 en el estado, según MaxPreps.

Jasmine, estudiante de AIAHS, jugó con Unity, como parte de un acuerdo multiescolar. ¡Ha sido una gran asociación!

Estas fotos son de su victoria en las semifinales.

🏫Meet Ofelia Aguilar, who has worked as the Lunch Coach at AIAHS for the past 11 years!

🌱Ofelia is driven by her passion for serving others, growing alongside the community, and building strong relationships with families. Her journey began with a simple invitation to enroll her daughter, and it quickly grew into a meaningful career.

🤝 What she enjoys most about her role is the opportunity to connect with families on a personal level and support them beyond the classroom. She believes, “The only way to do a good job is to love what you do.”

💃 Outside of school, Ofelia enjoys singing, dancing, walking, spending time in nature, volunteering at community events, and making memories with her family.

🏫 With nearly two decades in education, Mr. Jason Richard brings deep experience and heart to his role as Interim Site Director at Alternatives in Action. Having started his journey in education at just 21 years old, he has spent the past 9 plus years growing alongside the AIA community.

🌱 Mr. Richard’s passion for serving youth is rooted in community. Inspired early on by a local figure known for his kindness and connection to families, he knew he wanted to give back in a similar way. One of his favorite parts of working at AIAHS is collaborating with students on school projects and events. He values the energy, teamwork, and creativity that come from working together and building something meaningful.

🎒 He first joined AIA as a part-time Restorative Justice Coach while attending school, already connected to the community through relationships with staff. Over time, his dedication and impact led him to grow into a leadership role on campus.

🛹 Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his son, playing basketball, skateboarding, watching anime, and trying new types of food.

🎤 Fun fact: Mr. Richard appeared in a Too Short music video.

Our annual Health and Wellness Fair was a resounding success! From youth-led activities to performances and presentations by cherished community partners, a great time was had. Being knee deep in standardized testing season, this event is always a great way to remind us to take care of ourselves!

Thank you to , , , , and everyone else who made this happen!

A special thanks goes out to our Health and Wellness coordinator Liz for making this happen, as well as the E-Team and all of the staff who assisted!

**********
¡Nuestra Feria Anual de Salud y Bienestar fue un éxito rotundo! Desde actividades dirigidas por jóvenes hasta actuaciones y presentaciones de queridos socios comunitarios, se lo pasó muy bien. Estando hasta las rodillas en la temporada de pruebas estandarizadas, ¡este evento es siempre una gran manera de recordarnos que debemos cuidar de nosotros mismos!

¡Gracias a , , , , ¡y todos los demás que hicieron que esto sucediera!

Un agradecimiento especial a nuestra coordinadora de Salud y Bienestar Liz por hacer que esto suceda, así como al equipo electrónico y a todo el personal que asistió!!

It's finally here! Our annual Health and Wellness fair happens this Wednesday. Students and staff be ready for some great community partners, performers, and food! When school ends at 2:15, the general public is welcome to join in the fun!

**********
¡¡Por fin está aquí! Nuestra feria anual de Salud y Bienestar se lleva a cabo este miércoles. ¡Los estudiantes y el personal están listos para algunos grandes socios comunitarios, artistas y comida! Cuando la escuela termina a las 14:15, ¡el público en general es bienvenido a unirse a la diversión!