CITY of OAKLAND

ONE FRANK OGAWA PLAZA · 2nd FLOOR · OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA   94612

Jean Quan

City Council Member, District 4

 

 

FAX:

(510) 238-7004

(510) 238-6129

jquan@oaklandnet.com

 

TTY/TDD:

(510) 839-6451

www.jeanquan.org

 

 

 

 

 

Dear Neighbors,                                                                                               July 20, 2004

As a former school board member and now city councilmember for District 4, I have long supported our neighborhood schools. When the school district decided to close John Swett Elementary School last year, School Board member Gary Yee and I fought to maintain a quality elementary school at the site. We believe that neighbors will be well-served by the new school, opening September 7 at the John Swett site. The new Tilden-Swett School will start small – with a pre-school through 1st grade this fall , and will grow, year-by-year, until it houses a complete pre-school through 5th grade by 2008-2009.

As a small school providing both regular education and special education services to young students, Tilden will offer a unique nurturing educational program:

ü            Small classes

ü            A curriculum infused with art, drama, computer technology and science

ü            A rigorous commitment to ensure that all students meet state standards

ü            A design to meet the needs of children with special challenges

ü            On-site support teams

ü            Comprehensive assessments available for all children

ü            Partnership with Holy Names University providing student teachers and instructional design support

You have an opportunity to be part of SOMETHING SPECIAL! As Tilden grows, parents, teachers and partners will help make the school realize its potential. Parents and neighbors can be involved in:

ü            Developing the policies and practices the enrich your child’s educational experience

ü            Designing a new playground, surrounding landscape and community garden

ü            Creating a plan to improve the site facility while retaining the woodsy, retreat-like feel of the school

ü            Working to create a comprehensive system of pre-school and after-school care aligned with what your child is learning at school

ü            Ongoing governance of the school as part of the School Site Council

 

Please help us spread the word to friends and neighbors about Tilden School. If you know of families with pre-school through 1st grade children, ask them to contact Principal Joslin Johnson at 879-1560 as soon as possible. The first day of school is Tuesday, September 7, 2004 and space is filling up fast.

 

Jean Quan

Oakland City Council District 4