This year our Weird Science team is competing in the state tournament. We had another great classics team that just missed qualifying and narrowly missed despite a great point score. But this is where OM is unlike Texas football–instead of being broken up about it, the kids are completely enthusiastic.

For students of color and all our students. For everyone.

That’s pretty darn good for anybody, no matter whether they’re from Oakland, Piedmont, Orinda or anywhere.

In the past, teachers have taken students to national competitions sponsored by the 100 Black Women and the National Asspociation of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers, among other activities. OUSD has a large Science Fair at Chabot each year that gets minimal coverage.

Castlemont has a long history of state and national recognition for its choral group, the Castleleers. So do the orchestras and bands at Skyline. Dance teachers and other art teachers put on well attended annual recitals at Oakland high schools. Each year the Drama program at Skyline presents a number of stellar productions. The middle schools are also producing musical talents that get to enter competitions in high school.

There is much more to report. It is unfortunate that one seldom sees district administration or Board members at these events, and that might explain why one seldom hears about them on the OUSD web page or in the local press. Or maybe it is a reluctance to acknowledge that teenagers of color, who may be from working families, are so accomplished.

Katy, perhaps a survey of OUSD comprehensive and small high schools will yield a plethora of great successes by our students guided by their teachers and parents. Let’s give them a chance to shine.

I admit to being a blogger. Our conversation would be private, in the hopes of having a public dialog at some point. Or not. Or anonymously.

I want to talk to you!

thefrustratedteacher at gmail . com

Considering the increased # of students staying in Middle School through to HS, or skipping MS and coming back to OUSD for HS, I think it’s only a matter of time before an Oakland HS sponsors an Odyssey team.

Remember, Odyssey is as much about the process as the competition.

What is going on in the OUSD High Schools? This is where the kiddies have their last chance to get ready for the Brave New World. And this is where the unmistakable signs of failure to prepare (if they have occurred) can be seen. When bad school districts want to cover up their failings they will push press coverage of all kinds for their primary schools – where the kids are cute and the failures can not be seen so well.

I’m afraid stories such as this are exactly what I’m talking about.

Katy: Are their any stories available about PSAT testing, College and Trade School preparation and applications, Field Trips, Distinguished visitor/speakers, Interscholastic academic competitions, driver’s training or such available for the OUSD or Charter High Schools?