Your commitment to education is not only a commitment to our students’ future; you’re creating a bright future for Oakland, too.
Growing up, I always woke up early on the first day of school. I was so excited to see my friends, meet my teachers, and wonder what I’d learn in the coming year. As students burst through the school doors, there was so much promise in the cheerful bulletin boards lining the walls with messages like, “Welcome back!” and “It’s going to be a great year!” I loved the scent of new notebooks, folders, and crayons; the sound of pens and pencils shuffling around at the bottom of my backpack; and even the familiar butterflies in my stomach as I approached my new classroom. I’m sure those early school experiences—and the foundational support I received from family, teachers, and coaches over the years—fueled my passion for education.
So when I saw the community come together last month to create those special first-day-of-school experiences for our Oakland students—well, I don’t know how I can thank you enough. More than 100 people took time out of their full schedules to volunteer during the Ed Fund’s annual Back-to-School Beautification Week earlier last month, doing everything from sorting and delivering hundreds of pounds of school supplies to classrooms to decorating bulletin boards and organizing bookshelves. Our volunteers made our Oakland schools bright, exciting, and welcoming spaces for every student, and gave our teachers support and appreciation during one of the busiest times of their year.
I want to thank our Ed Fund volunteers. Thank you so much for investing your time and energy in our students. Your commitment to education is not only a commitment to their future; you’re creating a bright future for Oakland, too.
-Ali Medina, Executive Director