ALBANY
The Albany Unified School District (AUSD) will join with the community from 2 to 4 p.m. Aug. 14 to celebrate the grand opening of the new Ocean View Elementary School at 1000 Jackson St. in Albany for a ribbon-cutting ceremony, open house and self-guided tours. This new 60,000-square-foot facility is the largest of four major school expansion/modernization projects funded by Albany school bond Measures B and E. The new facility will dramatically enhance the campus experience for nearly 500 incoming students in August and replaces an outdated and seismically deficient facility that was originally built as Albany’s middle school.
This new school is part of the latest generation of AUSD school buildings designed to provide high-quality learning environments adapted for 21st-century educational standards, built in an environmentally friendly way, and designed through a highly collaborative process involving school construction professionals, teachers, administrators, and community members. Classes will begin at Ocean View Elementary on Aug. 17, a few days after the opening ceremony.
This highly anticipated reopening will be a tremendous asset for educating Albany students. Each pair of spacious classrooms connects through a shared meeting room to provide flexible breakout space for small group learning, class collaboration and sharing of educational resources. Furniture is equipped for mobility and flexibility; natural and classroom light is balanced; and outside noise is minimized through noise-reduction technologies incorporated in ceilings and walls. All classrooms feature ample day-lighting, and operable windows provide natural ventilation. Multiple outdoor learning areas provide space for learning outside the classroom. On the second level, exterior walkways create “learning pockets” that support additional outdoor learning opportunities.
The design was guided by the goal of providing a strong sense of belonging for Ocean View students and their families, many of whom hail from international backgrounds. The centerpiece of its design is the vibrant new International Courtyard that provides a welcoming entry experience. It features trees representing each continent of the globe highlighting our diverse student population. A new spacious library sits as the “heart” of the campus, with a shaded outdoor maker space that offers instructional flexibility with various hands-on learning opportunities. Within the roomy library sits an indoor amphitheater for classroom reading aloud. In addition, the library offers a stellar location for evening PTA and community meetings.
The new campus is “net-zero-ready,” with a high-efficiency mechanical system, the elimination of natural gas and dedicated roof space for a future solar panel installation. The district is exploring avenues for energy generation at Ocean View and other schools districtwide to increase the AUSD’s capacity for sustainable energy generation. Part of long-term sustainability is increasing “active transportation” to and from school, a goal of the district. The Jackson Street entrance has been redesigned to increase pedestrian safety, and bike/scooter racks have been installed. For more details, visit www.ausdk12.org online.
— AUSD
BERKELEY
City expands office hours this week, masks still required
City buildings’ office hours have recently been expanded, giving residents more options on how and when to get services, many of which are already available online or by phone. Use the city’s website (cityofberkeley.info) to find the service or the department you need and determine which method works best for you. Make an appointment when possible, especially if you are looking to meet someone specific.
We’ll continue to use tools that have safely guided us to this point — face coverings, distancing, hand hygiene and staying home when sick. We encourage all who are eligible to get fully vaccinated — a safe, effective tool that not only protects you but also reduces spread of COVID-19 to others. We look forward to serving you wherever you are — including in our city buildings.
— city of Berkeley
ALBANY/EL CERRITO
McBears Social Club set to host athletic reunion on Sept. 25
Lettermen from Albany High School and alumni from Albany’s Little league programs will have an “Albany Jock Party 5” reunion Sept. 25 at McBears Social Club and Beer Garden in El Cerrito. The gathering will acknowledge the rich history of Albany’s athletic brothers. Those ages 73 and older will meet from 2 to 5 p.m., followed by those 72 and younger, including coaches and support staff. Festivities will continue until 10 p.m. For more information, contact John Whitman at coachwhitman@yahoo.com or 925-584-7428.
— Mike Lefkow
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