Community School for Creative Education (CSCE) is one of the most ethnically and socioeconomically diverse schools in the city of Oakland. AHC's partnership with CSCE spans a decade and serves as the school's lead agency for extended day programs. As partners, AHC and CSCE are well matched. Waldorf education is 100 years old, spans 67 countries, and develops the whole child. Attitudinal Healing is an award-winning model for inner healing used successfully worldwide for almost 50 years. AHC brings culturally relevant, assets-based arts education rooted in three decades of helping Oakland students reach their full potential to CSCE, the only urban public Waldorf school in the US. Today, we highlight 3 of the outstanding initiatives to keep students engaged mentally, physically and creatively.
Community Garden
Community Building Coordinator Sharifah Ihsan-Wilson said, “Gardening has been a part of the Waldorf school curriculum since the very first Waldorf school in 1923.” Having a community garden encourages students to go outside and get in touch with nature; allowing them to be present for the changing of the seasons while they connect their hands with soil and help plants to grow. Family Garden Days and gardening clubs for grades K-8 encourage participation at all age levels. The garden invites students to plant, harvest, and even to prepare produce. Since the onset of Covid-19, students have been able to take plants home to continue care for them. CSCE Extended Day staff members and head volunteer Ms. Claudia have taken the lead in maintaining the garden during school closures. Once it is safe to resume, students will learn about local plants that are highly sustainable, needing a minimal amount of water and maintenance. The program offers students the ability to learn a wealth of knowledge about gardening that they can carry with them through adulthood.
Literacy Program
For the third consecutive year AHC has received funding for the CSCE Extended Day Literacy Program from the Oakland Literacy Coalition/Oakland Reads. This grant helps CSCE Extended Day distribute books to K-3 students and their families. The books given out are within the academic guidelines, age-appropriate, and speak to a multicultural, diverse audience.
The program also hosts virtual events with guest speakers to create a meaningful, personal connection to literacy. Matilde Hollander was a recent guest speaker. She is a bilingual teacher and children's author specializing in bilingual book readings. Her books allow parents to read in their own language while simultaneously learning the English language.
The literacy program strives to dramatically increase reading proficiency levels, a critical foundation for future learning and success in school. Weaving together the strength of Oakland families, schools, and community partners, CSCE Extended Day is creating a future where Oakland children can fall in love with reading.
The Murphy Family pick up their Art YOU Ready kit (above)
Art YOU Ready?
As shelter-in-place went into effect, AHC began it’s highly successful art kit distribution program; providing art supplies to CSCE and a multitude of Bay Area schools. As the year progressed, we saw additional challenges with major fires, poor air quality and floods. It became apparent that more support was needed for our community.
The Art YOU Ready campaign was created to provide emergency preparedness information and activity guides to families, in addition to high quality art supplies. The activity guides make emergency preparedness fun; showing students how to make a safety mask out of a t-shirt, and an emergency contact book out of manila envelopes.
After picking up her Art YOU Ready art kit, CSCE parent Ms. Murphy shared, “Based on the fact that we are stuck inside, we’re looking for things to do, to keep busy, connect and interact with each other.”
CSCE will host two Art YOU Ready events later this month (details below). During this time of emotional hardship with the pandemic, they encourage students to express themselves through art. Participating in art helps kids to connect with their creative side and steer away from negative thought patterns while being productive.
Art YOU Ready kit distribution dates:
March 3rd and March 6th at CSCE
Emergency Preparedness Trainings
Tuesday, March 16th, 4:00pm-5:00pm (Spanish Speakers)
Wednesday, March March 24th, 5:00pm-6:00pm
Activities: bookmaking and protective mask making
Interpreters will be provided
For more information contact: sharifah@ahc-oakland.org