Update on Board Decision on redirection rules.....

[Lawrence Busansky]

TWO THINGS:

ONE: We have been told by the OUSD that the Kaiser rule approved last week does not supersede your ability to choose other schools, and receive the same priority as any other redirects in the mega-boundary. 

Asked for Clarification of the Kaiser redirect rule just approved, we have been told that in fact Hillcrest re-directs would still have all the options available to anyone else. The Kaiser 'guarantee' is in addition to, and if desired, not a replacement of, any other options already available.

Again, the wording in the statement approved is:

4. Amend AR 5116.1 for redirection of Hillcrest students to Kaiser until facilities become available at Hillcrest

The clarification from the OUSD (from Mike Bonino) is (verbatim).  

Based on the ruling Wednesday, we interpret this to be the process for open enrollment priorities:

1) Sibling

2) Neighborhood

3) Re-directs within the middle school boundary for students whose neighborhood school is overcrowded. For Hillcrest neighborhood students who don't get into Hillcrest, they will be re-directed to Kaiser or another choice on the application if space exists within the middle school boundary. (emphasis mine)

4) PI

5) Lottery

If you're hopeful, this is accurate and final. If you're cynical, you'll wait for the next change or the next description of what this really means, from the District. As of today, the above is the best information we have......... 

TWO: If you want to visit any schools to evaluate them for yourself, some info is below

Kaiser Elementary Kindergarten Information Night

Wednesday, January 7, 2009, from 6-7:30 pm. 

In addition Kaiser is giving school tours on Tuesdays and Wednesdays with the earliest visits beginning at 9 am and the latest visits at 11:30 am. To schedule a classroom visit, please RSVP to Robin Sasada, Administrative Assistant at 510.549.4900 or robin....@ousd.k12.ca.us.

Kaiser is located at 25 South Hill Court, Oakland, 94618.

To get there, you take Golden Gate to Broadway.  Turn right on Broadway (going past Temescal Park).  When you reach the stop sign, turn left to cross over Hwy 13. 

Take a left on Caldecott Lane, go 0.6 miles.

This turns into Hiller Drive, proceed just a short distance more and turn right on South Hill Court. The address is 25 South Hill Court, Oakland, 94618.

 

Alternatively, you can take 13 North to Tunnel, Turn right on Caldecott Lane, Left on Hiller, Right on S Hill Court but that requires getting on the freeway for an exit.

 

Tours of Hillcrest are also available.  Call the office 879-1270 to arrange one if this hasn't been done yet.  Assuming people know where this is but just in case 30 Marguerite Drive.

 

Tours of Chabot are also available on Jan. 7 and Jan. 9. All tours will take place from 8:15 to 9 a.m. Please call 510-879-1060 to register in advance for a tour.

The easiest way to get to Chabot is to head across Golden Gate Avenue.  Where you would bear right to go over to Broadway and Kaiser, bear left instead and head down the hill.  You'll see some fields on the left.  Turn left (no other choice) and go a few blocks.  You'll see the school on the left hand side.  Alternatively, go down Broadway Terrace.  Turn left on Broadway.  Turn right on College Avenue.  Go about a mile, pass the BART station, turn right on Chabot.  Go about three quarters of a mile and the school will be on your right.

 

All school offices will reopen on January 5th if people need to call to register for a tour.