Education

District seeks to close achievement gap

During the Board of Education meeting last Tuesday night, one of the primary concerns among administrators was the results from elementary schools on closing the achievement gap. “This year we plan to focus on the language arts skills and writing comprehension,” said Mimi Melodia, Principal of Lincoln Elementary. Lincoln Elementary was one of six schools that was acknowledged by the Board of Education for improving their overall API scores. Currently at score of 719, Lincoln Elementary has seen an 60…

East Bay Center celebrates reopening

Music, applause and hundreds of community members filled the newly renovated East Bay Center for the Performing Arts Thursday night at the center’s Community Launch Party. The center raised nearly $16 million under director Jordan Simmons to rebuild the worn Winters Building on the corner of 11th Street and Macdonald Avenue. Home to after-school performing arts programs for more than 350 Richmond youths from the Iron Triangle neighborhood, EBCPA’s reach extends throughout the Bay Area. For a full list of…

School Board recognizes Hispanic Heritage Month

The West Contra Costa County School Board recognized Hispanic Heritage Month at its Tuesday meeting with lively music and dance performances that were a stark contrast to the usually formal board proceedings. The month is celebrated nationally as a time to recognize the contributions and culture of Hispanic and Latino Americans. Each year the board signs a resolution recognizing the month. This year they signed so close to the start of the school year that the celebration was postponed until…

Daytime curfew enforces accountability

The ominous gray clouds creeping over the hills and dampness blanketing the city tell Sgt. Eddie Russell it’s going to be a slow day. “Rain usually keeps them off the street,” he says from behind the wheel of his cruiser But less than half an hour into his Tuesday morning patrol, Russell spots what appears to be two teenaged boys strolling down the sidewalk of a residential neighborhood. At first glance, they don’t seem to be breaking any laws –…

Lincoln Elementary suprised by Chevron

A first grade class at Lincoln Elementary received new supplies Thursday morning thanks to Chevron and an online education charity.

The class’ teacher, Kaitlin Schiff, submitted a proposal requesting books, math games and other classroom materials.

A World War II preschool rings again with children’s shouts

A Mexican folk dance, an African-American gospel song, a restored World War II era school building, and a happy principal. “There are two things you can give to children, in general: roots and wings,” said Peppina Chang, the principal of the Richmond College Prep Schools. And today her preschoolers are getting their wings in a building whose roots dig deep into the heart of modern American history — although those roots had almost crumbled. After years of fundraising and planning,…

Local author makes it cool to read again

Summer Brenner sits quietly at a coffee shop table amid the rumbling of the city outside and smiles as she gently thumbs through a copy of her 2009 children’s book Richmond Tales: Lost Secrets of the Iron Triangle, a story featuring an array of young characters who journey through time to discover the lost history of the industrial city. “I believe it gives insight into children’s lives growing up there, especially those that feel disconnected from their homeland,” Brenner said….

ONS returns from South Africa with new goals

When Kevin Muccular visited South Africa early this September, he saw a group of local children playing, making up their own games because they could not afford toys. They smiled and chased each other around, impervious to their economic situation. “We [talked to] their parents, who said the children haven’t eaten in days but still found a way to laugh,” Muccular said. “I just thought that is was remarkable … they were full of energy, full of personality.” Muccular, a…

Richmond Art Center celebrates 75 years

The internationally renowned artist Richard Diebenkorn showed his drawings here. Tom Marioni, the conceptual artist known for the One Second Sculpture, was a curator here. Jasper Johns, credited with paving the way for both Pop Art and Minimalism