The Adopt-A-Classroom program was originally developed by a Bank of Alameda committee headed up by Steve Andrews. Their idea was simple, set up a program where local businesses can make contributions directly to the classroom to support our local students, teachers and schools. One issue arose; can the donations be tax deductible? The committee contacted AEF to see if they would be interested in partnering with the project, and thus the Adopt-A-Classroom program was born!So exactly what is the Adopt-A-Classroom program and how does it work. Few realize almost all teachers spend their own money on classroom supplies. Per the AEF website - According to the National Education Association “Status of the American Public School Teacher 2001 survey”, the national average that teachers spend each year on supplies for their classroom is $443 with teachers in the West averaging $539 annually. (http://www.nea.org/home/2233.htm page 64 of PDF). The program was designed to provide financial relief to teachers while allowing them the freedom to purchase exactly what was needed in the classroom without waiting (and hoping) for district approval.
To adopt a classroom donors complete an Alameda Education Adopt-A-Classroom Information and Application form and forward with a $500.00 check to PO Box 1363, Alameda CA 94501. The donors may select the teacher, program and/or school they would like to adopt when completing the form. Often parents and grandparents will select the classrooms their children attend. However, many local residents and business people leave the selection to AEF. When this occurs, adoptions are distributed to classrooms based on a random selection ranked by need. This allows teachers throughout the district to benefit from this very valuable grant program.
As President of AEF, one of the greatest pleasures I had was visiting the classroom and distributing grants to teachers. Quite often the teacher had no idea their classroom had been selected, so when the principal and I would walk in, we were often greeted with a look of confusion even concern. By the time we were finished the looks were usually more along the lines of joy and shock. Some teachers would become so overwhelmed by the gesture they would be unable to hold back the tears. Of course, equally as fun was watching the student reactions. Typically the younger students would shout out things like 'Yay, more books" whereas "Pizza Party" was the call of action from many middle and high school classes. So I should add, each teacher is required to complete a form advising the Foundation how the funds were used within the classroom, needless to say, Pizza and Ice Cream parties are not allowed, sorry kids!!
One final note of importance; donations to this program are not charged an administrative fee allowing 100% of the funds to go directly to the classroom. There is a great deal of work required to organize presentations including scheduling time with the schools, preparing and framing classroom certificates and processing the check and related paperwork including donor thank you. If you would like to support this program but the $500 contribution for the direct adoption is not in your budget, please consider making a general donation to the Foundation. This will help support the cost it takes to keep this program strong!
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Okay, how about a little real estate information! As you may recall, I summarized my review of this summer's real estate market on October 18. We'd had a stable but relatively slow market with sales volume down approximately 28%. Well, I'm not sure I can explain it, but over the past few weeks we've seen our market make a bit of a move. In the past two weeks the number of homes pending - currently in contract with an accepted offer - increased twenty percent!
Digging into the details a bit, seventy percent of the properties pending are detached homes, fifteen percent other residential properties and the final fifteen percent residential income and commercial. After removing the two commercial properties, the average list price is approximately $570,000, $600,000 if you look at detached homes alone.
Of course list price is not sales price so we'll need to wait for a few more weeks to see if the average sales price remains stable. My hunch is buyers finally decided to take advantage of the low rates available to them, but we'll need to see how things work themselves out.
If you're thinking about buying in the next 6 -9 months, my colleague, Justine Francis, and I will be holding a seminar "Why Would You Buy Now", Please join us Saturday, November 20 at 9: 30 am at the High Street Station and find out why this may just be the perfect time to buy a home! Refreshments will be provided and you may win the door prize! Stay tuned for more details!!
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If you're looking for a little Halloween fun, head over to Rooster's Roadhouse Saturday night at 7:30. For a mere $10.00 fee you can celebrate to the tunes of Old Coal, Spill the Wine and West of High. Band earnings will be contributed to Alameda SOS Show up in costume and you'll receive an adult Halloween treat!
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Finally, there are many key races to be determined Tuesday. As most of you know, I've spent the last six years actively working on behalf of our schools, teachers and students. Maintaining quality education and providing the necessary financial support for our schools is my top priority. As such, I have publicly endorsed Mike McMahon and Margie Sherratt for School Board and Tracy Jensen for City Council and would like to take this last opportunity to ask you to consider these highly qualified candidates for office.
That's it for now! Hope you have a safe and spooky Halloween!!
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