Yu Ming Charter School Quarterly News

Forward

An Even Brighter Future for Yu Ming

Yu Ming means “education for a bright future,” and thanks to your unwavering support, the future looks even brighter for our current and future Yu Ming scholars. Last Tuesday, the Alameda County Board of Education Trustees voted to renew our charter for a six-year term!

I am inspired by our incredible community that has, over the last 10 years, built a school that is not just the highest achieving school in the county overall, but for historically underserved students. We remain the only public Mandarin immersion school in the entire East Bay not restricted by residence in a particular school district, and a school that embraces the identity, heritage, languages, and unique gifts of every child and prepares them to be successful on every measure.

Thank you for all your contributions that made our charter renewal possible--your visible attendance at both hearings (more than 100 at each meeting), your inspiring public comments in support (more than 600 combined), your deep engagement and partnership with our Yu Ming community and our Oakland and Alameda County partners.

10 Yu Ming families shared why they supported Yu Ming’s renewal

Your support for our students, our school and our vision for greater educational opportunities--in the midst of a global pandemic--is both humbling and energizing.

We now turn our collective focus to the next phase of growing access and opportunity at Yu Ming - building and funding our permanent home, increasing our Kindergarten spaces from 78 to 156, and expanding our categorical preference for Free or Reduced Lunch eligible students to 30%. And we join with others nationally to develop a model of intentional integration and quality schools that all students deserve.

Thank you for believing in us. Thank you for standing with us. Thank you for embracing a world of justice and equity where every child has the opportunity to realize their bright future.

With gratitude and hope,

Sue Park
Head of School

At-Home Learning Kits: Bringing Yu Ming to Preschoolers

Yu Ming is offering FREE “Yu Ming At-Home” learning kits for 3-5 year old children living in Alameda County whose families qualify for public assistance. These free kits focus on developing and sustaining math and early literacy skills, and include engaging activities, read-aloud books, math manipulatives and art supplies.

So far, kits have been distributed to families at many of our preschool and community partners in Oakland including: Emeryville's Ralph Hawley Head Start, San Antonio CDC, South Berkeley YMCA, West Berkeley YMCA, West Oakland's St Mary's Preschool Center, and The Oakland Reach. If your organization or community members would like to register for our current fall kit or future winter kit, please contact us at office@yumingschool.org. Here is information in English, Spanish, and Chinese.

Strong early childhood education is critical for closing opportunity gaps and predicting academic success. And yet the impacts of COVID-19 have been hardest on our most vulnerable families including our youngest learners. Yu Ming is pleased to be joining our partners in ensuring early learning is not interrupted during these difficult times.

Supporting Yu Ming Families During the Pandemic

Yu Ming has continued to provide support to our families impacted the most by COVID-19 by creating an on-site Distance Learning Center, distributing meals and providing referrals to additional mental health, housing, and legal resources; and creating a COVID Relief Fund. But with the persistence of the pandemic through this holiday season, Yu Ming’s Family Support Organization has launched a Pandemic Mutual Aid Campaign to ensure all in our community are supported through the holidays.

If you are in the position to give during this time, please consider contributing by making a gift of any size through GoFundMe. Your entire donation will support our families who currently need critical funds for rent, groceries, and other essential items. Thank you for helping our children and families navigate both life and learning through the pandemic.

About Yu Ming Charter School

Yu Ming Charter School is a non-profit, tuition-free public school located in Oakland and open to all residents of California. We serve students in Kindergarten to 8th grade from many racial, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds. Yu Ming is a 2019 National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence and a 2020 California Distinguished School. Founded in 2011, Yu Ming is the first Mandarin immersion public charter school in the state. As a leader in the Mandarin Immersion education, Yu Ming nurtures our inclusive and diverse community to become empowered, engaged and outstanding global citizens. To learn more, visit www.yumingschool.org, or contact us at office@yumingschool.org.