Future RHS Parents Group Forms To Support Neighborhood Schools

by Kim Cole and Danita Yocom, RHNA

It is hard to think of Redwood Heights without Redwood Heights Elementary School. Many families buy homes in the neighborhood because of it. Once here, they commit their dollars and hearts to its improvement. Redwood Heights' homeowners have benefited from the strong sense of community and secure property values that come with a good neighborhood school. However, recent developments with the Oakland Unified School District have raised concerns that both the quality of the school and its neighborhood orientation are in jeopardy. Earlier this year, numerous neighborhood children were denied enrollment to RHS. Applicants from outside Redwood Heights were admitted, and stories of address falsification (using a friend or relative's neighborhood address to gain admittance to RHS fraudulently) were widespread. In the end, the neighborhood children were admitted. But many neighborhood families were left wondering if they will be able to send their children to RHS as they had planned. The Future RHS Parents Group was formed in response to this series of events. The goals of the group are to ensure that children living in the neighborhood are able to attend RHS, that RHS is able to maintain high educational standards, and that RHS is able to adequately maintain its building, facilities, and staff. Many are not aware this is happening. So talk with your neighbors, especially those with children, about the enrollment problems. Send an e-mail to our elected school-board representative, Gary Yee (Gary.Yee\@ousd.k12.ca.us), and let him know you are unhappy with what has transpired. We welcome your support even if you are not a future parent. The group comprises 25 households to date and is currently in the organizing and outreach stages and would love to get as many neighbors involved as possible. To join, please send your e-mail to futurerhsparents\@yahoo.com.?