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Happening at Live Oak

2024

  • Learning to Connect Letters and Sounds

    By: Alayna Kramer and Amelia Manes, Kindergarten North Teachers
    The kindergarten classes spent 26 days focusing on the building blocks of our language – the alphabet! Each day focused on a different letter. Teachers worked to bring the letters and their sounds to life using a multi-sensory approach. The goal was to present this work in a way that was both engaging and provided multiple entry points for a variety of learners.
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  • Charlotte's Web is More Than Just Fair

    The spring production of Charlotte's Web was a hit! The middle school drama cast and crew delivered a funny, moving performance that filled the Grand Hall all five nights. Great work by the entire group and a big thank you to all the attendees who came and supported Live Oak's drama program!
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  • Great Turnout for Family Service Night

    Over 150 students, staff, and parents & guardians showed up to lend a hand at Live Oak's annual Family Service Night. It was a great turnout and all the help led to some very productive and meaningful support for Live Oak's community partners. Thank you to all the families who helped make it another impactful event!
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  • Getting Hands-On With Functions

    By: Kathryn Kundrot, Eighth Grade Math Teacher
    In Algebra 1, we cover various types of functions – linear, quadratic, absolute value, rational, radical, and more. We utilize many resources, including our interactive notebooks and various digital tools such as Desmos to visualize our functions and compare them. In class, students learned about the three forms of quadratic functions. In groups, students received one function of each form; they explored all details of vertex form, standard form, and factored form. They created a display of all the calculations and graphs they found.
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  • Upcoming Garden Workdays & New Garden Office Hours

    Happy Spring! The large amount of rain now means there's lots of work to do in the Potrero Hill Learning Garden! We will be weeding, pruning, and have a spring craft on Saturday, March 30. Coffee and small snacks provided. Sign up for one of our two shifts through the link. 
     
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  • SELFie Day!

    By: Naomi Hamburger and Jordan Drosd, Fifth Grade West Teachers
    As fifth graders anticipated their final trimester of lower school, they spent a day away from academics to focus on social-emotional learning. The fifth grade held the sixth annual SELFie Day (Social and Emotional Learning for Fifthies!), an in-house retreat to build community and construct understanding of the fundamentals of SEL: self awareness, self management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision making. 
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  • Live Oak Awarded $1.2 million Multi-Year Grant in Support of its Adjusted Tuition Program

    The Children’s Education Initiative (TCEI) is making a transformative impact on Live Oak by awarding the school a $1.2 million multi-year grant to strengthen its Adjusted Tuition Program. This grant not only represents financial support, but also signifies a powerful collaboration aimed at broadening access to a Live Oak education. Live Oak is thrilled to announce its partnership with TCEI, a San Diego-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of education for socioeconomically disadvantaged children.
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  • Family Service Night Partner Highlight: Family House

    This week, we would like to highlight Family House, another very special community organization that Live Oak will be supporting on Family Service Night on Wednesday, March 20, at 6:30pm. Please click here to sign up to volunteer on Family Service Night as we create care bags for the babies and client families of Family House.    
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  • Lower School Futsal Caps Off Successful Season

    The Live Oak Winter futsal season has concluded with 11 Lightning teams competing in the SF Rec and Park 2024 futsal league in conjunction with Live Oak’s Roots & Branches Program. Coach Paolo notes that this was the most participation from any school in San Francisco, and we are proud to have gotten that many kids out onto the courts this year. 
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  • Savion Saint-Prix ‘22 Spreads Support for Neurodiversity

    Recently, Live Oak hosted a screening of the documentary From Stigma to Strength: The Neurodiversity Project for middle school students. The screening was led by the film’s director, local high school senior Ivy Kilar, and Savion Saint-Prix, a 2022 Live Oak graduate and current high school sophomore who is one of the featured interviewees. Through the stories of several young adults, the film focuses on neurodiversity awareness, appreciation, and advocacy, and seeks to reduce the stigma that often surrounds neurodiversity.
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  • Harry O. built 11 weather stations using Arduino technology

    Celebrating Student Writers & Passion Project Spotlight

    Outside of school, our students are tinkerers, creators, athletes, actors, technicians, inventors, stylists…and writers! Middle school teachers Renata Martin and Jeff Burnaugh have taken the initiative to collect an assortment of highlights from our middle school students who are extending their classroom learning into creative and impactful ways in the real world. We are excited to share their work with the Live Oak community and beyond. Read about one of our student writers and a couple projects students in our middle school Passion Projects class have been working on.  
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  • Supporting Our Kids With ADHD

    On Wednesday morning, Middle School Learning Specialist Karen Olson led an engaging and informative enrichment session on supporting students with ADHD. Forty parents and guardians crowded into the library to learn from Karen’s professional expertise and personal experiences, while having an opportunity to share their own successes, challenges, and questions in managing ADHD in their households. 
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  • What’s the Story with Forces and Motion?

    By: Keren Bein and Shannon Gomez, Second Grade West Teachers
    In January, second graders began their physical science unit on forces and motion. Students were introduced to the scientific writing process by conducting hands-on experiments related to forces and motion. We laid the foundation by studying properties of materials and moved into concepts such as friction, gravity, aerodynamics, and momentum.
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  • More Family Affinity Events Coming Up

    The Asian & Pacific Islander American Affinity Group Lunar New Year event on Sunday, March 3 has been canceled. Stay tuned for a new AAPI event later this Spring. But there are more affinity events coming up. The Arab American Affinity Group is having a potluck on March 2 from 2:30-4:30pm in the Grand Hall. And The Pride Affinity Group is hosting an event off campus on March 7. See the info below for more about those. Stay tuned as more affinity events get scheduled throughout the Spring and we hope to see you and your family join the celebrations!
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  • Winter Sports Student-Athlete Spotlight

    Live Oak recently recognized two student-athletes with the Winter Sports Student-Athlete Spotlight. Eighth grader Wheeler M., who participated on the Live Oak cross country and basketball teams this year, and seventh grader Ailey S., who ran cross country and played basketball, were recognized for their hard work and leadership skills in the classroom and in athletics.
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  • SPEAK Event: The Impact of Technology on Children’s Mental Health

    SPEAK is thrilled to welcome two of the most respected experts on issues related to technology, education and children in the United States today. Please join us for a fireside chat with Jim Steyer (Founder and CEO of Common Sense Media) and Dr. Catherine Steiner-Adair (Clinical Psychologist and Author of The Big Disconnect) on Tuesday, March 19 at 7pm at Town School for Boys. 
     
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  • Supporting Our Kids With ADHD - A Parent & Guardian Enrichment Event

    Join us on Wednesday, March 6 for a conversation led by Middle School Learning Specialist Karen Olson about how we can best support our children with ADHD, both at school and at home. Learn how to partner with your child’s teacher to build school success and how to create a structured home life to help your child thrive within the family system, minimize stress, and cultivate more peace.
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  • Black Joy Parade 2024

    The 7th annual Black Joy Parade is coming back to Oakland on Sunday, February 25. As part of our annual tradition, Live Oak’s African American Affinity Network will have a contingent participating in the parade. If your family has members who identity as Black and/or African American* we'd love for you to walk with us!
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  • Varsity Girls Win League Title

    The Live Oak varsity girls basketball team took on CAIS in the league championship last Friday and capped off an undefeated season in impressive style. The Lightning held a small lead heading into the half behind tenacious defense and timely offense. Amelia, Ella S., Magnolia and Zoe P. all put home big shots in the final quarter to help secure the victory, and the league title by a final of 21-9. 
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  • Water is Life!

    By: Renata Martin, Sixth Grade Science Teacher
    In sixth grade science, we just wrapped up our Water is Life! unit where we explored the fundamental properties of this life-sustaining molecule that makes up ~70% of our bodies and covers ~70% of our planet. By understanding the cyclical nature of water movement on Earth, students gain insight into the interconnectedness of ecosystems and the vital role water plays in sustaining life.
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  • Serving Up Communication and Teamwork

    By: Robbie Smiley, PE Teacher
    Students in eighth grade have begun learning the skills of striking through a game called pickleball. This game combines elements of badminton, tennis, and table tennis and is a great way to build hand-eye coordination. With teams of two players, students are also learning how to play in zones of the pickleball court and communicate with one another to call for the ball. This communication is a great skill to build and can apply to many other physical activities and team sports.

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  • Camp Live Oak – Mark Your Calendars for May 29-31

    Camp Live Oak is an annual tradition which brings together all members of the Live Oak
    Community. Camp is a three-day, two-night trip which allows our students to pursue learning goals beyond the walls of our school. With the support of faculty, camp staff, and parents and guardians, students take on new challenges and reflect on another year of growth and learning.
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  • A Burst of Musical Color

    Our kindergarten through fourth grade musicians put on two outstanding performances last week at the Lower School Music Festival. Their joyful signing and musicianship was a reflection of their hard work leading up the festival and beyond. Kudos to music teachers Jill, Patrick, and Amy for preparing and nurturing our students’ musical talents, as well as our parents and guardians who not only attended the concerts, but became active participants in the shared experience. 
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  • Varsity Girls Finish Undefeated Regular Season 

    The varsity girls continued their winning streak and capped off a 6-0 regular season with a big win against Gateway earlier this week. They will look forward to finding out their playoff matchup next week. Similarly, the varsity boys showed their resilience and turned up the pressure in the second half of their regular season finale against PHS, securing the 41-35 victory, a 5-1 regular season record, and the one seed going into playoff week. Read more about the rest of the final regular season results for Lightning basketball.
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  • What Does it Mean to be a Good Community Member?

    By: Nicole Zaheed & Jonathan Silverman, First Grade West Teachers
    What does it mean to be part of a community? What do good community members do? These two questions often are at the center of our morning meetings, closing circles and many conversations in between in 1 West, as the cornerstone of our social studies and social emotional learning in first grade. Over the course of the year, first graders work to understand the qualities of a good friend, community member and changemaker, as well as developing a sense of identity and belonging.
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  • Basketball Season Enters Final Stretch

    Tao and Everett led the varsity boys on offense in a fast paced contest against Children’s Day School. Live Oak led going into the half behind some inspired play on defense. CDS made some timely shots down the stretch to earn the 53-45 victory. The varsity boys bounced back on Wednesday as they started fast against CAIS by playing strong defense which led to some transition buckets. The team built a commanding lead in the second half and never looked back en route to a 44-25 win. Read about more the results from a busy week of hoops action. 
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  • Congratulations to the Young Alumni Changemaker Award Honorees

    Live Oak is proud to announce the three recipients for this year's Young Alumni Changemaker Award. The honor recognizes Live Oak alums who are current high school students showing exceptional engagement and a commitment toward positive work in their communities, while inspiring others to take action. This is the third year that Live Oak has awarded the Young Alumni Changemaker Award. It complements the tradition of the Alumni Changemaker Award, which is given to alumni who are changing the world through their professional work. Please read more about this year's honorees below. The group will be celebrated on the Mariposa campus on Changemaker Day, Friday, February 9. 

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  • Holding Down the Fort in Fourth Grade

    By: Kelley Plasterer and Sydney McGhie, Fourth Grade East Teachers
    The fourth grade social studies curriculum includes an immersive trip to Metini/Fort Ross, providing students with a hands-on and enriching experience in California's history. These brave historians spent weeks preparing for the long expedition up the coast, and along with incredible parent volunteers, we immersed ourselves in the Fort Ross experience!
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  • Lightning Futsal Sign-Ups

    The Live Oak futsal season is set to begin the week of February 26. Students in sixth through eighth grade can join a Live Oak futsal team by having their parents/guardians fill out the 2023-24 Live Oak School Futsal Sign Up Form which is located in the Athletics Tile on the school portal.
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  • Challenge and Teamwork

    By: Holly Dunn & Dia Loufas, Third Grade West Teachers
    In third grade, we spend a lot of time focusing on communication and cooperation. Our favorite way to practice these skills is through team challenges. We started the year talking about what communication looks and sounds like.
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  • Week of Service: Working Together For Our World

    By: Renata Martin and the Student Green Team Leaders
    To prepare for this year’s Week of Service, the middle school Green Team leaders have been brainstorming, creating, collaborating, designing, and teaching in lower and middle school classes. They worked with classroom teachers to develop projects and lessons related to the curriculum wherever possible, and to organize and support activities for each class that help make a healthy environment more accessible to all. 
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  • Lightning Showing Consistent Progress on Hardwood

    Last week, the Boys JV Green team got off to a fast start in the early going at S.F. Friends. The S.F. Friends team was a strong opponent and found their groove on offense in the second half to help secure the win. The JV Green team bounced back this week and put forth their strongest performance of the season. Cayden, Justin, Leo and Nate led the team in scoring as many players chipped in on both offense and defense to help secure their first win of the season, a 37-7 decision over CAIS.
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  • Please Join Us for Our Lower School Music Festival

    The kindergarten through second grade concert will be on Thursday, January 25 from 8:40 to about 10am in the Grand Hall and the third and fourth grade performance will be on Friday, January 26 at the same time and place. 
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  • Lightning Basketball Hustle Into New Year

    In the basketball teams’ busy return to action after Winter Break, the varsity girls defeated Children’s Day School 32-7 as Zoe P. led the team in scoring while the team played tenacious defense throughout. Sarah and Shaila both chipped in to extend the lead in the second half. Read about more recent basketball results.
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  • Save the Date: Family Service Night

    We are thrilled to meet in person for the second time this year on Wednesday, March 20, at 6:30pm in the Grand Hall for Family Service Night! Join other Live Oak families for a fun evening working on projects that benefit local community organizations. 
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  • Singing Science Songs

    By: Jeff Burnaugh, Eighth Grade Science Teacher
    In eighth grade science, students learned how Newton’s Law of Motion is applied in our everyday world. Whether it is dictating the design of a Formula One car, kicking a soccer ball, or a rock sitting in a park, Newton’s Laws illuminate how forces and motion make up key characteristics of the universe. Throughout the year, students have had a number of opportunities to process science concepts  in different ways.
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  • Julia Robinson Math Festival – Saturday, February 3

    The Julia Robinson Math Festival is back! Please join us at school on February 3 from 10am-12pm to take part in celebrating magical math moments. This is a wonderful event for children of all ages and is open to the greater Potrero community.
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  • Constructivism in Lower School Music

    By: Jill Pierce and Patrick Sullivan, Lower School Music Teachers
    In K-4 music, we’ve been focusing on what constructivism looks and sounds like in the music room. How can we construct and create music together?
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Admissions

Live Oak School welcomes and admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin, citizenship status, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, and faith to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities of Live Oak School. Live Oak School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin, citizenship status, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, and faith in administration of its educational policies and programs, admissions policies, Adjusted Tuition program, and athletic and other school-administered programs.