Claremont Creek south of John Muir School is usually fenced off to keep children away from the water. But Rachel Harris, who teaches gardening and science at John Muir Elementary School had opened the fence to teach basket weaving to a class of 15 fourth and fifth grade girls. Harris was showing her students how to soften the tule reeds in water and … Continue reading »]]>

Rachel Harris soaks tule reeds on Claremont Creek. Photo: Sandy Friedland

Sandy Friedland, who walks all around Berkeley, spotted an unusual sight Saturday on her early morning stroll.

Claremont Creek south of John Muir School is usually fenced off to keep children away from the water. But Rachel Harris, who teaches gardening and science at John Muir Elementary School had opened the fence to teach basket weaving to a class of 15 fourth and fifth grade girls. Harris was showing her students how to soften the tule reeds in water and then weave them. She sat on the bank of the creek to demonstrate the technique.

The students belong to the Girls Outdoor Club, which introduces them to nature. In the process, they learn about themselves, Harris told Friedland.  The club is sponsored by the Open Circle Foundation, an East Bay organization dedicated to trying  “to improve the quality of life in a community, and enhance the human experience of the natural or urban environment.”

“This sighting made my regular morning walk quite special,” said Friedland.

By Frances Dinkelspiel. | Permalink | 2 comments |
Post tags: John Muir Elementary School, Rachel Harris, Sandy Friedland

Berkeley police have determined that De Martini was in the wrong in the collision with a Prius at 7:05 pm on Monday. De Martini was skateboarding in the street in violation of the California Vehicle Code, which requires skateboarders to use sidewalks if they are available. The CVC reads: “No pedestrian may walk upon any roadway outside of a business or residence district … Continue reading »]]>

Friends set up a shrine to the 18-year old skateboarder hit by a car on Marin Avenue. Photo: Frances Dinkelspiel

Update 6:20 p.m. According to the Berkeley Police Department, Tyler De Martini died today at 4:10 p.m.

Berkeley police have determined that De Martini was in the wrong in the collision with a Prius at 7:05 pm on Monday. De Martini was skateboarding in the street in violation of the California Vehicle Code, which requires skateboarders to use sidewalks if they are available. The CVC reads: “No pedestrian may walk upon any roadway outside of a business or residence district otherwise than close to his or her left-hand edge of the roadway.”

Original story: The 18-year old skateboarder who was hit by a car Monday evening while traveling on Marin Avenue is still in grave condition, according to Berkeley police.

The youth, who lived in Berkeley but attended El Cerrito High School, was hit by a 54-year old man driving a Prius around 7:05 pm on Jan. 30. The driver was heading eastbound on Marin negotiating a  left hand/northbound turn onto Tulare when the two collided, according to Berkeley police. There was no alcohol involved in the collision and the driver was not charged.(...)

Read the rest of Skateboarder hit by car dies of injuries (115 words)

By Frances Dinkelspiel. | Permalink | 86 comments |
Post tags: skateboard accident, Tyler De Martini

While it might seem worrisome that 60% of the school’s 3,300 students are routinely skipping class, the situation is actually better than last year thanks to new programs on preventing truancy, according to Daniel Roose, the dean of attendance.

While in 2010, only about 90.7% of the students attended regularly, … Continue reading »]]>

Berkeley High School. Photo: Charlotte Wayne

In the last two weeks, Berkeley High officials have sent out close to 2,000 letters telling students they have been truant, but they are regarding the number as an achievement.

While it might seem worrisome that 60% of the school’s 3,300 students are routinely skipping class, the situation is actually better than last year thanks to new programs on preventing truancy, according to Daniel Roose, the dean of attendance.

While in 2010, only about 90.7% of the students attended regularly, the number is up this year, said Roose. Attendance in September, October, and November of 2011 was more than 94%, he said.

“It’s still way too high,” said Roose. “The state of California would like all California schools to be in the high 90s. We are below average for our peer schools in California.”(...)

Read the rest of Truancy high, but improving, at Berkeley High School (738 words)

By Frances Dinkelspiel. | Permalink | 22 comments |
Post tags: Daniel Roose, Karen Hemphill, truancy

From modest beginnings nearly 30 years ago, the Berkeley Chess School now runs 120 different classes throughout the Bay Area. … Continue reading »]]>

Josiah Stearman, 8, and Ben Rood, 7, will represent the US in the World Youth Chess Championships in Brazil next week. Photo: Lance Knobel

Most second and third graders probably have fairly modest plans for next week. Josiah Stearman and Ben Rood, however, will be getting on a plane for Brazil to compete in the World Junior Chess Championships in Caldas Novas. The boys are the latest students of the Berkeley Chess School to represent the United States at the world championships.

From modest beginnings nearly 30 years ago, the Berkeley Chess School now runs 120 different classes throughout the Bay Area. Stearman and Rood attend classes in Orinda and work under John Griefe, an international master who was US chess champion in 1973. Both boys started playing chess when they were four years old.

“It was fun to play,” said Rood. “Now I like it because it’s strategic.”

“I think it’s challenging and I like to study and practice,” said Stearman.(...)

Read the rest of Young chess masters head to Brazil for championships (295 words)

By lance. | Permalink | 4 comments |
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After activists occupied the Frank Ogawa Plaza outside of Oakland City Hall for the second time, it seemed high time to visit the site that not only had been renamed Oscar Grant Plaza, but was suddenly in the vanguard of the Occupy movement. Enough of the “I’m-too- busy-being-a-working-parent” excuse. According to the Occupy website, something would be happening Saturday October 29 at 11 a.m. But what to do about the kids on a morning when their other mother … Continue reading »]]>

After some brainstorming while riding BART, Elisabeth Jay's kids and some new friends created some chalk pie charts. Photos: Elisabeth Jay

By Elisabeth Jay

After activists occupied the Frank Ogawa Plaza outside of Oakland City Hall for the second time, it seemed high time to visit the site that not only had been renamed Oscar Grant Plaza, but was suddenly in the vanguard of the Occupy movement. Enough of the “I’m-too- busy-being-a-working-parent” excuse. According to the Occupy website, something would be happening Saturday October 29 at 11 a.m. But what to do about the kids on a morning when their other mother had grading to do?

“So this morning, we’re going to take BART to somewhere really interesting, where there are going to be a lot of people having a big rally, kind of like what is going on in downtown Berkeley, only bigger” I explained.

“Oh, where they are camping out with tents and the police took away their sleeping bags?” replied my knowledgeable 7-year-old son. “Can I bring my book and read?”

“I don’t know…” said his twin sister. “Will it be fun for kids?”(...)

Read the rest of A mom goes to Occupy Oakland with her 7-year-old twins (1,594 words)

By Tracey Taylor. | Permalink | 6 comments |
Post tags: Occupy Oakland