Upcoming Events & Actions
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Recent OCO Publications
Click on the images below to download a PDF version of recent OCO publications.
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30th Anniversary Commemorative Book
Summer 2007 Newsletter
   
 
2005 Annual Report
Spring 2006 Newsletter
Fall 2006 Newsletter
 
2004 Annual Report
OCO Brochure
December 2005 Newsletter
Measure Y Brochure
 
   
2003 Annual Report
New Small Schools Brochure
New Small Schools Video
Recent OCO News and Events
Highlights from Dec. 2002 and July 2003 Newsletters

OCO Leaders Position Legislators, District, and State Officials to Resolve Devastating Oakland Schools Budget Crisis
OCO Begins Work with Dr. Ward on Continuing Small School and District Reform
On June 2, Dr. Randolph Ward was appointed state administrator of the Oakland Unified School District. On June 16 he toured the small schools. ....read more

Positioning School Reform with Senator Don Perata and the State Legislature
The new year kicked off a hot political battle as State Senator Don Perata called publicly for Superintendent of Schools Dennis Chaconas’ firing. ... read more

Positioning School Reform with the School Board and Superintendent
The school board sent a strong message of support to small schools advocates in March by approving 11 new small schools to open in the next two years....read more

OCO Influences State Takeover Legislation
 Early in April, leaders and allies alike were disappointed when Oakland’s loan legislation did not make it out of the Senate with the provisions for local control intact .... read more

2,000 Leaders Deliver Their Message for the New Administrator
On May 1, over 2,000 leaders came together at St. Elizabeth Church to get commitments from Jack O’Connell’s assistant Gavin Payne, Mayor Jerry Brown, and Senator Don Perata on keeping the public in public education.... read more
 
Making a Joyful Noise:
300 Celebrate OCO’s 26th Anniversary
Over 300 OCO leaders, supporters, and allies filled the social hall of the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Ascension on May 30 to celebrate 26 years of OCO with drums, storytelling, speechifying, live theater, and a little salsa ....read more

LOC's in Action:
St. Anthony Takes on Tenant Rights, Affordable Housing
The San Antonio district is densely populated. For many parishioners, renting an apartment or house often means paying a large percentage of income for housing ....read more
 
East Oakland Cluster: Connecting Schools, Churches and a City Recreation Center
In the heart of East Oakland, Highland Elementary School is overcrowded, with an unusable playground. A few blocks away Tassafaronga Park and Rec Center sits empty and underused. After some preliminary conversations and research, leaders from the East Oakland Cluster of Churches are developing some in-depth solutions to this problem that will connect the school and the city with local churches to provide quality after-school programming for Highland children. Action team members plan next steps as they move this issue to action.
 
St. Louis Bertrand Turns Out 450 Leaders for Immigration Workshop
450 St. Louis Bertrand leaders organized an immigration forum on June 4. Leaders learned how to get through the naturalization and citizenship process and gave their support to SB 60, a bill currently in the California Legislature that, if it passes, would grant driver’s licenses to undocumented immigrants.

SLB leaders are continuing their crime and safety work. They have been meeting with police to hold them accountable for commitments made last December about Beat Health projects, walking patrols, and community policing. They also supported the passage of the city’s new loitering ordinance, which will make it easier for police to cite people hanging out on corners or in front of liquor stores.
 
St. Elizabeth Leaders Bring Over 450 Families Together for Two Immigration Forums
In April and August 2002, over 450 families from around the Bay Area gathered at St. Elizabeth to learn about their legal rights as immigrants in California. All families recieved individual counseling from Immigrant Legal Resource Center lawyers and learned how to meet US citizenship requirements and establish legal residency. St. Elizabeth leaders also organized support for "Matricula Consular," which provides valid idenification for non-citizens.
 
Life Academy: Students Win Traffic Improvements on International Blvd.
Life Academy students won major traffic safety improvements to International Boulevard in January, after a student was hit crossing the street. Although she was not seriously injured, the accident brought home the need for crosswalks, flashing lights, more visible signage, reduced speed zones, and more aggressive enforcement near the school. The students, along with teachers and parents, met with city council member Ignacio de la Fuente’s office and the city’s traffic engineers. The result: the city has budgeted flashing lights to hang over the street near the school. Work is expected to begin next fall.
 
St. Elizabeth: Keeping Density Down in the Fruitvale
With the dust barely settled from the demolition of the Montgomery Ward’s building, Sherry Eres and Fran Matarrese learned that a developer had applied for a permit to build 130 live/work units on 37th Avenue. Concerned about parking, adequate access to the property, and, of course, the number of units planned for the site, LOC members have met with the property owner, developer and District 5 City Council member Ignacio de la Fuente’s office to work out a mutually acceptable plan. St. Elizabeth and Ascend leaders are also beginning to explore strategies to reduce or eliminate the prostitution on 37th and 38th Avenues.
 
Community Reformed Church: Taking Back Tyrone Carney Park
Leaders at Community Reformed Church are taking back Tyrone Carney Park in Oakland’s Sobrante Park district. Last year, in response to the drug dealing and murders at the park, the city closed the park and fenced it in. It currently sits unused, despite the many children in the area who need a place to play. CRC leaders have been meeting with District 7 Council member Larry Reid to see how they can take back the park for the community.
 
OCO in the News and Headlines… read more