Classroom Structure
Self-contained……………Core academics
Specialists ……………… Art, Music, Physical Education
School Day
8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Extended Care
Our Extended Care program is available before and after school for our students every school day. Extended Care is open from 7:00 to 8:00 a.m. and from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Field trips
Alameda Public Library every three weeks, Farmer’s Market, and Oakland Zoo.
Curriculum
- Language Arts: Students study various kinds of reading materials including fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and fables. They study the parts of speech and practice their language skills by writing sentences, paragraphs, essays, and short stories. Phonics is stressed in the lower grades in our VOWAC program. Students learn and use their spelling and vocabulary words in writing assignments. Our language arts program includes reading, phonics, vocabulary, grammar, spelling, handwriting, creative writing, and public speaking.
- Math: Students learn to master their math facts, study math theory, and apply math skills in word problems using Saxon Math curriculum.
- Science: From learning about the five senses and doing simple experiments in Kindergarten through the study of biology, physiology, environmental science, physical and earth science, meteorology and astronomy in the upper grades.
- Social Studies: Throughout the years, our students take classes in California History, U.S. Geography, U.S. History and World History.
- Bible: The Old and New Testament are taught including application of Biblical principles to our lives and memorization of scripture verses.
- Physical Education: Students have P.E. twice weekly with emphasis on individual fitness and skills, and team sports.
- Music: Our music program is based on the Orff Schulwerk approach to music. Through the use of songs and games, the younger students learn about rhythm, melody, dance and musical performance.
- Art: Students learn about color, shape, and perspective through the use of various media including pastels, chalk, charcoal, and watercolor.
- Computers: Students in 1st through 8th grades learn keyboarding and are taught both how to use computers and how to use computers to learn.
Teacher and Principal Mrs. Jean Busby will begin a new adventure this year by teaching a combined 1st and 2nd grade classroom. She will do this with the capable help of Teaching Aide Mrs. Mary Hiemenga, who will focus on the 1st grade class. Mrs. Busby has taught at ACS since 1987 and has previously taught kindergarten, 2nd grade and, most recently, 3rd grade.
Mrs. Busby is originally from Missouri where she earned her BS in education from Southwest Missouri State. She loves social studies and is looking forward to opening the doors of knowledge for her students.
“I love seeing the children’s eyes sparkle as they learn new things” says Mrs. Busby. “It’s a wonderful blessing and privilege to be a part of their lives.” One of her favorite Bible verses is Proverbs 22:6, “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.”
Teaching Aide Mrs. Mary Hiemenga will be working with Mrs. Busby in the 1st and 2nd grade classroom. She spent the first years of her life in Minnesota and then moved to San Mateo when she was 6 years old. She has a bachelor’s degree from California Lutheran University and received her California Teaching Credential from Cal State Hayward. Mrs. Hiemenga has been working as an aide at ACS in the lower elementary grades since 1997.
