Report on Activities

By Jacki Fox Ruby

Communications, Advocacy and Direct Services Work as a Trustee

Advocacy: As a member of the countywide Child Care Planning Commission and also as a member of its Legislation and Policy Committee, I have worked on a range of preschool issues locally and in Sacramento. A good preschool experience is vital to children's success in school and is one of the most powerful tools for closing the achievement gap. I am also the Legislative Director of the California Alliance for Retired Americans and work on prescription drug issues, Medicare, and low-income housing. issues which directly benefit many parents of school age children. I chair the Alameda County Board of Education Legislation and Policy Committee and bring updates on educational and related issues to the Board for its consideration. . I recently retired as president of the California Federation of Teachers. Early Childhood/K-12 Council, and remain active in Sacramento as an advocate for children and classroom teachers.

Direct Services: I have been an active promoter of the highly successful literacy, numeracy, writing and other programs provided by the ACOE under the leadership of County Superintendent Sheila Jordan. These programs serve students referred by the criminal justice system and others with special needs. I worked on the successful effort to set up satellite classrooms in North County. I have been active in leveraging County programs for our districts, including trainings for educators and administrators, staff development, arts in education, and information technology, among others.