July 28, 2021

July 28, 2021

Back to All Updates

Dear SFUSD Families:

We are so excited to welcome you back to school on August 16, 2021. We continue to work closely with health experts to prepare for a safe school reopening. Last Spring when we reopened to in-person learning for nearly half our students, we did not have any confirmed cases of school transmission. Schools across the world have shown similar evidence that in-person learning can happen safely. 

SFUSD and public health officials have a few important requirements for you and your child to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in schools when we fully return to in-person learning on August 16:

  • Stay home if you feel sick
  • Screen for symptoms before you come to school
  • Wear a mask at all times when indoors at school unless you are eating or drinking, or have a documented medical reason.

Please continue reading today’s digest for more important updates.

Return Safely Updates

COVID-19 Testing

If you would like to have your child tested for COVID-19 before school starts, please go to color.com/sfusd-students, Color’s website for SFUSD students and families with information on locations, dates, and times. You may access testing at any of the SFUSD school sites listed on Color's website. 

COVID-19 testing is also available through your medical provider and other locations in SF via sf.gov/find-out-about-your-covid-19-testing-options.

Burton HS COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics Extended to August 12

It is not too late to add getting vaccinated to your back-to-school list! COVID-19 vaccines remain extremely effective against the worst symptoms of COVID-19. Burton HS vaccination clinics have been extended to August 12 and will be operating every Wednesday and Thursday, 3:30 - 7:30 p.m. No appointments needed, and vaccines are free. Anyone who is 12 years and older is strongly encouraged to get vaccinated to protect yourself and your community so that we can all be together safely this fall!

General Education (GE) Transportation Ridership Cards Pick Up

In Fall 2021, General Education (GE) Transportation services will be offered to eligible students attending one of 43 schools. Students will be required to use a student ridership card to enter and exit the school bus.

Starting August 9, SFUSD families with students receiving SFUSD GE Transportation services should plan on picking up their assigned ridership card at their school sites. This mandatory ridership card will be scanned on the bus reader upon entry and exit and will enable families to track their student on the family app to ensure safe and timely arrival at destinations. 

Eligible families are strongly encouraged to pick up their ridership card before school begins. If you are unable to pick up your child’s ridership card before the first day of school, your child can still ride the bus on August 16, as bus drivers will have the ability to manually log a student on the first day of school. 

For more information, please visit sfusd.edu/GEBus.

MUNI Service Changes and Free Muni for All Youth

Over a dozen Muni routes will be restored, expanded or modified on August 14, including Muni’s School Trippers and extra afternoon buses on Muni routes that pick up students at the end of the school day.  

SFMTA will be extending its Free Muni for Youth program, regardless of income. Beginning August 15, all youth 18 and younger will be able to ride regular Muni service without proof of payment. Youth residing in San Francisco who utilize Cable Car service may request a special Clipper card from the SFMTA for free service. For more information on what Muni routes serve your school and on the Free Muni for Youth program, visit www.sfmta.com/Schools.

Sign Up for the New Family Announcements Bulletin (FAB)!

July 28 marks the last edition of our COVID-19 Family Digest. Families may sign up to receive a weekly summary of SFUSD announcements via the Family Announcements Bulletin (FAB). FAB will be sent every Thursday afternoon to the email address provided when signing up. 

Sign up to begin receiving FAB every week in your email inbox (FAB begins on August 19)!

Back to School Family Mailer

SFUSD is sending you something in the mail containing important back-to-school information to help families and students prepare. We hope you will receive SFUSD information in the mail at least one week before the first day of school. Mailers will be in English or bilingual, if families have selected one of the 6 non-English SFUSD languages as your home language. Digital copies of the mailer in all 7 SFUSD languages will also be available on SFUSD.edu by August 9 (public announcements section).

Make sure to activate, log in, and update your contact information on ParentVUE to receive timely and up-to-date notifications from SFUSD throughout the school year!

Pick Up Your Free Books from Summer Together

If you haven’t done so already, there are 10 free books from Summer Together waiting for you to pick them up at your nearest branch library. Summer Stride ends on September 12. It’s not too late to join and track your reading, listening and learning time on the activity tracker that was mailed to your home at the beginning of summer. If you don’t have one, no problem. You can pick one up at your library or use your Scholar Card to track online and check out the great reads on the SFUSD Summer Booklists. After 20 hours of reading, visit the library to get your prize tote!

Resource Link Updates & Expanded Hours

The Student, Family & School Resource Link will continue to support our students, families, and school community during the 2021-2022 school year.   

Beginning August 16 we will be open for live calls Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m. (closed from 12-1 p.m. each day). 

Students, families, and school staff may access the Student, Family & School Resource Link in three ways:

  1. Go to familylink.sfusd.edu to complete an online request form
  2. Email your request to sflink@sfusd.edu
  3. Call 415-340-1716 M-F from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m.

We are closed for live calls through August 6 for system updates and staff training. Callers can still leave a voicemail at all hours. Agents staffing the Resource Link will respond to email, online requests, and voicemails.  

Para Educator Hiring Event

Are you interested in applying to be a SFUSD Special Education Instructional Aide or Instructional Aide Substitute? Attend our upcoming Virtual Hiring Fair on August 11th! RSVP using this link for the hiring fair and contact tieue@sfusd.edu with any questions. Apply for jobs here.

School Meal Updates

The Last Day of Summer Grab and Go Meals Is Thursday, July 29

Open 2:00-3:30 p.m. Free for all children 18 and younger. Pick up 7 days worth of breakfast, lunch, fresh fruits and vegetables. Milk is also available.

To find other options for free food near you: 

  • Call 311 or Text “Food” 877-877 
  • Visit sfusd.edu/foodresources

School Meals Free for ALL SFUSD Students Starting in the 2021-2022 School Year

  • This includes breakfast and lunch at all schools. Supper will be available at after school programs.
  • Save time and money next year by having your children take advantage of free school meals! Their participation keeps federal funds here in San Francisco and supports the meal program to improve and expand.
  • Learn more about nutritious meals available at school at sfusd.edu/schoolfood

2021-22 Multipurpose Family Income Form (MFIF) Available Now

The new Multipurpose Family Income Form (MFIF) for the 2021-22 school year is now available online. It is an important step for all SFUSD families to complete every school year. Your application may: 

  • Help secure essential funding for our schools, like teacher salaries and school supplies
  • Make you eligible for discounted utilities like internet access  
  • Make you eligible for afterschool programs and SAT fee waivers
  • Help you receive benefits regardless of citizenship status

The eligibility results from the MFIF submission on SchoolCafe.com can be a ticket to these great benefits and more!

Resource Highlight

$50/Month Discount on Broadband Internet Costs

The Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) is a temporary COVID-19 relief program that can help eligible families save up to $50 every month on internet costs, with the goal of expanding broadband access to every household. Mixed status families can also qualify, as long as at least one member of the household has an ITIN number or is a student who qualifies for free or reduced school lunch. To learn more or verify your eligibility, visit EBBParaMi.org (website content available in English and Spanish).

Did You Know?

Recordings from the Health and Safety Town Halls Available on SFUSD.edu

SFUSD partnered with UCSF Cares and hosted three virtual town halls in July to help families prepare for a full, 5-day return to in-person learning this fall. Recordings and presentation slide decks are available in English, Spanish, and Chinese (Cantonese, Traditional).

Bright Spot

The Summer Olympics are underway, and did you know that there’s SFUSD representation in Japan this year? Learn more about Kuinini (Nini) Manumua (Lincoln HS Class of 2018) who is competing in the Summer Olympics in Tokyo.

Warm regards,

Superintendent Dr. Vincent Matthews

This page was last updated on July 28, 2021