June 30, 2021 Family Digest

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Dear SFUSD Families:

Happy Summer! SFUSD continues to diligently plan for a full return to 5-day in-person learning this fall. The first day of school is August 16, and we are partnering with health officials and medical experts to encourage everyone 12 years and older to get vaccinated, share information about health and safety protocols to curb COVID-19 transmission, and keep schools safe and open. Continue reading today’s Family Digest for more information and resources available to you this summer and beyond. 

Protect your community, get vaccinated today! Link to this section

COVID-19 vaccines are the most effective way to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Those who get vaccinated this week will be ready to return to school in August and be protected against the worst symptoms of COVID-19. Anyone 12 and above and their families can get vaccinated at convenient and accessible sites throughout San Francisco. 

Vaccinations are available every Wednesday and Thursday from 3:30-7:30 p.m. at Burton High School until July 15. No appointment needed. Get more information about vaccination events.

For more information about the COVID-19 vaccine or to find out locations to get vaccinated, you may call the City’s Vaccine Call Center at 628-652-2700.

July 6-8: SFUSD Family Town Halls on Back to School Health and Safety Link to this section

SFUSD and UCSF will be hosting virtual town halls overviewing health and safety information related to Fall 2021 in-person learning. No registration required and the events will be live streamed on SFUSD Facebook page. Event details below. More information, including flyers, available via www.sfusd.edu/Fall21Townhall 

• The English-language town hall will be held Tuesday, July 6 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. (Interpretation in SFUSD languages available. Request interpretation by July 2).
• The Spanish-language town hall will be held Wednesday, July 7 from 5:30-7:00 p.m.
• The Cantonese-language town hall will be held Thursday, July 8 from 5:30-7:00 p.m.

Before and after school programs will be operating in the fall! Link to this section

SFUSD schools will be available in the fall to community agencies to operate programs before and after school. SFUSD manages two different types of comprehensive programs in place at multiple schools. In addition, community organizations and private groups offer both enrichment activities and daily programs in other schools. Review the Did You Know Section below to learn more about ExCEL, Early Education Out of School Time (OST), and other programs operated by community based organizations and private groups at SFUSD school sites. 

SFMTA MUNI Updates Link to this section

MUNI will be restoring and changing routes in August for back to school this fall, as well as expanding school services such as School Trippers and Free and Discounted MUNI programs for Youth. Review the presentation at the June 8 SF Board of Education Meeting to learn more, including continued COVID-19 precautions being taken on public transportation. 

Preparing Facilities for Fall 2021 Link to this section

SFUSD staff are moving furniture and conducting ventilation repairs to prepare for a full in-person return in Fall 2021. For more details, review Slides 16-24 from the Return to In-Person Learning Presentation from the June 8 SF Board of Education meeting.

Instructional Planning Link to this section

SFUSD is exploring a remote learning option that is limited in capacity for students with extenuating circumstances related to COVID-19. Eligibility requirements and enrollment process forthcoming. Review Slides 13-19 from the Return to In-Person Learning Presentation from the June 22 SF Board of Education Meeting to learn more.

Expanded and Increased Child Tax Credits Link to this section

For those with children, American Rescue Plan increases and expands eligibility for Child Tax Credits through automatic monthly payments. For more information and to learn more on how to qualify, visit the Child Tax Credit website.

Summer Grab and Go meals are available throughout July Link to this section

Open Thursdays 2:00-3:30 p.m. Free for all children 18 and younger. Pick up healthy meals for the week! Each bag has breakfast, lunch, fresh fruits and vegetables for 7 days. Milk is also available.

• Save this July Calendar and Map
• Is your student attending an in-person summer program at SFUSD? Your Grab and Go meal bag will have 2 days worth of meals. All students attending in-person SFUSD summer programs are offered a healthy lunch and hearty snack at school.

Meals are free for ALL SFUSD students in the 2021-2022 school year Link to this section

Thanks to Federal waivers, we are able to provide no cost school meals for all students through June 2022. No application necessary! This includes breakfast and lunch at all schools. Suppers are also available to after school programs at no cost to families.

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.

San Francisco Museums for All Link to this section

The San Francisco Museums for All (SF MFA) summer program is now permanent and year-round. San Franciscans who receive Medi-Cal or CalFresh can now receive four free or reduced-price tickets per visit to the City’s most exciting art and nature exhibits.

How to get your free or discounted admission: 

• Show your EBT or Medi-Cal card AND a proof of San Francisco residency (a driver’s license, letter addressed to you, or a utility bill) at the ticket window.
• Each SF MFA admission can include up to three family or friends at the same discount.
• Check each listing for visiting hours and ticketing details. Online reservations or visits by appointment only may apply. 

Learn more about the program and see the listing of museums.

SFUSD Family Announcement Bulletin (NEW) Link to this section

July 28 will mark the last edition of our COVID-19 Family Digest, but a new weekly summary of announcements (Family Announcements Bulletin or FAB) will be available to interested families starting August 19! FAB will consist of select public announcements posted in the past week and will go out every Thursday afternoon. We’ll have more details on how to sign up for FAB in our next digest on July 28. 

CalHOPE Warm Line for Emotional Support: (833) 317-HOPE (4673) Link to this section

The CalHOPE warm line connects callers to other people who have persevered through struggles with stress, anxiety, depression—emotions triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic. The peer counselors listen with compassion, provide non-judgmental support and guide you to additional resources that can give hope and help them cope.

To chat online, go to CalHOPE Connect. 

The CalHOPE Red Line, a peer support program run by the California Consortium for Urban Indian Health (CCUIH), is a phone, chat, and video chat service providing national, state, and county resources, referrals, and trauma-informed support for Urban Indian and Tribal populations. These include resources related to COVID-19, social services, and financial resources.

Complete Emergency Card Online in ParentVUE for NEW School Year 2021-2022 Link to this section

Starting July 1, families will be able to complete the Emergency Card form on ParentVUE. Families can also submit a paper emergency card to their school in the fall.

All families should resubmit their student(s) emergency card each year. The Emergency Card from last school year no longer applies. 

Visit sfusd.edu/emergencycard for more information or contact Student and Family Resource Link for help. Families can update their phone number and email address anytime through ParentVUE: sfusd.edu/contactinfo. 

...Before and After School Programs will be operating this Fall?  Link to this section

ExCEL After School Programs are operated by 23 community agencies at 89 school sites.

• Excel after school programs are funded by federal, state and local grants and have limited capacity.
• The funding requires that slots be prioritized for students who are eligible for free and reduced lunch. 
• Sliding scale fees are offered. Charging program fees based on income allows the community based agencies to increase capacity and serve more students. Enrollment may still be limited, however.
• The community agencies affiliated with your child’s school will reach out directly with information regarding enrollment, fees, and program schedules. 

Early Education Out of School Time Programs are operated by SFUSD’s Early Education Department under a Title V state contract that provides funding for “childcare” services for income eligible families in PK-5th grade.

• OST is offered at 21 elementary and early education schools (see the OST application for more info)
• Enrollment capacities are limited, due to staffing and space “adult to child” ratios and licensing requirements.
• Sliding scale fees are offered for tuition paying families.

Community organizations and private groups - SFUSD does not manage or fund other programs offered by community organizations and/or private programs though some school sites may provide space for other programs not funded through SFUSD.  School site leaders know which programs are in place at their sites. Please contact after school or before school organizations directly to learn more about their services, hours, and potential fees.

The vaccination clinic at Burton High School welcomed an 81-year old grandmother who received her vaccination last week. Warriors Day at Burton’s vaccine clinic brought over 75 people to Burton High School to get vaccinated, and strengthened our protection against the worst symptoms of COVID-19 as a community. We thank our partners at UCSF, SF Department of Public Health, and Mission Wellness Pharmacy in this effort.

Warm regards,
Superintendent Dr. Vincent Matthews