May 19, 2021

Back to All Updates

Dear SFUSD Families:

We recognize that during the pandemic we have had to live with a lot of uncertainty and we are all eager for more information about what to expect this fall. We are committed to continuous improvement, being student centered, and equity as we plan for the school year ahead. We will share more information as soon as possible. Please see below for updates.  

Fall In-Person Return

SFUSD remains committed to a full, 5-day in-person reopening for Fall 2021, pending state and local reopening plans and public health guidance.

• Our schools receive most of their funding from the State budget. The Governor’s proposed funding for public schools assumes the default will be a full return to full-time in-person instruction.
• State guidance will impact what remote learning options will be acceptable to offer students in Fall 2021.
• As COVID-19 conditions evolve, official guidance is not yet entirely clear for school reopenings for Fall 2021. We’re planning for different possibilities given the projected conditions and eagerly await more guidance from state and local public health officials. 
• SFUSD will continue to work with local partners to curb the spread of COVID-19. We are partnering with the San Francisco Department of Public Health, UCSF and others to increase access to vaccines and public health information for SFUSD families, especially in hard-to-reach populations and limited English proficient communities.

Return Safely Updates 

Last Day of School 

For all school-term PK-12 the last day of school is Wednesday, June 2. Monday, May 31 is Memorial Day, and there is no school.

Last Day of In-Person Elementary levels: 

Schools on Schedule A: the last day of in-person instruction is Wednesday, June 2. 

Schools on Schedule B: last day of in-person instruction for Group M/T is Tuesday, June 1, for Group Th/F is Friday, May 28, and Wednesday June 2 is virtual.

Middle School:

The last day of in-person instruction for most middle school students is Tuesday, June 1 and Wednesday, June 2 is virtual with the exception of middle school students in SDC programs whose last day in-person for the Spring semester is June 2. 

High School:

High school students that are attending in-person will have their last day on Wednesday, June 2, and students attending virtually will have their last day of school virtually on Wednesday, June 2.

Reminder: New COVID-19 Guidelines for In-Person Learning in Yellow Tier

As San Francisco has moved into the Yellow tier, there is new SFDPH guidance for COVID protocols & responses regarding close contacts. 

Quarantine and Isolation

• Close contacts must stay in home quarantine for 10 full days after they were last in close contact with the person with COVID-19. 

• Close contacts who have been fully vaccinated for COVID-19 do not have to quarantine after close contact with someone with COVID-19, as long as they are asymptomatic.

• Close contacts who have had COVID-19 within the previous 3 months, they do not have to quarantine after close contact with someone with COVID-19, as long as they are asymptomatic.

• Staff and students who have been identified as close contacts and are on a 14 day quarantine may return to work immediately if they are fully vaccinated (two weeks after second dose).

Distance Learning Updates

SF Loves Learning

SF Loves Learning invites you to explore new segments in our deck celebrating Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. You can also explore our new deck with countless videos on The Needs of Plants and Animals! You can find all of our segments and full episodes on our website. Highlights from this week are below!

This week’s theme is Students’ Questions. Check out these segments that are airing this week:

• How do animals end up at the zoo? (Lesson): Maestra Meza recounts the frog's life cycle. We continue on our week's animal theme. We answer the question of how animals end up at the zoo. We review what a habitat is and how it helps animals survive and thrive. We talk about the history of how zoos came about and the different ways animals wind up in zoos. (May 19)
• Hotaru Koi (Music): We learn a Japanese folk song about fireflies. (May 19)
• Mama, Do You Love Me? (Read Aloud): In this classic, bestselling story of a child testing the limits of her independence, a mother reassures that a parent’s love is unconditional and everlasting. (May 19)
• Moving like land and sea creatures  (Movement): Ms. Jessica takes a trip to the beach to explore how crabs and turtles can move both on land and underwater. (May 17)
• Making music with Mr. Omar/Descubriendo la musica con Mr. Omar (Community): Mr. Omar provides a brief lesson of how to play a rhythm on the beat and then on the upbeat. (May 21)

You can watch any content from the show in these ways:

• Segments Library: Find any segment (read aloud, daily lesson, music, movement, community)!
• YouTube channel: Subscribe to this channel, explore the playlists, and receive notifications when new content is published.

SF Loves Learning airs every weekday, 8:30-9am on KTVU Plus and any time at sfusd.edu/sfloveslearning.

School Meal Updates

Grab & Go Meals Continue for Summer 2021

• After June 4, the SFUSD Grab & Go meal service will be open on Thursdays only from 2:00 - 3:30 p.m.
• Meals are available for all children 18 and younger. Adults can pick up meals for children. We will serve 7 days worth of meals, including breakfast, lunch, fresh fruit and vegetables, and milk is available.
• What to bring and a full schedule listed on sfusd.edu/schoolfood

• Download the June menu calendar
• Is your student attending an in-person summer program at SFUSD? 
  • Your Grab & Go meal bag will have 2 days worth of meals. 
  • All students attending in-person summer programs will be offered a healthy lunch and hearty snack at school.

Volunteer Opportunity at Grab & Go Meal Sites

• SFUSD employees or community members (over 18) can volunteer at SFUSD’s Grab & Go meal sites. Volunteers assist outdoors with setup, line control, and breakdown. Over 400 people have volunteered to support Student Nutrition Services throughout the pandemic.

• Join us & spread the word!
  • Sign up to volunteer at: bit.ly/SNSvolunteersignup
  • Share on Social Media: Twitter, Instagram and Facebook

Resource Highlight

It’s Your Turn to Get Vaccinated!

Vaccine Opportunity at Willie Brown Middle School (WBMS) 

Saturday, May 22 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

SFUSD is partnering with Walgreens to provide SFUSD families access to the 500 available vaccination appointments at WBMS on Saturday, May 22. This is an opportunity for SFUSD family members ages 12 and above to receive a Pfizer vaccine. Youth between 12 and18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at the time of vaccination. 

There is no limit to the number of people who you can sign up and bring with you. You just have to make sure to register each person separately.

Vaccination is the most effective way of stopping the spread of COVID-19. We are encouraging all eligible San Franciscans to get vaccinated as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the greater the risk of contracting COVID-19. Thank you for doing your part to protect our community and to help San Francisco reopen.

Wellness Tip

Wellness Resources for Families: Gratitude

Did you know that practicing gratitude is good for our bodies, minds, and relationships? Gratitude is the act of noticing and appreciating good things in your life. According to the Greater Good Science Center, a study of 1,000 people from ages 8-80 found that practicing gratitude consistently has these benefits:

Physical

• Stronger immune systems
• Less body aches & pains
• Lower blood pressure
• Enthusiastic about exercising 
• Longer and better quality sleep 

Psychological

• Increased positive emotions
• More alert, alive, and awake
• More joy, pleasure, optimism and happiness

Social

• More helpful, generous, and compassionate
• More forgiving
• More outgoing
• Feel less lonely and isolated

The social benefits are significant because gratitude is a social emotion. Practicing gratitude is a relationship-strengthening emotion because it requires us to see how we’ve been supported and affirmed by other people. Check out these resources:

• Video: Train Your Brain to Be Kind     
• Video: How to Notice the Good Things
• Article: What Is Gratitude?

Did You Know?

Anyone who is 12 years and older is now eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine.

At this time only Pfizer is approved for those ages 12 to 18 years of age. People under 18 need permission from a parent or guardian to be vaccinated, except under certain limited circumstances. 

The Pfizer vaccine is very effective in teenagers with studies showing that it prevents up to 100% of COVID-19 infections and produces protective antibodies. Learn more from the CDC about the benefits of getting a vaccine (Español | 简体中文 | Tiếng Việt | 한국어). 

Visit our Vaccine Info and FAQ Page to learn more, including about parent/ guardian consent and upcoming vaccination opportunities in San Francisco.

Bright Spot

Michael Yu, a student at Lincoln High School, is working to provide school supplies to kids with special needs and is featured on KCBS Radio as a Difference Maker.

Warm regards,

Superintendent Dr. Vincent Matthews