July 28, 2021

July 28, 2021

Dear SFUSD Staff:

We are so excited to welcome staff and students back to our schools in a few weeks. I hope you’ve found time this summer to rest and recharge. 

Our team continues to monitor data and work closely with health experts. Last Spring when we reopened to in-person learning for nearly half our students, we did not have any confirmed cases of school transmission and schools across the world have shown similar evidence that in-person learning can happen safely. 

Today’s digest contains many important updates regarding the fall, so please keep reading.

Return Safely Updates

COVID-19 Health & Safety Protocols

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the safety of our students and staff has remained our top priority. Our community in San Francisco has done a great job of getting vaccinated. This is one of the most important things we can do to protect ourselves and each other. Even though people under 12 aren’t yet able to get vaccinated, children are safer when the people around them have been vaccinated. Learn more about where to get vaccinated. 

To return safely together, SFUSD and public health officials have a few important requirements for all staff related to COVID-19 prevention in school:

  • Screen for symptoms before you come to work and stay home if you feel sick.
  • Wear a mask at all times when indoors at schools and district buildings unless you are eating or drinking or have a documented medical reason. 

Color COVID-19 Testing

SFUSD staff can drop off a Color test kit at 555 Franklin Street from 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday-Friday the week of August 2 and August 9. From August 16 through August 31, staff can drop off a Color test kit at 555 Franklin Street on Mondays and Thursdays from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Please remember, you must drop the test kit off the SAME day you did the self-test. Register on the Color website if you have not already done so: www.color.com/sfusd.

Update on Services & MOUs for Fall 2021

As you plan for fall programs and services from outside agencies, be sure to check bit.ly/MOU-list to confirm the organization has a current MOU—and has submitted certification they are complying with SFUSD’s COVID vaccination requirements before providing in-person services.  

We have sent emails & newsletters with these updates to all our organization contacts; you can find detailed info & instructions at www.sfusd.edu/mou.

See this one-pager with more MOU Updates & Tips.

Resources for Welcoming Back Students to In-Person Learning

We are creating launching units grounded in student/staff connection and healing for the first two to three weeks of school. 

  • PK-5 units will be available by August 12 on the Pk-5 Curricular landing page where distance learning resources have been posted all year and in grade level specific Google Classrooms. 
  • Secondary resources will be posted by content area in Google Classrooms and posted on content specific webpages as well as in this document. 

We'll provide an orientation and time to explore the resources on the morning of Thursday August 12th. More specific details will be available soon regarding PD times and Zoom links.

New Teacher Orientation

All new certificated UESF staff are invited to our annual New Teacher Orientation! Please share widely with new folks!

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, 3:30pm- 7:30pm. 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!

Submitting Content to the Weekly SFUSD Family Announcements Bulletin (FAB)

Today is the last edition of these COVID-19 Staff, Family and Leader Digests.  Families and community members may continue receiving important SFUSD information via our website, our monthly e-newsletter and a new Family Announcements Bulletin (FAB), which is a weekly email summary of all public website announcements posted from the previous week. Starting on August 19, FAB will be sent every Thursday afternoon to families who signed up. Families and other interested community members must sign up to receive FAB. Staff may submit public information of relevance to all SFUSD families to include in FAB starting on August 12. Learn how to submit content to FAB. 

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 16th we will be open for live calls M-F from 9 am to noon and 1 pm to 3 pm (closed from 12-1 pm 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 am to noon and 1 pm to 3 pm

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 2-3:30pm. 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 are 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

SY 21-22 Multipurpose Family Income Form (MFIF) Available Now

The new Multipurpose Family Income Form (MFIF) for 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/Mo 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 of 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).

Paid PD Resources for Certificated Staff

Paraeducators: You have up to 25 hours of paid PD hours to utilize! We encourage you to sign up for the pre-service institutes. Learn more here Payment for Preservice Institutes.

Certificated Staff: You have up to 18 hours of paid PD Hours to utilize! Learn more here.

SFUSD Administrators: Support classified and certificated educators at your site/department to understand and utilize the 18 Paid PD Hours and the Paraeducator Contractual 7 Hour PD Day. Please ensure you read the Guidance documents linked above so you can support and answer questions for all educators at your site/dept. Find specific instructions for administrators.

SFUSD Clerks: Input pay for PD hours. Learn about your obligations here: 18 Paid PD Hours and the Paraeducator Contractual 7 Hour PD Day.

Please contact Nora Houseman at HousemanN@sfusd.edu if you have any questions or concerns.

Tech Tip

Reminder! Join us for the 6th Annual Digital District Day: Equity, Agency & Opportunity! 

Digital District Day inspires SFUSD educators, staff, and leaders to dig deeper in the design of tech-enabled deeper learning experiences that build the SFUSD Graduate Profile Competencies for all students. Learn more about the day and please share the Digital District Day flyer!

Did You Know?

Recordings from the Health and Safety Town Halls are 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