Back to School 2026-27

Dear SFUSD Students and Families, 

I am thrilled to welcome you back to school on Monday, August 17, 2026! Our amazing principals, assistant principals, teachers, and support staff have been hard at work over the past few weeks preparing for students to return to our classrooms from summer break. I cannot wait to spend time with our students, families, and staff throughout the new school year! 

Over the past 20 months, we have made significant progress as a district. Together, we took important steps to stabilize the district, including adopting a balanced 2025–26 budget and a multi-year plan to responsibly manage our finances. We have also made strong progress to modernize our curriculum, strengthen partnerships with our families, and create school environments where students can learn and thrive. These efforts advance our vision of supporting student learning, strengthening our schools, and maintaining stable systems that serve our community.

As we start the 2026-27 school year, I want to share some important information to help your family prepare for the first day of school: 

Getting Ready for School Link to this section

As we head into the new school year, your child may experience a variety of emotions, especially if your child is beginning school for the first time. By working together, families, students, educators, and staff can help ensure a supportive start to the school year. We have included some tips to help you support your child for their transition back to school. 

Safety and Health  Link to this section

The safety of our students and staff will always remain our top priority at SFUSD. Each year, our school sites are responsible for completing a Comprehensive School Safety Plan to create a safe and secure learning environment for our students and staff. Learn more about other safety protocols in place at our school sites. 

We also encourage families to get your child vaccinated before the first day of school. 

Immunizations play a critical role in protecting the health and well-being of our students and our school communities. Learn how you can keep your child and our school communities healthy. 

Forms  Link to this section

Each school year brings important forms for you to fill out. You can find a checklist of these forms in this guide. 

Family Communication and Partnership  Link to this section

Families serve an important role in our students’ learning. Learn how you can support your child’s education. Explore opportunities to get involved in your school community and across the district. 

Thank you for being a valuable partner in your child’s education. We are excited to begin a new school year filled with learning, connection, and opportunities for every student to thrive. 

In community, 

Dr. Maria Su, Superintendent 

The first day of school is August 17, 2026. Link to this section

Complete this checklist before the first day of school: Link to this section

• Make sure your child has met all the health requirements and is up to date on all immunizations. Visit sfusd.edu/HealthRequirements for more information.
• Complete your Emergency Contact Card so we can get in touch with you in the event of an emergency. Visit sfusd.edu/EmergencyCard for more information.
• Submit the 2026-27 SFUSD Multipurpose Family Income Form (MFIF) at SchoolCafe.com to qualify for school benefits, help increase funding for classroom supplies, school staff salaries, and more to support your student’s learning. The more submissions we receive, the more accurate our data will be! Your results letter will be emailed to you as soon as it’s reviewed; it may take up to 10 business days. Visit sfusd.edu/MFIF for more information on how to apply. This form has no impact on the public charge.
• Complete the acknowledgement form on ParentVUE to confirm that you have received the information about how to access the SFUSD Student and Family Handbook. Visit sfusd.edu/acknowledgements for more information and tutorials.
• Update your contact information on ParentVUE to receive important phone, email and text notifications from your school and SFUSD and ensure delivery of your SunBucks card. Visit sfusd.edu/ContactInfo for more information and tutorials on updating your contact information in ParentVUE.

The handbook is an important resource for you and your SFUSD student(s). It contains information about your legal rights, SFUSD resources, and academic and behavioral expectations of SFUSD students. View, download, or order a print copy of the handbook online at any time at sfusd.edu/handbook. 

ParentVUE is an SFUSD-approved online portal that offers secure, private access to your student’s school information, including:

• Attendance: Report your child’s absence from school.
• Grades and report cards: View assignments, progress, term grades (middle and high  school), and report cards.
• Online application and forms: Apply to SFUSD schools, and submit required forms and documents such as immunization records and your emergency card.
• District and school communications: Learn how to update your contact information at sfusd.edu/contactinfo to make sure you receive important school and district notifications.
• Student login information: View your student’s login information to SFUSD digital learning platforms.

Activate your account by going to sfusd.edu/activate or learn more at sfusd.edu/ParentVUE.

Required Immunizations

Make sure your student is up to date on all required immunizations by school entry on August 17 to reduce the risk of exclusion. State law (bit.ly/CAVaccineLaw) requires that children in California receive certain immunizations to attend school. Schools are required to enforce these requirements, maintain immunization records, and submit reports. There may be a wait for immunization appointments with your healthcare provider, so get started as soon as possible. For more information, go to sfusd.edu/immunizations.

Physical Examination for Any TK, Kindergartener or New First-Grader Not Required, But Strongly Recommended for School Entry

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends annual well child exams until a child turns 19. Physical exams are crucial for early detection and management of potential health issues, routine monitoring of growth and development, and ensuring your child’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being. The TK/kindergarten/first grade physical exam requirement is not required for school entry, however it is still strongly recommended. If available, please submit documentation of your child's physical exam on the school health form to sflink@sfusd.edu or drop off the school health form at the Enrollment Center office. 

Oral Health (Dental Check Up)

California law (Education Code Section 49452.8) states your child must have a dental check-up by May 31 of their first year in public school. A California licensed dental professional operating within his scope of practice must perform the check-up and fill out Section 2 of this form. If your child had a dental check-up in the 12 months before they started school, ask your dentist to fill out Section 2. If you are unable to get a dental check-up for your child, fill out Section 3. 

Each year, school sites are responsible for completing a Comprehensive School Safety Plan (CSSP) to address campus risks, prepare for emergencies, and create a safe, secure learning environment for students and school personnel.

Part of this plan requires school sites to train students and staff on what to do in case of various emergency situations. SFUSD partners with the “I Love U Guys” foundation to implement the Standard Response Protocol (SRP) which is a flexible, action-based and easy to learn system for use in response to any number of incidents that might occur on school campuses.  Information about SRP for families can be found here in English, Spanish and Chinese, as well as at Back to School Night and parent education nights on school campuses. Learn more about Standard Response Protocol.

Additionally, the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System (SS-ARS) is available for use for SFUSD 6th-12th grade students in middle, K-8, and high schools. Schools provide training and students are able to report any type of serious concerns about students who may be struggling or potentially violent via the anonymous tip line.

In the unlikely event of an emergency at your student’s school, learn how we notify families. To ensure we can reach you, make sure your contact information is up to date in ParentVUE and your emergency card is accurate.

SFUSD provides safe and reliable transportation to and from school for eligible students and activities, including the following:

• Curb-to-curb transportation for students with IEPs
• General Education busing prioritized for focal students, with limited capacity
• Site support for planning and scheduling of Field Trips
• Transportation bus service for paid, athletic, and art program trips

Visit sfusd.edu/transportation for more information. For transportation support questions, please email the SFUSD Transportation team at transportation@sfusd.edu.

Muni

The SFMTA will continue running its “school trippers” in the fall. These buses meet students at the end of the school day near some of the city's largest middle and high schools. 

Muni will be continuing its Free Muni for Youth program. All youth under the age of 19 will be able to ride Muni without proof of payment. For more information on Free Muni, visit sfmta.com/FreeMUNI4Youth.

SFUSD’s Student Nutrition Services (SNS) provides nutritionally balanced meals to students at our Early Education and TK-12 schools–every SFUSD school site and every SFUSD student.

SNS is committed to providing students the equitable support they need to succeed in the classroom and beyond, by keeping them nourished along the way. We strive to create a student-centered, equitable, and financially stable school food ecosystem with thriving employees that provides dignified meal experiences and engages all students in a positive and strong food culture. You can find your menus at sfusd.edu/menus. 

Since 2022, thanks to California Meals for All, the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), and the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), SNS can serve one breakfast and one lunch at no cost to all students. Supper is available for San Francisco youth 18 and younger at participating afterschool programs, you can find a list on our website sfusd.edu/SchoolFood. 

Learn more about our nutritious school meals at sfusd.edu/SchoolFood.

We have ambitious goals for the public school students of San Francisco. The Board of Education Parent Involvement Policy 6020 (sfusd.edu/BP6020) recognizes that families are their children's first and most influential teachers and that sustained involvement in the education of their children contributes greatly to student achievement and a positive school environment.

SFUSD has both districtwide and school site advisory and community groups who bring diverse ideas to produce a more comprehensive shared plan for school improvement. The most effective councils and committees use data and direct experience with their schools to guide decision-making. They make a concerted effort to achieve authentic participation of staff and families, work closely with school principals and educators, and develop solutions that are monitored for effectiveness.

Learn about SFUSD advisories and councils: sfusd.edu/AdvisoryCouncils

Learn about your rights as a parent: sfusd.edu/ParentRights

For more, go to sfusd.edu/directory. 

Going back to school or starting school for the first time can be an anxious and exciting time for children. Review these tips for supporting your children as they start the new school year.

• Prepare: Rehearse rituals such as picking out an outfit before school. Adjust your sleep schedules as needed before the first day of school.
• Predictability: Establish predictable and simple schedules for the school week. Make a list of things to bring to school.
• Patience: Have patience during the transition for yourself and your children, as there might be some behavior changes due to stress or anxiety.

And don’t forget to celebrate! 

There are many ways to stay in touch with SFUSD:

• Subscribe to the weekly Family Announcement Bulletin (FAB) at sfusd.edu/FAB.
• Visit our website at sfusd.edu. Find your child’s school website by visiting sfusd.edu/SchoolDirectory.
• Stay connected through ParentVUE.

We’re on Facebook, Instagram, and X at @SFUnified. View our videos on YouTube at @SanFranciscoUnified. Follow us on Facebook in Spanish at @SFUSDenEspanol.