April 17, 2020 - Family Digest

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Dear SFUSD Families:

As we head into the weekend, I want to thank you for all that you’ve done to support your child or children as best you can during our first official week of teacher-led interactive distance learning. Our teachers and support staff have been working hard to reach out to students in multiple ways, checking in on their overall wellbeing, offering resources and leading learning from afar. Be sure to let us know if there’s more that we can do to support your child.

Now, keep reading today’s update to learn how you can watch me perform magic tricks on TV next week!

SFUSD Learning on TV 

• We are excited to share that SFUSD is partnering with KTVU to provide an hour-long television episode every weekday especially for PK-2nd grade students in San Francisco. The show is called SF Loves Learning and will air on KTVU Plus from 2-3 pm, Monday-Friday, from April 20 through June 2, 2020.
• The content on the TV show is created entirely by San Francisco public school educators and special guests. Each episode includes a daily lesson, wiggles & dance, a read aloud, music, mindfulness, and more. I (Superintendent Matthews) will be performing some magic tricks –– yes, real magic –– on some of the episodes. 

Reminder - Enrollment & Registration Deadline TONIGHT

• 2020-2021 registration and application closes at midnight tonight (4/17). 

Reminder - Continuity of Learning Technology Resources

• Get your child’s Google account: Your child’s SFUSD-provided Google account gives them access to a variety of learning and collaboration resources. 

• Need Help? Visit sfusd.edu/familytechnology to get support with the technology resources that support your child’s learning, including:
  • Virtual meetings with students
    • Get help logging into Zoom.
    • Help your child practice responsible online norms in virtual meetings.
    • See more digital citizenship resources to help your child navigate digital spaces safely and responsibly.
  • Stay connected via Family Portal (ParentVUE)
    • If you need help with ParentVUE, please submit a request at bit.ly/familyportalhelp.
  • Borrow a Chromebook, if needed - distributions happening next week
  • Get help connecting to the internet

Reminder - Food Resources

• Pickup times and locations for SFUSD meals: sfusd.edu/schoolfood
• City information on where to get food resources. You may also call 311. 

How can you support your child’s social and emotional well-being during this time? Here are some tips:

• Acknowledge and support children in processing their full range of emotions and concerns, while offering calm and reassurance. 
• Find ways for children to express their feelings through conversation, music, art, dance, writing, or other activities. Tune into how they’re feeling throughout the day, and offer quiet time or breaks, as needed.
• Whenever possible, provide consistency in daily routines, including meals and bedtimes.
• Practice patience when routines are disrupted, which can lead to potential behavior issues or meltdowns. Try to comfort children while setting boundaries. This is also an opportunity to create new schedules and routines that promote family time and healthy practices, such as taking a morning walk together, creating a “coping kit,” or adding favorite family songs to hand-washing routines.

While families can’t ride bikes to school next week for what would have been Bike and Roll to School Week, we did see many PK-2 families using sustainable transportation to pick up their learning packets this past week. (Fun fact: SFUSD has distributed 11,779 learning kits to PK-2 families to date!) If your kids are passionate about sustainable transportation, they can enter the Bike & Roll to School Week art contest — the deadline is April 30! All ages may enter, and one grand prize winner’s art will be featured on the 2021 Bike & Roll Week poster.  

Warm regards,
Superintendent Dr. Vincent Matthews