January 13, 2021

January 13, 2021

Back to All Updates

Dear SFUSD Families:

Like many of you, I have been monitoring the daily updates from public health officials regarding COVID-19. There was a time when San Francisco seemed to be emerging from the pandemic. Just as we were getting closer to meeting all of the conditions to return to in-person learning, new conditions began to emerge: there is a new surge in COVID cases in the Bay Area, there may be a vaccine available to teachers and other district personnel in the near future, and a new COVID strain has been identified that we’re still learning more about.

In light of this new information, we are reassessing our return to in-person learning plans. It continues to be our goal to find a way back to in-person learning soon. We are working with the Department of Public Health to understand current data and information around testing, virus levels and vaccine distribution. 

Nothing about this pandemic has been a clear and straightforward path. We are not alone in the challenges we face. All of our peer urban school districts in the state are facing a similar situation and we are seeking to learn and move forward together. 

We will continue to move quickly to identify what conditions would be necessary to return to in-person during the pandemic and to work with our labor groups to complete bargaining. We will share a more detailed update regarding our plans later in January. Please keep reading today’s digests for more important updates.

Updates

Support for Distance Learning Technology

Trained volunteers are here to support you with technology! Just visit bit.ly/sftechtutors to sign up for a free 30-minute session in 9 languages for Zoom, Seesaw, ParentVUE, Chromebooks, Google Meet, Google Classroom, as well as other important tools in Google Suite and the Multipurpose Family Income Form (MFIF).

SF Loves Learning

SF Loves Learning is now airing every weekday, 8:30-9 am on KTVU Plus. It is also available daily at sfusd.edu/sfloveslearning to watch any time! The theme of this week's episodes on SF Loves Learning is “How to Use Your Five Senses!” A few highlight clips from this week include:

  • Lemonade? (Daily Lesson): Maestra Meza explores how to make observations with our 5 senses while making lemonade!

  • Get Up Stand Up (Read Aloud): Dr. Matthews talks about last week’s events in our country and then reads Get Up, Stand Up by Cedella Marley.

  • Five Senses (Original Song): This song is about the five senses that humans use to observe the world around us.

You can search for any content from the show in two ways:

  • Digital Library: Search for any segment type (read aloud, daily lesson, etc.), Educator, Graduate Profile skill, keyword, and more.

  • YouTube channel: Subscribe to this channel, explore the playlists, and receive notifications when new content is published.

To contribute content for the show, fill out this submission form (make sure to click “Community” for Type of Segment). To offer feedback about the show, email sfloveslearning@sfusd.edu. For more information on how to watch the show, visit SFUSD.edu/SFLovesLearning.

COVID-19 Vaccines

We are receiving many inquiries related to the COVID-19 vaccine. A safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine, coupled with continued preventive measures, is our best tool to end the COVID-19 pandemic and safely reopen San Francisco.

Many of the decisions regarding the allocation of the vaccine are being driven by the state and federal governments, including the amount of vaccine a county receives, when, and how. The state has developed a distribution plan for the vaccine, which San Francisco is following. The state is prioritizing populations for the vaccine because the initial supply of COVID-19 vaccines is limited. As vaccine supply increases, more people will get the vaccine, including younger people and people at lower risk for complications from COVID-19. Most people will get the vaccine from their healthcare or insurance provider, later in 2021.

In the meantime, the public is urged to continue to follow all public health recommendations to wear a mask when not in your home, cough into your elbow, wash your hands, keep 6 feet from others whenever you must be in public places.

Bright Spot

Mission Education Center was featured in The Noe Valley Voice! Read more about how this community school for newcomer learners is adjusting to distance learning.

Warm regards,

Superintendent Dr. Vincent Matthew

This page was last updated on January 13, 2021