May 20, 2020 - Family Digest

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Dear SFUSD Families:

The end of the school year is less than two weeks away and what a year it’s been. No doubt the year is ending differently than any of us could have imagined, but even during this unprecedented time there have been many reasons to celebrate and be thankful. I know that students and families are eager to know what learning will look like over these last few weeks and beyond, so keep reading today’s digest for some important updates.

End of School Year Instruction

Teachers will continue to engage students through the end of the school year, as always. Starting on Friday, May 22nd through Tuesday, June 2nd, elementary classroom teachers will conduct conferences via phone call (or video call). From May 22nd through June 2nd, teachers will continue to engage students in the daily 4 hours of instruction/engagement, although there might be an increase in independent projects and tasks and decrease in teacher-interactive and group lessons. No new material will be taught during this time, but instruction will review material from previous activities and lessons, as well as extension and enrichment.

Graduating or Moving On from SFUSD? 

Graduating seniors and students who are leaving SFUSD and not enrolling in an SFUSD school in August 2020 must return SFUSD property, including borrowed technology, textbooks, and musical instruments before the end of the school year. Collection days will be scheduled during the summer at select locations. Check the weekly family digest and www.sfusd.edu for updates.

Planning for Next School Year 

School will be in session for students in some form starting August 17. We are still in the process of planning what that will look like. Given current guidance from public health and education officials, we are considering a variety of approaches and scenarios, all of which will require major changes in how we deliver instruction in order to minimize health risks for our students and staff and their families. 

Update Your Mailing Address in the SFUSD Family Portal/ ParentVue until June 5

Families! SFUSD wants to reach you during Shelter in Place to help ensure you receive hard-copy communications, needed technology, and learning packets to the correct address. You can update your mailing address in ParentVUE until June 5. The updated Mailing Address will only be used for the above-mentioned mailing purposes during this time frame. If you want to change your permanent Home Address, you must contact the Educational Placement Center (EPC) and provide verification. 

Learn How to Update your Student’s Information in ParentVUE or watch the steps in action: bit.ly/updateparentvue. Questions? Please contact familylink@sfusd.edu.

Reminder - Does your student have a lost, stolen or non-working SFUSD device? You can exchange your device by appointment only.

Until the end of the school year on designated days, if students in grades 3-12 have a lost, stolen, damaged or non-working SFUSD-issued device, families can submit a ticket through the Family Resource Link or call 415-340-1716. Once the ticket is received, a Department of Technology team member will assist with scheduling an appointment and next steps. Families must bring the damaged/non-working device to the appointment for exchange.

SFUSD cannot accept walk-ins for technology support or device replacement as our buildings are currently closed to the public.  

Technology distribution, other than for designated SFUSD summer school programs, has ended for the 2019-2020 school year.

Reminder - Continuity of Learning Technology Resources

The Family Technology Tutorials playlist contains videos to guide students and families in getting started with Google Classroom, Seesaw, Zoom, Family Portal, and more! You can discover additional resources for SFUSD families at: sfusd.edu/familytechnology. 

Need Help? Visit sfusd.edu/familytechnology to get support with the technology resources that support your child’s learning, including:

• Stay connected via Family Portal (ParentVUE)
  • If you need help with ParentVUE, please submit a request at bit.ly/familyportalhelp.
• Get your child’s Google account - Your child’s SFUSD-provided Google account gives them access to a variety of learning and collaboration resources.
• Virtual Meetings - Find information about online learning and how you can use Google Hangouts Meet and Zoom (the district-approved conferencing tools). 

Reminder - Food Resources

• Remember - Meal sites will be closed for Memorial Day on Monday, May 25. 
• Pickup times and locations for SFUSD meals: sfusd.edu/schoolfood
• City information on where to get food resources. You may also call 311.

Reminder - Eligible Families will Receive Additional Support through P-EBT

Families with children eligible for free or reduced-price school meals can receive additional support to purchase groceries through California’s Pandemic Emergency Benefits Transfer Program (P-EBT).

Families with P-EBT eligible children that receive CalFresh, Medi-Cal, or Foster Care benefits do not need to apply for P-EBT benefits and will receive a P-EBT card with up to $365 for each eligible child. 

Other families receiving free or reduced-price school meal benefits but not on public benefit assistance will need to complete a short online application, which will be available starting May 22. The deadline to apply is June 30, 2020. 

These benefits do not replace emergency school meals. Families who receive these benefits can continue to pick up free meals at our school sites. Please email SchoolLunch@sfusd.edu with any questions.

Reminder - SFUSD Family Resource Link

The Family Resource Link can help families find information related to school closure in three ways:

• Go to familylink.sfusd.edu to complete an online request form
• Email request at familylink@sfusd.edu
• Call 415-340-1716. Hours of operation for the phone are Monday through Friday from 9 am - 1 pm. Callers can leave a voicemail at all hours.

HealSF has a helpful list of mental health resources for parents/caregivers including:

• TALK LINE: 415-441-KIDS (5437)
• National Parent Helpline: 1-855-427-2736: Hours: 10:00 am – 7:00 pm PDT (Monday - Friday)

Congratulations to the winners of the 2019-2020 SFUSD Earth Day Every Day Challenge! SFUSD created the Earth Day Every Day Challenge to instill a culture of environmental stewardship and encourage action in support of the District's sustainability goals.  Schools compete by doing sustainability activities to earn points. At the end of the year, schools with the most points are recognized as eco-leaders and win a cash prize. This year 59 schools completed 683 activities to earn 8,223 points, generating 28,600 student experiences in sustainability! Get ideas to practice Earth Day every day: https://www.earthdayeverydaysf.com/

Warm regards,
Superintendent Dr. Vincent Matthews