September 30, 2020

September 30, 2020

Back to All Updates

Dear SFUSD Families:

It’s going to be another hot day tomorrow, Thursday, October 1st. Even during heat waves, we must continue to protect ourselves and our community from COVID-19. If it feels too hot in your home, seek cooler temperatures while keeping at least six feet away from people not in your household. Visit www.sf72.org/hazard/heat for helpful tips. 

Updates

Family Technology Support is Available

Family Webinar Series: Accessing SFUSD Technology Apps for Distance Learning (ParentVUE, Clever, Seesaw, Google Suite, and Zoom)

Need guidance on how to support your students in navigating their SFUSD online platforms for distance learning? DoT will continue to host live webinars throughout October, starting on Monday, October 5 and Wednesday, October 7, at 5:30pm. On the webinar we will discuss the basic functions of SFUSD online platforms, how to access, login, and activate the following applications: ParentVUE, Clever, Seesaw, Google Suite, and Zoom. Find the link to the YouTube livestream, upcoming webinar dates, plus a recording of a previous session, slide decks, and translations on our sfusd.edu/family-webinars page.

Free Technology Tutoring for Parents/Guardians Includes Multipurpose Family Income Form!

  • Free 1:1 tutoring for families has been expanded to include live support with filling out the Multipurpose Family Income Form (MFIF)! And you can still get support with learning to use ParentVUE, Google (Classroom, Drive, Docs), Seesaw, Classroom, Zoom, Meet, and Chromebooks. 

  • Trained volunteers are ready to offer free, 30-minute phone or video conference sessions in 20 languages! Check out this announcement for more information and to sign up. For the MFIF, look for the School Café icon: Image removed. 
  • The tutoring program is coordinated by the San Francisco Education Fund.

Technology Request Form Moving to Online Portal

Beginning Monday, October 5th, families who still need technology for their students will complete the Online Technology Request Form in ParentVUE. 

  • If you haven’t activated your ParentVUE account yet, please contact your school site for an activation key and follow the steps at sfusd.edu/activate
  • Log in to your ParentVUE account at portal.sfusd.edu, and click on “Online Forms.”
  • You can find step-by-step instructions for completing the Online Technology Request Form and a recorded video example at bit.ly/SFUSDtechrequestguide
  • If you have questions or have issues completing the form, reach out to your school for support.

Grading Periods & Assessments 

  • Information about Assessments and Grading Periods is available on the district website. You can find it here. 
  • Grading Periods information is summarized below:

ELEMENTARY TRIMESTER GRADE REPORTING PERIODS 2020-2021

Elementary school grading period

Elementary School Grading Periods

We are nearing the end of the trimester for Elementary Schools! As such, students and guardians will soon be receiving grade reports. The chart above highlights Elementary School reporting cycles for the Fall. Here are a few things to know about Elementary School Grading:

  • There are three reporting periods throughout the school year, each lasting approximately 12 weeks.  TK-5 report cards are shared with families during Parent/Teacher conferences:  
    • Trimester 1:  Week of November 16, 2020
    • Trimester 2:  Week of March 8, 2021
  • All students in grades TK-5 receive a standards-based report card (SBRC), which serves as a tool to support two-way communication with families and teachers about a student’s progress towards mastery of standards. 
  • Families can visit sfusd.edu/ReportCards for more information about the TK-5 report cards, including Sample Report Cards and Family Guides in multiple languages.

MIDDLE SCHOOLS GRADE REPORTING PERIODS 2020-2021 

Middle schools grade reporting periods

Middle School Grading Periods

We are nearing the end of Period 1 for Middle Schools! As such, students and guardians will soon be receiving grade reports. The chart above highlights Middle School reporting cycles for the Fall. Here are a few things to know about Middle School Grading:

  • Middle Schools grade on a Semester Schedule (except for Presidio MS, which is on a Trimester Schedule) 
  • Before the Semester ends, students get a progress report at the end of 9 weeks 
    • Exceptions are Willie Brown & Rooftop K-8 which does progress reports at the end of every 6-weeks. See High School Chart, below.
  • At the end of each semester Student led Conferences happen the week of Nov. 16th - 20th This is a time for you to hear about the progress of your child and their reflections on their strengths and growth areas

What is the difference between Period Grade and Semester Grade?

The grade report at the end of this nine week progress period is a progress grade and not a final grade that is posted on the student transcript. It is a sort of progress report to note how students are doing in the class thus far. 

Will the Period 1/Progress grades go onto the transcript?

Transcripts are informed by the grade reports at the end of the semester. 

What do I do if I have a question or issue with a grade?

If you as a parent have a concern about a grade on the progress report you should reach out to the teacher of the course and/or your student’s counselor, first, to understand that grade and share your question or concern.

HIGH SCHOOL GRADE REPORTING PERIODS 2020-2021 

High school grade reporting periods

High School Grades

We have come to the end of Period 1 for High Schools! As such, students and guardians will be receiving grade reports. The chart above highlights High School reporting cycles for the Fall. Here are a few things to know about High School Grading:

  • High Schools grade on a Semester Schedule (the exception to this is with alternative/continuation schools and Independence High School that use a trimester system)
  • Before the Semester ends, students get a progress report at the end of 6 weeks  (the exception to this is with alternative/continuation high schools and Independence High School that use a six week progress reporting period)

What is the difference between Periods and Trimesters?

The grade report at the end of this six week grading period is a progress grade and not a final grade that is posted on the student transcript. It is a sort of progress report to note how students are doing in the class thus far. 

Will the Period 1/Progress grades go onto the transcript?

Transcripts and Final Grades are informed by the grade reports at the end of the Semester. 

What do I do if I have a question or issue with a grade?

If you as a parent have a concern about a grade on the progress report you should reach out to the teacher of the course and/or your student’s counselor, first, to understand that grade and share your question or concern.

Reminders

Looking for Latinx Celebrations? 

Have you heard the story of Pura Belpre, Storyteller and Librarian? Listen to this story and read along in the SFUSD Latinx Equity Picture Book Library - an audio & visual library for you and your family.

Find more books, events, and resources to recognizing the Latinx Heritage Month in the SFUSD’s 2020 LatinX Heritage Month Resource Guide

Education Funding Measures on November Ballot

This Election Day, San Franciscans will vote on Proposition J, which addresses a legal loophole to continue providing funds to SFUSD, and California Proposition 15, which would increase revenue for public education and other services. Learn more about these measures.

Warm regards,

Superintendent Dr. Vincent Matthews

This page was last updated on October 8, 2020