December 16, 2020

Dear SFUSD Staff:

Winter Break is just around the corner, and public health officials have sounded the alarm about the rising number of COVID-19 cases and we are being asked to only gather with those we live with, both inside and outside. Remember: The smaller the gathering, the lower your risk of infection. The City of San Francisco has shared guidance with ideas for celebrating the holidays safely by doing activities at home. Let’s all continue to do our part to help slow the spread. 

We will not send a Weekly Digest over Winter Break. The digest will return on Wednesday, January 6. Please have a restful and safe few weeks. 

Updates

Fall Grading Deadline Reminders and Resources

• Fall Grading Deadline: The default opening for online grades submission is Wednesday 12/09 and is closing on 11:59pm on Friday, December 18. Please refer to the End of Semester Grades Reminders and Resources for key dates and resources on submitting grades. For admins, check out Synergy Reports on Grades including how to run the U-GB100 report for students with Ds and Fs. 
• Spring Transfers: After 12/18, students who submitted a Spring Transfer request will be moved to their new school in Synergy on 12/21. If the teacher misses the grading deadline or it was extended, in order for the student(s) to receive a fall report card the previously authorized school site office staff must input the grades of the student(s) who transferred by following this guide: How to Input Grades for Inactive Students.
• Synergy Gradebook and Google Classroom Sync: DoT strongly recommends syncing so grades and assignments are recorded in both systems. If you have not synced yet, we advise that you sync before 12/17 to ensure you get timely help prior to the grading deadline. View our top recommendations on syncing and attend Digital Learning Team office hours on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 12-1pm for any Synergy specific questions.

MFIF Deadline Extended to December 30 (Oasis)

There is still time! Encourage families to submit the Multipurpose Family Income Form over Winter Break to provide essential funding for schools. Share this page: sfusd.edu/MFIF.

• Follow up with families that have not submitted the MFIF: Generate a NEW report in Synergy that includes parent contact information.
• You can also now assist families and submit the form on their behalf. Create an Account and select “Apply for benefits (as guest)” on SchoolCafe.com.
• Please contact Noelia Oropeza, Engagement Manager at oropezan@sfusd.edu with questions. 

Tips & Strategies for Leveraging SFUSD Tech Platforms for the New Semester

Check out guidance for educators on how to leverage SFUSD technology platforms to support your new semester in 2021 🎉 Tips & strategies include:

• How to show class assignments from Google Classroom in StudentVUE & ParentVUE to support family-school communications
• How to Synergy Gradebook & Google Classroom Sync
• How to start a new semester in SFUSD learning systems - Google Classroom & Seesaw

DoT will continue to update this guidance with tips and strategies so keep it handy!

Important Cyber Security Reminders

• Many school districts across the country have recently fallen victim to phishing, ransomware, and other cybersecurity issues. Please help protect SFUSD by taking the following precautions:
  • Be suspicious of any emails or messages that create a strong sense of urgency or fear. 
  • Double-check links and files in emails. Are you expecting this file or link? Does it come from a trusted source,  method, or official SFUSD email address?  Does the sender usually email you?
• What should I do if a communication or message seems suspicious? 
  • If there is an email or link you are unsure of, do not click or open it. Never reveal any personally identifiable information (PII) and/or financial information. Never share your password(s).
  • Turn on two-factor authentication for Google. This will reduce the ability for someone else to gain access to your account(s).
• When in doubt about the safety of a message, feel free to contact the SFUSD Help Desk for advice.

SF Loves Learning

SF Loves Learning, SFUSD’s one hour TV show for PK-2nd grade students, reached over 113,000 viewers this Fall on TV and thousands more on YouTube! Thank you to everyone who made this Fall Season a terrific success. Here’s a highlights reel in appreciation of everyone who worked so hard on the show.

• Watch episodes of SF Loves Learning during winter break!  Re-watch your favorite songs, stories, movement activities and more on our website at sfusd.edu/sfloveslearning.
• Season 3 begins January 5, from 9:30 am to 10:00 am, weekdays!

This season’s content is aimed toward K-2nd grade students and will include culturally affirming science-based daily lessons, music, read alouds, movement, and more. 

• How to contribute:
  • We invite students with their family to share their work with us using this media release form.
• Enjoy this trailer for Season 3!

How to Access SF Loves Learning Activities on Seesaw

SFUSD posts Seesaw activities from our SF Loves Learning Seesaw page that include science based daily lessons, read alouds, and more prior to the show’s air dates so that teachers can plan to use them as part of their instruction.

Reminders

SFUSD Zoom Updates Paused

• In the last SFUSD Staff Digest, the district announced upcoming changes to SFUSD Zoom security settings. The desired outcomes for the changes were to address two ongoing challenges we experience in our Zoom environment: 
  • Students unable to access their virtual classes due to log-in issues 
  • Disruptive and offensive zoombombs resulting from inappropriate and fake names and uninvited guests joining class meetings. 
• Members of the SFUSD community raised valuable questions in response to the announcement, particularly regarding concerns that making these changes would limit students’ ability to change their display names directly from within the Zoom platform in equitable and inclusive ways.
• Based on the feedback we have received, the Department of Technology will pause on updates to Zoom that will impact students’ ability to change display names in Zoom. Read more here.

Bright Spot

VAPA Director Sam Bass was interviewed on KCBS Radio this week about our district’s new partnership with SFMOMA to provide arts kits with curriculum materials to students in our PITCH schools. 

Warm regards,

Superintendent Dr. Vincent Matthews