February 3, 2021

February 3, 2021

Dear SFUSD Staff:

You may notice there are some new sections in today’s digest. Our goal is to consistently keep you informed about what’s happening in SFUSD and we hope you find this new format useful for scanning the contents of this weekly digest. Please keep reading for important updates.

Return Safely Together Updates

SFUSD continues to plan and prepare to reopen school sites. Here are some current events related to the preparation process. 

  • This week the SF Department of Public Health conducted more inspections at SFUSD school sites district staff have been preparing to reopen. 
  • SFUSD is working with labor partners to prepare for a safe return to in-person learning.  Read the latest bargaining updates from Feb. 1 and Jan. 29.
  • Given new public health guidelines and information, SFUSD must now find a provider for student and staff COVID-19 asymptomatic testing. To this end, SFUSD has posted a request for proposals.
  • SFUSD In-Person Phase 2A Registration Survey Results: Of the 80% of Phase 2A families we’ve heard from regarding in-person learning, 57% have said they prefer to send their child to in-person and 43% have said they prefer to stay in distance learning. The district is using this information to plan with site leaders. More information about survey results is available in this recent Board of Education presentation, beginning on slide 7.
  • Dr. Matthews and Board of Education President Lopez issued a statement in response to an announcement that San Francisco City Attorney Dennis Herrera is suing the SF Board of Education and SFUSD related to in-person learning. 

Distance Learning Updates

Learning Resources

It’s Black History Month! As a school district that values diversity, we believe Black History should be celebrated 365 days a year — 366 in a leap year. The diverse histories, experiences, stories and voices of Black people should be recognized, honored, and uplifted every day. Learn more about some of this year’s celebrations and check out this resource guide for ideas of ways you can explore Black history.

SF Loves Learning

How are you celebrating Black History Month? Would you like to share it on SF Loves Learning? Email sfloveslearning@sfusd.edu to share your ideas or submit your video using this submission form.

“What do plants and animals need to survive?” is next week’s theme on SF Loves Learning. Check out these segments that will air next week:

  • The Butterfly Song (Music): Michael Ryther and special guest Talia Young-Skeen sing The Butterfly Song, a song about the life cycle of a butterfly.
  • Round Is a Mooncake (Read Aloud): Gung Hay Fat Choy! Learn about Chinese New Year traditions and customs through shapes in "Round is a Mooncake: A Book of Shapes."
  • How Do Monarch Butterflies Meet Their Needs? (Daily Lesson): Maestra Meza teaches us that butterflies are insects and identifies body parts that help them breath and get food.
  • District Parent Advisory Council Meeting (Community): Join us for the DPAC Virtual Cafe on Feb. 11 from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.

You can search for any content from the show, and plan instruction for next week in three ways:

  • Digital Library: Find any segment (read aloud, daily lesson, music, movement, community)!
  • Seesaw page: Teachers can adopt any Seesaw activity on our page.
  • YouTube channel: Subscribe to this channel, explore the playlists, and receive notifications when new content is published.

SF Loves Learning is now airing every weekday, 8:30-9:00 a.m. on KTVU Plus and any time at sfusd.edu/sfloveslearning.

Staff/Family Resource Highlight

COVID-19 Vaccination Site for Those Over 65

The Southeast Health Center located at 2401 Keith St. San Francisco, CA 94124 will be providing vaccines to all those 65 and over in two zip codes -- 94124 and 94134.

The vaccine will be available every day from 9am to 3pm and will be drop in –– no appointment required.  The office will be closed from 12pm to 1pm for lunch.  Please bring an ID with your proof of age and residency, i.e. utility bill or driver's license. If you have any questions please contact the Southeast Health Center directly at (415) 671-7000.

Wellness Tips

Stay Healthy in 2021 and Beyond - Letter to Families

Below are links to the Stay Healthy in 2021 and Beyond letter to families (OASIS employee announcement)  in various languages. The letter provides ideas and resources to keep you and families healthy. Please share in school newsletters, ParentVUE, and emails to families.

Tech Tips

Safe Collaboration with Digital Tools

Technology can be a powerful tool to support collaboration, even at a distance, but ensuring tools are set to their most secure settings will allow for the safest possible experience.

Learn how to collaborate safely with SFUSD’s collaborative digital tools, such as Seesaw, Google Drive, Padlet, Classroom, Jamboard, and more!

Digital Learning Week, February 22-26!

SFUSD's 4th Annual Digital Learning Week takes place February 22-26, 2021, in conjunction with Digital Learning Day - a national initiative through the Alliance for Excellent Education. This week celebrates the amazing work teachers have done to push digital learning to new frontiers. 

  • Access resources on the Digital Learning Week Website.
  • Have questions? Ask your site Digital Learning Facilitator (DLeaF) for more information on how your school can celebrate.

Did You Know?

Did you know that you can find answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) related to distance learning and reopening plans on our website? We continually add answers to questions we’re hearing. Check out the FAQs.

Reminders

Reminder: Health and Safety Lessons and Resources to Support PK-5 Students to Return Safely to Wave 1 and 2 Sites

Please review the “Return to Sites Health and Safety Lessons Playlist”, which includes recommendations for lessons and routines to help PK-5 students return safely to in-person learning. 

  • Topics addressed are handwashing, keeping distance, wearing masks, sharing supplies, staying home when sick, processing stressful experiences, reconnecting with friends and staff, and greeting friends in new ways.
  • Most classroom resources are translated into Spanish and Chinese (a few documents have additional language translations) and some family resources are included. Weekly office hour information for consultations are listed in the document.

Reminder: Family Wellness Checks Window # 3 (Feb 1st- Mar 12th)

SFCSD Family Wellness Check Playlist provides updates and resources to support Window 3 of Family Wellness Checks (Feb 1st- Mar 12th). And includes:

Updated FWC training slide deck, script, and tracking documents

Best practices and tips for authentic family partnership and Support for CCT Team Members.

SFCSD Support through our Divisional Wellness Partnership Team (WPT)

Bright Spot

Check out this Channel 5 News story featuring a Balboa HS student “who uses education as a way to empower herself and others, with her academic success making a positive impact for communities of color in the Bay Area.”

Family Digest

Read today's family digest.


Warm regards,
Superintendent Dr. Vincent Matthews

This page was last updated on February 4, 2021