June 10, 2020 - Staff Digest

June 10, 2020

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Dear Colleagues: 

I am writing to let you know about some of the important work we are doing to prepare for what the next school year will look like for SFUSD. In addition to the learning and social-emotional needs of our students, a variety of logistical and public health considerations must be addressed in order to ensure that any return to in person instruction is done as safely as possible. 

We continue to monitor the evolving situation with COVID-19 and assess the conditions that must be addressed as we make plans to resume school in the fall with the modifications necessary to prioritize student and staff safety concerns. We are working diligently to plan, including reviewing and assessing the most up-to-date guidance from the San Francisco and California Departments of Public Health, the Centers for Disease Control, and the California Department of Education. 

We are considering all options at this time including the possibility of remote learning for some or all of our students if in-person instruction cannot happen in accordance with public health guidance. If we open any school campuses to in-person instruction, it will require intensive collaboration and support; including access to adequate protective and cleaning supplies, a robust system of COVID-19 testing and contact tracing. Both the California Department of Public Health and the California Department of Education have released guidance for schools and school based programs.  For any in-person instruction, here are just some examples of the types of conditions that we would need to meet: 

  • Screen students and employees for symptoms every time they arrive at school 
  • Ensure everyone is wearing a face mask 
  • Ensure physical distancing both inside and outside the classroom
  • Keeping the same students and staff within the same group throughout the day
  • Frequently clean and disinfect high touch areas throughout the day and intensify  daily cleaning 
  • Protocols for isolating anyone who shows symptoms and quarantining 
  • Protocols for partial or total closures in the event of a confirmed COVID-19 case at a school site 

We are all eager to have answers so that families, students and staff can make plans and know what to expect to the greatest extent possible. Updates will be shared regularly over the summer through website announcements on sfusd.edu; Wednesday evening emails; and texts and calls as needed to alert you to major developments.  

Throughout June and early July, we will be gathering input and working diligently to create plans that incorporate health guidance, our district’s priorities and values and the input of our diverse community of staff, students and families. 

While there remain many questions that need to be answered, we are working on a daily basis to better understand this evolving and unprecedented situation and to consult with the experts in our community and beyond.  The health, safety and wellness of our children, youth and staff remains our top priority.

Updates

Housing Challenges? Free Housing Support and Resources Available for Everyone

Free support is available online and via phone. Support includes:

There are also specialized rental education and counseling services for the Richmond/Sunset and Visitacion Valley/Sunnydale Districts.

Shared Schoolyards Reopening

Some SFUSD shared schoolyards are reopening to the community July 4th weekend! Daniel Webster, Malcolm X, GW Carver, Willie Brown, Hillcrest, Sunnyside, Alvarado, SF Community, Monroe, Cleveland, Rosa Parks, Tenderloin ES, Charles Drew, Redding, and Francisco will offer portable restrooms and handwashing facilities, enhanced cleaning and landscaping, and docents to encourage safe use of the site.

Complete Survey on Reopening Schools 

Please check your inbox for an email sent on May 29 from "surveyinfo@brown.edu" titled, "2020 SFUSD Staff Wellness Survey." As we move forward with developing our strategy for fall learning, we plan to review survey data regularly and your input will help inform district planning. 

Our research partners at Brown are helping to administer this survey and ensure the privacy of your responses. Due to the urgency of moving forward with fall planning, please share your insights with us as soon as possible. Thank you for your assistance. 

Bright Spot

SFUSD's nonprofit organization Spark* SF Public Schools has raised more than $5 million for its COVID-19 Response Fund to support the district in providing free meals and technology to facilitate distance learning for students. Spark's corporate partners have also donated meal pick-up bags, backpacks and school supplies, and technology to support SFUSD's Family 1Resource Link. COVID-19 has doubled the district’s projected deficit. Every donation counts, and sharing this within your personal and professional networks can make a significant difference as well. To learn more, please visit: sparksfpublicschools.org/donate

Warm regards,
Superintendent Dr. Vincent Matthews

Reminders

Reminder - DoT Remote Support Only this Week

For staff, The DoT Help Desk is available by phone this week only from 7:30am - 1pm. Afternoon support will be remote via online tickets. 

For families, DoT will continue to have remote family support on the Family Resource Link. Please do not send families to DoT locations for support.

Reminder - Sign up to attend Digital District Day

The 5th annual Digital District Day will be hosted virtually on Monday, August 10, 2020 from 8:30 am - 4:00 pm (LWEA/Prop G hours eligible). Sign up to attend and present at sfusd.edu/ddd

FYI: Messages shared in today’s Family Digest

 

This page was last updated on June 10, 2020