March 25, 2020 - Staff Digest

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Dear SFUSD Staff:

As a SFUSD staff member, I want to let you know how much I appreciate your flexibility and service as we continue to support our students and each other. We’re responding to new information all the time and will continue to update you on what the extended school closure means for your work. Please continue to look for general staff updates in your email every Monday, Wednesday and Friday evening and check in with your supervisor for more details about what is needed at this time. 

Regional school closures extended to May 1, 2020

SFUSD is one of six Bay Area counties that announced extending school closures today. In consultation with public health officials across six counties in the Bay Area, we have decided to extend school closures for the health of the Bay Area. Families need to continue to shelter in place across the region in order to minimize the spread of COVID-19 to the greatest extent possible. 

Keep practicing the guidance provided by Public Health Officers

• Stay home to save lives.
• Wash hands often with soap and water.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Contact your healthcare provider if you are experiencing any symptoms such as fever, cough, or difficulty breathing. 

Sick pay

The District will advance sick leave to classified employees who have a regular work schedule and who are eligible for sick and vacation time accruals. Additional information regarding this policy and eligibility is available here.  To request an advancement of sick leave or vacation, complete and submit this form to your supervisor/manager. For questions, please contact staffingquestions@sfusd.edu.

Home learning resources

We’re excited to share that more resources for independent learning at home are now live on the Continuity of Learning Website. Please continue to check this page for new resources for educators, students and families as they become available.

While schools are temporarily closed SFUSD is working to provide access to technology for students in need, to the greatest extent possible, to support the continuity of learning. The district will loan Chromebooks to SFUSD students in grades 3-12 who do not have access to a computer during the day at home to support distance learning. If a family cannot reach their child’s principal, they can fill out our Distance Learning Device Request form to request a device and a member of our team will be in contact.

SFUSD is also sharing resources for families who need help connecting to the Internet. For a list of currently identified options, visit the Technology Resources for Families. 

School meals

During the first week of school closures, SFUSD began providing free meals to students and families. We have continued this service and expanded access by adding more sites for a total of 20, and offering a wider variety of meal options. Please remember that getting food is an essential activity, and families may leave home to get food. Uber continues to offer $10 ride credits for families to travel to and from meal sites. Please check sfusd.edu/schoolfood for the latest list of pick-up locations and times.

Are you a morning person? Do you work better in the evenings? Nobody sprints through their work from morning to evening -- your motivation will naturally ebb and flow throughout the day. When you're working from home, however, it's all the more important to know when those ebbs and flows will take place and plan your schedule around it.

Check in around your emotional well-being. Ask yourself and your family members: “What color or blend of colors best represents how you’re feeling today? Why?”

SFUSD staff and volunteers distributed computers to students at June Jordan School for Equity and several other sites throughout the district today!

Warm regards,
Dr. Vincent Matthews
Superintendent of Schools