November 18, 2020

November 18, 2020

Dear SFUSD Staff:

Earlier today, I sent an email to all families regarding our planning process for a gradual return to in-person learning. If all the health and safety indicators are met, we are planning to gradually begin offering in-person learning for students enrolled in certain grades and programs at a set of schools once all the indicators in our in-person learning dashboard, including labor agreements, have been met.

When we are ready to offer in-person learning, families will have a choice about whether to return to in person or stay in distance learning. We will not reopen any schools until we can implement all health and safety measures recommended by the SF Department of Public Health. 

I know this remains a very challenging time and that there are a range of feelings about the possibility of returning to in-person learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. You can read my full letter to families. 

Please also keep reading today’s digest for more important updates.
 

Updates

Fall Break Closure Schedules

Most SFUSD schools will be closed Nov. 23-27 for Fall Break. Lincoln High School will hold regularly scheduled classes on Nov. 23, 24 and 25. Early Education schools and Out of School Time (OST) programs that offer year-round services will operate Nov. 23 and 24. SFUSD offices will be closed Nov. 26 and 27. We will not have a staff or family digest next Wednesday, Nov. 25.

Reflect on This Moment With Some Education Researchers

Navigating these times is tricky, and here are some uplifting and insightful sessions with education researchers and practitioners: Stanford RILE 2020 Conference. Topics include COVID-19 and Race, Education’s Hard Re-set and An Indigenous View on This Moment.

Free Workshops for Educators

Be the Change Consulting is offering free workshops for classroom teachers to build resiliency to deepen connections, advance your technology skills and confidence, and support diverse learners and design for antiracist classrooms.

Questions? Please reach out to our Virtual Classroom Warriors project Architect, Ed Center: ed@bethechangeconsulting.com.

Technology Updates

TEACHERS: CONNECT YOUR NEW GOOGLE CLASSROOM FOR TRIMESTER 2 TO SYNERGY GRADEBOOK

Get ahead of the curve for Trimester 2 and connect your Google Classroom to Synergy Gradebook now! Watch this video on how to sync to learn more. Note: Student rosters are processed overnight in the system so please sync a day in advance to see your complete roster in Google Classroom.

You can also review the Synergy Gradebook and Google Classroom Integration Guide and self-paced deck for more information. Visit bit.ly/SFUSDTeacherPortal for additional resources.

USE SEESAW FOR MULTIDIMENSIONAL ACTIVITIES

Seesaw now offers “block boards” or choice boards where students can explore a concept in many ways. View example block boards for Kinder, 1st and 2nd grade to assign to your classes.

Learn more about Seesaw Block Boards.

Wanted: Your Input on How to Share Information with Employees (Post-OASIS)

As you may have experienced first-hand, there are challenges accessing Sharepoint (our old intranet) and OASIS due to the security and the age of these systems. As part of our ongoing transition away from these outdated platforms, we continue to take a look at our employee communications channels and determine the best options for announcements.

Please complete this form to share your:

  • Feedback on OASIS
  • Insights on what communication tools work best for you
  • Ideas about how SFUSD shares information and opportunities with staff 

Support for Seniors in the College Application Process

SFUSD continues to be committed to college enrollment for 12th grade seniors during distance learning, and every high school has been using multiple ways to engage students. 

Applications to the University of California (UC) are due November 30th and December 4th for California State University (CSU). Applications for private colleges or universities are due on a school-by-school deadline and are primarily submitted through the Common Application (Common App).  

Research shows that people with college degrees have more job opportunities and unemployment rates for them, even during the pandemic, are far less than those without one. Please reach out to your student’s counselor if you have any questions or email Counselors@sfusd.edu for more information.

High School Wellness Survey

High school students are encouraged to take our brief fall survey regarding their distance learning experience. The feedback will be used to create action plans for support by schools Coordinated Care Teams.

Students, families, and staff can view translations of the questions at bit.ly/FallSEL2020.

The survey is open now and will close on Dec. 11.

New Tool for SFUSD Enrollment

Please help your transition-grade students (some Pre-K, all TK, 5th, and 8th-graders) create their list of schools to apply to for next year! SFUSD created a new tool at sfusd.edu/schoolfinder to help families create their lists of schools more easily.

  • You can enter the student's home address, and see schools listed by which is closest to their home, and use filters for grade, special needs, language programs, and before and after school programs to narrow the list of schools.
  • School hours, academic supports, language programs, and special education programs are next to each other on one screen.

Please help families make an appointment with an EPC counselor for more help with making their list or for more information about the application process! 

View Elementary Report Cards and K-HS Fall District Assessment Student Reports

Report cards and Fall District Assessment Student Reports (for students with results) are now available in the Documents tab of ParentVUE and can be downloaded in PDF format. Report cards are also available under the Report Cards tab. 

Learn how to access documents in ParentVUE. If you experience issues using the mobile app, please visit the ParentVUE Known Issues page.

Pick Up Grab & Go Meals This Friday! Closed for Fall Break

This Friday, pick up 5 days’ worth of meals, including holiday specials: roasted turkey with mashed yams, mac and cheese, and whole sweet potatoes to cook at home!

  • Available to SFUSD students and their siblings. Please bring your student's barcode or another form of verification listed on sfusd.edu/schoolfood.
  • All Grab and Go meal sites will be closed Nov. 23-27 for Fall Break.
  • View the December Grab-and-Go Schedule.

Starting December 3: Free Meals Available for All Children in the Community

SFUSD’s Grab and Go meal program will be available to all children 18 and younger beginning Dec. 3 and continuing every Thursday, 2:00-3:30 p.m. 

Two days’ worth of prepared meals, plus snacks, fresh fruits and vegetables, and milk is included. Families can visit any of the locations and provide the child’s first name, last name, and birthdate to pick up meals.

SFUSD families can continue to pick up 5 days’ worth of free meals every Tuesday and can pick up free meals on Thursdays as well. 

Visit sfusd.edu/schoolfood for more information.

Meal Delivery Program Information for Case Managers, Social Workers and Other School Staff

Student Nutrition Services runs a small delivery program for SFUSD students with disabilities (includes IEP, 504, pregnant/postpartum students) or special dietary needs (such as gluten, dairy, egg allergies). There is currently a waitlist. Learn more in the Meal Delivery Program Information Guide.

Lend a Hand This Season! Volunteer to Provide School Meals

Here’s a snapshot of our 33rd week providing meals during the pandemic. During the holiday season, more volunteers are needed to help Student Nutrition Services distribute free meals. 

  • Grab & Go Sites: SFUSD employees and community members can volunteer at any of our Grab and Go sites. Volunteers assist outdoors with setup, line control, and breakdown. Sign up to volunteer!
  • Deliver Meals: SFUSD employees can volunteer to deliver food to students with disabilities and special dietary needs. Drivers pick up and deliver boxes of school meals to student’s homes every Wednesday. Sign up to drive!

SF Department of Public Health Travel Advisory  

COVID-19 is spreading rapidly and this is a time of year when many travel or host out-of-town visitors. The SF Department of Public Health issued a travel advisory. Nonessential travel is not recommended.

Travel outside the Bay Area will increase your chance of getting infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, and spreading it to others after your return. Additional precautions should also be taken when hosting and interacting with people traveling to the Bay Area, especially from other areas with widespread COVID-19. Many people with COVID-19 have no symptoms. The virus that causes COVID-19 can also travel in the air beyond 6 feet. The virus collects indoors and in enclosed spaces including in planes, buses, trains, public transportation, or other shared vehicles.
 

Bright Spot

Last Tuesday, the Board of Education approved an agreement with the developer (MidPen) to provide an exclusive right and option to lease the property for development and operation. This step will allow MidPen to apply for project financing. The educator housing development at Francis Scott Key Annex is proceeding towards a groundbreaking in summer of 2021 and occupancy in 2023. 100 affordable rental units for educators (no greater than 120% of Area Median Income) and thirty-five (35) low-income affordable rental units for our paraeducators. 135 total units.
 

Family Digest

Read today's family digest.
 

Warm regards,
Superintendent Dr. Vincent Matthews

This page was last updated on November 18, 2020