Negotiations Information and Resources for Families

Click here for the Independent Study packets. 

What do I do with my student's independent study work packet and/or contract when they return to school on Wednesday, February 18?

Dear San Francisco Unified School District Families and Partner Organizations, 

Thank you so much for supporting student learning while schools were closed. As we prepare for schools to reopen on Wednesday, February 18th, below please find guidance on next steps regarding the independent study materials students may have completed. 

Independent Study Contracts: 

• It is not necessary to complete contracts, but they may be returned along with completed student work. When schools are closed, school districts cannot mark students as being in attendance, even if they are completing independent study. Therefore, independent study contracts serve as a documentation of learning, not attendance. 

Submission of Completed Work: 

• Completion of independent study is optional. Completed independent study materials may be submitted by students or families to either a student’s teacher, or with the front office of a student’s school

Grading: 

• Independent study materials will not be graded or scored and will not impact a student’s overall grade within a course or their report card. Submission of completed work is intended to serve as communication to school staff of any practice or learning that may have occurred while schools were closed, so that staff can be best prepared to support student academic needs once schools reopen.

Thank you again for supporting your student’s learning. If you have additional questions, please contact SFUSD’s Student Family School Resource Link. Email requests to sflink@sfusd.edu, call 415-340-1716 (9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Mondays - Fridays, closed on holidays), or complete an online request form.

Sincerely, 

Teresa Shipp

Associate Superintendent of Educational Services

View Family & Student Guidance in: English | Español | 中文 | عربي | Filipino | Tiếng Việt | Gagana Sāmoa 

Learning Continuity Plan for Independent Study During a Strike

This plan outlines learning opportunities for students during a strike. To establish learning continuity during a strike, SFUSD students will be offered Independent Study in the event of school closures according to their grade-level. Please see below for additional information and instructions on how to qualify for Independent Study. 

Independent Study Contract:

To qualify for Independent Study during school closures due to a strike, students will need to complete and submit a short-term Independent Study Contract.

Accessing Materials

Independent Study materials will include five (5) days of independent study work and practice in both English Language Arts and in Math during school closures related to a strike. Learning materials will be made available on our website if there is an official announcement of school closure.

Students with Extensive Support Needs: For caregivers and families of students with extensive support needs, here is a link to a letter with additional information and resources.

Student Print Materials (As of 2/13, printed packets are no longer available.)

We recognize some families may not have access to digital tools/equipment. Printed packets are for your child to complete independently.

• Worksheets include a mix of activities to address reading, writing, language and math skills for your child’s grade level.
• Your child may complete this Reading Log to track their daily independent reading. 

Digital Materials and Resources: 

This document describes how to access supplemental digital materials your child has as part of their SFUSD digital backpack. 

• Digital Backpack Overview: This document provides your child with information on which digital applications to use for each subject area.
• Digital Activities Log: Your child may complete this log to track their daily independent activities completed on the applications in their digital backpack.
• Student Supplemental Digital Materials - In addition to the print materials, there are supplemental activities that your child can access by using Clever.

Last updated Feb. 13

Access to food support programs sponsored by the SF Marin Food Bank are available through the following links:

English     Spanish    Chinese    Russian

School Site Safety

• During the strike, all SFUSD school sites will be closed.  Sites will be secured both on the exterior of the campus (rolling gates, pedestrian gates, etc.) and exterior of the main building. 

• For their safety, students, families, and staff should not visit school sites during school closures.

• During school closures, some sites serving as SFUSD Staffing Centers will be open during the strike.  These sites are not open to the public.

• Some sites may also be active construction sites.  These sites are also not open to the public.

School Site and Other SFUSD Building Security

During school closures, SFUSD after hour and weekend security staff will be activated to monitor the security of SFUSD buildings. They will complete visual inspections and report any visible vandalism or trespassing.

Enrollment Center at 555 Franklin

The Enrollment Center is closed to in-person visits while schools are closed, but they are available by phone (415-241-6085) and email (enrollinschool@sfusd.edu), Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and 1:00 to 4:30 p.m. The Enrollment Center office and phone are closed for lunch from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. daily.

For information about staff reporting and additional guidance, please go to Negotiations Information for District Staff for the latest updates.

A student's participation in independent study shall be voluntary. Students participating in independent study shall have the right, at any time, to enter or return to the regular classroom mode of instruction.  (Education Code 51747; 5 CCR 11700)

Last updated Feb. 7

Per Board Policy 6158:

• At the elementary level, 20 hours of work completed will yield 5 days of classroom attendance.
• In secondary schools that provide 6 one-hour class periods each day, 30 hours of acceptable school work is required for one (1) week of average daily attendance (ADA) and cumulative academic credit for regular school programs.
• In secondary schools that provide 7 one-hour class periods each day, 35 hours of acceptable school work is required for one (1) week of ADA and cumulative academic credit for regular school programs.
• At Independence High School, 35 hours of acceptable schoolwork is required for one (1) week of ADA and cumulative academic credit.

Last updated Feb. 7

No. If schools are closed, students will not be marked absent, even if they do not participate in independent study.

Last updated Feb. 7

No, independent study does not impact if or how days are added to the school year if there is a strike. 

Last updated Feb. 7

Even during a time of unexpected school closures during the school year, SFUSD stays committed to academic success and wants to provide students every opportunity to continue learning.

Last updated Feb. 7