Superintendent Listening and Learning Town Halls Email

Sent August 26, 2022

Dear SFUSD Community, 

We just finished our first week of school in SFUSD. I ended the week visiting Bryant Elementary School and Presidio Middle School. I loved being in classrooms with the students to better understand their experiences. I appreciate seeing our educators in action and hearing from our site administrators about their school. They are justifiably so proud of what is happening in their community! 

These visits are part of my 117-Day Entry Plan. The purpose of the plan is for me to listen and learn in order to help me understand the strengths and needs of the district. As part of the plan, I have scheduled three town halls with the community that will be held in the coming weeks. Please visit the website to access multilingual fliers (English | Español | 中文 | عربي | Gagana Sāmoa | Tagalog | Tiếng Việt) and additional event information.

You will note that one of the town halls will be in Spanish (with English interpretation) and another town hall will be in Chinese (with English interpretation). American Sign Language (ASL) will also be provided at all events, and you can email newsline@sfusd.edu to request interpretation in other SFUSD languages. In our diverse community, I think it is important to provide families with an opportunity to ask their questions and share their feedback in their primary language when possible. I hope to see you at one of the town halls. 

As an educator of 25 years and a parent myself, the start of the school year always prompts much reflection. This is a time of change for our children—and families and educators—as students meet new teachers, start a new grade, or even begin in a new school. As an English Language Arts teacher, I often turn to the written word to help me process my reflections. I offer the advice below for all of us as we all help our students navigate these transitions. 

Sincerely,

Dr. Matt Wayne, Superintendent
San Francisco Unified School District

 

“We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.” —Maya Angelou

 

 

Advice from a Caterpillar
By Rachel Rooney

When I was egg, I too, clung onto leaf
in shaded safety, hidden underside.
And fastened by a pinprick of belief
I dared to dream I was a butterfly.

A hunger hatched. I ate the home I knew
then inched along the disappearing green.
In shedding every skin that I outgrew,
became a hundred times the size I’d been.

And now I’m spinning silk to fix my spot.
Outside remains. Inside I’m changing things.
This caterpillar’s planning on the lot;
proboscis and antennae, four bright wings.

So keep on clinging on, my ovoid one.
For who you are has only just begun.