SFUSD Superintendent Shares Updates on In-Person Learning as School Sites Set to Reopen

Posted Date

SFUSD Superintendent Shares Updates on In-Person Learning as School Sites Set to Reopen

Press Release

San Francisco (April 9, 2021) - San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) Superintendent Dr. Vincent Matthews shared updates as school sites gradually begin to reopen for in-person learning on Monday, April 12.

On Monday, 11 early education preschool sites, 22 elementary schools and three County schools in SFUSD will reopen to some students for in-person learning. Throughout April, SFUSD will continue to reopen school buildings, as well as to add more grade levels to schools that have already reopened for in-person learning. By the end of the month, SFUSD will likely have 107 school buildings reopened and an estimated 22,000 students returned to in-person learning.

“We recognize that students and families will experience this last part of the school year in different ways and we want to be sensitive to that and meet students where they are,” said Dr. Matthews. “It will feel different from before the pandemic for so many reasons, including the health and safety protocols but schools are still places for connection and interaction.”

“After much planning and work with our staff, educators and community partners, we are thrilled to invite our students back to in-person learning beginning on Monday, April 12th with more students returning throughout the month,” SF Board of Education President Gabriela Lopez said. “We know returning to our school buildings are signs of hope for our students, their families and many of our community members. Together we can continue to get us all back safely.”

SFUSD has an agreement with Color to conduct student and staff surveillance testing for COVID-19. Students will be served meals in classrooms or outside, not in the cafeteria to maintain a stable cohort. Free lunch and snacks will be served at school for SFUSD students returning to in-person learning and will stay free through the 2020-21 school year. Free Grab & Go meals for students in distance learning will continue to be available, but with some changes.

“While this is a momentous occasion, it is not the full return needed for all students in the district. Some students and families don’t want to return yet and some who want to return will not be able to at this time,” Superintendent Matthews said. “Classes are still one community and all students are equally important members. No matter whether students are at home or at school, every student is a part of their school and classroom community.”

SFUSD has committed to welcoming all students for full in-person learning five days a week next school year starting August 16 as public health conditions allow. 

About SFUSD

SFUSD is the seventh largest school district in California, educating over 56,000 preK-12 students every year. San Francisco is both a city and a county; therefore, SFUSD administers both the school district and the San Francisco County Office of Education (COE). This makes SFUSD a “single district county.”

More information regarding SFUSD’s preparations for in-person learning:

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