As we prepare for the 23-24 SY, I would like for us to think about intentional ways we can partner in an effort to support our PK, TK, and K students to be socially, emotionally, and academically successful. For the school sites we've partnered with this year, it has truly been an honor. We're also excited about future partnerships with new school sites. Below I will be providing you with a brief overview of our Shoestrings program, which includes both services and support. 

The Shoestrings Children's Center is an early intervention program designed to support students and families who continue to face barriers to school success, particularly in settings that struggle to create and sustain supportive and nurturing school environments. We use social, emotional, and sensory integration learning as the foundation of each intentional activity to support each individual child.

I'm including some information on our Shoestrings program and our Bridges to the Learning model. We're providing direct services through our 10-week cohorts and we're partnering with families to create in-home learning spaces and, provide school sites and families with individualized social-emotional and sensory kits.

Bridges to Learning:

Shoestrings offers consultation services through the “Shoestrings Bridges to Learning Project” to families that are particularly struggling with distance learning. Now that the majority of SFUSD students have returned to in-person learning, our program aims to partner with families to have learning materials in the home to reinforce academic, social, and emotional concepts introduced in school. Shoestrings staff will facilitate detailed interviews with families and their respective teachers to assess what is needed in the home so that children can receive developmentally appropriate resources needed to access instruction. 

YouTube:

We use recorded videos via the Shoestrings YouTube Channel to give additional instructional support for the use of the materials provided to create in-home learning spaces. The emphasis is on strengthening parental expertise with the implementation of materials to support their children in being socially, emotionally, and academically successful.  

Shoestrings Cohort Sessions:

Our 10-week cohort support program is available to students PK-K, without IEPs. Our in-person cohort sessions focus on supporting students to increase their social and emotional skills to learn in the classroom. Our program utilizes developmentally age-appropriate and therapeutic interventions to support social relationships, personal adjustment, classroom adjustment, self-care, and chronic behaviors.  

Shoestrings Cohort Sessions 23-24 SY

• Fall: September 25, 2023 to December 8, 2023
• Winter: January 8, 2024 to March 15, 2024
• Spring: April 1, 2024 to May 31, 2024
• Summer (Pre-K Students ONLY): June 10, 2024 to August 9, 2024

Please let me know if you have any questions and if you'd like to schedule a consultation or if you'd like to schedule a time to tour our program.

Thank you,
Crystal Hawkins/ Shoestrings Children's Center Program Administrator

HawkinsC@sfusd.edu