Announcement Details
Announcement Message
Dear SFUSD Staff:
As war unfolded in the Middle East, we mourn the loss of lives in these turbulent times. We recognize that the escalated conflict in the Middle East may have an impact on our students, families, staff, and community. Members of our community may have personal connections to this situation, may be hurting or have concerns and fears. We hold everyone impacted in our hearts.
SFUSD is committed to supporting students as they process current events. Our school district strives to create safe spaces for each and every person to learn and thrive. This is a time for us to affirm our core values, build and strengthen the authentic partnerships, and foster inclusive community at our schools and offices alike.
We recognize the sensitivity of this issue to our community. In the classroom, certain lessons or discussions could inadvertently have a profound effect on students, and workplace conversations or comments could be upsetting to our colleagues. Please be mindful if and when you engage in any dialogue about these events. Please see the resources compiled by SFUSD here and below to support any classroom discussion that may be necessary. We do ask that educators not convey political ideologies to their students and that educators follow Board Policy 4034: “The Governing Board respects the right of school employees to engage in political discussions and activities on their own time and at their own expense. On such occasions, employees shall make it clear that they are acting as individuals and not as representatives of the district.”
At SFUSD we believe that equity is the work of eliminating oppression, ending biases and ensuring equally high outcomes for each and every student. Let’s take good care of each other during this time.
In Community,
Dr. Wayne
Resources for Educators
These resources are neither meant to be exhaustive. SFUSD does not endorse a particular political viewpoint.
Trauma-Informed Resources for School Systems
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network provides resources that can be filtered by topic, keyword, and audience with a focus on how adults can identify traumatic responses in young people and how to support them.
Addressing Antisemitism in Public Schools
This SDCOE guide for educators to address antisemitism contains resources from educational organizations, many of which are promoted and used by state departments of education and teachers across the country.
Countering Islamophobia in Public Schools
SDCOE’s resource guide on supporting Muslim students includes a section about countering Islamophobia in schools. Teach 9/11 with Compassion guide also contains resources that, while not specific to the war, may be helpful.
Additional Resources
Discussing the Israel-Palestine Conflict in the Classroom includes suggested resources and approaches for discussing the Israel-Palestine conflict with students.