December 2, 2020

Dear SFUSD Staff:

As I shared with you last month, SFUSD is preparing to offer the option of either in-person learning or remote learning to students in Phase 2A once all of our dashboard readiness indicators have been met. A critical part of these preparations is ensuring everyone knows what health and safety measures will be in place. Learn more about SFUSD’s plans for promoting behaviors that reduce spread; maintaining healthy environments and operations and responding when someone gets sick on our website. 

Please keep reading today’s digest for more important updates.

Updates

Survey Sent to Families with Students in Phase 2A

• SFUSD sent an important email message on the afternoon of December 2 to families with students in Phase 2A groups. The email contains a unique personalized link to a Commitment to In-Person Learning Survey. 
• The message shared that families have the option of continuing distance learning or choosing to return to in-person learning when SFUSD is ready (no sooner than January 25). Families may respond anytime prior to Friday, December 11.
• Families are encouraged to contact their child’s school for assistance. 
• For more information about the Phase 2A Commitment to In-Person Learning Survey, check out this FAQ. 

Free Grab & Go Meals Available!

• Tuesdays: Free Meals Available for SFUSD Students & Siblings
  On Tuesdays, 5 days’ worth of meals, including breakfast, lunch, supper, fresh fruits and vegetables, and milk is available. 
• Thursdays: Free Meals Available for All Children 18 & Younger
  On Thursdays, 2 days’ worth of meals, plus snacks, fresh fruits and vegetables, and milk is available. SFUSD families can pick up free meals one or both days! 
• Holiday Schedule: Closed December 21-January 5
  On Friday, December 18, 7 days’ worth of meals is available for all children 18 and younger, including SFUSD students, to accommodate the holiday closure.

• Visit sfusd.edu/schoolfood for more information. Note holiday schedule changes on the December Grab-and-Go Schedule.

Technology Updates for Distance Learning

Strategies to Use Seesaw to Deepen Learning

• Use Seesaw to help make student thinking visible and audible through drawing, video and voiceover recordings. 
• Explore these 20 ideas for using Seesaw across content areas, including math problem deep dives, science process explanations, photo collages, comic strips and more.

Turning Off Hangouts for Students in Grades PK-8

• On Friday, 12/4, SFUSD will turn off Google Hangouts for students in grades PK-8 due to non-academic conversations and the potential for distraction. This will not affect staff access to Hangouts as a communication tool with other staff. Additionally, Google Meet will remain an active tool for class meetings with students.
• If you would like Hangouts on for your students in grades 3-8 at your site, a site administrator needs to fill out this Google Hangouts Site Access Acknowledgement Form. Filling out this form will grant access to 3rd grade and above. 

Support for Seniors in the College Application Process

SFUSD continues to be committed to college enrollment for 12th grade seniors during distance learning, and every high school has been using multiple ways to engage students. Please find a few helpful videos to support students and families currently engaged in the college application and enrollment process. 

• How to create your UC application account

• CSU Application - how to enter ELD courses
• CSU Application - how to add HS coursework plus LOTE
• How to add summer school to your UC application
• UC and CSU Updates for October 2020
• CCSF Enrollment Help Videos

Email Counselors@sfusd.edu for more information about supports and resources.

Inclusive Schools Week: December 7 to 11

Inclusive Schools Week (December 7-11) provides an important opportunity for educators, students, and parents to discuss what else needs to be done in order to ensure our schools continue to improve their ability to successfully educate and include all children.

• Kickoff Event: Young Adult Discussion Panel on Inclusion and Intersectionality (Dec 7 from 6:30-7:30pm via Zoom): This special community event will feature a panel of young adults (including SFUSD alumni and current students) who will share their individual education journeys and the intersections of their identity and disability.
• Special Olympics Virtual Assemblies: Registration is now open! This year SFUSD and Special Olympics have teamed up to host virtual assemblies with Special Olympics Athlete Speakers. The speakers will share their own personal journeys and talk about the importance of inclusion and equity. Teachers can sign up their classroom to attend a virtual Special Olympics assembly at any of the sites listed below. (Each assembly will be targeted towards that specific grade level, but if your class has a conflict you are welcome to join a different time that works for your schedule.)
  • Dec 8th @ 2PM - Glen Park Elementary Hosts Special Olympics Athlete Speaker  
  • Dec 9th @ 9AM - SF 49ers Workout
  • Dec 9th @ 2:30PM - Galileo Hosts Special Olympics Athlete Speaker 
  • Dec 10th @ 1PM - James Lick Hosts Special Olympics Athlete Speaker 
  • Dec 11th @ 10:10AM - Thurgood Marshall ACCESS Hosts Special Olympics Athlete Speaker
• Online Arts Showcase: We are accepting student submissions of visual and performing arts including paintings, sketches, photography, song, dance, music, spoken word, creative writing and more. Use the theme of Inclusion and Social Justice as your inspiration. Please share submissions by December 4th.
• The Inclusion Bitmoji Classroom and 2020 SFUSD Inclusion Resource Guide includes more information about the week, activity ideas, recommended reading lists, and other resources.
• RSVP and share on Facebook.

Computer Science Education Week: December 7 to 11

Computer Science Education Week (CSEdWeek) is an annual call to action to inspire K-12 students to learn computer science, advocate for equity in computer science education, and celebrate the contributions to the field. 

No matter what subject or grade level you teach, you can participate - no experience necessary! Many activities don’t require computers. Read more and explore our toolkit to see how you and your students can participate! 

Lend a Hand This Season! Volunteer to Provide School Meals

• SNS has distributed almost 4 million meals!  Here are the highlights for week 36. 

• During the holiday season, more volunteers are needed to help Student Nutrition Services distribute free meals. 

• Grab & Go Sites: SFUSD employees and community members can volunteer at any of our Grab and Go sites. Volunteers assist outdoors with setup, line control, and breakdown. Sign up to Volunteer!

• Deliver Meals: SFUSD employees can volunteer to deliver food to students with disabilities and special dietary needs. Drivers pick up and deliver boxes of school meals to student’s homes every Wednesday. Sign up to Drive!

Bright Spot

We had a very special guest on SF Loves Learning today - Lou Seal of the San Francisco Giants joined one of our very own SFUSD PE teachers to share some exercises that are fun for everyone, including us adults.

Warm regards,

Superintendent Dr. Vincent Matthew