What is the Fa'aSamoa Initiative?
Fa’aSamoa Initiative stems from a 2018 HAPI Resolution passed by the SFUSD Board of Education and authored by Commissioner Hyrda Mendoza and Commissioner Stevon Cook in support of Equitable Services for Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Students, families and staff. In September 2020, the HAPI Resolution was amended with a focus on addressing the academic disparities among Sāmoan students through a PreK-14 pathway rooted in Sāmoa Aganu'u indigenous practices authored by Board Commissioner Chief Fotuali’i Faauuga Moliga.
FASI has an Instagram Page! Link to this section
VASA High School Pathway
Link to this section
VASA High School: A Certificate Pathway for SFUSD Students! BEGINS Fall 2024!
In a partnership with the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) and the City College of San Francisco, we are pleased to announce the NEW VASA High School: A Certificate Pathway for SFUSD Students. The two-course Certificate Program in Critical Pacific Islands & Oceania Studies will allow students to:
- Achieve a Certificate of Accomplishment from City College of San Francisco
- Fulfill major requirements for an Associates or Arts degree in Ethnic Studies and Critical Pacific Islands & Oceania Studies
- Receive credit towards high school graduation requirements
- Support with an educational map for transfer to a four-year university or vocational/technical trade
- Access mentorship opportunities with Pacific Islander/Oceania students, professionals, community leaders, and educators
- Get tutoring for high school core subjects
- Prepare for college with support on scholarship applications and personal statement development
- Connect to Pacific Islander/Oceania cultural resources
Balboa High School Students interested in registering for this program and for more information, please contact:
Ursula Ann Siataga | siatagau@sfusd.edu
The NEW VASA High School Certificate Pathway is a collaboration between the SFUSD Fa’a Sāmoa Initiative, SFUSD NHPI Programming, SFUSD College and Career Readiness, CCSF VĀSĀ (Oceania) Student Success Program, Critical Pacific Islands & Oceania Studies, and the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies.
Board of Education and FASI Meetings
- March 13, 2018 - 1st reading of K-Reso
- April 10, 2018 - 2nd reading of K-Reso
- June 23, 2020 - 1st reading amending K-Reso
- Sept 22, 2020 - 2nd reading amending K-Reso
This page was last updated on January 24, 2025