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SFUSD Insider | February 2025 |
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Happy Black History Month! As a school district that values diversity, we recognize the importance, relevance, and origins of Black History Month and we aim to uplift the rich history of Black Americans and the brilliance of the students we serve all year long. Please check out our updated Black History Month Resource Guide for ideas to engage with your students and communities this month, and throughout the year.
Thank you for the support and care you have shown all of our students and families during these uncertain times, especially those in our immigrant and LGBTQ+ communities. I understand you may be experiencing a variety of emotions right now due to the developments related to the change in the federal administration. I hope you are finding time to take care of yourself and your loved ones as well. As a reminder of our protocols and resources in the event of suspected federal law enforcement, please review my recent message regarding the rights of immigrant communities. You can also find guidance and resources for our LGBTQ+ students and families through our LGBTQ Student Services page.
Please know that I will continue to collaborate with our local and state partners to support and protect the rights of all of our communities.
Thank you for continuing to create a safe and inclusive learning environment for our students.
In partnership,
Dr. Maria Su
SFUSD Superintendent
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Budget Updates
At the SF Board of Education regular meeting on Feb. 11, 2025, the board discussed the School Staffing Model for the upcoming school year. The School Staffing Model is a detailed set of guidelines that SFUSD uses to determine how staff is allocated to schools each year. It was first implemented for the 2024-25 school year and is a budget-balancing measure. Access the presentation and accompanying memo.
These guidelines serve as a starting point for school leaders as they develop their school plans. While most school allocations are determined through these guidelines, schools may receive additional site-specific grants from federal, state, or local sources based on eligibility and/or unique programming offered at the school. The staffing model will be updated for the 2025-26 school year.
SFUSD must implement $113 million in reductions for 2025-26 to balance its budget. The district has been taking corrective action to get closer to balancing the budget, including reducing central office staff; eliminating hundreds of vacant positions; reducing rentals, leases, repairs, and non-capital expenditures; and reducing costs for materials and supplies, contractors, and conferences.
You can review our recently updated Budget FAQs. |
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Spark-Sponsored Language and Literacy Implementation PD is a Success
On Jan. 25, the PK-5 professional development (PD) event left educators excited about literacy and language. A teacher beamed,
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I left today feeling full of gratitude and feeling valued and nurtured as a professional. Thank you to everyone who made this possible! Fantastic job."
Workshops covered a number of topics, including an Amira overview, cross-linguistic transfer (Spanish-English), and how to make reading accessible to students with diverse learning needs. |
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Everything SERP - Application Deadline is Feb. 21
Did you receive a SERP pre-qualification letter? Making a retirement decision involves coordinating multiple agencies and retirement funds. The SERP is separate from and in addition to any other retirement plans you may have, and it does not affect them. It is best to meet individually with each significant entity that will provide you with benefits during your retirement to gather a comprehensive understanding of your retirement finances and benefits.
Below is a list of common retirement agencies you should consider contacting. Everyone’s retirement accounts and finances are different, so it is up to you to coordinate with the entities most relevant to you.
- SERP - Schedule an appointment at https://sfusdserp.appointy.com to meet with an individual counselor and receive you personalized benefit sheet and enrollment packet
- CalSTRS – Schedule an individual appointment with a CalSTRS counselor by calling 800-228-5453 or visit www.calstrs.com.
- SFERS - You may attend a SFERS webinar or schedule a retirement consultation with a SFERS representative by visiting www.mysfers.org.
- CalPERS - Schedule an individual appointment with a CalPERS counselor by calling 888-CalPERS (or 888-225-7377) or visit www.calpers.ca.gov.
- Retiree Medical Benefits – You may schedule an appointment to consult with a District Benefits team member by visiting https://go.oncehub.com/SFUSDBenefits.
- Social Security and Medicare - If you are eligible for monthly income payments or Medicare benefits, you can contact Social Security at 800-772-1213.
For FAQs and live meeting recordings, visit www.sfusd.edu/serp. You may also contact Keenan Financial Services at 800-444-9995, ext. 3671 or email Keenan at KFSTechSupport@Keenan.com.
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Health and Vision:
Your health and vision coverage comes through HSS, the SF Health and Service System.
If you need help with your health or vision coverage, they have drop-in hours at their 1145 Market Street (Suite 300) office. They also have other ways to contact them.
SF HSS Walk-in service hours (doors close at 1 p.m.):
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Thursday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Dental:
Delta Dental benefits come through Human Resources. If you need help with dental benefits you can submit a ticket to eis.sfusd.edu.
Thinking about Retirement? Reach out to the appropriate provider(s) below:
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CalSTRS – Schedule an individual appointment with a CalSTRS counselor by calling 800-228-5453 or visit www.calstrs.com.
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SFERS - You may attend a SFERS webinar or schedule a retirement consultation with a SFERS representative by visiting www.mysfers.org.
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CalPERS - Schedule an individual appointment with a CalPERS counselor by calling 888-CalPERS (or 888-225-7377) or visit www.calpers.ca.gov.
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Retiree Medical Benefits – You may schedule an appointment to consult with a District Benefits team member by visiting https://go.oncehub.com/SFUSDBenefits.
- Social Security and Medicare - If you are eligible for monthly income payments or Medicare benefits, you can contact Social Security at 800-772-1213.
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W-2 Help
For all W-2 questions or concerns, please contact the payroll department at:
📞 Payroll Call Center: 415-463-1550
🔗 Zendesk Ticket Link: eis.sfusd.edu - Submit a Request
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Check Out the New HR websites!
In order to create a better online experience for SFUSD employees and job seekers, Human Resources has reorganized its internal- and external-facing websites. Check them out!
Internal website: sfusd.edu/humanresources
Public-facing website: sfusd.edu/hr
These websites are works in progress, so we will continue to organize information to create an easy-to-use experience for anyone seeking HR information over the course of the spring!
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Frontline and Red Rover Updates
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Introduction to Restorative Practices Workshop Series - Open to SFUSD Staff
Please consider joining our Restorative Practices workshop series designed to introduce the foundational principles and practices of restorative approaches. This series will empower you with knowledge and tools to build relationships, foster connection, and cultivate a culture of accountability and repair within your school community. The series is great for teachers, administrators, and anyone that works closely with students. Sessions open to all SFUSD staff members with your supervisor's approval. Follow this link for additional details.
If you are interested in attending any of the sessions, please complete this registration form. Calendar invites to follow. |
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Tools to Support Mental Health of Students
With recent changes in the federal administration, many students may be feeling unsettled and scared. The State of California Health & Human Services Agency has helpful mental health resources for youth that can be shared with students you interact with regularly. |
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SFUSD Youth Arts Festival
Announcing Skate, Rock, Roll, Read with the SFUSD Youth Arts Festival!
In partnership with Tiratana Espiritu Productions, this year’s festival features two preliminary events on Saturday, Feb. 22, 11-2 p.m. and Saturday, March 22, 11-2 p.m. leading up to a free, all-ages finale on Saturday, April 26, 11 a.m.- 3 p.m.
Join us for three vibrant events showcasing:
- Live performances
- Interactive, hands-on creative activities
- Community-based resources for youth and families
Be part of the action in our outdoor performance space in the heart of Civic Center! Enjoy skateboarding lessons, design custom skate sneakers, and create signature skateboard deck art.
Celebrate SFUSD students as they showcase their artistic talents and passion. We’re proud to partner with local skateboarders, artists, and arts organizations to amplify student voices through the arts and literacy. Learn more.
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#WeAreSFUSD
"The children are super diverse and come from different backgrounds. The staff is welcoming and friendly and we all work together great as a unit."
-Doreen Pacini, teacher at Rooftop Elementary School and "Field Trip Queen"
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#WeAreSFUSD
"I love seeing my students learn music -- they enjoy it so much. Also, seeing them excited and working on stuff they care about."
-Dr. John King, music teacher at Willie Brown Middle School
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First Graders At Carver Elementary School Featured on NBC Bay Area's School Shout-Outs!
Teacher Jason Muse (pictured) and his first grade class from Carver Elementary School were featured on NBC Bay Area's School Shout-Outs. The class happily shouted "Good Morning, Bay Area!" |
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Blog Highlights SFUSD Teachers, Librarians, and Student Work!
Excerpt from the blog post: Zachery Coleman, an Algebra 2 teacher at San Francisco International High School, knows his students often face multiple challenges, including language barriers and lack of access to technology. So, Coleman looks for opportunities to help them acquire math, language, and digital literacy skills. For example, expanding on SFUSD’s “Algebra in Art” project, Coleman’s students mastered more than math (pictured above). |
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March Dates:
March 28 - April 4 - Spring Recess (TK-13 school sites closed)
March 30-31 - Eid al-Fitr
March 31 - Cesar Chavez Day Observance (all school sites closed)
SFUSD calendars.
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In Loving Memory of Joan Evangeline DeVore Kawaii
On behalf of Joan Evangeline DeVore Kawaii's family, we want to inform everyone that Joan Evangeline DeVore Kawaii passed away on the morning of Jan. 18. She is survived by her sons, Derek and Darren Kawaii, and her four cherished grandchildren — Kalea, Savanah, Ikiru, and Eren.
Joan dedicated 35 years of her life to teaching in SFUSD, nurturing young minds as a 2nd and 3rd grade teacher at Paul Revere and Glen Park Elementary Schools. Her passion for education and unwavering commitment to her students left a profound and lasting impact — not only on her immediate family but on the hundreds of children she taught and inspired throughout San Francisco.
Please join us in honoring and celebrating Joan’s memory. She will forever remain in our hearts. Read more about Joan on her obituary page.
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