June 2026 | Issue #40
 
Talofa*Aloha*Hafa Adai*Alii*Bula*Fakaalofa lahi atu*Hafa adai*Iokwe*Ia orana*Kia orana*Kia Ora*Ko na Mauri*Malo e lelei*Mogethin*Hello!
(These are various greetings in different Pacific Islander languages)
 

SFUSD Fa'aSamoa Initiative Announcements 

The TAUTUA Summer High School Internship Program successfully completed its first week! Students are learning from Coach Glenn Castro, who is introducing students to the art and culture of the ukulele as part of this summer’s diverse learning experiences.

In addition to music instruction, participants are engaging in workshops focused on heritage, literacy, language, hands-on career exploration, cultural arts, and crafts. These enriching opportunities help students strengthen their cultural connections, develop new skills, and explore future educational and career pathways. For more information, contact Herbert "Coach" Wylie Ilalio, Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander Coordinator. ilalioh@sfusd.edu

Join us on Saturday, June 27, from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Summer of Alofa (Love) | Waves of Culture | Market & Festival! Be sure to stop by the Kids' Corner, where the Mātua Advisory Council and Fa'aSamoa Initiative team will be hosting a day full of family-friendly educational activities, fun, and community engagement.

 

This exciting event is hosted by the SALT Pacific Islander Association, stewards of the Pacific Islander Cultural District, and celebrates the vibrant cultures, traditions, and talents of our Pacific Islander communities.

 

Bring the whole family and enjoy giveaways, prizes, cultural experiences, local vendors, lowriders and more. We look forward to seeing you there!

 
Event Details:
Saturday, June 27th, 2026
11am-6pm
on LELAND Ave (Between Rutland & Desmond Street)
Kids' Corner Area will be at LELAND & Peabody Street (Hans Schiller Plaza)
146 Leland Ave, San Francisco, Ca 94134

The Fa'aSamoa Initiative and Mātua Advisory Council are proud to partner with UTOPIA, SALT Pacific Islander Association, and Pacific Islander Cultural District for the SF Pride Parade on Sunday, June 28!

 

As part of this partnership, our team and Parents/Guardians will be riding and walking alongside the UTOPIA float, distributing children's books to youth and families attending the parade. This effort supports the SFUSD Each & Every Literacy Initiative and encourages summer reading and literacy development for our young people.

 

The books being distributed were selected to inspire a love of reading and help students stay engaged in learning throughout the summer months. We invite families, supporters, and community members to join us in celebrating Pride, promoting literacy, and uplifting our diverse communities.

 

Interested in walking with us alongside the UTOPIA float? Check out the event flyer for the meetup location and additional details. We hope to see you there!

 

See below for the list of children's books & picture books that will be distributed during the SF PRIDE parade.

Summer 2026 | SFUSD Announcements  
Summer 2026: In Community...

Nesian night market is back!

Join us for the 4th Annual Nesian Night Market Season Opener! New location - same great vibes!

FOOD VENDORS:

  • Butter & Spice

  • Chef Vee

  • Fairy Bites & Delecacies

  • Island Squeeze Lemonade

  • Pasifika Sisters

  • Pirosking

  • Pork & Belly

For more information, check out their website: www.samoansolutions.org

On behalf of the Fa'aSamoa Initiative team and the many Pacific Islander students whose lives Leader/Educator Dulaney taught and impacted, we extend our deepest condolences to Dulaneys' family, friends, colleagues, and students during this time.

 

Dulaney made a lasting impact on the Pacific Islander community through his powerful leadership and consistent support for Pacific Islander students and families. We gratefully remember meeting with Dulanley & Ethnic Studies team during the early years of establishing the Fa'aSamoa Initiative, when we worked alongside each other to help secure support for the VASA High School Pathway. His commitment to creating opportunities for students and strengthening educational pathways will not be forgotten.

 

We are grateful for his partnership, advocacy, belief in our youth and the fight for equity. His legacy will continue to live on and the positive impact he leaves behind. ~ Fa'aSamoa Initiative Team
Additional Information/Resources:
Fa'aSamoa Initiative has moved departments in SFUSD! Fa'aSamoa Initiative moved from the Office of Superintendent to Curriculum & Instructions Department - Local, State and Federal Programs - Access & Equity Division. Herbert Coach Wylie Ilalio and UrsulaAnn Siataga are now housed under the same department with 18 others from Indian Education, Migrant Education, LCAP, Multilingual Learner Pathways, Matua Advisory Council, LatinX and Asian PAC, DELAC, State & Federal Programs. We are excited for the levels of collaborations and partnerships this year, and look forward to continue aligning our work with HAPI Resolution, MAC Recommendations and District goals - to address the academic needs of our students and families. 
This image above shows many types of offerings throughout the years that has shown positive impacts with educators, students and families. Each of these events/programs were implemented in the last four years in partnership with educators, students, community-based organizations and Mā ua Advisory Council as examples of strategies useful for improving the ways in which the district serves equitably our Pacific Islander/Samoan students. The programs/events cover students programming, parent/family and community engagement and professional/curriculum development. Check out our websites for more information.
Matua Advisory Council website - www.sfusd.edu/mac
Fa'aSamoa Initiative website - www.sfusd.edu/fasi
These monthly newsletters are to support and share information about Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander Events, Collective work in Education and Community, SFUSD resources and more!
Thank you for reading!
 
To check out previous Monthly Newsletters or to subscribe to this newsletter - please visit www.sfusd.edu/fasi.
 
If you are interested in sharing content on this monthly newsletter, please contact: UrsulaAnn Siataga, siatagau@sfusd.edu.

siatagau@sfusd.edu