Superintendent's Message

Dear SFUSD Colleagues,

 

The school year is about to start and it’s definitely different than we wish it could be. Our students, families, and staff all miss being in person together. I know I do.

 

I'm going to be honest: this year will challenge and stretch us in ways we never thought imaginable. Even as we navigate new ways of working, we must disrupt systems of oppression and actively work toward being anti-racist as well. Thank you for showing up to ensure each and every student receives the quality instruction and equitable support required to thrive in the 21st century. I look forward to working alongside you this year.

 

Warmly,

Vincent Matthews, Ed.D.

Superintendent of Schools

As we return to school in distance learning, we know we cannot return to business as usual. Our students and families have increased wellness and technology needs. Our entire community is processing the global events in which we find ourselves. 

In distance learning, we are no longer bound by classes that meet at a particular time and place. We can think about an arc of learning throughout the year, unit, month and by week and consider which lessons lend themselves to synchronous or live sessions and which are better done as asynchronous modules or independent assignments.

As we come back to school, we do not want to focus on remediation. Rather, we want to focus on acceleration. What do students need to learn right now?

Over the summer, SFUSD staff created the Distance Learning Supports for Educators: Instructional Model Overview & First 30 Days. Please carefully review this document to access the instructional and professional learning supports necessary to launch distance learning more effectively for students, families and educators.

The district has also just completed a Family Distance Learning Guide, which highlights key topics and expectations around distance learning for families.

Over the summer we have been gathering stories of our school district heroes who go above and beyond in supporting students, families, and fellow staff during the pandemic.

Read the stories here!