SFUSD Insider - September 2021
SUPERINTENDENT'S MESSAGE
Dear SFUSD Colleagues:

One of my most joyful moments in recent memory was joining colleagues to welcome students back on the first day of school this year. The laughter and excitement of our young scholars and their families echoed through the streets of San Francisco.

 

This is a moment to celebrate, and we also know that students and staff are coming into this school year with a lot of unknowns. Thank you for all that you're doing to make sure we are ready to welcome and support every single child entering our schools.

 

 

Warmly,

Dr. Matthews

FIND WHAT YOU NEED
Featured in this month's Insider Newsletter:
HIGHLIGHTS
Nicole Phillips, Glen Park ES Teacher, Wins RAVE
 
Nicole Phillips, Teacher at Glen Park Elementary School, was nominated for her fearless approach to teaching.
 
According to her nomination, Ms. Phillips is a master of her craft. During distance learning last year, she had many strategies for engaging students on Zoom -- constantly making it very clear what she expects them to do, ways for them to physically show that they are engaged, and offering positive re-enforcement.
Harvey Lozada stands in front of a green car.

SFUSD Social Worker and Filmmaker Turns the Camera on SOMA

In the film "It Takes The Hood to Save The Hood," made by SFUSD Social Worker Harvey Lozada, community connections are featured in the film as an invaluable resource to students. Harvey works as a Transition Specialist with juvenile justice-involved youth.
Hands meet in the middle each wearing LGBTQ purple bracelets.

SFUSD Celebrates Transgender History Month

San Francisco leaders declared August as Transgender History Month. In 2003, SFUSD became the first school district in the country to pass a policy extending safeguards to transgender students, serving as a model for  other school districts in the state and country.
JRay Madarang

#WeAreSFUSD

"My role means a lot to me in educating youth on how to communicate their needs, self regulate, and build social skills with others."
 
- Justine Ray "JRay" Madarang, Paraeducator at Sunset ES
UPCOMING EVENTS

National Board Certification - Informational Session

 

Learn more about the National Board certification journey, SFUSD supports for the 2021-2022 school year, and benefits of and requirements for becoming National Board certified.

 

Thursday, Sept. 9, 4:00 - 5:00 pm

Latinx Heritage Month

 

SFUSD schools strive to be places where every student can see themselves and be themselves, where learning reflects both the familiar and unknown. This month we’re joining the nation in celebrating Latinx Heritage Month!

 

Tell us how your school is celebrating by emailing newsline@sfusd.edu so we can share more about the ways our community is celebrating.

 

Sept. 15 - Oct. 15

Dolores Huerta cuts the ribbon at Dolores Huerta Elementary School.

Pathway to Teaching

 

Pathway to Teaching is SFUSD’s intern teacher preparation program, offering Multiple Subject, Multiple Subject with Bilingual Spanish Authorization, and Mild/Moderate Education Specialist credentials. Join a cohort of teachers working to earn a credential in one year while teaching in an SFUSD classroom and earning an intern teacher salary!

 

First deadline is Oct. 3

OPPORTUNITIES

Virtual PD/Coaching to Support Trans, Nonbinary & Nonconforming Students

 

The Student & Family Services Division is partnering with Advocates for Youth to provide free virtual professional development to a limited number of school-based and central office staff who are interested in improving their classroom or clinical practices to support Transgender, Gender Nonconforming and Nonbinary students, and implement inclusive health education. 

 

These trainings are QTEA 18 PD hours aligned. This interactive experience can increase participants' comfort level in a variety of skills and there will only be three participants per hour. Questions? Contact SFUSD's LGBTQ Student Services: LGBTQ@sfusd.edu

Use Your 18 PAID Professional Development Hours

 

If you are a UESF-represented ​paraeducator or ​certificated staff member in SFUSD you have 18 ​h​ours of PAID professional development that you can use if/when you choose. You receive these hours each year for the current school year, and they must be used within the current school year (July 1, 2021 - June 30, 2022).

 

​We hope you will use all of your hours and take advantage of this great opportunity to deepen your learning!

Aspiring Administrator Series Professional Development - Apply Today!

 

This 4-day series throughout the 2021-22 school year will be an opportunity for aspiring administrators in SFUSD to have the chance to learn together in a cohort through curriculum that will be taught by the Superintendent and other district leaders!

 

If you have an Administrative Services Credential, Certificate of Eligibility, will have either one by Spring of 2022, or if you are simply interested in becoming an administrator with SFUSD, then you are eligible to apply for our Aspiring Administrator Series.

 

The deadline to apply is Friday, Oct. 1, 2021 and you will be informed if you are accepted into the cohort in early November.

IN THE NEWS
Town hall on safe solutions for schools, students amid COVID
 
As part of its back-to-school coverage, ABC7 Bay Area brought together experts from the medical field, mental health, and education -- including SFUSD Chief Facilities Officer Dawn Kamalanathan -- to answer questions and discuss future solutions for students and schools.
 
San Francisco students return to the classroom for first day of school
 
Students walked the red carpet at George Washington Carver Elementary School on the first day of school, and were greeted by special guests including Superintendent Dr. Vincent Matthews. Health experts say that schools are safe for in-person learning.
 
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