Thanks to the many parents who turned out on Wednesday night to discuss the SFUSD budget crisis. Missed the event? Watch the video here.
“I would be looking for a more collaborative discussion.”
– Former Commissioner Rachel Norton
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- Board of Education recall election officially scheduled for February 15, 2022. As a parent organization representing a diverse array of SFUSD families, from every walk of life throughout San Francisco, SF Parents is here to help San Francisco voters understand the importance of the Board of Education and learn about the actions Commissioners Collins, Lopez and Moliga have taken to both help and harm SFUSD. To that end, our organization will be producing a report on the performance of the Commissioners, by November 30, in time to inform voters prior to the February recall election. Our formal recommendation will include analysis and information on the performance of these Commissioners, and evaluate their colleagues as well to provide an informed and holistic overview for voters. **Read our full statement on the election announcement here.**
- What’s the deal with math at SFUSD? The California Department of Education is considering the adoption of new guidance for the state’s math curriculum, based on data from our own school district’s math experience. Families for San Francisco recently released a report on the impact of our district’s experience on students. Here are some of their key findings:
- The SFUSD data now being relied upon by the state education department is false and misleading. Overall test scores are down and enrollment in University of California-approved advanced math classes have dropped as well.
- SFUSD’s new math sequence created a new set of inequities that likely caused the declining enrollments of Black and brown students in Algebra 2 by the end of 10th grade.
- If the misleading data and inaccurate success metrics reported by SFUSD are not examined, the California Department of Education could make a decision that will directly harm students across the state for a generation.
- Learn more: Email [email protected] if you’re interested in more in-depth discussions of this issue.
- The after school program shortage continues. We recently learned from the YMCA that they continue to be short-staffed. Families are still on long waiting lists for aftercare; some schools are now encouraging families who can manage to reduce their slot to 2-3 days/week so families with greater need can get full after care coverage. This is a HUGE challenge for our city’s working families to have to deal with, now two months into the school year.
- Take action. Email your district supervisor if you still don’t have before or after care to let them know about this challenge, and cc: us at [email protected].
- Be an aftercare hero and earn $! The YMCA is offering incentives to any parent who refers an aftercare job applicant who takes the job and stays on for at least three months. Details in Chinese, English and Spanish.
- California in moderate COVID-19 zone. Good news! San Francisco and California continue to see drops in COVID-19 cases. Vaccination works!
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Volunteer Appreciation: Sara Meskin 🤩
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Sara Meskin is a high school teacher in the Peninsula with two kids at an SFUSD school in the Excelsior district. Sara has a special way with kids and adults alike that makes your day feel a little sun-shinier even after just talking with her, and she’s also got a fierce commitment to applying a social justice lens to any and all advocacy work. Sara has been a top volunteer for SF Parents since the early days of our former version of ourselves, Decreasing the Distance. A huge thank you to Sara for managing the SF Parents calendar; the Board of Education meeting Cheat Sheets, including talking points; Zoom IT help; and for all-around good cheer, which has gotten us all through some of the darkest, hardest moments. 🙌
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SF Parents is seeking temporary or part-time paid work in these areas, which could eventually lead to a full-time role (if that’s of interest, or could stay part-time, if preferred). Please email Meredith at [email protected] to inquire.
- Operations/admin/coordinating-all-the-things (database management, etc.)
- Communications/social media/writing
- Events/outreach/volunteer management
- Bilingual organizer (Spanish, Cantonese)
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- October 25th: Middle and High School Work Group meeting via Zoom! Do you have a child in middle or high school? Join this Zoom meeting to connect with other Middle School and High School parents and talk about common concerns/issues. Email [email protected] to get the Zoom link and be added to our RSVP list!
- October 31st: The Great Hauntway. Spooky times on the Great WalkWay.
- November 3rd: SF Parents is partnering with SFUSD to host a student assignment policy input workshop via Zoom from 6-7:30 pm. Please join! Sign up here.
- November 10th: SF Parents is co-hosting an event with Decoding Dyslexia CA on “Why and How to Bring Structured Literacy and the Science of Reading into Every Classroom,” featuring Margie Gillis, Ed.D., from 6:30-7:30 pm. Tune in to be part of the solution to turning around SFUSD’s abysmal reading outcomes for kids. Register here and spread the word.
- November 17th: Speaking of literacy, tune in from 5-6 pm to hear from SFUSD about its plans for ensuring all kids graduate SFUSD with excellent reading skills. Sign up for the Q&A with SFUSD leadership, including Dr. Nicole Priestly, here, and spread the word.
- Plus … our calendar of all events. Subscribe to our calendar of all relevant events here. (Thanks, Sara!)
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