SFUSD Insider - October 2022
SUPERINTENDENT'S MESSAGE
Dear SFUSD Colleagues:

Happy Fall! As schools plan for celebrations this year, it is important to keep student wellness in mind. To that end, Student Nutrition Services has developed a number of wellness resources to help schools create healthy celebrations for students. It’s also important we have fun with the students! Feel free to invite me to any celebrations you are having at your school. 

 

My favorite part of my job is when I get to visit schools and experience the wonderful and engaging learning opportunities inside and outside the classrooms. Here are a few highlights of what I have observed in our schools over the past six weeks:

 

  • Commodore Stockton Early Education School: Transitional Kindergarten students making the connection between the sound the letter "b" makes with words that start with "b." 
  • John Muir Elementary: A teacher conducting a “math interview” with a student to identify her strengths and determine a path for improvement.
  • Sanchez Elementary: An amazing professional room with thoughtful reflections from educators about our Core Instruction Rubric.
  • Carver Elementary: Thoughtful math lessons in which students did the thinking … and I even learned something new about the "nines" multiplication facts ... how fun! 
  • Drew Elementary: Students participating in small group lessons on reading ... I appreciate the differentiation!
  • Willie Brown Middle School: A warm welcome by the T-10 “Swift” who clearly has strong relationships with the community.
  • Bryant Elementary: Seeing reading nooks in every classroom to support students’ independent reading. 
  • Sunnyside Elementary: I got to join students on my scooter for their Walk and Roll to School event. 
  • John Yehall Chin Elementary: Kindergarteners identifying shapes using their Chromebooks. 
  • Gordon J. Lau Elementary: Students practicing on string instruments as part of the orchestra. 
  • Claire Lililenthal K-8: Students preparing to visit the Korean consulate. 
  • Presidio Middle School: Students taking ownership of their learning by making their thinking visible and working collaboratively.
  • Everett Middle School: Students creating art … and I have a few pieces from students up in my office now!
  • O’Connell High School: Students learning about each other to create community in the classroom. 
  • Lowell High School: Visiting a year-long course on fruit flies … how fascinating!

 

I also appreciate how welcoming our front office staff is as well as the many custodians, T-10s, noon supervisors, TSAs, cafeteria workers, paraeducators, and other staff I’ve met at our schools. We face a lot of challenges in education right now. Visiting schools is inspiring and I hope you are inspired by hearing all of the amazing activities happening around the district.

 

I’m looking forward to continuing to get out to our schools and celebrate your hard work.

In Community,

Dr. Wayne

FIND WHAT YOU NEED
Featured in this month's SFUSD Insider:
BRIGHT SPOTS
Students working on a mosaic
Sanchez ES Students on ABC7 News for Creating Mosaic Mural
 

Students at Sanchez ES are celebrating Latinx Heritage Month by creating a huge mosaic mural. "The image is going to depict some students helping each other up a mountain and taking off into flight to join a community of birds and insects that are native to Central America," Principal Ann Marin said. Watch on ABC7 News.

Shirley Chisholm groundbreaking
SF Celebrates Groundbreaking of Shirley Chisholm Village
 

Shirley Chisholm Village, a 135-unit affordable housing development on SFUSD property in the Outer Sunset, is the first educator housing project for both the City and SFUSD. All homes at Shirley Chisholm Village will be subject to a tenant preference for SFUSD educators, employees, and their families.

Galileo 100th anniversary
Galileo Academy of Science and Technology Turns 100!
 

The school spirit was strong at Gaileo Academy of Science and Technology's centennial celebration on Sept. 30. Each grade level performed dance shows including a special honor for Betty Grinnell, the school's head secretary for 50 years. Catch the story on KCBS Radio.

SFUSD Filipino American History Month logo
Filipino American History Month
 

SFUSD joins in celebrating Filipino American History Month during October, and all year long we are committed to uplifting the cultural brilliance and historic contributions of the Filipinx community in our City and within our schools.

 

Learn about Kababayan SFUSD, an organization of SFUSD Filipinx employees who organize community events and help support the success and well-being of Filipinx students.

 

Happy Filipino American History Month!

Taylor Springsdorf
Taylor Springsdorf, Teacher at Alvarado ES, Wins RAVE
 
Taylor Springsdorf, a teacher at Alvarado ES, was nominated for his student-centered approach to education.
 
According to his nomination, Mr. Springsdorf helps the students in his class thrive and grow. "​He has spent hundreds of hours designing materials and adapting and modifying literacy instruction to make it multi-sensory and accessible to all of his students, regardless of their disabilities. As a result, they are demonstrating increased engagement and participation."
 
Read about colleagues who have been nominated and those who have won a RAVE award. You can nominate any district employee or team for recognition (except for yourself or an entire school).
HUMAN RESOURCES
EMPowerSF Updates

New Look for EMPowerSF Homepage

As of Oct. 7, the landing page of EMPowerSF will look different due to the nationwide product update that SAP SuccessFactors is pushing to all users in North America. Your menu items and functionalities remain the same.

 

Trending Question from 9/8 In-Person Clinic
32% of the 52 clinic attendees came to receive a breakdown of their pay statement, which are all explained in the pay statement video series. The components of an employee's net pay include taxes and deductions (pre-tax and post-tax). SFUSD does not control state and federal tax brackets, and it is possible that net pay is lower despite a step/salary increase.

 

Visit the training and resources page to register for live training sessions or RSVP for the monthly in-person clinics.
What to Know About Open Enrollment
Open Enrollment is when SFUSD employees can enroll in various benefit plans, effective next calendar year. Health and Vision plan elections begin on Oct. 1, 2022 and end on Oct. 31, 2022 at 5:00 PM. The only time to make changes to your Health and Vision plans outside of the standard Open Enrollment period of October is if you have a qualifying life event. The San Francisco Health Service System has mailed out all Open Enrollment information and you should be receiving it in the coming days, if you haven't already. 
 
BenefitCon: Friday, Oct. 14, 4:00 - 8:00 PM / John O’ Connell Technical High School / 2355 Folsom St., San Francisco, CA 94110
 
#WeAreSFUSD
 

I love learning about my students’ art and creativity, and sharing a sacred space together and building creative energy off of each other.”

 

- Mandeep Sethi, Music Teacher, June Jordan School for Equity

 

Read more #WeAreSFUSD stories!

Mandeep Sethi
UPDATES, EVENTS & OPPORTUNITIES
School food

Student Access to Healthy Meals

 

Middle and high school students who are not eating school meals report that the main barriers are not knowing where/when to get a school meal, and feeling intimidated/bullied in line. Learn about ways staff can help reduce these barriers and ensure that ALL students can access free school meals.

Two students using tablets

DoT Learning Opportunities

 

Come to the Department of Technology’s learning sessions! These professional learning opportunities are eligible for FWEA extended hours, and include topics such as Audio Storytelling, Gmail & Drive Organization, Adobe Express, Student Media Projects, Digital Agency, and many more.

    Color testing screenshot

    COLOR Testing Through December

     

    COLOR self-swab test kits will continue to be available through Dec. 16 (at school sites) and Dec. 21 (at central offices). Test kits are available at school sites (drop off before 10 am) and central office locations (drop off before 4:30 pm). Pick up times vary so be sure to check the sticker on the bin to see if samples have been picked up for the day. Testing is not mandatory.

    Upcoming Holidays
     
    SFUSD wishes to extend our support and acknowledgment to members of our community who observe Yom Kippur, Indigenous Peoples' Day, and Diwali.
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