AAPAC Updates
August 2021
Greetings African American Families, AAPAC Members, and Valued Partners,
Welcome back to the 2021-22 school year!
Well, almost... The first day of school for ALL SFUSD students is Monday, August 16, 2021.
As we prepare for the return, there are many important updates and reminders that you and your students should be aware of. Some of those updates include COVID-19 safety precautions, changes to transportation, access to school meals, and NEW SCHOOL START TIMES! We encourage you to read through the information and resources provided below by AAPAC, the San Francisco Unified School District, and our many community partners. And then, as the African proverb says, "Each One, Teach One." Be sure to share this information within your networks.
As for the African American Parent Advisory Council (AAPAC), it is a new year, but our mission remains the same: to provide a forum to hear the ideas, experiences, and concerns of families of Black/African American students in San Francisco, educate one another on district and community resources, policies, and programs, and work hand in hand to advocate for a high-quality educational experience for our children. We can not do this alone. We need the support of the collective. We ask that you join our district AAPAC meetings, check in with your child's school for similar family affinity groups, and stay connected!!! We are also looking for new members to our leadership team! Read below for more information.
As always, we invite you to reach out with any questions, concerns, or shareable information by contacting us at aapac@sfusd.edu or visiting our soon to be updated website at sfusd.edu/aapac. Please also follow us on Facebook.
From our families to yours, we wish you a safe, healthy, and successful school year.
In Unity,
AAPAC
AAPAC is a parent-led organization. While every parent of a Black child in SFUSD is automatically considered a member, we have a small group of parents who lead and act on our behalf. We are growing the team and invite you to inquire about what it takes. If you are a parent of a Black child with time, commitment, and skills that you are willing to use in support of Black student success...you might be who are looking for. Email us at aapac@sfusd.edu for more information.
Until then, the current AAPAC Leadership Team is busy preparing for our monthly meetings, identifying district decision-making tables that we would like to represent on, and growing from our learnings and feedback received last school year.
AAPAC Monthly Meeting
AAPAC will NOT have a monthly meeting in August. We are aware that many of you are preparing for the year and connecting with your school sites, community partners and various other groups. Instead, we invite you to join some of our members on the Both Sides of the Conversation virtual platform this coming Sunday, August 8th at 2pm for a Back to School Discussion. Watch and interact live on the BSOTC YouTube page or via Facebook. AAPAC will also livestream.
Regular AAPAC meetings will resume on the 3rd Thursday of each month beginning in September. Meetings will remain virtual until further notice. Stay on the lookout for meeting links.
First Day of School
All SFUSD schools will open for in-person learning on Monday, August 16th. Check here for school times. Look out for school-specific information via email or in the mail. Never hesitate to reach out to your child's administrator, teacher, or case manager if you have questions, suggestions, or concerns.
August Family Mailer
Please check out the SFUSD August Family Mailer (also linked above). Inside you will find valuable information and resources to get you and your children ready for the first day of school. Contents Include:
- New School Start Times - Find out if your child's school begins at 7:50, 8:40, or 9:30
- The Return to School Safely FAQ
- The SFUSD Student and Family Handbook
- Information on Covid-19 Vaccines and Testing
- School Bus Transportation Changes and Schedules - Only provided for eligible students
- Muni to School Transportation Changes and Schedules- Free for ALL students ages 5-18 (plus students enrolled in Special Education Services until the age of 22)
- MUST COMPLETE FORMS (Emergency Cards, Multipurpose Family Income Form (MFIF) and the Handbook Acknowledgement)
For more information, visit sfusd.edu.
Children with Disabilities Town Hall
Wednesday, August 11, 2021 at 5:30pm-6:30pm
We know that many families with students with disabilities still have questions about what the return to school will look like for the 2021-2022 school year. Join us for this community meeting with members of the Special Education Services team and other school district leaders. Special Education Chief, Jean Robertson, will provide an overview of what families with students with disabilities can expect when school opens for the fall. SFUSD district leaders will also touch on a variety of other topics including safety protocols, learning loss/COVID recovery services, changes to transportation services and online learning. Interpretation will be provided in Spanish, Cantonese and ASL. Click now to register.
Chance to Change Letter Grades to Pass/No Pass
Students who were in grades 9-12 in 2020-2021 can apply to have a letter grade changed to Pass/No Pass. The request shall be granted by the district and will not be limited to certain courses or affect GPA. Applications are due no later than August 14th. See AB104 Grades Notice to students/families and the Student and Family FAQ for more information.
Upcoming Student-Led Town Hall- FOR STUDENTS
DATE TBD
Students from GENup SF, Diversify Our Narrative SFUSD, Student Advisory Council, Youth For San Francisco, and SFUSD schools present the SFUSD School Reopening Town Hall. The event will be held through Zoom at a date/time to be determined (in the afternoon of August 7th-12th). Topics covered by speakers will include: classrooms/cohorts (building capacity), school day/schedule, on/off-campus lunch, safety protocols, vaccination information, and student resources such as transportation.
Students, please fill out this form to register for the event and ask questions to the speakers. More info on how to listen in soon.
Board of Education Meetings
Unless otherwise noticed, meetings are held every 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month at 4pm and are open to the public. To tune in, visit the BOE Webpage the day of and follow login instructions. Agendas are posted the Friday prior to each meeting. The next regular meeting will be on August 9.
To Make Public Comment on Non-Agenda Items (for regular board meetings only):
The Board President will introduce the allotted period of time for Public Comments, organized the comments, and staff indicates who will be speaking next.
To comment by video conference, click on the Participants button at the bottom of your screen and select the “Raise Your Hand” button to request to speak when Public Comment is being asked for. When called upon, you will be unmuted. After the allotted time, you will then be re-muted.
To comment by phone, you will be prompted to “Raise Your Hand” by pressing “*9” to request to speak when Public Comment is asked for. When called upon, you will be unmuted.
Staying Up to Date/More SFUSD Updates and Resources:
SFUSD sends bi-weekly emails to families called the Family Digest. If you are not receiving these communications, you may need to update your contact information in Family Portal (ParentVUE) to communicate with families. Learn how to check your contact information in Family Portal and update it if it is incorrect. If you don't have a Family Portal account, learn how to activate your account.
Community Partner Updates
Mo'Magic Backpack Giveaway
Click for more info.
Black Star Rising Giveaway
Click for more info.
B'Magic Backpack Giveaway
8/14/21 11-2pm @Now Hunter's PointClick for more info.
AAPAC encourages you to stay connected to community resources as well. Please visit the websites listed below for more information on activities and opportunities throughout San Francisco. The link to each organization is in the title.
COVID-19 Resources for the Black Community
Looking for local resources in your community by Black-led Organizations? Browse Covid-19 Black's directory of San Francisco Bay Area Agencies.
CA COVID-19 Rent Relief will help income-eligible households pay rent and utilities, both for past due and future payments. The federal Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 provides funding to support the program and tenant (renter) protection laws. For additional information, to find a Local Partner Network organization near you, or for eligibility and application help, call CA COVID-19 Rent Relief Call Center at 833-430-2122. The application can be found by click the link in the tile.
Rafiki's goal is to improve people’s lives by reversing the history of health inequalities that affect the Black community and other under-served groups in San Francisco. Rafiki provides a safe, supportive environment where people can find a path to wellness by understanding their health issues, becoming more physically active, and eating a healthy diet. Rafiki is also spearheading covid vaccine and testings sites as well as free food giveaways.
Mo’ MAGIC is a collaborative, San Francisco neighborhood-based, nonprofit organization whose mission is to transform the community and youth through the MAGIC of collaboration.
a comprehensive program for K-12th graders that provides after-school and summer programming that focuses on literacy, STEAM, and sports activities. Also included in the Magic Zone program is our workforce development and job readiness services through the Community Safety Initiative and partnership with Mayor London Breed's Opportunities for All initiative. Magic Zone will be offering afterschool programming for Kinder through High School. Apply NOW.
BMAGIC is a network of San Francisco neighborhood-based nonprofit organizations whose mission is to facilitate, coordinate and develop community resources and opportunities that support service providers and community members in Bayview Hunters Point (BVHP).
MegaBlack SF is a collective of Black-led organizations and Black individuals fighting for visibility, sovereignty, dignity, and justice for Black San Franciscans. For more information on MegaBlack SF or to be added to their newsletter check out their site.
Check out Mayor Breed's Press Release on the Dream Keeper Initiative (the reinvestment of $120 million in San Francisco’s African-American community over the next two years)
Board of Education Parent Advisory Council
The BOE Parent Advisory Council (PAC) was created by the San Francisco Board of Education as a formal way for family perspectives to be included in the district’s decision-making process. PAC members actively reach out to engage families in district policy discussions and to represent family concerns to district leaders. The PAC also supports parents to be leaders, advocates, and partners in their children's education. For more information or to submit an application, click the link above.
Our neighboring YMCAs offer a variety of resources and opportunities that are free or low-cost to the community. The YMCA offers wellness groups, fitness classes, academic support, and more for the entire family.
Community Advisory Committee for Special Education (CAC)
The purpose of the Community Advisory Committee (CAC) for Special Education is to advocate for effective Special Education programs and services, and advise the Board of Education on priorities in the Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA). CAC meets every 4th Thursday of the month. Visit their linked site for more information.
Coleman currently focuses on building more effective, equitable, and supportive public schools in San Francisco and beyond. Their primary focus is fighting to advance rights, safety, and full inclusion of low-income people of color. Be sure to check out the Equity Framework for Reopening Schools on their webpage.
Grounded in the community schools model/framework, Beacon Centers are committed to a cohesive, comprehensive, and collaborative approach that creates pathways to lifelong learning and transformative experiences for youth and the adults who support them through advocacy, leadership, networking, and program support.
Help a child in foster care stay in the city. Click on the above link to learn more about fostering, adopting, hosting or mentoring. For current foster parents, learn your rights.
The African American Parent Advisory Council, SF (AAPAC)
Email: aapac@sfusd.edu
Website: sfusd.edu/aapac
Location: 1551 Newcomb Avenue, Rm. 101 San Francisco, CA, USA
Phone: (415) 241-6121
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aapacsf
