Hello Parent!
Say NO to Budget Cuts! Come to the San Francisco Town Hall Meeting and show the strength of our parent voices! Power in numbers!
Public Education: Funding our Future SF
Thursday, February 25th 2010
Marina Middle School
6:30-8:30 pm
Free parking, free childcare for 3+
RSVP at www.fundingourfuturesf.com
Spread the word and RSVP on our Facebook site
Volunteers needed! Come to the planning meeting on Wednesday, January 20th 6pm at Sherman Elementary School (1651 Union Street).
Event Details
Enough is enough! San Francisco Unified School District is forecasting budget cuts of 10%-20% for the 2010-2011 school year. It is imperative that we find real short and long-term solutions to this unprecedented budget crisis!
On February 25th, join a coalition of parents and city organizations in a community discussion moderated by Michael Krasny, host of KQED’s award-winning Forum.
• Mark Leno, California State Senator
• Fiona Ma, California State Assembly
• Tom Ammiano, California State Assembly
• Carlos Garcia, SFUSD Superintendent of Schools
• Debbie Look, California PTA
• Jim Lazarus, SF Chamber of Commerce
• Leaders from business and education non-profits
Let's look for funding solutions and ways to bring about long-term change together.
We are Funding Our Future.
The discussion will focus on:
• Creative funding solutions to pending budget cuts
• Smarter long-term budget reform
• Local and state-wide parental advocacy efforts
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
GWHS Protest Information
January 22, 2010
Dear Washington High School Community,
We have been informed that there is a possibility that an organization may be holding small protests at Washington High School on Friday, January 29th from 3:00-3:30 PM. The group’s press release expresses anti-Semitic, anti-gay and hateful language.
I want to emphasize that Washington High School, in no way, supports the discriminatory beliefs or actions of this group. My priority is to ensure that every member of our community feels safe and secure in who they are. I am saddened that a group such as this has targeted our school and I will do everything I can to mitigate this situation. You might observe some extremely offensive comments or signs while they are present.
These picketers will not be allowed onto Washington’s campus. I have been in contact with the SFPD Richmond Station. They will have officers here on passing calls during this time. Anyone who experiences any distress in anticipation of or during this incident should know that Wellness staff will be on site during this time to support you.
It is my understanding that these picketers will be located on 32nd Avenue. Therefore if you would like to avoid the demonstration, please leave the school on that day from the 30th Avenue gate. If their location changes the administrative staff will inform you. If you do come into contact with these picketers, please remember that retaliating and creating a scene will only escalate the situation. The overwhelming advice I have received is that Washington High School should go on with business as usual, and that the greatest counter-action to this group is for
them to be ignored. I urge you not to engage this group in any way, which I know from other communities’ experience will only prolong their stay.
As you all know, January 29th is a Professional Development Day. Students will not be on site that day. But we should be mindful that this group may protest on a day earlier than planned or that students may return to the school for this protest.
Therefore, the Social Studies Department has put together a short power point presentation for the purposes of a teach-in. This power point is meant to inform students of what they may see or experience if they encounter the picketers. This is also a teachable moment to share the context of the Constitution for all involved. The Social Studies Department will be sharing this with their classes in the first part of the week and I will be asking the Practical Arts Department to share this power-point presentation with the 9th graders during the same time frame. Please feel free to share this letter with your students. A student letter will be available in homeroom.
The Washington Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) will be meeting to plan a response to this demonstration with safety and positive action in mind. As their plans unfold I will keep you updated. Safe place posters are available in my office and buttons have been ordered.
Additionally the Wellness Center is also involved and is here to support staff and students.
Media could be present that day. The goal is to portray ourselves calm in contrast to the hate filled message they have.
As more information is available to me, I will share this with you. We will discuss this at the faculty meeting and the Professional Development meeting. My goal is to assure the safety of all faculty, staff and students if they are in attendance on that day.
Thank you for your cooperation in this matter. If you have any concerns or questions, do not hesitate to contact me in person or via email.
Sincerely,
Ericka Lovrin
Principal
George Washington High School
Dear Washington High School Community,
We have been informed that there is a possibility that an organization may be holding small protests at Washington High School on Friday, January 29th from 3:00-3:30 PM. The group’s press release expresses anti-Semitic, anti-gay and hateful language.
I want to emphasize that Washington High School, in no way, supports the discriminatory beliefs or actions of this group. My priority is to ensure that every member of our community feels safe and secure in who they are. I am saddened that a group such as this has targeted our school and I will do everything I can to mitigate this situation. You might observe some extremely offensive comments or signs while they are present.
These picketers will not be allowed onto Washington’s campus. I have been in contact with the SFPD Richmond Station. They will have officers here on passing calls during this time. Anyone who experiences any distress in anticipation of or during this incident should know that Wellness staff will be on site during this time to support you.
It is my understanding that these picketers will be located on 32nd Avenue. Therefore if you would like to avoid the demonstration, please leave the school on that day from the 30th Avenue gate. If their location changes the administrative staff will inform you. If you do come into contact with these picketers, please remember that retaliating and creating a scene will only escalate the situation. The overwhelming advice I have received is that Washington High School should go on with business as usual, and that the greatest counter-action to this group is for
them to be ignored. I urge you not to engage this group in any way, which I know from other communities’ experience will only prolong their stay.
As you all know, January 29th is a Professional Development Day. Students will not be on site that day. But we should be mindful that this group may protest on a day earlier than planned or that students may return to the school for this protest.
Therefore, the Social Studies Department has put together a short power point presentation for the purposes of a teach-in. This power point is meant to inform students of what they may see or experience if they encounter the picketers. This is also a teachable moment to share the context of the Constitution for all involved. The Social Studies Department will be sharing this with their classes in the first part of the week and I will be asking the Practical Arts Department to share this power-point presentation with the 9th graders during the same time frame. Please feel free to share this letter with your students. A student letter will be available in homeroom.
The Washington Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) will be meeting to plan a response to this demonstration with safety and positive action in mind. As their plans unfold I will keep you updated. Safe place posters are available in my office and buttons have been ordered.
Additionally the Wellness Center is also involved and is here to support staff and students.
Media could be present that day. The goal is to portray ourselves calm in contrast to the hate filled message they have.
As more information is available to me, I will share this with you. We will discuss this at the faculty meeting and the Professional Development meeting. My goal is to assure the safety of all faculty, staff and students if they are in attendance on that day.
Thank you for your cooperation in this matter. If you have any concerns or questions, do not hesitate to contact me in person or via email.
Sincerely,
Ericka Lovrin
Principal
George Washington High School
Monday, January 18, 2010
Budget FAQ
Budget FAQs:
Frequently asked questions about the upcoming SFUSD budget cuts
Many of you have heard about the unprecedented cuts to education funding California is facing, and the resulting cuts for San Francisco Unified School District. We have heard from Superintendent Carlos Garcia that SFUSD must cut 20% from its budget over the next three years. Some of that will impact the district offices and some, our individual school sites. Here are the answers to some of the questions we have been hearing. As you have more questions or comments, please let us know and we will get you the best answers we can. Please contact the San Francisco District PTA Legislation Chair, Michelle Parker, know via email at legislative@sfpta.org or by phone at 661-2543. Some useful links to more information can be found at the bottom of this Q/A list. Please check back for more information as it becomes available.
1. Why are we facing this budget crisis now? The quick answer is that the entire economy is in a slump and our state is feeling it and is passing the pain. The longer answer goes all the way back to 1976. The California Supreme Court in Serrano v Priest found California’s school finance system unconstitutional because it created huge disparities between high wealth areas and low wealth areas. Education funding moved from one based on local property taxes to a state funded system. This was followed by Prop 13 in 1978 that limited property tax rates to 1 per cent of assessed valuaton. California’s education spending was among the highest in the nation and has steadily gone down hill ever since. It doesn’t help that Prop 98 from 1988 hasn’t had the intended effect either. This constitutional amendment guarantees a minimum funding level from state and property taxes for K-14 public schools, and was meant to establish a floor for school funding, but has instead been looked at as a ceiling. In addition, Prop 98 was suspended in bad budget years and there have been disagreements as to what the base level is which the funding formula now works upon. The last major reason we find ourselves in fights for education funding every year, is that our state legislators have a stalemate every summer on passing the budget because it requires a 2/3 vote to pass. California is one of only three states to have this requirement in its constitution.
2. Is this budget problem happening only at some schools? What about middle and high schools? No! This budget cut will affect every school in the city and has already been affecting the rest of the state. It is possible that every school site will see a 10-20% cut. At worst, that means stripping to the bare bones of regular classroom teachers, a principal and a secretary. For others who are not fully enrolled, it will be even worse. Not all the answers are out there yet of exactly what it will look like; there is a big difference between 10% and 20%.
3. What about the stimulus package money? Where is this going? Much of the stimulus package (as a whole, part of the ARRA) is restricted funding, meaning not everything can be used for just anything. Some schools did see some this year from the SFSF (State Fiscal Stabilization Fund) with more Title 1 (for free and reduced lunch students) and Special Education funds. The district will be applying for a part of the Race to the Top funds, if the state gets those funds. This won’t be a significant amount in terms of our overall budget and will be aimed mostly at innovation and creativity in reaching low-performing students. Helpful, but not available for general use.
4. What about Prop H and Prop A? Didn't we approve mandated spending? Yes, we are still benefiting from both of these measures. The Prop H fund, passed in 2004 (PEEF- or Public Education Enrichment Fund) is still growing and was put in place to provide sports, libraries, arts, music, early childhood programs and other district uses. Prop A (The Quality Teacher and Education Act), passed in 2008, goes primarily to teachers. It is because we have both of these funds, and because of the foresight of San Francisco residents in supporting the Prop G in 2003 (aka the Rainy Day Fund) that San Francisco hasn’t felt the full effects of the budget cuts up until now.
5. How come California appears to spend so little on education vs. say Rhode Island? Because we do. California is currently 47th in the nation for per pupil spending. We spend an average of $7,571 per student, behind states like Mississippi, Florida and Idaho, while the highest spending states (Vermont, $15,139) spend about twice as much per student. California education funding is largely determined at the state level and a 2/3 vote is required to pass the state budget and increase revenue. (In other states, a much higher percentage of school funding comes from local property taxes.) Links to reports that discuss this can be found on this website.
6. Can SFUSD reduce its budget at the administration level vs. the school level? Yes. Superintendent Garcia has already said they will cut as deeply as possible next year of the 3 year cut projections, and plans to have as many of those cuts as possible at the district level, so as to have as little impact on the students as possible. That is why the range given for school site cuts (10-20%) is so large. They are moving line by line to do the best they can to meet student needs.
7. Will we be increasing class sizes next year? What grade levels might be affected? Superintendent Garcia has said that class sizes will likely go up again, but hasn’t given a number. They will know more in January/February. The higher class sizes are likely to affect transitional grades the most: kindergarten, sixth and ninth grades. Past that is still unknown.
8. What can we do about this at our own school sites? Get connected! Sign up for PTA Legislative alerts at http://www.capta.org/sections/advocacy/legislative-alerts.cfm to find out when there are urgent opportunities to advocate for education and children’s issues. Become a member of the city-wide “A Team”, a group of parents and teachers working together to find solutions and to create an action plan to make our voices heard. Create an advocacy or legislation chair in your PTA or PTO and get connected into the district PTA network for training and ways to help. Get organized at your own school: get parents, teachers and administrators together to talk about the right plans and focus for your community. We must tell our legislators that enough is enough! It is time to invest in children. Provide parents with messages to convey to our legislators (which this district network can help you with), actions to take, and events to attend. Our advocacy is to make sure the state meets its responsibility to pay for teachers and on-going public expenses. Remember, no amount of fundraisers will ever make up for adequate funding in the state budget.
1. Do you have more questions? Please contact Michelle Parker through the PTA email: legislative@sfpta.org
2. Where can I go for more information?
• The California State PTA has lots of great resources and information on legislation, advocacy, issues and getting organized at your school www.capta.org. Specific relevant links:
1. California State PTA Legislation Page http://www.capta.org/sections/advocacy/current-legislation.cfm
2. Local PTA Advocacy http://www.capta.org/sections/advocacy/local-advocacy.cfm
3. http://www.pta.org/take_action.asp for information on advocacy at the federal level
4. Online advocacy toolkit http://www.pta.org/3020.asp
• check out www.edsource.org for detailed information on everything you ever wanted to know about California education finance and policy- a fantastic resource! Some of their helpful reports are listed below:
1. “New Federal Education Policies: California’s Challenge” gives the details surrounding the impact of the American Recovery and Investment Act (ARRA) on California’s schools http://www.edsource.org/pub_new-fed-policies.html
2. “School Finance 2008-2009: Fiscal Crisis Meets Political Gridlock” explains the major features of the education budget and some of the complex political and economic factors behind it http://www.edsource.org/pub_SchFin08-09_report.html
3. “Local Revenues for Schools: Limits and Options in California” provides background on schools districts’ current options for raising their own revenues and describes some of the ongoing discussions about ways to allow communities to raise more funds for their schools http://www.edsource.org/pub_new-fed-policies.html
4. “Proposition 98 Sets a Minimum Funding Guarantee for Education” is a short fact sheet http://www.edsource.org/pub_prop98.html
• The SFUSD budget situation “Demystified for the Average Joe” (presentation given to principals this past fall) http://portal.sfusd.edu/data/budget/BudgetPresentationforPrincipals'Meeting.pdf
• “Students First: Renewing Hope for California” The Official Report from the Governor’s Committee on Education Excellence. You will find the executive summary, the full report, as well as a document with answers to frequently asked questions about the education debate in California. http://www.edsource.org/reform_GCEE.html
• California Teachers Association at www.cta.org and http://www.standupforschools.org/
• California Budget Project does independent analysis to improve the lives of low- and middle-income Californians and has a sections with reports on education in their left hand column www.cbp.org. Some great ones are:
1. “How California School’s Get Their Money”- provides an introduction to K-12 school district funding http://www.cbp.org/pdfs/2009/090202_SFF_HowSchoolsGetTheirMoney.pdf
2. “How Does California Compare”- a report about how education is funded in California, the trends in funding and how it is different in other states http://www.cbp.org/pdfs/2007/070926_how_does_ca_compare.pdf
3. “How California’s School Districts Spend Their Funds” http://cbp.org/pdfs/2008/080506_HowDistrictsSpendtheirFunds.pdf
4. “School Finance in California and the Proposition 98 Guarantee” http://cbp.org/pdfs/2006/0604_prop98.pdf
5. “What Will the Federal Economic Recovery Act Mean for California’s Schools?” http://cbp.org/pdfs/2009/090709_SFF_ARRA.pdf
• The most recent LAO (Legislative Analyst’s Office) Report on California’s Fiscal Outlook for the 2010-2011 Budget http://www.lao.ca.gov/laoapp/PubDetails.aspx?id=2143 The LAO is California’s Nonpartisan Fiscal and Policy Advisor
• Powerpoint presentation on impacting legislators (scroll down to “Impacting Legislators” under “Archived Brown Bag Lunch Trainings” http://familyvoicesofca.org/?q=node/7
• Tips for legislative advocacy http://www.connectforkids.org/node/2694
Frequently asked questions about the upcoming SFUSD budget cuts
Many of you have heard about the unprecedented cuts to education funding California is facing, and the resulting cuts for San Francisco Unified School District. We have heard from Superintendent Carlos Garcia that SFUSD must cut 20% from its budget over the next three years. Some of that will impact the district offices and some, our individual school sites. Here are the answers to some of the questions we have been hearing. As you have more questions or comments, please let us know and we will get you the best answers we can. Please contact the San Francisco District PTA Legislation Chair, Michelle Parker, know via email at legislative@sfpta.org or by phone at 661-2543. Some useful links to more information can be found at the bottom of this Q/A list. Please check back for more information as it becomes available.
1. Why are we facing this budget crisis now? The quick answer is that the entire economy is in a slump and our state is feeling it and is passing the pain. The longer answer goes all the way back to 1976. The California Supreme Court in Serrano v Priest found California’s school finance system unconstitutional because it created huge disparities between high wealth areas and low wealth areas. Education funding moved from one based on local property taxes to a state funded system. This was followed by Prop 13 in 1978 that limited property tax rates to 1 per cent of assessed valuaton. California’s education spending was among the highest in the nation and has steadily gone down hill ever since. It doesn’t help that Prop 98 from 1988 hasn’t had the intended effect either. This constitutional amendment guarantees a minimum funding level from state and property taxes for K-14 public schools, and was meant to establish a floor for school funding, but has instead been looked at as a ceiling. In addition, Prop 98 was suspended in bad budget years and there have been disagreements as to what the base level is which the funding formula now works upon. The last major reason we find ourselves in fights for education funding every year, is that our state legislators have a stalemate every summer on passing the budget because it requires a 2/3 vote to pass. California is one of only three states to have this requirement in its constitution.
2. Is this budget problem happening only at some schools? What about middle and high schools? No! This budget cut will affect every school in the city and has already been affecting the rest of the state. It is possible that every school site will see a 10-20% cut. At worst, that means stripping to the bare bones of regular classroom teachers, a principal and a secretary. For others who are not fully enrolled, it will be even worse. Not all the answers are out there yet of exactly what it will look like; there is a big difference between 10% and 20%.
3. What about the stimulus package money? Where is this going? Much of the stimulus package (as a whole, part of the ARRA) is restricted funding, meaning not everything can be used for just anything. Some schools did see some this year from the SFSF (State Fiscal Stabilization Fund) with more Title 1 (for free and reduced lunch students) and Special Education funds. The district will be applying for a part of the Race to the Top funds, if the state gets those funds. This won’t be a significant amount in terms of our overall budget and will be aimed mostly at innovation and creativity in reaching low-performing students. Helpful, but not available for general use.
4. What about Prop H and Prop A? Didn't we approve mandated spending? Yes, we are still benefiting from both of these measures. The Prop H fund, passed in 2004 (PEEF- or Public Education Enrichment Fund) is still growing and was put in place to provide sports, libraries, arts, music, early childhood programs and other district uses. Prop A (The Quality Teacher and Education Act), passed in 2008, goes primarily to teachers. It is because we have both of these funds, and because of the foresight of San Francisco residents in supporting the Prop G in 2003 (aka the Rainy Day Fund) that San Francisco hasn’t felt the full effects of the budget cuts up until now.
5. How come California appears to spend so little on education vs. say Rhode Island? Because we do. California is currently 47th in the nation for per pupil spending. We spend an average of $7,571 per student, behind states like Mississippi, Florida and Idaho, while the highest spending states (Vermont, $15,139) spend about twice as much per student. California education funding is largely determined at the state level and a 2/3 vote is required to pass the state budget and increase revenue. (In other states, a much higher percentage of school funding comes from local property taxes.) Links to reports that discuss this can be found on this website.
6. Can SFUSD reduce its budget at the administration level vs. the school level? Yes. Superintendent Garcia has already said they will cut as deeply as possible next year of the 3 year cut projections, and plans to have as many of those cuts as possible at the district level, so as to have as little impact on the students as possible. That is why the range given for school site cuts (10-20%) is so large. They are moving line by line to do the best they can to meet student needs.
7. Will we be increasing class sizes next year? What grade levels might be affected? Superintendent Garcia has said that class sizes will likely go up again, but hasn’t given a number. They will know more in January/February. The higher class sizes are likely to affect transitional grades the most: kindergarten, sixth and ninth grades. Past that is still unknown.
8. What can we do about this at our own school sites? Get connected! Sign up for PTA Legislative alerts at http://www.capta.org/sections/advocacy/legislative-alerts.cfm to find out when there are urgent opportunities to advocate for education and children’s issues. Become a member of the city-wide “A Team”, a group of parents and teachers working together to find solutions and to create an action plan to make our voices heard. Create an advocacy or legislation chair in your PTA or PTO and get connected into the district PTA network for training and ways to help. Get organized at your own school: get parents, teachers and administrators together to talk about the right plans and focus for your community. We must tell our legislators that enough is enough! It is time to invest in children. Provide parents with messages to convey to our legislators (which this district network can help you with), actions to take, and events to attend. Our advocacy is to make sure the state meets its responsibility to pay for teachers and on-going public expenses. Remember, no amount of fundraisers will ever make up for adequate funding in the state budget.
1. Do you have more questions? Please contact Michelle Parker through the PTA email: legislative@sfpta.org
2. Where can I go for more information?
• The California State PTA has lots of great resources and information on legislation, advocacy, issues and getting organized at your school www.capta.org. Specific relevant links:
1. California State PTA Legislation Page http://www.capta.org/sections/advocacy/current-legislation.cfm
2. Local PTA Advocacy http://www.capta.org/sections/advocacy/local-advocacy.cfm
3. http://www.pta.org/take_action.asp for information on advocacy at the federal level
4. Online advocacy toolkit http://www.pta.org/3020.asp
• check out www.edsource.org for detailed information on everything you ever wanted to know about California education finance and policy- a fantastic resource! Some of their helpful reports are listed below:
1. “New Federal Education Policies: California’s Challenge” gives the details surrounding the impact of the American Recovery and Investment Act (ARRA) on California’s schools http://www.edsource.org/pub_new-fed-policies.html
2. “School Finance 2008-2009: Fiscal Crisis Meets Political Gridlock” explains the major features of the education budget and some of the complex political and economic factors behind it http://www.edsource.org/pub_SchFin08-09_report.html
3. “Local Revenues for Schools: Limits and Options in California” provides background on schools districts’ current options for raising their own revenues and describes some of the ongoing discussions about ways to allow communities to raise more funds for their schools http://www.edsource.org/pub_new-fed-policies.html
4. “Proposition 98 Sets a Minimum Funding Guarantee for Education” is a short fact sheet http://www.edsource.org/pub_prop98.html
• The SFUSD budget situation “Demystified for the Average Joe” (presentation given to principals this past fall) http://portal.sfusd.edu/data/budget/BudgetPresentationforPrincipals'Meeting.pdf
• “Students First: Renewing Hope for California” The Official Report from the Governor’s Committee on Education Excellence. You will find the executive summary, the full report, as well as a document with answers to frequently asked questions about the education debate in California. http://www.edsource.org/reform_GCEE.html
• California Teachers Association at www.cta.org and http://www.standupforschools.org/
• California Budget Project does independent analysis to improve the lives of low- and middle-income Californians and has a sections with reports on education in their left hand column www.cbp.org. Some great ones are:
1. “How California School’s Get Their Money”- provides an introduction to K-12 school district funding http://www.cbp.org/pdfs/2009/090202_SFF_HowSchoolsGetTheirMoney.pdf
2. “How Does California Compare”- a report about how education is funded in California, the trends in funding and how it is different in other states http://www.cbp.org/pdfs/2007/070926_how_does_ca_compare.pdf
3. “How California’s School Districts Spend Their Funds” http://cbp.org/pdfs/2008/080506_HowDistrictsSpendtheirFunds.pdf
4. “School Finance in California and the Proposition 98 Guarantee” http://cbp.org/pdfs/2006/0604_prop98.pdf
5. “What Will the Federal Economic Recovery Act Mean for California’s Schools?” http://cbp.org/pdfs/2009/090709_SFF_ARRA.pdf
• The most recent LAO (Legislative Analyst’s Office) Report on California’s Fiscal Outlook for the 2010-2011 Budget http://www.lao.ca.gov/laoapp/PubDetails.aspx?id=2143 The LAO is California’s Nonpartisan Fiscal and Policy Advisor
• Powerpoint presentation on impacting legislators (scroll down to “Impacting Legislators” under “Archived Brown Bag Lunch Trainings” http://familyvoicesofca.org/?q=node/7
• Tips for legislative advocacy http://www.connectforkids.org/node/2694
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Greetings from the Nurse
This is my 20th year in the SFUSD and my third year at the Wellness Nurse at GWHS. A little about my background: my first three years were spent working at elementary schools, i.e. Revere and GW Carver. After that, I worked in middle schools including Burbank, Gloria R. Davis, Giannini, Hoover and Marina. Currently, I'm at GWHS Tuesdays through Fridays. In addition to working at GWHS, I'm the "coach" to new SFUSD nurses. Before working at the SFUSD, I worked in public and home health, taught nursing at Laney College, and worked in Thailand providing services to Cambodian refugees. I have two children: they're now 16 and 20 years old.
Among my goals...
...are helping your teens learn about their bodies, referring them to appropriate health services, and teaching them about self-care skills. It's been a wonderful opportunity, helping your children, who are emerging young adults, with their healthcare and health education needs.
Contact Info
I'm at the Wellness Center, Room 121, Tuesdays-Fridays. You can reach me by phone at 750-8521 x 3407, or by email at BoyerL@sfusd.edu.
Websites for parents/caregivers
This is a very challenging time for parents/caregivers, learning to provide your teens with some measure of independence but knowing that they still need your support and guidance. Here are some useful websites for parents:
Seasonal and Swine (H1N1) Flu Facts: http://www.sfcdcp.org/flufactsmain.html
Alcohol (from excellent publication): http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/MakeADiff_HTML/makediff.htm#TakingAction
General Info: http://www.parentingteensonline.com/
Parenting Question of the Month?
If there's sufficient interest, I'll try out a "question/s of the month" column and respond to an emailed question from a parent, in the PTSA e-newsletter. (Sorry, no personal responses due to time constraints.) Of course, all names will be withheld to provide confidentiality.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Ms. Boyer-Chu, Wellness Center Nurse
Among my goals...
...are helping your teens learn about their bodies, referring them to appropriate health services, and teaching them about self-care skills. It's been a wonderful opportunity, helping your children, who are emerging young adults, with their healthcare and health education needs.
Contact Info
I'm at the Wellness Center, Room 121, Tuesdays-Fridays. You can reach me by phone at 750-8521 x 3407, or by email at BoyerL@sfusd.edu
Websites for parents/caregivers
This is a very challenging time for parents/caregivers, learning to provide your teens with some measure of independence but knowing that they still need your support and guidance. Here are some useful websites for parents:
Seasonal and Swine (H1N1) Flu Facts: http://www.sfcdcp.org/flufactsmain.html
Alcohol (from excellent publication): http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/MakeADiff_HTML/makediff.htm#TakingAction
General Info: http://www.parentingteensonline.com/
Parenting Question of the Month?
If there's sufficient interest, I'll try out a "question/s of the month" column and respond to an emailed question from a parent, in the PTSA e-newsletter. (Sorry, no personal responses due to time constraints.) Of course, all names will be withheld to provide confidentiality.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Ms. Boyer-Chu, Wellness Center Nurse
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Real-Life High School Musical
Real-Life High School Musical
By Lisa Petrie
The high school selection process has begun for next fall with a flurry of open houses, fairs, school visits, and application forms. When the dust settles, some 5,260 eighth-graders in San Francisco will choose a public school in the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) for their high school experience. Kids who are talented and serious about getting the best musical education they can, do have a few excellent options. But most other high schools are struggling to find scarce resources for arts education and to meet the changing interests and needs of their students.The good news is that amid budget woes, there is support for arts education in the city from taxpayers and administrators. Music programs that have languished from lack of funding resulting from Proposition 13 (1978) recently got a boost through the voter-approved Prop H, or “Public Education Enrichment Fund” — an 11-year, multimillion-dollar earmark for the arts beginning in 2005-2006.
The promise of extra funds allowed the district to look to the future, crafting an ambitious Arts Education Master Plan. Says Susan Stauter, artistic director for high schools in SFUSD’s Visual and Performing Arts Office and one of the plan’s creators, “The master plan provides infrastructure and scaffolding for the arts programs districtwide and ensures them of access and equity for every student. It’s a powerful tool because it was two-and-a-half years in the making and the stakeholders came from all over San Francisco — artists, parents, teachers, community members — all saying what they believe is important for arts education, and it was [school] board approved.” But if the goal of the plan is equity beyond the traditionally strong programs of the School of the Arts and Lowell High School, then the impact of the plan three years on is not immediately obvious.
Factors for Success
Steve HendeeSteve Hendee, band director at School of the Arts (SOTA) and president-elect of the California Music Educators Association (CMEA) Bay Section, hopes Prop H money can help address the discrepancy between middle school programs in the city. “Everything hinges on a complete music education, K-12. You can’t have a successful high school program without a consecutive experience beforehand,” he says. SOTA, a shining star, yet an anomaly as the district’s only dedicated performing arts school, is an excellent choice for students who are serious about the arts. According to Hendee, the rigorous audition process brings only the most talented and motivated students to the school.
Junior percussionist Chris Cabrera began playing percussion in the third grade at Presidio Middle School, and was encouraged by his teacher, Dianna Gomez, to audition for SOTA. “After high school I plan to major in instrumental performance and then get my master’s,” says Chris. “My ideal goal in my musical career is to join a distinguished symphony orchestra and/or teach percussion at a university.”
In addition to attracting dedicated students such as Chris, Hendee cites the scheduling at SOTA as another of the program’s major advantages. “One of the biggest challenges high school music programs face is the sheer number of requirements to fulfill, both for graduation and for college entrance,” he says. At SOTA the kids dedicate their mornings to academics and have the entire afternoon for such music classes as ensemble, chamber music, music theory, music history, piano, and ear training.
Lowell High School’s orchestra director, Michele Winter, agrees that a modular, flexible schedule is key to keeping their program at a high level. “Because we have a longer day with dedicated staffing to cover it, we’re able to give the kids a lot of individual attention,” she states.
And Winter has her share of dedicated students, as well. Senior oboist Jessica Noss also came to Lowell from Presidio Middle School. “I like music but didn’t want it to be the center of my high school experience. I wanted to be able to change my mind,” says Jessica. She takes Advanced Placement Music Theory, enjoys playing in the pit orchestra for the spring musicals, and plans to continue making music in college, though not as a music major.
Lowell has stringent academic requirements for entrance, and is an alternative school in the SFUSD. The orchestra room is large and spotless, rimmed by four soundproof practice rooms. Eight double basses gleam in their rack — equipment that has been paid for by the PTA, an involved parent group that raises thousands of dollars each year in support of the music program.
The Have-Nots
Washington High students
Photo by Jill HendricksOther high schools are not so lucky. Jill Hendricks directs four bands and one orchestra, plus the new marching band, at Washington High School. She originally received $4,000 from Prop H through the district. But after having budgeted that money to buy sheet music and other necessities, she learned that half of it was being rescinded. Hendricks now sells sandwiches she has brought from home, drinks, and noodles out of her filing cabinet, to raise money for her program.
Her 10-hour days include drilling her fledgling marching band out on the field (the only marching band in the entire SFUSD), helping the kids try on donated uniforms, and tuning the drums for the following day’s rehearsals. Her husband spends countless, unpaid hours running instruments to the repair shop and back, among other errands. Still, by such “sweat equity,” Hendricks has managed to build a fine program, despite the lack of funding. It’s not difficult to see why she’s called “the best band director, ever” by her drum major, Emily Hernandez. The confident sophomore with cropped, dyed red hair is a bass clarinetist from Hoover Middle School. She was randomly assigned to Washington High but considers it a “blessing” because of her dedicated teacher and peers. “Band is my creative outlet. We learn advanced music and are like a big, happy family,” says Emily, who plans to minor in music and major in psychology in college.
Changing Landscapes
While other high schools in the district certainly have something to offer in the traditional disciplines of band, orchestra, and choir, not many have programs offering four years of progressive instruction across each. Some music classes are offered at Lincoln High School, and Balboa High School boasts a "performing arts track" in band and chorus (including a music production class developed by the Bay Area Video Coalition). Only four middle schools currently have robust programs: Aptos, A.P. Giannini, Hoover, and Presidio. According to Steve Hendee, “Right now we are at a turning point in urban education, especially in San Francisco, and there are a lot of questions. Are we serving all of the kids in a correct manner?”
Choral students in a classroom at Gilroy HighThe district has seen waning interest from students in orchestral and band instruments, compounded by ebbing funding tides, in which music teachers and supplies are the first to go. Consequently, there is a move away from the large ensemble model, toward smaller, single-instrument classes such as guitar or music production. In some cases, students get valuable education from ensembles such as mariachi groups, Latin percussion ensembles, and rock bands. These classes meet the one-year performing arts requirement in SFUSD’s curriculum, as well as the entrance requirements for UC and State University systems.
No one expects any school to provide a complete music experience for serious musicians. Even at SOTA, students are encouraged to take private lessons and play in outside ensembles. Chris Cabrera, for example, plays percussion in the San Francisco Youth Symphony. Kieren Hughes, from Claire Lilienthal (a public K-8 school), had six years of vocal training in the San Francisco Girls Chorus before being placed in Lowell’s Intermediate Choir as a freshman. “I see music as my hobby, but I’m looking forward to advancing to Chamber Choir eventually,” she says. Kieren attends the San Francisco Conservatory of Music’s Prep school on Saturdays, studying piano and musicianship.
The Master Plan for the Arts encourages a number of collaborations between local arts groups and schools, and teachers leverage these connections whenever possible, such as the Del Sol Quartet's and composer Katrina Wreede's recent residency at Washington High School. As an urban school district, SFUSD faces multiple challenges. Yet, at the same time, the city’s demographics nourish the rich, multicultural soil from which so many creative groups have sprung, each with a unique brand of music. The four walls of school only provide one type of inspiration — and savvy students and parents will look around them and explore San Francisco’s diverse, thriving arts scene.
Get all of your questions answered at the SFUSD Enrollment Fair on Saturday, Nov. 7 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., in the East Hall of the Concourse Exhibition Center.
By Lisa Petrie
The high school selection process has begun for next fall with a flurry of open houses, fairs, school visits, and application forms. When the dust settles, some 5,260 eighth-graders in San Francisco will choose a public school in the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) for their high school experience. Kids who are talented and serious about getting the best musical education they can, do have a few excellent options. But most other high schools are struggling to find scarce resources for arts education and to meet the changing interests and needs of their students.The good news is that amid budget woes, there is support for arts education in the city from taxpayers and administrators. Music programs that have languished from lack of funding resulting from Proposition 13 (1978) recently got a boost through the voter-approved Prop H, or “Public Education Enrichment Fund” — an 11-year, multimillion-dollar earmark for the arts beginning in 2005-2006.
The promise of extra funds allowed the district to look to the future, crafting an ambitious Arts Education Master Plan. Says Susan Stauter, artistic director for high schools in SFUSD’s Visual and Performing Arts Office and one of the plan’s creators, “The master plan provides infrastructure and scaffolding for the arts programs districtwide and ensures them of access and equity for every student. It’s a powerful tool because it was two-and-a-half years in the making and the stakeholders came from all over San Francisco — artists, parents, teachers, community members — all saying what they believe is important for arts education, and it was [school] board approved.” But if the goal of the plan is equity beyond the traditionally strong programs of the School of the Arts and Lowell High School, then the impact of the plan three years on is not immediately obvious.
Factors for Success
Steve HendeeSteve Hendee, band director at School of the Arts (SOTA) and president-elect of the California Music Educators Association (CMEA) Bay Section, hopes Prop H money can help address the discrepancy between middle school programs in the city. “Everything hinges on a complete music education, K-12. You can’t have a successful high school program without a consecutive experience beforehand,” he says. SOTA, a shining star, yet an anomaly as the district’s only dedicated performing arts school, is an excellent choice for students who are serious about the arts. According to Hendee, the rigorous audition process brings only the most talented and motivated students to the school.
Junior percussionist Chris Cabrera began playing percussion in the third grade at Presidio Middle School, and was encouraged by his teacher, Dianna Gomez, to audition for SOTA. “After high school I plan to major in instrumental performance and then get my master’s,” says Chris. “My ideal goal in my musical career is to join a distinguished symphony orchestra and/or teach percussion at a university.”
In addition to attracting dedicated students such as Chris, Hendee cites the scheduling at SOTA as another of the program’s major advantages. “One of the biggest challenges high school music programs face is the sheer number of requirements to fulfill, both for graduation and for college entrance,” he says. At SOTA the kids dedicate their mornings to academics and have the entire afternoon for such music classes as ensemble, chamber music, music theory, music history, piano, and ear training.
Lowell High School’s orchestra director, Michele Winter, agrees that a modular, flexible schedule is key to keeping their program at a high level. “Because we have a longer day with dedicated staffing to cover it, we’re able to give the kids a lot of individual attention,” she states.
And Winter has her share of dedicated students, as well. Senior oboist Jessica Noss also came to Lowell from Presidio Middle School. “I like music but didn’t want it to be the center of my high school experience. I wanted to be able to change my mind,” says Jessica. She takes Advanced Placement Music Theory, enjoys playing in the pit orchestra for the spring musicals, and plans to continue making music in college, though not as a music major.
Lowell has stringent academic requirements for entrance, and is an alternative school in the SFUSD. The orchestra room is large and spotless, rimmed by four soundproof practice rooms. Eight double basses gleam in their rack — equipment that has been paid for by the PTA, an involved parent group that raises thousands of dollars each year in support of the music program.
The Have-Nots
Washington High students
Photo by Jill HendricksOther high schools are not so lucky. Jill Hendricks directs four bands and one orchestra, plus the new marching band, at Washington High School. She originally received $4,000 from Prop H through the district. But after having budgeted that money to buy sheet music and other necessities, she learned that half of it was being rescinded. Hendricks now sells sandwiches she has brought from home, drinks, and noodles out of her filing cabinet, to raise money for her program.
Her 10-hour days include drilling her fledgling marching band out on the field (the only marching band in the entire SFUSD), helping the kids try on donated uniforms, and tuning the drums for the following day’s rehearsals. Her husband spends countless, unpaid hours running instruments to the repair shop and back, among other errands. Still, by such “sweat equity,” Hendricks has managed to build a fine program, despite the lack of funding. It’s not difficult to see why she’s called “the best band director, ever” by her drum major, Emily Hernandez. The confident sophomore with cropped, dyed red hair is a bass clarinetist from Hoover Middle School. She was randomly assigned to Washington High but considers it a “blessing” because of her dedicated teacher and peers. “Band is my creative outlet. We learn advanced music and are like a big, happy family,” says Emily, who plans to minor in music and major in psychology in college.
Changing Landscapes
While other high schools in the district certainly have something to offer in the traditional disciplines of band, orchestra, and choir, not many have programs offering four years of progressive instruction across each. Some music classes are offered at Lincoln High School, and Balboa High School boasts a "performing arts track" in band and chorus (including a music production class developed by the Bay Area Video Coalition). Only four middle schools currently have robust programs: Aptos, A.P. Giannini, Hoover, and Presidio. According to Steve Hendee, “Right now we are at a turning point in urban education, especially in San Francisco, and there are a lot of questions. Are we serving all of the kids in a correct manner?”
Choral students in a classroom at Gilroy HighThe district has seen waning interest from students in orchestral and band instruments, compounded by ebbing funding tides, in which music teachers and supplies are the first to go. Consequently, there is a move away from the large ensemble model, toward smaller, single-instrument classes such as guitar or music production. In some cases, students get valuable education from ensembles such as mariachi groups, Latin percussion ensembles, and rock bands. These classes meet the one-year performing arts requirement in SFUSD’s curriculum, as well as the entrance requirements for UC and State University systems.
No one expects any school to provide a complete music experience for serious musicians. Even at SOTA, students are encouraged to take private lessons and play in outside ensembles. Chris Cabrera, for example, plays percussion in the San Francisco Youth Symphony. Kieren Hughes, from Claire Lilienthal (a public K-8 school), had six years of vocal training in the San Francisco Girls Chorus before being placed in Lowell’s Intermediate Choir as a freshman. “I see music as my hobby, but I’m looking forward to advancing to Chamber Choir eventually,” she says. Kieren attends the San Francisco Conservatory of Music’s Prep school on Saturdays, studying piano and musicianship.
The Master Plan for the Arts encourages a number of collaborations between local arts groups and schools, and teachers leverage these connections whenever possible, such as the Del Sol Quartet's and composer Katrina Wreede's recent residency at Washington High School. As an urban school district, SFUSD faces multiple challenges. Yet, at the same time, the city’s demographics nourish the rich, multicultural soil from which so many creative groups have sprung, each with a unique brand of music. The four walls of school only provide one type of inspiration — and savvy students and parents will look around them and explore San Francisco’s diverse, thriving arts scene.
Get all of your questions answered at the SFUSD Enrollment Fair on Saturday, Nov. 7 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., in the East Hall of the Concourse Exhibition Center.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Public School Enrollment Fair
Each fall, SFUSD creates a one-stop-shopping event for families who are looking to enroll their child. The Public School Enrollment Fair is where parents, caring adults, and students can meet principals to learn what each school can offer their child. Families can also attend workshops including: SFUSD’s enrollment system, how to enroll students in Special Education, the transition to Kindergarten, and language program options. This annual gathering is a chance for families to explore all their options for public schools. Last year approximately 10,000 families attended.
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Sunday, November 1, 2009
JOBS NOW! program
The San Francisco Human Services Agency (SF-HSA) is using newly available federal stimulus funds to expand subsidized employment opportunities, with a goal of placing 1,000 participants in jobs between May 2009 and September 2010. This new program is called JOBS NOW!
Consistent with the goals of the federal stimulus package, the primary objectives of the JOBS NOW! program are to provide an immediate source of income for low-income families and to stimulate local economic recovery. JOBS NOW! builds upon several successful transitional jobs programs already in place at SF-HSA, which were designed to help unemployed individuals address barriers to employment, develop soft skills, gain work experience and progress toward self-sufficiency. JOBS NOW! participants will exit the program with stable employment history, leaving them better positioned to obtain an unsubsidized job when the stimulus period ends. The JOBS NOW! program benefits local employers by providing referrals of qualified workers and by subsidizing 100% of their wages until September 30, 2010. It's a win-win!
Information for Job Seekers
Welcome to the JOBS NOW! program! This program puts unemployed and underemployed parents into good jobs, and pays the employers the cost of their wages through September 30, 2010.
If you want a job that pays at least $9.79 per hour (and likely more), you think you are eligible, and you are ready to get to work, email us or call 1-877-JOB1NOW today!
Who is eligible to be a JOBS NOW! employee?
Unemployed and underemployed San Francisco parents are eligible for the program. If you are a CalWORKs participant, you are eligible for the program. If you are working or were recently working, and your income in the past month was less than 200% of the federal poverty level, you are eligible. The table below shows the maximum income you can earn in a month or year and be eligible for the program.
(Family Size) Maximum Gross Income in the Past Month
(1) $1,805
(2) $2,428
(3) $3,052
(4) $3,675
(5) $4,298
(6) $4,922
(7) $5,545
(8) $6,168
In addition to the income requirements, you must meet a few other criteria. To enroll, you must:
* Be a resident of San Francisco
* Show proof of right to work
* Be a parent of at least one child under age 18 (even if you do not live with that child).
Enrollment into the program is fast and easy. If you are a CalWORKs clients, call your employment specialist. If not, call the JOBS NOW! hotline (1-877-JOB1NOW) or email us.
What kinds of jobs are available?
There are a wide range of job types available to participants through the JOBS NOW! program. Eligible participants will be assessed for their job experience, job readiness, and will then be assigned to one of three types of job opportunities:
* Transitional employment in the non-profit sector, which will be accompanied by job readiness classes.
* Employment with a government agency for job seekers with some job experience.
* Employment with private and non-profit employers for job seekers with more job experience.
For more information about jobs, including some frequently asked questions, click here
Contact Information
Interested employers or job seekers should call 1-877-JOB1NOW (1-877-562-1669) or email us at JobsNow@sfgov.org for more information.
Consistent with the goals of the federal stimulus package, the primary objectives of the JOBS NOW! program are to provide an immediate source of income for low-income families and to stimulate local economic recovery. JOBS NOW! builds upon several successful transitional jobs programs already in place at SF-HSA, which were designed to help unemployed individuals address barriers to employment, develop soft skills, gain work experience and progress toward self-sufficiency. JOBS NOW! participants will exit the program with stable employment history, leaving them better positioned to obtain an unsubsidized job when the stimulus period ends. The JOBS NOW! program benefits local employers by providing referrals of qualified workers and by subsidizing 100% of their wages until September 30, 2010. It's a win-win!
Information for Job Seekers
Welcome to the JOBS NOW! program! This program puts unemployed and underemployed parents into good jobs, and pays the employers the cost of their wages through September 30, 2010.
If you want a job that pays at least $9.79 per hour (and likely more), you think you are eligible, and you are ready to get to work, email us or call 1-877-JOB1NOW today!
Who is eligible to be a JOBS NOW! employee?
Unemployed and underemployed San Francisco parents are eligible for the program. If you are a CalWORKs participant, you are eligible for the program. If you are working or were recently working, and your income in the past month was less than 200% of the federal poverty level, you are eligible. The table below shows the maximum income you can earn in a month or year and be eligible for the program.
(Family Size) Maximum Gross Income in the Past Month
(1) $1,805
(2) $2,428
(3) $3,052
(4) $3,675
(5) $4,298
(6) $4,922
(7) $5,545
(8) $6,168
In addition to the income requirements, you must meet a few other criteria. To enroll, you must:
* Be a resident of San Francisco
* Show proof of right to work
* Be a parent of at least one child under age 18 (even if you do not live with that child).
Enrollment into the program is fast and easy. If you are a CalWORKs clients, call your employment specialist. If not, call the JOBS NOW! hotline (1-877-JOB1NOW) or email us.
What kinds of jobs are available?
There are a wide range of job types available to participants through the JOBS NOW! program. Eligible participants will be assessed for their job experience, job readiness, and will then be assigned to one of three types of job opportunities:
* Transitional employment in the non-profit sector, which will be accompanied by job readiness classes.
* Employment with a government agency for job seekers with some job experience.
* Employment with private and non-profit employers for job seekers with more job experience.
For more information about jobs, including some frequently asked questions, click here
Contact Information
Interested employers or job seekers should call 1-877-JOB1NOW (1-877-562-1669) or email us at JobsNow@sfgov.org for more information.
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