AAPAC Updates

Greetings African American/Black Families, AAPAC Members, and Valued Partners!

This year's National theme for Black History Month as set by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History is Black Health and Wellness. It is a time to pause and take a collective breath remembering that breath is life. It is an opportunity to appreciate and highlight Black health workers past and present for their knowledge, strength and skill. And it is time to take inventory of our own wellbeing and take action to improve it. Our babies are counting on us but they need us to be well. They also need to be well.

How do you define health and wellness? What are your wellness practices? How are you promoting the wellness of your young people? Along with providing resources and tools to navigate the district and uplift the voices of Black families in San Francisco, we hope that AAPAC can also be a place where your wellbeing is centered and fostered. This year we will continue to focus on accountability, but we are also focusing on nurturing our resilience. If there are ways we can do that better, let us know.

USC Professor and Associate Dean, Anita Dashiell-Sparks, reminds us that. “At the core or center of Black culture, Black identity, Black art, Black ideology, and the Black community is joy... Black joy is the heartbeat and pulse of our survival, our resiliency, our perseverance, our health, and wellbeing." This month, we encourage you to immerse yourselves in Black joy individually or collectively. Take a look at the opportunities and resources below for Black History Month events and activities as well as ways to stay up to date on SFUSD, AAPAC, and within the community.

Lastly, embody the words of our ancestors, "Each one, Teach One" and share these resources with everyone in your network. If you have additional offerings, be sure to email them to aapac@sfusd.edu so that we can share them too!

Wishing you continued health and wellness,

AAPAC

AAPAC Monthly Meeting

AAPAC will postpone our 3rd Thursday of the month meeting until the last week of February in order to join the 28th Annual African American Honor Roll for high schoolers hosted by the SF Alliance of Black School Educators on February 17th at 5:00pm. Please stay tuned for our rescheduled date. For more information about the Honor Roll celebrations, please see below.

Previous AAPAC Meeting

On January 13th we were joined by Hazard, Young, Attea and Associates (HYA), the firm responsible for conducting the search for the new Superintendent of SFUSD. We were able to offer an honest reflection of SFUSD currently, provide input on desired characteristics for the new Superintendent, as well as make suggestions for the focus of SFUSD going forward. Additionally, we spent time discussing updated Covid-19 guidelines and sharing ways to keep our children safe. Please see the slide deck for a recap of our meeting as well as the Leadership Profile Report produced by HYA which includes much of AAPAC's shared ideas and reflections.

Black Excellence

As we prepare for our Annual Black History Month Celebration we are seeking photos or short videos showcasing our child(ren) being EXCELLENT! This includes them participating in any academic, sporting, or extracurricular activities. For example, if your child is a poet or spoken word artist, do you have pictures/videos of them reciting their poem? If your child builds, do you have a picture of them in action? Or, what about painting? Have a picture of their masterpiece? All approved submissions emailed by parents to aapac@sfusd.edu will be added to a Black Excellence slideshow. Please submit no later than Friday, February 11th.

SFUSD UPDATES

Staying Up to Date with SFUSD

Every Thursday, families who have included their email addresses in ParentVUE will receive the Family Announcement Bulletin (FAB), an email summary of all public website announcements posted in the past week. Learn how to update your contact information in ParentVUE. Interested community members can also sign up to receive FAB.

This week's FAB includes information about: (click links for more information and additional updates)

• Short-Term Independent Study: Student absences are excused if your child is missing school due to COVID-19 surge, isolation, or quarantine. Short-term independent study is available for students who are missing school for a limited period of time, for example as a result of COVID-19 quarantine or isolation. Students may request asynchronous instruction for up to 15 school days.

• Register for a Free Color Account: SFUSD is providing free COVID testing with Color for SFUSD students and staff. In order to streamline access to testing for their SFUSD students, families are strongly encouraged to set up an account for their child today. Click the link for more information.

• Parent Education Institute Family Workshop: Register for the February 9th session at 6pm. The workshop will focus on best practices for effectively communicating your child’s needs with the rest of the IEP team so that the focus can be on supporting your student!
  

• Universal Masking is in Effect at SFUSD: All students and adults, regardless of vaccine status, must wear a mask or face covering indoors that covers nose, mouth and chin at all times except if drinking, eating, napping or if student/staff has a medical exemption. Universal masking indoors is one of the key preventative measures that SFUSD is implementing to slow the spread of COVID-19. This policy is in effect until further notice.

COVID-19 Testing and Vaccinations:

Anyone 5 and older are now eligible to get vaccinated in San Francisco. At this time only Pfizer is approved for those ages 5 to 17 years of age. People under 18 need permission from a parent or guardian to be vaccinated, except under certain limited circumstances. Learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine in San Francisco from sf.gov/covidvaccine. For testing, visit SFUSD's COVID-19 Testing Locations and Dates Page or San Francisco's Get Tested site.

Annual African American Honor Roll 2022

The SF Alliance of Black School Educators will present its 28th Annual African Honor Roll Celebration via ZOOM for ALL SFUSD students of African American descent in Grades 3-12 who have earned a 3.0 Grade Point Average (GPA) or higher in Fall of 2021.

This year's ZOOM Event Will Be Held Over Three (3) Days at 5:00 pm:

• Elementary School Students - February 15th
• Middle School Students - February 16th
• High School Students - February 17th

Elementary Principals/Teachers will select six (6 students of African American descent based on their academic performance) in Grades 3rd - 5th. Middle and High School students are automatically included if they earned a 3.0 or higher in Fall of 2021.

Please be on the lookout for invitations and certificates by mail to the address on record. Click here to update your address.

SFABSE's 26th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Composition & Art Contest

Students in elementary through high school are invited to participate in the Composition and Arts Contest. The deadline to submit is February 21st at 5pm. All winners will receive a gift card and a certificate of participation. Winners may also be asked to display their art at SFABSE events and ceremonies. Click the link for submission guidelines.

Board of Education Meetings

Unless otherwise noticed, meetings are held every 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month at 5pm 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 Tuesday, February 8th at 5pm. Use this Zoom link at the noticed meeting time. Webinar Password: 285386. To listen to the meeting by phone, please call (669) 900 9128, then enter Webinar ID 897 8466 7955 then press “#”. Password: 285386. If asked for a participant id or code, press #.

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, organize 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.

Again, sign up or look out for the Thursday Family Announcement Bulletin or visit sfusd.edu for additional resources and information.

FAFSA:

• To be considered for federal student aid for the 2022–23 award year, you should complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form. The deadline for state-specific aid is March 2, 2022.
• For help completing the form, reach out to your high school counselor for direct assistance or for referrals to community financial aid events. You can also register for the events below.
• Be on the lookout for an email with a recording of the 2/3/22 "How To Pay For College" night along with several essential resources.

College Scholarships:

• Now is the time to apply for scholarships to help pay for college. There are several sites where you can find them, but you can also check out the AAALI Post Secondary Scholarships page too.

Graduation Dates:
SFUSD released the 2022 Graduation Dates for each high school. Black Graduation will be Tuesday, May 31st at 6:45 at Kezar Stadium. Check out the full schedule here.

Although we uplift Black History 365(6) days a year, February, the official month dedicated to the honoring of the contributions of Black and African Americans, is full of fun ways to celebrate and commemorate. Please see the list of upcoming events and opportunities. We also ask that you use and share these resources with your child's school to ensure that celebrations are being planned and evidence of these celebrations are visible and well-executed.

SFUSD Resources:

• 2022 Black History Month Guide
• SF Loves Learning Resources
• AAPAC
• The African American Achievement and Leadership Initiative

Citywide Resources:

• SF Public Library's More Than a Month: This year, in concert with Black History Month’s national theme of the importance of Black Health and Wellness, the Library offers free meditation, yoga and craft programs with local creators and businesses, as well as art programs in partnership with the Museum of the African Diaspora. See here for a list of events.
• MegaBlack SF is a collective of Black-led organizations and Black individuals fighting for visibility, sovereignty, dignity, and justice for Black San Franciscans. MegaBlack is collecting and sharing events and resources on an ongoing basis. Complete the interest form to be added to the mailing list.
  
• The Dream Keeper Initiative is a new, citywide effort to reinvest $120 million over the next two years from law enforcement into San Francisco’s Black and African American community. Through the initiative, DKI is providing tickets to a few really exciting events over the next couple of weeks. The first of these happens THIS SUNDAY at 2pm. Join DKI for a FREE performance of I, Too, Sing America at the SFBATCO. Get tickets here.
• You can also check out the SF Chronicle's list of activities.
• See the picture links below for additional events

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.

The SMART Program

SMART is a 12-year college access program that starts in 4th grade and goes all the way through college. We work with low-income scholars and their families in SF to support them to be in the first generation in their families to graduate from college. To begin the application process, families may submit an interest form online or educators may nominate a 4th grade who they think is a good fit for SMART. APPLICATION DEADLINE IS MARCH 25, 2022

Aim High Summer Program

Aim High is a no-cost, in-person summer learning program for 5th-8th grade students. Our five-week program keeps students actively, joyfully learning, and building connections to their classmates and teachers all summer long. Aim High provides a mix of project-based academics, social-emotional learning, outdoor activities, exciting field trips, and community building activities. APPLICATION DEADLINE IS APRIL 8TH.

African American Reparations Advisory Committee (AARAC)

Per the January 4, 2022 SF Human Rights Commission Media Advisory- The African American Reparations Advisory Committee was established by City ordinance to examine the possibilities of reparations for descendants of enslaved persons in San Francisco, a community impacted by historic and continued harms. Detailing the Committee’s mission and goals, this Report serves as the body’s first milestone, delivered six months after its initial convening.

The AARAC meets on the 2nd Monday of every month at 5:30pm. To tune in, register at bit.ly/SF-Reparations. Public comment is highly encouraged.

Kindergaten to College

K2C is a college savings initiative for kindergartners entering the San Francisco Unified School District. Each eligible child starts kindergarten with a savings account, containing an initial deposit of $50 from the City and County of San Francisco. Children and their families can contribute to the account throughout grade school and high school. Currently, over 22,000 students in all 74 public SFUSD elementary schools have K2C accounts, including all K-3 grade students (and select students in 4th-5th grade at K2C pilot year schools).

Foster SF

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.

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.

Black to the Future SF

Black to the Future is committed to enhancing educational and economic opportunities for our community by instilling the necessary tools to become successful. Black to the Future’s goal is to engage youth and young adults ages 14 to 35 around a continuum of culturally competent services that consider their role in family, community, and the overall landscape of San Francisco. Learn more or complete a family intake by clicking on the above link.

MegaBlackSF

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, to be added to their newsletter, or to join the weekly meetings, visit their site linked in the title.

Dream Keeper SF

The Dream Keeper Initiative is a new, citywide effort to reinvest $120 million over the next two years from law enforcement into San Francisco’s Black and African American community. This Initiative is part of Mayor London N. Breed’s roadmap for reforming public safety and addressing structural inequities in San Francisco. The Dream Keeper Initiative aims to break the cycle of poverty and involvement in the criminal justice system for the families in City programs and ensure that new investments, including in youth development, economic opportunity, community-led change, arts and culture, workforce, and homeownership, are accessible to San Francisco’s families who are most in need.

Learn more about partner organizations and activities by visiting the linked website.

*AAPAC is an honored partner and recipient of DreamKeeperSF Funds.

Rafiki Coalition

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

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.

Magic Zone

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.

B’Magic

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).

The YMCA of San Francisco

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.

SF Beacon Initiative

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.

100% College Prep

Our mission is to create a cadre of college and career-ready students from San Francisco's underserved communities to begin and complete post-secondary education or vocational training. 100% offers academic support, college readiness resources, leadership opportunities and more. Programming is free. To sign up complete this form.

The African American Parent Advisory Council

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