AAPAC Monthly Updates

Greetings African American Families, AAPAC Members, and Valued Partners,

55 years ago this month the Black Panther Party for Self Defense was formed in Oakland California. Merrit College students, Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale, organized to combat police brutality against the Black community, but soon the self defense party expanded to liberate the community, demand political and economic equality and create change for self through the development of medical clinics, free breakfast sites and more.

On October 15, 1966, Seale and Newton drafted the Black Panthers’ Ten-Point Program (see photo above). The essence of the plan can be summed up by Point 10: "WE WANT LAND, BREAD, HOUSING, EDUCATION, CLOTHING...AND, WE WANT SOME PEACE!" Today, we are asking for the same things! As we continue to Listen, Educate and Advocate with and for Black students and their families, let's remember the lessons and efforts of those who fought and endured before us. Let's remember that together we can be the change we need and deserve.

Please take a moment to read the text below, and check out the upcoming events, opportunities and resources available to you and your family. We look forward to seeing you in the community, at Board of Education meetings, and at our monthly gatherings.

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.

In Unity,

The African American Parent Advisory Council (AAPAC)

Upcoming Virtual AAPAC Meeting

Please join us Thursday, October 21st, at 5:30 pm for our monthly AAPAC meeting. October is Mental Health Screening month as well as Bully Prevention month. We will spend some time sharing resources and offerings around those topics. We will also engage with the Education Placement Center to share input around the new student assignment plan.

A Zoom link for the meeting will be shared closer to the date. To request the link email us at aapac@sfusd.edu.

Previous AAPC Meeting

On Thursday, September 16, 2021, the African American Parent Advisory Council (AAPAC) in collaboration with the African American Achievement and Leadership Initiative (AAALI) and leaders from various departments in SFUSD hosted a "Black To School" Town Hall. Together, we hosted 101 participants. To watch the recording click this link or visit sfusd.edu/aapac.

Attend The New Root Festival with AAPAC

AAPAC has partnered with San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Company (SFBATCO) to secure tickets for AAPAC members to attend the New Roots Festival on either Saturday, October 16th or Sunday, October 17th. The New Roots Theatre Festival is a cultural festival that represents the global community in the Bay Area and celebrates works dedicated to the stories of marginalized identities. See sfbatco.org for more information.

If you are interested in attending with AAPAC, please email us your interests at aapac@sfusd.edu. There will only be two tickets available per person. If you would like to participate on your own, click here for half off to Blocks B & D or here for Normal priced tickets with choice in performance block: SFBATCO has also partnered with MegaBlackSF for additional discounted tickets. Feel free to email us for that link.

AAPAC's Annual Board of Education Presentation

Please join members of the District African American Parent Advisory Council for our annual presentation to the Board of Education on Tuesday, October 26, 2021. The virtual meeting begins at 5:00pm. With your participation, we will give updates on our journey, share our goals for the current year and offer recommendations on how SFUSD can better partner with the African American/Black parent community. We invite you to make a public comment and share your experiences with AAPAC or as families of Black children in SFUSD.

Visit sfusd.edu/about/board-of-education website for the Zoom Link closer to the day.

A Conversation on Dyslexia with Kareem Weaver

Please join the San Francisco Community Advisory Committee for Special Education (CAC) and the African American Parent Advisory Committee (AAPAC) on October 28th at 6pm for a special presentation by Kareem Weaver of the Oakland National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Moderated by Megan Potente of Decoding Dyslexia CA, the presentation will focus on dyslexia and literacy instruction for all students.

Language Interpretation is provided. To request ASL or another language, please reserve in advance by calling 415-920-5040 or email us at cacspedsf@gmail.com.

Register here to receive the virtual meeting link.

Staying Up to Date/More SFUSD Updates and Resources:

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.

Indigenous Peoples' Day

All SFUSD schools and offices will be closed on Monday, Oct. 11 in observance of Indigenous Peoples' Day.

SFUSD School Enrollment:
If you have a student entering kindergarten, middle school, or high school next year, you must apply for a new school. Get help in finding a school in SFUSD by attending the Virtual Enrollment Fair on Zoom from October 22 to 29!

This event is a great place to learn about SFUSD schools and how to apply all in the same place! There will also be in-person and virtual enrollment workshops in the month of November. Subscribe for updates or see the schedule of events by visiting sfusd.edu/fair or clicking on the linked picture above.

Option to Change Letter Grade to Pass/No Pass: Parents/guardians/education rights holders of high school students who were enrolled in a high school course during the 2020-2021 school year may apply to have a letter grade(s) earned for that course during the 2020-2021 school year changed to a Pass or No Pass grade. Students who are 18 or older may apply on their own behalf. The deadline to apply has been extended! Applications are due by October 22, 2021.

To make changes, complete the linked form. For more information click here.

Rental Assistance:

If you, or someone you know, is a San Francisco resident and in need of help paying rent due to the COVID-19 pandemic, please go to http://sf.gov/renthelp. Tenants can apply for up to 18 months of rental assistance including prospective rental assistance and utility assistance.

Covid Vaccination and Testing Sites

Anyone 12 years or older is eligible to get vaccinated. Learn more about COVID-19 vaccine FAQs and vaccine resources for anyone under 18 years old.

For more information click the link for vaccines, testing, or daily health screening protocols.

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 October 12, 2021 at 5pm.

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.

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

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.

SF Bay Area Theatre Company (SFBATCO)

"SFBATCO, a Black, LatinE, & Asian led non-profit organization, produces compelling theater that builds community, fosters cross-cultural dialogue, promotes social justice and authentically reflects the experiences of communities of color and LGBTQ people." Check out the upcoming New Roots Theatre Festival on October 16 and/or 17th. For discounted or full access tickets click here for half off to Blocks B & D or here for normal priced tickets with choice in performance block. SFBATCO has also partnered with MegaBlackSF for additional discounted tickets. Feel free to email us at aapac@sfusd.edu for that link. See the flyer below.

Friends of Allensworth

Allensworth is the first town in California established exclusively by African Americans. It was founded in 1908 by Colonel Allen Allensworth. Cultural tours and celebrations are offered throughout the year. MegaBlackSF has partnered with Ella Hill Hutch to host an annual bus trip on Saturday, October 9th leaving at 6 am. If you have proof of vaccination and are interested in attending, contact Dorothy Cook at 415-621-5848 or consider driving down yourself. There are several other upcoming events. Click the linked title or visit friendsofallensworth.org for more information. See the flyer below.

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.

Bayview Hunters Point YMCA

The BVHP YMCA strengthens the foundation of the community by promoting youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. Check out their lined website for a host of incredible opportunities including the Social Entrepreneur Program. The program is 15-week course where you build your business plan as well as earn a laptop, $1,500 in seed funding, and much more! Requirements include being between the ages of 18-24 and attending the mandatory orientation on Tuesday, October 12th at 5pm. To register, contact Adaysha Patton apatton@ymcasf.org 415 820-4240. See the flyer below.

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.

SF Alumnae Chapter Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. Youth Programs

The Mission of the San Francisco Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. is to organize and implement a full program of public service initiatives in the local communities of San Francisco and Marin counties. Our programs are focused on our Five-Point Programmatic Thrust of Economic Development, Educational Development, International Awareness and Involvement, Physical and Mental Health, and Political Awareness and Involvement. This year the Alumnae chapter is excited to provide young women ages 11-18 with an opportunity to:

• engage with influential guest speakers around topics that will prepare them for college
• attend fun and educational field trips and,
• lend a hand/give back to the community through volunteerism and service-learning

See the attached flyer to learn more or visit the linked website.

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 Advocates

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.

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.

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.

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