AAPAC Updates
February 2021
"...If love could be visualized, Black families would hold the blueprint of that design.
Our faith is immeasurable, our resilience indefinable.
The power of and within Black families is the true definition of extreme regard and magnificence."
-Okorie Clark, SFUSD parent and educator
The Black Family: Representation, Identity and Diversity, 2021 National Theme
Happy Black History Month!
Greetings African American Families, AAPAC Members and Valued Partners,
In the spirt of this year's National Black History Month Theme "The Black Family: Representation, Identity and Diversity," we would like to reflect on the collective work we've moved for African American families in SFUSD as an AAPAC leadership team. Over the past year, the nine parents who plan our monthly gatherings, advocate on our behalf at Board of Education meetings, sit on various district committees and who each serve as leader at their children's school sites, volunteered over 3,168 hours combined! If you get a chance, please take some time to share some gratitude for the service and commitment our parent leaders consistent bring to SFUSD. Also, make sure to reflect on the journey that you've conquered so far, as a family member in this district. AAPAC is making a difference and the credit goes to all of you and to each of our parent leaders. Thank you!
As we enter the month dedicated to honoring Black History (which is truly American history), let's ensure that Black students and families see their brilliance uplifted, that we have our unique stories told, and that our history (in it's true narrative) shines bright!
Although we celebrate Black History 365 days a year (366 in a leap year), we encourage you all to go a bit deeper this month. Really show out! AAPAC urges you to work with your school sites to ensure that celebrations are being planned and affirming curriculum is being taught in every one of our virtual classrooms. For ideas, resources and local events, check out the attached 2021 SFUSD Black History Month Resource Guide and the updates below.
In Unity,
AAPAC
AAPAC Specific Updates
Please join us WEDNESDAY, February 24th at 5:30pm for our monthly AAPAC meeting. This month we will celebrate US! Our history, our culture, our voices. The Zoom link will be posted and shared via email soon.
Previous AAPAC Meeting
If you missed last month's meeting on The Return to In-person Learning, we wanted to share a recording of the meeting, and a copy of the presentation.
We also request that all families of Black children take the attached AAPAC Distance Learning Survey. Please let your voices be heard. All data will be shared with SFUSD's Board of Education and District Leadership Team.
In Solidarity with the Black Students at Lowell High School
For far too long, Black and Brown students attending Lowell High School have endured overt racism and push out. While this issue is not limited to Lowell and AAPAC stands in support of ALL BLACK CHILDREN, it is past time that our community stands up and protects our children at this site. Please see the AAPAC letter of solidarity and the 'In Response to Ongoing, Pervasive Systemic Racism at Lowell High School' Resolution drafted by SFUSD's student delegates and Board of Education commissioners.
Black History Month
As stated before, AAPAC urges you to ensure that Black History is being taught, uplifted and celebrated in each SFUSD school site 365(6) days per year, ESPECIALLY in the month of February. For resources for home and school check out the SFUSD 2021 BHM Guide. For a stimulating series of conversations facilitated by Black youth, check out the RASOTA BSU Series. And, if you are looking for an exciting and engaging curriculum with fun and interactive activities that your school site can use, check out Homeschool History with Griot B and Schoolyard Rap.
Be sure to check out our SFUSD and community section below for more opportunities to celebrate.
Updates from SFUSD
SF Loves Learning Updates
Are you celebrating Black History Month? Would you like to share how you’re celebrating on the SF Loves Learning TV show? Email sfloveslearning@sfusd.edu to share your ideas or submit your video using this submission form.
Main Round Enrollment:
If you have a child entering Kindergarten, 6th or 9th grades, the deadline to apply is February 5, 2021, but don't wait, APPLY NOW. The application (online and a downloadable paper app), is available on sfusd.edu/enroll and will also be mailed to your homes. You can complete it online, mail it back, or take a picture of it and send it in. For support, call the Educational Placement Center (EPC) team at 415-218-8454, email enrollinschool@sfusd.edu, or schedule a 1:1 virtual appointment. AAPAC is also available to help with completing the app. Reach out and let us know if you need support.
Annual African American Honor Roll 2021
The SF Alliance of Black School Educators will present its 27th 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 2020. Elementary School Principals/Teachers will select six (6 students of African American descent based on their academic performance) in Grades 3rd- 5th.
This year, the event will be held over 3 days at 5:00 pm.
- Elementary School Students - February 16th
- Middle School Students - February 17th
- High School Students - February 18th
Please be on the look our for invitations and certificates by mail to the address on record. Click here to update your address. Please also make sure students are dressed in white tops and black bottoms.
Dr. Martin Luther King Oratorical and Poster Contest
The SF Alliance of Black School Educators will host the 25th Annual Dr. MLK contest. K-12 students are asked to respond to the following prompt, "There are many obstacles in pursuing Social Justice. Dr. King and other Civil Rights Leaders had to overcome many setbacks, including being arrested, police brutality, threats, and violence. Our Civil Rights Leaders overcame. What did the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr and the lives of other Civil Rights leaders teach you about being resilient?" Essays and art pieces will be accepted.
Guidance for the contest is attached here. Winners will receive gift cards and an opportunity to share their contributions at future events.
Staying Up to Date/More SFUSD Updates and Resources:
SFUSD sends weekly emails to families called the Family Digest that include the plan to return to school, critical updates and weekly resources. If you are not receiving these communications, you may need to update your contact information in Family Portal (ParentVUE) to communicate with families. Learn how to check your contact information in Family Portal and update it if it is incorrect. If you don't have a Family Portal account, learn how to activate your account.
Community Partner Updates
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.
African American Historical and Cultural Society
Black History Month 2021 Celebration
City Hall Black History Month Kick Off- Friday, February 5th at 12pm
Families Histories Program- February 12th at 6pm
Genealogy Workshop- February 20th at 11am
Public Affairs Forums- February 26th at 6pm
Check out the San Francisco Public Library's More Than and Month Black History Month Activities. The SFPL Main Library located at 100 Larkin Street, has a an African American Center. The Center on the third floor of the Main Library welcomes students, researchers and anyone interested in learning more about the historical, political and cultural experiences of African Americans in California and beyond. Check it out!
MegaBlack SF is a collective of Black-led organizations and Black individuals fighting for visibility, sovereignty, dignity and justice for Black San Franciscans. For more information on MegaBlack SF or to be added to their newsletter check out their site.
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.
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.
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).
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. We provide 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.
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.
The YMCA of San Francisco: Our neighboring YMCAs offer a variety of resources and opportunities that are free or low cost to the community.
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.
Eunice C. Cobbs Reparations Project Scholarship
Are you African American? (African American is defined as the descendant of an enslaved African in what is now the United States of America.) The Reparations Librarian is offering $250.00 to any student that creates a simple family tree dating back to their great, great grandparents. Please contact: info@reparationslibrary.org for more information.
Are you a CalWorks and/or CalFresh recipient? You can get two cases of free diapers per month. Visit the link above for more information.
Were you in foster care sometime between the ages of 13 and 25? Are you interested in attending college, or already attending college? Consider applying for a scholarship from Foster Youth Rising. Please visit the website for more details.
Check out the link for testing locations and resources in throughout the city.
The African American Parent Advisory Council (AAPAC), SFUSD
Email: aapac@sfusd.edu
Website: sfusd.edu/aapac
Location: 1551 Newcomb Avenue, San Francisco, CA, USA
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aapacsf