AAPAC Updates
March 2021
Greetings African American Families, AAPAC Members and Valued Partners,
"..But my joy of today
Is that we can all be proud to say,
To be young, gifted, and Black
Is where it’s at! Is where it’s at! Is where it’s at!”
-Weldon Irvine Jr.
We also would like to celebrate another successful AAPAC Annual Black History Month Book Giveaway. We were able to distribute over 1,000 books written by Black authors with Black protagonists to hundreds of families across San Francisco! This year's giveaway could not have been possible without our AAPAC Librarian - Nancy Cussary, SF Public Library Manager - Naomi Jelks, SFPL Bayview and Main Branches, generous donations from Access Books, Tandem Bay Area, The Hatchett Book Group, SCRAP, the Community Redistribution Program, Children Book Project AND the incredible founder of Y-NOT Unite and AAPAC Leader, Toni Hines. Job well done!
Lastly, in honor of Women's History Month, we uplift and honor the many she-roes whose shoulders we stand on. We are grateful for the continued sacrifices made by women past and present and we look forward to what the future holds for our girls of tomorrow. Be sure to thank a woman today and check out this beautiful tribute from BET.
Please check out the important information, updates and opportunities below from AAPAC, SFUSD and our wonderful community partners.
In Unity,
AAPAC
AAPAC Specific Updates
Please join us Thursday, March 18th at 5:30pm for our monthly AAPAC meeting. The Zoom link will be shared closer to the date. To request the link, be sure to email us at aapac@sfusd.edu.
AAPAC Distance Learning Survey
Attention families of Black Children in SFUSD, if you have not done so already, please take the AAPAC Distance Learning Survey. It is super important that you let your voices be heard. All data will be shared with SFUSD's Board of Education and District Leadership Team on a continuous basis.
AAPAC Participation in the School Planning Summit
On March 6th, SFUSD will hold the Annual School Planning Summit. This is an opportunity to:
- Hear about SFUSD's strategic priorities, programs and services for the 21-22 school year
- Help develop your school's priorities and plans for next year
- Learn about funding and other sources to serve your students
It is critical that Black families, especially site based AAPACs are apart of and active in these conversations. Check in with your school Principal for the virtual link, time and agenda for your school's gathering.
For support, reach out to us at aapac@sfusd.edu and we will help connect you.
SFUSD Specific Updates
SFUSD sends out bi-weekly updates to families via the Family Digest. Click the February 24th Link for the latest on contract negotiations, health and safety resource, distance learning updates and more.
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.
Pandemic EBT
The deadline has been extended to March 10th! Apply NOW if you have not done so already.
To receive P-EBT, review the following before March 10:
Ensure your children are eligible for free or reduced-price school meals. If you haven’t already, update your household income information online by submitting the Multipurpose Family Income Form.
Ensure your mailing address is correct. Check which address you have on file or update it by completing the Emergency Card form online in ParentVUE.
The State of California will mail cards directly to families April through June.
Learn more: sfusd.edu/pebt.
Free Grab and Go Meals
Student Nutrition Services is committed to providing nutritious meals for children. All meals are free!
- Tuesdays: Free Meals Available for SFUSD Students & Siblings
On Tuesdays, 5 days’ worth of meals, including breakfast, lunch, supper, fresh fruits and vegetables, and milk is available. - Thursdays: Free Meals Available for All Children 18 & Younger
On Thursdays, 2 days’ worth of meals, plus snacks, fresh fruits and vegetables, and milk is available. SFUSD families can pick up free meals one or both days!
View the March Grab & Go Calendar.
SFUSD/SF Updates on Covid-19 Vaccines
SFUSD has put together a Facts, Questions and Answers (FAQ) sheet regarding the Covid-19 Vaccine. Check it out for more information on making informed choices for your family, the latest for options available to SFUSD teachers and more.
The City of San Francisco also has a website where you can find more information about eligibility and access.
Parent Teacher Conferences
Conferences begin next week, March 8-12, for Elementary and Middle School grades. Be sure to check in with your child's teacher if your conference has not been scheduled. For making the best out of this incredible partnership opportunity, check out these tips from Superintendent, Dr. Vincent Matthews.
SFUSD and SFPL Conversation with Elizabeth Acevedo with Mahogany L. Browne
In honor of "HERstory: Past, Present and Future" join New York Times bestselling author, Elizabeth Acevedo, and fellow author, organizer and educator Mahogany L. Browne, in a necessary conversation about social justice and equality on the heels of Acevedo’s collaboration on Browne’s recent book, Woke: A Young Poet’s Call to Justice. Students and educators alike are invited to listen, be inspired and learn from two of the most vital voices in YA literature today. This virtual event will air March 10th at 2pm. Tune in on Youtube.
Board of Education Meetings
Unless otherwise noticed, meetings are held every 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month at 3pm and are open to the public. To tune in, visit the BOE Webpage the day of and follow log in instructions. Agendas are posted the Friday prior to each meeting. The next regular meeting will be March 9th.
SPRING BREAK-NO SCHOOL
There will be no virtual classes for students K-12 from March 29-April 2nd due to Spring Break.
ATTENTION HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS!!!
Scholarship Opportunities:
Check out the SFUSD Financial Aid and Scholarship webpage for a list of 14 local scholarships and resources for high school seniors. Here are a few others webpages with resources:
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.
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.
On March 13th join the Rafiki Healing Circle from1-3pm. Click here to register
Check out all of the offerings and events provided by the SF Public Library.
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.
Check out Mayor Breed's Press Release on the Dream Keeper Initiative (the reinvestment of $120 million in San Francisco’s African-American community over the next two years)
Board of Education Parent Advisory Council
The BOE Parent Advisory Council (PAC) was created by the San Francisco Board of Education as a formal way for family perspectives to be included in the district’s decision-making process. PAC members actively reach out to engage families in district policy discussions and to represent family concerns to district leaders. The PAC also supports parents to be leaders, advocates and partners in their children's education. For more information or to submit an application, click the link above.
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.
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).
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.
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