AAPAC Monthly Updates
November 2021
In an everymom.com article titled, "The Affirmations I Tell My Black Son Everyday" the author wrote "I cannot control how someone views my beloved sons, but I can shape how my boys view themselves. So, how do I frame my Black children’s identity positively in light of the negative and dangerous narrative from broader society? I shape their identity with positive affirmations of their character and of their Blackness." What we say to our children (to ourselves) matter. We must be mindful of the power our words hold.
As parents, we have the opportunity to build our children up so that they can stand tall in the face of whatever or whoever may come to steal their joy or dim their lights. Check out the affirmations above and try them with your beautiful Black children. Create some of your own for you and your children. Let's practice speaking power and positivity into our lives.
As always, we are grateful for each and every one of you. We wish you a wonderful fall recess and look forward to connecting with you soon.
Reach out with any questions, concerns, or shareable information by contacting us at aapac@sfusd.edu or by visiting our website at sfusd.edu/aapac. Please also follow us on Facebook.
In Unity,
The African American Parent Advisory Council (AAPAC)
AAPAC Updates
There will not be a November AAPAC meeting. Have a happy and safe Fall Break (Thanksgiving). We look forward to hosting you December 16th at 5:30pm.
Previous AAPAC Meeting
On Thursday, October 21, 2021, we hosted over 75 participants at our monthly meeting focused Black Resilience and Accountability. We set out to uplift and nurture resilience with a wellness conversation led by Okorie Clark followed by a presentation by the Educational Placement Center. In breakout groups, we were able to offer guidance on how to move from a choice-based policy to a zone-based policy. Check out the recording and/or slide deck. Breakout recordings are not included.
AAPAC's Annual Board of Education Presentation
AAPAC presented our annual Board of Education presentation on Tuesday, October 26, 2021. We gave updates on our journey from the past year, shared our goals for the current year, and offered recommendations on how SFUSD can better partner with the African American/Black parent community. View the slide deck here.
AAPAC Is Hiring
Through the Comprehensive Coordinated Early Intervention Services (CCIES) we are hiring a Family and Culture Liasion. The position will support the development of site-based affinity spaces at identified SFUSD schools. Please check out SFUSD's Careers page for the job description and additional details which will soon post.
We are also looking to hire additional personnel through DreamKeeper funding. Stay tuned for those upcoming job announcements.
A Conversation on Dyslexia with Kareem Weaver
On October 28th the Community Advisory Committee for Special Education (CAC) and the African American Parent Advisory Committee (AAPAC) hosted Kareem Weaver of the Oakland National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and over 175 participants for a conversation on Dyslexia, literacy and social justice for ALL students. Check out the powerful clip of his presentation.
Searching for Solutions
Stanford University Professor, Dr. Subini Annamma, and her team are interested in talking with Black students in grades 6th-12th who have been suspended at any time in SFUSD. They are doing up to three interviews or focus groups (youth can choose if they want to be a part of 1 or all of the interviews/focus groups). They will be paid $20 per interview they complete. This is a chance for Black youth to tell their stories, identify what is and is not working, and offer solutions based on their experiences.
To sign your middle or high school child up or for more questions, please email subini@stanford.edu. See the attached research memo for more information.
SFUSD Updates
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.
This week's FAB includes information about:
- Covid testing for students
- Updates from Dr. Matthews on new Bills signed into law by Governor Newsom
- Covid vaccination sites, Covid Response FAQs and more
Parent Education Institute (PEI) for Special Education Families
SFUSD’s Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) program, in partnership with Support for Families with Children with Disabilities, brings you a monthly series to further inclusion, understanding, and education for families of children in special education and help them navigate IEP-related conflicts on the 2nd Wednesdays monthly, via Zoom. Register here.
SFUSD School Enrollment:
If you have a student entering kindergarten, middle school, or high school next year, you must apply for a new school. The online application for the Main Round of Enrollment for the 2022-2023 school year is now available and must be completed on ParentVUE. For families new to SFUSD, you can create an account without an activation code at sfusd.edu/onlineapp. Step by step guides for families are available at sfusd.edu/ola. Applications are due February 4, 2022.
Visit sfusd.edu/schools/enroll to learn more.
Southeast Education Placement Center Office
A new EPC office is now open at Leola Havard. The office will offer the same services as the 555 Franklin location including school enrollment, placement counseling, change of information forms, referrals to alternative programs, and language assessment, and more.
The EPC Southeast office located at 1520 Oakdale Avenue will open from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Monday through Friday and closed every 3rd Thursday of the month from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm.
Fall Recess
All SFUSD K-12 schools and offices will be closed November 22-26, 2021. PreK and Out of School Time programs at Early Education and Elementary Schools will open Nov 22-23. See the Fall Recess Schedule Announcement for more information on open sites.
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 November 9, 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, 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.
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. 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.
We offer community-based, culturally competent, behavioral health services via
comprehensive (face to face and virtual) psychotherapy and behavioral health services, school and agency consultations, medication support, parent training and referrals.
We serve children, adolescents, families and the communities of African descent in the
Southeast sector of San Francisco. For more information call 415-330-5740.
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.
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.
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'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 is a collaborative, San Francisco neighborhood-based, nonprofit organization whose mission is to transform the community and youth through the MAGIC of collaboration.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
ABOUT US
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