Masharika’s Corner

There’s no shortage of complex education-related issues currently on the table: the recent Chicago teacher strike, Propositions 30 and 38, our city’s Board of Education election, and the looming budget concerns within our school district to name a few. If that isn’t enough to keep you busy, try sorting through Hollywood’s version of a Pandora’s Box, Won’t Back Down.

As a parent community, we must continue to keep ourselves and each other informed about all of these topics. PPS-SF’s network is a valuable resource for doing just this. This edition of SCOOP is chock-full of information on Propositions 30 and 38; including our organizational position. I also recommend you read through Educate Our State’s website to learn more about these propositions and “take the pledge” if you’re so inclined.

While you’re getting schooled on these state-level measures, also carve out time to learn all you can about our city’s Board of Education candidates. With four open seats this November and eleven qualified candidates vying for these coveted positions, your voice – and your vote – matter. Thanks to PPS-SF network member, Stan Goldberg, for producing this election season’s Board of Education candidate forum series. Read on to learn about an upcoming joint-sponsored opportunity to engage with these candidates in mid-October.

Finally, I’d like to extend warm wishes to our Project Manager, Jamilah Sanchez, who will be taking time off from PPS-SF to welcome her new baby girl into the world this month. Jamilah is an integral part of why we have been so successful at reaching parents in our SIG schools. In her absence, Olivia Udovic and Danielle Winfred will be facilitating PPS-SF’s School Site Council Training for Parents program and Next Steps Leadership Training for Parents program at a number of schools in the city. Learn more about Olivia’s path to PPS-SF in this edition of SCOOP, and please join me in thanking Jamilah for all her efforts on behalf of the families in our district. We look forward to welcoming her and her growing family back next Spring!

After all the learning you’re going to be doing to get ready for the November 6th elections, I suggest you take a walk. Better yet, read our parent tip from a Jose Ortega parent below to learn how to master the art of walk-a-thons and invite your school community to plan one this school year.

Onward,

Masharika
 

November Elections

Yes on Proposition 30 & Proposition 38
 
Parents for Public Schools of San Francisco (PPS-SF) Board of Directors has announced its formal position on two propositions listed on the November 6, 2012 ballot: Proposition 30 and Proposition 38. The Board of Directors unanimously voted in favor of supporting both measures. The negative consequences of neither of these propositions being enacted – increased furlough days, decreased professional development time for teachers and other certificated staff, and a decline in resources for students to name a few – has led the organization to take a stance in favor of both propositions.

We urge voters to learn as much as possible about Proposition 30 and Proposition 38 and vote yes on both to ensure much needed funding -- and subsequently, tangible resources – are brought back into our schools.  See our Press Release for the full language of PPS-SF’s position and  our Elections Page for additional resources on ways to learn more about the two propositions

SFUSD Board of Education Candidate Forum:  Wednesday, October 17
|6:30 – 8:30 pm|

This fall, four open seats are slated to be filled on SFUSD’s Board of Education. Join us on Wednesday, October 17, from 6:30 – 8:30 pm to learn more about the candidates on this November's ballot. The event will take place at the African American Art & Culture Complex's Buriel Clay Theatre (762 Fulton Street), Parking is available in the adjacent lot. Interpretation will be provided.

This event is sponsored by the Second District PTA, Parents for Public Schools – San Francisco, Chinese for Affirmative Action, San Francisco Alliance for Arts Education, SF Education Fund, and San Francisco Parent Action Committee.

Stan Goldberg in the San Francisco Briefing Room has interviewed 10 of the candidates for the Board of Education.  You can listen to the interviews in the Senior Dad Briefing Room. 

PPS-SF in Action!

It’s Enrollment Season!

It’s that time of year when thousands of preschool parents begin their search for a kindergarten home for their 4 year olds. See our Marketing Your Schools page on our website for ideas and suggestions on how to increase awareness about your school. 

Sign up to be a PPS-SF School Ambassador.  PPS-SF School Ambassadors are parent volunteers who make themselves available to share their experiences about their school community with prospective families. When parents make a personal connection with another parent they are more likely to visit a school, consider it for their child, and ultimately enroll in that school.  If you would like to become a PPS-SF School Ambassador, please fill out our ambassador form.

Our website is often the first stop for a parent starting their school search. You can use it to market your school by submitting your school events on our calendar and updating your school’s parent testimonial. It’s also a big boon if a PPS-SF School Ambassador is designated to represent your school on the parent panel at one of our many library enrollment events.  If you are interested in attending one of these, contact Carol Lei at carol@ppssf.org or 415-861-7077.

Latino Parent Club

The Latino Parent Club is an open forum, held in Spanish, where parents can discuss their child’s education, give each other support, and share best practices.  Guest speakers are often invited to present on key topics of concern.  If you are interested in participating, contact Daisy at daisy@ppssf.org or 415-861-7077 ext 4. 

Meet Olivia Udovic

Jamilah Sanchez, PPS-SF project manager in charge of School Governance Program in the district’s School Improvement Grant schools, has gone out on maternity leave and will return next spring.  She has done an outstanding job building the base of parents that have participated and has worked diligently to make the trainings relevant to each unique school community. Last year, 65 parents completed the program, but nearly one hundred parents participated at different points throughout the year

In Jamilah’s absence, Olivia Udovic will continue the work of equipping parents with the tools and skills necessary to take an active role on their respective School Site Councils.  Olivia first heard about PPS-SF through Jamilah nearly a year ago, but didn't fully understand the work until she heard about the job opening. “I was very interested in PPS-SF because it seemed like a perfect blend of two of my main interests: education and community organizing,” said Olivia. As she began to understand the work that PPS-SF has focused on, she gained an appreciation for its importance. “Both enrollment and school governance are very complicated issues and the parents of San Francisco are very lucky to have this great resource to help them make educated decisions and be active participants in their children's education.”  


Olivia has two children; Citlali (5) just started kindergarten at a public school in Oakland and Lucía (3) just started preschool at a Spanish language preschool co-op that she helped found two years ago.  Before joining PPS-SF, Olivia taught for 5 ½ years at an elementary school in Los Angeles and then left the classroom to earn her Master’s of Education degree with an emphasis on literacy instruction. After moving to the Bay Area three years ago, she worked as a curriculum coach at a charter school in East Oakland.


As both a public school parent and a former public school teacher, Olivia finds the work that PPS-SF does critical. “Parents are so important to ensuring a child's success in school.” Olivia commented, “the more involved they are, the better.” Please welcome Olivia to the PPS-SF community. She can be reached at olivia@ppssf.org or 415-861-7077.


Parent Tips

Contributed by a Jose Ortega ES parent on their annual walk-a-thon

The distance from San Francisco to San Diego is 502 miles. Last year, our kids walked enough to get there and beyond! Their combined little feet walked/ran a total of 721 miles – which would take them all the way to Mexico – and earned quite a bit of revenue for our school, as well!

When planning your school’s funding strategy, it’s a good idea to have a mix of fundraisers. The wine-dinner-auction type of events can raise a lot of money, but if you think about it, they require a babysitter, an open evening, and the willingness to give more for a good cause.  We've been pretty fortunate given our modest school finances to also have events like book sales and the yearly walk-a-thon which allows for more overall community participation.  Not only do we get some 90% of the kids physically participating by walking an average of 2 miles, it also means kids are directly involved in the fundraising process by requesting donations for their own education; many in the form of small, individual contributions (i.e., $3 from one Auntie, or $7 from the neighbor).  The walk-a-thon has brought in $4,000 to $8,000 in revenue each year for the past 4 years.

Recycled manila donor envelopes are given to each child the week before spring break. They contain a script for the child to read when requesting a donation.  Donors can make a flat donation right away or a per lap commitment to be collected after the event.

Here’s an extra treat: because Mardi Gras beads are sourced on sale soon after the season, buy and throw beads to participants for every mile reached and "special" beads for kids that reach higher mileage varying by grade level and ability.  "Special" beads have included rubber duckies, the American flag, and animals of the savannah (bottom line: whatever is on sale). Volunteers track walkers (seven laps around our courtyard is a mile) and distribute beads.  

The event comes soon after the stress-inducing STAR testing period. Walking is great for releasing any pent up anxiety and unwinding from the pressures of the exam.  The entire school – janitors, teachers, parents, students, school leaders, and school staff – get out in the sun and stroll to the sounds of hits from the 70's, 80's, and 90's while raising money for our school.  The walk-a-thon not only brings in needed funds but encourages healthy habits and builds wonderful community spirit. 
 

October 2012

• Masharika's Corner

• November Elections

• PPS-SF in Action!

• Meet Olivia Udovic

• Parent Tips

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