Physical Activities Awareness
San Francisco Unified School District celebrates Physical Activity Awareness Month throughout February. Schools are encouraged to hold events and teach lessons which promote physical activity. Read WAD for further information, including lesson plans and professional deveopment opportunities. Read WAD for further information including activities for elementary and secondary levels.
Harvest of the Month: Citrus (Mandarins)
View full list of Health Awareness themes for this school year.
FREE Citizenship Workshop, February 27
SF Pathways to Citizenship Initiative (HSA and OCEIA) is offering a FREE citizenship workshop on Saturday, February 27, 2016, and fee waiver assistance to encourage and support those on the path to citizenship! SFUSD staff, students, and families can receive free assistance with:
- Step-by-step review of the naturalization process
- Assessment of your eligibility to naturalize
- Application preparation & documentation packaging, if eligible to naturalize
- Application review by an immigration attorney or qualified legal representative
- Accessing community resources (resource tables)
Registration is NOT necessary. Volunteers needed! Please see WAD for more information and flyers.
February is Oral Health Month
Screenings/Events: Free dental screening and events are open to everyone at dental clinics around SF during February from 2/5 to 2/27. View Give Kids a Smile Day events flyers and schedule: English | Spanish | Chinese.
Dental Resources: the Department of Public Health Dental Health Referral directories: English | Spanish | Chinese. Read WAD for more information.
K-5 Dental Poster Contest: The theme this year will be “Strike Out Sugar For a Healthy Smile”. Posters are due by March 14, winners will be announced April 8. Lots of great prizes! Read WAD for more information. View flyer.
Healthy Party Ideas
Leave the candy and sugary snacks out of the classroom
and teach students and parents/caregivers about the importance of healthy snacks and being physically active. Healthy party resources
"Cootie Shots" In March
New Conservatory Theatre Center presents A FREE YouthAware Educational play, Cootie Shots, for grades 1-3. Cootie Shots is an innovative program featuring short scenes and poems that provide teachers a fun, age-appropriate way to help prevent bullying, promote tolerance, and celebrate diversity in school communities Performances are Tuesday, March 8 through Thursday, March 24. Read WAD for dates, lesson plans and registration information.
January is National Mentoring Month
Please see our January Newsletter for more information and learn what's going on in our program including: Mentoring Tips, Updates and Activities. Learn more about Mentoring For Success.
Health Education Website Launched
The Health Education Team at School Health Programs announces the launch of our new website! Teachers can visit the website to plan their health course by viewing all of the recommended materials to fulfill the required Health Education lessons.
Parents, students, nurses, social workers, and policy makers are also likely to find the website helpful in their work.
Bring your Class for HIV Education at Real Talk!
New Conservatory Theatre Center presents A FREE YouthAware Educational play, Real Talk!, for 4th and 5th grade students. The fast paced play covers the basics of healthy choices, conflict resolution, peer pressure, self-esteem, and age-appropriate HIV & AIDS education. Performances are Tuesday, January 12th through Thursday, January 28th. The approved HIV/AIDS curriculum Tell Me About AIDS can be taught prior to the theatre experience. Read WAD for further information, dates and times.
SIT January Newsletter
Please see our January Newsletter for important updates, appreciations, and upcoming trainings. In recognition of “Build Friendships and Healthy Relationships” month, read about the Search Institute’s research on developmental assets, relationships, and communities improving the lives of young people in our “Intern Corner”. Don’t miss out on reading who’s in the intern spotlight this month! Learn more about the Student Intervention Team.
Elimination of Personal Beliefs Exemption from Immunizations
Effective January, 2016, California Senate Bill 277 will eliminate personal and religious exemptions from immunization requirements for children in child care and public and private schools.
- The law will allow personal belief exemptions (PBEs) submitted before January 1, 2016 to remain valid until a student enters:
- TK/Kindergarten
- 7th grade
- Out-of-state PBEs will not be valid. The following exempt categories will not have to meet existing immunization requirements for entry:
- Home-based schools
- Students enrolled in an independent study program who do not receive classroom-based instruction.
Additional information may be found online at shotsforschool.org or contact the SFUSD Nurse of the Day at 415-242-2615. Read WAD for further information and letters for parents/guardians.
Growing Up Academy: Elementary PD Series
Growing Up Academy: (Growth, Development, and Identity) Professional Development series for Elementary School Educators includes six different workshops to be held November - April. The workshops can be done as a series or stand-alone. Read WAD for more information. Coming up:
Parent Notification
Parents/guardians are to be notified at least 14 days prior to classroom instruction about sexuality, including human reproduction and sexually transmitted disease. Read WAD for further information.
Tips for Avoiding the Flu
Flu season is upon us. The San Francisco Department of Public Health reports increased influenza activity locally. The following are effective ways to prevent the spread of influenza:
- Receive an annual seasonal flu vaccination (6 mos. & older)
- Wash your hands
- Avoid close contact
- Stay home when you are sick
- Cover your cough and sneeze with tissue or sleeve
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth
- Clean and disinfect surfaces or objects with district-approved cleaning agents.
Download WAD with more information for schools including info sheets, FAQs, links to posters, etc.
Marshall NOWs Highlighted in School Lunch News
Nutrition Outreach Workers (NOW's) at Thurgood Marshall High School, Nancy and Kevin are featured in an issue of the SFUSD School Nutrition Services Newsletter - What's For Lunch? Read the SNS newsletter/article.
Hearing and Vision Screening Schedule
Vision and Hearing Screening for school age children is required by state law. The following children in SFUSD are to receive vision and hearing screening during the 2015-2016 school year:
- Students in grades 1 and 4
- Referrals from other elementary, middle and high school grade levels
- Students being referred for initial psycho-educational testing
- Students with IEPs with upcoming Triennial Reviews
Read WAD for schedules and more information
Help Support our Foster Youth
Being a Foster Parent is a big part of supporting our Foster Youth in San Francisco, but it certainly isn't the only way. You could be a mentor, backup childcare provider, or educational surrogate. Or you could donate, start a permanency team or just help spread the word. Interested? Learn more | Let us know how you would like to help.
Tdap Notice Requirements for 2015-16
All students entering 7th grade must have proof of a Tdap (Pertussis/Whooping Cough) vaccine for school entry. Additionally, all 8th – 12th grade students transferring from outside of California who have not been vaccinated or existing students lacking evidence of Tdap must meet the requirement. Read WAD for more information, waiver forms, and notices.
New LGBTQ Pride Series Posters!
Stand Up for Pride, Peace and Safety by posting our beautiful new LGBTQ Pride Series Posters! (downloads available) We now have three posters in three languages! Copies of the posters are being distributed to all schools. Additional printed copies can be acquired by contacting LGBTQ Support Services.
Tuberculosis Screening Requirement for Students
A signature of a health provider attesting to no risk factors for Tuberculosis (TB) OR a skin or blood test for TB is required within one year prior to admission to school in San Francisco. Read WAD for further information.
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