1. Parents for Public Schools of San Francisco Countdown to Kindergarten © PPS-SF, August 2, 2014

2. Parents for Public Schools – San Francisco A nonprofit organization. Funded by donations from parents and organizations. Goals: Engage. Educate. Connect. Our Mission: PPS-SF supports student success by developing effective family-school partnerships, strong parent-parent relationships, and broad community support for public education.

3. PPS-SF Programs Enrollment PPS-SF School Ambassadors Parent Clubs School Governance Community Conversations

4. Why we are here today… Provide incoming Kindergarten parents with information on: San Francisco’s public schools. Enrolling your child in San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD). Engaging with SFUSD Schools.

5. San Francisco Public Schools Great schools High standards and accountability http://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/ http://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/ Excellent teachers Many school/program options Charter schools Small class size Partnerships with local organizations Sports, Libraries, Arts, Music, and Student Support (Prop H) College savings for all kindergarteners Democratic institutions

6. San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) Board of Education – 7 members elected by the public. SFUSD is lead by the superintendent, Richard Carranza. Principal is the administrator of the school. Staff may include -Paraprofessionals -Family liaison -Student advisors -Librarian -Learning support professional (social worker) -Nurse

7. TK and K Options for Families San Francisco is a Parent Choice District. Any Student can apply to any school in San Francisco. 14 current TK sites 72 schools, 100+ options for K K-8 K-5 with feeder middle schools Unique identities Language options GATE, Special Education offerings Charter schools

8. Pathways General Education Biliteracy Cantonese, Spanish, Filipino (grades 3-5) Immersion Cantonese, Korean, Mandarin, Spanish FLES Italian, Japanese, Spanish, Filipino Newcomer

9. Immersion 9 Spanish Alvarado, Bret Harte, Buena Vista, Fairmount, Flynn, Marshall, Monroe, Paul Revere, Daniel Webster 4 Cantonese Alice Fong Yu, West Portal, Chinese Immersion School, Garfield 2 Mandarin Starr King, Jose Ortega 1 Korean Claire Lilienthal

10. FLES 7 programs Clarendon (Japanese) Rosa Parks (Japanese) Bessie Carmichael (Filipino) Longfellow (Filipino) Clarendon (Italian)**

11. Applying is easy… Just do it on time

12. The Process Timeline: September 2014 Gather data through on-line resources. October 2014– January 2015 Tour schools. Attend open houses, school events, PPS enrollment events. October 25, 2014 Attend the School Fair, meet K-12 and charter schools. January 16, 2015 Apply on-time by the deadline. March 13, 2015 Offer letters sent. March 16 – 27, 2015 April 6 – 10, 2015 You must register at your assigned school to accept the district’s offer. (Schools are closed during Spring break: March 30- April 3, 2015.) Spring/Summer 2015 Additional Placement Period & Appeals. Round 2 deadline: April 10, 2015 Waiting pool (Round 3) deadline: May 22

13. To apply: Child must be 5 years old by September 1, 2015 to apply for K. Children born Sept. 2 – Dec. 2, 2010 eligible for Transitional K. Choose any number of schools/programs – up to 110! Put them in the order that you want them. Apply by the deadline (January 16, 2014). Submitting early does not increase chances. But applying late will hurt your odds. Bring documentation to EPC, 555 Franklin Street, Room 100, Satellite locations, or Mobile Bus. Younger siblings can turn in applications at sibling’s current school. Contact charter schools individually.

14. Required documentation to submit an application. 1.Application form 2.Parent/guardian’s picture ID 3.Proof of birth 4.Two (2) proofs of home address that include the name and address of the parent/guardian.

15. Language Assessment Requirements Applicants who list any language other than English on the first 3 questions may initially be classified as potential English Learner. All applicants who list any of the following languages on the first 3 questions on the home language survey and apply for an immersion program will need to take a non-English Language Assessment: Cantonese Mandarin Spanish Korean Assessment will take place at EPC, 555 Franklin Street. Applications can be modified after the assessment and counseling without being considered a late applicant as long as the original application was submitted by deadline.

16. Special Education Programs Terms and programs Individualized Education Plan (IEP) Document detailing services provided under special education. Regular Classroom (formerly Inclusion) Available at all schools for K-2, 6-11, select schools for other grades (3-5, 12) Special Day Classes (SDC) Available at select schools

17. IEP Tips If you have any questions about IEPs call: Support for Families (415) 920-5040 *for IEP technical assistance and monthly IEP workshops

18. Myth or Truth? Majority of families get one of their choice schools.

19. GradesFirst ChoiceTotal ChoiceDesignated Overall8,305 (59%)11,539 (82%)2,615 (18%) Kindergarten2785 (60%)4,017 (87%)599 (13%) 6 th 2,333 (69%)2,890 (86%)474 (14%) 9 th 2,645 (61%)3,709 (86%)625 (14%) The odds are in your favor… March 2014 Assignments for K-12

20. Application form

21. Student Assignment Terms Elementary Attendance Areas Elementary City-Wide programs Low Test Score Areas (CTIP1)

22. Student Assignment System Elementary School Tie-breakers are used when there are more applicants than seats available 1.Siblings. 2.Attend attendance area SFUSD Pre-K or TK and live in the attendance area. 3.Low test score areas. 4.Attendance area (not applicable for city-wide programs/schools).

23. Student Assignment System Computer run, 2 steps: Tie-breakers For each school/program Individual rank choice Transfer (trading up) process

24. 110 Buckets

25. Step 1 – For each program/school 100 applicant names Tie-Breakers 1.Siblings 2.Attendance area SFUSD Pre-K or TK AND live in attendance area 3.Low test score areas 4.Attendance area (not applicable for City- Wide programs/schools) 5.Others 60 seats

26. Step 1 – for individual rank choice 1.School 1 2.School 2 3.School 3 4.School 4 5.School 5 6.School 6 7.School 7 8.School 8 9.School 9 10.School 10

27. Step 2 – trading up Me 1.School 1 2.School 2 3.School 3 4.School 4 5.School 5 6.School 6 7.School 7 8.School 8 9.School 9 10.School 10 You 1.School 10 2.School 5 3.School 8 4.School 4 5.School 3 6.School 6 7.School 7 8.School 3 9.School 9 10.School 1

28. How do I find these Schools? SFUSD School Fair, October 25, 2014 PPS-SF enrollment events at libraries and schools SFUSD Enrollment Guide SFUSD map Online resources Use your parent network School websites, tours, and events Principals, teachers, and staff

29. What is important to you? Proximity/transportation Language Start times After school/before school care Special programs & school focus Parent involvement/staff and principal involvement Environment, school size, and class size Library, technology, extracurricular activities School culture and values

30. More tips Keep an open mind. Check out schools with lower demand. Test scores alone are not necessarily good indicators of school quality. More funds raised do not necessarily equal more programs or services. Evaluate schools based on current information. Schools are changing and improving every year. Be sure to look at all the grades throughout the school, including upper grades. See our website www.ppssf.org for a school tour checklist.www.ppssf.org

31. Now that you are done enrolling… Before the start of school

32. English Language Read 10-15 minutes per day! Encourage words (instead of pointing). Point out environmental words (signs, labels, posters). Math Make mathematics a part of your daily activities- heading. Count frequently – everywhere, every way. Help in the kitchen with measuring items. Relate money and shopping. Things you can do – ELA and Math

33. Before school starts  Sign up for SFUSD bus service, if needed.  Complete health check up.  Adjust bedtime and wake times.  Attend school orientation.  Look into before/after school care.  Label everything!

34. Important things to note Get your child to school on time. Keep your child home if sick – call the school. Complete and submit paperwork. Make sure homework is done. Say something if there are questions or concerns with school staff. Teacher, family liaison, social worker

35. When school starts Check child’s bag daily and read notices from the teacher or school. Inform the school or teacher about any special needs. Attend Back-to-School Night. Ask for reports/letters in home language.

36. K2C Current Incentives Family Contribution City Contribution Kindergarten to College Opening Deposit $50 Free or Reduced Lunch (Make sure to sign consent form) $50 $100 Family Match ($1 for $1 for first $100) $100 $100 Save Steady Bonus ($10/month for 6 months) $60$100 Total$160$300

37. How can I help? Go on class field trips. Putting homework packets together. Work with individual students. Participate in events. Decorate bulletin boards. Clean the classroom. Be an organizer- eg. “room parent.”

38. Get to know… Parent organizations (PTA/PTO) School Site Council (SSC) Advisory committees (ELAC) Volunteer groups Special events Vote in elections Speak up, ask questions and give feedback! Community Engagement PTA School Governance School Site Council ELAC

39. Join our network! www.ppssf.org  Connect with other parents  Get updates  Schools  Events  District policies  Be represented  Support and donate  Get involved!

40. More information and help SFUSD website, www.sfusd.eduwww.sfusd.edu Parents for Public Schools, www.ppssf.orgwww.ppssf.org PPS yahoo group, groups.yahoo.com/group/PPS_SFgroups.yahoo.com/group/PPS_SF Elementary yahoo group, groups.yahoo.com/group/ES-enrollment-PPSSFgroups.yahoo.com/group/ES-enrollment-PPSSF School websites SFkids (out of school time program info) www.sfkids.orgwww.sfkids.org Test score/demographic info: www.Greatschools.netwww.Greatschools.net Standards, test scores: California State Website: www.cde.ca.govwww.cde.ca.gov SF Advocates for Multilingual Excellence: groups.yahoo.com/group/SF_AMEgroups.yahoo.com/group/SF_AME Support for Families of Children with Disabilities: http://www.supportforfamilies.org http://www.supportforfamilies.org College savings account, K2C, www.k2csf.orgwww.k2csf.org Fundraising for schools, http://www.escrip.comhttp://www.escrip.com

41. Thank you Contact PPS-SF if you have other questions: Phone: (415) 861-7077 Email: info@ppssf.org Website: www.ppssf.org