12 Reasons to Love Cesar Chavez Elementary School
Briony Doyle, a PPS-SF Parent Ambassador for Cesar Chavez Elementary, shares what she loves best about her San Francisco public school.
Did you know? Cesar Chavez has an American Sign Language program to educate deaf and hearing impaired children? This beautiful mural pays homage to the three languages in the school.
1. Everyone cares: all of the support staff, from the principal down, makes an effort to know at least a little about every kid.
2. Three languages: Cesar Chavez is bilingual English/Spanish, and every school announcement is in both languages. In addition, the school has American Sign Language (ASL) classrooms and the kids mix for some topics, so all of the kids learn some ASL.
3. Free lunch and breakfast for everyone: no one needs to feel singled out for having the free lunch, and my kid is a MUCH less picky eater when everyone is eating the same thing.
4. Parents room: the school has a room specifically for parents, with support staff to help parents with any questions or concerns they may have. A representative from Mission Economic Development Agency (MEDA) is there most days to help with access to all of the services this great nonprofit provides.
5. Commitment to diversity: The school is dedicated to ensuring all kids feel safe, welcome, and valued.
6. Openness: the school staff listens and is responsive to my questions and suggestions.
7. Free ASL classes: the school offers ASL classes after school for adults, but kids can attend with a parent. I think any SFUSD parent can attend, but it’s handy that it’s at my kid’s school!
8. Food bank: the SF-Marin food bank comes to the school every Thursday morning.
9. Before and after care: Jamestown offers before-school care from 7am every morning, and after-school care until 6pm.
10. Extra classes: the school includes dance, drama, art, computing, and gardening classes as part of the regular curriculum.
11. Split lunches: the kids are separated by grades for lunch, which gives everyone more time to eat (no long lines at the kitchen) and gives the kids more freedom to run on the playground without the little kids getting knocked over.
12. Weekly school assembly: every Monday morning the school gathers to share news, make announcements, learn a new ASL sign or two, and celebrate the school commitment to an attitude of “Si se puede!” (“Yes I can!”)
Cesar Chavez Elementary School Information
Briony Doyle is a PPS-SF volunteer and a public school parent at Cesar Chavez Elementary School. Want to share your school story? Contact us at info@ppssf.org
The opinions expressed by guest bloggers are of the individual author only and not necessarily those of Parents for Public Schools of San Francisco or its staff or board of directors.