ED Message

School Building with text Public School love over picture.

Many of you may be aware that I was employed as a tenured social worker at SFUSD. I started my work in 2004 serving the city's more vulnerable students. From home visits to breakfast clubs, from mentoring to Peace Days, from MLK Day Song of Service to the Wellness Center at Gateway to College- I know what it takes to serve the whole child. 

Many of you may also know that I am a mother of three children. One is on the autism spectrum, another is a student with an IEP and my other is a student with an eating disorder.  

All my children attended/attend public schools.  

I believe in public schools because they offer services for every child. I believe that public schools can address their budget issues if we have a clear accountable school system that ensures its business infrastructure is ready and capable of serving its community.  

I returned to San Francisco, three years ago because I believe our city needed more support in uplifting public schools. For me, just like many of you, this work is personal. We put all we have in our kids-not your kids or my kids-our kids. We work endlessly until the job is ready for the next day and then we repeat. We shared the amazing stories of our students and families.  

This year I was appointed by Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona to serve on the Regional Advisory Committee-West- as a parent. I accepted and engaged not because it was a fancy position-I am driven by change.  

We collected public comments, held focus groups, reviewed surveys, and yes- published a report: Identifying and Addressing Priority Education Needs. Offering several key priorities, one of Teacher Recruitment and Retention. Now, you can actually apply for a Comprehensive Center Grant to support leading technical assistance and support. 

On June 25th when teachers and parents may be on much-needed vacation the Supt will offer recommendations on School Closures.  

Now is the time to mobilize every parent and every educator who believes in the power of public schools to be at that Board Meeting. We must hold SFUSD accountable for explaining exactly how $ closing schools will address the budget, why did SFUSD spend so much $ on a payroll system knowing it had a budget shortfall, why is SFUSD adding FTE roles to the central office from charter schools?  

Parents for Public Schools of San Francisco was founded 25 years ago by two women who cared about public schools. They wanted all to know the incredible value public schools offer all children. 

The organization has practiced as a critical friend of the San Francisco Unified School District, partnering, advising, consulting, and yes, advocating for a socially just school system to serve every child intentionally. 

With that in mind, we remain steadfast in continuing our service to the over 60,000 families served this year. We need to enter that Board Room in unison as one community to support ensuring our schools remain in place for our students. Feel free to share this email with your friends. 

Read this new Community petition and support us.  

I admire all of you. 

Take Care, 

Vanessa D. Marrero