normal challenges of raising children as well as issues of anxiety, depression and stress, or any other mental health need. Please refer to the Health & Wellness in Uncertain Times webpage on our SFFS school website for more resources on self-care and getting through the unprecedented challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic has posed to many of us.
Special Programs & Policies PLEASE NOTE: Our athletic offerings for the 2021–2022 school year are still being determined. Athletic Program – Our school athletic program is for 5th- through 8th-Graders. We are members of the San Francisco Athletic League (SFAL). There are three athletic seasons and our students compete in four sports—cross-country, volleyball, basketball, and futsal. In addition, students are invited to join in after-school activities such as rock-climbing, flag football, skating, swimming, and circus arts. Buddies – Our buddy program matches younger students with older students (K/4th/8th, 1st/5th, 2nd/6th, 3rd/ 7th). Throughout the year, buddy classes and pairings get to know one another and partner for a variety of events, sharing Meeting for Worship and assembly, reading together, and doing collaborative projects and service work. Developmental Support (DS) – We expect and assume that all children have different experiences, preferences, and learning profiles. The school works to identify each student’s various strengths and challenges, and identify those areas in which additional academic support or challenge (parent help, teacher support, tutoring, counseling, or the help of a learning specialist) will build confidence, competence, and skills. The school’s Developmental Support Coordinator (Frances Dickson), Learning Specialists, and our Mental Health Specialist work with classroom teachers to determine an individual child’s particular learning needs, meet with parents, and help construct an appropriate system of support and follow-up. When a child is struggling with some portion of the curriculum, our intervention will always be child-‐centered; we’ll work to maintain a positive and encouraging team, with parents, child, and teachers working together to achieve well-‐ defined, realistic goals. Our program includes small group support, tutoring, and study hall. As needed, after school classes are offered, as well as summer support classes such as a math camp and small group tutoring for reading and writing. We also help parents find specialists outside of the school who might complete a comprehensive evaluation of a child, 19
