Special Programs & Policies

Gender Policy – San Francisco Friends School is committed to supporting community diversity. This includes supporting non-binary, gender non-conforming, and transgender students. This policy affirms the right of all students to a safe and meaningful childhood and school experience.

● SFFS aims to be a gender inclusive school environment and will support students to take ownership over how they identify. School employees affirm students' requests regarding names, pronouns and gender identity. Teachers do not question or seek further affirmation of these decisions.

● As recognized by the California Department of Education, “A transgender or gender nonconforming student may not express their gender identity openly in all contexts, including at home. Revealing a student’s gender identity or expression to others may compromise the student’s safety. ” Except where SFFS determines it necessary to ensure a student’s safety or well-being, SFFS employees will not disclose information that may reveal a student’s transgender status to others, including parents or guardians and other school employees, unless legally required to do so or unless the student has authorized such disclosure. The fact that a student may have selectively and privately disclosed the student’s transgender status to some individuals does not affect the student’s right to maintain the confidentiality of the information as to others.

● If a student has not shared information on their gender identity with their parents/guardians, those SFFS employees working with the student will explore and support them to share this information with parents and guardians.

● Name and gender changes in a student’s official school records are only made in partnership with parents. This process is facilitated by the appropriate Division

Head.

● Sex Education courses address gender identity and sexual orientation in a human development context. School employees do not ask students to disclose personal information.

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 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, and/or provide speech and language therapy, counseling, occupational therapy, academic, or social skills support.

Additional information and resources are available through the DS office.

Extended Day Programs – The San Francisco Friends School offers an Extended Day Program after regular school hours for an additional charge.

Extended Day – Lower School (additional charges) In Lower School, our club program gives students a variety of fun, enriching activities to choose from, like coding, talent shows, a builders’ club, and outdoor games. Clubs rotate

and change throughout the year so there’s always something for everyone. Healthy snacks are served at dismissal and 5:00 p.m. every day. Extended Day (ED) programming is available from dismissal until 6:00 p.m. on most school days.

ED Billing – ED uses Kinderlime, a time clock and billing system. ED staff will handle clocking in and out students, so there is no need for students or parents to memorize a code. Parents will be able to view their child’s time record online and make payments. Invoices will be emailed out monthly.

On certain vacation days, Extended Day is available, as well. Information about vacation coverage can be found on the Parent Portal. The director of our Extended Day, After3, and enrichment programs is Marina Vendrell (mvendrell@sffriendsschool.org).

After3 – Middle School (No additional charges) After3 is a comprehensive after-school program with many opportunities for Middle School students—activities, athletics, academics, and arts. Designed to offer a dynamic and balanced experience, the program allows students to work quietly, exercise, learn, socialize, play, compete, and collaborate. Coaches, developmental support staff, and teachers see to the transition from the academic day to purposeful and productive after-school endeavors. A3 programming is available from dismissal until 6:00 p.m. on most school days.

PLEASE NOTE: Enrichment Classes & Music Lessons – There are three 10-week rotations of enrichment classes and music lessons in the fall, winter, and spring. Most activities take place from 3:20–4:20 p.m. There is an additional charge for these classes, and financial assistance is available. Families who receive a 25%–49% Adjustable Tuition discount receive 25% aid, 50%–74% receive 50%, and those who qualify for a 75% or more Adjustable Tuition discount will receive financial support for 75% of the cost of enrichment classes. An Adjusted Tuition discount is given for individual music lessons for 5th _ and 6th-Graders and for group music lessons for students in K–4th and 7th and 8th Grades. A schedule is sent home to announce enrollment prior to each session. Enrollment is handled online, and notices are sent out to sign up for enrichment classes via direct email and Circle Back. If you have questions, please contact Marina Vendrell.

Horizons – Horizons at San Francisco Friends School is a public/private partnership offering a summer program that addresses the achievement and opportunity gaps of highneed children in the Mission neighborhood through their elementary school careers. The heart of Horizons summer is an exemplary academic program that supports a cohort of students in reading, writing, math, and science, paired with swimming lessons, field trips, sports, and enrichment activities in the performing and visual arts. The program also

includes a year-round component featuring family events, enrichment activities, and regular visits to and communication with students’ schools and teachers.

Currently, there are 45 Horizons programs in 15 states serving 4,000 deserving young people each summer. Horizons at San Francisco Friends School opened in the summer of 2014 with one class of kindergarten students and has grown to nearly 100 K–5th grade students referred through the program's partner public schools: Marshall Elementary, Buena Vista, and Mission Prep. Horizons at SFFS is the first Horizons program on the West Coast. For more information about Horizons at San Francisco Friends School, please visit their website at horizonsatsffs.org.

Library – Our library is staffed by the school’s librarian, Suzanne Geller. Please call or email the Parents Association Library Committee Co-Clerks if you would like to volunteer in the library or for a library event. We hope you’ll support our library’s continued growth by attending the fall book event/fundraiser, Booktopia. The library charges replacement costs for lost or damaged books.

Sibling Admissions –

Kindergarten Sibling Policy – Kindergarten sibling applications are given preferential consideration and priority in the admissions process because of the large number of openings at the Kindergarten entry point, however admission is not automatic or guaranteed. We want every applicant to be successful at Friends therefore we consider each applicant’s developmental readiness and fit for our program. Families who apply for Kindergarten siblings are given early consideration and are notified of the admissions committee decision by Thanksgiving for the following school year.

1st–4th Grade and Middle School Sibling Policy – We offer an early admissions process only for Kindergarten sibling applicants; all other siblings are considered in the general pool of applicants. While we work to have siblings together in our school, we cannot guarantee admission in any given season. We encourage all parents to consider many options for their child’s school placement. We receive a high volume of applications for very few spots and strive to build classrooms that balance age, gender, racial and cultural background, and socio-economic status. A relationship to an enrolled student is one of many criteria we value.

We seek students who are developmentally ready to engage intellectually and socially in our program. In the academic and behavioral assessment of a student for our school, the Admissions Committee carefully considers the interests and needs of prospective students and the school in order to ensure a mutual fit. Admissions decisions are communicated in March for the following school year.