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SFUSD convenes first Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander Matua Advisory Council presentation, seeks Fa'asamoa Initiative support
Summary
Parent leaders and the district's new Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Matua Advisory Council presented data and a Fa'asamoa Initiative proposal (preK–14 STEM pathway, Samoan dual-language, CTE), and commissioners pledged support and follow-up on mentoring and CTE pathway development.
The Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Matua Advisory Council (MAC) presented the first district-level advisory report describing community demographics, educational disparities, and a multi-part request centered on a Fa'asamoa Initiative. Chair Anna Mahina, Tangi Bama and other parent leaders highlighted lower graduation rates and higher early-learning and special-education needs among Pacific Islander students, concentrated in several southeast ZIP codes.
MAC asked the board to support a preK–14 STEM pathway that includes dual-language Samoan immersion, expanded mentoring and tutoring, CTE pathways tied to skilled trades and college partnerships, and translation of district communications into Samoan, Tongan, and other Pacific languages. Presenters described pilot mentoring/tutoring programs (college-student mentors, high-school-to-middle-school Fa Sa Mo mentoring, and small elementary tutor pilots) and asked the district to resource a PI-focused CTE pathway.
Commissioners and staff praised the presentation and discussed implementation steps. Deputy Superintendent and curriculum staff said early steps — including a preK dual-language pilot, mentoring pilots, and discussions with City College about dual-enrollment pathways — are underway, and commissioners asked for accountability updates and logistical follow-up at curriculum committee meetings.
Public commenters and advisory committees, including the Parent Advisory Council and the Community Advisory Committee for Special Education, expressed strong support for MAC and pledged collaboration on access, translation, and referral supports.
