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SFUSD highlights community partnerships and Peer Resources youth program in board update
Summary
District leaders reviewed community partnership forums launched during the spring, credited CBO partners with help distributing nearly 3 million meals and expanding outreach, and heard a Peer Resources presentation that showcased student-led restorative practice and advocacy.
District leaders used the meeting to spotlight community partnerships and the Peer Resources program that trains students in peer education and restorative practices.
Deputy Superintendent Enrique Ford Morehouse and partnerships staff described the Community Partnership Forum series launched in April and continued over the summer. Partnership staff said early virtual convenings attracted hundreds of participants (the April forum and follow-ups drew more than 669 participants in total and averaged 200+ per convening) and credited community-based organizations with supporting meal distribution, wellness checks, device distribution and local outreach. "Our CBOs have also helped us with our wellness checks... and have helped distribute materials, both devices as well as instruction materials," a district presenter said.
Peer Resources: The board watched a short video and heard from Peer Resources executive director Ophelia Williams, longtime teacher Gary Cruz and students Sadie and Wisdom. Students described projects including teacher observations and peer-led workshops that addressed topics from harassment to immigration-related issues. Student Sadie described participating in "teacher observations" that allowed students to objectively observe classroom practice and give constructive feedback; Wisdom described workshop activities to build awareness about real-world scenarios.
Why it matters: The forums and partnerships are a structural element of SFUSD's pandemic response, helping the district extend services through trusted community groups and amplifying student leadership in restorative practice.
Next steps: District staff plan to convene a leadership design team to develop a network model for 2020–21, continue to iterate on technology access for partners, and publish FAQs and contact information for CBOs seeking to partner (partnerships contact cited in the meeting).
