Newsletter #001
Februrary 2022
www.sfusd.edu/fasi
This newsletter is to support and share a few things SFUSD to support NH&PI students and families! Thank you for reading!

Introducing 

 

Heaven Anoa’i, anoaih@sfusd.edu 

 

New SFUSD Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander (NHPI) Coordinator

Ms.Anoa'i joins the SFUSD Office of Equity & Access team. Ms. Anoa’i duties include but are not limited to coordinated efforts in NH&PI Parent engagement, Student programming and liaison between SFUSD and Pacific Islander community in San Francisco! Check out the Matua Advisory Council webpage and find ways to get involved!

https://www.sfusd.edu/mac

 

UrsulaAnn Siataga, siatagau@sfusd.edu  

 

Educational Policy Analyst for SFUSD Fa’aSamoa Initiative

Ms.Siataga joins the Office of Superintendent’s Leadership team in support of equitable services for Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander staff and students focused on addressing academic disparities. Read more about the resolution that made this possible! https://www.sfusd.edu/fasi
Honoring Black History Month!
 
In honor of Black History Month, the Fa'aSamoa Initiative Team shares one organization called Polynesian Panthers from the 1970s in Aotearoa NZ formed to address racial inequities and a movement of activism and community aid highly influenced by the Black Panther Movement here in the Bay Area! Below are a few resources.
It's Ukulele Time in SFUSD!
 
The Arts Department & Samoan PK Dual Language Program Collaborate!
 

PK Samoan Dual Language teacher, Ms.Epenesa and Ms. Ana Otero tag team on bringing Ukulele and ukulele music lessons to the PK Samoan Dual Language Classroom at Leola Havard EES!
Glenn Castro, CHamoru descent, has been a Student Advisor for 22 years connecting each student to meaningful, engaging  experiences. This year, amongst his many duties, with the community, Glenn is using his talents to teach every Harvey Milk Civil Right Academy Ukelele. K-5 students enjoy learning songs, history and music theory from the islands as well as popular American culture ones. Coach Glenn's, as he's so lovingly named, love of music and family has provided Harvey Milk community with a lifetime  joyful experience. Thank you Coach Glenn for your service to SFUSD and bringing your culture and passion to education.
 
Lastly, we find ukulele time during the 1st Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander Administrator Affinity Session!
 
Picture Description: Image of NH&PI Admins group (Verna Castro, UrsulaAnn Siataga and Michelle Chang) photo each holding their ukuleles at Physical Education Department in November 2021.

February 2022 | Important Dates & Announcements

NH&PI Student Programs/Events launching this Spring 2022 Semester:

  • Fa’aSāmoa Mentorship Middle/High School Program
  • Fa’aSāmoa Mentorship High School/College Program
  • Fa’aSāmoa 1 on 1 Tutoring Program
  • Fagogo Arts Program
  • VASA Conference
  • NH&PI Student Acknowledement Ceremony
*For more information about these programs/events and start dates contact Heaven Anoa’i: anoaih@sfusd.edu

 

NH&PI Parent/Guardian/Community Engagement:

  • Thursday, 3/17 @5pm: Mātua Advisory Council (MAC) Monthly Zoom Meeting

*For more information about Parent Engagement/MAC contact Anna Mahina: amahina@bacr.org OR Heaven Anoa’i: anoaih@sfusd.edu

Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander Administrator Affinity Space: (every 3rd Tuesday)

  • Tuesday, 3/15 @4pm: In-Person, Physical Education Department. 

*For more information, contact Verna Castro, castrov@sfusd.edu or UrsulaAnn Siataga, siatagau@sfusd.edu .
PIEFEST hosts Pasifika STEM Fair, Saturday, March 12th, 2022
Fa'aSāmoa Initiative Team will be participating in the Pacific Islanders Encouraging Fun, Engineering, Science and Technology hosts (P.I.E.F.E.S.T) - Pasifika STEM Fair this year! To volunteer, contact siatagau@sfusd.edu
 
Families interested in registering your child for this event, click on the Pre-Registration button below!
NH&PI Student Program SUMMER 2022
 
SFUSD PAID summer programs for Pacific Islander students (June 6th - July 15th).  These will be in-person & will be held at both CCSF Ocean campus & Balboa HS.  Program times TBD.  Students will earn college & high school credits, and participate in work-based learning activities.  Please share with your students & reach out if you have any questions.  Ms.Tiffany could also come & do a presentation to your students. Contact: Ms.Tiffany, sanjoset@sfusd.edu.
 
- CCSF class (Maker Studies) + college & career exploration
- CCSF class (Biotech) + biotech lab internship
 
Note: It would be difficult for students attending credit recovery classes this summer to participate in these programs.  But please reach out so we can discuss.
Asiasiga is a Samoan Cultural Practice visiting families, school sites, community organizations, and attending cultural/community neighborhood events. In the Samoan islands, asiasiga is also seen as a Samoan intervention to address the immediate mental health needs of the Samoan families after a natural disaster. The Fa'aSamoa Initative team upholds this practice in SFUSD!
 
In the month of February, Heaven and Ursula have been out and about on fridays to visit school sites and community organizations! Here are a few places we visited this month! Click on organization or school site for more information!
Ongoing Tongan Relief Efforts
An unprecedented natural disaster affected the Kingdom of Tonga last month caused by a Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha’apai volcanic eruption. In an effort to support, Fa'aSāmoa Initiative team joined SF Tongan's Rise UP and various organizations in San Francisco to support with relief efforts. Check out flyer below. For more information, contact Anna Mahina, 415.875.0865
Interested in joining a workgroup?

The Fa’aSāmoa Initiative Team is looking for individuals interested in joining one or more of the workgroups in specific areas this semester. Open to SFUSD students, staff, parents, city partners and community.

  • Sāmoan Language Program Workgroup
  • Pacific Islander Professional Development Workgroup
*For more information, contact UrsulaAnn Siataga, siatagau@sfusd.edu
February 2022 | Ways to stay Connected with SFUSD!

siatagau@sfusd.edu