Hiiiii! Thank you so much for subscribing to my Eyes on SF BoE newsletter. I am so grateful for your interest in my thoughts on public education and beyond. I started this effort out of so much frustration with the inadequacy of the work of others. Who would have known that this journey would take us to today. More on that later!
I am trying to get you some information that may stimulate you to think and or act on a semi-regular basis. We all know how much work there is to do to improve San Francisco public schools!
First, here are some upcoming events that I am involved with and would like to invite you to!
This coming Wednesday evening March 22nd, LeadershipSF, a great group I am with, is hosting an event, “Meet the Press.”
Here is their description:
Join Leadership San Francisco live from inside The San Francisco Standard's newsroom to learn how news companies operate, decide what to cover and when as well as about the pace of today’s news cycle and the role that media plays in shaping and driving the future of our city. You'll see soundproof phone rooms, collaborative workspaces and a video production studio where reporters go live to TV every day. Hear from a distinguished panel and get the inside scoop from these industry leaders.
Lively discussion and exclusive insights!
Enjoy beer, wine, heavy hors d'oeuvres, coffee and dessert while you reconnect with LSF alumni and friends of Leadership San Francisco
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/meet-the-press-with-lsf-tickets-554436142427
I am really happy to be a host of a special event on Monday, March 27th with Lance Christensen: a listening forum on Reforming San Francisco and California Education Systems. Lance is Vice President, Education Policy & Government Affairs, California Policy Center and former candidate for State Superintendent of Public Instruction. It’ll be March 27th, 3-5 pm, at the Richmond District public library, 351 9th Ave., San Francisco CA 94118. Please RSVP at https://forms.gle/v3LCMFv9WQHyeHu99
For more information, please contact Andrew Davenport, andrew@calpolicycenter.org
Now some fun updates. As many of you know, I have transitioned from publishing here on Substack to commenting on Twitter (handle @eyessfboe) and putting out Opinion pieces in several local papers. Here are a few…
I lost sleep over the recent reports on weapons at San Francisco public schools, so I just had published my plea: “SFUSD needs a clear response to weapons at schools.” The print version will likely be out this week. It’s been over a dozen submissions so far and the Examiner has been so supportive.
My good friend Portia Li works super hard on a weekly English-Chinese bilingual newspaper. She has encouraged me to contribute Opinion pieces on my thoughts of this person’s Chinese American experience in San Francisco. Here is my tribute to young filmmakers and dreamers, “‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’ Oscars, a long time coming.”
I am a big fan of The Bold Italic, an online culture magazine. So I said, stretch a little and submit a first person perspective on something related to local culture. The new editor really helped my submission a lot and I’m really proud of what they put out on my personal thoughts on that Oscar winning movie.
If you enjoy some of my writing, please share the articles or this newsletter!
News highlights on Public Education
The new Examiner education beat reporter, Allyson Aleksey, is doing amazing detailed work. Here she writes about the latest(!) lawsuit against San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD), this time on middle school math.
Teacher paychecks are still screwed up, so incredibly tragic and now beyond a year. The coverage from the SF Standard has been pretty good, as we gotta keep an eye on how many millions are being spent to get out of this boondoggle by some yet-to-be-transferred(?) SFUSD staff.
Sorry, #SFComical, you gotta do better for me to give you some love.
I’m watching the budget planning, outcomes discussions, and all sorts of shenanigans, but I gotta save some material for next time’s update!
Don’t give up on San Francisco public schools cuz I won’t! Assignments for next school year are out. And we all could use the upcoming Spring Recess!
Wayback machine
It seems a long era ago when I was a different person, but this Opinion piece in Beyond Chron brought about much needed action, as the bumbling SFUSD head counsel decided to pursue other professional activities, maybe partially due to my advocacy.
Personal news
What is with 2023? I thought the Chinese Zodiac said it’d be more peaceful and calm, cuz rabbits. It’s been a super busy and fulfilling year, even with much more to do. My wife and I walked the Chinese New Year parade in the rain this year, for the first time, with Mayor London Breed (photo below). Recommend! I’m enjoying working with all the other dedicated volunteers on the SFUSD Citizens Bond Oversight Committee- and we got 3 openings, hint hint. LeadershipSF has been a great experience, with a few months left (photos with our planning team, Public Defender Raju, Chief Scott, and DA Jenkins below). Highly recommend for anyone to apply as they network broadly and learn how to be City Trustees. I’m on the Board of United Democratic Club and I’m the co-lead for Education of the Chinese American Democratic Club and we love to have new members join. The Civil Grand Jury has been an incredible experience of learning how the City operates and hopefully making recommendations on how to have it run better. We are looking for next year’s group.
My family moved back to our remodeled house, after a year of construction. We are so happy how it’s turned out. Our high school senior daughter is hearing back from college applications so a transition is coming way too soon for this dad.
Please keep the faith in San Francisco. And I always am so tickled to hear feedback.