May 2, 2025
Dear SSFUSD Families,
This year marks an exciting new chapter for South San Francisco Unified School District (SSFUSD)!
After two years of inclusive and thoughtful planning—grounded in your voices and those of our students, educators, and community—we officially moved from strategic planning into implementation. Together, we’ve reflected deeply on what’s working, what needs to change, and what our students deserve from us. The work ahead is not just about new initiatives; it’s about fulfilling the promises we’ve made to our children.
We know that transitions can bring questions, especially when change impacts how schools operate. But please know that every change we’re making is intentional, thoughtful, and deeply rooted in the goals you helped us shape. And while change can feel uncomfortable, it is also an opportunity for us to grow stronger as a district community, as we work collaboratively, in service of each student we serve.
We’re proud to share some of the meaningful progress already underway:
- We introduced our Portrait of a Graduate to all educators this year—a vision for what every student should be able to know and do by the time they graduate from our schools. Educators across the district have been working together to bring this vision to life in their classrooms and campuses, creating opportunities for students to learn, impact, navigate, and thrive.
- We’ve created a draft Portrait of an Educator, which articulates the values, mindsets, and practices we strive for as educators—because we know that strong, caring, and inspired educators make all the difference.
- We’ve also developed a draft Instructional Vision to guide how we teach and what kinds of learning experiences we want to create for every child—experiences that are joyful, relevant, inclusive, and challenging.
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In South City, we aspire to design, facilitate, and assess learning that is / exhibits…: |
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Meaningful and Relevant |
Educators create meaningful, real-world learning experiences that connect to students' lives, foster collaboration, and build problem-solving skills. |
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Learner Ownership & Agency |
Educators empower learners to make meaningful choices and grow in self-awareness and resilience. |
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Inclusive & Equitable |
Educators know their learners and create inclusive spaces where all learners feel seen, valued, supported, and able to thrive. |
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Assessment for Learning |
Educators meet learners where they are, celebrating their strengths and identifying next steps for learning with multiple and varied assessments. |
- To ensure our Strategic Plan isn’t just words on a page, we’ve taken a close look at our budget and annual planning process. With a new 5-year financial model, we are examining how we use our time, structure our teams, and allocate resources to better achieve our Strategic Priorities and support schools, particularly those serving students with the greatest needs.
- We’ve invited district, school, and union leaders to share their perspectives through empathy interviews, focus groups, and surveys. As a result, we are reinvesting in key programs and reallocating some resources to make sure every student gets what they need to thrive.
None of this would be possible without your partnership. You have shared your hopes, your concerns, and your ideas—and they have helped us set a course toward a stronger, more equitable, and more inspiring future for our students.
We also know that change is hard. But we are committed to walking through it with care, transparency, and heart. If you ever have questions or ideas, we welcome your voice. You are a vital part of this community, and we are so grateful to have you alongside us.
Thank you for your continued trust and support. Together, we are building something powerful—for our students today and for generations to come.
With gratitude,
Dr. Shawnterra Moore
Superintendent, South San Francisco Unified School District