San Mateo-Foster City
Teaching & Learning Review
September 2023 Vol. 1
E
quity
Teaching
& Learning
REVIEW
Many school districts prioritize safety through a punishment model, focusing solely on avoiding harm and violence. Board Resolution No. 02/20-21 led to the revision of the SMFCSD safety plan with strategies for enhancing student learning, safety, and well-being through additional social/emotional supports, mental and behavioral health services, restorative practices, other wraparound supports. By embracing restorative practices, we challenge this mindset and shift towards a more proactive approach. Restorative practices encourage accountability, empathy, and personal growth.
Dismantling the School-to-Prison Pipeline
Borel Middle School - Peace Room
San Mateo-Foster City School District
Why Schools Should Embrace Restorative Practices
The San Mateo-Foster City School District is in year 5 of a process aimed at creating equity and justice through systemic reforms. Since 2019, two long-standing groups, the Equity Task Force and the Sanctuary Task Force have played pivotal roles in pushing for these systemic changes. In 2020, the Board adopted Board Resolution No. 02/20-21 to Address the Perpetuation of the School to Prison Pipeline....
Data Driven
Discipline Distibution reports
Suspendable Offenses
250
200
150
100
50
0
SMFC
DATA
2017
2018
2019
2022
2023
Discipline distribution comparison during the first 24 days of school.
POLICY MATTERS
SMFCSD prepared to adopt MOU with Foster City police
COURTESY OF SMDAILYJOURNAL.COM
An agreement is in the works between the Foster City Police Department and San Mateo-Foster City School District, outlining the roles and responsibilities of each agency when it comes to interacting with students. “This is an item we bring to the board after many months of work and many months of collaboration,” said Superintendent Diego Ochoa during a Board of Trustees meeting Thursday...
Data Driven
Understanding Restorative Justice
Borel Middle School
San Mateo-Foster City School District
Marginalized students face unfair obstacles moving from the classroom to adulthood
Every student deserves a fair and equal opportunity to succeed in their education. Unfortunately, for far too many marginalized students, the journey from the classroom to adulthood is marred by a systemic barrier known as the school-to-prison pipeline. As a district, we have enlisted the power of restorative justice practices in interrupting this destructive cycle and creating a more equitable educational system...
Data Driven
staffing to facilitate restorative justice
Borel Middle School - Wellness Center
San Mateo-Foster City School District
SMFC invests over $2 million to fund new positions at 4 middle schools
Imagine being a student in need of immediate emotional support. Where would you go for help? We have committed to hiring more counselors and staff trained in restorative responses. The SMFCSD ensures that students have access to the help they need, when they need it. By investing over $2 million in more staff, the district has been able to provide students with the immediate services and support they deserve. With these new counselors and mental health clincians, we strive to create an environment that is nurturing and conducive to your emotional and academic growth...
Data Driven
Welcome to the Teaching and Learning Review, your gateway to the inspiring and educational world of the San Mateo-Foster City School District. We believe in the power of community, and our mission is to uplift and unite through the sharing of knowledge.
The Teaching and Learning Review is more than a publication. It's a collaborative space dedicated to providing all with deep insights into the groundbreaking work happening within our district. Our review serves as an educational editorial, offering a research-based approach to understanding the innovative strategies and practices driving our community's educational success.
We encourage you, our readers, to join the conversation. Share your thoughts, ideas, and experiences as we strive to cultivate a vibrant educational community together. Together, let's inspire, educate, and uplift our community to new heights.
Teaching
REVIEW
& Learning
oneSMFC
leadership team
DIEGO R. OCHOA, SUPERINTENDENT
PATRICK GAFFNEY, DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT/CBO
DIANA TAVARES, ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT
DAVID CHAMBLISS, ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT
DENNIS HILLS, ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT
DR. CHRISTIAN RUBALCABA, DIRECTOR OF SCHOOL LEADERSHIP
NANCY BUI, DIRECTOR OF EQUITY & INCLUSION
DIEGO PEREZ, COORDINATOR OF COMMUNICATIONS
SCHOOL Board
SHARA WATKINS, BOARD PRESIDENT
KENNETH CHIN, BOARD VICE PRESIDENT
LATISA BROOKS, BOARD CLERK
ALISON PROCTOR, BOARD TRUSTEE
MAGGIE TRINH, BOARD TRUSTEE
Connect
