A N N U A L
R E P O R T
S O U T H S A N F R A N C I S C O
E D U C A T I O N
F O U N D A T I O N
2 0 2 3 - 2 0 2 4
Building a future
where all students
receive the education
and resources they
need to achieve their
highest potential.
AGENDA ITEM #3
SUPPLMENTAL MATERIALS
3 Letter from the Board
4 About SSFUSD
5 Our Approach
6 Initiatives
13 Our Team
14 Partners & Donors
15 Financials
16 Ways to Stay Involved
Table of Contents
2 SSF Ed Foundation | 2023-2024
I am honored to share the Foundation's impact with you as we celebrate our second year operating and our first year funding initiatives that support and enhance education in the South San Francisco Unified School District (SSFUSD).
Although the foundation is run by a small group of volunteers, it serves as a tool that empowers the entire community to combine resources and steer them towards a future that benefits all our students.
Our first year of operations was spent building partnerships, fundraising, and listening to the SSFUSD community. Input from educators, family members, students, and district leaders guided us to funding priorities, such as literacy support, inclusive curriculum, and navigating school systems. In our 2023-24 year, we were proud to direct the funds we raised toward initiatives that remove barriers to student access in SSFUSD. These included books focused on diversity and inclusion for every school library, field trips for students who wouldn't otherwise have access to them, resources for students facing unmet basic needs, a soccer team for a group of students who often miss out on school sports, and a bilingual educational event where families learned more about navigating the school system.
The SSFUSD community has accomplished a lot through its partnership with the SSF Education Foundation, and these are only the first steps toward what is possible with this organization. In the next year, our goal is to grow our team, expand our partnerships, and boost fundraising efforts to support larger scale initiatives contributing to lasting systemic change. We invite you to join us in building a future where every SSFUSD student receives the education and resources needed to achieve their fullest potential.
3 SSF Ed Foundation | 2023-2024
Letter from the Board
Dear SSF Education Foundation Community,
Kristy Camacho
SSFUSD is a unified district ushering many students
from preschool through senior year.
7,783 students & 1,027 staff
4 SSF Ed Foundation | 2023-2024
About SSFUSD
9 Elementary schools 3 Middle schools3 High schools
Student Demographics
English Learner
23%
Students with
Disabilities
17%
Socioeconomically
Disadvantaged
42%
Demographic categories and data source: SSFUSD 5-Year Strategic Plan 2024 Pacific Islander 2%
Filipino 21%
Other Asian 20%
White 6% African American/Black 2%
Hispanic/Latino 48%
Native American/Indian 1%
1. Addressing critical student needs.
2. Promoting equitable education and access across district schools.
3. Offering students and educators resources that are strongly linked to long term success, encourage student engagement, and promote a love for learning.
4. Aligning with the SSFUSD strategic plan and implementation feasibility at school sites.
We involve the SSFUSD community in
choosing initiatives that prioritize:
Thank you to the hundreds of SSFUSD families and students, district educators and leaders, and other community members who responded with ideas and input throughout our first year! Values
Our initiatives align with our organizational values.
Students FIrst Equity Community Integrity
To support and enhance education in the
South San Francisco Unified School District
Mission
5 SSF Ed Foundation | 2023-2024
Our Approach
Led by the organization’s mission, values, and the
SSFUSD community, the SSF Ed Foundation Board
chose the following initiatives to support:
School Library Project1.
Field Trips for Baden High School2.
Newcomer Resource Fund3.
Soccer League for English Learners4.
Family Education Event5.
Technology for Parkway Library6.
Youth Empowerment, Education, and Employment7.
6 SSF Ed Foundation | 2023-2024
Initiatives
"The establishment of the South San Francisco Education Foundation means that our community now has a powerful tool to further help all students excel, especially our students who are dependent on our school system" - Dr. Shawnterra Moore, SSFUSD Superintendent
Read more about our initiatives in the following pages.
The South San Francisco Education Foundation worked with all fifteen SSFUSD schools to enrich school libraries with books that celebrate diversity, promote inclusion, and foster students’ sense of belonging.
Students are more engaged when they see themselves reflected in school materials, which leads to sharper critical thinking skills, higher standardized test scores, better attendance, and higher graduation rates. There are socioemotional benefits, including improved self-esteem, empathy, and appreciation for cultural differences.
Promoting Diversity Through Books in SSFUSD's Schools
7 SSF Ed Foundation | 2023-2024
School Library Project
Initiatives
Funded 900 books for all 15 SSFUSD schools
8 SSF Ed Foundation | 2023-2024
Field Trips for Baden High School
The South San Francisco Education Foundation supported two engaging events for Baden High School students. The first was a thrilling experience at the San Bruno Mountain Park ropes course, where students practiced teamwork, built self- confidence, and faced seemingly insurmountable obstacles. The second was an educational end-of-year celebration at Coyote Point Park. Many students attend continuation school because they are facing incredible barriers to finishing high school.
We appreciated the opportunity to provide engaging learning experiences outside of the classrroom, and to celebrate Baden students’ persistence and accomplishments.
Initiatives
Initiatives
Baden High School is the
only SSFUSD high school
without a PTSA or student
government to fundraise
for activities like this.
Attending SSFUSD is the end of a long, difficult journey for some new students. To ease the transition, SSFUSD employs Family Liaisons to help newcomers get situated; however, some students arrive without basic essentials such as shoes, a coat, or other important necessities. School funding does not cover these items. We at the South San Francisco Education Foundation believe that students can more effectively learn and thrive at school when needs like this are met. So we created a fund to empower SSFUSD Family Liaisons to purchase important essentials for the students they serve. “I appreciate all the help
you’ve given my family.
My children would not
have been able to attend
school without your help.”
“My children can now
get a great night’s
sleep on a mattress
and pillows.”
9 SSF Ed Foundation | 2023-2024
Newcomer Resource Fund
Initiatives
Over 70 SSFUSD students served!
“I want to thank SSF Ed
Foundation for all the
support they have
provided to my
daughter and I.”
School sports encourage attendance, motivate accomplishment, and build community, but there are barriers to English Learner (EL) students participating in them. To create a pathway for EL students to work toward joining school sports teams, the Foundation funded the formation of a South San Francisco High School team to join the Andy Hodzic Soccer League, a co-ed league specifically for students identified as English learners, that already includes six other high school teams in San Mateo County. The South San Francisco Futbol Club was incredibly successful, winning the league championship in their first season! Over 20 students participated and are looking forward to playing again for two seasons next year.
Soccer League for English Learners
10 SSF Ed Foundation | 2023-2024 Initiatives
“We had a great time! It was
a good experience for me
and my teammates. We
shared good memories, and
I liked it a lot!”
There are many amazing resources available to SSFUSD students, if families know how to access them. To improve equitable access, the Foundation hosted a Family Education Event to help middle school parents and caregivers learn more about navigating the transitions between elementary, middle, and high school. Event speakers also shared information about issues facing middle school age students.
Help Families Navigate the School System
Thank you to our participating presenters and partner organizations 11 SSF Ed Foundation | 2023-2024
Family Education Event
Initiatives
Dr. Deidra Sommerville, Peninsula YMCASagnicthe Salazar, Rigorous LoveKarla Rodriguez, SMCOE TUPE Espie Flores, Bridgett Hernandez, Thalia Mesa, Jace Marzan Resource Fair Participants: SSFUSD Migrant Education Program, Upward Scholars, Boys and Girls Club, CAM Edu., SSF Parks and Recreation, SMCOE TUPE, El Concilio of San Mateo County, Star Vista Planning Committee: Lauren Kitchen, Mary Dowden, Deanna Moreno, Teresa Pallitto, Crystal Arrizon, Kelly Duncan, Sarah Levine, Gracia Trejo, Laura Doctor, Rachel Weber, Principal Rossi De Campos, Principal Mendez, Jason Brockmeyer, Dr. Marianne Hew Featured Speakers:
School Counselors:
Family Education Event 2024
SSF Ed Foundation | 2023-2024
12 Initiatives
Initiatives in Progress
Access to Technology
On behalf of Parkway Middle School, the South San
Francisco Education Foundation applied for the
Barona Education Grant with Assembly member
Diane Papan's endorsement. Parkway was awarded
this $5,000 grant to increase access to school
library technology. After researching innovative
options, school leadership chose to invest in a
Glowforge 3D Laser Printer. Combining graphic
design and technology, we look forward to seeing
how Parkway students use this machine to cut,
engrave, and score a variety of materials to make
unique, personalized creations for school projects.
Parkway Heightsis SSFUSD’s onlytitle 1 middleschool.
The South San Francisco Education Foundation is proud to join the San Mateo County of Education (SMCOE) and its community partnership to support the Youth Empowerment, Early Learning and Employment (YEEE!) pilot program starting in Summer 2024. Through SMCOE’s Departments of Expanded Learning & Community Partnerships and P-3 Early Education Services, the YEEE! Internship will engage, educate and train students to become future early education professionals, fulfilling a critical need in South San Francisco. The program aligns with SSF Ed Foundation’s mission to build community leadership and develop impactful partnerships in education by equipping students with the knowledge, skills, resources, and drive to become the next socially and critically-conscious, action-oriented contributors to San Mateo County.
Youth Empowerment,
Education, and Employment
Juanita Flores
VP of Community
Engagement
Kristy Camacho
President &
Co-Founder
Barbie Levasseur
VP of Operations &
Co-Founder
13 SSF Ed Foundation | 2023-2024
Our Team
Lauren Kitchen
Treasurer &
Co-Founder
Kayla Powers
Secretary &
Co-Founder
Alma Soto
Board Director
Natalie Wheatfall-Lum
Board Director
John Baker
Board Director
Thank You to Our Many Volunteers
Mary Dowden (Initiatives Manager),
Alexia Huerta, Ana Melara Larin, Aya Moulic, Bryan Palomino, Caroline Lacayo, Christina Hong, Crystal Arrizon, Delia Arenas and Agustin González, Fatima Maldonado, Gracia Trejo, Isabella Estevez, James Coleman, Laura Doctor, Leticia Marquez, Monica Nguyen, Megan Connery, Mirna Martinez, Nicole York, Karen Kirby, Roselle Loudon, Rosie Hitchcock Many local agencies and organizations support our initiatives through thought partnership, collaboration, and funding.
Alison Chan, Amanda Anthony, Ann Bui, Barbie & Richard Levasseur, Cam EDU, Cóncepcion Montoya, Corina & Tom Donze,
Daina Lujan, David Burruto, Eddie Flores, Elizabeth Moody, Enrique Miranda, Jennifer Gong, Joshua Mendoza Óbregon, Jossie McManus, Karen Kirby, Karyl Matsumoto, Kim-Uyen Le, Kristy & Hector Camacho,
Laura & Farhad Doctor, Lauren & Nathan Kitchen, Mary Dowden, Mary Musallam, Megan Bezzant, Megan Connery, Michele Brock, Micky Espinoza, Miranda Alvarez, Molloy’s Tavern & Margareta Molloy, Randy Ly, Rutilio Antonio López, Steve Conde, Thazin Win, The Ortiz Group on behalf of Ortensia López,
Benevity - Employer Matching from Google and Genentech, Yes on T for Safe Local Schools
Anonymous Donors
As a new organization, we are deeply grateful to our founding donors for putting their trust in us, so we could launch the organization and allocate resources to our earliest initiatives. Thank you to every individual, organization, and business that has supported the SSF Education Foundation over the last two years.
SSF Ed Foundation | 2023-2024
Partners & Donors
14 South San FranciscoSouth San Francisco
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SAN MATEO
COUNTY
OFFICE OF
EDUCATION
REVENUE 2022-2023 2023-2024
Individual Donations $50,092 $5,210
Grants $24,000 $7,525
TOTAL REVENUE $74,092 $12,735
Operating Expenses $1,201 $2,740
PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES FUNDED -- $39,381
Reserves for Next Year Operating
Expenses, Programs and Initiatives $72,891 $43,505
SSF Ed Foundation | 2023-2024
Financials
15 An additional $5,000 Barona Grant was awarded directly to Parkway Heights Middle School. YEEE! Program will reflect in 2024-25 Programs and Initiatives Funded.
The Impact of Your Donations
2023-2024 allocations of SSF Ed Foundation’s Programs and Intiatives School Library Books 30.4%
Inclusive books for all 15 SSFUSD
schools
Newcomer Resource Fund 22.3%
Important essentials for newcomer
students
Soccer League for
English Learners 15.8%
A pathway to school team sports
Family Education Event 10.7%
Information on navigating school systems
Field Trips for Baden High
School Students 9.0%
Access to engaging learning
outside the classroom
Library Equipment for
Parkway Middle School 11.3%
Access to new technology
Community Engagement 0.5%
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BECOME A SPONSOR
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directly by email or
through our website.
SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS
SSF Ed Foundation | 2023-2024
16 Ways to Stay Involved
With the help of your generosity,
we can make meaningful impacts so every
SSFUSD student gets the education they deserve!
www.ssfedfoundation.org
Follow Us Online
@ssfedfoundation
SSF Education Foundation
P.O. Box 5418
South San Francisco, CA 94083
Tax ID :88-1191386
[email protected]
S O U T H S A N F R A N C I S C O
E D U C A T I O N
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