Coming soon. Awesome school! Education in collaboration with the San Francisco Unified School District research department, had more good news. Visitacion Valley Middle Public 6-8 1971 Visitacion Ave. San Francisco, CA 94134-2700 (415) 469-4590 District: San Francisco Unified SchoolDigger Rank: 2320th of 2,740 California Middle Schools Per Pupil Expenditures: $6,103 Students who attend Visitacion Valley Middle usually attend: Feeder schools for Visitacion Valley Middle: This work has gotten co-opted and watered down, leading to many people talking the talk, without much walk. Visitacion Valley Middle School, Public District Grades 6-8; Revere (Paul) Elementary School, Public District Grades KG-8; . Otherwise, white fragility will shut the anti-racist party down; it's an equity consciousness buzz kill, for real. NOTE: Due to late submission for 2021-22 school year data collection, schools in Texas and Washington were not included in this locator tool.To search for public . This can create power struggles, a learning opportunity gap, and as the scholar Monique Morris writes, students being pushed out of schools. In addition, we might see curricula that affirms and engages students of color. At that point the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) stepped in, calling Visitacion Valley "a neglected urban backwater of 18,000 with rampant crime, awful schools, and a deplorable housing project called Geneva Towers." (Gee, thanks, for the recognition, HUD.) Some bowed their heads. 2. Visitacion Valley Middle School prides itself in its active role in the community by welcoming parents, families, and community partners to participate on all levels of creating a culturally responsive 21st Century Middle School. By Kyle Palmer On a recent morning at Visitacion Valley Middle School in South San Francisco, Principal James Dierke looked out over the school's auditorium at more than 100 eighth graders. (DiAngelo, 2018). Once Quiet Time started, she mellowed out and started getting along with people. Stacys academic performance has also improved shes in the top 5% of the class. $1,150,000 Last Sold Price. Further, staff moved to thinking about how our school practices perpetuate WSC and send negative messages to our students. Find COVID-19 testing, vaccine, and daily health screening information. WSC shuts down learning. General education entry grade seats per application: https://sfusd.zoom.us/j/89260175755?pwd=R2VLdWJQOVdySElJa1c2UUhCTkw5QT09, Districtwide before and after school program information, Social-Emotional and Culture Climate Report, School Plan for Student Achievement (SPSA). . An assistant principal suggested the idea for quiet time after she saw Hollywood director David Lynch speak about the program and the accompanying benefits of transcendental meditation. A lot of the kids have deep anger issues or problems focusing, she says. But this messy middle is precisely when we need to stay curious, be vulnerable, and innovative. Quiet Time is just like an umbrella. Now that the shock of reading these words has worn off, lets explore what it is and why we need to dedicate more time to exploring its dehumanizing effect in our schools. Although controlled studies are difficult to perform in an academic setting, collectively the results of the Bay Area studies are encouraging. Once white fragility is defined and debriefed amongst a team, we can begin to talk about racism, anti-racism, and White Supremacy Culture. This might include wanting to win an argument, not making space for others to talk, and rushing through meetings. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me for anything (harrisc@sfusd.edu). Racial-equity leaders must be both intentional and responsive when doing this anti-racist work. This coming year, we are looking at how to build more community in the classroom, how to unify our students across cultural differences, and how to reduce bias in our discipline systems. Personal Commitment graphic organizer used in professional development (Courtesy of Joe Truss). Consequently, all other cognitive functions such as learning, problem solving, or creative thinking stop, (Hammond, 2015) activating our fight, flight, or freeze response. What Is Critical Race Theory, and Why Is It Under Attack? The school faces declining enrollment, test scores that don't meet federal standards, teacher turnover, truancy and a high neighborhood crime rate. At Visitacion Valley Middle School (VVMS), in the San Francisco Unified school district, our brave staff spent a majority of the 2018-19 school year unpacking White Supremacy Culture (WSC). We are the operators of some piece of the education machine, and therefore, if we change our actions, we can change the larger system. Some conversations fell flat, and others were superficial. 1500 Visitacion Ave, San Francisco, CA is a single family home that contains 1,068 sq ft and was built in 1944. Dismantling WSC unites staff to work toward being anti-racist. 1. For students of color, characteristics of White Supremacy Culture similar to microaggressions hijack the amygdala. White Supremacy Culture. Visitacion Valley Middle School is a public school in San Francisco, California that is part of San Francisco Unified School District. Zestimate Home Value: $930,000. Students straightened their backs and closed their eyes. Published annually by SFUSD to provide access to key data points and three-year trends related to student achievement and school culture-climate. I saw this personally at VVMS, as situations got awkward, uncomfortable, and uncertain. Our courageous educators got personal, thinking about how White Supremacy Culture shows up in their personal lives and between colleagues. He says the lives of students were infected by violence in the community, and several fights would break out every day. This presentation was made as part of a National Education Summit on Quiet Time in the Classroom Linda Esposito - What One Urban School District Can Teach the Country About Stress Relief Huffington Post, I imagine we might even see white folks redirecting their white colleagues and carrying their weight of racial conversations. In addition, meditating students reported sleeping better as well as higher You can listen to Mr. Dierke speak at a conference in Los Angeles in December 2011 about his school districts research on the effect the Quiet Time/TM program has had on his students and teachers since it became part of their school five years ago. James Dierke, Principal of Visitacion Valley Middle School in San Francisco, like so many thousands of principals and teachers who are working in inner-city schools throughout the US, knows how frustrating it can be trying to provide an education in Americas low income, high stress localities. in San Francisco. We must name, define, and plan for white fragility, the defensive response by whites when discussing racism. Before the students learn to meditate, the Quiet Time programme requires all staff to be trained in TM. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me for anything (. On a personal note, I was born and raised in the midwest, but I have called San Francisco home for the last 13 years. One teacher, Mary Chirichella added, Some teachers had the courage to approach others to have tough conversations about microaggressions. SFUSD's Student Family School Resource Link supports students and families in navigating all of the SFUSD resources available to them. As a leader, I hold three core values close to me: connection, growth, and appreciation. Her work has generated changes to state law and spurred political and community action to address local needs. Even I, a black educator who has studied ethnic studies and critical race theory, still perpetuate tenets of White Supremacy Culture. Some of the work I am most proud of as a teacher and leader is building relationships with all community members to create a supportive and positive environment, as well as creating systems and using data to make informed decisions regarding instructional practices that lead to increased achievement for students. Just as long as they are quiet. Dismantling WSC unites staff to work toward being anti-racist. What Happened When My School Started to Dismantle White Supremacy Culture, The Standing Up for Racial Justice coalition. In the first year of Quiet Time meditation, suspensions at Visitacion Valley were reduced by 45%. One other middle school and two high schools in the Bay Area adopted the program. "He has put his heart and soul into making sure his students feel safe and secure in their school building and has developed a school climate that nurtures academic excellence," Tirozzi said. We have seen attempts at creating buy-in fail for initiatives like ethnic studies, mastery-based grading, or project-based learning. The California School Directory and related public school and district data files (collectively referred to as the "Directory"), contain information about California schools, districts, and school/district administrators that is voluntarily self-reported by local education agencies (LEAs) to the California Department of Education (CDE) as a It can result in white rage, broken relationships, grievances, and further harm to oppressed students. This took the form of discussions, watching short video clips, annotating readings, and doing some deep personal introspection. 609-611 Naples Street is a 2-bed, 2-bath, 1,850 sqft multi-family home built in 1947. 9 . In the outside world, TM has been criticised for the price-tag it comes with; the programme at Visitacion Valley costs $280,000 (185,128) a year - paid for mainly through private donations to CWAE. Use the arrows to change between different dates on the calendar. In my dream, I imagine that Culturally Responsive Teaching, restorative practices, and deeper learning are all alive in classrooms across the United States. Callers can still leave a voicemail or send an email or request form at all hours. Teacher Phil Yordy, left, works with freshman Derek Shallow, 15, right, during an after school mentoring program at Oregon High School in Oregon, Ill., in February. Visitacion Valley Middle School provides quality education that prepares students for a fulfilling life in a global society. School attendance zone boundaries are provided by a third party and are subject to change. A lot has changed over this period, including three principals coming and going, but ODriscoll puts the turnaround down to the one constant: the calming influence of the meditation programme. . Having served the past two years as Assistant Principal, VVMS is a community that I love and care for. The letter is also available inChinese/andEspaol. For example, pushing students to work independently or write before processing verbally can lead to stress and isolation. Check out the 2022-23 academic calendar here. Quiet Time isnt just a slogan but a daily regimen at Visitacion Valley. In recent years however, Principal Dierke and a growing number of other educators have found a way to break the predictive power of demographics. This work has gotten co-opted and watered down, leading to many people talking the talk, without much walk. Homeowners' Insurance. Now our previous work on Culturally Responsive Teaching, use of rubrics, and adding student voice had a theoretical underpinning. To do this, we use diverse staff resources and improve student access to high quality programs during the school day and in after-school programs. You can see past weeks' newsletters as well. When the staff at Visitacion Valley Middle School explored White Supremacy Culture, it gave them a new framework to define their North Star: being an anti-racist school. to meditation? "Although authorities captured the person, parents could have demanded changes at the school," a statement from the principals' association said. The middle school years are critical times of development for students and families, and I look forward to working with all of you to ensure our school helps students feel a sense of belonging and joy, as well as prepares them for high school, college, and beyond. Yes, it is exhibited by leaders at all levels, including me. In 2008 Mr. Dierke was named MetLife/NASSP National Middle Level Principal of the Year. The Rent Zestimate for this home is $3,399/mo, which has increased by $239/mo in the last 30 days. Start with one class or year and let it grow from there.. Visitacion Valley Middle School. Students, families, and school staff can email requests to sflink@sfusd.edu,call 415-340-1716(M-F, 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m., closed from 12 to 1 p.m. every day), or complete an online request form. This requires dismantling White Supremacy Culture and building a new foundation for an anti-racist and empowering education. When the school year starts, students may use Student Portal Student Portal (StudentVUE)and families may use Family Portal (ParentVUE)to keep track of a student's attendance, assignments, and grades, and contact teachers. It serves 358 studentsin 6 - 8 with a student/teacher ratio of 14.3:1.Its teachers have had 79 projects funded on DonorsChoose. This year, the school has had to integrate more than 100 new students onto campus after another nearby middle school was closed by the district. near you and learn more, A summary of studies fromHarvard, Stanford, and more, AHA: TM is the only meditationfound to lower blood pressure, Different forms of meditationproduce very different results, Bob Roth, Director Sign up for the Well Family newsletter to get the latest news on parenting, child health and relationships with advice from our experts to help every family Middle Schools Elementary Schools Fares The Free Muni for Youth Program provides San Francisco youth ages 5-18 with free Muni service, regardless of household income level. I thought it was just another fad. Get Well's Running email for practical tips, expert advice, exclusive content and a bit of motivation delivered to your inbox every week to help you on your running journey. This is a 4-bed, 3-bath, 1,597 sqft property. The trouble is we don't even see it. We will share information about our school and answer your questions. A Bay Area native, Jill earned a master's degree in journalism at the University of Colorado, Boulder and a bachelor's degree from the UC Santa Barbara. Mad Sal's Dockside Inn in Ale House Alley, and Mission Blue. During the 2017-18 school year, I s erved as an assistant principal in Ryan Gloyer Middle School (Seneca Valley Middle School at the time) before being named principal of the building for the 2018-19 school year. 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(Dan Schreiber/The Examiner) In 2004, two students discovered the partially decomposed body of a 19-year-old stabbing victim. The award, given by the National Association of Secondary School Principals, includes a $5,000 award for the school. 3 Baths. Our courageous educators got personal, thinking about how White Supremacy Culture shows up in their personal lives and between colleagues. We might get verbal disagreements, but the kids are able to talk through it and move on instead of punching each other, says ODriscoll, adding that the last fist fight at the school was three years ago. Anther example might be superficially speeding through content or discouraging interruptions for questions. In my dream, I imagine that educators can become comfortable talking about race and how it informs the work of educating children. ODriscoll also says that leadership buy-in is essential for the programme to work as there needs to be support in terms of time and resourcing. Visitacion Valley also got attention from actor Russell Brand, who visited the school just before Christmas on a trip sponsored by the David Lynch Foundation. . For students of color, characteristics of White Supremacy Culture similar to microaggressions hijack the amygdala. In addition, we might see curricula that affirms and engages students of color and assessment practices that dismantle racial bias in standardized testing. The highlights are available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Arabic, Filipino, and Vietnamese. When the bells sound twice a day at Visitacion Valley Middle School in San Francisco, students who used to be too rowdy to even sit still close their eyes and spend 15 minutes clearing their minds. Teachers and students are assigned to academic families that use a variety of innovative technology, cross-curricular writing programs, and project-based and standards-based instruction throughout the year. Ultimately, we are here to help students empower themselves through education. Don't be confused. This article was amended on Wednesday 25 November to clarify that Visitacion Valley middle school funds Quiet Time mostly through private donations to CWAE. The social-emotional learning of students in grades 4-12 is also assessed. But to start, we must go inward. 379 Winding, San Francisco, CA 94112 is a 4 bed, 3 bath, 1,597 sqft house now for sale at $1,280,000. Students. SOLD JUN 13, 2022. Now we can get to the work of promoting anti-racism, liberation, and achievement at our school, by looking through the lens of White Supremacy Culture. It is invisible and it is toxic. As Boys Get Fatter, Parents Worry One Body Part Is Too Small. Our school commits to delivering high quality educational program that addresses individual needs. 4 Beds. I saw this personally at VVMS, as situations got awkward, uncomfortable, and uncertain. Surrounded by drugs and gang violence, the kids were stressed out and agitated. It helps kids reduce anxiety and increase their ability to reason and concentrate., Principal Dierke said, as a result of Quiet Time, the schools image is changing. Visitacion Valley Middle School. Young people are incredibly stressed, says Michael Matania who teaches mindfulness meditation to young people in London through a programme called Mindkit. The program, which had initial funding from the Now our previous work on Culturally Responsive Teaching, use of rubrics, and adding student voice had a theoretical underpinning.