San Francisco Coalition of Essential Small Schools (SF-CESS)

San Francisco Coalition of Essential Small Schools (SF-CESS) Providing leadership and program development by highly trained and skilled equity coaches. Discomfort should be expected and embraced.

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San Francisco Coalition of Essential Small Schools (SF-CESS) intends to make an impact on the design and sustainability of new and existing small schools in San Francisco by providing coaching, technical assistance and professional development focused on equity, inquiry and achievement to a network of schools. SF-CESS will share best practices for creating the conditions necessary for schools to b

e equitable and high performing. SF-CESS intends to make a significant contribution to achievement and the lives of children in the San Francisco-Bay Area, as well as throughout the nation. SF-CESS is an Affiliate Center for The National Coalition of Essential Schools. SF-CESS’ WORKING DEFINITION of EDUCATIONAL EQUITY

SF-CESS defines Educational Equity as the practice of …

• holding a stance,

• developing policies and processes,

• using a set of tools, and

• making decisions and taking actions towards the explicit and intended goal of equal and excellent results for students regardless of external or internal, social or cultural contexts. SF-CESS’ work of prioritizing Educational Equity is built upon four tenets:

1. Equity is not Equality:

• Equality is about equal input (regardless of outcome) and assumes every student begins at an equal starting place and continues with constant and equal access to information, resources and support.

• Equity is about equal output – or results – based on authentic data related to student achievement and experience.

2. High Expectations are required regardless of biases or predictability of success or failure based on social or cultural contexts of students or schools.

3. Interruption may be required of current thinking, systems and constructs as well as behaviors. Alliances Across Difference will be necessary as long as there is an experience and culture gap between our teachers, students and families. We must work together to develop practices and leadership for equitable results.

08/26/2026
08/26/2026

Today's featured SF-CESS card topic is the "Culture" card from our In2Out Questions: Personalization Cards for Educators and Their Students Card Set.

The 9 of Spades card contains a series of questions to help our students and educators to reflect and share about their self ascribed culture.

Culture: the sum of the language, customs, beliefs and art considered characteristic of a particular group of people.

(In) Self Reflection/ Journal prompt - What is your culture?
(2) Pair/ Trio Share: How does your culture look? Smell? Taste? Feel? Sound?
(Out) Group Share: What is the culture of your school? Workplace? Community? Home?

If you're Interested in bringing these personalization cards to your learning environment,
you can purchase your own set of In2Out Cards with this link: https://sf-cess.square.site

Happy Friday from SF-CESS! What is one thing in your life or practice that you are ready to approach differently—and wha...
08/21/2026

Happy Friday from SF-CESS!

What is one thing in your life or practice that you are ready to approach differently—and what would it look like to treat this moment as the beginning?

Please share your response in the
comment section below.

SF-CESS is highlighting "Let's Roam" auction items this week! Let's Roam offers a diverse range of scavenger hunt experi...
08/20/2026

SF-CESS is highlighting "Let's Roam" auction items this week!

Let's Roam offers a diverse range of scavenger hunt experiences to suit every occasion and interest. Choose from city exploration, bar crawls, ghost tours, art walks, date night packages, and more. We're always adding new adventures to keep your curiosity ignited.

Here are the Let's Roam Activities we'll be bidding off this November.

--> 2, Family Scavenger Hunt 10 Pack ($140 Value)
--> 2, Date Night Scavenger Hunt 2 Pack ($100 Value)
--> 1 Virtual or In-Person Team Building Event For Up to 10 People, PLUS 20% off additional players ($525 Value)
"

Bidding Opens at the beginning of November. https://bit.ly/4227qs9

Today's featured SF-CESS card topic is the "Rigor" card from our In2Out Questions: Personalization Cards for Educators ...
08/19/2026

Today's featured SF-CESS card topic is the "Rigor" card from our In2Out Questions: Personalization Cards for Educators and Their Students Card Set.

The 5 of Spades card contains a series of questions to help our students and educators to reflect and share about what hard work looks and feels like for them.

(In) Self Reflection/ Journal prompt - Who is the hardest worker you know?

(2) Pair/ Trio Share: What motivates you to work hard?

(Out) Group Share: What is the best way for teachers to motivate students to work hard?

If you're Interested in bringing these personalization cards to your learning environment,
you can purchase your own set of In2Out Cards with this link: https://sf-cess.square.site

Happy Friday from SF-CESS! Historically, how have you experienced the first day of school? What advice or hope do you ha...
08/14/2026

Happy Friday from SF-CESS!

Historically, how have you experienced the first day of school?

What advice or hope do you have for students & teachers during this time?

Please share your thoughts in the comment section below.

2027 San Jose Giants Ticket Plan Comped tickets for 8 separate home games during the 2027 San Jose Giants season. Biddin...
08/14/2026

2027 San Jose Giants Ticket Plan

Comped tickets for 8 separate home games during the 2027 San Jose Giants season.

Bidding begins the first week of November and culminates at SF-CESS' Awards Night and Reception on November 7th.

Check out the list of items up for bid here: https://bit.ly/4227qs9

08/12/2026

Today's featured SF-CESS card topic is "Academics" from our Probing Questions to Transform Your Practice Card Set.

The 2 of ♣️ / Academics card contains two questions
1) What is the relationship between how students view themselves as learners and their success in your class?

2) How do you empower students of color with academic language and skills when academic success can be stereotyped as being "too white"?

If you're Interested in bringing these personalization cards to your learning environment, you can purchase your own set of Probing Questions cards with this link:
https://sf-cess.square.site

Are you ready to transform learning together?Join us for the SF-CESS Fall Forum 2026Transforming Together learning f...
08/10/2026

Are you ready to transform learning together?

Join us for the SF-CESS Fall Forum 2026
Transforming Together
learning from yesterday
transforming today
building tomorrow

A student summit for educating educators
We often hear that our future lies with our young people. This year, we're putting students at the center. Students will serve as facilitators and co-facilitators, sharing ideas, asking bold questions, and leading conversations that matter. Adults attend as learners - ready to listen, engage, and be inspired.

Saturday, November 7
7:45 AM - 4:00 PM
full-day conference with evening reception

Sunday, November 8
7:45 AM - 1:00 PM
half-day focused on bringing learning back to your work

Submit a workshop proposal today
https://bit.ly/FFProposal

Not ready to submit your proposal? Need support to prepare a proposal? Express your interest by September 1.
https://bit.ly/ProposalInterest
We'll support you in developing your proposal. Student facilitators will also be invited to drop-in coaching sessions to refine their proposals and practice facilitating.

Register now
https://bit.ly/FFRegistration26
The registration deadline is October 1. After which, late registration will open. This summit is designed to be a personalized conference. Seats are limited.

Happy Friday from SF-CESS! "Don't follow the path. Go where there is no path and begin the trail.” ...
08/07/2026

Happy Friday from SF-CESS!

"Don't follow the path.
Go where there is no path and begin the trail.”
— Ruby Bridges

What is a new path you need to create?

What would help you take the first step?

Please share your thoughts in the comment section.

Address

Oakland, CA
94602

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm

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