Enrollment fair survival guide

Saturday is the annual SFUSD enrollment fair. PPS has sent out a helpful survival guide for the event, complete with workshop schedule!  Here it is:

Parents for Public Schools-SF started the first Enrollment Fair and we have been at every fair since. Below are some tips for Attendees and Parent Volunteers.

SFUSD Enrollment Fair
Saturday, November 13, 2010
9am to 2:00pm
San Francisco Concourse East Hall; 635 8th Street @ Brannan

Free Shuttle bus service is available:
Burnett CDC (1520 Oakdale Ave): Pick up 8am,8:30am,9:30am
Cesar Chaves ES (826 Shotwell St.): Pick up 8:20am, 8:50am, 9:50am
Gordon J. Lau ES (950 Clay St.): Pick up 8:45am, 9:15am, 10:15am

Muni Lines 14 to 19, Muni lines 12 to 19, 10, 27, 47
For Attendees
1. Plan to spend up to 2 hours at the Fair. (After 2 hours your brain turns to mush and you won’t be able to remember any more!)
2. Use public transportation or shuttle buses (see schedule). Parking is limited and the nearby lots and garages are expensive.
3. Bring a tote bag to put all of the flyers and papers you’ll pick up, including the Enrollment Guide and application.
4. Bring your calendar to schedule tours.
5. The Enrollment Fair can be noisy and crowded. Small children may feel overstimulated by the crowds. If you can arrange childcare, it would free you up to focus on your school search.
6. Childcare options:
    – Free Childcare is available at the Fair for ages 3-7. Register via email at devlinn@sfusd.edu.
    – Arrange for a playdate and trade with a friend – take turns going to the Fair.
7. Bring water – you’ll be talking with a lot of different people.
8. Visit the PPS-SF table! We’ll have Parent Ambassadors and staff that can give you even more tips on finding a school that works for you.
9. Attend a workshop at the Fair to get more information.
Workshop Schedule:
The Enrollment Process for School Year 2011-2012 (Room F)
(Simultaneous Spanish & Chinese Translation Provided)
* 10:30, 12:30

The Lowell 9th Grade Application Process (Room F)
(Simultaneous Spanish & Chinese Translation Provided)
* 11:45

Developing a new Transportation Policy (Room C)
*  11:30, 1:30

The Enrollment Process of Children in Special Education (Room D)
* 10:30, 12:20

Afterschool for all Workshop (Room E)
* 10:00, 11:00

Language Pathways for English Learners
* 10:00, 1:15 In Chinese (Room A)
* 11:00, 1:15 In Spanish (Room B)
* 11:00          In English (Room A)

Language Pathways for English Proficient Students
* 10:00, 12:00 (Room B)

 
For Volunteers:
1. Take a shift at the PPS table – it will give you lots of exposure to parents that you can direct to your school’s table.

2. Use public transportation or shuttle buses (see schedule). Parking is limited and the nearby lots and garages are expensive.
3. Bring school event flyers or calendars so prospective parents can attend one of your school events.
4. Bring a sign up sheet for school tours, if you have to sign up. Or bring a flyer with your tour dates and times.
5. Decorate your school’s display area with kids’ artwork and pictures.
6. Get volunteers from your school who can speak Spanish and Chinese to connect with those parents.
7. Schedule an Open House after the Fair that you can invite parents to. Open Houses can be during the evening or weekend, with at least your Principal and Kindergarten teachers present. It’s a great way for parents to actually talk with the teachers and principal without disturbing the classroom.
8. Send your school event to PPS to be added to our online calendar. Email event information to info@ppssf.org.

9. Have water for your volunteers – they’ll be talking with a lot of people!
10. Wear your school shirt — and a PPS pin