Property Taxes. But this messy middle is precisely when we need to stay curious, be vulnerable, and innovative. that teachers and students enjoy and which preliminary data suggest is effective. - Managed relationships and contracts with principals and key staff at our 3 middle schools. As for getting the children to start meditating, ODriscoll says the biggest hurdle was getting them to feel comfortable with their eyes closed. The announcement was made today during a surprise ceremony at Visitacion Valley. Otherwise, white fragility will shut the anti-racist party down; its an equity consciousness buzz kill, for real. White Supremacy Culture. The once-boisterous hall became silent and remained so for the next 15 minutes. stress and its manifestations for example, anxiety, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. MLS# 423725010. Visitacion Valley Middle School. Dismantling WSC unites staff to work toward being anti-racist. White Supremacy Culture. According to state test scores, 12% of students are at least proficient in math and 26% in reading. Besides dealing with problems outside school, Visitacion Valley faces challenges in school, too. This is a 4-bed, 3-bath, 1,597 sqft property. It is time that we detox and make the invisible visible. They simultaneously tell us that we are not good enough and keep us to the bottom rungs of racial hierarchy if we do not assimilate. Ft. 45 Arleta Ave, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94134. Just meditate!. We might also see students connecting their identities to their learning and applying it back to their communities to manifest social justice. This change comes at the cost of detaching ourselves from ourselves, which also is dehumanizing. Physical Education teacher Barry ODriscoll agreed that Quiet Time has helped improve the staffs quality of life. Consequently, this allows for us to align our purpose with our pedagogy, curricula, policies, decision making processes, and adult structures. 1500 Visitacion Ave, San Francisco, CA is a single family home that contains 1,068 sq ft and was built in 1944. Jill Tucker has covered education in California for 22 years, writing stories that range from issues facing Bay Area school districts to broader national policy debates. And a 2015 review of the program, issued by the Center for Wellness and Achievement in As a leader, it is easy to hoard power, claim objectivity in decision making, or believe that there is only one way to fix education. After graduating from Seneca Valley in 1996, I e arned my bachelor's degree from Clarion University of Pennsylvania. Your health questions answered by Times journalists andexperts. This is true for our staff as well, contributing to racial fatigue and staff sustainability for IBPOC. 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. Teachers. Surrounded by drugs and gang violence, the kids were stressed out and agitated. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me for anything (harrisc@sfusd.edu). WSC dehumanizes people of color. Every day before class, Visitacion Valley Middle School students pass an informal memorial known as the "R.I.P. 375. to meditation? Even in failure, there is growth, if you are using a critical lens to understand and improve. Less than a year after starting Quiet Time, which is in part funded by . C. Visitacion Valley Middle School is a public school located in SAN FRANCISCO, CA. View property details, photos, and neighborhood info. This work has gotten co-opted and watered down, leading to many people talking the talk, without much walk. Visitacion Valley Middle School. By Joe Truss, the principal of Visitacion Valley Middle School in San Francisco and a leadership coach. Report an absence. It is imperative that we examine our actions to see if they are further harming students of color, disempowering them, and creating a psychologically hostile learning environment. Leading a 501 (c)3 nonprofit working with a consortium of collaborative partners including university researchers . Visitacion Valley still struggles with significant challenges. Nearby homes similar to 183 Tucker Ave have recently sold between $1,150K to $1,150K at an average of $475 per square foot. Grades: 9-12. . Photos, courtesy of Joe Truss, from the top: The opinions expressed in Next Gen Learning in Action are strictly those of the author(s) and do not reflect the opinions or endorsement of Editorial Projects in Education, or any of its publications. 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). My Only Regret Is That I Didnt Find This Practice Twenty Years Ago , Why I Learned Transcendental Meditation Three Years Ago And Why I Still Practice It , 6 Benefits Of Transcendental Meditation (And How You Can Get Started Today) , James Dierke, Principal of Visitacion Valley Middle School, urban students, drugs, gangs and violence, Newly published research on the effect of the Quiet Time/Transcendental Meditation program, MetLife/NASSP National Middle Level Principal of the Year. It would be nave to think that meditation alone could erase the effects of the many factors, like poverty, that are barriers to educational achievement. 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. Now, Lynch runs a non-profit foundation that promotes meditation in schools and also sponsorsmeditation retreats for under-served students. Phones will be closed on school holidays, including the fall, winter and spring breaks. This requires dismantling White Supremacy Culture and building a new foundation for an anti-racist and empowering education. I noticed a lot of them missing school, fighting, and getting angry a lot. Visitacion Valley Middle School Catering to our kids grades 6-8. This is because we are starting with the branches of the tree instead of the roots. He partnered with the Center for Wellness and Achievement in Education to develop a Quiet Time Program for his school. Home has a beautiful view with a nice size backyard for entertainment. Prompts for reading a White Supremacy Culture article (Courtesy of Joe Truss). Homeowners' Insurance. When you have it up, it keeps the rain off, and you can focus on trying to build a culture with kids. You can find more information about the fair at sfusd.edu/fair. In fact, based on certain urban zip codes, education researchers can predict students attendance rate, behavior, test scores, and overall academic achievement. Main Office: 952-431-8300. The letter is also available inChinese/andEspaol. School communities gather twice a year to review data and previous actions in order to intentionally plan for the coming months. Please refer to legal details concerning copyright and trademark protection. 609-611 Naples Street is a 2-bed, 2-bath, 1,850 sqft multi-family home built in 1947. We might also see students connecting their identities to their learning and applying it back to their communities to manifest social justice. provides quality after-school programming to children in the area. White Supremacy Culture. 1. Eighth grader Art Parkeenvincha moved to San Francisco from Canada in the middle of this year. Theres an explosion of mental health problems among young people and its going to be incredibly expensive to treat in the future. 336 Wilde Ave , San Francisco, CA 94134-2252 is a single-family home listed for-sale at $988,888. 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 America's low income, high stress localities. We can have equity missions plastered on walls and front that we are about closing the opportunity gap, but we don't go deeper than diversity trainings. Executive Director Gerald Tirozzi of the association noted that Dierke has given the community around the school a sense of hope. Principal and Interest. ODriscoll was sceptical at first about mediating himself, but since giving it a try he can concentrate better and feels less stressed. Mad Sal's Dockside Inn in Ale House Alley, and Mission Blue. There was a time when Visitacion Valley middle school in San Francisco could have featured in a gritty US crime drama. Only two teachers have left in the past five years, outside of retirements and district layoffs. I like to think of myself as a recovering perpetrator of WSC. Our kids are coming to school. Modern Band (music) with contemporary instruments, Visuals Arts, Ethnic Studies, Computer Science, Dramatic Arts, and Spanish! Racial-equity work is like trying to defuse a bomb and cutting the wrong wire. In addition, Dierke said regular Quiet Time has also helped teachers relax. If you would like to learn more about our wonderful school, please join our School Info Session on Tuesday, October 25 at 5 pm or 6pm. 1. I value growth because I am constantly reviewing data, asking how we can be better for our students. As a result of these high-stress conditions, thousands of schools have predictable problems: low attendance, high violence, and low performance. . Mr. Dierke wondered whether meditation might reduce students stress levels and help them learn. Callers can still leave a voicemail or send an email or request form at all hours. One does not have to be a white supremacist to hold these beliefs, because we have all been conditioned through exposure to media, parenting, schooling, and our interactions with power structures. We focus on equitable teaching practices and encourage student participation. students who meditated showed a significant decrease in anxiety and a significant increase in resilience compared to nonmeditating students. WSC shuts down learning. Apply for Educational Benefits for the 2022-23 school year Further, we must look at how it has affected us and how we have perpetuated White Supremacy Culture. However, when we name oppression, racism, and more explicitly White Supremacy Culture, folks have to determine where they stand, what they value, and why they work in education. However, when we name oppression, racism, and more explicitly White Supremacy Culture, folks have to determine where they stand, what they value, and why they work in education. 1971 Visitacion Avenue, San Francisco, CA, 94134, We look forward to welcoming everyone back to school starting. Call Us. . That funds four and a half (full-time equivalent) Quiet Time staff on site to teach the classes and support students. Lastly, this work connected well with our concurrent work of racial affinity groups, social-justice teaching, and revising our school mission statement. Distance: 1.7 mi. The art of relaxation: ideas to get students to unwind and recharge, How two minutes of mindfulness can calm a class and boost attainment, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning. James Dierke, principal of Visitacion Valley Middle School in San Francisco: Principal James Dierke "When I arrived at this school thirteen years ago it had the highest absentee rate, the highest suspension rate, the highest teacher turnover rate, the lowest academic achievement rate. Public, 6-8 Serves this home. Staff watch a clip about white fragility during a staff meeting (Courtesy of Joe Truss). 4 Beds. Please refer to legal details concerning copyright and trademark protection. This pushed some folks to identify who they could be safe with, be it for comfort or growth. Students are encouraged to use the time to meditate, but Dierke says students can simply clear their mind, think about schoolwork, or even sleep. This article was amended on Wednesday 25 November to clarify that Visitacion Valley middle school funds Quiet Time mostly through private donations to CWAE. Meditation strengthens the areas of the brain that control our fear center, he said. Its important to note that these responses work to maintain current consciousness and white supremacy. White Supremacy Culture also tricks us into thinking that if we change to fit a white model, we can be more valued but still never be white. White Supremacy Culture is the silent killer flowing throughout classrooms and school hallways, like carbon monoxide gas. I began my career in education in Richmond, CA. We needed to go deeper than our previous conversations about diversity, equity, and inclusion. Thats what were gradually doing here., The payoff might be most evident in students like Angelica Mahinay, who says, Man, when I hear students getting an attitude, or theyre saying theyre going to fight, I say, Hey! Principal & interest $1,163. Programs School Data Contact Info Visitacion Valley Middle School Grades 6-8 Consequently, this allows for us to align our purpose with our pedagogy, curricula, policies, decisionmaking processes, and adult structures. The school is working on improving parent involvement through our Parent Liaison. SFUSD annually surveys families and school staff on a range of school climate indicators that have been found to predict positive student academic achievement. The UK has already started experimenting with meditation: 400 secondary schools offer programmes like the Dot B mindfulness meditation programme, which tends to take place once a week in personal, social, health education (PSHE) class. Imagine that. This leads to resistance or failure to follow through, maintaining a status quo of disproportionate outcomes for students based on race. This pushed some folks to identify who they could be safe with, be it for comfort or growth. Photo at top courtesy of Joe Truss: VVMS staff match examples of White Supremacy Culture to the definition of each characteristic. 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. Those selecting Dierke for the honor noted how a gunman entered the school, threatening teachers and students in 2004. The School Plan for Student Achievement is the template on which this review and stakeholder engagement process is codified. Yes, it is exhibited by leaders at all levels, including me. Sometimes the whole school meets to meditate in assemblies. This leads to resistance or failure to follow through, maintaining a status quo of disproportionate outcomes for students based on race. Former principal of Visitacion Valley Middle School in San Francisco and a former Principal of the Year. In 2007 a meditation programme called Quiet Time was brought in to meet some of these challenges. I also enjoy cooking (and eating) good food with family and friends. 2023 Editorial Projects in Education, Inc. increased attendance and increased academic performance. After the shooting, the usual culprits were blamed: guns, violent movies and video games, says Rice. The Standing Up for Racial Justice coalition defines White Supremacy Culture as the idea (ideology) that white people and the ideas, thoughts, beliefs, and actions of white people are superior to those of People of Color. Dont be confused. 8:15 a.m. - MWTh 3:00 p.m.; 8:15 a.m. - TuF 1:15 p.m. SFUSD's Student Family School Resource Linksupports students and families innavigating all of the SFUSD resources available to them. That is not always possible for his schools students, Dierke said. Rice says they use TM because it takes those who do it to a deep level of relaxation, and its easy for children to learn. But no one touched on the real problem stress.. In my spare time, I enjoy camping and traveling. One teacher, Mary Chirichella added, Some teachers had the courage to approach others to have tough conversations about microaggressions. Tuesdays at 9:00a.m. 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. On a personal note, I was born and raised in the midwest, but I have called San Francisco home for the last 13 years. SFUSD's Student Family School Resource Linksupports students and families innavigating all of the SFUSD resources available to them. When I first heard about it I thought it probably wasnt going to work, says ODriscoll. In one, the effects of the Quiet Time Program, conducted over half the academic year, were evaluated in public middle school students performing below proficiency level. This took the form of discussions, watching short video clips, annotating readings, and doing some deep personal introspection. 3D & VIDEO TOUR. In recognition of the honor, Mayor Gavin Newsom declared Friday Jim Dierke Day in San Francisco. Find COVID-19 testing, vaccine, and daily health screening information. He blogs at culturallyresponsiveleadership.com and is a racial equity leadership coach. The first pitfall is failing to scaffold for white privilege and white fragility. For over 10 years, Visitacion Valley Middle School has been utilizing Transcendental Meditation to help students address stress and improve focus. SOLD JUN 13, 2022. Saratoga, California, United States. We are committed to Love, Literacy, and Liberation. Now that the shock of reading these words has worn off, let's explore what it is and why we need to dedicate more time to exploring its dehumanizing effect in our schools. Week 25 newsletter in different languages. Out of view, city dignitaries and his students waited inside Visitacion Valley Middle School to surprise him with the news: He was the National Middle School Principal of the Year.. Once white fragility is defined and debriefed amongst a team, we can begin to talk about racism, anti-racism, and White Supremacy Culture. A lot of the kids have deep anger issues or problems focusing, she says. Visitors are always amazed, Dierke said afterwards, but it works. Its very peaceful here now.. Students at Visitacion Valley School in South San Francisco observe 15 minutes of quiet time every morning. Real Options for City Kids (R.O.C.K.) At times, it appeared that we weren't clearly aligned philosophically and did not have a focused call to action. 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. For the majority of urban students, drugs, gangs and violence are part of everyday life. For example, we looked at how our implicit bias when responding to student behavior leads to racially disproportionate discipline incidents and we organically identified restorative practices as a focus for the following year. And just like that, a hush fell over the auditorium. Listed by Gaye Harrison DRE #01319223 World Premier Realty Redfin checked: just now (Mar 2, 2023 at 11:15pm) Source: BAREIS #422707922 Home Facts Status Active The results of 17 studies conducted to date in the Bay Area, varying in duration from three months to one year, showed benefits across parameters including reduced stress, increased emotional intelligence, reduced suspensions, Based on Rocket Mortgage data in comparison to public data records. . For instance, we might see folks making eye contact, leaning into conversations about racial identity, and asking probing questions. Maybe having half an hour just to focus on themselves so they get awareness and grounding, might have some impact., And it could help reduce costs later. 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. Students at Visitacion Valley School in San Francisco meditate, as part of a program in which students meditate for fifteen minutes twice a day. New Principle, amazing teachers and support staff. Entire contents copyright 2023 Maharishi Foundation USA, a non-profit educational organization. Visitacion Valley Middle School. David Lynch Foundation (20:44), John Hagelin, PhD San Francisco principal Jim Dierke knew something was up when he saw more cars than usual parked in front of his school Friday morning. Phones will be closed on school holidays, including the fall, winter and spring breaks. To do it properly Visitacion Valley middle school made the day 30 minutes longer. 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. They simultaneously tell us that we are not good enough and keep us to the bottom rungs of racial hierarchy if we do not assimilate. Awesome school!