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Truancy in San Francisco is chronic with City and SFU School District clueless and inept.
Mayor Gavin Newsom and his newly acquired posse on "truancy" in San Francisco can talk the talk - but have failed to walk the walk. Thousands of children who should be in school for serious reasons are not going to school. Now, after over 8 years - this hoodwinking Mayor - wants to do something. As usual the Mayor and the San Francisco Unified School District, the Mayor especially appointed SFUSD person Hydra Mendonca does not want to be blamed - they keep blaming the parents. So let us fathom how the facts really - play out.
The San Francisco Unified School District should be ashamed of themselves. In the past eight years thousands of decent families are fed up the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD). The SFUSD Board meets and if you watch the proceeding - they are drab, always trying to re-invent the wheel, spewing hot air - the meetings go forever - and there is NO transparency and of course absolutely NO - accountability.
Thousands of our children that should be in school are NOT going to school.
For years the Mayor's Office of Criminal Justice had a point person but did not have support. In recent years the situation has gone from bad to worse. As I said - the situation, in the many schools is pathetic and thousands of decent parents have given up hope and left San Francisco.
Some years ago I joined the San Francisco School Volunteers. I has access to all the SFUSD schools got to meet the Principals and of course got to go the classes and speak to the students.
I was trained by the Jesuits and taught at many Jesuit schools. I know what the classrooms can offer and have an ability to examine facilities and so on. I give the San Francisco Unified School District a ever, failing, F -, in recent years it matter has gotten - worse.
But, what has this got to do with truancy. Well, the above picture gives anyone a sense because of lack of organization, good teachers, filthy surroundings, unkempt auditoriums - the school children do not like what they see. These factors and more bother many of these youth. The youth must feel wanted and aspire to go to school. I had good teachers and most of all I had good surroundings. I never remember having one single school I attended with filthy toilet, leaking auditorium, lack of sports facilities, and unkempt surrounding in general - being fed me - never, ever.
Now, many children especially those in the Southeast Sector - Excelsior, Bayview Hunters Point, Little Hollywood, Visitation Valley, Sunnydale, the school children from the many Housing Projects have to face - life and death situations daily - going to and fro from their schools.
The have to deal with "turf" issues and gangs that have gone unchecked. Today, the gangs are so bold - they enter a bus spray grafitti, beat up youth, and do as they please. Police patrols on MUNI buses in negligible to say the least - or course Nathaniel Ford the Director of MUNI - would deny that as he has anything else. Recently, a promising young man and up coming actor - was beaten - bad, by a notorious gang consisting of cowardly - punks.
You can line up the District Attorney, the Director from DCYF, the stupid Mayor, the newly arrived Police Chief, George Gason, William Sifferman from the Youth Guidance, the many other jokers - but none of them understand the "turf" issues in San Francisco and the many, day to day - adverse impacts - many of the youth face, going to school.
Some time ago the Mayor took upon himself - naive as he is but meaning well to visit a youth who had not gone to school. Knocked at this home door and before you knew it the Mayor was in the boy's bed room.
Of course the boy was shocked may be peed in his pants - but, recovered to tell the Mayor that he could not bring himself to go to school because of "gang" issues. His parents knew this and proceeded to go to work to bring bread and butter to the table.
The boy stayed home figuring out a way how to resolve his problem. So, when the Mayor came to his bedroom - he told him about the situation at hand. The Mayor listened and could not do a thing. That is what I am talking about. I know the many clowns that head the City Departments and will use some - drab conference to spew hot-air. However, when it comes to actually practically helping the youth they cannot do a thing.
How can this City transport school children to the school - back and forth without any adverse impacts? Compounded, many immigrant parents work three or four jobs. I have studied the situation but these IDIOTS so called head of Institutions and Organizations - have no clue, what is really is going on in our schools and more in many neighborhoods.
Recently, there was a declaration that the SFUSD has no money that they were going to close down schools. Last year the City and County of San Francisco that has no obligation to bail out the SFUS District - that jurisdiction comes under the State of California. But, thanks to now Assembly Person Tom Ammiano - a Rainy Day Fund was created and the SFUS District - bailed out. This cannot happen this year. The City is over $800 million in the HOLE - just tell them I told you so. I know how this idiots cook their accounts - no line items figures - but, lots of icing on figures - most dubious in nature.
The issues of "truancy" are tied to Health and Safety.
The District Attorney has slept over the issue as she has over many other issues. One year failing to collect grant money to help victims of shootings and killings - some related to "truancy".
If Kamala Harris and her Department is so careless on a grant issue as important as killings and shootings - you can imagine she gives a "damn" about our children. Kamala Harris a former side-kick of Willie L. Brown aspires to higher office - and the sooner she leaves San Francisco - the laughing hyena that she is - the better.
Hydra Mendonca was appointed as the Point Person to the Mayor of Educational Issues - she also serves as SFUS District Board Member - and has not evaluated the situation at hand. This issue of "truancy" is very serious. But, one has to have a comprehensible understanding, more fathom the many variables, more have a sound understanding of our neighborhoods, diverse families - and our precious, children.
I know of over one thousand children in San Francisco that cannot afford to have break-fast and have to go to school hungry. Others live in cars, on the streets, in places animals would not dwell in - but go to school with some ray of hope to make it - and get some education. All this in San Francisco - the fake Green City by the Bay.
Children come to me for help - and if I can help them I do. For sure I will see they have money for their books and clothes. I have been doing this for years and have been writing about the situation at hand. Many Director of lead organization know me - I am independent - I do not take money from this corrupt City to fund any of my own - projects. Never, have I applied to any of the City's grants given mostly to crooks - that do not serve our youth.
The various schools - should take an inventory of so-called "indigent youth" and their parents.
Our SF Unified School District does not have the ability to take an inventory of its own organization.
The left hand does not know what the right hand is doing - and in many cases - rampant corruption is going on.
One school board member - was found charging her Credit Card given to her by the SFUSD Board - and was forced to pay restitution. There are so many cracks in the system. Yet, these fools think they can fool all the people all the time.
The Director of DCYF tongue in cheek speaks about some centers that will provide some kind of Safe Haven. There is one in the Bayview and another is expected to be in place in the Western Addition. Now, if have a chronic problem of over 4900 youth - that is figure quoted - and we have two small centers - to accommodate such a chronic problem?
The Mayor is stupid - first to call for a Conference and dish out such nonsensical arrangements.
In fact some of these folks must be taken to court for putting our children in harms way. All State and Federal Funding must be curtailed to the bare minimum. We have heads of Departments - that have NO clue about of children - our children that have been forced to exercise "truancy" because as much as the children, the youth, beg for help - there is no one to listen to them. Many of them face - day to day - perils on their life - and ADULTS look the other way. Foremost, Mayor Gavin Newsom.
It breaks my heart to hear many times - the youth telling me - " I wish there were more people like you - to understand our plight". I understand their plight - well, because I know Mayor Gavin Newsom is fake - even the "thug" Mayor Willie L. Brown Jr. if informed of such "truancy" cases would do something. I know what I am talking about.
I know a few schools with little or no money sending all of of their students that have graduated from High School to College. One such institution is Muhammad University up at 195 Kiska Road at Hunters Point. The Mayor knows about - but chooses in his foolishness to adversely - impact.
City College Professors that tutor the students at Muhammad University are impressed with what they see. The problems with the SFUS District is lack of discipline and very poor - leadership.
The Samoans in San Francisco have suffered so much and so much good talent has been wasted. It is a shame to see so many Samoan youth fade away - many due to truancy and others due to the carelessness of folks like Hydra Mendonca and our stupid Mayor, Gavin Newsom. He should be called Gavin Nuisance.
Have a frank talk with William Sifferman and Allen Nance they will give you a detail account of the Samoan Youth that frequent the Youth Guidance and the link to truancy. It is a shame that Mayor Gavin Newsom, Congressperson Nancy Pelosi who represent this District - has not deemed fit to study this situation - offer some private help.
The husband of Nancy Pelosi is making millions in Samoa from fruit canning establishments. While here at home in San Francisco, he have not invested one single dollar to give Scholarships or talked with the Mayor to help those Polynesian youth, more Samoan youth - to better their plight.
Ask Diane Feinstein and her husband Richard Blum what they have done for our youth.
Don Fisher did something but more to get a write off with the KIPP schools and his sons with the many adversely impacting - astro-turf or artificial turf laden with LEAD - that harm those youth especially that play on the many playgrounds that have artificial turf - Burton High School, Silver Terrace, and now soo to be, by the Polo Fields in Golden Gate Park.
Our monies should be directly invested in our youth - in books, transportation, sound counseling, nutrition, clothes, and so on. Giving our youth an opportunity to attend well organized Retreats - stuff that the youth enjoy and have only one chance to participate, experience, and remember - and that is when they are young.
I challenge the Mayor to debate me on "truancy" - the man is a LIAR - spewing diatribe while trying to address a chronic problem - that has gone haywire. His POSSE of blind followers with no ability to discern less fathom the chronic- problem of "truancy".
Francisco Da Costa
Director
Environmental Justice Advocacy
Thousands of our children that should be in school are NOT going to school.
For years the Mayor's Office of Criminal Justice had a point person but did not have support. In recent years the situation has gone from bad to worse. As I said - the situation, in the many schools is pathetic and thousands of decent parents have given up hope and left San Francisco.
Some years ago I joined the San Francisco School Volunteers. I has access to all the SFUSD schools got to meet the Principals and of course got to go the classes and speak to the students.
I was trained by the Jesuits and taught at many Jesuit schools. I know what the classrooms can offer and have an ability to examine facilities and so on. I give the San Francisco Unified School District a ever, failing, F -, in recent years it matter has gotten - worse.
But, what has this got to do with truancy. Well, the above picture gives anyone a sense because of lack of organization, good teachers, filthy surroundings, unkempt auditoriums - the school children do not like what they see. These factors and more bother many of these youth. The youth must feel wanted and aspire to go to school. I had good teachers and most of all I had good surroundings. I never remember having one single school I attended with filthy toilet, leaking auditorium, lack of sports facilities, and unkempt surrounding in general - being fed me - never, ever.
Now, many children especially those in the Southeast Sector - Excelsior, Bayview Hunters Point, Little Hollywood, Visitation Valley, Sunnydale, the school children from the many Housing Projects have to face - life and death situations daily - going to and fro from their schools.
The have to deal with "turf" issues and gangs that have gone unchecked. Today, the gangs are so bold - they enter a bus spray grafitti, beat up youth, and do as they please. Police patrols on MUNI buses in negligible to say the least - or course Nathaniel Ford the Director of MUNI - would deny that as he has anything else. Recently, a promising young man and up coming actor - was beaten - bad, by a notorious gang consisting of cowardly - punks.
You can line up the District Attorney, the Director from DCYF, the stupid Mayor, the newly arrived Police Chief, George Gason, William Sifferman from the Youth Guidance, the many other jokers - but none of them understand the "turf" issues in San Francisco and the many, day to day - adverse impacts - many of the youth face, going to school.
Some time ago the Mayor took upon himself - naive as he is but meaning well to visit a youth who had not gone to school. Knocked at this home door and before you knew it the Mayor was in the boy's bed room.
Of course the boy was shocked may be peed in his pants - but, recovered to tell the Mayor that he could not bring himself to go to school because of "gang" issues. His parents knew this and proceeded to go to work to bring bread and butter to the table.
The boy stayed home figuring out a way how to resolve his problem. So, when the Mayor came to his bedroom - he told him about the situation at hand. The Mayor listened and could not do a thing. That is what I am talking about. I know the many clowns that head the City Departments and will use some - drab conference to spew hot-air. However, when it comes to actually practically helping the youth they cannot do a thing.
How can this City transport school children to the school - back and forth without any adverse impacts? Compounded, many immigrant parents work three or four jobs. I have studied the situation but these IDIOTS so called head of Institutions and Organizations - have no clue, what is really is going on in our schools and more in many neighborhoods.
Recently, there was a declaration that the SFUSD has no money that they were going to close down schools. Last year the City and County of San Francisco that has no obligation to bail out the SFUS District - that jurisdiction comes under the State of California. But, thanks to now Assembly Person Tom Ammiano - a Rainy Day Fund was created and the SFUS District - bailed out. This cannot happen this year. The City is over $800 million in the HOLE - just tell them I told you so. I know how this idiots cook their accounts - no line items figures - but, lots of icing on figures - most dubious in nature.
The issues of "truancy" are tied to Health and Safety.
The District Attorney has slept over the issue as she has over many other issues. One year failing to collect grant money to help victims of shootings and killings - some related to "truancy".
If Kamala Harris and her Department is so careless on a grant issue as important as killings and shootings - you can imagine she gives a "damn" about our children. Kamala Harris a former side-kick of Willie L. Brown aspires to higher office - and the sooner she leaves San Francisco - the laughing hyena that she is - the better.
Hydra Mendonca was appointed as the Point Person to the Mayor of Educational Issues - she also serves as SFUS District Board Member - and has not evaluated the situation at hand. This issue of "truancy" is very serious. But, one has to have a comprehensible understanding, more fathom the many variables, more have a sound understanding of our neighborhoods, diverse families - and our precious, children.
I know of over one thousand children in San Francisco that cannot afford to have break-fast and have to go to school hungry. Others live in cars, on the streets, in places animals would not dwell in - but go to school with some ray of hope to make it - and get some education. All this in San Francisco - the fake Green City by the Bay.
Children come to me for help - and if I can help them I do. For sure I will see they have money for their books and clothes. I have been doing this for years and have been writing about the situation at hand. Many Director of lead organization know me - I am independent - I do not take money from this corrupt City to fund any of my own - projects. Never, have I applied to any of the City's grants given mostly to crooks - that do not serve our youth.
The various schools - should take an inventory of so-called "indigent youth" and their parents.
Our SF Unified School District does not have the ability to take an inventory of its own organization.
The left hand does not know what the right hand is doing - and in many cases - rampant corruption is going on.
One school board member - was found charging her Credit Card given to her by the SFUSD Board - and was forced to pay restitution. There are so many cracks in the system. Yet, these fools think they can fool all the people all the time.
The Director of DCYF tongue in cheek speaks about some centers that will provide some kind of Safe Haven. There is one in the Bayview and another is expected to be in place in the Western Addition. Now, if have a chronic problem of over 4900 youth - that is figure quoted - and we have two small centers - to accommodate such a chronic problem?
The Mayor is stupid - first to call for a Conference and dish out such nonsensical arrangements.
In fact some of these folks must be taken to court for putting our children in harms way. All State and Federal Funding must be curtailed to the bare minimum. We have heads of Departments - that have NO clue about of children - our children that have been forced to exercise "truancy" because as much as the children, the youth, beg for help - there is no one to listen to them. Many of them face - day to day - perils on their life - and ADULTS look the other way. Foremost, Mayor Gavin Newsom.
It breaks my heart to hear many times - the youth telling me - " I wish there were more people like you - to understand our plight". I understand their plight - well, because I know Mayor Gavin Newsom is fake - even the "thug" Mayor Willie L. Brown Jr. if informed of such "truancy" cases would do something. I know what I am talking about.
I know a few schools with little or no money sending all of of their students that have graduated from High School to College. One such institution is Muhammad University up at 195 Kiska Road at Hunters Point. The Mayor knows about - but chooses in his foolishness to adversely - impact.
City College Professors that tutor the students at Muhammad University are impressed with what they see. The problems with the SFUS District is lack of discipline and very poor - leadership.
The Samoans in San Francisco have suffered so much and so much good talent has been wasted. It is a shame to see so many Samoan youth fade away - many due to truancy and others due to the carelessness of folks like Hydra Mendonca and our stupid Mayor, Gavin Newsom. He should be called Gavin Nuisance.
Have a frank talk with William Sifferman and Allen Nance they will give you a detail account of the Samoan Youth that frequent the Youth Guidance and the link to truancy. It is a shame that Mayor Gavin Newsom, Congressperson Nancy Pelosi who represent this District - has not deemed fit to study this situation - offer some private help.
The husband of Nancy Pelosi is making millions in Samoa from fruit canning establishments. While here at home in San Francisco, he have not invested one single dollar to give Scholarships or talked with the Mayor to help those Polynesian youth, more Samoan youth - to better their plight.
Ask Diane Feinstein and her husband Richard Blum what they have done for our youth.
Don Fisher did something but more to get a write off with the KIPP schools and his sons with the many adversely impacting - astro-turf or artificial turf laden with LEAD - that harm those youth especially that play on the many playgrounds that have artificial turf - Burton High School, Silver Terrace, and now soo to be, by the Polo Fields in Golden Gate Park.
Our monies should be directly invested in our youth - in books, transportation, sound counseling, nutrition, clothes, and so on. Giving our youth an opportunity to attend well organized Retreats - stuff that the youth enjoy and have only one chance to participate, experience, and remember - and that is when they are young.
I challenge the Mayor to debate me on "truancy" - the man is a LIAR - spewing diatribe while trying to address a chronic problem - that has gone haywire. His POSSE of blind followers with no ability to discern less fathom the chronic- problem of "truancy".
Francisco Da Costa
Director
Environmental Justice Advocacy
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