By Cecilia M. Vega
San Francisco Chronicle

Hoping to keep teachers and police officers from fleeing San Francisco because of its high cost of living, city officials unveiled a program Friday that offers down-payment assistance for the two professions. Credentialed teachers employed by the San Francisco Unified School District who are purchasing their first home in the city could receive a $20,000 interest-free loan to help cover the cost of a down payment. Teachers whose households earn less than 200 percent of the area median income, roughly $120,000, would be eligible. If teachers remain employed in the district for 10 years, the loan will be completely forgiven.

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By Jill Tucker
San Francisco Chronicle

San Francisco's schoolyards have long been off-limits on the weekends and holidays, most with large padlocks and chain-link fences that keep families out. The city and school district have decided to change that, announcing a pilot program Monday that would allow weekend access at up to 14 school playgrounds.The idea sounds simple enough: Open the gates, let kids in, and then shut the gates at the end of the day. But actually putting that into practice is not so easy.

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By Lynn St. Albus 
Vice-President, San Francisco Waldorf School Board

Construction is underway on not only a new school, but a new way of life. In September the San Francisco Waldorf High School will open its campus as the first LEED certified school in the San Francisco Bay Area.  “LEED certification is quickly becoming the gold standard for ecologically conscious design,” said Paul Salazar, board member for San Francisco Waldorf High School. “The new campus is allowing the school to further it’s commitment to sustainable teaching practices and show students first-hand how beautiful and usable green building can be.” Read more »