Requesting CSME & UGM Volunteers

Dear CSME Fellows and Members,

Have you ever wondered what its like to work with a non-traditional high school? Stop
wondering and volunteer at San Francisco International High School! SFIHS is a SFUSD small school
providing academic, linguistic, and cultural development for immigrant students. The mission of San
Francisco International High School is to enable each of our recent immigrant students to develop the
academic, linguistic, and cultural skills necessary for success in high school, college, and beyond. Our
diverse students develop strong academic English skills through interdisciplinary projects, collaboration,
and actively participating in their community.

As we reach the end of our semester, our students will be working on portfolios and portfolio
presentations. During this process, students are required to write a great deal in English, showcase some
of the work they have done in each class, and present, in English, to a group of students, staff, and
community members. We have had some volunteers in the past who have supported our students by
volunteering their valuable time to read, edit, and help students write their essays.

Once again, we are requesting volunteers to help with our portfolio process. In particular, we are
requesting volunteers from CSME’s pool of future teachers. We are looking for classroom volunteers on
12/6 – 12/9, and 12/12-12/13 between 8:00 am and 3:10 pm (12/7 8:00-1:30). Volunteers will support
students in preparing their portfolios, which involves helping students organize and write portfolio
essays, and listening to students rehearse presentations. Specific help may include working with
individual students to write and/or edit drafts of a personal reflection or college essay, or working with
students on pronunciation and delivery as they practice their presentations. Additionally, if you know
somebody who may have time to volunteer, please connect him/her with our school.

We would also like to invite you to be part of an audience during the presentations on 12/14 and/
or 12/15. Seeing the students present in English is an incredible experience, and we hope that you can
join us as we celebrate our students’ on these days.

If you are available to volunteer (bilingual volunteers especially requested) for portfolio
preparation support any time during the school days of 12/6 – 12/13, please contact Amanda Chui
(CSME alumnus) at amchui.math@gmail.com, and she will help connect you with a classroom. If there
are specific students whose presentations you would like to see, please let us know, so we can let you
know when those students are presenting.

Thank you,
SFIHS Teachers and Staff
San Francisco International High School
1050 York Street
San Francisco, CA 94110