Urban Engagement
Our School, Our Community, Our City
The Urban Engagement Program connects our school to the wider city and community through experiences in the arts, civic life, service, social justice, urban environmentalism, business and entrepreneurship. Our program includes an internship opportunity for high school students, a Community Salon for our entire community, school-wide Days of Service, and supports curricular service learning activities and sustainability initiatives.
Schoolwide Days of Service
On schoolwide days of service, parents, students of all ages, faculty, staff, and alumni, share in service towards the wider urban community. Past Days of Service have included work with GLIDE, SF Rec and Parks, and the San Francisco/Marin Food Bank.
- Fall 2025: Schoolwide Day of Service
- Spring 2025: Schoolwide Morning of Serviec
- Fall 2024: Schoolwide Day of Service
Fall 2025: Schoolwide Day of Service
Fall 2025 Day of Service: Spread the Warmth
It's time to Spread the Warmth! Join us in providing essential items to individuals and families in need within our community as colder weather approaches.
There are two ways to participate. Choose one or both!
1. Join us at our 150 Oak campus on Saturday, November 15, 9:30-11 a.m. We will make cards and assemble warmth kits while enjoying connection as a PK2-12 Community. All ages are invited and welcome!
2. Donate new adult-sized hats, gloves, warm socks, and handwarmers for the warmth kits or clean, gently used warm coats in all sizes (infant through adult) during our collection drive November 10-14. Collection boxes will be available at both campuses.
We are collecting donations of the following items from Monday, November 10, through Friday, November 14.
· For Individuals: New hats, gloves, warm socks, and handwarmers (adult sizes).
· For Families: Clean, gently used coats in all sizes (infant through adult).
Bring your donations to the collection boxes located in the Oak and Hickory lobbies.
Sign up here. Your contribution—big or small—will directly help a neighbor stay warm and dry this winter.
Spring 2025: Schoolwide Morning of Serviec
BUENA VISTA CHILDREN'S PLAYGROUND
Join us for a Schoolwide Morning of Service on Saturday, March 22, 9 a.m.-noon. at 150 Oak Street. We will work together on habitat restoration at Buena Vista Children's Playground at Buene Vista Ave W & Waller St. Children of all ages are welcome and must be accompanied by an adult. High school students are welcome to sign up individually and may reflect on the experience in ManageBac. Sign up here. Questions? Reach out to Emily Wilson Brenner, Urban Engagement Coordinator, at emilyw@frenchamericansf.org.
Fall 2024: Schoolwide Day of Service
CARE PACKAGES FOR GLIDE
Join us for a Schoolwide Day of Service on Saturday November 23, 9-10:30am at 150 Oak Street. We invite you to make cards and help assemble hygiene kits for donation to Glide for distribution at their Walk-In Center. There are two ways to participate: join us for card making and hygiene kit assembly and/or donate items for hygiene kits. Volunteers of all ages are invited and welcome! To participate in one or both capacities, please complete the sign-up form by November 18.
Questions? Reach out to Emily Wilson Brenner, Urban Engagement Coordinator, at emilyw@frenchamericansf.org.
Career Mentorship
The Career Mentorship Program allows high school students to explore work beyond school through networking and mentorship opportunities. The program entails an introductory course in the fall for all of Grade 10, which gives students an overview of the kind of projects, skills, and experiences would be expected for a variety of career paths. Students identify their passions and envision a specific project, ultimately connecting with a mentor in their field of interest. The program gives students real-world experience in student-defined areas of interest, and provides a springboard for potential internships or career development opportunities in Grades 11 and 12.
Community Salons
At our Salons, parents, faculty, alumni, and high school students get together to share and discover over drink and food in a round-table setting at the Arts Pavilion. In the spirit of learning and exchange, each Salon has a thought-provoking theme, such as bio-technology, political engagement, or intellectual property.
These free community events include food and drink, are part of our wider Urban Engagement Program, and feature members of our school community who share their expertise and spearhead conversation.
- November 2025: Food - Culture's Deepest Language
- March 2025: Social Media
- September 2024: Policy and Politics
November 2025: Food - Culture's Deepest Language
Food: Culture’s Deepest Language
The meaning of "food" is rarely simple sustenance; it is a rich, complex language of signs. For the Michelin-starred chef, food often signifies perfection, innovation, and an artistic statement—a language of technical mastery and elevated ingredients. For the home cook, it is primarily a language of care, tradition, and connection—a language of comfort and community.
Our fall Community Salon is a dialogue between two individuals fluent in the language of food, but with vastly different grammars. The chef delivers on plates as ephemeral signs of luxury and skill, while the home cook engages with meals as enduring signs of love and belonging.
In conversation, Chef Peter Hemsley and cook Steve Le will explore how these approaches define their own food lexicons and what the act of putting a dish on a table signifies. Is there a universal meaning of food that unites the professional kitchen and the family table?
Parents, faculty, staff, alumni, and upper school students are invited to join us as we explore these questions over light refreshments at our fall Community Salon on Wednesday, November 5, at 6 p.m. in the 3rd-floor Library.
Learn more about the event here. The event is free -- register here.
March 2025: Social Media
Join us for our spring Community Salon: an informal gathering for parents, faculty, staff, alumni, and upper school students to connect, share, and learn. Community Salons are free events hosted by our Urban Engagement Program; they feature members of our school community sharing their expertise and spearheading conversation.
Our next Salon, on the topic of Social Media, will take place on Thursday, March 20, in the 3rd Floor Library.
This Salon will feature parent speakers with professional experience in social media marketing, legal, and regulation. They will explore insights to inform and empower parents, educators, and anyone seeking to understand the history and role of social media and its impact in today’s world. Learn more about the event here. The event is free—register here.
September 2024: Policy and Politics
Come share, discover, and connect with our school community over drink and food in the informal, round-table setting of our Community Salon Series! These free community events are part of our Urban Engagement Program and feature members of our school community sharing their expertise and spearheading conversation. They are geared toward parents, faculty/staff, alumni, and upper school students interested in the Salon's theme.
Our next Salon will take place on September 24 in the Arts Pavilion. It will focus on Policy and Politics and feature parent speakers who are active in the political realm. The doors open at 5:45 p.m., and formal sharing will be from 6:15 to 7:00 p.m., followed by conversation. Learn more about the event here. The event is free—register here.