Melissa Daar Carvajal
@mdaarcarvajal.bsky.social
SF Excelsior mom, Schott Foundation communications director. Dancer and thinker. Public education is my beat - culture is my inspiration. Posts are my own.
Pinned
School Vouchers are “A Bad Deal:” New Bilingual Video Series for Rural Families
Migrant Equity Southeast (MESE), a Schott Foundation grantee partner, has produced a new dramatic and user-friendly explainer series for Latino English and Spanish-speaking audiences.
schottfoundation.org
💜 Sometimes your work is close to your heart.
Proud to share today that Schott and our partners are launching a powerful new bilingual video series designed for rural, Latino English- and Spanish-speaking audiences across the country.
schottfoundation.org/the-latest/s...
Proud to share today that Schott and our partners are launching a powerful new bilingual video series designed for rural, Latino English- and Spanish-speaking audiences across the country.
schottfoundation.org/the-latest/s...
California’s education funding level rises compared to other states edsource.org?page_id=757381
California’s education funding level rises compared to other states
In the latest ranking, California has leaped forward in per-student funding, according to a report by the Education Law Center. The report also indicates it has untapped capacity for more education fu...
edsource.org
May 11, 2026 at 2:00 PM
California’s education funding level rises compared to other states edsource.org?page_id=757381
When Mission High tops UC Berkeley admit rates, the Chronicle “investigates.” Is it local priority? Study says no. So maybe it’s “how well schools help students navigate admissions.” You don’t say. Stable counselors, a year‑long senior access course—support works.
www.sfchronicle.com/college-admi...
www.sfchronicle.com/college-admi...
Do California high schools close to UCLA and UC Berkeley see the highest acceptance rates?
Are the most elite UCs admitting applicants from high schools in their area at higher rates? Here’s what the data shows.
www.sfchronicle.com
April 26, 2026 at 9:31 PM
When Mission High tops UC Berkeley admit rates, the Chronicle “investigates.” Is it local priority? Study says no. So maybe it’s “how well schools help students navigate admissions.” You don’t say. Stable counselors, a year‑long senior access course—support works.
www.sfchronicle.com/college-admi...
www.sfchronicle.com/college-admi...
Reposted by Melissa Daar Carvajal
Six years ago today, 26-year-old Breonna Taylor was shot six times and killed by police officers who forced entry into her Louisville, KY apartment. Her death sparked nationwide outrage and calls for an end to police brutality and gun violence against Black people. #SayHerName #BlackLivesMatter
March 13, 2026 at 12:15 PM
Six years ago today, 26-year-old Breonna Taylor was shot six times and killed by police officers who forced entry into her Louisville, KY apartment. Her death sparked nationwide outrage and calls for an end to police brutality and gun violence against Black people. #SayHerName #BlackLivesMatter
Those 20 academies, all founded in the 1960s and 1970s, brought in more than $20 million from the state in the past three years alone. None reflected the demographics of their communities. Few even came close.
North Carolina’s Lawrence Academy has never reported Black enrollment higher than 3% in a county whose population hovers around 60% Black.
It received $518,240 in vouchers in the 2023-2024 school year to fund 86 of its over 200 students.
(Published Nov. 2024)
It received $518,240 in vouchers in the 2023-2024 school year to fund 86 of its over 200 students.
(Published Nov. 2024)
Segregation Academies Across the South Are Getting Millions in Taxpayer Dollars
North Carolina offers an especially telling window into what is happening across this once legally segregated region where legislatures are now rapidly expanding and adopting controversial voucher-sty...
www.propublica.org
February 23, 2026 at 9:55 PM
Those 20 academies, all founded in the 1960s and 1970s, brought in more than $20 million from the state in the past three years alone. None reflected the demographics of their communities. Few even came close.
Reposted by Melissa Daar Carvajal
New reporting shows Amazon, Alphabet, Meta, and Tesla collectively received $51 billion in tax breaks following last year’s corporate tax cuts — paying an effective federal tax rate of just 4.9%.
TAX THE RICH FAIRLY! https://seiu.co/4qRJulh
TAX THE RICH FAIRLY! https://seiu.co/4qRJulh
Four Big Tech Companies Avoid $51 Billion in Taxes in Wake of One Big Beautiful Bill Act
Four of the corporations whose CEOs flanked President Trump at his 2025 inauguration ceremony have now disclosed that they collectively received $51 billion in federal tax breaks in 2025, much of that...
itep.org
February 22, 2026 at 9:48 PM
New reporting shows Amazon, Alphabet, Meta, and Tesla collectively received $51 billion in tax breaks following last year’s corporate tax cuts — paying an effective federal tax rate of just 4.9%.
TAX THE RICH FAIRLY! https://seiu.co/4qRJulh
TAX THE RICH FAIRLY! https://seiu.co/4qRJulh
Reposted by Melissa Daar Carvajal
The most disturbing part is knowing ICE left a little girl alone and didn’t care.
Annabella was six years old when her dad was detained by ICE while he was picking up their food order. She stayed inside, waiting.
He never returned to her that day.
1/2
Annabella was six years old when her dad was detained by ICE while he was picking up their food order. She stayed inside, waiting.
He never returned to her that day.
1/2
February 22, 2026 at 3:11 PM
The most disturbing part is knowing ICE left a little girl alone and didn’t care.
Annabella was six years old when her dad was detained by ICE while he was picking up their food order. She stayed inside, waiting.
He never returned to her that day.
1/2
Annabella was six years old when her dad was detained by ICE while he was picking up their food order. She stayed inside, waiting.
He never returned to her that day.
1/2
Reposted by Melissa Daar Carvajal
The harsher the laws, the more scared elites are.
Exhibit B: in the 1800s, GA already had a brutal law against Black education. But the leaders of Augusta passed an even more brutal one--penalizing even white landowners if anyone held a clandestine school on their lots.
Exhibit B: in the 1800s, GA already had a brutal law against Black education. But the leaders of Augusta passed an even more brutal one--penalizing even white landowners if anyone held a clandestine school on their lots.
On this day in 1847, Missouri passed an act that prohibited Black people from learning to read and write and assembling freely for worship services. The act also forbade free Black people from migrating to the state.
Feb. 16, 1847 | Missouri Prohibits Education of Black People
Learn more about our history of racial injustice.
calendar.eji.org
February 16, 2026 at 2:08 PM
The harsher the laws, the more scared elites are.
Exhibit B: in the 1800s, GA already had a brutal law against Black education. But the leaders of Augusta passed an even more brutal one--penalizing even white landowners if anyone held a clandestine school on their lots.
Exhibit B: in the 1800s, GA already had a brutal law against Black education. But the leaders of Augusta passed an even more brutal one--penalizing even white landowners if anyone held a clandestine school on their lots.
Agreed. Another teacher spouse, sharing a story of the San Francisco teachers strike. Shouldn’t have been a surprise that parents and student support the teachers.
my wife works in public schools in the Bay Area, so I was following the SF teachers strike very keenly. I think this postmortem from @esksf.bsky.social is the best overview anyone, from diehard labor supporters to those grousing about "greedy teachers", should read
missionlocal.org/2026/02/sfus...
missionlocal.org/2026/02/sfus...
SFUSD fumbled the teachers strike
The district’s write-the-term-paper-in-the-hallway strategy put it on the back foot from the get-go in this week's walkout
missionlocal.org
February 14, 2026 at 4:17 PM
Agreed. Another teacher spouse, sharing a story of the San Francisco teachers strike. Shouldn’t have been a surprise that parents and student support the teachers.
For rural communities, public schools are home — and they’re not giving up their tax dollars to private schools outside it. (You can also check out a bilingual video for rural communities pinned at the top of my profile.)
mississippitoday.org/2026/02/03/s...
mississippitoday.org/2026/02/03/s...
‘The bill dies today.’ Senate committee kills House school choice measure - Mississippi Today
Senate leaders have made clear they are opposed to voucher programs that siphon money away from public schools — so opposed that there was no discussion when the bill was considered by the committee.
mississippitoday.org
February 11, 2026 at 8:26 PM
For rural communities, public schools are home — and they’re not giving up their tax dollars to private schools outside it. (You can also check out a bilingual video for rural communities pinned at the top of my profile.)
mississippitoday.org/2026/02/03/s...
mississippitoday.org/2026/02/03/s...
Reposted by Melissa Daar Carvajal
Good for Salesforce employees!!!! apple.news/Ar9XDYYUGRdy...
Salesforce Workers Circulate Open Letter Urging CEO Marc Benioff to Denounce ICE — WIRED
The letter comes after Benioff joked at a company event on Monday that ICE was monitoring international employees in attendance, sparking immediate backlash.
apple.news
February 11, 2026 at 8:20 PM
Good for Salesforce employees!!!! apple.news/Ar9XDYYUGRdy...
Reposted by Melissa Daar Carvajal
More than half the drugs on the TrumpRx site have a cheaper generic version on the market.
Pristiq, an antidepressant, is available with a TrumpRx coupon for ~$200 for a 30-day supply.
A generic version is on GoodRx for less than $30 and Mark Cuban's CostPlusDrugs for $16.65.
Pristiq, an antidepressant, is available with a TrumpRx coupon for ~$200 for a 30-day supply.
A generic version is on GoodRx for less than $30 and Mark Cuban's CostPlusDrugs for $16.65.
How TrumpRx drug prices compare to generic alternatives
Patients could save more buying non-branded copycat drugs, even if they don't have insurance.
www.axios.com
February 8, 2026 at 6:00 PM
More than half the drugs on the TrumpRx site have a cheaper generic version on the market.
Pristiq, an antidepressant, is available with a TrumpRx coupon for ~$200 for a 30-day supply.
A generic version is on GoodRx for less than $30 and Mark Cuban's CostPlusDrugs for $16.65.
Pristiq, an antidepressant, is available with a TrumpRx coupon for ~$200 for a 30-day supply.
A generic version is on GoodRx for less than $30 and Mark Cuban's CostPlusDrugs for $16.65.
Reposted by Melissa Daar Carvajal
My almost 105 year old abuelita-in-law is VERY excited for Bad Bunny. She came from the island, and for her entire life, she’s been an American citizen! Voted for FDR! 🇵🇷🇺🇸
February 8, 2026 at 7:11 PM
My almost 105 year old abuelita-in-law is VERY excited for Bad Bunny. She came from the island, and for her entire life, she’s been an American citizen! Voted for FDR! 🇵🇷🇺🇸
With strike looming, SF parents’ loyalties are with teachers — for now sfstandard.com/2026/02/05/p...
San Francisco parents react to teachers strike decision
“Whatever they are asking for, I am completely 100% behind them,” said one Clarendon Elementary School mom.
sfstandard.com
February 7, 2026 at 4:51 PM
With strike looming, SF parents’ loyalties are with teachers — for now sfstandard.com/2026/02/05/p...
Reposted by Melissa Daar Carvajal
Union members said the district has refused to address issues such as special education caseload, class size and health care for educators.
UPDATE: Dublin Unified School District teachers vote to authorize strike
The latest education news updates from EdSource.
edsource.org
February 6, 2026 at 7:35 PM
Union members said the district has refused to address issues such as special education caseload, class size and health care for educators.
Billionaires profit from locking up immigrants while we fight for our kids. My teacher husband works 8 AM to 7 PM, weekends too, supporting 150 students. The issue isn’t just the district or unions—it’s that our schools get crumbs while our communities are targeted. For SFUSD parents, summary below.
Factfinding recommends a balanced path:
• 3% salary increases (2025 & 2026) 💵
• Pilot to shift special-ed to a workload model 🧑⚕️🧑🏫
• Temporary dependent health via parcel tax 🏷️
• Reallocate consultant funds to staff 👥
• 3% salary increases (2025 & 2026) 💵
• Pilot to shift special-ed to a workload model 🧑⚕️🧑🏫
• Temporary dependent health via parcel tax 🏷️
• Reallocate consultant funds to staff 👥
February 5, 2026 at 6:02 PM
Billionaires profit from locking up immigrants while we fight for our kids. My teacher husband works 8 AM to 7 PM, weekends too, supporting 150 students. The issue isn’t just the district or unions—it’s that our schools get crumbs while our communities are targeted. For SFUSD parents, summary below.
Leaders like Manuela Arciniegas remind me why more durable, flexible support for grantees, is especially critical for racial justice organizations. She has championed sustainable grantmaking and boldly volunteered her foundation to be benchmarked with full transparency.
The Communities for Just Schools Fund (CJSF) Bronze designation reflects its deep commitment to sustaining long-term partnerships and providing flexible, trust-based support to grantees.
Learn more at: https://schottfoundation.org/the-sustainable-grantmaking-benchmark-a-call-to-action/
Learn more at: https://schottfoundation.org/the-sustainable-grantmaking-benchmark-a-call-to-action/
February 3, 2026 at 6:43 PM
Leaders like Manuela Arciniegas remind me why more durable, flexible support for grantees, is especially critical for racial justice organizations. She has championed sustainable grantmaking and boldly volunteered her foundation to be benchmarked with full transparency.
Reposted by Melissa Daar Carvajal
Read or listen to the full story at haussamen.com.
January 31, 2026 at 10:31 PM
Read or listen to the full story at haussamen.com.
I’ve noticed a divide among the people I talk to in my life and at work. And this piece exactly defines it. What’s interesting is who has more faith in accomplishing change.
youtu.be/pUsWF70IS9Y?...
youtu.be/pUsWF70IS9Y?...
Beyond the Headlines - SNL
YouTube video by Saturday Night Live
youtu.be
January 25, 2026 at 6:45 PM
I’ve noticed a divide among the people I talk to in my life and at work. And this piece exactly defines it. What’s interesting is who has more faith in accomplishing change.
youtu.be/pUsWF70IS9Y?...
youtu.be/pUsWF70IS9Y?...
Reposted by Melissa Daar Carvajal
A video of Alex Pretti reading out the final salute of an unnamed veteran he cared for until the end of his life in the ICU, posted to Facebook by his son.
January 25, 2026 at 1:18 AM
A video of Alex Pretti reading out the final salute of an unnamed veteran he cared for until the end of his life in the ICU, posted to Facebook by his son.
Where is philanthropy’s response? Where is our program of offering $100k to any ice agent who is willing to leave their position and take a one day civil rights seminar. Billion of dollars in DAFs! Where is the foundation that’s gonna start this program?
bsky.app/profile/bill...
bsky.app/profile/bill...
Also, may I say that I don’t agree with people saying ICE and CBP need “more training.” They’re doing exactly what this administration has trained them to—impose a reign of fear in blue cities. They don’t need more training. They need to be ripped up root and branch.
January 25, 2026 at 6:06 PM
Where is philanthropy’s response? Where is our program of offering $100k to any ice agent who is willing to leave their position and take a one day civil rights seminar. Billion of dollars in DAFs! Where is the foundation that’s gonna start this program?
bsky.app/profile/bill...
bsky.app/profile/bill...
Reposted by Melissa Daar Carvajal
Oh was this sort of thing not covered in the initial training
In October, ICE grabbed Maher Tarabishi.
He was a 24/7 caregiver for his disabled son Wael.
At the time of Maher’s detention, disability advocates warned that taking away Wael’s caregiver put his life at risk.
Wael died on Friday at age 30.
ICE caused his death.
They didn’t get to say goodbye.
He was a 24/7 caregiver for his disabled son Wael.
At the time of Maher’s detention, disability advocates warned that taking away Wael’s caregiver put his life at risk.
Wael died on Friday at age 30.
ICE caused his death.
They didn’t get to say goodbye.
Disabled son of ICE detainee dies after 30 days of hospitalization
It had been months since Wael Tarabishi seen his father. The family is calling on ICE to release Maher Tarabishi so he may attend his son's funeral.
www.wfaa.com
January 24, 2026 at 5:21 AM
Oh was this sort of thing not covered in the initial training
Reposted by Melissa Daar Carvajal
"Why is it so normal for law enforcement — those who are supposed to be keepers of law and order — to kill Americans? And why is the only question at the end of the day how much their victims deserved to die?"
Read more from @sarahjeong.bsky.social: www.theverge.com/policy/86745...
Read more from @sarahjeong.bsky.social: www.theverge.com/policy/86745...
January 25, 2026 at 5:12 PM
"Why is it so normal for law enforcement — those who are supposed to be keepers of law and order — to kill Americans? And why is the only question at the end of the day how much their victims deserved to die?"
Read more from @sarahjeong.bsky.social: www.theverge.com/policy/86745...
Read more from @sarahjeong.bsky.social: www.theverge.com/policy/86745...
Reposted by Melissa Daar Carvajal
