In the classroom this week we learned about the Great Earthquake and Fire of 1906, which ultimately destroyed 80% of the city. We watched a short PBS film focused on the Italian American community in San Francisco during this time. It tells the story of A.P. Giannini, the founder of the Bank of Italy, who helped the immigrant fishing families of North Beach and Fisherman’s Wharf rebuild when no other banks would. A branch of Giannini’s bank, now called Bank of America, is just a couple of blocks from our school. We also have a middle school in SFUSD named after him.
In the kitchen, the second and third grade chefs made a hearty Italian soup called minestrone, rich with seasonal vegetables, beans, tomatoes, pasta, and herbs. We were joined by three college interns, some of whom were visiting the Bay Area for the first time. Thank you, Aiden, Hafsa, and Sheryl, for sharing a meal (and lots of Parmigiano Reggiano) with us!
