Press Releases

Press release

SCUSD students to judge ‘Veggie of the Year’ contest between high-profile chefs
Kids will taste-test recipes by culinary experts from Grange, Paragary and more

September 8, 2016 (Sacramento):  Think of it as a local version of “Top Chef” with really, really tough judges.

SCUSD elementary school students will taste-test vegetable dishes crafted by five high-profile Sacramento chefs next week as part of Food Literacy Center’s fourth annual Veggie of the Year competition.

Press release Barbershop Program Participants

Staying sharp: Barbers pledge 300 free haircuts to kids who read to them this summer
Partnership with SCUSD and Sacramento Public Library is aimed at combating summer learning loss

July 5, 2016 (Sacramento):  To help kids stay sharp this summer, Sacramento barbers are partnering with SCUSD and Sacramento Public Library on a literacy drive that rewards students for reading.

Ten barbershops have agreed to give away 30 free haircuts this summer to students who read a book to a barber. Sacramento Public Library is supplying 300 books for the initiative.

Press release

SCUSD Board approves November ballot measure to boost graduation rates and student achievement

June 29, 2016 (Sacramento):  Sacramento City Unified School District’s Board of Education voted unanimously Tuesday night to place a $75 parcel tax measure on the November 8 ballot.

The proposed measure would fund the expansion of successful programs, including art and music enrichment, services for struggling learners and vital initiatives that make schools more positive environments for staff, families and children. The measure would sunset after six years.  Senior citizens would be exempted.

Press release

SCUSD school to host job and wellness fair for community
Resume-writing workshops, community college sign-ups and free health screenings on Saturday

April 28, 2016 (Sacramento):  Ethel I. Baker Elementary School is hosting a free job and wellness fair for the South Sacramento community on Saturday (April 30). More than two dozen partner organizations will participate in the fair, including Sacramento City College, Sacramento Public Library, Elica Health Centers and American Medical Response.

Community members can practice resume writing, get job interviewing tips and learn how to get a job with the state. Free wellness check-ups, vaccinations and eye exams will also be provided.

Press release

Meeting on Thursday to discuss Jefferson School’s future
Community forum on Midtown site co-hosted by City Councilman Hansen, SCUSD Board Member Hansen

April 26, 2016 (Sacramento): Sacramento City Unified School District Board Member Jay Hansen and City Councilman Steve Hansen are co-hosting a community meeting on Thursday (April 28) to discuss the future of Jefferson School at 16th and N streets in Midtown.

The meeting will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Washington Elementary School, 520 18th St.

Press release

My Community Matters! aims to educate, empower South Sac neighborhood
Health services, food, entertainment and more at New Joseph Bonnheim Community Charter School this Saturday

April 13, 2016 (Sacramento):  New Joseph Bonnheim Community Charter School is reaching out to the Colonial Village neighborhood this weekend with a health-themed community event.

My Community Matters! is aimed at promoting healthy lifestyles and empowering community members to advocate for the neighborhood’s needs, said Principal Christie Wells-Artman. “Our goal is to help our community become stronger and healthier,” Wells-Artman said.

Press release

SCUSD to host community meeting on future of Old Marshall School

April 4, 2016 (Sacramento): Sacramento City Unified School District is hosting a community meeting on Tuesday (April 5) to discuss the future of Old Marshall School, which has been vacant since 2009.

Marshall School was built in 1903 and designed by Rudolph Harold, a locally prominent architect who designed City Hall. Located at 2718 G St., it was used as an elementary school until 1976, when it was closed due to concerns about its ability to withstand an earthquake.

Press release

SCUSD to celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday with festive morning read-in
Superintendent Banda, Assemblymember McCarty and kids in pajamas at Bret Harte Elementary

February 29, 2016 (Sacramento):  One book, two books, fiction book, true book.

Each year, schools across the country celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday (Wednesday, March 2) as Read Across America Day, an opportunity for community members to demonstrate the joys of literacy by reading to kids.

Press release

SCUSD to host teacher recruitment fair for Sac State students
District working aggressively to bolster teacher ranks in light of looming statewide shortage

February 18, 2016 (Sacramento):  Sacramento City Unified School District is hosting an exclusive job fair for Sacramento State teacher credentialing candidates on Friday (February 19). The event is one part of an aggressive recruitment strategy aimed at building teacher ranks for the 2016-17 school year.

Press release

SCUSD schools rally for No One Eats Alone Day

Students at several SCUSD schools will participate in National No One Eats Alone Day on Friday, February 12. During the student-led lunchtime initiative, students sit with new friends and classmates to reinforce a message that all students are valued and accepted by their peers.

“No One Eats Alone Day fits in with SCUSD’s work to make our schools happy, safe and fun places for students to learn,” said Superintendent José L. Banda. “The overall goal is to break down barriers that prevent students from getting to know their peers.”

Press release

School orchard destroyed by vandals to be replanted on Saturday
Donors, volunteers will work to rebuild part of Pacific Elementary School’s “outdoor classroom”

January 27, 2016 (Sacramento):  With the help of volunteers and community donations, a school orchard destroyed by vandals will be replanted on Saturday morning (January 30).

Fourteen young fruit-bearing trees were destroyed at Pacific Elementary School (6201 41st St.) on November 15. Vandals ripped off branches and pulled trees from the ground, dragging some across campus. The orchard was only about a year old, installed in the fall of 2014 by the group Common Visions in partnership with The California Endowment, Soil Born Farms and SCUSD.

Press release

SCUSD to help former students receive retroactive diplomas

December 16, 2015 (Sacramento):  Former SCUSD students who completed all graduation requirements except passage of the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) may be eligible to receive a diploma retroactively.

In October, Governor Jerry Brown signed SB 172 allowing K-12 districts to award diplomas to eligible students who did not pass CAHSEE, which became a graduation requirement starting with the class of 2006. The new law takes effect January 1.

Press release

ONTRACK and SCUSD awarded federal grants for youth mental health services

November 13, 2015 (Sacramento):  ONTRACK Program Resources and the Sacramento City Unified School District have been awarded three-year grants from the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to train adults in Youth Mental Health First Aid.

With this Project AWARE Community Grants funding, parents, guardians, community members and SCUSD staff will learn how to recognize the signs of mental health issues in children. ONTRACK and the school district will be coordinating services and focusing on youth in the Meadowview area of Sacramento.

Press release

Help wanted: SCUSD holds job fair on Saturday
Qualified candidates will be offered employment on the spot

November 12, 2015 (Sacramento):  Sacramento City Unified School District’s Human Resource Department is hosting a Classified Recruitment Fair from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, November 14 at the Serna Center, 5735 47th Ave., Sacramento, CA 95824.

SCUSD is one of the largest employers in Sacramento, with a workforce of about 4,200. The Classified Recruitment Fair will be one-stop shopping for those seeking employment in non-teaching positions: Candidates will be interviewed on the spot. Qualified applicants may get conditional offers on the spot as well. 

Press release

Jamba Juice, GENYOUth plant seeds for success with school garden grants
Event on Thursday morning will show how the funding is being used

November 10, 2015 (Sacramento):  Students at Nicholas Elementary School will demonstrate their new garden science curriculum at an event on Thursday morning to thank Jamba Juice and the GENYOUth Foundation for grants to 14 SCUSD campuses totaling $36,000.

GENYOUth’s program outreach partnered with Jamba Juice on grants for school gardens. At SCUSD, campuses are using the funding to either start gardens or maintain existing ones.