2016-2017 eConnection
Greetings from New Superintendent
Dear SCUSD Community Members:
I want to send this message to express my excitement on starting as the new superintendent of the Sacramento City Unified School District. I began my work on Saturday, July 1st by meeting with stakeholders, including members of the Fruitridge Community Collaborative and Black Parallel School Board. My Saturday ended with me participating in a Parent Teacher Home Visit, where I had the great honor of joining one of our dedicated and hard-working teachers for a visit with one of our families.
Safety Tips this Summer
During the summer break, Sacramento City Unified School District’s Office of Safe Schools/School Resource Officer Unit wants to remind you to keep safety in mind.
SCUSD Alumni and Attorney General Xavier Becerra encourages class of 2017 to “get in the way”
Forty-one years ago, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra graduated from SCUSD’s McClatchy High School. Last week, Mr. Becerra returned to his alma mater as a distinguished alumni to meet with students and record a video message with words of advice for the class of 2017. On behalf of Mr. Becerra, the district would like to share with all of you his message to our graduates.
Soar into Summer – for Free!
We all know about summer slide, but we are committed to seeing your student soar over this Summer break.
SCUSD secondary schools have submitted their summer reading lists and assignments, so that students have easy access to the learning and assignments/activities due upon their return in the new school year. In addition to class assignment lists, wherever possible we have listed access to free downloadable novels and texts, which means that your students can instantaneously download the materials they need – no waiting, no cost, no excuses!
Kids eat free this summer
SCUSD’s Summer Food Service program is serving breakfast and lunch to anyone 18 or younger at 47 sites
School cafeterias may be closed this summer, but children and teens can still get nutritious breakfasts and lunches at no charge throughout the Sacramento City Unified School District beginning June 26.
Find summer lunches at the following locations or by texting FOOD or COMIDA to 877-877 or call 211 for a location near you.
2016-17 school year in review: Celebrating the accomplishments of our students and employees
The Sacramento City Unified School District is incredibly proud of all of our students, teachers and staff for completing another school year. With so many accomplishments and achievements to celebrate, we asked principals to share some of their most memorable moments from the 2016-17 school year. Below are highlights from our schools and a picture slideshow. Please note that some items that were recently published were not republished in this edition.
McClatchy art students place in regional competition
C.K. McClatchy High School’s Visual and Performing Arts department announced that its students were recently recognized for excellence in the visual arts:
Jodilynn Lee placed first in the Northern California CAEA in the category of 3D Art. Her work will be moving onto the State competition to represent Northern California. Bethany Gen placed second in the Northern California CAEA in the category of 2D art.
Also recognized were Mariana Sampino, 3D Art; Madelyn Powers, Photography; and Maggie Tully, Photography.
Community volunteers add fun and beauty to Susan B. Anthony preschool
Volunteers teamed up last month in a two-day effort to add outdoor play and learning elements to the Susan B. Anthony preschool area and also clean and beautify the school campus and park.
Japanese sister school visits C.K. McClatchy
Nitta Seiun High School, located in Matsuyama, Japan officially cemented its sister school status with C.K. McClatchy in late May during a special signing ceremony. McClatchy students will visit their sister school over the summer.
Washington Elementary tackles homeless issue
Washington Elementary School fourth graders used their Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM) skills to work at solving an issue that confounds government and civic leaders: How can we as concerned responsible citizens help design eco-friendly solutions to help the homeless?
Caleb Greenwood student art selected for recognition by Mexican government
Caleb Greenwood Elementary School 3rd and 6th graders were recognized last week for their art work by the Government of Mexico through the Institute for Mexicans Abroad (IME) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
District celebrates first ever Teacher Appreciation Gala
The Sacramento Unified Education Foundation sponsored its first ever Teachers Appreciation Gala at Memorial Auditorium on May 19 which honored 106 teachers.
Inspiring teacher nominees included educators from all grade levels across the district.
Sponsors included Intel Corporation, the Sacramento City Teachers Association, Sierra Health Foundation, Clear Channel, Lozano Smith, Moroch, School Financial Credit Union, SMUD, Western Health Advantage and California Family Fitness.
Genevieve Didion is the #1 fundraiser out of 668 schools
Kids-helping-Kids-in-need. What better lesson plan in life than that? Genevieve Didion Elementary School has participated in The Greater Sacramento’s Leukemia Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) annual school campaign called “Pennies for Patients” for the last 9 years. This year’s campaign was three weeks long in February. Didion Elementary hit it out of the park by raising $12,586.85 which resulted in the #1 fundraising school out of the 668 schools within LLS’s Greater Sacramento’s area region.
District takes proactive steps to fight highly contagious Norovirus
Sacramento City Unified School District’s Student Support and Health Services Department is taking proactive steps to fight the highly contagious Norovirus which has hit Sacramento and Yolo Counties. While the district has yet to confirm a case, high numbers of students and some staff have experienced suspicious symptoms at 29 schools. Those symptoms include vomiting, stomach cramps and/or diarrhea. Anyone experiencing those symptoms should not return to their school or office until they are symptom-free for two days.
Mental Health Month recognition continues at McClatchy
In collaboration with their Visual and Performing Arts and Associated Student Body, C.K. McClatchy’s Student Support Center brought awareness to Mental Health Month through a variety of activities inside and outside the classroom.
Students created a ”wellness tree” installation where students and staff shared their stories. More than 100 stories have been added to the tree.
Parent Leadership Pathway graduation
Sacramento City Unified School District parents participating in the Parent Leadership Pathway workshops celebrated their “graduation” on May 10 with a special ceremony at the district’s Serna Center. Superintendent José Banda addressed the graduates and their families to thank them for attending the workshops that focused on parenting, communicating with schools, leadership, understanding data and report cards, bullying and other topics important to parents and their students.
13 Reason Why generates conversation and action
With so many messages about suicide coming at us through the media and entertainment – including the recent release of the Netflix series 13 Reasons Why – it’s important to know we can all help stop suicide simply by being aware and taking action. The American Foundation of Suicide Prevention has provided tips for parents when talking with their children about 13 Reasons Why and the topic of suicide. The tips are listed below (click to expand) and also available to download.
Pacific Elementary students learn bike safety and get wheels
UnitedHealthcare pro-cycling team members recently joined the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Activities League in coordinating a bicycle/helmet safety event for 50 Pacific Elementary students that included a donation of bicycles and helmets.
Students’ bikes were fitted to them by the Sheriff’s Bike unit. Students decorated their new helmets and got autographs from the Amgen Pro Cyclists.
Today We Are Grateful for Our Teachers
California’s Teacher Appreciation Week runs May 8-12, and California Day of the Teacher is celebrated today. The state has 295,000 teachers, and 2,500 of them are employed in our district.
The California Teachers Association reports that our Day of the Teacher has its roots in the community and is modeled on Mexico’s “El Dia del Maestro.” California’s Day of the Teacher arose from legislation co-sponsored by CTA and the Association of Mexican American Educators in 1982.
PTA suggestions for honoring or remembering your favorite teacher include:
Fern Bacon students showcase art at Congresswoman Doris Matsui’s office
Student art work from the Art of Compassion Showcase are on display in prominent locations around Sacramento, including the office of U.S. Representative Doris Matsui. Matsui, a Showcase sponsor, selected art from Fern Bacon Middle School teacher Stacy Gale’s class. Gale’s class visited with the Congresswoman to see their artwork displayed in her office. Their art work was displayed in the front entry. Congresswoman commended the students kudos for their work and reiterated the importance of community and unity.