Dear Sac City Unified Families,

Check out this week’s updates throughout our district and community, and have a great weekend! 

BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVES LABOR AGREEMENTS

Last night’s Board of Education meeting was the first to be held in person since March 2020. After more than two years, it was good to be in community with one another again. The Board reviewed and approved the agreements with SCTA and SEIU. Members also received an independent review of the fiscal impact of these agreements completed by the Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE). Please read this press release summarizing the findings of SCOE’s report and the importance of achieving health care savings in the near future with our labor partners. Also, check out this CapRadio story. 

MAKING UP LOST INSTRUCTIONAL TIME

Our students deserve to receive the days and minutes of instruction required by the State of California. We are currently collaborating with our labor partners to reach an effective solution for recovering lost learning time with the least amount of inconvenience to families.  We know our community is anxious for a resolution. Read our proposal for extending some school days and extending the school year.

FIGHTING FOR FRESH, LOCAL FOOD

Learn how The Central Kitchen and Sac City Unified are pushing USDA to allow our district to use federal funds to localize our food system and bring fresher, healthier ingredients to our kids in this ABC10 segment that aired this week.

CALL FOR STUDENT ARTISTS

Wide Open Walls will be sponsoring a live mural jam at Luther Burbank High School for our upcoming Community Fair on Saturday, May 21. Students interested in applying may email nicole-kangas@scusd.edu with their name, SCUSD school, grade level, contact information and an attached image of or link to the student’s artwork. The deadline to apply is Friday, April 29. Only a few students will be selected and announced on Friday, May 6. 

LUTHER BURBANK TEACHERS SELECTED FOR NATIONAL PROGRAM

Congratulations to our two Luther Burbank HS teachers selected to attend National Endowment for the Humanities opportunities from a nationwide pool of applicants! Social Science teacher Thomas Biondi was selected to attend the Intrepid Museum’s National Endowment for the Humanities Summer Institute for Teachers. This institute will focus on perspectives on World War II in the Pacific Theater. Dianne Bennett was selected to attend Arizona-Sonora Borderlands, Palimpsest of Cultures. This is a National Endowment for the Humanities Landmarks of American History and Culture Workshop Offered by the University of Arizona Southwest Center.

BAPAC MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIPS

The Black American Political Association of California (BAPAC) Sacramento Chapter will award Three (3) $500 memorial scholarships for the academic year beginning fall 2022. BAPAC Sacramento Chapter is a political advocacy organization which acts as a voice for the people of California as it pertains to legislation, public policy and empowerment. Scholarship applications are due Monday, April 25, 2022 (Midnight). BAPAC will announce the scholarship recipients on May 22, 2022. Please see attached the scholarship applications for all of the details.

SCHOOL BUS DRIVER APPRECIATION DAY

Bus Driver Appreciation Day is right around the corner, on April 26! Join us in sharing your appreciation with your student’s bus driver with a gift, coffee, saying thank you… or in your own way! 

HIGH SCHOOL VOTER EDUCATION WEEKS

Californian 16- and 17-year olds are able to pre-register to vote. This allows them to cast a ballot as soon as they turn 18. Learn more with this eConnection post provided by C.K McClatchy High School senior student Eleanor Love.

BLACK AFRICAN AMERICAN ADVISORY BOARD (BAAAB) LISTENING SESSIONS

Our Black and African American families are invited to participate in an upcoming parent and family listening circle with the Black African American Advisory Board. Learn more and register for events here. 

EAST SAC GARDEN TOUR 

Join David Lubin families for the 23rd annual East Sacramento Garden Tour! This year, the Garden Tour takes place on Saturday, May 7th and Sunday, May 8th from 10am to 4pm. Learn more and purchase tickets at eastsacgardentour.com.

GIRLS IN STEM

Sacramento County Office of Education will be hosting an event on Saturday, April 30 at the SMUD Museum of Curiosity and Science from 1-5pm. Open to female students in grades 6-8, this event is designed to celebrate and promote STEM (Science, Tech, Engineering and Math) career opportunities within each field and build awareness and interest in related fields. While this program’s focus is on girls, all students are welcome to apply. It will be an afternoon to participate in STEM-related activities that build a deeper understanding of the opportunities that exist within each area. Space is limited so register ahead here.

SCOE STUDENT JOURNALISTS

Check out this great opportunity to become a paid student journalist intern with the Sacramento County Office of Education! This opportunity is available to 9th through 12th grade students. 

SOURCE MEDIA AGENCY

Source Media Agency is a youth-led program that teaches students about marketing, branding, creating digital media, and working on campaigns. Interested in learning more? Email gavin-veiga2@scusd.edu or apply here. 

HOT SPOT REMIX

Teens aged 13-17 are invited to participate in FREE Hot Spot nights at seven different community center sites. These events include indoor/outdoor sports, swimming, movie nights, food trucks, giveaways and more! Pre-registration is required, click here! 

MOTHER’S DAY DONATION DRIVE

Drop off pull-up diapers, baby board books, children’s clothing and other items to benefit the families accessing resources at Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services at William Land Elementary School through April 30. Join Assemblymember Kevin McCarty at a donation event at Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services on Friday, May 6 from 11:30am to 1:30pm. 

SCOE SUMMER CAMPS

The Sacramento County Office of Education will be hosting two in-person summer camps during the weeks of July 18-28, 2022 for students entering grades 6-8. Using computer science concepts and tools, there is an environmental-focused camp where students can learn how to set up sensors to monitor the health of the environment.  There is also a girls camp focused on programming, robotics and building relationships with computer science mentors. Learn more and register here. 

MAY IS BIKE MONTH

It’s going to be May soon… and that means bike month is almost here! Sacramento Area Bicycle Advocates is forming teams to encourage riders to swap cars for handlebars while getting a chance to win prizes! Learn more or sign up for a team here.