Weekly Update
Friday, May 27, 2022

e-Connections Post

Dear Sac City Unified Families,

We hope you enjoy a safe Memorial Day Weekend and take a moment to reflect on the important sacrifice that is the reason for this holiday. As a reminder, there is no school on Monday, May 30. We encourage you to take precautions at holiday gatherings and to utilize the rapid test kits your students brought home this week before returning to school Tuesday. See more details below.  

MASKING STRONGLY RECOMMENDED INDOORS

Sac City Unified has been closely monitoring the spread of COVID-19 within our schools and the Sacramento County community to ensure the health and safety of our students and staff. The most recent Centers for Disease Control data released yesterday (5/26) shows the rate of spread in the County is now 8 times greater than it was when we lifted our masking requirement in schools last month. As a result, Sacramento County moved from the “low” to “medium” Covid-19 Community Level, as defined by CDC. 

The move to “medium” level will not result in an immediate return to universal masking for the District based on the Board of Education policy approved in March, but in an effort to slow the spread, we strongly advise everyone to wear a face mask when indoors at school/work. Anyone exposed to COVID should wear a mask indoors for at least 10-days. We are in the season of celebrations, graduation/promotion ceremonies, and travel plans. This is a time to prevent COVID-19 infection, so you and your loved ones may participate in these joyful events.

VACCINATION AND TESTING CLINICS

In addition to masking, we also have tools like vaccination, testing and treatments to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19. We have a vaccination clinic at Serna Center (5735 47th Ave.) today, Friday, May 27, from 4-6pm. Students aged 5-11 are now eligible for a booster! We will also have our testing center open at Serna Center on Memorial Day, Monday, May 30, in service to our community from 10am-4pm. You also may find information about the test to treat program here.

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND AT-HOME TEST KIT DISTRIBUTION

Check your student’s backpack today, as students will be bringing home rapid COVID-19 test kits ahead of the Memorial Day holiday weekend. Please test your student on Monday, May 30 before they return on Tuesday and register and upload the results by visiting https://primary.health/. At the top of the homepage, click Registered already with Primary? Click here to find your link to enter your COVID-19 test results. A reporting link will also be sent by text and/or email to everyone registered for testing through Primary Health. If your child tests positive or has symptoms, please have them remain home and notify the school. These tests are a critical step in helping us identify infected students and staff so they can quarantine and limit the spread of the virus.

PROMS, GRADUATIONS AND COVID TESTING

As we prepare for proms, graduations and other spring celebrations, even if you’re vaccinated against COVID-19, it’s a good idea to test before and after attending these events. We know that vaccinations protect against serious illness in most cases, but even mild cases can spread to vulnerable, high-risk members of our community. Protect each other by getting tested and learn more here. Have fun celebrating! 

RESOURCES FOR PROCESSING TRAUMATIC EVENTS

Processing and talking about traumatic events such as the recent mass shooting in Buffalo, New York and at Robb Elementary in Uvalde, Texas is difficult for both adults and children. Our Social Emotional Learning and Student Support & Health Services teams have compiled resources for you and your family to support you during this tragic and stressful time.

MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES

We also want to share with you some of our district’s resources as well as other helpful resources if you or your student is struggling with mental health.

SOCIAL MEDIA BULLYING

Social media should be used for connection, if at all.  Unfortunately, negative, bullying and threatening language is used all too often when people are hiding behind their phones. Parents and guardians, we need your help. Please talk to your child about the dangers and ramifications of posting or reposting inappropriate material such as threats, rumors, or online bullying.  Police have and will make arrests for this behavior.

Any threatening or bullying on social media should be reported to law enforcement and we report such messages, posts and stories whenever they are brought to our attention to keep our students and campuses safe. We don’t want students to become desensitized to the alarms we need to raise for their safety if a credible threat arises. Students engaging in online bullying could face discipline or criminal charges depending on the content they are posting. Even when posting anonymously, there is a digital trail that can be investigated to reveal a poster’s identity. School counselors and Student Support Center are available for students who are in need of social emotional support as a result of online bullying.

UPSTANDERS FILM SCREENING

Sam Brannan Middle School will be hosting a virtual mental wellness event on Tuesday, June 14 from 6-7:30pm. Upstanders is an iNDIEFLIX film program designed to address the prevalence of cyberbullying. Social media’s power means that bullying is now a 24/7 phenomenon, where even changing schools and phone numbers, or deleting accounts cannot stop the cycle. This movie explores all sides of cyberbullying, from bully to victim, bystanders and family members. Join on Zoom with Meeting ID “823 0318 3944” and passcode “cyber”.

SCHOLARSHARE 529 COLLEGE SAVINGS DAY

Open a new college savings account between May 24-31 and the State of California’s Treasury Department will give you a $50 bonus for meeting certain eligibility requirements that you can review here.

NOW ENROLLING IN OUR PARENT PARTICIPATION PRESCHOOL PROGRAMS

Our Parent Participation Preschool and Toddler program, located at Edward Kelley, Thomas Jefferson and Tahoe Elementary, is now enrolling for Fall 2022. Preschool children must be fully potty trained and between the ages of 3 and 5 years old to attend. The monthly costs are: 4 day ($197), 5 day ($241) and Friday Toddler Class ($86). If you’re interested, contact alfarom@scusd.edu or call (916) 395-5780.

NOW ENROLLING IN OUR NEW 2022-2023 TRANSITIONAL KINDERGARTEN PROGRAMS

We are excited to offer expanded programming with the passage of Assembly Bill 130 which will make optional access to an extra year of learning available to all 4-year old students by the 2025-2026 academic year. Our Transitional Kindergarten program, previously known as Early Kindergarten, will now be offered at more school sites for half or full days and with expanded learning opportunities. Using a play-based learning model, teachers create learning environments that support safe play and exploration, while also fostering spontaneous discovery and curiosity. Learn more and enroll your young scholar for the 2022-2023 school year today! 

VOTE ARTS AND MUSIC

Did you know that 1 in 5 California public schools has a dedicated arts or music teacher?  Vote Arts and Music is a ballot initiative to increase funding for arts and music programs in California schools. Learn more at voteartsandmusic.org.

SCUSD SUMMER 2022 LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

With the end of the school year now settled, Sac City Unified is excited to share our summer learning opportunities with our K-12 school community, like Summer Matters for elementary and middle school students and credit recovery, bridge and specialty programs for high school students. Learn more and apply today!

DAVID LUBIN NEIGHBORGOOD MARKET

We are excited to announce that the NeighborGood Market is coming to David Lubin Elementary with the Grand Opening on Sunday, May 29th! Visit David Lubin every Sunday through December from 8am to 1pm for farm fresh produce, flowers, local honey, artisans, baked goods, hot food and live music.This market is open to the public and is family friendly. You can shop for fresh produce and support David Lubin PTG at the same time. NeighborGood Market will be donating 10% of the vendor rates to the PTG to fund our STEAM enrichment programs and field trips! 

CONGRATS TO C. K. MCCLATCHY’S DEBATE TEAM!

Four CKM students, Ellie Sutliff (10th grade), Nora Buchanan (11th grade), Ansel Ang-Olson (11th grade) and Eliana McLaughlin (11th grade), are competing in the National Catholic Forensics League Debate Tournament being held in Washington, D.C. this weekend! The CKM Debate Team, coached by Stephen Goldberg, is part of the Sacramento Urban Debate League (SUDL) which includes Burbank, Health Professions, and West Campus. Go Lions! 

SOFTBALL SUCCESS

This season SCUSD had four softball teams reach the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Softball Playoffs! Congratulations on a great season to Hiram Johnson, C.K McClatchy, Rosemont and West Campus!

RT RIDE FREE

As students head into summer break, the Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) wants to remind everyone that students/youth in grades TK-12th can ride the entire SacRT transit network, including SacRT buses, light rail, and SmaRT Ride on-demand microtransit service for FREE! Enjoy more freedom this summer to get to summer jobs, shopping centers, restaurants, and more by taking advantage of free rides. Learn more at rydefreert.com.