Dear Sac City Unified Families,

However you celebrate winter holidays, we hope that you’re having a festive season! 

Sac City Unified Wins the Golden Bell Award

At the California School Board Association’s Annual Education Conference, SCUSD received the CSBA Golden Bell Award for SCUSD’s Return to Health plan. We’re so proud of our staff for their hard work and innovation during an unprecedented moment in history. Read about it here. 

Central Kitchen Winter Break Food Distribution

On both Wednesdays during Winter Break, from 9-10am at several locations throughout the community, the Central Kitchen will be providing free curbside pantry box pickup in partnership with Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services. 

Kindergarten & TK Registration

Kindergarten registration for the 2023-2024 school year will begin on Tuesday, January 10, 2023. Don’t wait until September, get your young scholar ready now! Visit SCUSD’s School Finder to determine your child’s school of residence based on school boundaries and learn about all our school options. Learn about our school tours here.

To be eligible to register for kindergarten for Fall 2023, children must be five years old on or before September 1, 2023. Children who turn five years old September 2, 2023 through April 2, 2024, have the opportunity to enroll in one of our Transitional Kindergarten (TK) programs. Information on TK registration will be available in 2023. 

Fentanyl Parent Information Webinar

In case you missed it, we partnered with Arrive Alive California, Sacramento County and the District Attorney’s Office on a Fentanyl Parent Information Webinar. This webinar was recorded; watch it here. Also check out this CapRadio story and PBS story about how parents and schools, including SCUSD schools, are responding to the Fentanyl crisis. 

COVID Community Level Update

There has been some confusion around a communication we sent last week notifying families that Sacramento County had moved into CDC’s Medium level for COVID-19. We wanted to remind families of our existing policy that if Sacramento County moves into the High level, an automatic return to indoor masking will be triggered. There is no change to this policy or to our current masking requirement. Masking remains strongly recommended to protect your student and others from COVID transmission.

Protect Yourself and Your Loved Ones from Illness

This winter and the holiday season, CDPH urges Californians to protect themselves and their families against many circulating viruses, including the flu, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). California hospitals are under increased strain caring for infants and children under 12 years old. CDPH urges people to follow these five tips to protect themselves and others from winter viruses: 

• Get Vaccinated, Boosted (and Treated)
• Stay Home if You’re Sick!
• Wear a Mask
• Wash Your Hands
• Cover Your Cough or Sneeze

Watch CDPH’s video about holiday season measures you can take to protect yourself and your family from seasonal illnesses.

Social Science Instruction Material Review

Sacramento City Unified is in the process of adopting new instructional materials for History and Social Sciences, starting with the 2023-24 academic year. Teachers, students, parents/guardians and community members have the opportunity to review and provide input about the instructional materials being considered for adoption, and we want your feedback. Discover the differences between instructional material options here or visit Serna Center’s second floor to review materials in-person.

Tahoe Makers Mart

The inaugural Tahoe Makers Market is on Saturday, December 10th from 10am to 2pm at Tahoe Elementary School – 3110 60th Street, 95820. This free community event will feature local makers of art, gifts and food, including jewelry, pottery, candles, plants, home decor, and kitchenware, baked goods, breads, cookies, tamales, lumpia and more! There will also be music and kids activities.

Student Street Art Workshop Giveaway

Wide Open Walls, in partnership with Shane Grammer Arts, is giving away one student spot for youth grades 10 through 12 for a FREE street art workshop which is a $1,200 value! The Muralist Internship Street Art Workshop will take place January 19-22, 2023. If your student loves making art and is in 10th, 11th or 12th grade, enter to win here. One (1) winner will be randomly selected on Thursday, December 22.

Help Families in Need This Holiday Season

NorCal Resist has partnered with Sac City Unified to identify homeless, foster youth, refugee families and families in need throughout our system, and has gathered their holiday wish lists. Visit tinyurl.com/ncrwish to brighten the holiday season and lighten the load for these families. There are also three donation locations for basic items that our community needs: beans, rice, flour, canned vegetables and soups, non-perishable foods, diapers and children’s school supplies at Barrio Cafe, Flapjacks Diner or Abatin Wellness.