News, Announcements, & Success Stories
VIDEO: Spelling Bee champ gives back at former middle school
Article by: FCUSD Communication Intern, John Farris
 
In early December, Folsom Middle School students took part in their annual spelling bee and were joined by a very special guest: former FMS student Sneha Ganesh Kumar.
 
Sneha, who played the role of pronouncer for the spelling bee, was a three-time spelling bee champion while she was a student at Folsom Middle, and made national headlines when she advanced to the Scripp's National Bee twice. She placed second and fourth in the national contests.
 
"I would have felt good if there had been somebody who had did good at the Bee to help me," said Sneha, currently a sophomore at Vista del Lago.
 
Folsom Middle sixth grader Aryan Rajeesh won the school's competition and described Sneha's presence as, "inspiring".
 
Aryan will compete in the county spelling bee in March.
 
Click here to watch the full video story!
Sutter teacher wins Project Lead the Way Teacher of the Year 
Sutter Middle School STEM Academy Teacher Debbie Krikourian was selected at this year's recipient of the Project Lead The Way (PLTW) California Gateway Teacher of the Year Award.  
 
Project Lead the Way is a non-profit organization that provides engaging learning opportunities in the STEM field, working collaboratively with teachers to inspire their students to engage in problem solving, critical thinking, creativity, effective communication and collaborative learning in the sciences. 
 
Krikourian was chosen for her demonstrated exceptional skills and qualities in inspiring students and teachers in the STEM field. She  will be presented with the award at the PLTW California State conference on Jan. 24 in Riverside. Krikourian has taught PLTW classes for the past 10 years and served as a Master Teacher for the organization for eight years, traveling across the nation to teach middle school teachers the PLTW curriculum. 
 
Krikourian has taught a total of 27 years, with 20 of those at Folsom Cordova Unified School District. 
Cordova High FFA adopts homeless students for the holidays
The Cordova High FFA (Future Farmers of America) chapter and Agriculture Science Academy adopted student families through a program by FCUSD's Homeless Services program for the holidays. 

More than 300 student members participated in this year's holiday outreach program and provided an overwhelming amount of support for families, so much that they were able to fill 15 students' wish lists for the holiday season! 
Blanche Sprentz 5th grader donates bike he won to toy drive
The Blanche Sprentz community was in the spirit of giving, especially one fifth grader Tim Bryant. 

Bryant had won a bike in a raffle and decided to give it to Folsom Police's Toy Drive instead of keeping it for himself. The school in total donated 3 large boxes of toys.

Not only did the school community donate toys, but over 1,000 pounds for food to KCRA's  Kids Can Food drive.

Way to give back Blanche Sprentz Bears!
Sutter student interviews Aeroject engineer for magazine 
Eighth grade Sutter Middle School student Emma Fallen had the opportunity to interview Aerojet Rockedyne's Vice President of Advanced Space and Launch Business Unit, Julie Van Kleek, for the Women in STEM magazine. 
 
The article discusses Van Kleek's inspiration behind pursuing a career in STEM.
 
Click here to read the full article. 
In other news ...
                                

Students encouraged to enter Rancho Cordova art show 
 

Call for Artists for the Rancho Cordova Arts upcoming show, "Patterns" Jan. 22 through April 7 - and students are encouraged to enter!  
 
Artist reception: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Jan. 25 at Rancho Cordova City Hall.
 
Rancho Cordova artists that wish to participate should be registered on the artists database. 
  Click here to register. If you previously registered than you do not have to re-register.
 
This juried show will include both 2D and 3D art. All artists must fill out a waiver of liablity. 
 
For questions contact 
Marie Beckstaiger at the Cordova Community Council at  916-273-5704.
 
In the Media: Robokids make appearance of Good Day Sacramento!
 
Good Day Sacramento came out to Sandra J. Gallardo Elementary on Jan. 6 to meet the Robokids. 
 
The team is lead by coach Kavitha Bhakre. The Robokids showed off a STEM project, an  innovative water pumping station they made with a bicycle and Legos! 

Watch the video of reporter Cambi Brown biking to pump water! 


Board of Education:  January 18, 2018
 
The FCUSD Board of Education will hold its regular meeting on Thursday, January 18 at 6 p.m. in the Education Services Center Board Room, 1965 Birkmont Drive in Rancho Cordova.
 
Agendas are posted online the Friday before each regularly scheduled meeting. 

All agendas  can be found here. 
   

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FCUSD Communication and Community Engagement Office
(916) 294-9000 ext. 104530