News from Folsom Cordova schools

Thursday, May 23, 2019 | Volume IX, Issue XXXIX

News, Announcements, & Success Stories

SURVEY: Folsom school attendance boundary revisions

Later in the fall of 2019, the Folsom Cordova Unified School District will begin the process of reviewing and proposing changes to attendance boundaries in our Folsom schools.

No changes have been proposed at this time. We're reaching out to the community now because we want to give all of our families multiple opportunities for input during the process. Any adopted changes would not take effect until the 2020-2021 school year.

Boundary changes will help our Folsom schools maintain the level of excellence our families have come to expect by better balancing enrollment capacity at our schools. With two similar-sized, large middle schools feeding into two, different-sized high schools, existing feeder patterns have created overcrowding issues at Vista del Lago High School.

Visit www.fcusd.org/boundaries for full details on the process and a link to our survey!

Cordova High MACH Program students are mentors and pen pals to Cordova Villa 2nd grade students

Throughout the 2018-2019 school year students in the Cordova High MACH Program have been both pen pals and mentors to 2nd grade students in Mary Hawkin's class at Cordova Villa Elementary.

The efforts to get these student groups together were organized by Hawkins and Director of Academic Activities at CHS, Michele Cooper, and MACH Program supervisor Conrade Mayer in hopes to increase the elementary student's reading skills. MACH - or Mentors at Cordova High - is supported through City of Rancho Cordova's Community Enhancement Fund.

This program has been named MACH Mentors: The high school students are "Bigs" and the elementary students are "Littles." In addition to the pen pal relationship, the students went to a River Cats game together, set reading goals together and just recently held an end of year celebration, complete with a pizza and cupcake party, giving out a book to each Little and a medal to their Littles who all made their reading goals.

See photos from the end of year celebration at Mary Hawkin's second grade classroom.

Restorative Justice: Hundreds of teachers, staff build their positive behavior management skills

Thanks to funding from a grant secured by Dr. Channa Cook-Harvey, the District's Director of Social Emotional Learning, nearly 500 Folsom Cordova staff have been trained in Restorative Justice & Mindfulness this year by Ryan McCarthy, the Executive Director of the Global Kindness Initiative .

Elementary teachers from all schools, mental health specialists, behavior specialists, principals and classified staff were offered the opportunity to participate in an all-day training that focused on practical strategies for restorative practices, non-violent communication, conflict mediation, mindfulness and emotional resilience. When faced with negative student behaviors and actions, staff learned ways to work through tough situations and turn a bad situation into a positive outcome.

The response from our staff was overwhelmingly positive! Some of the comments we heard included:

"Thanks for sharing all of your information. I really enjoyed all parts. I'm going to be trying to improve my
youth leadership role and mindfulness! Thank you!"
"Best training I have had in my 14 years in the district!!!"
"So thankful that FCUSD brought you here today. Every employee in our district NEEDS to experience thi
s training. Thank you."

As we continually work to provide equitable access to education, we are cognizant that students need to be in place of wellness and emotional safety in order to best learn. Teachers and staff can set that positive tone, create teachable moments for our students and develop positive connections that will increase student success. Shout out to all the staff who participated in this valuable training day!

Natoma Station Elementary fourth grader wins California Heritage Essay Contest

Fourth grade students from Natoma Station Elementary participated in the History in a Trunk and California Heritage Essay contest, with two school winners able to attend a reception for the winners on May 16.

The two winners from the school were Evelina Alekseev in Mr. Harding's class and Ellee Shelton in Mrs. Bridges class. Ellee Shelton was announced the overall winner at the reception for the entire contest, with over 793 entries from California 4th grade students.

Sacramento is home to the California Governor's Mansion, built in 1877 and recently renovated, the mansion provides the basis for the History in a Trunk Program which is part of the fourth grade curriculum for every California student.

History in a Trunk takes historical pieces from the Governor's Mansion into our schools for fourth graders to learn about. The Assistance League of Sacramento members dress up in costumes from the late 1800's, present a slide show and a trunk full of items used in the mansion in the late 1800's and early 1900's to learn about. Those members have historically conducted public tours of the Governor's Mansion as well.

Team of Equity Leaders mobilizing to strengthen school practices

As part of its ongoing strategies to address inequitable outcomes for African American students and students with disabilities, the District has created a team from among its existing staff who will help support, train, and coach staff across our schools.

Called Equity Leaders, this team of 20 is made up of teachers, a school counselor, the District's lead librarian, and two lead teachers who work in various grade levels and at various school sites across the District. Their work will be financed by money the state requires the District to set aside to improve its "significant disproportionality," or the disproportionate identification of students of color as needing special education services.

Going forward, Equity Leaders will earn a Certificate of Cultural Competence in Culturally Responsive Practices, receive training on coaching and co-facilitate, with EPOCH Education , the Culturally Responsive Practices Training provided to District Staff next school year (2019-20) and then in the following school year (2020-21), provide the Culturally Responsive Practices Training to District staff. All in all, a total of six full days of training will be provided to District Staff.

Adding Equity Leaders at our sites is just one of the many ongoing efforts the District is undertaking to uphold its commitment to providing equitable access to education for every student.

Promoting a healthy life and school balance for students with Challenge Success

This school year, FCUSD partnered with Challenge Success to take a look at ways we can improve our policies and procedures to better support our high school students to improve their academic experience, success and well-being.

Stanford University developed Challenge Success in response to the increasing number of students who were lacking the emotional skills and resiliency needed to be successful in school. According to their vision statement " Challenge Success recognizes that our current fast-paced, high-pressure culture works against much of what we know about healthy child development and effective education. The overemphasis on grades, test scores, and rote answers has stressed out some kids and marginalized many more. We all want our kids to do well in school and to master certain skills and concepts, but our largely singular focus on academic achievement has resulted in a lack of attention to other components of a successful life-the ability to be independent, adaptable, ethical, and engaged critical thinkers."

Folsom High School kicked off the school year with a parent information night led by Challenge Success and formed a stakeholder committee made up of students, parents and teachers to examine trends and recommend improvements to mitigate the destructive stresses so many students were facing.

"We had a high amount of students experiencing stress and anxiety, lack of adequate sleep and fierce peer and academic pressure. We are highly committed to making improvements from what we are learning from Challenge Success" said Assistant Principal Eric Eklund. During the year, staff has met to devise ways to better balance project assignments and test schedules, students created a Time Budget Planner and the school and families are engaging in strong two-way communication on ways to create better school/life balance for students during and after school hours.

Vista del Lago introduced Challenge Success to families in January with training for teachers and counselors. Principal Lori Emmington shared that a workshop for parents taught strategies on " how to reduce academic stress without reducing academic achievement. Parents also learned how lack of sleep and too much screen time are increasing depression and anxiety among today's youth." In a letter to parents Emmington said "our goal is to help our students be happy, healthy, creative and resilient young adults. Over the next year, we will develop a team of staff and students who will work to spread the word and change the 'pressure-cooker' culture at Vista."

Staff and teams at both Folsom High and Vista del Lago are sharing best practices with each other and nearby Oak Ridge High School who has also partnered with Challenge Success. Next year will see the continuation of this program and development of further strategies to support the well-being and academic success of our students.

VIDEO: FHS student creates Kindness Gator rock sculpture as Eagle Scout project for former elementary school

Nicholas Marshall, a Folsom High sophomore, Eagle Scout and Sandra J. Gallardo Elementary alum did something awesome for his former elementary school for his Eagle Scout project.

He created a sculpture for Sandra J. Gallardo Elementary of an alligator using over happy rocks their students painted with kindness messages, the elementary school's mascot is of course the "Gators."

Nicholas worked with the school's PTA to figure out a project he could help his former elementary school with and students are loving the new Kindness Gator sculpture, which is in the front lawn area near the administration office if you want to check it out.

Nicholas has been in Boy Scouts since 2nd grade. Completing his Eagle Scout project which is the highest achievement, shows he can manage a service project from start to finish and by giving back to his former school.

VIDEO: Kindness Gator Sculpture

Back in 2019: High school graduations live-streamed on Folsom TV

The Folsom Cordova Unified School District is excited to once again partner with Folsom TV to provide live streaming of our high school graduations: Cordova, Folsom, and Vista del Lago! This service allows distant relatives, friends, and other loved ones to take part in the celebration, even if they can't physically attend.

To watch, follow Folsom TV on Facebook , then tune in at the following times:

Cordova High: 6 p.m. May 31
Folsom High: 7 p.m. May 30
Vista del Lago High: 6 p.m. May 31

Note: While we don't expect technical difficulties, there's always the possibility of unforeseen issues that could interrupt or stop the broadcast at any time. If that occurs, we will start a new stream if possible OR upload a recording of the entire ceremony at the end of the program, which can be viewed on demand.

Team FCUSD: Think safety when preparing your school for summer

As the summer months approach, school site staff begin to prepare their campuses for closure. In a rush to get everything done, you may forget to take the time to work safely. Every year, school employees experience an injury that could have easily been prevented.

Don't let your summer plans be hindered due to an unnecessary injury.

Use a proper ladder or stepladder
Be aware of your surroundings and stay focused on your route of travel. Don't carry boxes or other materials that block your view. Don't take short cuts through planters or uneven ground.
Ask for assistance when lifting or moving heavy objects. Use a hand truck.
Store heavy items in lower cabinets and shelves. Don't store too many items on high shelves. When you return in the fall, things will be safer to retrieve.

Proper lifting technique:

Look at the load and size it up.
Bend your knees and squat as close to the load as possible.
Get a good grip, tighten your stomach muscles.
Lift the load using your thigh muscles, keep your back straight.

Keep these recommendations in mind when performing daily tasks and while working on special projects.

Information provided by Schools Insurance Authority www.sia-jpa.org

In the Community: Family Fun Day at the Folsom Zoo

Make it a family day at the zoo and Folsom City Park. Enjoy a small car show which includes cool hot rods, over 30 vendors, informative and services booths.

Date & Location:

Sunday, May 26 (9 a.m.- 2 p.m.)

403 Stafford St. Folsom

Look for:

Folsom Mounted Patrol

Folsom K-9 Units

Face Painting

The first 500+ attendees will get a wristband good for 1 zoo entry on Sunday, May 26 only. All children must be accompanied by and adult.

In other news ...

Free Meals for Children When School Is Out

The U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA) Seamless Summer Feeding Option (SSFO) Meal Program can help feed your children healthy meals, at no charge, during the summer months.

This program serves all children age 2 through 18.

For further information please contact Food Services at

(916) 294-9011.

The Folsom Cordova Unified School District Food Services Department

will be operating five Seamless Summer sites:

Monday - Friday, June 3 through July 26 (All sites will be closed on July 4, 2019)

Breakfast Served:

8:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.

Lunch Served:

11:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.

CORDOVA MEADOWS

2550 LA LOMA DRIVE