News from Folsom Cordova schools

Thursday, March 28, 2019 | Volume IX, Issue XXXII

News, Announcements, & Success Stories

Vista alumni is breaking racial barriers on and off the golf course

We are always proud to share the success of our students after they graduate. While attending Vista del Lago, Noor Ahmed made an impression on all of us, as a high achieving student and athlete. According to her coach, Miguel Rodriguez, "Noor has been one of the best players to play golf in Vista's history."

Noor now attends the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, on both academic and athletic scholarships. We could end there, but her influence extends beyond these accomplishments. Check out our Facebook post here!

Noor is an American Muslim and the only collegiate golfer in the country to wear a hijab on the golf course. Though she is self-described shy, she is a leader, fostering a culture of inclusion as she continues to excel in the sport and promote understanding and awareness to the golf community. Born in Texas, her family later moved to Folsom. Noor recounts being called names, and facing hostile racism as a young girl. According to her interview for Golfworld magazine she shared: "Growing up, I've been told pretty straight up that people who look like me don't belong in this country."

Outside organization The First Tee of Greater Sacramento , which provides golf and life skill lessons, provided Noor with expanded opportunities in golf and encouragement on her journey as a young athlete. Lessons she now imparts to others. She sees herself as a role model for younger girls and continues to make a difference for others. Noor inspires all of us on the importance of kindness, courage and perseverance. #FCUSDproud

VIDEO: Annual heart screening event draws hundreds of local teens

Story and video by Sydni Fagan, FCUSD Communication Internship Program

The annual VIA Heart Screening Event took place at Cordova High School on Sunday, Feb. 24.

This event welcomed anyone ages 12-25 and sent them through various stations where volunteers checked blood pressure, height, weight, and participants are taught CPR and how to use an AED. Volunteers also check up on teens' health history, perform an EKG and have participants talk to a doctor about their results. Testing like this would normally be upwards of $500-$6,000, but this organization provides this service, completely free.

One in 500 school-aged children suffer from an undiagnosed heart defect that can result in sudden cardiac arrest. At every screening, an average of 3-4 students are found to have an undiagnosed condition. At Cordova High, 456 people were screened (43 of which were walk-ins), 39 required follow-up and 6 had serious cardiac findings.

"This is something people should take advantage of," said Marilyn Rakow. Marilyn lost her grandson, Race, to a preventable heart condition. Race was an aspiring architect when he passed away in his sleep at the age of 19 due to Sudden Cardiac Arrest.

Click here for the full story and video !

VIDEO: Sutter Middle celebrates International Day of Happiness with kindness rallies

Sutter Middle School celebrated International Day of Happiness on Wednesday March 20 by having motivational speaker Kevin Bracy of REACH One Alliance speak to students at two kindness rallies about the power of being positive in life and to promote a healthy school climate through music and positive affirmations.

International Day of Happiness is all about a movement to spread kindness and help others. During the rallies, Bracy's key messages to students were to speak positive words to themselves and others, to be a friend for someone who needs one, and to be accepting of each other and celebrate our differences.

Watch the inspiring video here!

Folsom Hills receives Project Lead the Way Distinguished School recognition

The STEM program at Folsom Hills Elementary received the 2018-19 Distinguished School Launch recognition from Project Lead the Way (PLTW) for their excellence in STEM education.

PLTW is a program that supports STEM education in schools by engaging students in problem solving, process thinking, developing technical knowledge and communication skills, as well as exploring career opportunities in the STEM field in an interactive classroom environment.

Mercedes Kirk, a third grade and PLTW Master Teacher, said: " We are extremely proud of the work our staff has done to bring this world class STEM program to Folsom Hills students."

IN THE NEWS: CHS Drama presents contemporary Romeo and Juliet

Cordova High School's Drama Program presents Shakespeare's great romantic tragedy, " Romeo and Juliet," with a contemporary spin and was recently featured on Good Day Sacramento's morning show.

Watch Good Day Sacramento's coverage to get a sneak peak of the production of the classic and tragic love story "Romeo and Juliet" as students rehearsed at CHS.

The play runs the following dates:

Mar 28, 7 p.m.

Mar 29, 7 p.m.

Apr 4, 7 p.m.

Apr 5, 7 p.m.

Apr 6, 1 p.m.

Apr 6, 7 p.m.

To purchase tickets click here .

PHOTOS: Theodore Judah third graders present lessons in Old Folsom History

Third graders at Theodore Judah Elementary participated in project-based learning history presentations called "All Around Folsom Town" on March 14.

Students from Mrs. Foster, Ms. Patel and Ms. Wittman's classes participated in the project-based history event. Prior to the event itself, students worked in collaborative groups to visit and research historical sites in Folsom. They then took their findings and presented them at the "All Around Folsom Town" event to their peers, parents and TJ staff.

Some of the landmarks highlighted were: the American River, Chan House, Folsom Hotel, Johnny Cash Trail and the Rainbow Bridge to name a few. It was a great way for students to gain knowledge about historic landmarks in their community through research and share what they learned with others.

Check out photos from " All Around Folsom Town."

Celebrating Educators event was a fun success!

The Celebrating Educators event was held on Saturday, March 2 and featured motivational speaker and social media sensation Principal Gerry Brooks .

The sold-out event was held at the Jill Solberg Theater at Folsom High, with educators from all over Northern California attending. Teacher Jennifer Foster of Theodore Judah Elementary and counseling clerk Annamarie Edwards of Vista del Lago High coordinated the event.

Together Foster and Edwards coordinated a team of volunteer teachers and principals to ensure the event's success, so that everything went smoothly for Brook's show. The duo received positive feedback from those that attended the motivational event and also volunteered to support it.

Breathe California Sacramento Region's 2019 PSA Contest

Breathe California Sacramento Region is looking for students in middle and high schools to make an original anti-tobacco / nicotine Public Service Announcement (PSA) around the theme of "Be The First", or more specifically, "What would it be like if your generation was the first to be tobacco-free?"

Students must be in middle or high school to enter. Enter individually or as a team!

For additional information or questions call: Claire Garcia at 916-444-5900 ext. 214 or email at:

cgarcia@sacbreathe.org

Deadline to enter your video: April 5, 2019

Each Mind Matters: Mental Health and Wellness Support

We all experience different levels of mental health as we go through life and mental health problems can be very common.

In fact, 50% of us will experience a mental health challenge in our lifetime.

The good news is that people can recover. With support and treatment, between 70% and 90% of individuals report reduced symptoms and improved quality of life.

Here are some simple things everyone can do to boost mental health and wellness:

Get moving
Play games
Get together with supportive family or friends
20 minutes of sunlight

For more information check out Each Mind Matters website here.

Folsom Middle School Theater Presentation of Disney's Mulan Jr.

Folsom Middle School Theater presents: Disney's Mulan JR. based on Disney's Oscar-nominated film, which is a heartwarming celebration of culture, honor and the fighting spirit.

With hit songs and a story packed with action, h umor and heart, Disney's Mulan JR. brings ancient China to life with a modern sensibility. The Huns have invaded, and it is up to the misfit Mulan and her mischievous dragon sidekick, Mushu, to save the Emperor! Defying the village matchmaker, Mulan takes up arms and disguises herself as a boy in order to spare her father from having to serve in the army. As the great battle with the Huns approaches, Mulan must choose between revealing her true identity as a girl or saving all of China with her clever plan.

Show dates and times are the following:

April 11-12 at 7 p.m.

April 13 at 4 p.m.

Location: Folsom Middle School on stage in the multipurpose room, located at 500 Blue Ravine Rd.

Tickets cost $10; click here to purchase.