News, Announcements, & Success Stories
Positive news roundup: May was a busy month!
It's hard to believe the school year has come to an end. With the last month of school seeming to fly by, it's a challenge to keep up with all of the extraordinary things happening in our schools each day!

Here's a roundup of just some of the positive news that deserves the spotlight before we head into Summer Break:

CTE in the news : Folsom Cordova's thriving Career Technical Education programs were featured in regional business magazine Comstock's.

Team FCUSD member in the news : Watch KVIE's latest piece on longtime Team FCUSD member Lynn DeHarrold , whose braille transcriptions continue to make an impact on students.  

Black Student Union leaders meetup: Black Student Union clubs are growing at each of Folsom Cordova's three comprehensive high schools - but the students had never met together all at once. The District recently held its first all-District BSU meeting earlier this month for team-building and comradery.

Team FCUSD administrators honored : Three Folsom Cordova administrators were honored for their excellence in leadership.

Folsom Hills PTA Family STEM Night : Elementary school students showed off their hard work in an annual event focused on science, technology, engineering, and math with the help of students from the Sutter Middle School STEM Academy.  

Educators honored for literacy learning : The annual Lighthouse Literacy Awards honored teachers throughout the District who have instilled a love of reading in their students.
CTE students take home awards from state competitions
This season we had numerous students in CTE programs from CHS, FHS, VDL and Kinney high school compete and win awards at their CTSO annual competitions.

CTSOs are Career Technical Student Organizations, an essential component of high quality Career Technical Education (CTE) programs. Through their participation, students develop leadership, teamwork, technical and soft-skills to prepare for college and career readiness. Students gain employability and industry skills in-class and attend leadership conferences and competitions. Our District provides students three CTSO's (FCCLA, FFA and Skills USA) with plans to add DECA for Business and Entrepreneurship next year.

We are proud of the many awards our students earned, and reflect with great joy on the learning experiences they enjoyed. For a complete list of awards and more details on the competitions, please visit our website by clicking this link.
White Rock Elementary students visited by Snargg the iReady mascot for growth in test scores
A blue friendly monster was spotted on the campus of White Rock Elementary on Friday May 24.

Students and staff received a special visit from Snargg the mascot of the iReady testing program, because of the growth they've achieved this year in reading and math. Student scores at the school increased by 36% in reading and 41% in math.

iReady is used as a tool throughout the school year to test student comprehension and skill level, so that teachers can work with them in subject areas they need improvement in.

Snargg toured every class on campus and greeted students at the start of the   school day as they arrived. Needless to say Snargg got a lot of hugs and high fives from students who were super excited for him to be there.

Principal Canen Petersen let each class know how proud he was of their improvements this school year.
Vista seniors visit former elementary schools for GRADitude Walk
The Third Annual GRADitude Walk was held on May 20, when graduating seniors from Vista del Lago High School visited their former elementary schools and middle school. By organizing a parade in their in their caps and gowns, they sought to inspire younger students to graduate high school.

The event is a volunteer effort organized by Vista del Lago's Parent Coordinator Kristen Thomas and is also supported by school administration and staff. Seniors visited these elementary schools: Blanche Sprentz , Empire Oaks, Folsom Hills, Oak Chan, Russell Ranch and Folsom Middle School, where students and staff cheered them on and wished them congratulations. Students had the opportunity to meet with their former teachers and express their gratitude.

Good Day Sacramento's Dina Kupfer covered the GRADitude Walk live: Pt. I and GRADitude Walk Pt. 2 on their morning show and it was also featured on CBS13 as well. Folsom TV covered the GRADitude Walk at Folsom Middle School, watch here!  

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.
Several honored for Excellence in Special Education at awards ceremony
The Excellence in Special Education Awards was held on May 15, at the Education Services Center with several honorees including: administrators, teachers, classified staff, students and parent volunteers who were honored for going above and beyond for students with special needs. The annual awards ceremony was organized by the Special Education Community Advisory Committee and the District's Special Education Department.

The following people received an award for Excellence in Special Education: Administrator Robin Smay , Inclusion Coordinator, Classified Employee, Tammy Andres , Paraeducator at Cordova High, Jessica Lowry and Kendall Todd students at Folsom High, Kristina Cameron 2nd grade teacher at Natoma Station Elementary, Jennifer Engwis , community member/parent at Cordova Meadows Elementary,  Rachel Hannahs, Related Service Provider, Special Education, and Elizabeth Sutami , Special Education Teacher at Vista del Lago High. Many others were honored with a certificate of recognition for their work in special education. Congratulations to all of the recipients!

See photos from the awards ceremony taken by Folsom Cordova Communication Intern Sydni Fagan: Excellence in Special Education
Aerojet Rocketdyne & FCUSD STEM Expo has over 250 participants
Video and article by Folsom Cordova Communication Intern, Rida Anjum.

Over 250 students grades 7-12 participated in the Aerojet Rocketdyne Foundation and Folsom Cordova STEM Expo held at Folsom High earlier this spring, a competition where research projects are presented and judged by community panelists.

There were 11 categories of the science projects, including Animal Science, Behavioral & Social Science, Biology, Chemistry, Earth & Space, Environmental, Health, Computer Science, Physics, Plant, and Engineering. The top teams were then invited to an invite-only dinner with a local Scientist or Engineer.

Local author gives away signed books to 100 first graders with funding from Rotary Club
Folsom resident, Brian Wallace wrote Daisy and the Dirty Dozen , inspired by the real-life events of a female Mallard duck and her 12 ducklings that hatched in his backyard. What started out as a family curiosity, chronicling the ducks story, turned in to a children's book that he wrote and illustrated. According to Brian's website, this book "offers an up-close look at a mother's care for her young, the responsible treatment of wildlife, and the complexities (and joys) of sharing your backyard with a family of ducks."

Fast forward and Brian, an active community member, sought out ways to engage other students in the story. With a generous donation made by Folsom Rotary club members, Brian was able to fund 100 books to be given away.

Brian took those books to Gold Ridge Elementary where he read and gave away Daisy and the Dirty Dozen to 100 first grade students. He answered student questions and inspired a young generation to write their own stories.  

Cheers to Brian Wallace and the Folsom Rotarians for bringing joy and the gift of books to our students.
Today's the last day to take our survey! Folsom school attendance boundaries
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!
Beloved long time school bus driver Ms. Betty celebrated by colleagues at retirement party
School Bus Driver Betty Summers - aka "Ms. Betty" and the District's Classified Employee of the Year - had her last day of work May 29, after 44 years serving students in our school community.
 
Her colleagues at the Transportation Department threw her a party and surprised her with some special gifts including a handmade blanket with photos of Ms. Betty and all of her bus driver friends, as well as a framed 8 x 10 photo of her school bus number 100, lots of flowers - and the California School Employees Association and co-workers pitched in to get Ms. Betty a Shih Tzus puppy so she'll have a buddy post retirement!

Ms. Betty was touched by current and past colleagues, as well as family showing up to celebrate her, as well as by the gifts they gave her. She was almost in tears, especially by the puppy; she previously had a dog of the same breed that had passed away, and she recently mentioned she might want to get another one once she retires. Her co-workers took note.

Ms. Betty plans to travel and take many road trips in retirement. She will be greatly missed in the Folsom Cordova community!  
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 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.

WHITE ROCK ELEMENTARY
10487 WHITE ROCK ROAD
 
LUNCH ONLY at the following locations:
 
CORDOVA VILLA ELEMENTARY 10359 S. WHITE ROCK ROAD
PETER J. SHIELDS ELEMENTARY
10434 GEORGETOWN DRIVE
WILLIAMSON ELEMENTARY
2275 BENITA DRIVE
 
All meals must be consumed on site.


FCUSD is hiring: Find open positions here

Here are some current employment openings with Folsom Cordova Unified School District:


 
Visit  www.edjoin.org 
frequently for the most up-to-date postings throughout the year!  
 

Board of Education:  May 16, 2019
 
The FCUSD Board of Education held its regular meeting on Thursday, May, 16.
 
Agendas are posted online the Friday before each regularly scheduled meeting. 

Last week's agenda items include: 

Special Presentation: 
  • Thank You to Student Board Member: Maira Medina          
  • Recognition of Cordova High's Winter Groups NCBA Winter Champions
Discussion:
  • Budget Update: The Impact of the Governor's May Revise for 19-20 & LCAP Budget Update
All agendas can be found  here .
 

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