Graduation Edition
VIDEO: First-generation Cordova High graduate shares her journey to  STEM field
Leonor Vega shared her experience of graduating from Cordova High School as a first-generation graduate and plans to attend San Francisco State University in the fall to study mechanical engineering on a scholarship from the Future Foundation of Sacramento.

Vega came to Folsom Cordova Unified School District in the third grade after her family moved from Nevada to Rancho Cordova. She began as a student at White Rock Elementary, and it was there her sixth- grade teacher at the time, the now-retired Glenn Clinton, took notice that she was very good at math and English.

Vega says he became one of her biggest supporters and encouraged her to test for honors classes in middle school. Vega admits prior to that experience in Clinton's classroom, she wasn't the best student and didn't have as much interest in school; but once she was put in honors classes at Mills Middle, and then placed in the Mills STEM Academy in its first year, those experiences opened new doors for her. She felt more challenged and developed a strong interest in STEM that continued on at Cordova High.

At Cordova High, Vega was part of the IB Programme to prepare students for the path of higher education, participated in the Engineering (Polytechnical) Academy overseen by engineering teacher Faith Caplan. Vega said her interest in science and engineering only deepened spending four years at CHS  learning from Caplan.

"Knowing Mrs. Caplan is amazing because she's also a female in STEM, before she even did teaching, she worked at Intel, a software company and knowing she made it, just motivates me," said Vega.

Vega was also part of the SMASH Academy program an intensive college prep program through UC Davis for first-generation college-bound students, students that come from low-income families or groups traditionally underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.This experience allowed her to live on campus at UC Davis and take college courses at the university in past summers. In addition, she took advantage of the Educational Talent Search (ETS) program , also through UC Davis that set her up with a mentor each school year to help her take the necessary steps needed to prepare for college.

Vega utilized the resources and programs available to her throughout her education to ensure she'd be college-bound. She said having mentors along the way throughout her education made a difference in what direction she was headed and is excited to pursue the field of mechanical engineering at SF State.

"My parents came from Mexico, they motivate me a lot, they work hard. I'm the first of the first to graduate high school and go to college, it's exciting. I just want to make them proud," said Vega.

Immigrant & mother of three goes back to school, earns her high school diploma through FCUSD Adult Education program
For many of our students, life circumstances interrupted their journey to a high school diploma when they were younger. However, it is never too late, as 92 new adult high school graduates can confirm; each with a unique story to tell.

One of our newest graduates balanced going back to school with the busy life as a mom of three children.

Raquel came to the United States from Mexico as a young child. Early years in her education were interrupted as her family moved back to Mexico then returned to the United States when she was 14. She completed ninth grade, then dropped out of school to help her family financially by going to work. As a determined young woman, Raquel got a job at Hewlett Packard and earned her US citizenship in 2004. She didn't stop there. It took some time, and several attempts, but Raquel earned her high school diploma at our Adult Education school this May with the support of her teacher Kerry Marini and principal, Rhonda Balmain.

According to her teacher, "Raquel started with a lack of confidence in her ability to finish school, but soon her hard work made her realize that she could achieve this, and then nothing was going to stop her."

Next stop for Raquel is college. She is enrolled in classes at Folsom Lake College through the Promise Program , with plans to transfer to Sac State to pursue a degree in accounting. Her determination has been an inspiration to all of us and we know her future is bright.

Miss our graduation live-stream? Here's how to watch the broadcasts
Thank you again to community partner Folsom TV for providing live streaming of our high school graduations: Cordova, Folsom, and Vista del Lago!

Want to watch again? Here's where to find the videos:

Cordova High: Click here for an archived broadcast!

Vista del lago High: Click here for an archived broadcast!

Folsom High: Our Folsom High broadcast will not be archived. Please contact Scott Southard, the school's student video and television production teacher, to purchase the school's official graduation video. He can be reached at ssouthar@fcusd.org , and all proceeds benefit the programs.
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
 
Visit  www.edjoin.org 
frequently for the most up-to-date postings throughout the year!  
 

Board of Education:  June 6, 2019
 
The FCUSD Board of Education held its regular meeting on Thursday, June, 6.
 
Agendas are posted online the Friday before each regularly scheduled meeting. 

This week's agenda items include: 

Special Presentation: 
  • FCUSD Chromebook Ecosystem          
Agenda Consent:
  • Approve Memorandums of Understanding with the Folsom Cordova Education Association
All agendas can be found  here .
 

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