News from Folsom Cordova schools

Thursday, December 13, 2018 | Volume IX, Issue XVII

News, Announcements, & Success Stories

VIDEO: FHS Chemistry Teacher Kristy Guarienti, 2018 Teacher of the Year

Meet Kristy Guarienti, a Chemistry Teacher at Folsom High and the district's 2018 Teacher of the Year! As we end 2018 we wanted to highlight the good work she is doing at FHS.

Guarienti has been teaching Chemistry at the current Folsom High campus since it opened in 1999. That's 19 years of teaching for the district at the same school. Guarienti said that Folsom High is like one big family.

In addition to her teaching role, Guarienti also serves as a mentor to new teachers and as a Bulldogs Reaching Out Advisor.

Guarienti loves seeing her students engage in her chemistry classes, she said they get to learn about process and problem solving and they can see how chemistry is connected to their lives. She tries to make it a fun and comfortable classroom culture for her students to learn in.

Watch the video highlighting Kristy Guarienti.

PHOTOS: Mitchell, Sutter, Folsom High & Vista del Lago show Butte students how much they care

How do you help those who have lost everything? You begin by reaching out to let them know you care.

Last week, students from Vista del Lago, Mitchell Middle School, Folsom High and Sutter Middle School traveled to several schools in

Butte County to meet fellow students, lead activities and join in some fun end-of-week rallies.They had fun just being kids together and found new friends to lean on.

The field trips were organized in partnership with the Sacramento County Office of Education and neighboring school districts as part of an ongoing sister-school initiative launched in November. Over the next few months, we look forward to keeping these connections going with emails, letters, Skype calls, and more visits.

More than 32,000 students, along with staff and families, were directly affected by the Camp Fire. Many have lost their home, their school, and in some cases, loved ones.

Check out the photo gallery of our students' visit to Butte County!

Oak Chan Students Participate in STEAMtastic Expo
Article by Rida Anjum, FCUSD Communication Intern

Last year Oak Chan students had the opportunity to experience a part of the STEMBusUSA tour, and this year the students were able to participate in STEAMtastic Expo event at the school on Nov. 8.

With more than 40 hands-on interactive stations, students explored human anatomy, robotics demonstrated by Folsom High School students, painting stations, and aerial drone technology provided by Intel.

While students were rotating through the stations, the families and community were treated to a live performance by Bach to Rock.

Community partners participating in the expo included the Crocker Art Museum, EDMO, Explorit Science Museum, Folsom Zoo Sanctuary, Mathnasium, Nano Nerds, Playwell TEKnologies, and the Sacramento Valley Astronomical Society.

Superintendent's Attendance Challenge kicks off in January

Superintendent Sarah Koligian, Ed.D., recently visited with leadership students at secondary schools: Mills, Mitchell, Sutter, Folsom Middle Schools and Cordova, Folsom and Vista del Lago High Schools challenging them to come up with ways to increase student attendance at their schools.

During her visits, students discussed the importance of why showing up to school daily matters and brainstormed ideas of how they can motivate students who are truant or late to show up daily and on time.

The Superintendent's Attendance Challenge will run Jan. 2, 2019 through the end of April 2019. Schools that increase their attendance percentage rate will be awarded money to use towards something the student body feels the school needs. If these schools increase attendance by 1.0-1.5% they can earn $500, 1.6-2.0% they can earn $1,000 and over 2% they can earn $1,500.

PHOTOS: Theodore Judah Elementary hosts Diwali Night

Students, family and staff enjoyed the third annual Diwali Night hosted at Theodore Judah Elementary on the evening of Nov. 2 rich in cultural performances.

Students performed a skit and presentation to kick of the event about the different types of traditions and celebrations depending on which part of India a person is from. Students performed amazing dances for families and staff to fun upbeat music.

Many Theodore Judah teachers joined in on the festivities dressing up in traditional Indian attire and participating with their students in the event which was organized by first grade teacher Nicki Freitas.

Here are some video highlights from Diwali Night!

Rancho Cordova Optimist Club honors students and Director of Special Ed

The Rancho Cordova Optimist Club recognized students for their positive impact in the community on Nov. 14 at a ceremony at Rancho Cordova City Hall.

The Optimist Club honored the following students, based on being excellent peer role models, their service to the community, perseverance at home and school, and personal growth: Cody Jones and Sophia Trujillo, Mills Middle; Andre Sherwood, Jazmine Savorn, Mitchell Middle; Mason Trujillo and Trinity Foster, Cordova High; Russell Wrey and Jazmine Moore, Kinney High.

Additionally, Folsom Cordova's Assistant Superintendent of Special Education and SELPA Betty Jo Wessinger, was honored for her dedication and contributions to youth throughout her career in education.

For the past 10 years Wessinger has volunteered in the Rancho Cordova Optimist Oratorical Contest and works to build relationships within the Rancho Cordova community, where she grew up in and attended school at Cordova Gardens, Mills Middle and graduated from Cordova High. She is a great community advocate and representative for the school district because of her passion for helping all children, especially students with disabilities have access to all learning types.

See photos from the ceremony!

In other news ...

What's New In Sports...

Congratulations to the

Folsom Bulldogs Football

Team for winning the CIF Northern California Division I-AA Champions, now they are headed to The CIF State Bowl for I-AA, on Dec. 14 at 8 pm at Cerritos College in Norwalk.

Folsom Bulldogs will play against Cathedral Catholic from San Diego.