Press Releases

Press release

SCUSD Student Leadership Conferences Aim to Empower
Workshops and speakers send strong message to area youth

March 21, 2012 (Sacramento):  Hundreds of Sacramento City Unified School District youth will attend youth leadership conferences this month aimed at empowering teens to take a more active role in their futures.

The first conference, the African American Student Leadership Conference, will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. tomorrow (Thursday, March 22) in the Student Union at California State University, Sacramento.

Press release

High School’s Entire Freshmen Class to Tour Local College
John F. Kennedy ninth graders visit Sacramento City College on Tuesday and Wednesday (March 13-14)

March 12, 2012 (Sacramento):  Administrators at John F. Kennedy High School are coordinating a mega fieldtrip this week: They’re taking every freshman student – all 500 – on a college campus tour.

JFK ninth graders will travel by bus over two days to Sacramento City College, where they will visit classrooms and meet with students, athletes, professors – even cheerleaders.

Press release

SCUSD Teens to Witness DUI Sentencing, Hear from Driver
Real DUI Court in School Program brings convicted drivers onto local campuses for sentencing by judge

March 8, 2012 (Sacramento):  Teens at John F. Kennedy High School – many of them new drivers – will witness the harsh legal consequences of driving under the influence when the Real DUI Court in School Program comes to campus this Friday.

The school’s gym will be transformed into the courtroom of a local judge, and a driver previously convicted of DUI will be sentenced and given an opportunity to address an assembly of juniors and seniors.

Press release

Prime Time Boxers Visit SCUSD School to Knock Out Obesity
Celebrity boxing coaches Angelo Nunez and Cary Williams-Nunez kick off fat-fighting tour in Sacramento on Thursday

March 7, 2012 (Sacramento):  Kids at Rosa Parks Middle School will learn the ropes – jump ropes – of how top boxers stay in shape on Thursday at a kick-off event for Prime Time Boxing’s national Knocking Out Obesity Tour.

Prime Time Boxing founders Cary Williams-Nunez and Angelo Nunez will teach students non-contact boxing workout techniques from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, March 8.

Press release

Schools Celebrate Dr. Seuss’ Birthday with Fun-Filled Fests
Schools Celebrate Dr. Seuss’ Birthday with Fun-Filled Fests

February 29, 2012 (Sacramento):  Kids across Sacramento City Unified School District will honor the  birthday of Dr. Seuss on Friday – Read Across America Day – by listening to inspired renditions of the author’s best-loved books, including “The Lorax.”

“Read Across America Day is a great way to bring the community into our classrooms so students can see the joy that adults get from reading,” said SCUSD Superintendent Jonathan Raymond. “These great reading role models send a strong message that reading is a pleasure and the key to success in life.”

Press release

Crafty Kids Stage Knit-a-Thon to Raise Funds, Help Others
SCUSD students will work their needles on Saturday – and they will ‘knot’ stop until they reach their goal!

February 23, 2012 (Sacramento):  Alice Birney Waldorf-Inspired eK-8 School students are staging a “Knit Together” in Reichmuth Park on Saturday, part of a six-week knit-a-thon to raise money for the school and supply needy children with blankets.

The children have collected pledges for donations based on how many knitted squares they can produce between when the knit-a-thon started January 28 and March 2.

Press release

Third Grader Wins ‘Dream Garden’ for SCUSD School
Shhh! Mark Hopkins Elementary school student to be surprised by Karden of ‘Kinder Gardens’ on Tuesday morning

February 17, 2012 (Sacramento):  A third-grader’s colorful drawing of a garden filled with flowers has netted Mark Hopkins Elementary School a “dream” school garden worth thousands of dollars.

Melissa Martinez’s drawing was one of three top finalists in the Karden Gardens Dream School Garden Competition, which was part of last month’s Northern California Home and Landscape Expo.

Press release

SCUSD ‘Priority School’ Receives $1.5 Million Grant
Oak Ridge Elementary will use funds to expand the instructional day by 45 minutes

February 17, 2012 (Sacramento):  Oak Ridge Elementary School has been awarded a three-year School Improvement Grant (SIG) from the California Department of Education, with year one funding (2012-13) of $1.5 million.

The grant will allow Oak Ridge to expand the school day by 45 minutes, increasing time spent in core academics, student enrichment and teacher planning and collaboration.

Oak Ridge was eligible to apply for SIG funding because in 2009-10 it was ranked among the lowest 5 percent of schools in the state in terms of academic performance.

Press release

Superintendent Raymond to Testify at Senate Hearing
Local impacts of Governor Brown’s proposed 2012-13 budget – including projected $28 million deficit – to be discussed

February 15, 2012 (Sacramento):  Sacramento City Unified School District Superintendent Jonathan Raymond will testify about the local impacts of state education cuts before the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee at tomorrow morning’s hearing.

SCUSD faces a $28 million deficit for 2012-13 under Governor Brown’s proposed state budget.

Press release

SCUSD Wins Planning Grant for Social, Emotional Learning
District one of eight selected for national collaboration

February 9, 2012 (Sacramento): To succeed in school – and life—students need to develop academically and grow emotionally and socially.
 

Helping students acquire the life skills needed to make good decisions, build strong relationships and manage emotions is a focus of the Sacramento City Unified School District (SCUSD).

Press release

SCUSD Teacher Selected for Expedition to Antarctica
Kim Williams of Washington Elementary is one of two ‘Coolest Teachers in the World’

February 8, 2012 (Sacramento): Washington Elementary School sixth-grade teacher Kim Williams will go to the ends of the Earth to help her students understand the importance of protecting the environment. Literally.
 

Williams will journey to Antarctica this month with the 2041 International Antarctic Expedition, led by explorer Robert Swan, the first person ever to have walked to the North and South poles.

Press release

Neighbors asked to help protect schools over winter recess
Metal thieves, vandals prey on schools during the holidays

The holidays are a busy time of year – especially for vandals, thieves and arsonists looking to take advantage of empty school campuses.

In light of this, SCUSD is asking the community for help in keeping schools safe and secure over winter break (December 24 through January 8 – school resumes Monday, January 9).

“Most of our schools are surrounded by homes, and we need those neighbors to join us in protecting these valuable and sometimes vulnerable community centers,” said Sacramento Police Lt. Katherine Lester, who heads SCUSD security services.

Press release

Neighbors asked to help protect schools over Thanksgiving recess
Metal thieves, vandals prey on schools during the holidays

Sacramento:  The holidays are a busy time of year – especially for vandals, thieves and arsonists looking to take advantage of empty school campuses.

In light of this, SCUSD is asking the community for help in keeping schools safe and secure over the Thanksgiving break (November 21-25).

“Most of our schools are surrounded by homes, and we need those neighbors to join us in protecting these valuable and sometimes vulnerable community centers,” said Sacramento Police Lt. Katherine Lester, who heads SCUSD security services.