April 21, 2023 Board Briefs and Updates

Board Briefs and Updates, April 21
April 21, 2023

Dear FCUSD Community:

At last night's Board Meeting, a special recognition was given to honor boys and girls Winter Sports teams from basketball, soccer, and wrestling. Athletes and coaches joined the meeting to receive certificates and cheers for their outstanding achievements during the season. To see pictures of the evening, please head over to our Twitter post HERE.

Update to Board Policy on cell phone use for school year 2023-24

Due to increased distractions to student learning and concerns of the negative impact of cell phone use during the school day the Board has updated the District’s cell phone policy.

As a reminder, BP 5131.8: Mobile Communication Devices was adopted in 2020 to define ways students interact with cell phones during the instructional day. At last night’s meeting, the Board updated BP 5131.8. The following reflects the new policy:

• No changes to the elementary policy -- cell phones continue to be prohibited
• No changes to the high school policy -- cell phones continue to be permitted during non-instructional time
• Students in grades 6 - 8 will be adopting the elementary school policy beginning with the 2023-24 school year which means:
• Devices must be turned off and placed out of sight during the school day
• Students who need to call parents may use phones located in the administrative office
• This new update for BP 5131.8 will go into effect for the 2023-24 school year

It continues to be the Board and District’s goal to build positive relationships with parents and students and create positive and safe learning environments.

Arts, Music, and Instructional Materials Block Grant Plan

FCUSD is proud of the arts and music programs we have available for our students and the state has made additional funds available to support arts education. Earlier fund amounts announced by the state have since been scaled back and with the passage of proposition 28 there are many questions on how the funding can be spent. In order to be fiscally responsible and maximize funding to continue and expand our arts programs, the Board approved staff’s recommendation for allowable expenditures plan.

To see staff’s presentation with more details, please click HERE.

The 1300 Campaign: Resolution No. 04-20-23-40

The Board acknowledged that young men of color are the least likely of all our students to graduate high school, complete the A-G requirements, and attend a four-year college. As such they adopted a resolution in support of the 1300 Campaign.

The 1300 Campaign is an initiative of the Sierra Health Foundation, the Obama Foundation’s My Brother’s Keeper Sacramento, and Improve Your Tomorrow. The 1300 Campaign is a community-led and system-change initiative that seeks to permanently transform the historical systemic barriers that have limited opportunities for young men of color, working with school districts to pass a resolution in support of the Campaign at the school district level.  

To read the FCUSD resolution please click HERE

Dual college and high school enrollment for FCUSD students

Beginning next school year, FCUSD students will have the opportunity to earn college credits while attending certain high school courses. Folsom Lake College (FLC) teachers will teach and grade the course but will be supported and facilitated by FCUSD teachers.

To learn more please take a look at the presentation provided by staff HERE.

Student art celebrated at the MACC!

Students throughout our District participated in the 4th Annual Student Art Show at the Mills Station Arts & Culture Center (MACC) in Rancho Cordova which was packed with proud parents, teachers, and community members. Check out some of the artwork from our Kinney students HERE.

Title I LEA-Level Parent and Family Engagement Policy 2022-23

Each year FCUSD publishes the Title I LEA-Level Parent and Family Engagement Policy and posts on our website. This document outlines the many ways FCUSD engages with our families and community. To view the Title I LEA-Level Parent and Family Engagement Policy, please click HERE. 

Upcoming events

NEXT WEEK! SAB International Night - April 26

The Student Advisory Board (SAB) is hosting a District-wide International Night!

• Where: Cordova High School
• When: Wednesday, April 26
• Time: 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
• Cost: FREE

Everyone is welcome & there will be food trucks, booths from various school sites to demonstrate how students celebrate cultural diversity plus live performances and more! 

You are encouraged to dress in your cultural attire and support students from our secondary schools throughout the District. For more information please visit the SAB website.

Vaping prevention parent night - May 3

Join FCUSD staff and guest speaker, Addiction Counselor Amy Vergie for an informational night on preventing youth from vaping. You will learn tips for talking with your student and discover the risks of vaping.

May 3, 2023
6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. 
Virtual access (see attached flier) Vape Night May 3rd - English, Vape Night May 3rd - Spanish

The presentation will be virtual. Please see the attached flier to register. For questions, contact Lea Rathbun at lrathbun@fcusd.org

Armenian Folk Concert - June 4

Mark your calendars. The Chookasian Armenian Concert Ensemble will perform at the Cordova High Performing Arts Center this June. This performance is FREE to the community and has been generously underwritten with grant funding from the Rancho Cordova Community Enhancement and Investment Fund. 

• Where: The CHS Performing Arts Center, 2239 Chase Drive
• When: Sunday, June 4
• Time: 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
• Cost: FREE

More information on The Chookasian Armenian Concert Ensemble can be found on their website: www.chookasian.com

FCUSD Job Fair - June 14

FCUSD is hiring and we have dozens of great job opportunities, with a variety of full and part-time schedules. Visit our website to learn more.

On June 14 we will host a Job Fair here at the Education Services Center (ESC). Interviews, fingerprinting and more will all be offered so you can walk away with a job offer for the 2023-24 school year! This is a child friendly event. Activities for children and food trucks will be on site.

• Where: ESC, 1965 Birkmont Drive, Rancho Cordova
• When: Wednesday, June 14, 11 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. 

Questions? Contact Roxanne Anguiano at ranguiano@fcusd.org