The following is the Nov. 1 edition of the Abridged by PBS KVIE Homeroom email newsletter, by reporter Savannah Kuchar. Want it sent directly to your inbox? Sign up here.
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A weekly email with news and insights into Sacramento area schools and how it impacts your students.
It’s Savannah with this week’s Homeroom!
Welcome to November! I hope everyone had a fun and safe Halloween.
This was my first year in a while living somewhere with trick-or-treaters, and I have to say, I really missed that part of the holiday! Handing out candy and getting to see all the creative costumes was a blast.
I may have also bought a bit more candy than needed, with the full intention of having some left over for myself. ‘Tis the season for a sweet treat.
I won’t try to compete with Senior Food Editor Benjy Egel and his detailed candy rankings, except to say, I’ll take Whoppers over a Butterfinger any day.
READY FOR THE WEEK AHEAD?
Education, parenting and other relevant stories from the Sacramento region you may have missed this week.
✍ Have you (like me 🫣) procrastinated voting? If you live in Rocklin or the Arden Arcade and Carmichael area, the school board races on your ballot are some of the most competitive in the region. Find more information on the Rocklin Unified contest here, and details on the open seat in San Juan Unified here.
🏈 Student athletes in Tahoe-Truckee Unified who were gearing up to start playing in state soon will continue competing in Nevada for the time being. The school district, California Department of Education and community members recently reached an agreement to put the controversial move on pause. Read the latest here.
🏫 The Maria Montessori Charter Academy and a group of parents are suing the city of Rocklin over a proposed affordable housing project that they say is encroaching on their campus. Placer County Reporter Megan Vaz has the story on this latest development.
What else is in today’s newsletter?
Hear from students at San Juan High School about recent changes to their campus facilities. And learn more about a grandmother in Natomas who single-handedly helped create a community for families like her own.
HOMEROOM HIGHLIGHT
Natomas grandmother builds community families like hers need — one walk at a time
All of Elisa Amezcua’s efforts, she said, were spurred by her love for her grandson.
BY SAVANNAH KUCHAR | skuchar@kvie.org
In short: Elisa Amezcua began hosting monthly walks for families in Natomas after seeing a need for community in her home neighborhood. Amezcua’s grandson, who lives with her, has autism and ADHD. The events, which started over the summer, have given her family and others a rare gathering space.
A bit more: Everything at the events is either donated or paid for by Amezcua out of pocket. She will be pausing the walks during the winter but continuing with indoor activities.
It’s a routine question on the car ride home or sitting around the dinner table. I want to hear more than “fine” from students across the region: How was school? What did you learn? Did something interesting happen?
Damaris Gonzalez, a senior at San Juan High School, and Majd Mhawesh, a junior at San Juan, said there have been many recent upgrades to their campus, with more renovations to come.
| “Our fall sports season is beginning to wrap up. It was exciting to see our football team in their new stadium. We’re proud of all the student athletes who have represented our school this fall,” Gonzalez said.
| “We’re also making exciting progress around campus. Half our school was remodeled over the summer, and we’re looking forward to completing the other half next summer. Along with our hallways and some of our restrooms, our new science wing is also under construction,” Mhawesh said.
FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY
Things to do with (or without!) the kids this week.
🎤 The world of Dr. Seuss comes to life in Roseville with the Take Note Troupe’s musical “Seussical KIDS.” The first show is 6:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6, and performances continue through Nov. 14. Tickets range $10-15 a seat. Find more info here.
🦆 Spend the morning at the historic Fair Oaks Bridge with local author and naturalist Janice Kelley, as she leads a tour 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 7. For $20 reserve a spot and learn more about the surrounding wildlife and history of the bridge itself. Can’t make it this coming weekend? Janice has another tour scheduled Saturday, Nov. 21. More details here.
🌊 The Sacramento Water Festival is Saturday, Nov. 7. This free event features live music, cultural performances, water education, children’s activities and more from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Find more info here.
Want an event to be featured in our next newsletter? Submit it to our community events calendar here.
A STORY TO SHARE
News isn’t just for the adults — each week, I’ll highlight a piece from myself or one of my colleagues that you can share with the student in your life. Hopefully they can find interest or insight in the hyperlocal, community-focused stories. To fuel conversation, check the discussion prompt below.
Contributor Donna Apidone tells the story of Lennie and Kitty Triboli, whose decades of caring for an empty lot in West Sacramento culminated in a recent recognition of their care and efforts. The city purchased the “pocket park” in 2020 and officially dubbed it Triboli Park.
📝 Discussion prompt: What did you think of the Tribolis’ story and reasons behind caring for this park? Is there somewhere near your home you would want to give extra time and attention to?
Your feedback is always welcome and appreciated. Email me!
Questions, thoughts, or ideas? Email me!
