The following is the Aug. 16 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.
Welcome back to Homeroom!
One of my favorite parts of being a journalist is that our day-to-day work never quite looks the same. And though I love our team and office vibes, my favorite moments are often away from my desk.
My most recent opportunity to be out in the community happened Thursday at Abridged by PBS KVIE’s News and Brews listening session.
It was amazing.
Thank you to each parent, teacher and neighbor who joined and shared what was on your mind. There were so many lively and thoughtful conversations, and I hope you also came away from the evening feeling a little more connected to your community.
If you weren’t able to make it but have thoughts, experiences or questions about education, let me know! You can reach me at skuchar@kvie.org.
READY FOR THE WEEK AHEAD?
Education, parenting and other relevant stories from the Sacramento region you may have missed this week.
🏫 Twin Rivers Unified starts classes again Tuesday. Teachers and administrators in the north Sacramento school district are ready for a fresh start, after a record-breaking strike last spring. Read more here.
💲 As Sacramento City Unified students were stepping back on campus last week, the state was weighing in on the ongoing budget fight between the school district and county office of education. Read the latest here.
🚧 Over in the world of higher education, the Los Rios Community College District has a new chancellor. His first challenge in office: championing a $1.1 billion facilities bond. Read more here.
🎨 California voters overwhelmingly approved a measure to up funding for arts education. But years later, opaque rules and staffing shortages have led some school districts, including in El Dorado County, to return the money. CalMatters has the story.
What else is in today’s newsletter?
We have a profile on the most outspoken, and unassuming, member of the Sacramento City Unified school board.
Plus, a high schooler shares her pros and cons about returning to school (spoiler: that early morning alarm is brutal).
HOMEROOM HIGHLIGHT
The outspoken introvert navigating Sac City Unified’s financial crisis, one post at a time
An unassuming Sacramento City Unified leader finds his voice online.
BY SAVANNAH KUCHAR | skuchar@kvie.org
In short: Taylor Kayatta never pictured himself running for office. Now the self-proclaimed introvert is one of the most outspoken figures on the Sacramento City Unified school board. He is well known for lengthy, feather-ruffling social media posts, often centering on the school district’s ongoing multimillion-dollar budget crisis.
A bit more: Kayatta said he’s doing what he wanted public officials to do when he was a frustrated parent on the other side of the dais.
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?
Kalyn Lor, a junior at Grant Union High School’s Criminal Justice Academy, on what she likes best about being in the career technical program:
| “It teaches us a lot about what we shouldn’t do and how we should see the real world out there. I feel like I can take my experience that I learned from the academy out into the real world.”
But when it comes to going back to school Tuesday …
| “It’s not that I don’t like school. I just don’t like waking up early.”
Parents, feel free to share any tidbits from your student about their day by sending me a message at skuchar@kvie.org.
FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY
Things to do with (or without!) the kids this week.
🐶 Read to a dog at the Rocklin Library from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 18. This free monthly event features trained therapy dogs and a chance for kids 5 and older to practice their reading skills. More information here.
🎬 As if! “Clueless” will be on the outdoor screen at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 20, at the Crocker Art Museum. Rated PG-13. Tickets are $8 for museum members, $16 for non-members. More information here.
🌊 Make it a double feature: The Elk Grove Aquatics Center will be showing “High School Musical” Friday, Aug. 21. The pool opens at 4 p.m. and the movie starts at sunset. Admission is $8 for ages 5 and older, $5 for 2-4 and free for younger than 2. More information 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.
In this story, senior correspondent Rob Stewart takes us inside the California Museum’s new exhibit, “Help Wanted/Leave Now.” He shares poignant highlights, including a seat on a bus that immerses visitors in firsthand accounts from real people ensnared in U.S. deportation campaigns.
📝 Discussion prompt: How much of this history have you learned about in school, and which pieces were new or surprising?
Thanks for being here. Your feedback is always welcome and appreciated.
Hope you and yours have a great week!
