The following is the Oct. 18 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!
Where I come from, football is a big deal.
I was born and raised in Texas, home of “Friday Night Lights.” Going to games after that last weekday of classes felt like a given.
The high school sports camaraderie runs strong in the Sacramento region, too. (Just look at the recognition for veteran sportswriter Joe Davidson, who recently joined our Abridged by PBS KVIE team).
But in northeast Sacramento County, some community members say school spirit is running afoul. Hopes for a home game venue are clashing with environmental concerns, as Rio Americano High School officials look to renovate their stadium.
We’ll get into that and more below. Take a seat!
READY FOR THE WEEK AHEAD?
Education, parenting and other relevant stories from the Sacramento region you may have missed this week.
✅ Election season is here (don’t miss the Abridged online voter guide to help inform your decisions). Many Sacramento voters will get to weigh in on Sacramento City Unified’s proposed parcel tax. Here’s what to know about that measure.
🙋♂️ Speaking of the cash-strapped school district, Sacramento City Unified officials are still on the hunt for any extra dollar. Their latest effort is an attendance recovery campaign, offering incentives for schools with the highest and most improved attendance rates. Read more here.
💬 Parents of students with disabilities described emotional and frustrating experiences accessing in-school services. The worst part, they said, is starting out. Parent to parent, they offered advice and tips for families in the beginning stages. Here’s what they said to keep in mind.
What else is in today’s newsletter?
The latest iteration of a fight to renovate Rio Americano High School’s stadium is coming to a head.
And Twin Rivers Unified held its college fair this week. High schoolers said they walked away with a clearer idea of what they want to do next.
HOMEROOM HIGHLIGHT
Parents split on Rio Americano stadium upgrades: School pride or environmental mistake?
School officials last tried to update the stadium to this scale almost 20 years ago.
BY SAVANNAH KUCHAR | skuchar@kvie.org
In short: Plans to upgrade the Rio Americano High School stadium have reignited a conflict between families and neighbors. Students and parents say they want to see the Arden Arcade school host its own home games and other large events. Opponents raised concerns about potential impacts to the nearby American River Parkway.
A bit more: Trustees for the San Juan Unified School District will decide in November whether to advance the project.
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?
Jedyn White, a senior at Foothill High School interested in a dental career, was among the first students to explore the Twin Rivers Unified college fair Tuesday.
| “I found out that (California Baptist University) offers the program I’m looking for, and I just now realized that. Gave me a new insight into applying to colleges.”
Hafsa Noori, a Foothill junior, also found her interests at the fair, when she spoke with a U.S. Army recruiter there.
| “I didn’t know which college I wanted to go to … But then I saw (somewhere) I can go to nursing and also be in the Army.”
FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY
Things to do with (or without!) the kids this week.
🎨 The Artist Workshop in Lincoln is hosting Kids Glow in the Dark Paint Night & Dinner 6-7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23. No artistic or painting experience is necessary. Tickets are $30 and space is limited. Reserve your spot here.
🍂 It’s Harvest Fest in Downtown Winters Oct. 23-25. Friday promises live music and pumpkin painting, Saturday will host an open-air street market, and a spooktacular fun run is Sunday. Find the full list of events here.
🦇 Celebrate Howl-O-Ween at the Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary Saturday, Oct. 24. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., dress in costume and follow a treat trail through the zoo. Tickets are $12.99 or free for children younger than 2 years old. Find 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.
As you’ve heard me and maybe many people point out already: The election is near. Besides a small contingent of freshly-turned-18 high schoolers, most students won’t get to cast a ballot. But being civically informed can start at any age, and it’s particularly tangible at the local level. This story from Placer County reporter Megan Vaz reports on the debate in Granite Bay and Loomis over how much residents should pay for fire protection. Voters get to decide this November.
📝 Discussion prompt: What did you make of the arguments by supporters and opponents of this tax measure? How would you vote, if given the chance, and what are your considerations when deciding?
Your feedback is always welcome and appreciated. Email me!
Questions, thoughts, or ideas? Email me!
