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Community Update March 2024
February 9, 2024
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A Message from Superintendent Tom Reusser
March is going to be a busy month at Sutter County Superintendent of Schools and we are looking forward to every second of it.
First, our Shady Creek Outdoor School Director, Christopher Little, is in Tokyo, Japan now through the 8th! Shady Creek has been selected to present at the 2024 Japan 10th International Outdoor Education Research Conference. Christopher will present the wonders our staff are doing for students on a world stage.
Second, our Tri-County ROP department and Sutter County One Stop are working hard to put together our first annual Tri-County Career Fair for high school juniors and seniors in the Tri-County area happening March 28th. Through this invite only event, we are expecting upwards of 900 students to come learn about careers and industry sectors that spark their interest.
Lastly, we are proud to announce the completion of our 2023 Annual Report. This document highlights what we do at the county office and the accomplishments made by our organization. Please see the link to the report below.
We are excited to share it all with you.
2023 Annual Report
March Holidays
St. Patrick's Day, March 17
"St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated annually on March 17, the anniversary of his death in the fifth century. The Irish have observed this day as a religious holiday for over 1,000 years.
On St. Patrick’s Day, which falls during the Christian season of Lent, Irish families would traditionally attend church in the morning and celebrate in the afternoon. Lenten prohibitions against the consumption of meat were waived and people would dance, drink and feast on the traditional meal of Irish bacon and cabbage."
For more information, click here!
Easter, March 31
"Easter is a Christian holiday that celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In the New Testament of the Bible, the event is said to have occurred three days after Jesus was crucified by the Romans and died in roughly A.D. 30.
The holiday concludes the “Passion of Christ,” a series of events and holidays that begins with Lent, a 40-day period of fasting, prayer and sacrifice, and ends with Holy Week, which includes Holy Thursday (the celebration of Jesus’ Last Supper with his 12 Apostles, also known as “Maundy Thursday”), Good Friday (on which Jesus’ crucifixion is observed) and Easter Sunday.
Although a holiday of high religious significance in the Christian faith, many traditions associated with Easter date back to pre-Christian, pagan times."
For more information, click here!
Highlights from our Districts
Nathan Beilby, Teacher at Pleasant Grove
"Nathan Beilby teaches 6th grade homeroom, as well as science for grades 6, 7, and 8 at Pleasant Grove Elementary. He is one of our veteran teachers at PG and has taken on a true leadership role on campus. Not only is he a leader among staff, he serves as the Teacher in Charge in my absence and has become the leader of our Shady Creek program. He coordinates with the county to plan the entire week, as well as attends the outdoor school with his class each year.
Along with his Teacher in Charge duties, Nathan often leads our student body each week with our all school flag salute, weekly birthdays, and Panther Pride Awards. Nathan also leads staff collaboration with our Academic Vocabulary program. He is a leader among his 6, 7 and 8th grade colleagues, as he works with them on consistent behavior expectations for all students, as well as consistent grading and parent communication. He really pushes his colleagues and shares the importance of their consistency for students and parents as well.
The true highlights are the relationships he builds with students. He has high behavioral and academic expectations for his students and his students rise to the occasion. This is due to the relationships he builds with his students. Not only do they truly like Mr. B, but they are not afraid to take risks and leave their comfort zone while participating in his class. He works with struggling students outside of class and maintains a very positive partnership with each student’s parents."
Submitted by: Superintendent Dave Tarr
Sub of the Month
The Sutter County Substitute Teacher Consortium is recognizing exemplary substitute teachers who are serving our community. We are thankful for the substitutes who work with our students each day and the work they put in.
Loveleen Gill
“Mrs. Loveleen Gill is an educator who goes above and beyond to support students and school initiatives. She is thought of as an integral part of our staff. Her willingness, positive demeanor and connectedness make her a stand out educator. She has developed deep ties with our student body and staff.
Mrs. Loveleen is looked up to by our students, and often times she is helping them beyond the classroom, and supporting their social emotional needs. As a staff member she regularly helps out with site initiatives, projects, and always keeps our staff room festive to the seasons and holidays. Live Oak Middle School appreciates her positive impact, and how she continuously helps us support students every day!”
Submitted by Parm Virk, Live Oak Middle School Principal
If you are in education and would like to nominate a substitute teacher for Sub of the Month, please contact Meagan Dhalliwal at the Sutter County Superintendent of Schools office.
2024 Prom Wear Giveaway
Saturday, April 13th, 2024, from 11 AM – 2 PM
Sutter County Superintendent of Schools is partnering with the Yuba Sutter Marketplace and USA Supreme Pageant associates to host the third annual Prom Wear Giveaway on Saturday, April 13th, 2024, from 11 AM – 2 PM. This event supports local students preparing for their high school prom, supplying them with formal attire for free.
During the event, families may come to Yuba Sutter Marketplace and choose an outfit for their student to take home that same day. In addition to clothing, there will be shoes and accessories to try on. We will have coupons and prizes from mall retailers.
To make this event successful, we need donations! If you would like to donate formal wear dresses, suits, shoes or accessories, donations may be dropped off at:
- Yuba Sutter Marketplace Management Office at 1215 Colusa Ave, Yuba City
Monday through Friday from 9 AM – 4 PM - Sutter County Superintendent of Schools at 970 Klamath Lane, Yuba City
Monday through Friday from 8 AM – 4 PM.
Please call 530-755-2500 if you have any questions.
The final date for donation is Tuesday, April 9th, 2024.
Shady Creek Outdoor School and Events
I love Shady Creek. I love it with all that I am, all my heart and all my being. I often refer Shady Creek to a beacon of light. A beam of light is for all to see. That light can be a symbol of hope, strength and so much more. To me, that’s Shady Creek.
With more students served than ever before, it comes down to this ultimate truth: All I need is one kid to feel valued and that they're not alone. A week at camp can be a radical experience for most students, but if we can reach that one and give them strength to press on and realize they're not alone in this world, that’s the pure gold that fuels the “why” I love my job. Here’s a short story about that one student from last week.
Story Time – The ONE student
By the time Friday morning had come to Shady Creek, I was living on cloud nine! 2024 has started off like no other year, but this week just felt so enchanting and I was sad to see it come to a close.
Upon students entering our amphitheater for closing ceremony, a student approached me with a letter in their hand. As most of you are aware, one of the best parts of my job is receiving student letters each week. It’s never required or even prompted to write to me, yet I am blessed every week with these precious gifts. After accepting the letter, I started to put it in my pocket to save for later. The student was instantly upset and demanded I read it right then and there. So I did.
The letter brought tears to my eyes instantly, you could tell that this letter was written with love and had such dear truth throughout. For some context, I had told the students the night before that I was going to share an absolute truth that some people may be used to hearing, some people may hear it every once in a while and for some of us never at all. I then shared the truth: ”You are Amazing.” I know my inner 5th grade self, hungered and yearned to hear such words. “You are Amazing.” It’s a truth that for some, when they hear it for the first time, they never forget.
Upon sharing this letter with the staff, when they saw the name on the bottom, multiple staff member’s faces turn from smiles to ones of jubilation. Earlier in the week there was a deep concern of the mental health of one of our campers. During the week we were informed a student was wrestling with some dark thoughts, some of the darkest thoughts imaginable. It was a group decision, with their family, that the best place for them to be this week was Shady Creek. I never once met this student, just knew that someone out there was hurting and I was grateful they were still at camp.
My heart shattered when hearing this and I ran as fast as I could to see the buses off, hoping to see my friend. As the final bus pulled out, my heart started to sink. And then I saw him. This amazing, brave, resilient student with his arm shooting out of the bus window with a sign language “I love you” for all to see. That’s as good as it gets!
This update I am only sharing two photos. One of the front side of my buddy, Moth’s letter and one of the back. To me, it’s perfect.
The month of February may be the shortest month of the year, but the magic, the joy and the smiles at Shady Creek were unlike any month of my 18 year career. It was legendary!
Since the kickoff of 2024 we have already proudly served:
- Andros Karperos, April Lane, Barry, and Butte Vista in Yuba City
- Lyman Gilmore Middle School in Grass Valley
- Forest Ranch in Forest Ranch
- Delta Charter in Sacramento
- Williams Intermediate in Williams
- Great Valley Academy in Salida
- All of Dixon Unified in Dixon
- Rio Del Oro / Cobblestone in Plumas Lake
To add to the excitement, Shady Creek is going to Tokyo, Japan in less than a week. With programs from Canada, Norway, Israel, United Kingdom, Denmark, Australia, Japan, China, Iceland, Sweden, Singapore, New Zealand, Italy, Ireland, Portugal, South Africa in attendance, it really is an honor to represent our County Office on this grand stage. I have a feeling the world is going to fall in love with Shady Creek!
Make sure to follow Sasquatch (Jason Little) and myself on social media, as well as the Sutter County Superintendent of Schools office, for all the updates. You aren’t going to want to miss out on the fun!!!
BOOMSHAKALAKA!
Shady Creek in Tokyo, Japan!
Shady Creek Director Christopher Little and his brother Jason are officially in Tokyo, Japan! They will be representing Shady Creek Outdoor School at the 10th annual International Outdoor Education Research Conference.
Be sure to follow Shady Creek on Facebook for updates on their trip!
Sutter County Adult Education
Adult Education Jail and Probation Program Highlight
Congratulations to Zach Sims for completing all of his courses to earn his high school diploma through Sutter County Adult Education’s Jail and Probation program. He will be participating in the upcoming Adult Education graduation in May where he will receive his official high school diploma. Words cannot say how proud we are of Zach and his hard work.