RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - CHS Principal Jerad Hyden said about the annual FCUSD State of Our Schools Breakfast being held at Cordova High School, “It’s typically hosted on the Folsom side in the community center.  So it was a really big objective . . . to host this here on the Rancho side, so that all of our stake holders, our community members, could see all the amazing programs that we have to offer. We have the most amazing staff, our teachers are second to none and as you can tell, we have the very best students in the whole District.”

The event highlighted student programs. CHS Jazz Band performed, directed by Kevin Sims; Chamber Choir, directed by Jodi Serrano; and a Drumline production drummed their way into and around the breakfast crowd.  ROTC presented the colors.  The food was prepared, served and cleaned up by a flourishing group of CHS culinary students who have each completed training and attained a Food Handler Card, assisted by instructor Dianne Goldman. 

Superintendent Dr. Sarah Koligian gave the keynote address emphasizing growth mindset vs. fixed mindset.  While a fixed mindset says, “Failure is the limit of my abilities,” the growth mindset says, “Failure is an opportunity to grow.”  Fixed mindset says, “My potential is predetermined,” while growth mindset says, “I can learn to do anything I want.”

Koligian emphasized opportunity for students to learn and experience in a safe environment, using the growth mindset foundation to discover and see themselves in the world after high school.  “We want to challenge ourselves as adults to learn something new every day,” Koligian added.

Koligian shared a few of the many successes in our schools.  Newsweek included Folsom and Vista del Lago High Schools on its list of the best schools in the nation for science, technology, engineering and math.  Folsom High School placed first in the Sacramento County Academic Decathlon.  Folsom Middle School teacher Melissa Lawson is one of the ten teachers accepted to the National History Day Library of Congress Master Teacher Program. CHS product innovation and design teacher Faith Caplan was named one of only 13 state finalists in the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow contest.  At Cordova Gardens Elementary, students combine skills in math, science, writing and art to hatch, raise and release salmon back into the river.

At each of the tables, at least two students sat with the other guests.  As part of the program, the students told others at their table what they wished the community knew about students today.  Emma Smith and Eva Graf, both 17, considered the diversity at CHS an opportunity.  “I hope I can take it into college and into my job because I’m in the career program,” Emma said.  “Everyone is from a different background, different religion, and if you don’t learn how to get along with everyone it’s not going to be a good experience for you.”

Eva commented on the humility that diversity engenders in students.  “(I) realize I’m the same as this person, they’re receiving the same education as me,” Graf said.  “So you have to level the playing field and just see the world for what it really is.”

Emma said, “We had District members coming to our games and if you guys saw how much that meant to the players on my team – it was a lot!”

Chris Clark, President of the FCUSD Board of Education, was seated at Eva and Emma’s table and was moved to tears at Emma’s comment.  “I enjoy going to the basketball games, I enjoy going to the football games,” Clark said. “It’s just showing my support to you. The community should come out and show that support, because sometimes the parents can’t.  That’s where we step in.”