‘Every Student Succeeding’ — When the going got tough, they got tougher

--- Published on February 23rd 2018 ---
FILED UNDER:
News & Alerts
Every Student Succeeding awards program

If grit, determination and resiliency were grades, they’d all get straight A’s. 

They’re winners in life already. 

Natomas Unified honored 15 students who have succeeded in the classroom despite physical, emotional, or behavioral challenges at Friday’s annual “Every Student Succeeding” awards ceremony. These kids easily could have slipped through cracks long ago – but they persevered. 

Board President Scott Dosick, Trustees Sue Heredia, Teri Burns and Lisa Kaplan, and district Superintendent Chris Evans joined principals and honorees’ families in applauding as one inspirational student after another was called to the stage as their achievements were read, including: 

  • A 4th grade student who lost her limbs to a staph infection at a very young age, but remains optimistic, has a positive attitude, is well liked and respected by peers, and can’t be stopped once she sets her mind on something.
  • A 12th grade student who made some bad choices early in high school. He also suffered the loss of a family member. His attendance was poor, he had behavioral issues, and his cumulative gpa in 10th grade was 1.2. He turned things around as a junior, however, and he’s on track to graduate now and plans to attend American River College.
  • A 6th grade student whose father died in a tragic motorcycle accident last year. She helped to provide support for her younger sisters and mother as the family dealt with their horrific loss. This year, the 6th-grader was elected student body president. She also volunteers to spend extra time organizing activities and fundraisers, including charitable efforts.
  • A 4th-grade Special Education student who has had a lifetime of challenges, including her disability and the fact that she started her life in foster care. She now spends much of her day in a General Education classroom and has made tremendous gains in reading, math, and social skills. She can successfully add double-digit numbers, for example, and is working on multiplication and fractions. 

Each school selected one exceptional child for “Every Student Succeeding” honors, which reflect NUSD’s Core Belief that, “Every Student can Learn and Succeed.” 

Associate Supt. Doug Orr said the success of the 15 honorees is a testament also to NUSD educators who have supported them along the way. “Their success is our success, their powerful stories our inspiration,” Orr said. 

The following three students have been nominated by NUSD for consideration as Sacramento County’s “Every Student Succeeding” winner: 

  • Alecxis, a 12th-grader, was diagnosed with cancer as a high school freshman and over the next two years underwent medical treatment, including chemotherapy, and was hospitalized for more than a month. He continued his education through NUSD Home and Hospital Services. He returned to school as a junior last year and is an honor student, a varsity athlete, and he’s on track to pass academic requirements to enroll at UC or CSU. 
  • Citlally, a 10th-grader, is an immigrant who came to California as a 7th-grader unable to speak English and with limited literacy skills in her native language, Spanish. But she tried hard every day to get better. By the middle of 8th grade, Citlally was able to stand in front of her class to deliver a speech during a debate.  She’s now an honor roll student on track to earn the California State Seal of Biliteracy and attend a college or university. 
  • Tracy, a 5th-grader, has struggled with brain injury, autism, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). But he never gave up. With help from his adopted parents, outside tutoring, and a caring educator, he began flourishing in the classroom and he’s building on that success. Tracy still struggles with reading, but he’s growing each day, he has blossomed socially, and he works very hard to fit in and succeed. 

To all 15 NUSD honorees, the message from “Every Student Succeeding” was both simple and profound: We’re proud of you, kids – very, very proud.

finale