Safe Space Created for African American Students in the Virtual Tutoring and Wellness Center

--- Published on February 26th 2021 ---
Happy African Mother And Teen Daughter Using Laptop On Sofa

Each week, Raymond Walker, a Case Manager for Natomas Unified School District, takes time to listen, advise, and provide support to African American students who may be struggling with distance learning, the effects of the pandemic, or who just need a friendly adult to talk to. Walker has become a resource for them to open up and share through engagement sessions that are available in the district’s Virtual Tutoring and Wellness Center

“We provide a comfortable space for African American students to share, connect with peers, learn from others, and problem-solve with meaningful strategies,” explains Walker. He and a few other staff members – Kaliicye Holloway, District psychologist,  Ekuah Ramsey-Gilbert, Counselor at Inderkum High School, and Dondrika McGee, student assistant at American Lakes School – believe it’s important for students to have someone who they may be able to relate to and who understands cultural competence. “It can be simple or complex. The topics are wide and varied. What’s important is that our students and their families have an open doorway to be heard,” adds Ramsey-Gilbert. 

The support is not limited to students. It’s also for their families. Parents can learn about resources that are beneficial to them and their students. For more information or to sign up, visit the Virtual Tutoring and Wellness Center. When you get to the home page, look for Virtual Workshops and Parent Support located under Counseling Resources.  After clicking that link, you’ll see Student Workshops and Engagement.  This is where you can sign up for these sessions or any of the other engagement sessions available to all NUSD students.