February is Black History Month and the theme for 2022 focuses on the importance of Black Health and Wellness. This theme acknowledges the legacy of Black scholars and medical practitioners in Western medicine, as well as a focus on emotional and mental health.

Beginning Tuesday, February 1 at Sacramento City College and across the Los Rios district, there will be a series of events planned to celebrate and share Black wellness, art, literature, music, and community.

Join us at SCC for the following Black History events:

Lunar New Year will be celebrated on Tuesday, February 1 this year. This is a holiday observed by many Asian cultures as a way to celebrate the beginning of a new year, based on the Lunar calendar as opposed to the Gregorian calendar. Although each culture celebrates a little differently, each year is assigned to a different animal from the Chinese Zodiac - 2022 is the Year of the Tiger!

An email was sent Friday, January 21 announcing that difficult to convert courses originally scheduled in-person this semester (science labs and arts/lab/activity classes) resume on-ground instruction on Monday, January 31. Lecture classes scheduled for in-person that do not fall into the impossible or difficult to convert category as well as most student services will remain online through the Presidents’ Day weekend with the goal to be back in-person on Tuesday, February 22. 

You can find a full list of difficult to convert courses, FAQs, and more information about online and in-person instruction and services on the Reopening Webpage.

We continue to strongly encourage everyone in our college communities to get their COVID-19 booster shot, which public health experts agree significantly reduces the likelihood that you will get seriously ill as a result of the Omicron variant. For more information about the efficacy of booster shots and why they are so important, visit the CDC’s website. Find a location near you to get your booster shot at myturn.ca.gov.

Find more upcoming workshops (including Hiring the Best and Equity Representative Trainings) on the District’s Employee Calendar and Events webpage. For past workshop recordings, handouts, and articles on self-care, returning to work, financial wellness, and mental and physical health topics, go to the Los Rios Training and Development webpage and look under “Resources.”

Dominique Rosete is the Los Rios WEAVE Confidential Advocate and her role is to support students and employees at all four Los Rios colleges who have experienced domestic violence, sexual assault/harassment, or sex trafficking. At this time, WEAVE support services are offered virtually. Those who are in need of services can contact Dominique via email at WEAVE@losrios.edu or phone at (916) 568-3011 (M-Th 9:00 am to 5:00 pm).

Dominique is also available for staff trainings and classroom presentations. The goal during these events are to engage staff and students in trauma-informed conversations about topics such as domestic violence, sexual assault and consent, healthy vs. unhealthy relationships, and bystander intervention. During these trainings and presentations, staff and students will also learn about Dominique’s role and services as the WEAVE Advocate and what resources she can connect them to. If you'd be interested in a training or presentation, please email Dominique with your request (topics, class time/duration, etc.) at WEAVE@losrios.edu.

In addition, all employees are invited to a Wednesday, March 16 workshop, “Addressing Sex and Gender-Based Violence,” from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. on Zoom. This workshop will help participants understand sex- and gender-based violence, such as domestic violence, sexual assault, harassment, and stalking. The interactive workshop will share patterns, ways to prevent, and how to support and report. The workshop is facilitated by Dominique Rosete and Joshua Moon-Johnson, ARC Title IX Coordinator. Register in advance now.

Adjunct open enrollment is currently underway for benefits coverage effective March 1. The deadline to enroll in coverage, make any changes to your benefits, or add/drop dependents is Thursday, February 10.

Los Rios wants to make sure you have all the information you need to make the best coverage decisions for you and your family. Please review the Spring 2022 Open Enrollment Memo to make informed choices and to learn more about eligibility and premiums (including the LRCFT Adjunct Health MOU), the enrollment process, and the Sierra Inclusion program.

Have questions? Contact Los Rios Employee Benefits at benefits@losrios.edu.

Beginning therapy can be a big step for our students, but can also help them be the healthiest version of themselves. Students can expect that their therapist will be someone who supports them, listens attentively, models a healthy and positive relationship experience, gives appropriate feedback, and follows ethical guidelines. Therapists are available for SCC students now through the end of April 2022. Students can learn more about the available therapists and schedule an appointment on the website.  

If you need technical assistance in creating or submitting the video nomination, you may contact any of the Honors and Awards committee tri-chairs.