View as Webpage Sutter County Schools Community Update: Summer 2021 A Message from Superintendent Tom Reusser It's hard to believe that the school year has come to an end. It has been a year filled with changes and the need for flexibility, but our county office staff has been quick to accommodate the needs of our students and school districts as they have come up. As I reflect upon the past year, I am encouraged by all the positive things that have happened. Our Special Education Department worked diligently with our students and families to ensure that they were able to access education, whether that be digitally or in person. Feather River Academy staff made in home visits and ensured that their families received meals as needed. Our ROP programs such as Certified Nursing Assistant, Advanced Manufacturing and Culinary continued to serve students and prepare them for the workforce. Our Business Department supported our county office and districts by ensuring that the funds we received were spent appropriately. Our Educational Services Department provided support to our districts for the many plans they had to prepare. These are but a few examples of the many positive things that happened this past year. As we enter the summer season, my hope is that all of you will take some time for refreshment and relaxation with family and friends. Enjoy your time. I look forward to seeing our teaching staff back in August. Stay safe and healthy, Superintendent Tom Reusser

Rooms 4, 7, and 8: SCSOS ASD Pre-School/Kindergarten Classrooms   “What most people don’t know is that most Special Education teachers are really angels disguised as extraordinary humans.” Joe Martin   SCSOS has nine amazing special education educators in three classrooms at Riverbend Elementary. These educators serve our 41 ASD preschool/kindergarten students.   Teacher Katie Davis and Para-educators Jose Gaxiola and Melissa Poland serve 15 students on an AM/PM in person schedule. Two of those students remain on distance learning. The educators use Touch Math, STAR Curriculum and Handwriting without Tears with their students. All one has to do is talk to these educators to know that they are dedicated to their students.   “I have had a passion for working with children and their families since I was a young child,” Teacher Katie Davis said. After earning her BA in Child Development at CSU, Chico, she substituted in a Special Day Class and knew that she had found her niche.   Teacher Gretchen Littler and Para-educators Lisa Jimenez and Larissa Relski serve 13 students on an AM/PM in person schedule. They currently still have one student on distance learning.   When asked about the impacts of distance learning, Teacher Gretchen Littler said that it was a difficult time, but they made it work for their students. “I wanted my parents and students to have flexibility in scheduling so we scheduled 4 zoom meetings per day and parents could choose the one that best fit their schedule. We also scheduled one zoom meeting per week for each individual student.” She stated that when her students returned to the classroom in person, most had grown academically as well as behaviorally.   Teacher Amanda Cearley and Para-educators Megan McCarthy and Sydney Craft serve 12 students on an AM/PM in person schedule with one student remaining on distance learning.   “I love being the first teacher a child has,” Teacher Amanda Cearley said. “I get to see early growth in students that have sometimes never even been away from a parent. I get to be part of building a parent's trust in the school system, and have had the pleasure of building long lasting relationships with my students and their families.”    Students who attend the AM session in this classroom are mostly non-verbal. They use PECS books which have visuals that the students use to communicate. When students were on distance learning, these books were sent home for parents to use. The parents had a choice of two times for a zoom meeting: 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Individual student zoom meetings were also scheduled with parents to discuss student goals and answer any questions the parents had.   These devoted educators agree that they are delighted to have their students back in the classroom. Although all of them excelled at making distance learning work for their students, nothing can replace the personal interaction that in person learning provides.   “In what could be considered the most trying time in education, the ASD preschool team has been unwavering in their genuine commitment to providing evidence based early intervention to the pre-school/kinder age student with autism in our community,” Colleen Davenport, Special Education Principal, said. “The love and care they extend to the students and families they serve is exactly what is needed at this tender age when a student is just beginning their educational experience. I am beyond honored and blessed to get to be a small part of the magic they create every day for their students.”   If you would like to know more about our SCSOS ASD programs, please contact Janine Hughes, Director of Special Education at (530) 822- 2911 or email janineh@sutter.k12.ca.us.

Teacher Amanda Cearley and Para-Educator Megan McCarthy

Teacher Katie Davis and Para-Educators Melissa Poland and Jose Gaxiola

Teacher Gretchen Littler and Para-Educator Lisa Jimenez

SCSOS 2021 Graduation Ceremonies

SCSOS YCHS Special Education Graduation

Adult Transition Program Graduation: June 4, 2021

A Message to all of our Graduating Seniors in Sutter County

Browns Elementary School District: Kerrie Corbridge Browns Elementary School District has hired one of their own to serve as their new Superintendent/Principal. Kerrie Corbridge moved to Rio Oso as a child and attended Browns School from fourth through eighth grade. She has served her entire educational career at Browns. She served for three years as an 8th grade teacher; she then stayed home to raise her daughter for five years. When her daughter was in Kindergarten, she was hired to return to teaching 8th grade and has done so for the past twelve years. Kerrie attended California State University, Sacramento where she earned her BA in Liberal Studies. She earned her multiple subject teaching credential from Chapman University. She earned her MA degree in Educational Administration and her administrative credential from Concordia University. Mike Scully, retiring Browns Superintendent/Principal, provided a variety of opportunities for Kerrie to hone her leadership skills. She was in charge of the 87 Club, Student Council, Yearbook, Book Fairs, Track Meet, Graduation and was an officer or member of the Parents’ Club. She also co-wrote the LCAP for Browns Elementary with the support of Annette Alberti at Pleasant Grove.

As Kerrie looks forward to leading the charge at Browns Elementary, she has three goals. First of all, she wants to further promote the positive culture by encouraging and facilitating student success. Secondly, she wants to instill a love of reading and create a culture of readers. Lastly, she wants to focus on increasing enrollment and building a cohesive school community for success. “I am excited to serve Browns School and Community,” Kerrie said. “I am grateful to be a part of this community and I’m excited for what the future holds for Browns School.” Kerrie and her husband, Kenneth, purchased her parents’ home in the Browns community. Their daughter, Ellie, attended Browns Elementary from kindergarten through 8th grade. She is currently a student at East Nicolaus High School. As a family, they love outdoor activities. They enjoy snowboarding and skiing in the winter; swimming and hanging out on their boat on the lake in the summer. They also enjoy spending time with extended family who live locally. SCSOS is delighted to welcome Kerrie Corbridge to her new leadership role as Superintendent/Principal of Browns Elementary School District.

Marcum-Illinois Union Elementary School District: Maggie Irby Marcum-Illinois Union Elementary School District has hired a familiar face to serve as their new Superintendent/Principal. Maggie Irby has served her entire educational career at Marcum-Illinois in one capacity or another. Her first position at Marcum was as a teacher. After eight years, she was hired to serve as the vice principal. She has served in that position for the past six years. “I feel fortunate to be able to continue working with great people here,” Maggie said. “We have an amazing staff and a supportive school board. We have the best families and students.” Maggie credits her teachers in elementary school for inspiring her to go into education. Her mentors, Sharon McIntosh and Jimmie Eggers, helped prepare her for her current role. Her goals for the school are to continue to grow enrollment, continue to nurture the relationships with students and staff, and to fill students’ learning gaps. “Even though our staff did an amazing job with distance learning, we will still have some learning gaps to fill,” she said.

Maggie grew up in the bay area. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts from San Francisco State University. She earned her master’s degree in Educational Leadership and her Administrative Credential from Brandman University. Maggie has lived in Sutter County for the past sixteen years. She and her husband, Dave, have one daughter, Lily. Lily enjoys racing quarter midgets and go karts. Their family is very busy on the weekends when Lily is racing. Sutter County Superintendent of Schools is delighted to welcome Maggie Irby to her new leadership role at Marcum-Illinois Union Elementary School District.

Meridian Elementary School District: Tracey McPeters Tracey McPeters has been hired to serve as the new Superintendent/Principal at Meridian Elementary School District. She has served for the past eight years as a teacher at Brittan Elementary School. Born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah, Tracey graduated from Weber State University with her BS in History, minor in English. She earned her multiple subject teaching credential from Brandman University. In her mid-twenties, she moved to the Yuba City area. She began her teaching career as a substitute and eventually landed a position as a long term substitute at Brittan Elementary. The following year she was hired as a full time teacher. Tracey has served in a variety of leadership roles during her tenure at Brittan Elementary School. She has facilitated the Family Literacy Night, served as team leader for junior high, TCIP Mentor, CJSF Co-Advisor, ASB Advisor, Site Council, and CTA Bargaining Team. This year, she wrote the LCAP for Brittan School.  “I have mixed feelings about leaving Brittan School,” Tracey said. “The staff is fantastic here. They have taught all of my children. I’ve had opportunities here that I never dreamed I would have. It’s like leaving home.”

As Tracey looks forward to leading the charge at Meridian, she has three immediate goals. First of all, she plans to look for a way to lighten the teachers’ loads. Secondly, she plans to improve the facilities. And lastly, she plans to work with her staff towards improving student academics. Tracey credits Superintendent Staci Kaelin and Vice Principal Josh Abken for their support in preparing her for this next step in her career. “Staci saw something in me,” Tracey said. “I would probably still be serving as a substitute teacher had it not been for her belief in me.” Tracey and her husband, Mike, have four children. Mike has served as a teacher and coach at Sutter Union High School for the past nineteen years. As a family, they enjoy movie nights in the backyard and traveling to places like Santa Cruz and Utah. In her spare time, Tracey likes to run and is an avid reader.  SCSOS is delighted to welcome Tracey McPeters to her new leadership role as Superintendent/Principal of Meridian Elementary School District.

District Highlights

Live Oak Unified School District Live Oak Middle School has been named a "2020 California School to Watch." Click here to read the full story.

Pleasant Grove Elementary Pleasant Grove hosted its annual Frog Jumping Contest on June 3, 2021

Twin Rivers Charter School Twin Rivers Charter School has been named a "2020 California School to Watch." Click here to read the full story.

SCSOS has nine retirees this year. Click on the button to see our retiree slideshow.

SCSOS 2021 Retirees

Yuba-Sutter-Colusa United Way is back! Click on the button to read all about it!

YSC United Way Events

530-822-2900  www.sutter.k12.ca.us