Back to school in Placer County: Gearing up for a great year ahead

As your County Supervisor, I'm thrilled to welcome families back to the rhythm of the school year. Many Placer County students are either already in class or preparing to return. Whether your child is heading to elementary, middle school, high school, or if you have no school-aged children, this is a time of excitement, new friendships and fresh opportunities. Year after year, Placer County's public schools shine with outstanding achievement, consistently ranking among the top in California and nationwide for academic excellence, college and career readiness, and student attendance. Our students rank second in the state for English/Language Arts Standards and fourth for Math Standards. Across the county, we serve 77,048 students with the support of 13,446 school employees and 3,546 credentialed teachers in 127 schools, including 16 charter schools. The Roseville City School District and Western Placer Unified School District are the fastest-growing in our county. Community events are a highlight this month, fostering connections and support. Although the Placer County Child Support Services' Back-to-School Celebration on Aug. 6 has passed, it honored Child Support Awareness Month with fun activities and resources for families. New this year, the Placer County Office of Education is launching the Placer County Reads Literacy Initiative to enhance literacy for every learner. They're joining forces with families, schools and the community, focusing on proven strategies to raise awareness, expand access to opportunities and strengthen partnerships for success. The public is welcome to join them Sept. 10 for Blankets & Books, a free, family friendly celebration at the PCOE Rocklin headquarters from 4-7 p.m. Enjoy free books, interactive story times, literacy games, crafts, an outdoor story stroll, resources, raffles and more. Information is available online at www.placercountyreads.org. These events not only build community spirit but also connect parents with local organizations. Safety remains a top priority as traffic picks up around schools. Placer County's Safe Routes to School initiative focuses on improving streets, bike lanes, crosswalks and sidewalks to keep kids secure. If walking or biking, encourage bright clothing for visibility, always use sidewalks, wear helmets, and cross at designated corners. Drivers, remember: Obey school zone speed limits, never pass a stopped school bus with red lights flashing, and yield to pedestrians. The Placer County Sheriff's Office reminds us: As schools reopen, plan for extra time and patience on the roads. Most importantly, keep your eyes open! Beyond the basics, Placer County provides robust resources for student success. A great site to explore is www.raisingplacer.org, which helps maintain valuable information on youth wellness. Key topics include substance use prevention – covering vaping, cannabis and opioids through campaigns like "1 Pill Can Kill Placer." Around 8 percent of 11th-graders report currently vaping, underscoring the need for awareness. On sleep, prioritize restorative rest for health and attendance: Adults need 7-9 hours, kids 9-13, teens 8-10. A loss of 1.5 hours can drop alertness by 30 percent. For mental health, address prolonged stress effects and seek help; digital safety tips are at www.commonsensemedia.org. Stats show 31 percent of seventh-graders face cyber-bullying and 17 percent of 11th-graders have considered suicide. The Placer County Library offers collections, programs and online K-12 homework help. For challenges, the California Youth Crisis Line provides 24/7 support. As we dive into this school year, let's commit to supporting our students, teachers and families. If you're looking for opportunities to support students and you have time on your hands, you can find volunteer opportunities at volunteermatch.org, the City of Roseville Volunteer Center: volunteer@roseville.ca.us, or call individual school districts for ways to volunteer. Placer County's strong community networks create a stable foundation for learning. If you have questions or need assistance, reach out to my office – we're here to help. Here's to a productive, safe and joyful 2025-26 academic year! Shanti Landon is Placer County District 2 Supervisor.