April 13, 2016 (Sacramento): Sacramento City Unified School District will host The Art of Caring: A Social Emotional Learning Summit and Student Showcase beginning at 6 p.m. on Thursday (April 14) at the newly remodeled Clara Midtown arts center.

The event, co-hosted by SCUSD Superintendent José L. Banda and Sacramento State President Robert Nelsen, will feature student performances, video presentations and keynote speaker Milton Bowens, an acclaimed artist and advocate for empowering students through artistic expression. Bowens is an artist-in-residence at Father Keith B. Kenny K-8 School in Oak Park.

SCUSD chose to highlight both arts integration and its social emotional learning initiatives because the two are often aligned.

“By offering our students a well-rounded education rich in the arts and life skills we are truly preparing each and every child for success in college and beyond,” said Superintendent Banda. “All of our students are learning how to make a positive impact in their community through artistic expression and relationship building.”

SCUSD’s social emotional learning program is funded by a six-year, $1.5 million grant from the NoVo Foundation. The grant is administered by the Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning. The district is one of eight in a national cohort funded by NoVo.

• WHAT:  The Art of Caring: A Social Emotional Learning Summit
• WHEN:   6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday, April 14
• WHERE:   Clara Midtown, 2420 N. St., Sacramento