Start of Schools Report 2023-2024 Part 1
With the first day of school on August 10, 2023, staff provided an update on a variety of areas including staffing, enrollment, communication, textbooks, technology, meal service, facilities, operations, and more. Some highlights include:
- School offices open to the public on August 1, at 1:00 p.m. The Digital Backpacks are now available on each school’s website and the district’s for parents to access and obtain the information they need for the start of school.
- ParentSquare is a new communication platform that will be used districtwide to communicate with families. Marketing is ongoing to advertise to families to activate their accounts.
- Enrollment continues to grow each day. We projected growth of 204 students. As of July 21, 2023, we were 32 students away from that number.
- We are prepared to open our doors to the newest school in the district, Heredia Arriaga. It’s the district’s first Dual Immersion School serving TK and Kindergarten this school year and expanding all the way to 8th grade over time.
- Many projects have been completed or are well underway ranging from painting a school to replacing a roof to securing the parameter around Inderkum High School and installing video scoreboards at both Inderkum and Natomas High School.
- Trustees were reminded of the Back to School Fair being held on Saturday, July 29, 2023, between 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. and the opportunities available to families for immunizations and sports physicals.
- Human Resources continues to hire to fill open positions and host job fairs with the next one being held, Tuesday, August 1, between 3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. at American Lakes School
Literacy Plan: Using our Data to Guide Next Steps
The Board also received an update on the NUSD Literacy Plan. Last school year was a pilot year which provided critical data for staff to move forward with year one of the plan this school year. Staff shared how during the pilot, they worked on common grade-level writing rubrics, common writing glossary of terms, and aligned professional development for staff on how to use these tools to improve writing instruction across all grade levels and content areas. Goals were measured at the end of the school year, and new targets for student growth were set in preparation for the upcoming school year. Staff acknowledged that the long-term goals for student achievement will take multiple years; however, they have been able to clearly identify student and teacher needs to aid in the following:
- All NUSD students will become proficient in literacy through daily and rigorous reading and writing instruction, clearly communicated objectives and expectations, written and verbal teacher and peer feedback, and consistent opportunities for students to think critically, collaborate, and reflect on their learning.
- All students will read at grade level or their appropriate development level, by grade 3 and will continue to progress at grade level or higher in reading fluency, decoding, and comprehension.
To review the full report, visit the Board of Education meeting agenda webpage for July 26.
