School Spirit
NUSD High School Students Share Academic Tips with Middle School Students
High school students as part of our Student Voices Advisory Council (SVAC), visited middle school scholars in south Natomas recently as part of the fall Middle School RoadShow. The high school students shared their experiences and advice on how to become a student athlete, how Advanced Placement (AP) courses can benefit them, importance of getting involved in clubs and extracurricular activities, and the Career Technical Education (CTE) pathway courses available at their school sites. The assemblies allowed middle school students to get an idea of what their academic futures may look like and gave our SVAC members a chance to practice their presentation and public speaking skills.
SVAC will visit north Natomas middle schools in the spring.
Fall Family Night 2023
Our first Fall Family Night for our foster families was a hit! Families enjoyed a delicious festive fall meal and learned about the resources available to them. The event was a wonderful way for families to socialize, win prizes, and stay in the know.
Give Back and Play Ball
The Hoops 4 Harvest Clinics, as part of Natomas High School’s Basketball Program, provides an opportunity for preseason player and coach development. Give back and play ball to help make this holiday season brighter for families in need. Registration is free with a canned or non-perishable food donation.
The food drive benefits Joey’s Food Locker located on the Natomas High School campus. Joey’s Food Locker provides meals to families in need every Friday.
More info and registration here.
Parents as Partners
Resources for Families
Annual Turkey Drive at Joey’s Food Locker
Thanks to donations and volunteers, hundreds of families will have warm meals this holiday season. We are grateful to our Natomas community for showing up, and showing kindness.
Literacy
Student Author Featured on News10 for Published Book of Poetry
Staff Stars
Senator Angelique Ashby Recognizes NUSD’s Nutrition Services for How it Obtains Produce
Congratulations to NUSD’s Nutrition Services Department for being recognized by Senator Angelique Ashby! The department has worked directly with Sacramento farmers Fiery Ginger Farm’s Spork Food Hub to obtain food for our school meals – the first school district in CA to name a local food hub as its primary produce provider. Way to go, team!
Flashback Friday: Shayla Allen, Social Worker Liaison
Every week, we share a wayback/flashback/throwback photo of our staff members, share a little bit of their story, and why they love working for NUSD.
This newsletter, we feature Shayla Allen, our Social Worker Liaison, at our Education Center.
Question: What’s the story behind the photos you shared?
Answer: My mom used to take us to Olan Mills every year.
Question: When you were younger, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Answer: I wanted to be a veterinarian, until I found out they had to touch reptiles.
Question: Why do you like working at NUSD?
Answer: I like working here because I get to work with all these wonderful families, and I get to be in my community, helping the people I love.
If you would like to see the latest career opportunities at Natomas Unified, visit natomasunified.org/human-resources.
EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EAP)
An EAP is a service designed to help staff members manage life’s challenges. Everyone needs a helping hand once in a while, and the EAP can provide it. Professional counselors and services can help you and your eligible family members resolve a broad range of personal problems affecting your emotional health, family life, and work life.
Did You Know?
Are you or a family member in your household dealing with a chronic health condition? Optum provides assistance in finding chronic condition support services that are personalized and verified to meet your specific needs. You can request assistance by calling or by visiting liveandworkwell.com. Optum EAP can help with the following types of chronic condition support resource searches:
- Aids to daily living
- Medical suppliers
- Food/nutrition assistance
- Social services
- Home healthcare
- Mail order pharmacies
- Self-care tools
- Travel assistance
- Medical alert systems
- Special housing
- Help with work issues
- Assistive technology
EAP information can be found online at liveandworkwell.com, or by calling 1-866-248-4096. If accessing online, click register now, follow the prompts, and select SIA-SIA when prompted for the company code.
Upcoming November EAP Webinars and Registration Links. (Click times to register)
| TITLE | DATE | TIME |
| Parenting in an Ever-changing World | 11/17/2023 | 5:30-6:30 PM |
| Making the Most of Your Workday | 11/28/2023 | 5:30-6:30 PM |
| Making the Most of Your Workday | 11/29/2023 | 12-1 PM |
| Substance Use Disorder in the Workplace (employees) | 11/30/2023 | 5:30-6:30 PM |
Nominations Now Open for Classified Employee of the Year
We are excited to announce that we are now accepting nominations for Classified Employee of the Year (CEOY)! You are invited to nominate a classified employee (or employees) deserving of the title “Classified Employee of the Year”. Using this form, please complete your nomination (by December 14) for a classified employee who positively impacts the overall program and culture of your site or department, and who exemplifies our Core Value that staff must be committed, collaborative, caring, and exemplary.
Important Reminders:
- All employees, including management, certificated, and classified employees, may submit a nomination.
- After the nomination period closes, a District team will select a Classified Employee of the Year (CEOY) from each of the above categories and one District CEOY who will then qualify for consideration to become SCOE’s CEOY. The CEOY’s will also be recognized at a future Board Meeting.
Questions?
Please email Tiffany Bailey, Confidential Administrative Assistant, at [email protected] with any questions regarding the Classified Employee of the Year selection process.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Finding Home: Parent Becomes Advocate for Trafficking Survivors
Jeanette Diaz is a human trafficking survivor turned advocate. She shares her story in hope of helping others. November is National Unhoused Youth Awareness Month. In this video, Diaz, an NUSD parent, shares her journey from being unhoused to finding peace, joy, and a place she can call home. For the past year she has been living at Vista Nueva, a facility which provides permanent supportive housing. NUSD provides supportive services to Vista Nueva residents.
Storytime with NUSD’s Social Worker Liaison
Shayla Allen, NUSD’s Social Worker Liaison, read the book “Home” to Bannon Creek School students Wednesday. The storytime is a part of our district’s efforts to recognize November as National Unhoused Youth Awareness Month. The story, by Tonya Lippert PhD, depicts the lives of two children experiencing homelessness, bringing to light the different situations families may face when unhoused.
On Thursday, our staff members also wore green to raise awareness during National Unhoused Youth Awareness Month.
Celebrate Native American Heritage Month with Author Traci Sorell
Listen to our latest Conversations with NUSD podcast with author Traci Sorell as we continue to celebrate National Native American Heritage Month. Sorrell is a member of the Cherokee Nation and shares her love of writing, tips on how to create a powerful literacy work, and some insight into her children’s book Powwow Day. If you would like to read Powwow Day, copies of the book will be available at our K-8 campus libraries. To learn more about Sorell, visit tracisorell.com.
Students Take Part in Annual Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day
Natomas Unified elementary students were proud to observe Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day Tuesday. Ruby Bridges was just 6-years-olds when she integrated William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans. That walk in 1960 made Bridges a Civil Rights icon.
Take a look at these pictures from Witter Ranch and Natomas Park elementary schools. Ana Reilly, a teacher at Witter Ranch Elementary says, “Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day is the perfect opportunity to teach children about the Civil Rights Movement and make connections to today’s collective efforts for change. The event gave our Hawks the chance to celebrate Ruby’s courage by walking to school. Our friends from AAA joined our walk. AAA is proud to be in partnership with the Ruby Bridges Foundation in support of the annual Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day.”
In 2021, the California Senate proclaimed November 14th as “Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day”.
Natomas Unified Family Shares how to make Brazilian Brigadeiros
Brigadeiros is a Brazilian sweet that Natomas parent Beca Clement says was a huge part of her childhood. Brigadeiros is considered the most popular candy in Brazil. The easy-to-make dessert is made with cocoa, condensed milk, and coconut flakes. The word brigadeiro stems from the Portuguese word brigadier, referring to military rank. It is believed the sweet was created by the wife of Air Force Brigadier Eduwardo Gomes in Brazil. Watch this video, and learn how to make the chocolate dessert, along with her son, Tama.
College and Career
Students Learn About Engineering Careers
3rd grade Bannon Creek Students recently learned what it takes to become an engineer, presented by Northrop Grumman, an engineering company. From mechanical, electrical, chemical, and more – the elementary students learned about the different fields of engineering and what type of school is needed in order to become an engineer.
To demonstrate the kind of projects engineers take on, the students were tasked with building different types of paper planes.
Alumni Strong
NUSD Alum to be Featured on Food Network on Thanksgiving Day
A familiar face will grace TV sets! Inderkum High School graduate Ehsan Tahir will take on the Food Network Cookie Challenge next Thursday, Thanksgiving Day, at 9 pm.
Recently, Tahir spoke with NUSD about the importance of staying focused in school, in order to pursue your dreams.
Tahir’s advice to students
”Every small task or homework assignment is an opportunity for you to build your work ethic. Don’t lose sight of the importance of your academics and extracurriculars while pursuing your dreams. Consistently putting love and passion into whatever it is that brings you joy will continue to bring exciting opportunities in your life.”
Tahir’s passion for baking started early
“I started cooking at a young age because my parents worked late hours and that’s where my passion for cooking and baking began. Growing up I used food to express my creativity and to share my passion with others.”
What’s Cooking Currently in Tahir’s Life
“I’m still actively pursuing a career in culinary arts – I currently juggle a public sector job and a baking business from my home kitchen.”
How Tahir Feels About Appearing on The Food Network
“As an introvert I’m nervous, however, I am excited and grateful to be on national tv doing what I love. While I can’t share any spoilers, please watch on November 23rd to see how I did. I’m proud that I stepped out of my comfort zone for this once in a lifetime opportunity.”
To stay up to date on Ehsan Tahir’s upcoming bakes, follow the IHS graduate on Instagram @EhsansPatisserie.
Reminders
