STUDENT SUCCESS
18 Discovery High School Students Make Great Academic Strides
Congratulations to the 18 Discovery High School students who have either earned enough credits to graduate early or transfer back to Natomas High School or Inderkum High School for their second semester of senior year. This academic feat is thanks in part to Discovery’s caring staff members who support scholars in their academic success!
A ‘Moo-ving’ Visit from ‘Buttercup’ the Dairy Cow
‘Buttercup the Dairy Cow’ visited Jefferson School’s transitional kindergarten through 6th grade students recently at an assembly that made quite the impression! Buttercup’s visit, thanks to our community partner, the Dairy Council of California, brought agriculture to Jefferson scholars, teaching them new vocabulary, the anatomy of a cow, how milk gets from the cow to the table, and the importance of healthy eating and physical activity. After the assembly, scholars were able to continue their learning based on the activity books and digital resources that the Dairy Council provided.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION
Literacy and Diversity: New Books to Celebrate Black History Month
Natomas Unified is proud to share our collection of new books which focus on notable African American figures, black joy, and Black history year-round. Watch as Ashley Collins, Teacher on Special Assignment (TOSA) at Natomas Park Elementary, explains the importance of these new books in the second most diverse school district in the nation, Natomas Unified.
“I think the most important part is these stories live on in our library bookshelves. It’s not just a one month a year (literary celebration), it’s the whole year, and for years to come, so a pretty cool way to act on our value of diversity, equity, and inclusion,” Collins said.
Due Date Extended: Celebrate Black History Month! Enter our Poster and Essay Contest
This Black History Month, Natomas Unified is recognizing the contributions African American artists have made, as we celebrate the theme “African Americans and the Arts”. All Natomas Unified students are invited to participate in this year’s poster and essay contest, by paying homage to an African American artist of their choice. Examples include, but are not limited to: poets, writers, visual artists, dancers, and filmmakers.
Contest guidelines may be found here. Entries may be submitted via email to [email protected] by February 21st. Winners will be announced on February 23rd. Entries will be featured on our communication platforms.
Save the Date and Participate: NUSD’s Multicultural Festival
Be sure to join the Natomas Unified community on Saturday, April 13th at Inderkum High School for our first district wide Multicultural Festival! We are also on the lookout for student and cultural performers! Families can even be a part of a cultural fashion show. If interested in participating, please follow this link.
MENTORS IN ACTION
High School Students Help 8th Grade students Prepare for Next Academic Step
Members of our Student Voices Advisory Council toured north Natomas middle schools recently and shared advice with middle school students. Click here to watch some of the advice shared and the lessons middle school students took away from our Middle School Roadshow.
SCHOOL SPIRIT
Student Chefs Featured on SEVA TV
Get ready to have your taste buds tantalized on this week’s episode of SEVA TV, as Harleen from Heron unveils the secrets to crafting the most exquisite samosas.
That’s not all! Brace yourself for a symphony of flavors as Gurneet and Alexandra from Inderkum High School takes us on a journey through the creation of delectable roti.
NUSD Sports Recap
We are so proud of our sports teams who have worked hard, have grown as individual athletes, and together as a team. We also want to congratulate the many teams heading to the next round. Here’s a recap:
Natomas High School’s boys soccer team won against Wheatland on Tuesday in the division 4 playoffs!
Way to go, Inderkum High School’s girls soccer team, for their win against River City Wednesday Night 5-0 in the division 1 playoffs.
Congrats to both Natomas and Inderkum high schools wrestling teams! A total of eight qualifiers are moving on from this past weekend’s divisionals/regionals. The Masters Wrestling Tournament will be held at Stockton Arena on Friday/Saturday 2/16-17 from 9 am – 6 pm.
The Inderkum High School boys basketball team beat Mountain House 95 to 46 Wednesday in the division 1 playoffs. And on Tuesday, Natomas High School’s boys basketball team beat Colfax 61-39, also in the division 1 playoffs.
Natomas High School advances to the semi-finals with a big win over Sutter High School Thursday night. Phenomenal job, team!
SUPERINTENDENT’S CORNER
NUSD Superintendent Dr. Robyn Castillo rooted for Inderkum High School’s boys varsity basketball team during their game Wednesday, February 14th. The team faced off against Mountain House in the 2024 CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Boys Basketball Playoffs- Division 1 Tournament. Congratulations to the team on their win!
Follow Castillo’s Instagram journey here, then click “follow”.
FORWARD 5 UPDATE
NUSD’s District Goals: Goal #3
Natomas Unified is committed to its Core Values and continuous improvement. To show families our ongoing progress, we are sharing a series of five videos which outline NUSD’s District Goals. Click here to watch Goal #3: Create a safe, engaging environment where students connect to school.
PARENTS AS PARTNERS
Tips for Better Sleep with Delta Prevention
Sleeping well is essential! However, most adults and kids are not getting enough good quality sleep. In this episode of our Conversations with NUSD podcast, Angela Da Re, of Delta Prevention, goes over tips for better sleep.
This is the third episode with our community partner, Delta Prevention. Delta Prevention’s mission is to empower youth, families, and the communities where they live, work, and play.
In the next episode, Da Re will share tips on family communication and problem solving techniques.
Read Aloud with Award-Winning Author
Parent University presents: Read Aloud with Crystel Patterson. Join the award winning author via Zoom, Thursday, February 22nd, from 6 to 7 pm, as she reads from her book series “Inspired to Be”. These books are catered to elementary students (TK-5). Families who register will receive a free autographed copy of I am Different or One Flip,Two Flip,Three Flip, Four, a story inspired by Gold Medal Olympian Gabby Douglas. The series focuses on the positive narrative of Black people, and inspiring children with real life stories of achievement. Register here.
Coffee with C.A.F.E. at Witter Ranch Elementary
Thank you to the parents, families, and students who visited the Communications and Family Engagement (CAFE) table at Witter Ranch Elementary Wednesday morning. Our “Coffee with CAFE” series is one of the ways we intentionally reach out to families and share the resources our district and Natomas Parent University has to offer. Parent University provides families with helpful advice to navigate the challenging behaviors that may arise with parenting. We offer classes, webinars, podcasts, and short videos to help parents/guardians in the success of their students.
Staff members also spoke with Witter Ranch Hawks about what they liked about school. An overwhelming majority of students said they love math! “Coffee with CAFE” will be visiting more sites in the coming weeks and months. Be sure to keep an eye out for free coffee and friendly chats!
Parent University Love & Logic Series at American Lakes and Bannon Creek Schools
If you missed a chance to take part in our six week “Love and Logic” series, you still have an opportunity to attend this Parent University workshop at American Lakes or Bannon Creek schools. These sessions fill up quickly, be sure to register ASAP.
Dinner and childcare will be provided starting at 5:30 PM, with sessions beginning at 6, ending at 7:30 pm.
Register here.
Bannon Creek School – 2/27, 3/5, 3/12, 3/19, & 3/26
American Lakes School – 2/29, 3/7, 3/14, 3/21, & 3/28
Truxel Bridge Concept Questionnaire
Families are asked to take part in our community partner, City of Sacramento’s, Truxel Bridge Concept Questionnaire. The City of Sacramento is undertaking an engineering feasibility study for a new multi-modal bridge across the lower American River between Truxel Road and Sequoia Pacific Boulevard to better connect North and South Natomas with the Central City. The city’s plan for Truxel Bridge will create a more direct connection for those walking, biking, taking transit, or driving between northern Sacramento communities and Sacramento’s urban core. It will also provide better access, improve air quality, improve job opportunities, enhance economic development, and improve emergency response times. To the right is a map depicting the proposed Truxel Bridge location.
In January 2024, the city hosted the first in-person community meeting to gather initial feedback from the public on the preliminary bridge design. During the meeting, the city re-introduced the project, explained the current study, and facilitated an early dialogue with community members about Truxel Bridge. To learn more visit the project website or watch the video presentation.
STAFF STARS
FBF: Brenda Carvalho, Teacher at Larry G. Meeks Academy
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 Brenda Carvalho, a teacher at Larry G. Meeks Academy.
Question: What’s the story behind the photo?
Answer: This was one of my favorite toys when I was a kid. I would rock back almost far enough to hit the ground.
Question: When you were younger, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Answer: A pharmacist.
Question: Why do you like working here at NUSD?
Answer: I like the feel of the smaller (but not too small district) and the diversity in staff and scholars.
If you would like to see the latest career opportunities at Natomas Unified, visit natomasunified.org/human-resources.
NUSD Newsroom Hub
The NUSD Newsroom Hub web page is a dedicated place to access current and past NUSD media such as news articles, Board Highlights, newsletters, Last Week’s Wrap Up, videos, and podcasts all produced by the district’s Communications and Family Engagement team known as CAFE. Check out our page here.
