DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION (DEI)
Winners of 2024’s Black History Month Poster and Essay Contest
Congratulations to Madina, a 7th grade student at Larry G. Meeks Academy, and Devansh, a 2nd grade student at Two Rivers Elementary for winning this year’s Black History Month Poster and Essay Contest! These students have won a book of their choice, along with pizza for their families.
Thank you to all of the students who have submitted their artwork. Our Natomas Unified community was blown away by your sheer talent!
American Lakes Students Recite Martin Luther King Jr’s “I Have a Dream” Speech
American Lakes Middle School students wowed students, staff, and families this morning with their annual recitation of Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech. Teacher Stephen Smith works with students each year to prepare for this performance, and the students look forward to it. Every word is memorized and stated confidently in a crowded room of students, staff, and families. Students learn about the civil rights movement and gain skills in leadership and public speaking. It was a wonderful way for American Lakes to celebrate Black History Month.
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 looking for student and cultural performers! Families can even be a part of a cultural fashion show. If interested in participating, please follow this link.
SPORTS
NUSD Sports Update
Awesome job all around to our winter student athletes who have trained and competed this season! Congratulations to the following high school teams who are still in playoffs and also to our 7/8th grade NUSD Basketball Champions:
The NUSD 7/8th Grade Basketball Champions are: Boys- Paso Verde School and Girls- Natomas Middle School.
Natomas High School’s Varsity men’s basketball win over Union Mine in the CIF-SJS Semi-Finals place them in the D4 Section Finals on Friday, February 23 vs Venture Academy at UC Davis.
Natomas High School’s Varsity men’s soccer win over Livingston in the CIF-SJS Semi-Finals place them in the D4 Section Finals on Saturday, February 24 vs Galt at Cosumnes River College.
Inderkum High School’s boys basketball team win over Weston Ranch sent them to the CIF-SJS Semi- Finals vs Modesto Christian, they lost but will continue on to D1 NorCals. Brackets come out on Sunday, February 25.
FORWARD 5 UPDATE
NUSD’s District Goals: Goal #4
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 #4: Engage parents and families to support student success.
PARENTS AS PARTNERS
Family Communication and Problem Solving Techniques
Approaching family challenges may seem daunting, but given the right tools may help parents communicate better with their children. In this episode of our Conversations with NUSD podcast, Angela Da Re, of Delta Prevention, goes over tips to help parents/guardians communicate with their kids.
This is the fourth 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 LUV (Listen, Understand, Validate) Listening.
Parent University: Families and Students Celebrate Diversity and Literacy During Read Aloud
Natomas Unified families and students were able to delight in the book series, “Inspired to be,” with the award winning author Crystel Patterson. The read aloud event took place over Zoom Thursday night as Patterson read from three of her books. Students were able to interact with the author through the reading process by answering various questions about what they saw and heard in the stories. Each story was followed up by facts about the famous figure it was inspired by, and students got to hear about Black role models who paved the way for others. The event was wrapped up by students creating their own “I am…” affirmations and sharing them out loud for all to hear.
Participants also received one of two free autographed books from her “Inspired to be…” series “I Am Different” and “One Flip, Two Flip, Three Flip, Four”. If you would like to watch Patterson read from her book, watch the recording here. This read aloud was offered through Natomas Unified’s Parent University. Parent University provides workshops, series, presentations, family engagement events, podcasts, and more. Take a look to see what’s coming up.
Free Classes Offered through the North Natomas Library
SUPERINTENDENT’S CORNER
Dr. Robyn Castillo recently cheered on the Inderkum High School girls and Natomas High School boys soccer teams and posted some photos on Instagram. Castillo is constantly rooting for our NUSD sports teams and is often in the stands of our games.
If you would like to follow Castillo’s Instagram journey here, then click “follow”.
STAFF SPOTLIGHT
Transportation Employee Becomes Newest School Bus Instructor for NUSD
Congratulations to Colin Brummel, an NUSD dispatcher and bus driver, who has now added school bus driving instructor and trainer to his title. In this video, Brummel shares his elation about the accomplishment and his ability to help others.
Brummel is the first Natomas Unified employee trained to attend the competitive California Department of Education School Bus Drivers Instructors Academy.
Brummel’s hard work and dedication paid off, and he is now a certified state instructor who may teach classroom instruction, behind the wheel instruction, and documentation.
“So now I get to carry on that legacy of bestowing the knowledge for future drivers,” Brummel said. Training future drivers is an important step in meeting the needs of our growing district.
We are so proud of Colin and are grateful for our transportation department’s achievements!
FBF: Emily Williams, Teacher at Alternative Learning Program
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 Emily Williams, a teacher with our Alternative Learning Program.
Question: What’s the story behind the photo?
Answer: Purple sailor suit, shades – I was just the coolest toddler 1992 had to offer.
Question: When you were younger, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Answer: A veterinarian (or a teacher!)
Question: Why do you like working here at NUSD?
Answer: I am loving the opportunity to return to my hometown and serve a truly excellent community.
If you would like to see the latest career opportunities at Natomas Unified, visit natomasunified.org/human-resources.
ICYMI (In Case You Missed It)
Board Highlights
The Natomas Unified Board of Trustees met on February 21st. Click here to read our “Board Highlights.”
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.
