December 2023
Literacy
Natomas Community Celebrates Diversity in our Libraries
Every year, our district celebrates our diverse libraries, by showcasing our books written by diverse authors. The pictures here show the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) night at Bannon Creek School, which took place Thursday night. Bannon Creek and Larry G. Meeks Academy families were treated to a read aloud, a raffle, selfie booth, and free meals. Thank you to everyone who attended and for spending time with us this year. We look forward to next year’s DEI Literacy Night at our kindergarten through 8th grade campuses.
Elementary Students Delight in “Milk & Bookies”
Heron hosted another event in their “Milk and Bookies” series, inviting Elk Grove author Skye Farasat to share her newest book. 10-year-old author Farasat shared her book, Me and The Universe, with Heron School students this past Tuesday. Skye’s stories explore self-esteem, self-love, family, and gratitude while gently inviting children (and grownups) to the empowering practice of meditation and mindfulness. Skye did an amazing job reading her book, Me and Universe, a book about affirmations and positive thinking, and answered questions from Heron students about her books.
Students had a chance to meet Skye and have their books autographed, plus make their own affirmations collage, and of course, have some milk and cookies to end the evening!
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Natomas Unified Partners with The Black Program and Author Tyson Amir
Our school district continues our work in valuing diversity, equity, and inclusion, through our new partnership with The Black Program and Tyson Amir. The program officially started this week. Students engaged in activities to help them develop a sense of self identity, and to acknowledge and honor their roots. The author will be mentoring Natomas Middle and Natomas High school students in the coming months. Amir will be working with NUSD students throughout the coming months.
School Spirit
Natomas Park Elementary Families Gather at Coyote Carnival
Treats, games, and smiles were a-plenty at Natomas Park Elementary’s annual Coyote Carnival last Friday night. The event made its return after four years thanks to parent and staff volunteers. The Coyote Carnival first made its debut in 2000 and community members say they are excited to have the carnival back.
Paso Verde School Builds Student Leadership Opportunities with New Student Council
One of the goals at Paso Verde School is to provide more opportunities for student voice and student leadership. This year, they are doing just that. They have their very own student council that’s composed of 25 members in 7th and 8th grade. The council is led by President Kevin and Vice President Giuliana. These scholar leaders have already put on a dance, organized a spirit week, and led two school-wide assemblies, paying special attention to involve and connect with younger students. Superintendent Robyn Castillo had an opportunity to visit with them and watch them in action facilitating one of their meetings. She shared that she was extremely impressed with the organizational skills and enthusiasm displayed by students.
Students Get Crafty and Donate to Wellspring Women’s Center
Empower Club students at H. Allen Hight got crafty and made positive affirmation bracelets, baked goods, self-care diaries, and hot cocoa to sell at the school’s Holiday Craft Faire, which takes place today. Their hard work to raise money will go a long way to help the Wellspring Women’s Center. The organization is a local drop-in center providing nutritious meals, counseling services, and support to women and children. “I’m really proud of all the great work these girls are doing,” Monica Cortez, the students’ mentor said.
Stop by tonight and support a good cause at H. Allen Hight!
LEAP Academy
Students Learn Empathy and Kindness
This sweet moment of students comforting a fellow student was captured at a Girls Empowerment session at Natomas Park Elementary. Girls Empowerment, under our LEAP Academy, provides girls with activities, tools, and mentorship which help build their empathy, self-awareness, and confidence. “I think they are grasping the concepts of unity, encouraging one another and girls empowerment,” Brittany Ross, the students’ mentor said, “It was so empowering to watch a group of young ladies on their own, show empathy in this way, and be there for one another.”
Parents as Partners
Resources for Families
Using Validation for Better Conversations with our Kids
Through Parent University, Natomas Unified provides families with helpful advice to navigate the challenging behaviors that may arise while your child grows up. Parent University is a resource hub designed to support parents. From workshops, presentations, webinars, podcasts, and engagement sessions to quick tips to help parents/guardians in the success of their students – Parent University is a one-stop resource hub for our families.
This week, we share a quick video clip courtesy of Dr. Delaney Ruston, the Filmmaker of Screenagers about how to Connect With Your Kids By Killing The Criticisms. This clip offers some helpful tips to use validation for better conversations with our kids.
Register for the Raising Resilient Girls Parent University Session
Learn how to build emotional wellness together with your student. This free session is being sponsored by our partner Girls Leadership Inc. For more information and to register, visit girlsleadership.org/parent-education
Monday, January 22, 2024
5 – 6:15 PM Pacific
Love and Logic Parent University
Parent University is a resource for parents to aid in supporting their students. Coming next January by popular demand is Love and Logic parenting series. This is a 5-week parenting program where parents learn to raise self-confident, motivated, and resilient children. All families are invited to attend any of the sessions. Dinner and childcare will be provided starting at 5:30 PM with the class session beginning at 6:00 to 7:30 PM. Spaces are limited, so register as soon as possible for this free series of classes.
Cohort 1: Natomas Park Elementary – 1/16, 1/23, 1/30, 2/6, & 2/13
Cohort 2: Jefferson Elementary – 1/18, 1/25, 2/1, 2/8, & 2/15
Cohort 3: Heron – 2/27, 3/7, 3/14, 3/21, & 3/28
Cohort 4: Location TBD – 2/29, 3/7, 3/14, 3/21, & 3/28
Tips and Tricks for Parents on Parent Square
Parents are able to view files shared in the classroom, school-wide events and groups. Here’s how!
View Photos, Videos and Files on ParentSquare Mobile App
- Tap the More icon at the bottom.
- Tap Media.
- Use the options at the top to choose between Photos, Videos and Files.
Community Partners
Open a ScholarShare Account and Receive a $50 Gift Card
‘Tis the season to save for your child’s academic future! Community partner, ScholarShare, offers a $50 gift card to families who open a ScholarShare account from now until December 15th. More info here.
How to qualify:
Open an account with at least $50 and set up recurring contributions of $50 or more for six consecutive months to meet the eligibility requirements.
Receive the bonus!
After six months your $50 Target GiftCard will be mailed to you on or before June 30, 2024.
Learn more:
Need more information before opening an account? Attend a webinar or make an appointment for a free consultation with a college savings
Staff Stars
Flashback Friday: Lea Sheets, Teacher at Heron School
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 Lea Sheets, a teacher at Heron School.
Question: What’s the story behind the photos you shared?
Answer: I was in 5th grade and my mom *really* wanted me to have bangs.
Question: When you were younger, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Answer: A lawyer or detective (I watched a lot of Law and Order SVU).
Question: Why do you like working at NUSD?
Answer: I love the PD opportunities, the student diversity, and the awesome people I work with!
If you would like to see the latest career opportunities at Natomas Unified, visit natomasunified.org/human-resources.
Superintendent’s Corner
Superintendent Dr. Robyn Castillo loves being out in the community and connecting with our families, staff and community partners. Here are a couple of photos during a visit to Two Rivers Elementary School for their AVID Demonstration from her Instagram. To follow along with her, click here and hit “follow”.
Announcements
ICYMI (In Case You Missed It)
Survey Closes Tonight for NUSD Facilities
Please share your input about your school facilities through ThoughtExchange, before 11:59 p.m Friday, December 9. As a reminder, NUSD is in the process of updating and developing a new district-wide facilities master plan that will set the direction for facility needs for the next 10 years.
Check out this Digital Flipbook to learn about some of our work that has been completed over the last 10 years to maintain and improve NUSD school facilities.
Invitation to Upcoming Forward 5 Regional Meetings
Natomas families are invited to take part in NUSD’s Forward 5 Regional Meetings. Your input matters! Food, childcare, and interpreters provided.
Click here to register.
Joey’s Food Locker Featured on CBS13
A couple of the amazing people behind Joey’s Food Locker were featured in CBS13’s story about our free food pantry for families in need. Osvaldo Ortiz, (left in photo), outlined the great work Joey’s Food Locker does to help families in need, and how volunteers and donors help make it happen. Jaylin, (center in photo), is a student volunteer who spoke about his work, and how his experiences will help him in his professional career. Also, thank you to the founder of Joey’s Food Locker, Joel Schwieger, (right in photo), for helping to coordinate the interview. If you want to watch the story, click here.
To learn more about Joey’s Food Locker, visit our website.
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 new page here.
