Welcome back to school! — Supt. Chris Evans lifts the curtain on 2018-19

--- Published on August 06th 2018 ---
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 Students, Parents and Guardians,
 

I want to personally welcome you back to Natomas Unified and point to some of the reasons we’re so excited about the coming year, the progress we’re making, and our driving commitment to prepare all students for college and career.

We start the new year on a roll academically, with preliminary state data showing that NUSD students increased their test scores in both English and Math last year, reflecting the support and commitment of students, parents, guardians, and our talented staff.

NUSD ranks first among Sacramento County school districts in the percentage of graduates completing college entrance requirements for UC and CSU. We’re also tops countywide in college access by African American, Hispanic, White, Disadvantaged and English Learner students.

We’re reducing class sizes this year to a 24-to-1 target in grades K-3 to help get very young students off to a good start. We’re also adding Special Education teachers and social-emotional staff, a full-time campus safety specialist to each K-8 school, and a Transitional Kindergarten program at Heron School, giving us a TK program at all K-5 and K-8 sites.

We’re proud of facility improvements we’ve made in recent years to enhance 21st century learning, most recently at Jefferson School, where classrooms are getting renovated this summer and refurbished with new carpet, paint, and desks that fit together easily for collaborative studies. If you pass by H. Allen Hight Elementary and Natomas Middle schools, be sure to take a look, because they’re newly painted in bright, vibrant colors to start the new year.

Jefferson, American Lakes and Bannon Creek are in the process of converting, over several years, from elementary to K-8 campuses, where students can nurture relationships from Kindergarten until they reach high school. Each K-8 will offer a special academic program focus — such as dual immersion or STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics – and maybe International Baccalaureate.

Planning will continue for a permanent campus for Paso Verde School, which opened at an interim site last year. We’ll also keep laying the foundation for two new programs to expand Career Technical Educational opportunities – a Building and Trades Pathway to serve high schoolers and a Public Safety Pathway – police and fire.

These improvements will enhance NUSD’s existing Pre-K to 12th grade system that offers, among other things, an IB continuum at H. Allen Hight Elementary, Natomas Middle and Inderkum High; a rigorous AP Capstone program at Natomas High that emphasizes critical thinking and analysis; and Career Technical Education Pathways in Health, Engineering, Broadcast Media, Digital Media, Hospitality, Transportation, Business & Entrepreneurship, and Visual Arts & Technology. We’re proud to offer educational options designed to meet individual student needs and interests.

Thank you for your continued support of NUSD. We’re committed to providing your child with a high-quality education and responding quickly to questions, needs and concerns. We also know that mistakes happen. If you run into barriers or frustrations while trying to get answers you need, start by calling your own school, but if problems remain unresolved, contact Constituent and Customer Services (CCS) at (916) 561-5253 or by email at [email protected].

Sincerely,

Superintendent Chris Evans