The Natomas Unified Podcast Channel

Episode 15: NUSD’s LEAP Program

The Natomas Unified School District offers students educational enrichment activities beyond school hours through a program we call Learning Enrichment Athletics Arts and Academics or LEAP. In this episode, we speak with Yee Yang, a Director with NUSD, who explains what LEAP is all about and who it serves.

Beginning this spring, Natomas Unified School District (NUSD) will begin a partnership with B Street Theatre, a staple in the Sacramento arts community for over 30 years! “This is such a great opportunity for our students,” said Chris Evans, Superintendent of Natomas Unified School District. It’s all a part of the district’s new afterschool program called LEAP Academy, which beginning in the fall will be available at all K-5 and K-8 school sites. Currently, the program is being offered at American Lakes, Bannon Creek, and Jefferson K-8 schools as part of the pilot before launching fully for the 2023-2024 school year.

“Providing students with more opportunities to explore the arts, particularly at the elementary level, has always been something the Board of Trustees and staff have wanted to implement in NUSD. It’s been a challenge to make that happen given all of the requirements and other important budget priorities that we must implement as a district.” 

Experienced B Street Theatre educators will bring the performing arts experience directly to Natomas Unified students at their school sites during the afterschool program. While there, students will participate in theater exercises, performance skills, and playwriting development. These activities help to support student’s language development, reading comprehension, and writing. There may even be opportunities for students to demonstrate what they’ve learned in the form of a production in front of family and friends. This could be just what some students need to learn they have a passion for the performing arts and something they may want to pursue.

B Street Theatre is just one of the multiple local organizations that the district is partnering with to bring more enrichment opportunities to students. NUSD will also partner with organizations that will provide activities that focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), music, cooking, coding, and more. “We want students to look forward to attending LEAP Academy, so we are really focusing on programming that keeps them engaged and curious while strengthening their skills in language arts, math and science,” said Tonja Jarrell, Associate Superintendent.

LEAP Academy is made possible from new state funding called Expanded Learning Opportunities Program. It provides three additional hours to the school day. Priority is given to students considered with a high-need based on state requirements; however, once those families choose to participate or not, the remaining available spaces will be open to the general student population.

To learn more about LEAP Academy and how you may register your incoming TK-6th grade student, visit https://natomasunified.org/leap-academy/. We have also recorded a podcast where we sit down with Yee Yang, an NUSD Director leading this effort. Take a listen to learn more.

Episode 14: Autism Awareness Month: Spread Awareness and Acceptance

April is Autism Awareness Month and Natomas Unified is spreading awareness and acceptance! In this episode, host Kay Recede, Communications and Family Engagement Coordinator, speaks with Melissa Moore, a Community Advisory Committee member, and whose 10-year-old son, Eli, is on the spectrum and Sarah Wheelock, an NUSD Special Education Preschool teacher. 

 

The two share their experiences with educating students who are on the spectrum. How spreading awareness begins with acceptance; the acceptance that everyone is different and that’s ok; meeting students where they’re at, learning their take on the world is a bit different and that gives insight into who these students are; and learning that communication is more than just words. 

 

NUSD Resources:

 

https://natomasunified.org/departments/student-services-and-support/special-education/

Episode 13: NUSD Prepares for Transitional Kindergarten Expansion

Natomas Unified is proud to share its steps in preparing for statewide expansion of Transitional Kindergarten classes. To date, NUSD has added four more TK classes in the 2022-2023 school year, an increase from the eight offered in the 2021-2022 school year. 

Teachers have been undergoing training, and new curriculum is being piloted in language arts and social-emotional learning. We’re seeking input from teachers, parents, and students to help shape its courses for NUSD early learners. 

TK courses are integral, as 90-percent of brain growth happens before a child enters kindergarten, research shared by the organization First Things First has shown.

Listen as Amanda Garcia, an Early Learning Coordinator with NUSD, explains how Natomas is preparing for the expansion of TK classes to all 4-year-olds by 2025.

Links mentioned in this episode: 

Natomas Unified

Natomas Unified's Early Learning Survey

Video - Transitional Kindergarten and its Expansion at NUSD

Episode 12 - Understanding NUSD’s International Baccalaureate Programmes and how it Supports Students Now and Beyond

NUSD is proud that five of our campuses are authorized International Baccalaureate schools, and two more are currently pursuing authorization. One in three NUSD students attend an IB school. IB provides students with the skills and confidence they need to navigate ever-evolving obstacles, which will help them prepare for college and beyond.

Listen as Kristen Martin, an NUSD IB Coordinator and Trevor MacKenzie, a world renowned teacher based in Canada, explain the benefits of IB learning and why fostering a child's curiosity matters.

Episode 11 - NUSD Offers Free Playgroup Sessions for Parents and Young Kids

Preschool playgroup sessions are free and fun learning experiences offered to Natomas Unified families. Sessions usually consist of playtime, music, and movement with other families and children. Children must be at least 10 months to 5-years-old to participate.

“Play is the foundation of everything for child development. That’s where you learn how to socialize, to make friends in a positive way,” Pam Nabor-Martinez, an NUSD Child Development Specialist said.

The playgroup sessions are a great way for kids to learn and socialize. “So the pandemic kind of hit him pretty hard. He got really anti-social, so I started bringing him out more after the pandemic. Coming here, meeting friends, we can see a difference. At first, he doesn’t want to play with anyone, but he’s opening a lot more,” Jenny Du, a parent said. 

Parents must attend the 1.5-hour sessions and kids must not be currently enrolled in the preschool program to register. 

Session three begins January 31st to March 10th. Session four begins March 28th until May 12th. To sign up, please email Nabor-Martinez at: pnabor-martinez@natomasunified.org

Episode 10 - NUSD Celebrates Diversity: Learning about Kwanzaa

As part of the Natomas Unified’s Core Value of valuing diversity, equity, and inclusion, we wanted to share with the Natomas community the history and importance of Kwanzaa which begins December 26 through January 1st.  

 

Kwanzaa was first created in 1966 by activist Dr. Maulana Karenga, based on African harvest festival traditions from parts of Africa. It is a non-secular holiday and a way for community members of African descent to honor their history and traditions. We invite you to listen to this podcast with Minister Imhotep Alkebulan, who is well known for leading Kwanzaa celebrations in the Sacramento region.

Links: 

Official Kwanzaa site

Minister Imhotep Alkebulan’s Organization

 

 

Episode 9 - Tips to Help Parents and Teens Navigate Social Media

NUSD speaks with the authors of the new book, "Behind Their Screens: What Teens are Facing and Parents are Missing". Drs. Emily Weinstein and Carrie James collected insights from more than 3,500 teens about how they navigate the digital world. In this podcast, they share some of the greatest lessons learned in their research and writing this book - and the need for new talking points for parents in engaging with their kids about social media. 

Leading with empathy, knowing when to "unfollow and mute", and how to have better conversations with your teens are just a few topics discussed in this episode. 

To learn more about the book: https://www.behindtheirscreens.com/

The authors also share tips on: https://smartsocial.com/

NUSD’s Literacy Efforts, Part 2: Breaking Down Rubrics from the ’Main Topic’ to Grammar

NUSD continues to share our efforts to improve our students' literacy skills with guests Lan Orr and Juliane Link-Oberstar, both teachers on special assignment.

From the "main topic" to punctuation and grammar, Orr and Oberstar explain how each rubric will help elevate a child's reading and writing skills, and how these lessons can help families engage with one another. 

More Resources: 

https://natomasunified.org/literacy-series-update-what-is-a-writing-rubric-and-how-it-is-helpful/

NUSD Celebrates Native American Heritage Month

November is recognized as "Native American Heritage Month" and NUSD is proud to celebrate our community members of Native American descent. Fun fact: Natomas is a Maidu word which means "north place" or "upstream people".

 

In this episode we speak with Crystal Blue, an NUSD parent, of the Ione Band of Miwok Indians; Raquel Gonzales of the Shingle Springs Rancheria Band of Miwok Indians; and parent/staff member Isaac Bojorquez, of the KaKoon Ta Ruk Band of Ohlone-Costanoan Indians of the Big Sur Rancheria, from Monterey County.

 

The trio shares a little bit of history of the tribes around Sacramento, the work to reawaken Native languages, and how community members can learn more through events such as "Big Time". 

 

More resources: 

Sacramento Native American Health Center

Native Land Map

State Indian Museum

Native American Heritage Commission

California Indian Heritage Center (in development in west Sacramento)

NUSD’s Literacy Efforts, Part 1: Focus on Informational Writing

NUSD is committed to improving all of our students' literacy skills. Mark Bornstein, an NUSD Teacher on Special Assignment (TOSA), explains how we use rubrics - which is a way we evaluate a child's writing - and use those measurements to help a child in areas they may need support. 

A group of NUSD teachers reviewed and discussed student writing levels and agreed on five key scoring elements of writing that a student’s writing is scored on. Breaking the writing into five elements helps to identify specific areas of strength and areas for growth. These  five scoring elements are as follows:

• Topic or Main Idea (K-5) /Thesis Statement (6-12)
• Development
• Organization
• Use of sources (K-5) and Selection and Citation of Evidence (6-12)
• Standard English Conventions

This is part one of a two part series focusing on our literacy efforts.