The Natomas Unified Podcast Channel

Make Each Class Count: Recognizing National Attendance Awareness Month in August

Attending class on-time, everyday will help students on the path to academic success. As schools nationwide prepare to celebrate National Attendance Awareness Month in September to raise attendance rates, Natomas Unified is reminding families now to make each day of school count in August. 

 

Attending class every day, on time, is integral to a student’s academic success. So, how are educators working to encourage students to come to class every day, on time?

 

Form Good Habits Early

 

Natomas Unified is committed to providing an engaging and safe learning community where all students will thrive. In our latest episode of Conversations with NUSD Podcast, Shayla Allen, our district’s Social Worker Liaison, who works with families experiencing homelessness and foster youth, explains how instilling good habits starts young. Allen says beginning at the Transitional Kindergarten and Kindergarten levels help build healthy routines in a student’s life, “This is where our students learn to interact socially with peers, how to get along with peers, and how to be in a structured space,” Allen said. Attending classes on-time, everyday at the lower level also helps students understand rules, structure, and to adapt to a classroom environment. 

 

NUSD: A Proactive Partner in Student Success

 

Allen also reminds our families of our Vision, which is to provide an engaging and safe learning environment for our students, staff, and families. “We strive to make sure our students and families feel secure in going to school,” Allen said. NUSD’s Board of Trustees is committed to providing students with social-emotional support, having approved a budget that includes employing social workers at each of our sites. 

 

Our school’s staff is dedicated to providing environments that help students thrive - such as the Calming Center at Witter Ranch, Lunch Bunch at Jefferson School, and small group activities so students have an easier time adapting to social situations. Programs vary by site, please check with your school’s staff for availability.

 

Helping Families Overcome Barriers

 

NUSD is also committed to helping students experiencing homelessness, get to school safely by providing Walking School Buses (please check with your school’s staff for availability, and even staying dry in wet weather. “Thanks to donations, if our low-income and foster students need bikes, scooters, or skateboards; those are all means to get to school, we also support them in that area, too,” Allen explained. 

 

NUSD also provides families in need with shelf-stable food, and fresh fruit and vegetables, thanks to donations, through Joey’s Food Locker at Natomas High School. The facility serves families from 4 to 5:30 pm every Friday. If you would like to donate money or food, or would like to volunteer, please click here for more information. If you are a family in need of food assistance, please fill out this form.

 

For a list of resources offered to low-income and foster youth, please click here.

Natomas Unified Superintendent Dr. Robyn Castillo Eager to Meet Community, Excited for the 2023-24 School Year

From rooting for her favorite sports teams to tips on how to engage with your student, Superintendent Dr. Robyn Castillo shares in our most recent podcast episode of Conversations with NUSD, what inspired her to become an educator and why she is excited to work in Natomas. Dr. Castillo is our school district’s new superintendent, having been officially on the job since July 1, 2023. 

 

In this episode, Castillo details her 30 year career in education, having been a classroom teacher for nine years, a Principal, Assistant Superintendent, and an Associate Superintendent. Castillo says her love of learning began at an early age, thanks in part to her mother, who ran a preschool when she was a child. She recalls playing “school” with her sister, teaching her dolls, and writing lesson plans as a child. 

 

Castillo says that when she was looking for job opportunities, Natomas Unified was the perfect fit for her and her family thanks to the location, weather, family ties and, most importantly, our district’s Core Values and Vision for our students. “When I looked at different districts, I wanted to find a district that had Core Values that were aligned with my own educational philosophy. When I looked into NUSD, I saw its work in inclusion, the International Baccalaureate program, Career Technical Education (CTE) Pathways; just a lot of amazing things going on and just the dedication to student success,” Dr. Castillo says.

 

Castillo also details some of her First 100 Days plan. “I will focus on building positive relationships with all of our educational partners and to familiarize myself with all aspects of district operations,” Castillo says, “I plan to establish a strong community presence, assess our district’s strengths and areas of growth, and cultivate partnerships that will contribute to maintaining and growing excellence in the district.” She’s been visiting all of our 16 campuses, familiarizing herself with the sites, so she’s ready for the first day of school on August 10th. 

Episode 16: Zach Didier, A ‘High Caliber Kid’ whose Life was Cut Short

NUSD is raising awareness of the current Fentanyl Epidemic by sharing Chris Didier’s story. Didier’s son, Zach, was a Placer County teenager who excelled in academics, music, sports; a well-rounded, responsible son. “Zach was a high caliber kid across the board,” Chris, Zach’s father said. 

In December 2020, the Didier’s lives changed forever, when Chris found his son in the teen’s room, appearing to be sleeping. “As I approached him to wake him up, I sensed a void I never felt before and I knew something was horribly wrong,” Chris recalled. 

Investigators would later learn that Zach may have purchased what he thought was Percocet from a drug dealer at a Roseville mall via Snapchat. The pill was synthetic and contained a lethal dose of Fentanyl. Chris has been raising awareness since Zach’s death and, although a sensitive topic, advises parents to talk with their students with empathy and understanding about the dangers of ingesting such pills. “This is not the time to experiment (with illicit Fentanyl). In the past, the danger was getting addicted and falling down that slippery slope of addiction, but today, especially with counterfeit pills, it could be one time… it could even be half a pill and it is lights out,” Chris advised.

To learn more about Didier’s work to raise awareness, visit: https://stopthevoid.org/

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/