Dear Colleagues and Community,

NUSD has much to be grateful for as we welcome the holiday season!

Our joint accomplishments reflect an unwavering focus on students which inspires us to work collaboratively on behalf of every student placed in our care!

It is with deep appreciation we acknowledge our community partners, our students and their accomplishments!

Live Theatre has Returned!

  • MSA Performed “Works in Progress” a series of dances, scenes, songs, monologues,

sonnets, and sneak peeks

  • SMHS performed Almost Maine and All Together Now Musical
  • SJMS performed Dorothy in Wonderland and held a Dance-a-thon for the trip to the Shakespeare Festival

Novato Community Bond Projects Completed/Almost Completed-Thank You Novato Residents!

  • Novato residents have made it possible for NUSD to have two brand new Performing Arts Centers, State of the Art Science facilities, beautiful turf fields currently at the high schools, modernized classrooms at Olive and Lynwood, almost completed Office facility at Olive and new Kitchen at Lynwood. Upgrades to the kitchens at San Jose, Sinaloa, and Pleasant Valley are in progress.
  • Summer 2022 and 2023 bring projects at several schools to complete air conditioning projects and middle school athletic turf.
  • We are grateful to the Novato community for supporting our students in incredible facilities to enhance joyful learning opportunities.

School Fuel has funded in grants $249,632! What an amazing, and generous gift!

  • Literacy                                                 $32,800
  • Visual and Performing Arts              $52,993
  • Wellness                                                $20,012
  • Technology, Science, and Math        $37,609
  • Student Success and Engagement.  $48,200
  • Tour of Novato by School                  $58,017

North Marin Council and Site PTAs have donated time and efforts to enhance student learning through membership and direct support to sites.

  • Two schools (Lu Sutton and Olive) received acknowledgement and a fun student activity for receiving 100% PTA membership
  • Two schools (Lynwood and Sinaloa) doubled their prior year’s PTA membership
  • North Marin Council as a whole is almost at pre-pandemic membership numbers despite fewer students

Novato Community Hospital is planning a spring Golf Tournament to support our Athletic Trainers!

  • The Golf Tournament is bound to earn $35,000 to donate toward athletic trainers.
  • Students, parents, teachers, community members, and golf coaches welcome

Marin Community Foundation supported “Joy” grants to bring the joy back to students!

  • Several of our schools received $10,000 “Joy” grants to return the joy to learning for students and staff.
  • Schools are engaging students in joyful activities as well as staff even playing bocce together at the City of Novato bocce courts! Michael Pritchard, comedian and wellness expert for students is coming to San Jose Middle School. Michael is an amazing advocate for students and our schools.

Community partners like Bay Area Community Resources and North Marin Community Services are providing direct service to our students.

  • Our partners are supporting students and adults alike as they continue to provide direct services, serve on district committees, and envision joint efforts to meet student needs. We couldn’t travel this road without these amazing professionals by our sides, thank you!

Trustees have supported multiple state grants to provide extended learning, counseling, curriculum development, and COVID support to our staff and students.

  • Extended Learning Opportunities Grant
  • Educator Effectiveness Block Grant
  • Mental Health Systems of Support and Accountability
  • One-time funding support leveled instruction to ensure all students have the best educational opportunities in building a solid academic foundation.

Athletics are alive and well in Novato!  Three teams made it to NCS playoffs. Congrats to NHS boys’ water polo and girls’ volleyball and SMHS football!

  • Four NUSD students have sign athletic scholarships to 4-year universities with more to come. They are:
    • Derek Bartram (Fresno State, Baseball) – NHS
    • Kiana Briggs – (UC Irvine, Golf) – NHS
    • Sydnie Fong – (University of San Diego, Soccer) – SMHS
    • Kaley McIntyre – (NYU, Swimming & Diving) – NHS

Social-Emotional learning opportunities are occurring at each of our schools to renew hope and reconnect with one another as students and adults alike.

  • Second Step
  • Tool Box
  • DESSA-Student Strength Assessment
  • Teachers, support staff, parents, and administrators have worked tirelessly to bring the joy, connectedness, and inspirational learning back to the students in a reimagined school setting.

Cultural Celebrations Abound

  • Honoring and celebrating each of our cultures and how the experience enriches us is occurring districtwide.
  • Celebrations have included Kermes, Dia De Los Muertos at all middle schools and high schools, Mariachis at San Jose, and Diwali Festival at Rancho. We are enriched when we learn about new customs, cultures, language, art, dance, and traditions.

We are grateful for the constant support and dedication by all who strive to make the students we serve, the most precious members of the community, our top priority!

Wishing everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving with the blessings that the season brings to each of us. The gift of oneself to serve others is the greatest gift of all.

Respectfully,

Jan La Torre-Derby, Ed.D.
Superintendent