Dear Novato Community,

Spring is Arriving and Activities Abound

Several events have already begun to fill our calendars, youth sports, performing arts, special events and open house to name a few!   There are a few events that I would like to highlight.

March 25, 3:15pm – Olive School Ribbon Cutting (Amazing Office/Conference Rooms)

March 24 – Open Houses Begin

March 21-27 – Neurodiversity Week

April 13-May 4, 6pm – NUSD Blue Ribbon Committee to Discuss Potential Parcel Tax (Please join by registering at Registration Form – English)

April 23, 11:00am – School Fuel Tour of Novato-Hamilton MOCA Center

April 27, 3:30pm – Dr. Anthony Muhammad-NUSD Equity Audit Overview NHS/Center for the Arts

Neurodiversity Week

Neurodiversity Week (March 21st-27th) is about celebrating the strengths and talents of people with learning differences. Neurodiversity describes the idea that people experience and interact with the world around them in many different ways; there is no one “right” way of thinking, learning, and behaving, and differences are not viewed as deficits. The neurodiversity movement emerged during the 1990s, read more here

Modeling the Way on March 11, 2022

Honoring colleagues is always a heartwarming experience! Please don’t forget to submit a nomination form!

Maria Hernandez-FANS at Rancho and Lynwood.  View Maria’s video here https://youtu.be/U4u1U9EDJFg

The individual who nominated Maria started by saying. “Maria is my hero!” What she may not know is that Maria is a hero to many. She is patient, kind, and supports others regardless of the task at hand.

  • Maria prepares over 200 lunches daily at Rancho, then moves on to LW to support the team at Lynwood.
  • Working in a very small space, barely a corner, at Lynwood for many months during construction, Maria created an alternative system to ensure students were fed in a complete and timely manner
  • Throughout the construction phase, Maria continued her work in a “mini” space without even one complaint. She knew she had a job to do on behalf of students and set out to do it.
  • An amazing, positive attitude, care for others, and attributes Maria demonstrates every day.
  • Maria deserves her brand-new kitchen at Lynwood School.

Maria is an asset to NUSD and is a role model for everyone lucky enough to work with her. Maria does the right thing, even when no one is looking, and always demonstrates her personal best.

Kim Duncan-NOVA High School Program and Hamilton Middle School Math. View Kim’s video here https://youtu.be/ld5pz-n5OIg.

Kim is an extraordinary woman, educator, and friend to all. Her career in NUSD has been one of quiet contributions never expecting to be recognized for her achievements. In fact, had she known about this ahead of time, we may not have found her working quietly with students in her classroom. Kim goes above and beyond for whichever task before her and does so with a laser focus on the students she serves.

  • Kim freely gives of her time and talents to others
  • Kim can be counted on to always do what is best for students
  • As a perfectionist herself, she never gives up on her colleagues or students who may need more to get the same.
  • Teaching is her passion and she shines when she is working directly with students
  • Even though change can be challenging, Kim embraced a mid-year change with a positive spirit and a determination to do “whatever it takes” to meet the needs of the students at two schools simultaneously.

Kim is culturally responsive, demonstrates respect, ensures the dignity of others, and model integrity at its best.

Alyssa Mathers-Pleasant Valley-Data Specialist and Math TOSA.  View Alyssa’s video here https://youtu.be/q8_2RkIUpt8.

Alyssa is a model in a multitude of ways. She goes above and beyond at PV to help support teachers in data cycles and data analysis in order to close the achievement gap. She supports students and staff in the following ways.

  • Alyssa coordinates data cycles analysis and planning instruction.
  • As a math specialist, Alyssa instills a love for numbers and calculations, as she builds confidence in her students.
  • Students are achieving academically beyond what is anticipated due tailored instruction to meet individual needs.
  • Nurturing students to believe in themselves as much as she believes in them, is a specialty.
  • Building character and confidence in each student’s ability to grow and develop is a must.
  • Alyssa models that new challenges approached through collaboration and interaction result in achievement for all

Alyssa is a gift to the students, staff, and community at Pleasant Valley. Lucky students and staff.

We send our congratulations to all our recipients for a job well-done!

Respectfully,

Jan La Torre-Derby, Ed.D.
Superintendent