5.4.22 Community Connections from Supt. La Torre-Derby

Dear NUSD Community,

Honoring Students and Classified and Certificated Staff for Outstanding Achievements

As we honor NUSD classified and certificated staff during the month of May each year, this year we celebrate with enthusiastic, in-person celebrations! Each school is doing something each day to honor all staff and it has been fun to see the students participating in the honoring of the teachers and staff that make a difference in their lives every day. I would be remiss if I did not mention the incredible PTAs and PTO at the schools who are doing incredible work to honor and appreciate our classified and certificated staff. The staff rooms abound with creativity, treats, and heartfelt appreciation.  Thank you, North Marin Council and School PTA/PTO leadership, you are nothing short of amazing!

As we reflect on the student achievements these past few weeks through Visual and Performing Arts accomplishments, the genius behind the performances and exhibits are present due to the teaching and support staff who invest their time and talent in their students each day! These teams of professionals who work daily, beyond expectations, and guide the students into presenting their personal best, are to be commended for their extraordinary work on behalf of our students in NUSD.

We have thoroughly enjoyed the amazing student performances in Lion King Jr., by San Jose Middle School, MSA Showcase displaying all the genres at the Jewish Community Center, MSA Dance Recital, and Guys and Dolls by San Marin High School. We have amazing Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) teachers who put on stellar productions. Thanks to Michelle Cortez who coordinates MSA along with Shannon Morgan-Miller, Mariah Fisher who is a one woman show, and Kathy Eggert, Keli Gasparini, Allison McIver, and Emily Gates who team up to present amazing productions. Special thanks to Scott McLeod for his guest appearance in Guys and Dolls, a return to his younger days in acting. What fun!

We recently heard at the NUSD Parcel Tax Blue Ribbon Committee meeting that VPA programs need specialization at the middle school to feed into our high schools……the specialty programs are alive and well and have been thriving!  We welcome the community to see all of our student performances, the great Novato community will be amazed by our talented students, teachers, and staff; not to mention the Booster and parent support that is ever present.

Modeling the Way Continues to Honor Staff Demonstrating the Six C’s
 We continue to honor and surprise our wonderful classified and certificated staff as they go beyond what is expected,

demonstrating NUSD’s 6 C’s, even when no one is looking! Thanks to your nominations, we are honoring those staff members that make a difference in the lives of the students each and every day.  You can nominate an employee here https://nusd.org/modeling-the-way/.  Thank you, San Jose PTA, for donating the recipient gifts!

Kristine Zueger – San Ramon  View Kristine’s video here https://youtu.be/ybXXTz4K_PM

• Kristine is a perfect example of what every teacher should be: fun, animated, entertaining, engaging, thoughtful, creative, dedicated, and  most important of all….Kristine truly cares deeply for her students.
• She connects with kids at school and in the community.
• She attends special activities for current and former students.
• Her classroom is always beautiful.
• Her spirit wear and tutus are simply the best and put a smile on your face.
• Kristine loves her students, and they love her.

Lisa Harris – Loma Verde  View Lisa’s video here https://youtu.be/AIXSlhn_RTM

• Lisa is a role model for everyone to learn from every day.
• She exemplifies modeling the way to support students, staff, and the community.
• Lisa is a hard worker, multi-tasker, and extremely efficient.
• Her motto: “I will do anything to support the team!”
• We are all blessed to have Lisa at Loma Verde!

Keeley Ray – Olive School/District Special Education  View Keeley’s Video

herehttps://youtu.be/opBKc2eK4c0

• Keeley is a model learner.
• She works with elementary, middle, and high school students.
• She is always helping students and teacher to achieve beyond what is expected.
• Keeley welcomes new adventures and helps students with kindness and grace.
• Keeley is calm and addresses issues at hand with creativity and problem solution.
• Keeley is a team player and supports in class and home instruction students.

Amy Ferhart – NOVA  View Amy’s video here https://youtu.be/wzuP5vxLagk.

• Amy is exceptional at teaching individualized instruction.
  

  Amy Ferhart

• She establishes strong relationships with her students to identify and tailor her lessons to her students’ needs.
• Amy generously serves on district committees to provide input.
• She advocates for students in an alternative educational setting and designs programs to support her students.
• Amy is calm, reassuring, and models that for her students.

As we celebrate the “HUNDRED” days of May, we do so with tremendous pride, appreciation, and celebration of each teacher, staff member, student, parent, administrator, Trustee, and community members who support NUSD and our outstanding programs! I thank you for surrounding our schools with the encouragement to make a difference in the lives of our students, there is no greater gift than oneself! I share my depth of appreciation for each of you.

Respectfully,

Jan La Torre-Derby, Ed.D.
Superintendent