NUSD VLA Weekly Newsletter
Thursday, May 13, 2021
Hello VLA Middle School Families,
Classified Staff Appreciation Week May 10th- May 14th
This week is Classified Staff Appreciation Week. The NUSD VLA office manager, Vivian Jensen has adapted her practices to best meet the needs of our community in a remote setting. She plays a critical role in connecting our program with educators and families. Vivian is kind, patient, hard- working, dedicated to NUSD VLA program. This annual, week-long celebration recognizes the consistently high level of work performed by the District’s classified staff. I encourage students and families to share their appreciation of Ms. Vivian Jensen during this week!
DELAC Meeting Tonight May 13 6:00pm
Tonight is the DELAC meeting held on zoom. Here is the link to the agenda.
Virtual Learning Academy Survey
In response to the pandemic, the Novato Unified School District launched the Virtual Learning Academy to provide a remote only option for students during the 2020-2021 school year. As this year comes to a close and NUSD prepares for a full pre-pandemic return to schools in the fall 2021, we recognize a virtual only learning environment has been beneficial for some students.
Below is a link to a survey gauging our community’s interest in creating a virtual only program. Please respond to the survey to let us know if you are likely to enroll in a virtual program.
CAASPP Testing ELA and Math
ELA will be given during the week of May 17-21 and Math will be given during the week of May 24-28. Students will take their CAASPP tests with their English and math teachers.
Students will need to take CAASPP on a district device. Please go to Hill Education if your child’s device needs to be repaired. See IT’s hours below. VLA students will take CAASPP remotely.
Here is the link to the CAASPP VLA 6-8 Letter.
Students will need to be able to locate their SSID number in Aeries. Please note this is a different number than their NUSD 10000 number. In order for students to locate their Student State Identification number log into Aeries portal, click on student info, click on profile, click on “general”, and use the number next to Student State Identification Number.
Students may use scratch paper and graph paper for the assessments. If you need these items they are available at the front offices of Sinaloa, San Jose, Hamilton, and District Office. The scratch paper used will need to be torn up by the student in front of the camera once the assessment is completed in order to not share secure information.
IT Hours at Hill Education
In support of students returning to on campus instruction, IT has adjusted their support hours at the Hill Education Center. The new hours will be as follows:
Mon/Tue/Thur/Fri from 2-4 p.m.
Wed from 9-11 a.m.
Attention 8th Grade Families
On Tuesday, June 1st from 6:00- 7:00pm VLA Middle School will be hosting a virtual Zoom promotion for 8th graders and their families. Ms. Jensen has requested a picture of your 8th grader for the presentation, please be sure to email an appropriate photo by Friday, May 21st to [email protected].
VLA students will be invited to attend their school of residence promotion celebrations as well if you, your child and family would like to participate. Please look for communications regarding Sinaloa, San Jose, and Hamilton’s events from their school’s staff.
Middle School Virtual Talent Show
In Ms. Hart’s exploratory class her students have been working on passion projects. One student has created an opportunity for middle school students to participate in a virtual Talent Show.
Participate in the Novato Middle School Digital Talent Show – VLA Exploratory is hosting a student-led digital talent show open to all middle school students of NUSD. Do you dance? Sing? Make awesome Lego Creations? Bake? Paint? Draw? Animate? Whatever your talent, we are creating a space to share. To learn more about the talent show, click here!
Reminder Around Attendance
VLA staff would like to remind students and families that in order to be marked present for class the student should be actively engaged in their assignments and respond in chat or verbally when prompted.
VLA Middle School Schedule
VLA Lunches Available
VLA & community sites will be as follows:
- Hill Education Center, 11:30-1:00, 720 Diablo Avenue, Novato
- Lynwood School, 11:00-1:00, 1320 Lynwood Drive, Novato
NUSD FANS Department will have tables set up for an easy and convenient drive-through pick up or walk-up service for meals to take home.
For questions and comments, please contact Cody Williams at [email protected] or by calling the FANS office at 415-892-2115.
Tdap is a required vaccine for 7th grade.
Turn in proof of your student’s Tdap vaccine to your home school or schedule the vaccine with your health provider asap.