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Family Newsletter: An Excellent Start to the 2023-2024 School Year

NVUSD

Read our latest Family Newsletter: An Excellent Start to the 2023-2024 School Year

 

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Caption: In the picture above Silverado Middle School students pose for a picture with Principal Anne Vallerga during lunch on the first day of school. Enjoy more photos from the first day of school on our Facebook or Instagram.

In this issue:

 

 

A Happy Start to the School Year
 

NVUSD students and staff are back in the classroom and excited for the year ahead. As they kicked off their first full week of school, we became curious about what they were most excited about this school year and what they had learned since returning to school. Come with us as we visit our schools and share the experiences and excitement of our students as we complete the first full week of the 2023-2024 academic year! Check out their smiles on our social media by using the links in the caption below. 

 
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Caption: Middle and High School Students learning and connecting during the first week of school. Enjoy more photos from the first day of school on our  Facebook or Instagram

 

Student Summit: Strategic Visioning and Planning

Preparations are underway for the first major event related to our Strategic Visioning and Planning work, appropriately a student-centered event called the Student Summit. The Student Summit on September 13 will bring in 30 students from every TK-8, Middle, and High School to imagine what their school experience can look like. Through a series of activities, feedback will be compiled that will help us develop a graduate portrait. The graduate portrait for NVUSD will be based on what the community wants to be true for its students—what do students need to know, be, and be able to do--by the time they graduate. The Board of Trustees will meet the evening before the Student Summit to get a taste of what the summit will be like for students and to discuss the event that follows the Student Summit. More information is available on our webpage.


 

When is My Child Too Sick for School? Important Attendance Guidelines
 

This can be a tough call for parents, if you need help, visit our attendance website for guidance. Remember, the recommended guidelines are based on guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), as well as the California Department of Public Health, to aid in the prevention of spreading potentially contagious diseases. 

Don’t forget! If you do need to keep your student home from school, remember to report the reason for their absence to your school by replying to the ParentSquare message in the ParentSquare app/web portal or by contacting your school directly (click here to find your schools website). If you have not already downloaded the ParentSquare app or signed into the web portal, do so today at www.parentsquare/signin. Need help? Open these instructions! 

 

Help Your Students Do Their Best for Star Testing
 

The first Star Assessments window opens on August 30 for elementary, middle, and high school students and closes on September 12. Look for communication from your school for specific testing dates. You might be wondering, what can I do to help? 

 
  1. Let them know you care! A simple word of encouragement goes a long way.

  2. Make sure they get plenty of rest the night before their test. 

  3. Make sure they eat a good breakfast in the morning. Remember, our food services team (NOSH) is here to help! All elementary students, once again, receive a free breakfast in the classroom and a free healthy lunch at school. At the same time, middle school and high school students get a free morning meal at break and a free healthy lunch. If you’d like to know more about our free breakfast and lunch program,  visit our NOSH website.

 
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Does Your Middle or High School Student Have Their District Chromebook?

The district checks out Chromebooks to all middle school and high school students. Each elementary school classroom has a set of devices for students to use in class. These devices are important tools for accessing content, completing school work, and even taking assessments, such as the STAR Reading and Math assessments starting August 30. If your middle school or high school student has not checked out their device, they can do so in the library at their school with a few exceptions.  If your student attends Valley Oak High School, Napa Valley Independent Studies, Browns Valley 6-8, or Shearer 6-8 please submit a ticket with the NVUSD Help DeskNeed help submitting your ticket, use these instructions.

 

Summer Mentor Graduations
 

Throughout August, NVUSD celebrated the 91 students and 41 employers, who participated in the NVUSD/NVEF Summer Mentor Program. This work-based learning opportunity exposed students to careers in the Napa Valley and American Canyon in five industry pathways: viticulture and winemaking, hospitality, construction and maintenance, manufacturing and STEM, and education. All students earned Napa Valley College credit for their participation in a weekly class focused on soft skills, such as interview skills, resume writing, and the development of a profile on career platforms, to support them in their mentorship and beyond.


The NVUSD/NVEF Summer Mentor Program doubled in size this year thanks to our incredible industry partners who embrace mentoring our youth and increasing student interest in career readiness.  We appreciate the industry partners who supported real-world learning opportunities this summer, including our very own NVUSD mentors in the Extended Learning Opportunities Programs who opened the doors to students interested in the fields of maintenance and operations, technology, and education.
 
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Caring for Students’ Mental Health
 

Mental health and well-being are vital to a student’s ability to learn and succeed at school. With this in mind, we provide resources for students and families that need help. We encourage making note of the resources listed below so you can find them if your student or someone you know needs help.

 

On Campus: Middle and high school students can access help by visiting the on-campus Wellness Center or Student Services office, where they can connect to support from a counselor, social worker, or therapist.  Elementary families seeking support for their student can reach out to your child’s teacher, your site’s Parent Liaison, or your site’s principal to learn about available resources. 

 

On-Demand: NVUSD partners with  Care Solace to support our community’s mental health. If someone in your family needs support with mental health or substance use, Care Solace can quickly find treatment options matched to specific needs. Care Solace’s care navigation services are confidential and free to Napa Valley Unified School District’s students, staff, and their families. Care Solace’s team is available 24/7/365 and can support you in any language. If you would like to use Care Solace to help you find a provider for your student or a family member: Call 888-515-0595 or visit  www.caresolace.com/nvusd.

 

In Our Community: 

Families and students can access support from one of  NVUSD’s Wellness Program Community Partners directly or via a warm handoff from one of our trained school site mental health professionals. 

 

In an Emergency:

  • Call the National Suicide Prevention & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org

  • Napa County Mental Health Mobile Crisis Response Unit: 707-299-2111 (M-F 8 am - 5 pm)

  • Immediate danger? Call 911 and request a Crisis Intervention Trained (C.I.T.) response; go to the closest emergency room 

  • Text “Hello” or “Home” to 741741 to connect with a crisis counselor

  • Trevor Lifeline LGBTQQ+ Crisis Support: 1-866-488-7386

 
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Register for School Cash Online Today!

SchoolCash Online is an easy-to-use and safe way to pay for your children’s school fees. Now, with a few clicks, you can pay for your child’s yearbook, class trips and so much more from your own home. All you have to do is register an account, attach your children, and in no time you will be able to make payments online. SchoolCash accepts many different payment forms so come in and check it out!  Click here to get started today!

 

Make the Most of ParentSquare: Download the App Today!
 

When you download the ParentSquare app (AppleGoogle Play) you have a one-stop-shop for all your school and district communication. Search for “Napa ParentSquare” wherever you download your apps. You can report your student’s absences with the click of a button. 

 

Need to talk with your student’s teacher or administrator? You can use the convenient messaging center within the app--you can even attach files. You can also view your school’s posts and emergency alerts in the app. 

 

Need to respond to important school and district forms, view your student’s Star score reports, and other important documents? You can do all of that in the app too! 

 
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  • 01 - Elementary Schools
  • 02 - Middle Schools
  • 03 - High Schools