NVUSD Family Newsletter: Find Opportunities to Get Involved, Stay Informed, and Celebrate Success

In this Volume:

• Uniting for Impact at the District Staff Development Day

• Community Installation Shapes New Strategic Plan

• Join Us for the Last Coffee with the Superintendent of the 23-24 School Year

• Spotlight on Success - 2019-2024 Strategic Plan

• Empowering Your Child for CAASPP Success: A Family Guide

• Join Our Informative Fentanyl Awareness Presentation

• Celebrate Our Board of Education Students of the Month

• Trimester Two is Over! Have You Seen Your Child’s Progress Report?

• Sneaky Ways of TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts

• Paper’s 24/7 Education Support System

• Napa Valley Wellness Conference–Building a Culture of Wellness

• Racial Equity Seminar Series Concludes in Napa, Next Chapter Begins in American Canyon

• Fresh Milk Adventures Begin at Canyon Oaks and Phillips Elementary!

• Join the Search for Napa High's New Choir Director

In April and May, our students will take on the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP). This important set of tests is designed for specific grades:

• Students in grades 3–8 and 11 will take the Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments in English language arts and math.

• The California Science Test (CAST) is for students in grades 5, 8, and 12.

Here are four ways you can help your child do well:

1. Encourage Your Child: Tell them to try their hardest. Doing well on these tests can help them understand what they're good at and what they might need to work on. It's a great way for them to see how they can grow and meet their school goals.

2. Keep Up with School News: Watch for messages from your school about when these tests will happen so your child is ready.

3. Make Sure They Rest: Getting a good night's sleep before the test can make a big difference. Help them go to bed early so they're well-rested.

4. Start the Day Right with Breakfast: Eating a healthy breakfast is super important. Thanks to the NOSH program, all students can have breakfast and lunch for free at school. This means one less thing for you to worry about. To learn more about our free breakfast and lunch program, check out the NOSH website.

With these steps, we can all support our students in doing their best on the CAASPP tests.

NVUSD’s Board of Education recognizes  students  each month who have shown exemplary scholarship, citizenship, and school/community service. Students are selected by their school principal and are honored at a  public board meeting. For January and February, American Canyon High School named Ojani Castillo and James Andino. Napa High School named Alina Ceja Delgado and Nico Lopez-Magro. Congratulations!

The Trimester Two Elementary Progress Report  is now available for viewing! Families can access the progress report through  My Parent Portal  (www.myparentportal.com ). If you have not yet set up your Parent Portal account, please go to  www.myparentportal.com  and follow the prompts to set up your parent access. As a reminder, parents may access the NVUSD elementary report card online.  If you would like more detailed information or have questions about the report card, please read the companion document  that  includes both directions and FAQ. Please reach out to your child's  school  if you have additional questions. 

Sign up for SmartSocial s next live virtual event about social media. Led by students and educators, this event focuses on navigating the challenges of addictive video apps.  As these platforms become increasingly captivating, parents express concern. What can they do when their child cannot disconnect and engage with the real world? This event will: 

1. offer insights into the allure of these apps,

2. feature personal experiences from students,

3. provide practical advice for parents and educators on:

   • managing screen time

   • fostering healthy digital habits

Learn about the psychological tactics used by these platforms. Gain tips on encouraging open discussions about digital well-being and the value of offline activities. This is an opportunity to equip yourself with the knowledge to support your children. Register now to secure your spot and join us in empowering our youth to thrive in a digitally connected world.

Paper is here to help your students achieve their academic goals 24/7.  Here are a few ways you can use Paper today: 

• Your child can access one-on-one support from expert tutors using the Paper app in Clever. 

• Your child can submit writing assignments for expert feedback. Learners can note their writing concerns and attach instructions and rubrics for each uploaded assignment to ensure the feedback they receive is relevant, helpful, and aligned with classroom instruction. Learn more  here .

The 5th annual Napa Valley Wellness Conference, hosted by the Napa Valley Education Foundation, was a huge success. Over 350 participants explored the theme of "Schools as Hubs, Students as Leaders." The sessions focused on the importance of mental health, inclusivity, and sustainable wellness programs in schools. Attendees explored the Vintage High School Wellness Center. They toured the facility learning from NVUSD's finest about the center's operations and impact.

The second day featured a compelling youth panel from Napa, Vintage, New Tech, and American Canyon High Schools. The panel shared their visions for the future and the critical role of wellness programs. Fifty-six NVUSD staff, led by Danielle Swafford, also delved into mindfulness practices. The goal, enhancing school and staff wellness.

Our four-part Parents for Racial Equity Series wrapped up successfully on March 6, thanks to the brilliant guidance of Dr. Watson. This series taught participants how to engage in conversations about race with their children. 

A key takeaway for parents was the impact of silence on race discussions—silence speaks volumes. To foster a "color conscious" mindset rather than a "color blind" one, it's crucial to broaden our understanding of race and sharpen our conversational skills with children and others.

Good news for those who missed out: the series returns this April in American Canyon. Don’t miss this chance to grow and learn together!

Big news for our school district! Canyon Oaks and Phillips Elementary Schools are now enjoying the cool, fresh taste of milk from our new bulk milk machines. They're part of our exciting goal to equip 10 of our 26 schools with these machines by the end of the year. Students are loving the delicious difference, and we're just getting started. Here's to more fresh milk moments across our schools!     Join the Search for Napa High's New Choir Director   Napa High School is on the lookout for a new Choir Director, and we need your help! We believe in the power of community and know that the best way to find the perfect person for this role is by spreading the word far and wide. We've put together a video showcasing what makes the Napa High Choir Director position so special, and we're asking for your assistance in sharing it. By reaching out to your network, you might just help us connect with our next Choir Director who will inspire and lead our talented students. Please take a moment to watch and share our video. Together, we can ensure the continued success and harmony of our choir program. Thank you for your support in finding the right leader for our students!