Caption: American Canyon High School decathlon team poses for a group photo after another impressive performance. Read about their journey to the state finals and learn how you can help in the NVUSD News.
Mark Your Calendars: No School on Designated PSPS Days
The days previously marked as "PSPS" (Public Safety Power Shutoff) days, initially reserved as potential makeup days for emergency school closures, have now been officially designated as non-instructional days. Consequently, there will be no school on April 1, April 26, and May 24, making these dates non-student days.
Strategic Planning Community Installation
Accountability Through Oversight - American Canyon Bond Measure A2
The Measure A2 Citizens Bond Oversight Committee has met four times since being established in spring 2023. To date, the committee has selected a chair and vice chair, received guidance from legal counsel regarding the roles and responsibilities of a CBOC member, and begun actively reviewing expenditures to date of taxpayer money used for school construction. Under the guidance of School Planning and Construction staff, Measure A2 projects for Canyon Oaks Elementary School, American Canyon High School, and Donaldson Way Elementary School are actively being designed.
At Canyon Oaks Elementary School, planning has begun on two outdoor learning environments with shade and seating elements, including improvements to the existing shade structure. Facilities staff have met with school site staff to review the initial plans and gather staff input and will select a contractor in the near term so construction can begin this summer. Also occurring this summer, American Canyon High School will get a new coat of paint on exterior buildings. A contractor will be selected over the coming weeks and work will be completed before the start of the 2024-2025 school year. Design-build teams have been interviewed for campus upgrades at Donaldson Way Elementary School, which will include a new multipurpose room and a modernized library. The selection process is ongoing. School Planning and Construction staff hopes to bring their Design Build Team recommendation to the NVUSD Board of Education for approval.
For more information or to learn about the role of the CBOC, please click here.
Spotlight on Success - 2019-2024 Strategic Plan
Celebrate with us as we reflect on our 2019-2024 Strategic Plan and the many successes accomplished over the last five years. Today, we're sharing the story of how NVUSD students are providing their voices and input to build a brighter future. Visit our website, Facebook, or Instagram page to read more!
Celebrate Our After School Program Boys and Girls Club Youth of the Year Nominees
We're thrilled to celebrate the partnership between NVUSD's Extended Learning Opportunity Program (ELOP) and the Boys and Girls Club of Napa Valley (BGCNV) in our after-school programs. This collaboration reaches a highlight with the upcoming Youth of the Year awards. BGCNV will host the ceremony on February 7 at the Uptown Theater. Let's cheer for the outstanding finalists:
Students in grades 3-12 are invited to participate in the first Napa County Black History Month Oratorical Contest. Competing students are invited to select an influential Black person to honor. The influential person can be alive or dead and from any country. Students will perform two minutes of selected text and can win cash prizes up to $250.
The deadline to register for the contest is February 14. The Competition will be held on February 21 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at the Napa Valley College Studio Theater. Visit the registration page to sign up and for more information: https://bit.ly/NCOEcontest2024
Maximizing Positive Impact: Smart Social's Guide to Student Success Online
Social media can be a powerful tool for shaping a student's future. Students can use it to show off their skills and good qualities by creating a digital portfolio. Parents, you can learn how to help your kids use social media to advance their futures by checking out Smart Social's event called 'How to Use Your Social Media Accounts to Shine Online'. In the replay of the event, you'll hear from other students, school leaders, and experts about how to make a great online image that lasts. Watch the replay of events and discover their other online guides at Smart Social.
Board of Education Students of Month
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 November and December, Valley Oak High School named Osvaldo Gutierrezand Shaun Jerryas students of the month. Napa Valley Independent Studiesnamed Salvador Ruiz Serda and Vanessa Mello. Congratulations! For more information and to view all the previous Student of the Month superstars, visit nvusd.org/board.
Care Solace: Mental Health Coordinators at Your Service
Did you know? As an NVUSD family, you have access to a mental health coordinator, in any language, free of charge–24/7/365. If your student, you, or another family member needs mental health or substance use support, Care Solace can help you find community providers matched to your needs. Watch the embedded video to learn more.
Call 888-515-0595 at any time on any day ● Visit Caresolace.com/nvusd for assistance by video chat, email, or phone.
The California Healthy Kids Survey
Each year, students in grades 5, 7, 9, and 11 take part in the California Healthy Kids Survey (CHKS). This year, students will complete the survey between February 6 and March 8. The survey anonymously gathers information on:
developmental supports provided to youth
school connectedness
barriers to learning,
behaviors such as physical activity and nutritional habits;
alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use
school safety.
You may examine the questionnaire in your student's school office or on the district’s Student Services Webpage.
The results from this survey become the district CHKS Reports. They will also contribute to the County CHKS report. To view a copy of your district’s report, go to https://calschls.org/reports-data/search-lea-reports and type in our district name.
Next week, we will send a separate post with more details, including a permission form for parents to complete.
FAFSA - New For All High School Seniors
By submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA as it's more commonly known, or alternatively filling out the California Dream Act Application (CADAA), students can access a variety of funding sources for college, such as grants, federal work-study, and loans. In support of students getting the financial help they need, a new California law (Education Code (CEC) § 51225.7) now requires school districts to ensure that all seniors submit a FAFSA or CADAA unless the student is exempt or opts out. Opt-out forms can be completed by a legally emancipated student, a student 18 years or older, a legal guardian, or parent. We ask that parents of our seniors be on the lookout for communication from your child’s high school for more information about the process for completing the FAFSA or opting out.
Napa Valley Unified School District has partnered with 10,000 Degrees to support students and families with FAFSA submission. Every school is hosting a Financial Aid Submit Night. Find your date, time, and location below. For more information, reach out to the Student Services Department at your high school.
Upcoming Financial Aid Submit Nights:
Tuesday, February 6, 2024 - Valley Oak High School
Thursday, February 8, 2024 - New Technology High School
Thursday, February 15, 2024 - Vintage High School
SAT School Day
Napa Valley Unified School District (NVUSD) believes that ALL students should have access to opportunities for college and career readiness. With this in mind, NVUSD offers the SAT during the regular school day, free of charge to all high school juniors. New this year, the SAT is now a shortened (two hour and 15 minutes) digital exam administered to students on March 20 on an opt-in basis. Look for more information about this opportunity from your school site. Want to practice? Check out the free Khan Academy SAT Prep today.
Accessing STAR Assessment Reports via ParentSquare
Students recently took the STAR assessments (Star Reading or Star Early Literacy and Star Math) in all grade levels. The week of 2/13, you will receive a report summarizing the test results. We will send the reports through ParentSquare using the Secure Documents feature. If you have any questions about your student’s results, please direct them to your student’s teacher.
ParentSquare Secure Documents feature enables us to send individualized reports to you as a PDF attachment. You must log in to your ParentSquare account to access the report. To learn how to find the reports in ParentSquare, click here.
Honoring Our Exceptional Staff: Celebrating Our 2024 Employees of the Year
Congratulations to our NVUSD Employees Of The Year! We proudly acknowledge the outstanding contributions of our honorees.
From the classified division:
Cymantha Erickson (Clerical)
Cindy Gonzalez (Custodial)
Alberto “Tico” Lara (Skilled Trades)
Jenn Nunes (Technical Services)
Maria Estella Padilla de Hernandez (Food & Nutrition)
David Perez (Instructional Support)
Beverly Pitt (student Campus & Safety)
Mike Tyler (Transportation)
Stacey Ziegler (Health Services).
From the Certificated Division (our “Teachers of the Year”):
Liz Corey (Canyon Oaks)
Cathy Margolati (Donaldson Way)
Julia Zmed (Silverado)
Scott Kostecka (Napa High)
Newton Thomas (Vintage High)
Special Recognitions:
Our Student Support Employee of the Year, Counselor Rafael Ayala (Redwood Middle School)
Our Manager of the Year, Maryanne Christoffersen (Director of Student Services).
If you missed the event, view the Google Presentation, watch a replay of the event, and appreciate pictures of each honoree at www.nvusd.org/eyc. We also invite you to like and share our social media posts from the evening on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
