NUSD: 8.13.2021 Community Connections

Press release from the Novato Unified School District:

lbenjamin

August 13th, 2021

8.13.2021 Community Connections

Dear NUSD Community,

On Tuesday August 17, 2021, we welcome our students back to class for the first day of school and we can’t wait to have our students back in classrooms with their teachers! Although there are some precautions that are required, we know that being “Together again and sharing the joy, will prevail!”  This was our theme for opening day with staff where we learned the following.

• Tom Martin-Kinder Teacher at Loma Verde was announced as the Marin County Teacher of the Year. Big congrats Tom!
• Over 72 new teachers and 22 new classified staff have joined us this year; some are NUSD graduates.
• New administrators include Tony Quan-Principal Pleasant Valley, Lori Nuño-Principal Olive, Stefanie Parnell-Interim Principal Hamilton, Mike Casper-Principal San Jose, Jen Russell-Assistant Principal Hill Education Center, Katie Waller and Shawna Hettrich, Assistant Principals San Marin; John Matern-Dean Sinaloa, and Reed Nottingham-Athletic Director San Marin.
• NOVA Independent Study already has over 100 students for virtual learning, and we are welcoming students from neighboring districts
• We honored our classified and certificated staff who have dedicated their entire careers in NUSD and reign as the “Top Ten”:

Classified:      Jacquie Barnes, Jan Miller, Diane Lawton-Apple, Dennis Rodrigues, Marcia
Carey, Rene Gutierrez, Rich Tomsky, Danny Naron, Adela Gray, and Jayne
Vitorelo

Certificated: Kathleen Haulot, Pam Stutzman, Steve Madson, Laurie Campbell, Mary
Pozzi, Libby Silvestri, Sean Cannon, Liz Arnold, Jennifer Carlomagno,
Melanie Gutierrez

• We honored 2 recent graduates: Jada Allen-Marin Oaks and Addison Chen-San Marin.

They shared their experiences as students and successes in their decisions for next steps after graduation. Several outstanding teachers who had made a difference in their lives were honored as well. It was a proud moment for all of us.

• Students will be welcomed back into beautiful new classrooms at Olive, Lynwood, Novato High School and San Marin High School. Stop by to see these new facilities. You will be so impressed.

Back to School Night dates are as follows. Although we have to make modifications, we still wish to have a parent connection by supporting teacher/parent meetings.  Our District COVID Team aligned practice with the Public Health recommendations as follows. Back to School Night will limit one parent per student, we encourage them to be held outdoors if at all possible, and for families who are unable to be present, information will be sent home.

Back to School Nights are:

Marin Oaks

We are making tremendous progress on preparing for students. We will be taking attendance daily for the first 10 days of school to validate enrollment and class configurations meet student needs.

Enjoy and celebrate our being “Together again…….Share the joy!”

With excitement for a fabulous new school year,

Jan La Torre-Derby, Ed.D.
Interim Superintendent

Novato Unified School District
1015 7th Street
Novato, CA 94945

415.897.4201

415.612.3500

[email protected]

Monday - Friday
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

This press release was produced by the Novato Unified School District. The views expressed here are the author’s own.