SUPERINTENDENT'S MESSAGE

On behalf of the NUSD Board of Trustees, welcome to the NUSD, an award winning district that serves 8,000 students and is recognized for excellent student achievement; with our graduating seniors earning over $3.4 million dollars in scholarships; outstanding visual and performing arts programs at our K-8 schools and San Marin High and Marin School of the Arts at Novato High, state ranked Robotics team at San Marin High, and extraordinary parent involvement. Our outstanding athletic teams are local, regional and state champions. The information provided, on our district and school websites, allows the reader to get a glimpse of the many attributes of Novato’s public schools and opportunities for staff, student, parent, and community involvement.  We are committed to a quality education in a safe learning environment.  We partner with parents, business, School Fuel (our foundation), and the community to achieve excellence. Our motto, Achievement for All - Our Call to Action, is exemplified through our NUSD Long Range Strategic Plan and districtwide implentation of Professional Learning Communities, a culture of Universal Achievement and Transforming School Culture.

Parcel Tax
Our ongoing parcel tax, first passed in 1992 and recently passed by Novato voters on June 2, 2009, supports:

• Class size reduction
• Technology, Science, Math
• Visual & performing arts
• Libraries
• Counselors
• Attracting and Retaining Quality Staff
• Athletics

We are grateful to the Novato community for guaranteeing quality programs for students through local control..

Facilities Bond
In 2001, the Novato voters passed a facilities bond for $107 million dollars.  Classroom renovation, technology upgrades, compliance with American with Disabilities Acts (ADA), and state-of-the-art athletic fields are a reality for our staff and students...more

Award Winning Programs
NUSD offers parental choice in our 16 schools. A variety of programs are in place to meet individual student needs:

• 8 Elementary Schools (Hamilton, Loma Verde, Lu Sutton, Lynwood, Olive, Pleasant Valley, Rancho and San Ramon)
• 3 Middle Schools (Hill, San Jose, Sinaloa)
• 3 High Schools (Novato, San Marin, Marin Oaks)
• 1 K-12 Independent Study (NOVA) and Adult Education
• 1 K-8 Charter (Waldorf inspired)

Within these schools the course offerings ensure student achievement is realized. Some of the programs we offer include:

• Award winning Music Programs
• Gifted & Talented (GATE), Honors & Advanced Placement (AP)
• English Learner programs
• Marin School of the Arts at Novato High
• Awarding winning Robotics Team at San Marin High

Parents as Partners
Shared decision making has long been a tradition in NUSD.  Leadership among our talented parents abounds.  Opportunities for shared governance and problem-solving occur through a variety of opportunities:

• Blue Ribbon Coalition
• Bond Citizens Oversight Committee
• Boosters (Sports, Visual & Performing Arts, Academics)
• Budget Advisory Committee
• District English Learners Advisory Committee (DELAC)
• GATE Advisory Committee
• North Marin Council PTA
• Parcel Tax Oversight Committee
• PTA – Parent Teacher Associations
• Site Leadership Teams (SLT)
• Special Education Parent Advisory (through Marin County Office of Education)
• Sustainability Committee

Join Us in Shared Leadership to benefit the Students in NUSD.

Strategic Plan
In 2004, the NUSD trustees adopted a Strategic Plan, “Achievement for All…Our Call to Action,” to guide student achievement, finance, operations, facilities, and community and culture.  It is a specific plan with identified goals, objectives, activities, and targets timeliness for achievement. The Goals for 2009/10 include:

Academic Achievement
With a focus on:

• Maximizing Student success by ensuring Standard-Based Instruction
• Improve High School Achievement
• Increase Academic Achievement

Finance
With a focus on:

• Pursue Equitable State Funding
• Develop an Asset Management Plan
• Implement Fiscal Crisis Management and Assistance Team technology enhancement recommendations

Organization and Operations
With a focus on:

• Enhanced Communication
• Maximize District Efficiencies

Facilities
With a focus on:

• Modernization Projects at Hill Middle School
• Complete Hamilton Elementary School Master Plan and Implementation
• Pursue Reconfiguration Options - 7-11 Committee

Community & Culture
With a focus on:

• Bullying Prevention / Consistent Student Discipline Systems to ensure Safety
• Work closely with School Fuel to build and enhance Business and Community Partnerships

The plan is a living document reviewed and updated by Trustees annually. The complete plan is available online. NUSD Strategic Plan

Student Achievement

We are extremely proud of our student achievement.  On standardized measures our students outscore their constituents in the state and are among the top performers in Marin.

Nine (9) California Distinguished Schools (Loma Verde, Lu Sutton, Lynwood, Pleasant Valley, Rancho, San Ramon, Hill MS, San Jose MS, Sinaloa MS)

In 2006-07, 88% of our 10th grade students passed the English/Language Arts portion of the California High School Exam (CAHSEE).  86% of our 10th graders passed the math portion of the exam.

Our students score very well on the STAR content standards assessments (CST).  85% of our 8th grade algebra students scored advanced and proficient on the CST Algebra test compared to 74% in Marin County. Our high school math students consistently score above the Marin County average.

In 2007-2008, 40% of our English Learners scored Early Advanced or Advanced on the California English Language Development Test (CELDT).

91% of our students attend post-secondary education institutions, with 10% attending UC, 18% attending CSU and 14% attending private or out of state colleges or universities.

The NUSD Board of Education is committed to providing policy direction to ensure students have the best educational opportunities.  Trustees adopted the Long Range Strategic Plan to lead NUSD into the future.

Please visit our schools to confirm what our website reflects SCHOOL WEBSITES. Our pride in achievement and collaboration will become yours.

Dr. Jan La Torre-Derby