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SCHOOL BOARD MEETING HIGHLIGHTS - January 12, 2016
Are you interested in receiving advance notice of the Board agenda and its reports?  If so, please email Gladys Batz, Executive Assistant to the Superintendent, at [email protected]  and say you want to be added to the email list.  Ms. Batz sends out the link to the agenda and board reports for the upcoming Board meeting the Friday before a regular Board meeting.  The agenda and associated board reports can also be found on AgendaOnline.   The link can also be found on the homepage of the NUSD website (www.nusd.org) under Quick Links.
 
You can also watch the Board meetings live on Comcast Channel 30 or on  Novato Community Television's YouTube channel.  The meetings are rebroadcast on Channel 30 (click  here for the schedule) and archived on NCTV's YouTube channel.

PRESENTATION
 
Students in the new Ukulele class at San Jose Middle School demonstrated their talent for the Trustees and audience.  With the growing number of students in NUSD learning ukulele at the elementary level, San Jose Middle School is offering a ukulele class.


STAFF REPORT
  • English Language Arts and Math Benchmark Assessements for Elementary: Ruthanne Bexton, Director of Elementary Programs, and Elementary Instructional Coaches, Laurie Campbell, Catherine Nam and Leslie Smith, provided the Board with an update on the creation of the benchmarks and next steps. Teacher committees were formed to develop elementary grade level benchmarks in English Language Arts and Mathematics to:
    • Provide coherence of grade level expectations across all elementary schools in the district 
    • Align grade level expectations to the new standards based report cards for reporting to parents
    • Provide common local assessments aligned to district expectations in order to monitor student progress

Next steps include developing 2nd and 3rd trimester benchmarks and gathering feedback from teachers and principals to provide information for revisions for 2016-17.  More detailed information can be found in the Staff Report.  (Staff Report 13.a.) 

 
DISCUSSION/ACTION
  • New NUSD Website:  The Board of Trustees approved the proposal to contract with Entropic Studio to design a new website for the district and all schools.  As the internet has become one of the largest platforms of communication, district and school websites have become important information tools. A well-designed, interactive and accessible website is crucial.  Feedback from principals and PTA presidents included:  better calendars, mobile device optimization, intuitive navigation, and search capabilities. Entropic Studio will design and develop the NUSD.org website which will serve as the master template for all school sites.  Entropic Studio will then conduct 'discovery meetings' with all school sites to gain complete understanding of each school's needs.  The new websites will go 'live' on July 1, 2016.  More information can be found in the Board Report.  (Discussion/Action 14.a.)
  • Response to Assembly Bill 104 (Transitional Kindergarten):  The Board of Trustees did not take action on this item.  As a result, the district will continue the current practice of enrolling students in the Transitional Kindergarten (TK) classes to those with their 5th birthday occurring between September 2 and December 2.  Assembly Bill (AB) 104 Chapter 13/2015 provides districts with the opportunity to expand their TK program.  However, Trustees expressed interest in revisiting this practice later this year. More information can be found in the Board Report.  (Discussion/Action 14.b.) 
Future Board Meetings:
 
1/23/16     Special Board Meeting - Workshop/Retreat 8 am - Noon
                    Marin Community Foundation
 
1/26/16      Special Board Meeting, 7 pm Open Session
                     NUSD Board Room, 1015 Seventh Street
 
2/2/16        Regular Board Meeting, 7 pm Open Session
                     NUSD Board Room, 1015 Seventh Street