Remote Options for Viewing the Board Meeting

Regular Board meetings are broadcasted on NUSD’s YouTube Channel online.

October 29, 2024 

New Student Registration for the 2025-2026 School Year and

Transitional Kindergarten and Kindergarten Information Nights

            (Novato, CA)… The Novato Unified School District (NUSD) announced that new student registration for the 2025-2026 school year will officially open on November 1, 2024.  NUSD has online registration that can be accessed on the NUSD website at https://nusd.org/enroll/.  In addition, Transitional Kindergarten eligibility has been extended to include children who have their fifth birthday between September 2, 2025, through September 1, 2026.

Parents of incoming Transitional Kindergarten and Kindergartner students for the 2025-26 school year are invited to attend an Information Night.

Incoming Transitional Kindergarten Students

Thursday, December 5, 2024, 7-8 pm

NUSD District Office

Incoming Kindergarten Students

Thursday, December 12, 2024, 7-8 pm

NUSD District Office

These events will take place in the Board Room at the NUSD District Office, 1015 7^th Street, Novato. The Information Nights will also be livestreamed on NCTV’s YouTube Channel and will be recorded and posted on the NUSD website.

In addition, registration support will be available 6-7 pm at the District Office on both evenings.  To help the registration process, please bring the required paperwork which includes proof of:

• Address
• Age of student
• Immunizations

Students enrolling in Kindergarten for the 2025-26 school year are required to have their fifth birthday on or before September 1, 2025.

Students enrolling in Transitional Kindergarten for the 2025-26 school year are required to have their fifth birthday between September 2, 2025, and September 1, 2026.

Priority enrollment at NUSD takes place between November 1, 2024, and March 3, 2025, offering the best chance for your student to attend their neighborhood school. By registering early, the likelihood that your student will secure a spot at their neighborhood school increases, reducing the chance of being overflowed or reassigned to another school due to space limitations. 

Schools reach capacity on a first-come, first-served basis, so early registration is key to ensuring your student can attend their neighborhood school rather than being placed in another school until a spot opens at their neighborhood school. In the event of an overflow, a student will be placed on a priority waiting list for their neighborhood school based on their registration date.

For more information, please contact your neighborhood school or Karina Leoni, Education Services, kleoni@nusd.org or 415 493-4250.

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Transitional Kindergarten (TK):
Eligibility for TK has been expanded. Children who turn 5 between September 2, 2025, and September 1, 2026, are eligible to enroll.

We invite you to attend the TK Information Night on December 5, 2024, from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM, with registration assistance available from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

Kindergarten:
Children who turn 5 on or before September 1, 2025, may register for Kindergarten.

Please join us for the Kindergarten Information Night on December 12, 2024, from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM, with registration support from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

Both events will take place at the NUSD District Office, located at 1015 7th Street, Novato.

New Student Registration:
Registration for new students will open on November 1, 2024, for the upcoming 2025-2026 school year.

This is an excellent opportunity to prepare for a successful start to your child’s educational journey with NUSD.

We encourage you to mark your calendars and join us to learn more about these exciting programs and the enrollment process. We look forward to welcoming new students and families to our community.

With 3 stops to choose from, you can listen in as they discuss key topics such as:

• Superintendent update
• Budget
• LCAP
• Student Wellness

Thursday, October 24, 2024

• Hamilton TK-8 School
• Library
• 6:00pm – 7:00pm

Tuesday, October 29, 2024

• San Marin High School
• Emily Gates Performing Arts Center
• 6:00pm – 7:00pm

October 4, 2024

NUSD Refinances Bonds Saving Taxpayers $1.2 Million

(Novato, CA) … The Novato Unified School District (NUSD) completed the issuance and sale of refunding general obligation bonds last summer with a net savings to Novato taxpayers of over $1.2 million.  Due to low bond interest rates, NUSD determined it was prudent to refund the eligible Series 2014A bonds.  The term of the new issued Bonds is the same as the Series 2014A bonds and will be paid in full in August 2029.  The interest rate, or true interest cost, of the issuance was 2.84%.

Investor reception was further helped by a credit rating from Moody’s Investors Service of “AA1”, reflecting a positive change in credit rating. The Proceeds from the sale from the Refunding Bonds will pay the principal of the prior bonds upon redemption thereof and pay all closing costs associated with the refunding and issuance of the Bonds. Closing costs were $175,665.

The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. will act as the Paying Agent with respect to the Refunding Bonds and as Escrow Agent with respect to the Prior Bonds.  Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC is the Underwriter and Government Financial Services is the financial advisor.

The district issued General Obligation bonds totaling $107,000,000 as approved by the voters in the 2001 election.  Bond Series 2014A had been fully issued prior to the refunding. The newly issued bonds totaled $22,085,000.

“Through the competitive bidding process, NUSD received 15 bids for the Series 2014A refinance.  This is a testament to the strong financial health of NUSD and our “AA1” bond rating,” commented Joshua Braff, NUSD Chief Financial Officer.

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September 9, 2024

Novato Unified School District and Sonoma State University Announce Year 2 of Teacher Residency Program

     Novato, CA – Novato Unified School District (NUSD), in partnership with Sonoma State University, is excited to announce the launch of the second year of its Teacher Residency Program. This initiative provides an enriching pathway for individuals aspiring to become elementary school teachers in both English-instruction and dual-immersion classrooms.

The Teacher Residency Program offers an intensive preparation experience for candidates who will be embedded in either Lynwood Dual Language Immersion School or Lu Sutton Elementary School. Participants will benefit from hands-on learning opportunities under the mentorship of experienced educators, as well as receive a generous monthly stipend and scholarships.

“We are thrilled to continue our collaboration with Sonoma State University and offer this fantastic opportunity to future educators,” said Francesca Whitcomb, NUSD Executive Director of Human Resources. “Our program equips teacher candidates with the skills and experience they need to thrive in the classroom and make a lasting impact on our community.”

Information Sessions: Two informational events will be held for interested candidates:

• Monday, September 16, 2024, 5:30 – 6:30 PM
  Lu Sutton Elementary School
  1800 Center Rd., Novato, CA
• Tuesday, September 17, 2024, 5:30 – 6:30 PM
  Lynwood Elementary School
  1320 Lynwood Dr., Novato, CA 

Eligibility:
Candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree or be expected to graduate by Spring 2025.

For additional information, please contact:

• Rick van Adelsberg, Residency Recruiter: rickvanadel@gmail.com
• Francesca Whitcomb, NUSD: fwhitcomb@nusd.org
• Jess Joseph, NUSD: jjoseph@nusd.org

Interested individuals can also visit the program page for more details and application information at Sonoma State Residency Programs. 

About Novato Unified School District
NUSD is committed to fostering an inclusive and innovative learning environment for students and educators alike. Through partnerships like the Teacher Residency Program, the district aims to build a strong pipeline of highly qualified and passionate teachers ready to serve the community.

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August 30, 2024

NUSD Names Experienced Professional as New Director of

Maintenance and Operations

            (Novato, CA) … The Novato Unified School District is proud to announce that JC van Rooyen has accepted the position of Director of Maintenance & Operation pending Board of Trustees approval at their regular board meeting on September 10, 2024. Mr. van Rooyen replaces Mr. Tony Albini who accepted a position in another organization.

JC van Rooyen joins NUSD from Miller Creek School District, where he served as Assistant to the Chief Business Official (CBO). During his tenure, he spearheaded the establishment of digital-based solutions that significantly enhanced operational efficiency and effectiveness. Notably, he led the implementation of a rental software platform, Facilitron, which modernized district-wide operations and marked a milestone in advancing technological solutions for improved productivity. His hands-on experience with maintenance and operations, including daily management of transportation programs and the development of deferred maintenance databases, makes him an invaluable asset to our district.

Prior to his work in education, Mr. van Rooyen had a celebrated career with Levi Strauss & Co., where he held multiple senior leadership roles, including Director of Product Operations & Digital Tools. In this capacity, he defined and delivered a multi-year product roadmap, led the end-to-end delivery of digital tools capabilities, and played a key role in streamlining enterprise-wide processes. His ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage complex projects has been a hallmark of his career, driving continuous process improvements and fostering strong stakeholder relationships.

Dr. Tracy Smith, NUSD Superintendent, expressed confidence in Mr. van Rooyen’s ability to lead the district’s maintenance and operations efforts: “JC’s diverse background and demonstrated success in both the educational and corporate sectors make him uniquely qualified to take on this role. We are thrilled to have him join NUSD and look forward to the positive impact he will make on our district.”

JC’s academic credentials include a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing Management from Cape Peninsula University of Technology in South Africa, along with certifications in Product Management and Product Leadership from Product School in San Francisco, CA.

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August 26, 2024

NUSD Food and Nutritional Services Receives State Recognition for Local Foods Initiative

            (Novato, CA) … The Novato Unified School District (NUSD) is proud to announce that Food and Nutritional Services Department (FANS) was awarded a state certificate of recognition from our primary vendor, Goldstar. This prestigious recognition celebrates the successful implementation of the Local Foods for Schools initiative, funded by a state grant.

At the beginning of last year and continuing into this year, NUSD FANS was awarded grant money specifically aimed at purchasing locally produced foods. By utilizing these funds, FANS has been able to significantly contribute to building a competitive and resilient local food supply chain that benefits not only our district but also the wider community we serve.

“Our commitment to sustainability has always been at the forefront of our efforts. We have ensured that the foods introduced into our program through this grant will continue to be a staple in our offerings to students even after the grant money has been fully utilized,” commented Cody Williams, Director of Food and Nutritional Services. “This long-term vision underscores our dedication to maintaining a sustainable food program that supports local producers and provides our students with fresh, healthy food options,” added Mr. Williams.

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August 7, 2024

NUSD Announces Novato High School Assistant Principal

            (Novato, CA) … The Novato Unified School District is pleased to announce the appointment of Jahon Miles as Assistant Principal at Novato High School.  His appointment was approved by the Board of Trustees on Tuesday, August 6, 2024, at their regularly scheduled board meeting and is effective immediately.

Mr. Miles comes to NUSD from the Stockton Unified School District, where he has been for the past eight years.  Serving as an elementary school teacher, he was instrumental in implementing data-driven assessments, fostering inclusive classroom environments, and leading various school initiatives. He brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his new role.

Jahon is known for his ability to build strong relationships within the school community. He believes that successful education is rooted in strong partnerships between teachers, students, and parents. His democratic leadership style and commitment to listening to and valuing input from staff will be a significant asset to Novato High School.

Mr. Miles holds a Master’s degree in Sports Management from Southern New Hampshire University, an Administrative Credential from the Teachers College of San Joaquin, and a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of the Pacific.  Mr. Miles is replacing Mr. Jim Larson who accepted a position at the Marin County Office of Education.

Novato High School Principal, Dr. Liz Seabury, expressed confidence in Mr. Miles’ ability to enhance the educational experience at Novato High School. “Mr. Miles’ extensive experience and passion for education make him an excellent fit for our team. We are thrilled to welcome him and look forward to the positive impact he will have on our school community.”

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