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  • Community Cornerstone from NUSD Supt. Dr. Tracy Smit...

    Community Cornerstone from Supt. Dr. Tracy Smith September 4, 2025 Dear NUSD Community, Back-to-School Nights across the district were a huge success this week! Families filled our TK–8 classrooms and hallways with excitement and connection. Parents had the chance to meet teachers, principals shared important updates for the year ahead, and the energy was high as we came together to kick off a new school year. Thank you to everyone who joined us—you make our school communities strong, supportive, and inspiring.  Looking ahead: *Tomorrow, Friday, September 5th – Minimum day for all TK–8 students (check your school’s schedule for exact dismissal times). *Next week’s High School Back-to-School Nights: Wednesday, September 10 – Marin Oaks Thursday, September 11 – Novato High & San Marin Finally, a reminder: our district cell phone policies remain in full effect. TK–8 students must keep phones completely put away during the school day, and high school students may not use them during instructional time. Teachers are already noticing more focus and engagement in class—thank you for supporting this effort at home! In partnership, Dr. Tracy Smith Superintendent Social Media and Technology Use Tips for Parents Families, here’s some helpful tips for managing screen time at home:  Set clear, consistent rules around social media use—like no phones or devices during meals or homework.  Model the behavior you want to see.  Regularly check in with your child about what they’re seeing online, and keep devices out of bedrooms at night to encourage better sleep and balance.  A little structure goes a long way in building healthy digital habits. On a separate note for parents who have not purchased devices or phones for their children yet: It is highly recommended from experts on brain development to restrain from providing such technology to kids at young ages.  The longer you can put it off, the better! NUSD 2024–2025 Annual Report We are proud to share our Annual Report, which highlights programs and achievements from the past school year, along with district demographics, financial information, and more. The report is available in English and Spanish so every family can stay informed. 👉 English 2024-2025 Annual Report 👉 Spanish 2024-2025 Annual Report Take a moment to explore how our students, staff, and community are working together to make Novato Unified a place where every student can thrive. Back to School Nights September 4, San Jose and Sinaloa September 10, Marin Oaks High School September 11, Novato High and San Marin September Holidays and Observances

    Thursday, Sep 04 2025

  • LV Bears Bulletin - September 1, 2025

    LV Bears Bulletin   | September 1st ,  2025 Dear LV Families, We had a wonderful first full week of school! It’s great to see students engage in collaborative and engaging activities in every classroom. Our teachers make sure to take time at the start of the school year to establish norms for learning together. It’s important for students to have clear expectations and have opportunities to practice expected behaviors in fun and engaging tasks. This helps them get ready to take risks and tackle academic challenges as they come their way during the school year. Students need to feel safe and trust their learning environment and these first few weeks are critical in creating a successful classroom culture.  Regular and on time attendance is also critical for students to feel connected to our community and be invested in their own learning. Research shows that students who attend school regularly perform better on measures of academic and social and emotional capacities. Furthermore, students who attend school regularly are more likely to be able to read proficiently by the end of 3rd grade ( https://www.attendanceworks.org/ ).  Of course, children get sick and sometimes there can be unforeseen circumstances that come up that lead to missed school. If a child ends up missing 3 days or more of school, then they can sign up for an  Independent Study Contract which allows for a student to receive work from class and recover the absences after the work is turned in.  While there is plenty of vacation time during the school year, if your family is planning a trip outside of scheduled holidays, we ask that you request an Independent Study Contract for your child. You can let the office staff and the teacher know with at least a week in advance for the work to be collected and the contract to be written up. The work should be completed and turned in at the conclusion of the Independent Study. Please reach out if you have any questions about Independent Study.  Attendance and other important topics were covered in my messages titled “Countdown to Success” prior to the start of the school year. If you missed those messages, you can read them by clicking on the specific link below. Attendance Parking Lot Student Behavior Expectations NUSD Hate Speech Policy Homework and Dress Code NUSD Device Policy The topics and so much more are also covered in our Handbook. It is imperative that parents and guardians are reading the information that is sent home about your child’s life at Loma Verde. As a parent of two children who are now at two different schools, I know that the information can seem overwhelming at times, however, the information also helps in managing calendars, upcoming events, and ways to support your child at home.  Back to School Night is on September 3rd which is a great opportunity to learn more about your child’s grade level and classroom. You will have two session options for each classroom and we will be meeting as a whole school as well. It’s a great opportunity to connect with other parents and learn more about our school goals and activities for the year.  Thank you for your support of our students, staff, and community. I look forward to working together to support our students and ensuring that they have a great year!  Make it Count! Aprovecha la Oportunidad!  Sincerely, Tehniat Cheema Principal                                               P.S. Please keep reading for more information! If you're reading, make sure to appreciate this message or leave a comment - it helps us know that folks are reading the information.  Mrs. Cheema Read Aloud Making it Count in Second Grade Michael Stunz Years at Loma 3 Years in Education 30 Go to Birthday Treat Dessert I live just down the street from our school in the Loma Verde community. I grew up in San Rafael and graduated from Terra Linda High School. After graduating from Sacramento State University, I began my teaching career in Sacramento and enjoyed teaching grades 3 - 5 for 20 years before moving back to Marin County. I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. I also love to go fly fishing, golfing, and working around the house.    Well hello Loma community! I'm Ms. Thomas. This is my third year working with your wonderful children here at Loma Verde. Before Loma, I taught 5th grade in San Francisco for 17 years. I live in San Rafael, and have two children ages 12 and 17, a husband, two cats and a dog. It's a full house! I grew up in Dixon, near Davis. I love to run, read, draw, travel and spend time with friends and family. This summer we went to Spain and London, which was a lot of fun!   Katrina Thomas Years at Loma 3 Years in Education 21 Go to Birthday Treat I love cupcakes   Elizabeth Vega Years at Loma 13 Years in Education 13 Go To Birthday Treat Ice cream  My family and I live in Penngrove. We love the small-town feeling and all the fun animals we get to say hi to on our walks. I especially love it because it reminds me of the small town I grew up in. I grew up in Inverness on a dairy farm surrounded by beaches. For fun, my family and I love going to the beach, camping, playing board games, and watching movies. It’s time for the Annual Pledge Drive! The Loma Verde Foundation needs your support! With your annual pledge drive donation, we are able to fund school programs that are beyond the school’s state budget. We use the money raised to help pay for school field trips, classroom enrichment, art, music, PE, library, social/emotional learning, technology, campus beautification, and more to ensure all Loma Verde students reach their full potential.  Our goal is to raise $25,000 by the end of September, and the first 25 people who donate will receive a custom Loma Verde Elementary hat in addition to all of the great incentives you get by donation level!  Make your gift online today or return the attached form along with your donation to the front office. Thank you for supporting our students! Loma Verde is offering an opportunity for personal electronic messages to be written on the marquee in the front of the school!  This is a way to wish your student Happy Birthday or Congratulations on their grade, a great game, making the team, promotion etc.  You name it!!  All messages must be approved by the principal.  Each message costs $5.00 per day and can be ordered by filling out the form below at least five (5) school days prior to the announcement date.  100% of the funds raised will be used to support our staff and students.Payment can be made via cash or checks turned in at the office - Please make checks payable to:   Loma Verde School. You can also pay through Venmo - @lomaverdefoundation  (Please put "Marquee" in the note of your payment). Thank You! FORM: https://forms.gle/Hh2k9mYzMmJqcyNd6 ¡Loma Verde ofrece la oportunidad de escribir mensajes personales en el letrero electrónico en frente de la escuela!  Esta es una manera de desearle a su estudiante un feliz cumpleaños o felicitaciones por buenas calificaciones, un buen partido, ser seleccionado para el equipo, etc., ¡lo que sea! Todos los mensajes tienen que ser aprobados por la directora. Cada mensaje cuesta $5.00 dólares por día y se puede pedir completando este formulario al menos cinco (5) días escolares antes de la fecha de anuncio.  El 100% de los fondos recaudados se utilizarán para apoyar a nuestro personal y estudiantes. El pago se puede hacer en efectivo o cheques entregados en la oficina - Por favor haga los cheques pagaderos a: Loma Verde School. También puede pagar a través de Venmo - @lomaverdefoundation (Por favor, ponga "Marquee" en la nota de su pago) ¡Gracias! FORM: https://forms.gle/Hh2k9mYzMmJqcyNd6  \ Suicide Prevention & Awareness Month: September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Learn the warning signs, ⚠️normalize help-seeking, and let people know there are proven treatments that work. Check out SAMHSA’s #SuicidePreventionMonth toolkit ➡️  samhsa.gov/suicide-prevention-month LOMA VERDE PARENT HANDBOOK LOMA VERDE FACEBOOK PAGE LVBEARSROCK INSTAGRAM LOMA VERDE WEBSITE

    Sunday, Aug 31 2025

  • LV Bears Bulletin - August 25th, 2025

    LV Bears Bulletin   | August 25th ,  2025 Dear LV Families, We had a great first two days of school, even though it seems like the first day of school may have been the hottest day of the year so far! It was so great to see familiar faces and new faces all coming together as we kicked off our day with Motion with Mr. Malone. This year, we are welcoming our Kindergarten students to the big black top in the mornings and inviting parents to walk along their students around the perimeter of the black top. Speaking of the perimeter of the black top, I am sure everyone has seen or heard about the fenced up area on the black top by our Multipurpose Room. The great news is that we are about to get a brand new and big super cool shaded area for all our students. But we do have to contend with that fence taking up a little bit of our walking and playing area. But bears are flexible (ok maybe not actual bears) but Loma Bears definitely are and we will take it in stride.  On Monday, our TK students will be joining us for Motion as well and we can’t wait. On Tuesdays, we will start the day with a whole school community meeting. Usually this meeting will take place on the steps in front of the 300 wing but since there is a fenced area there too (shade is on its way there too), we will have our community meeting on the big black top.  Back to School Night is coming up on September 3rd which is a great opportunity to learn more about your child’s grade level and classroom. You will have two session options for each classroom and we will be meeting as a whole school as well. It’s a great opportunity to connect with other parents and learn more about our school goals and activities for the year.  I appreciate everyone for being mindful in the mornings during drop off and showing patience in the afternoons during pick up. Thank you for remembering that our parking lot is for staff only.  Here are a few friendly reminders as we head into our first full week of school.  Thank you for your support of our students, staff, and community. I look forward to working together to support our students and ensuring that they have a great year!  Make it Count! Aprovecha la Oportunidad!  Sincerely, Tehniat Cheema Principal                                               P.S. Please keep reading for more information! Mrs. Cheema Read Aloud Making it Count in Third Grade Cheriann Reed Years at Loma 5 Years in Education 23 Go to Birthday Treat Berry Pie I was born and raised in Southern California and attended school in the Los Angeles Unified School District.  I lived in Antelope Valley with my parents and three siblings, who are all teachers as well.  My first job was assistant manager at House of Fabrics.  After that, I worked in the Medical field, in Accounting, and at NASA.  Moving to Novato is in 2000, I started the path towards my teaching career.  While attending Dominican University, I taught at Rancho & Lynwood for my student teaching placements.  From 2003 to 2020, I taught several grade levels at Lynwood.  In August 2020, I began teaching at Loma Verde.  My family has a background in theatre ranging from actors, to prop builders, to stage managing, to backstage ‘techies.’  I worked as a costumer & quick change artist for 15 years.  My family continues to attend theatre productions frequently in Marin, San Francisco, and while traveling.  I have a daughter who attended schools in Novato and is currently attending College of Marin with plans to transfer to Berkeley or Davis next year.  Even though I grew up in Indiana, Novato is home now and has been for the past 21 years.  I was happy to settle down here and raise my two boys here after my husband retired from the Air Force. I have lived in many different states and that has helped cement my love of maps!  I love to read, take walks, and travel.  I also enjoy laughing and spending time with family and friends.  I have only taught in Novato.  I love my Loma Verde family and can't imagine being anywhere else! Brenda Pfeifer Years at Loma 13 Years in Education 14 Go to Birthday Treat Chocolate cake with chocolate frosting   Kathleen Kang Years at Loma 7 Years in Education 10 Go To Birthday Treat Cake, fruit tart Hello Loma! I am a Marin native and live in Novato. I am a homebody who loves to explore! I love exploring places that are new and familiar by hiking with my dogs, reading stories from near and far, and eating all kinds of delicious food.   My family moved to Novato when I was in sixth grade. I went to Sinaloa Middle School and San Marin High School. I also attended a few schools afterwards for various degrees and experiences - SRJC, UC Davis, Sonoma State, and American University. Before Loma became my home away from home, I taught in a few different places, as well - I taught throughout Marin as a substitute teacher; I taught 6th grade in San Francisco; and I taught English to elementary and middle school students in South Korea. This year is my first year teaching third grade, after two years teaching fourth grade and three years teaching the littles in kindergarten LOMA VERDE PARENT HANDBOOK LOMA VERDE FACEBOOK PAGE LVBEARSROCK INSTAGRAM LOMA VERDE WEBSITE

    Sunday, Aug 24 2025

  • Special Board Meeting Agenda - 8/23/25

    There will be a Special Board Meeting on  Saturday, August 23, 2025 at 9 AM.  The meeting consists of a Board Workshop to discuss the Governance Handbook. The agenda may be found at this  link  or at  www.nusd.org => Board => Board Meeting Dates and Agendas.   The next Regular Board Meeting of the 2025-26 school year will be on Tuesday, September 9, 2025 at 6 PM.

    Thursday, Aug 21 2025

  • NUSD Board Meeting, Tuesday, August 19, 2025, Open S...

    For your information:   NUSD Board of Trustees meeting  Tuesday, August 19, 2025,   Open Session begins at 6:00 pm .   The Agenda may be found at this  link   or at  www.nusd.org  => Board Agenda (link from homepage, top right).  Board agenda items include: Staff Report:  Education Workforce Housing Waiver Application Results Discussion/Action:   Approval of Workforce Housing Entitlements Process Approval of Resolution to Authorize Filing of Application(s) for State Allocation Board-Administered Charter School Facilities Program Discussion Board Committee Assignments for 2025-2026 Watch the Meeting on YouTube  Members of the community may also watch the Regular Board meeting remotely via  NUSD’s YouTube Channel   online.    Public Comments  Individuals may address the Board of Trustees on agenda items on both the closed session and regular session agenda at the time they are under consideration. At a time so designated on the agenda at a regular meeting, individuals may address the Board on non-agenda items of interest to the public that are within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Board.    In general, individual speakers will be allowed three minutes to address the Board on each agenda or non-agenda item with a total time limit on each item to 20 minutes. However, in exceptional circumstances when necessary to ensure full opportunity for public input, the Board president may, with Board consent, adjust the amount of time allowed for public input and/or the time allotted for each speaker. (Board Bylaw 9323)    Persons wishing to be heard by the Board must complete and submit an individual Request for Public Comment form.  A designated District employee will be available at the meeting to assist individuals who are unable to complete the form themselves.

    Saturday, Aug 16 2025