Knight News

Academic Calendar

• April 7 - 11: CAASPP Testing

• April 9: T3 Progress Reports Sent Home

• April 15:  MultiCultural Festival 

• April 16 - 27: Spring Break 

• May 1: Open House 

• May 5-9: Educator Appreciation Week 

• May 8-9: 8th Grade Portfolios 

• May 23: All Staff PD Day 

• June 5: End of Year Field Trips 

• June 6: 8th Grade Brunch at 8:15 a.m.  

• June 6: 8th Grade Promotion at 3:00 p.m. 

CAASPP Testing April 7-11 →   Let's Get Ready 

CAASPP testing starts on Monday - and every day of preparation counts! This assessment not only helps us understand how your child is growing academically, but it also plays a critical role in measuring the overall success of our school as a California charter school. Your support at home makes a big difference!

Here are some simple, powerful ways you can help your child feel confident and ready

Parent Tips for Strong Testing Preperation 

• Prioritize Sleep
  Make sure your child gets 9–10 hours of sleep each night. A well-rested brain is more focused, calm, and ready to tackle challenges.

• Keep Meals Balanced
  A healthy breakfast with protein, fruit, and whole grains helps students stay energized and alert. Avoid sugary foods that can cause energy crashes.

• Stick to a Steady Routine
  Consistency helps reduce anxiety. Keep bedtime, wake-up time, and morning routines predictable to help students feel grounded and ready to learn.

• Talk About the Test
  Have positive conversations about CAASPP. Remind your child that it’s a chance to show what they’ve learned and that doing their best is what matters most.

Leadership Change Announcement 

Dear Leading Edge Families,

Over the last twelve years, I have had the honor of serving the Natomas community—first as a teacher at a neighboring school, and for the past four years as the Principal of Natomas Charter School's Leading Edge Academy. Leading Edge has given me the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in new ways and to join a program that has been serving students with excellence for over thirty years. It has truly been a privilege to work alongside such a dedicated team of educators, students, and families.

That’s why it’s with a mix of excitement and sadness that I share this news: I will be leaving my position at the end of the school year, as I’ve accepted a new role as Director of Instruction at another charter school. While this transition means stepping away from the Natomas Charter School community that has shaped so much of my professional life, I am energized by the opportunity to grow in new ways and support student learning at a broader level.

Over the past four years, Leading Edge has made tremendous strides, especially as we’ve navigated the challenges that followed the pandemic. Our staff, students, and families have risen to the occasion time and time again. Here are some examples of what we accomplished together:

• Mission and Vision: We refreshed our mission and vision to better reflect the work we are doing today and the evolving needs of our community.

• Pillar Update: We revised our academy pillars to speak more directly to the world our students are growing up in—one that is dynamic, diverse, and ever-changing.

• Portfolio Integration: We embedded our student portfolio process into every class, transforming it into a meaningful and authentic reflection of student learning.

• Behavior Systems: We implemented the ROCK expectations and created a clear, school-wide system for supporting positive student behavior.

• LEAP Reboot: With incredible support from our parent community, we relaunched Leading Edge Active Parents, building a strong foundation for family engagement, volunteering, and fundraising.

While I am excited for what’s ahead, I will deeply miss the students, staff, and families that make Leading Edge such a special place. Often our strongest educators are people you might know.

Please Share this Link with Your Community

I will be working through the end of the school year and helping the new candidate transition into their role at Leading Edge. My goal is to ensure the transition is as smooth as possible. 

Thank you for trusting me to lead, to grow, and to be a part of your child’s educational journey. I’ll carry the spirit of this community with me always.

With deep gratitude,
Dr. Vasa Lokteff
Principal, Leading Edge Academy

NCS Multicultural Festival  → Tuesday, April 15th

Mark your calendars! The 3rd Annual NCS Multicultural Festival is set for Tuesday, April 15th, 2025 from 5:00-8:00pm on the Star Academy Campus! 

• New for 2025: NCS Multicultural Festival Website with all the links and information you need for this year's event! 

• Students: Are you interested in helping design the logo? Click here to find out how you can enter the contest. Don't forget to read the rules!

• Students, Staff, and Community Members: Are you interested in performing? Click here to find out how.

• Staff and Community Members: Would you like to host a booth to share your Country & Culture? Click here to sign up!

• Students, Staff, and Community Members: Would you like to host a craft table or game table? Email ssemple@natomascharter.org to sign up! 

For additional information or event questions, please contact ssemple@natomascharter.org. 

enience of waiting to communicate. Thank you for your support in helping our students stay focused and present during the school day.

Check Your Email - Intent to Return/Registration Reminder

All returning students for the 2025-2026 school year must submit an Intent to Return/Registration. Instructions for submitting the online Intent to Return/Registration were sent to your email address on March 17, 2025. We request that families complete these as soon as possible to ensure your student has a spot at NCS in the coming school year.

Seeking Educators for the 2025-26 School Year

Natomas Charter School is seeking highly qualified educators to work with our students in the coming school year in a variety of positions. Many of our most successful employees were referred to our school by our families and community members. If you know of individuals looking to join an award-winning school, please send them our EdJoin link. https://edjoin.org/natomascharter