iReady is an important part of our Leading Edge program. This week students took Diagnostic #3.  Below are graphs demonstrating growth in reading and math. Thanks to our parents' partnership and our teachers' work in the classroom, study hall, office hours, and after school specialized intervention programs, our students have made up for their post-COVID slump and succeeded at high levels this year. We can't wait to see how students perform on CAASPP testing, as that allows us to show the community and the state what Leading Edge is all about! 

Graph Key 

• Tier 1 = At or Exceeding Grade Level Standards

• Tier 2 = One Grade Level Below Standard

• Tier 3 = Two or More Grade Levels Below Standard

Reading Results 

17% increase in students meeting or exceeding grade level standards

Math 

21% increase in students meeting or exceeding grade level standards

Academic Calendar

• STEM Night: 3/23 

• Pillar Awards Assembly: 3/24 

• Multicultural Festival: 3/31 

• 8th Grade Field Lesson - Crocker Art / Capital: 4/5 

• Spring Break: 4/6 - 4/16

• CAASPP Testing: 4/24 - 4/28

• Open House: 5/4 

• 8th Grade Portfolio Presentations: 5/11 - 5/12

• No School: 5/26 - 5/29

• 8th Grade Brunch: 6/7 at 9:00 a.m. 

• 8th Grade Promotion: 6/7 at 6:00 p.m. 

• End of Year Field Trips: 6/8 

• Last Day of School: 6/9

Pillar Awards Ceremony 

•  Date: 3/24 Time:  8:25 a.m. - 8:55 a.m.    Location: Benvenuti Theater    

• Details: Parents are invited to join us in the Benvenuti Theater for pillar awards. Please come through the Benvenuti lobby. You will be receiving an email if your student is being given an award. Please keep it a secret until the ceremony. 

STEM Night 

•  Date: 3/23 Time:  5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.   Room: Cafeteria and Amphitheater

• Details:  Our STEM team is gearing up for an epic night! There will be displays and interactive activities for all ages, so bring your little ones to enjoy the fun. 

7th and 8th Soccer Tryouts 

• Dates:  TBA

• Time: 3:30 - 4:15

• Details:  Currently, soccer tryouts are on hold because of the weather. We are trying to have them on Wednesday, March 15th and we will let students and families know on Monday. 

Multicultural Festival 

• Dates:  3/31

• Time: 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

• Details:  We are excited to announce the 1st Annual NCS Multicultural Festival. This special event, sponsored by NAEF, will take place on Friday, March 31st, 2023 at Star Academy.  All NCS families are welcome to attend and encouraged to dress in their cultural attire. This NCS-wide event is a celebration of the rich cultural diversity that makes up our NCS Community. Booths representing a variety of cultures and hosted by NCS families will be on site, as well as student dance performances, live music, cultural activities and crafts, and food.

• Want to volunteer? Click Here https://forms.gle/So8EcSt4dbJqvX298. 

2023 Lottery Information 

Thank you for encouraging your friends and family to join Natomas Charter School. This year we received over 1600 pre-lottery applications - our highest number ever! Wednesday evening was our 2023 lottery and all applicants received offer or waitlist information via email. Over the next few weeks waitlist numbers will change significantly as families accept/decline spots. If you are a family who has applied to multiple academies we appreciate you making your decisions quickly so that we can offer spots to families who are on the waitlist eagerly awaiting a spot. 

NCS is the Place to Be - Job Fair April 1st!

Historically, many of our teachers and staff have been referred to our school through families, students, and colleagues already connected with Natomas Charter School. Ensuring we have fully qualified and diverse educators across our organization takes the entire community. If you know anyone who is interested in joining our school we are hosting a regional charter school collaborative job fair on Saturday April 1st at Star Academy from 10:00 am - 1:00 pm. More details about the job fair can be found on our school Facebook page. Please share the details widely with your networks.

Attendance Matters

Regular attendance is a great way to support your student and the school. Every day a student is absent for any reason the school loses up to $80 in funding. Due to an increase in illnesses and families keeping students home for multiple reasons NCS has observed a decrease in approximately $200,000 in funding this school year - the equivalent of two staff members. We appreciate families keeping students home who are actively sick. However, we appreciate having students at school on a regular basis. If you have a scheduled upcoming absence please consider having your student complete short-term independent study.

Something Rotten Opens Next Week!

Our high school musical, Something Rotten, opens Thursday night! The show runs March 17th-18th and March 23rd-25th. The cast and crew features alumni and current students from all five academies! Get your tickets at https://www.benarts.org before they sell out!

Does your student need funding for a community service project? 

The Sacramento Region Community Foundation is pleased to announce the Grants Advisory Board for Youth (GABY) is now accepting proposals! This year's theme is "Youth-led community programs rooted in equity that support the development or education of youth."  GABY seeks to fund student projects that meet a need in support of historically or currently underserved populations. Projects that amplify existing efforts or help organizations increase their reach or sustainability are encouraged. For more information, please review the GABY Requirements and Guidelines