Knight News

Indian and South Asian Cultural Festival 

Each year, our Leading Edge 6th grade class hosts the Indian and South Asian Cultural Festival. Students organize games, perform traditional dances, and set up booths featuring activities such as henna art and crafts. They also create beautiful rangoli art using chalk, adding vibrant colors and intricate designs to the event. Thank you to all the families that volunteered and brough delicious food. 

Holiday Festivities 

Before break, the campus was rockin with holiday festivities. It was fun to see everyone enjoying this relaxing week.  Our teachers and staff felt a lot of appreciations from the community with the many treats and gifts! Thank you. 

Academic Calendar

• January 6: Big Day of Reading 

• January 15 - 17: 6th Grade Marin Headlands 

• January 17: Trimester 2 Progress Reports

• January 20 - 21: No School for MLK and Staff Work Day 

• January 27 - February 1:  iReady Testing #2 

• February 14 - February 18: Presidents Day Weekend | No School

• February 28: End of Trimester 2

Cell Phone Policy Roll Out  - "Cell Phones Off and Away During the Day"

Summary: All middle school students are required to keep their phones turned off and stored in their backpacks from the first bell to the last bell of the school day. Research and experience show that personal devices and unlimited internet access can negatively impact students' academic progress, mental health, and social development. We are committed to partnering with families by providing the resources they need and sharing what we are doing at school to support this shift.

State Legislation: In response to recent state legislation, Assembly Bill 3216, the Phone-Free School Act, our NCS Board of Directors has promptly adopted new cell phone policies across all five academies. We encourage everyone to learn more about this important issue by reviewing this  meta-analysis of the research  or exploring the research on your own.  These changes at both the state and local levels stem from overwhelming research highlighting the effects of personal devices and social media on young people's mental health and academic progress.

NCS Board Policy  - Leading Edge and PFAA (Grades 6-8) "Students attending Leading Edge and PFAA Middle School (Grades 6-8) are not permitted to use mobile communication devices from the start of the first class period until the end of the final class period each day, including recess/break and lunch periods. Devices must be turned off and stored out of sight for the instructional day unless a teacher or administrator grants explicit permission for educational purposes. If a student needs to contact their parent or guardian, they may use a phone located in the front office. Private devices may be used after school hours for extracurricular activities or to communicate with parents/guardians after the last period of the day."

Considerations and Resources for Parents / Guardians 

• Discuss the benefits and dangers of cellphones and social media with your students 

• Join the "Wait Till 8th" pledge and get resources 

• If your student already has a cell phone consider: (1) Adding or increasing parental controls (Apple / Android), (2) Switching to a carrier like Bark mobile, (3) Consider leaving phones at home during the school day. 

Ongoing School Initiatives to Support a Phone Free School 

• Lunch-Time Games Program:

  • 1. • 1. • A variety of games available for students during lunch periods (ping pong, jenga, connect four, etc.)

            • Lunch chess program

       • Positive Culture:

         1. • A fun decades theme launch in February 

            • Slow roll out of cell phone "infractions", ensuring that students have time to adjust 

            • Ongoing education about the effects of cell phones and social media to developing brains

            • Counsling support for students with addictions to cellphones (research says about 10-15% of teens)

Parents, Staff, and Community Members,

The NCS Counseling Department will organize a Career Exploration Day for PFAA & ECA high school students on Wednesday, February 26th from 8:30-9:30 am. We are looking for volunteers to come in and do a 20-30 minute session discussing their career/job, what degree or education is needed for that career/job, and then answer questions from the students. We are looking for various careers/jobs from different areas. As much as we would like people to be able to come in person, we will also have opportunities for virtual interactions. 

If you are interested or know of someone who might be interested please have them fill out the Interest Form here.  (or Scan the QR below) We would like to have a confirmed list by January 31st, so students will have time to sign up for which sessions they want to attend.

Questions please reach out to Ms. Eichner meichner@natomascharter.org