NHS Family Newsletter
September 6. 2020
NHS Update
Last week was a big week for us, with our first virtual Back to School night. We chose to host this night both live and with recordings that can be viewed at any time, and overall the night was a success. There were a couple of teacher sessions that had some link issues, and we apologize- if you missed a teacher's presentation or office hour, please contact them and request to attend their office hours if you have any questions.
One addition to the night and a prelude to a theme and goal of mine as principal was the introduction and engagement of our student leaders. Our students represent the lifeblood of Northgate, and their voices, feedback, ideas and experiences are so valuable, when shared, to our growth as a school.
To that end, we are hosting our first student forum in two weeks, moderated by our Senior Class President, Kristina Co. This first session will be to discuss our students' experiences during distance learning- what is going well, what is challenging, and how we can do better. The panel for this forum will be relatively small, and I will be reaching out to all students to get a diverse group of volunteers who are comfortable sharing, to participate.
Consistent with this theme, our MDUSD school board recently approved a resolution to add a student representative to the board, a move also intended to increase student voice and inclusion in policy making and budget allocation. This resolution was proposed by our very own senior, Michelle Alas, who was a finalist for consideration as a representative to the state board of education, and a captain of our debate team. (Congrats Michelle!)
We work as a school to give our students voice, building their confidence with projects each year, fostering safe spaces for public speaking and sharing of ideas, and celebrating their work and achievements. the If I Could Change the World project, Mock Congress, the American Authors Project, the iSearch project, and Senior project all work towards these goals.
I look forward to working with our students, hearing their voices, and partnering with them to continue to make Northgate not only one of the best schools in the country, but a school that they will be proud to call their Alma Mater.
Yours in Partnership,
Kelly Cooper
Principal
No School Monday- Labor Day
Monday, Sep 7, 2020, 08:00 AM
Northgate High School, Castle Rock Road, Walnut Creek, CA, USA
Welcome Back from Dance Production
Tech Updates - Teacher Technology
First, we want to thank our community for supporting these projects, and our teachers, in their endeavors to update their technology. Each project that has been posted thus far has been funded fully, and quickly! That is remarkable.
Second, we want to discourage assumptions that are made with these projects- as a school, we provide devices to all of our staff and technology exists in every classroom. Our teachers also have the opportunity to, but are not required to work from school, where they also have Apple Tv's and more devices to use. We have also provided several with webcams that have needed them. One of the first things we did as a site before school began was take a tech survey for our teachers to assess what we had and what was needed. Many of our teachers use their personal laptops because they are more portable when working from home, or have a better, newer processor.
Unfortunately, we do not have the funds to update every laptop, or to purchase touch screen laptops, and these have been the devices requested through these partnership grants.
If you are interested in more information about how site funds are spent, you are encouraged to consider serving on the site council as a parent representative. See below for the sign up form.
School Photos Update
Current Seniors should contact Studio One for appointments to take their Senior Portraits. Our goal date for these photos to be included in the yearbook is November. If you have any questions, please contact the Yearbook coordinator, Amber Lineweaver.
Seniors will be given ID cards after October 13.
NHS 2020-21 School Schedule for Distance Learning
Coffee with Coop
Join Principal Kelly Cooper in a virtual cup of coffee and conversation
Topic: School Updates
Time: Sept 30, 2020 07:30AM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
https://mdusd.zoom.us/j/87454168283?pwd=aHpXdjU3RzhOVi9MRERYYlpZRUpRQT09
Meeting ID: 874 5416 8283
Passcode: 114350
Wednesday, Sep 30, 2020, 07:30 AM
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September at a Glance
September 14th- MDUSD Board Meeting
September 16th- NHS Student Forum
September 17th- PFC Meeting
September 30th- Coffee with Coop
Vape Pens and Teens- A webinar
You're Invited! Vape Pens and Teens: What Our Community Needs to Know
This webinar will provide an overview of the latest tobacco products used by young people. Adult and youth presenters will discuss the history of electronic smoking devices (vape pens), as well as the current products on the market. We will cover how they work, how the tobacco industry targets young people, health effects, and what we are still learning about these popular and dangerous devices.
Tuesday, September 29, 2020
5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Audience: Parents and other adults
There is no cost to attend, although registration is required.
For questions, contact Marissa Frias mfrias@cccoe.k12.ca.us
PSAT/SAT cancelled for Fall, and more updates from College and Career
All standardized testing has been postponed for the Fall, due to county health restrictions in having students on campus for prolonged periods of time. The Superintendent announced this postponement in August. No updates are available at this time.
College Course opportunities for our students
DVC allows for concurrent enrollment, and has many courses that they recommend for high school students looking to expand their transcripts. See a list of recommended courses here.
Questions? Contact your Academic counselor:
Last Names A-G - Leanne Owen owenl@mdusd.org
Last Names H-O- Kristen Bligh blighk@mdusd.org
Last Names P-Z- Mandy Kaur kaurm@mdusd.org
Parent Education- MDUSD Parent Academy
Technology Needs
If you need to check out a chromebook for your student, please fill out this form.
If you do not have internet access in your home, and would like to apply for a Hotspot (mobile internet device), please contact Craig Bocks.
Classroom Donations
Click here for department donations!
Additionally, we have some great Bronco gear for sale- Click here for our online store of apparel!
Attendance and Google Classroom
Attendance- there are 4 levels of participation noted in Homelink.
- P - participated- your student came to the class, participated in the Zoom/Google Meet session
- 4- Student turned in an assignment that day, but did not attend the Zoom/Google Meet
- 3- Student or parent emailed someone in the office or the teacher
- A- Student was not present, nor did work in the class that day.
If you feel your student was marked in error, please contact the teacher.
If you would like to receive guardian email updates from google classroom, please email the teacher. The student cannot add you as a guardian themselves.
Food Services- Community Meals
Our outstanding MDUSD food services department continues to offer meal services at select sites.
Athletics
Now is the time to start the registration process for athletics, especially for fall sports.
If you are interested in more information about a particular Sport, please contact the coach.
You can find all athletic information, including contact information for coaches, on our athletics website.
NCS Sports Update
Until then, coaches may run clinics with the current restrictions in place. These include small cohorts of 12, temperature checks and symptom screening, outdoor activity and limited contact.
Parents Anonymous Resource
In partnership with Governor Newsom, Parents Anonymous® Inc. recently launched the California Parent & Youth Helpline and Online Parents Anonymous® Support Groups in response to the Coronavirus to provide free trauma-informed, evidenced-based emotional support to Parents, Children and Youth in any language via calls, text, live chat and email. The California Parents & Youth Helpline operates 7 days a week from 8:00AM-8:00PM. Parents can Join a Weekly Online Support Group NOW through the website: caparentyouthhelpline.org. In this confidential setting, Parents address their underlying emotions and build resiliency to strengthen their family.
Given the stress and anxiety families are experiencing as schools are opening, we are requesting that you add the California Parent & Youth Helpline and Online Support Groups, which are FREE and a valuable resource for Parents, Caregivers, Children and Youth on your website and/or social media platforms. I have attached the outreach ads in both English and Spanish.
Claycord PFLAG
PFLAG of Clayton-Concord, in its mission of support, education and advocacy for LGBTQ+ people, has initiated and sponsored the MDUSD GSA Forum for the past three years, as well as free “pizza nights” for LGBTQ+ students throughout the academic year.
We’d like to make sure that students and their families are aware of PFLAG and the community support we offer:
· Chapter meetings on the third Tuesday of each month from 7-8 PM via Zoom for all adult LGBTQ+ people, their family members and allies. This is an opportunity for parents and other adult family members to connect with others who know what it’s like to learn their child’s sexuality and/or gender identity is different than they understood. Chapter meetings are confidential, and Zoom log-in information is available either by sending me an email or a private message on our Facebook page. Membership in PFLAG is not required for attendance and there is no fee.
· A virtual drop-in space for high school students in MDUSD, as well as Clayton Valley Charter, Carondelet and De la Salle, facilitated by the youth outreach leaders of Rainbow Community Center every other Thursday from 7-8 PM. The Zoom meeting ID is 933 8545 9911 and the passcode is 837664. Each meeting includes a check-in time, an educational component (LGBTQ+ history, notable people, etc.), and a time of reflection. Registration is not required and there is no fee.
Teen Drivers? Check out Smart Moves
Sign up for Text Updates
Additional Family Support Services
District Communications
Some important news and information recently released from MDUSD:
- New Page- 2020-21 School Year Guide
- See the latest Superintendent Letter Here.
- Roadmap to Reopen This website will be updated frequently with the latest district-wide announcements regarding re-opening our schools.
2020-21 Academic Calendar
Northgate High School
Email: cooperk@mdusd.org
Website: http://northgatehighschool.org
Location: 425 Castle Rock Road, Walnut Creek, CA, USA
Phone: 925-938-0900
Twitter: @northgatehs