Bronco News- 9th Grade edition!
For all incoming 9th grade families!
Welcome to Northgate!
We wanted to get these upcoming important dates on the calendar, and prepare you and your student for what is coming. We are looking forward to welcoming all of our students back into the building, and will be following some protocols given to us by the state as we do so. This includes:
- Masks will be required of students and staff (and any visitors) while indoors, at all times, regardless of vaccination status. If students have a medical exemption from a mask, they may wear a face shield with a drape. Masks will be available in classrooms and in the office for those students who may have forgotten theirs.
- Masks are not required outdoors, regardless of vaccination status.
- COVID Testing will continue to be available at school sites, and more details will follow in regards to this.
- Hand sanitizer is available throughout the building and in every classroom.
- Enhanced cleaning procedures have been put into place by our MDUSD facilities and operations.
- Students will be encouraged to maintain social distancing when transitioning class to class. Our bell schedule allows now for 7 minutes between classes.
- Students will take meals outdoors.
Some details are still being worked on, and will be communicated as we receive them. In the meantime, we have set up a Q&A night for August 4th, 6pm, just for our 9th grade families. This is completely optional, and an opportunity to speak with our principal, Kelly Cooper, and ask questions. Students and parents are welcome, and information is below.
We have some key information and dates to share with you, so please read on!
First Next Step- Residency Verification
*This includes families who might have shown these documents to the registrar during the registration process*
Verification Window dates:
August 2nd- 8am-3pm
August 3rd- 8am-3pm
August 4th- 8am-5pm *Extended window*
August 5th- 8am-3pm
If these dates and times do not work, families can complete address verification at walk through registration (information below- just please allow for more time to complete this process then).
Three documents are needed for residency verification:
Q&A with Principal Cooper- 9th grade only
Wednesday, Aug 4, 2021, 06:00 PM
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2nd Next Thing- Freshman Orientation
Don't miss it- 8am sharp, Northgate Gym. Students need nothing but a great attitude, and will get a tour of the school, some small group work with their Link Crew leaders, and some great opportunities to connect with their fellow Class of 2025 peers. MASKS REQUIRED.
Afterwards, students will be released to complete 9th grade walk through.
Look for an email soon from coordinator, Melanie Scott.
Freshman Orientation
Masks are required for this event.
Wednesday, Aug 11, 2021, 08:00 AM
Northgate High School, Castle Rock Road, Walnut Creek, CA, USA
Step 3 -Walk Through Registration
Walk-through documents will be available this weekend, August 1st and 2nd- they will be sent to the parent's primary email acccount. Once available, much can be completed online before coming to school for the in-person portion of registration.
Parents will need access to Homelink accounts. If this was set up in middle school, parents will still have access. If you are new to the district, you will need a verification code to set this account up- these will be mailed to you this week, or you can contact the office as needed.
Parents do NOT need to accompany students if all documents and verifications are completed before August 11th.
Walk Thru Registration- 9th grade families
If families are unavailable for walk through registration, students will need to complete a "mini-walk-through" to get materials after school begins, before attending classes.
Wednesday, Aug 11, 2021, 12:00 PM
Northgate High School, Castle Rock Road, Walnut Creek, CA, USA
Broncos in the Summer News!
Senior Sofia Padoan Makes USA Lacrosse All Academic 1st Team
Sophomore Ben Forer makes the USA National Team!
Girls Swimming Relay team makes All American List!
Northgate Class Schedule- Back to Full Days!
- 1st period begins at 7:55am.
- Mon/Wed/Fri 6th period ends at 2:25pm
- Tues/Thurs 6th period ends at 3:15pm- these days include a period where students will be supported by student mentors, link crew leaders, and peers in working on school work and courses that may be challenging for them.
- A period begins at 7am.
*The day schedule can change based on the events in and around campus. For example, first week of school (August 12th and 13th) we are running M/W/F schedule both days. These changes can always be seen on the monthly calendar bell schedule HERE.
School Picture Day
Wednesday, Aug 25, 2021, 08:00 AM
Northgate High School, Castle Rock Road, Walnut Creek, CA, USA
Back to School Night
Thursday, Sep 2, 2021, 06:00 PM
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Bronco Athletics
If your child is interested in playing a sport, please contact the coach and keep an eye on the website for announcements. Our Athletics Webpage includes information on how to register and important dates. All athletes must upload a current physical, dated 6/2/2021 or later.
Fall sports officially begin tryouts/practice on Monday August 9th. Contact coaches for more details.
Athletes can get physicals at Northgate High School while supporting our sports medicine program - Fall sport athletes can sign up for the next round, August 4th from 6-8pm. See more information below.
Fall Sports Include:
Cross Country
Girls Tennis
Girls Golf
Girls Volleyball
Water Polo (Boys and Girls)
Football
Spirit (Cheer and Dance)
Any further questions, please contact the Athletic Director, Ben Ballard or Assistant Athletic Director, Brandon Enriquez.
Physicals- Fall Athletes Only
Wednesday, Aug 4, 2021, 06:00 PM
Northgate High School, Castle Rock Road, Walnut Creek, CA, USA
Sports Physicals at Northgate HS
. Glen Barker and the Northgate Sports Medicine Program will be holding Sports Physicals on August 4th from 6pm to 8pm. Please note: The sports physicals will be held OUTSIDE at the Northgate Stadium
The Northgate Sports Medicine Team MDs consisting of Dr. Burns, Dr. Chen, and
Dr. Perez, from the Center for Sports Medicine in Walnut Creek, will once again be donating their time in helping our FALL sports athletes get cleared for the upcoming season.
Please note that these upcoming sports physicals will be held only for the fall sports athletes. Northgate Sports Medicine will be holding another sports physical in October for the winter and spring sports. Please remember to have downloaded all the required paperwork prior to coming to the sports physicals.
The tax-deductible fee is $100 per athlete or $150 for multiple siblings.
Please feel free to reach out to Glen or myself with any questions and thank you again for your support!
Glen Barker, Athletic Trainer (barkerg@sbcglobal.net)
Stacy Hallett-Brasher, Booster Rep (stacyhallett@gmail.com)
To pay online:
Single student athlete - https://nghsorganizations.revtrak.net/Bronco-Athletic-Boosters/#/v/Sports-Physical
Multiple siblings - https://nghsorganizations.revtrak.net/Bronco-Athletic-Boosters/#/v/Sports-Physical-Mult-15
Fall Sports Parent Night
We will be meeting parents in the gym to begin with, then moving to rooms for individual sports.
Thursday, Aug 5, 2021, 06:00 PM
Northgate High School, Castle Rock Road, Walnut Creek, CA, USA
Club Offerings at NHS
Check out our past year club offerings, and some of their promotional videos, for an idea of what has been offered. Students have the opportunity to form clubs throughout the year, and all club charters must be renewed annually.
Club Rush
Tuesday, Aug 31, 2021, 12:00 PM
Northgate High School, Castle Rock Road, Walnut Creek, CA, USA
PW dazzles on the stage and in the Zoom
NHS Jazz Ensembles maintain their reign as one of the best in CA
Choir entertains year-round, in the community and on stage
Frequently Asked Questions
Ms Cooper has sent out course lists to the primary email listed for each student, and some information about walk through has been sent through ParentSquare. ParentSquare is the primary communication tool used by the school, and we highly recommend downloading the app.
We got our course lists, but my student wants a different elective. How can we request a change?
Please use the course change request form HERE.
Are there any AP or Honors courses for my 9th grader?
- There are no honors or AP courses that 9th graders take. Many classes are prescribed 9th grade year, including Freshmen PE, Living Earth (Biology), and English I. Math classes are assigned based on 8th grade placement and CAASSP scores.
What if my student took a Math course over the summer to advance into the next level?
Please send the completed transcript to our registrar, Ms. Lindheimer, and request a change.
What is Link Crew?
-Link Crew is our freshman transition program, where junior and senior students are trained to be Link Crew Leaders, and freshmen are put into small groups with two leaders, who remain with them throughout the year. Students will meet their leaders at Freshmen Orientation, and continue to interact and receive mentoring and assistance from them throughout the year in Strategic Support.
What is Strategic Support?
- Northgate has a unique bell schedule where built in two times a week are periods of time for students to study and work on homework and have the opportunity to work with student mentors. This is called Strategic Support (SS), which operates as a separate class, occurring between 3rd and 4th period. 9th grade students begin with their Link Crews, and then will be reassigned based on subject needs after the first progress report.
NHS Academic Counselors are here to help!
Who do I contact?
Counselors return to work on August 9th
Academic Counselors
- Last Name A-G- Leanne Owen- owenl@mdusd.org ext 3546
- Last Name H-O Kristen Bligh- blighk@mdusd.org ext 3526
- Last Name P-Z William Stallworth- stallworthw@mdusd.org ext 3539
Vice Principals
- Last Name A-L Kara Ravina- ravinak@mdusd.org ext 3502
- Last Name M-Z Craig Bocks- bocksc@mdusd.org ext 3503
Some Tips from the Pros
- Parents should sign up for newsletters and read all the updates/information pieces that come out, NHS does a great job of keeping parents informed.
- Drop off can get hairy. Allow for plenty of time, as the slow-down is real, drive through the drop off area (pull forward as far as possible before stopping) and do not stay after your child has left the vehicle. Please also remember students are all over the area- illegal u-turns and speeding are unsafe and put all of our children at risk.
- As a student, the best way to feel like you're a part of the big school is to be involved! Take a look at the club offerings, athletics and arts, and find something to do with your peers!
- Northgate is a GREAT school. 9th Grade Parents need to trust their children. As their child begins High School, realize it is the first step to growing a happy, productive adult. Don't shelter them and do things for them. Let your child navigate through everything high school has to offer - from Walkthrough before school starts, to their classes and extra curricular activities. Guide them, but let them choose! Both you, and they, will be happier!
Northgate awarded US News & World Report Top Ranking- #6!
Northgate High School
Email: cooperk@mdusd.org
Website: northgatehighschool.org
Location: 425 Castle Rock Rd, Walnut Creek, CA, USA
Phone: 925 938-0900
Twitter: @northgatehs