NHS Family Newsletter
July 23, 2020
Summer Update part 2
You likely have seen by now that the state has released guidelines for schools reopening, which include the mandate that the county be off the watch list for Covid-19 cases and hospitalizations for 14 days before students are allowed to return to school.
This means that on Monday, our Board of Education for MDUSD will likely announce officially that we will start with full distance learning.
Additionally, the board is considering a proposal to begin school for students on August 17th, to allow for more time for teacher and staff preparation. See that adjusted calendar here.
Please know that this iteration of distance learning will look very different than what we experienced in the Spring, and teachers are working very hard to convert their curriculum to be engaging on this platform, and online-ready.
Some of these changes include:
- There will be a class schedule, with times and expected attendance, as well as attendance reporting. While the schedules are currently being negotiated by the district office and the teacher's union, I will say that all families and students should plan on having their student be available and online during school hours, from 8-3pm. There will be scheduled breaks, lunch, and a combination of work online and independent work, students are expected to attend school during this time.
- Attendance must be taken in every class for every student.
- Work will be graded, and grades issued to students for evaluative feedback.
To that end, we will need to know which of our students need to check out devices, and these will be available at walk through registration. All students should have a device that they do not have to share during school hours, which has a camera and microphone, and can connect to google classroom.
Parent Education- Google Classroom
Walk-Through Registration (TBD)
Wednesday, Aug 5, 2020, 08:00 AM
Northgate High School, Castle Rock Road, Walnut Creek, CA, USA
Walk Through Registration
In a separate email, all students will receive their appointment. If you cannot attend, there will be a process to schedule another appointment. Please make every effort to send either a parent or the student to the appointment, and remember we are accommodating 1500 students while keeping safety guidelines and social distancing protocols. Thank you!
Walk Through Steps Explained
- 9th grade families must complete an address verification- even though many have submitted documents when they received notification of transfer, ALL families must present these documents again.. Please see Q&A document attached below. Verification will be available July 31st from 8am-2pm, August 3rd from 8-5pm and August 4th 8-5pm in the main office. Please arrive with a mask and prepared with documents.
- Homelink update- Homelink will be available for update on August 3rd- all families must log in and make sure information is current, and go through required authorizations and agreements. Schedules cannot be distributed until this step is complete.
- Contracts online- locker use contract, handbook agreement, AP/Honors - links will be sent soon, and these should be completed before walk through
- Donations- PFC, Classroom donations- donations are always needed, but given the new medium every teacher is using to engage students, new online tools and subscriptions, supplies that have to be sent home- these are more important than ever. PFC supports the teachers in this with their fundraising as well, and they support our school community with funding for sections and supplies. Please remember to donate to both.
- On Walk Through Day-
We will be using social distancing best practices during our registration process. Everyone participating in the walk-through registration will be required to wear a mask while on campus. Please be sure to wear your mask completely covering your nose and mouth. Hand sanitizer stations will be provided.
Parents of 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students will not be allowed to attend Walk-Through Registration this year due to county and district guidelines (unless in place of the student) For 9th grade students, only ONE adult will be allowed to accompany your student.
When arriving on campus, look for signage to direct you to the start of the walk through. There will be 4 stations to complete. Volunteers will be on hand to assist.
Stations will include confirmation of residency and homelink verification, schedules and textbooks.
Principal Update
Course Update
Class Schedules and Requests
If your student is requesting a change, please fill out this form.
Actual schedules with teachers and periods will be available in August.
Freshman Orientation
We have a wonderful transition program, with the work of our Link Crew, and their efforts include Freshman Orientation every year.
This year, given large gathering restrictions, the orientation is being planned virtually. This will still include small group sessions, and opportunities for our incoming students to meet with their Link Crew Leaders, making connections to help ease their transition to a new school.
Virtual freshman orientation will be on Wednesday, August 12 at 10am on Zoom. More information will be emailed to freshman parents and students.
Freshman Orientation
Wednesday, Aug 12, 2020, 10:00 AM
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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 Fall Sport, please contact the coach.
Football - Coach Ben Ballard
Boys Water Polo- Coach Taylor Herman
Girls Water Polo- Coach Eric Mein
Girls Volleyball- Coach Grace Lau
Cross Country- Coach Ruth Seabrook
Spirit- Coach Kourtnie Howerton
Girls Tennis- Coach Calvin Thompson
Girls Golf- Coach Ron Otero
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.
New Broncos to Welcome
- Girls Water Polo- Coach Eric Mein - Eric Mein played water polo for Acalanes High School, then the University of Southern California. He has coached at Acalanes and Carondelet, leading Carondelet to NCS Finals and State Championships Finals.
- Boys Basketball- Coach Mike Shaughnessy - Mike Shaughnessy comes to us from New Jersey, where he played high school basketball, then served as captain and was a 4 year starter for Kean University. He has coached at Kean University, Northfield Community School, and Mainland Regional High School. He has also trained players around the world, and began his own training business in 2013.
- Boys Soccer- Coach Edgar Rivera- Edgar Rivera has played club soccer for much of his youth, then went on to play for Cal State Fullerton and Notre Dame de Namur University, as well as the NPSL team for San Diego United. He has served as the tournament and clinic director for Walnut Creek Soccer Club (now Walnut Creek Surf) and for the Heritage Wolves. Most recently he led a new 06 team for the Wolves to an NPL title.
- Boys Lacrosse- Coach Greg Brandt- Coach Brandt has been coaching Lacrosse for Northgate for the last two years, and has coached with the Bronx Bombers and Walnut Creek Warriors as well. Last year, he served as the assistant coach for Varsity, and ran the defense for the team.
New Bronco Staff
- Academic Counselor- Last Names A-G- Please welcome Leanne Owens! Leanne has been a counselor for the last several years at Concord High School where she served students and families in the same role.
- Math Teacher -Algebra I and IA- Kristen Zanoni
- Resource Teacher- Special Education- Daniel Guy
- Science Teacher- Chemistry- Kristopher Davis
- Science Teacher- Physiology, Living Earth and Chemistry- Sean Kwirant
Senior Portraits
For your senior, please call StudioOne to make an appointment.
All other school photos will be by appointment at school likely in September. More information on this to come.
Please welcome our new Superintendent, Dr. Adam Clark!
District Communications
Some important news and information recently released from MDUSD:
- 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.
Other Quick Notes
- The main office will be closed for the month of July. However, we will use our school website, email newsletters, and social media platforms to continue to communicate with families over the summer.
- Yearbooks were delivered and distributed. If you were unable to pick yours up, please come by the office on a weekday between 9 and 1, or plan to receive it at walk through. Limited availability of yearbooks can still be purchased.
- Incoming 9th Graders will need to provide proof of residency. Please click here to understand this process and prepare your materials. Window for verification will open July 31st.
- MDUSD is providing free meals over the summer. View the days, times and locations here.
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