Check Out Natomas High Engineering Project

Natomas High School is one of four schools from the Sacramento area which developed a device meant to enhance the fan experience at Arco Arena in an engineering challenge sponsored by Intel and the Sacramento Kings.

Each team's device used engineering and mathematical skills and can be used by Slamson or a member of the Kings Crew. Click here and again on "Natomas" to view the Natomas High School project!

11:46 AM | 0 comments | Read More

Leroy F. Greene Hears School Closure Plans

A 'SAVE OUR SCHOOL' BANNER HANGS IN THE LFG MIDDLE SCHOOL CAFETERIA. SEVENTH GRADER JONATHAN VASQUEZ SPEAKS AGAINST CLOSING LFG MIDDLE SCHOOL CITING THE SCHOOL MOTTO "NEVER GIVE UP."

Dozens of people attended the school closure community forum held tonight at Leroy F. Greene Middle School.

Natomas Unified School District officials gave an hour-long presentation on the school's standardized test scores over the past four years and efforts underway to improve the school.

Citing academics, Interim Superintendent Dr. General Davie has recommended the district close the middle school, make all elementary schools K-6 campuses, move next year's 7th and 8th graders to Natomas Middle School, and rethink how best to use the campus in the future.

Several students, parents as well as teachers from both Leroy F. Green and Natomas middle schools spoke against the proposal at tonight's meeting, saying the district has not given a program improvement plan already in place a chance. Questions were also raised about whether building repairs at the campus are needed or require the school be closed for them to take place.

A handful of people spoke in favor of closure.

Interim Assistant Superintendent of Education Services Howard Kornblum told the crowd the school's current school improvement strategies fall short of addressing several areas such as consistent instruction from classroom to classroom. Kornblum admitted district administration had offered little in the way of supporting the middle school improvements this past year.

No Child Left Behind legislation requires the district to decide this year the future of the middle school, according to Carol Brush, Interim Director of State and Federal Programs. The Natomas district, she said, can choose from a limited number of options to address the Leroy F. Green's ongoing failure to meet academic benchmarks, one of which is to close and restructure the school.

More community meetings on the plan are schedule for March 15 at Natomas Middle School and March 16 at Natomas High School. The school board is expected to make a decision on the proposal at their March 23 meeting.

For more information about the Leroy F. Greene Middle School plan and the ongoing school closure process, click here.

11:17 PM | 2 comments | Read More

Natomas High Ranked As Low Performing School

Natomas High School yesterday was named as one of the state's persistently lowest-achieving schools by the California Department of Education.

Federal and state laws require persistently low-achieving schools be identified and that the lowest 5 percent of these put a school intervention model in place by 2010-11. Natomas High was one of two schools in Sacramento County on the list.

"While some may see this as a negative reflection on our hard-working staff, administrators and students at Natomas High, this truly is an opportunity to forever change for the better our Natomas High," read a statement released by the Natomas Unified School District.

The Obama administration is offering $4 billion in financial to support state and local education leaders in turning around the low achieving schools like Natomas High School. To qualify for this money under the Title I School Improvement Grant program, lowest-performing schools in economically challenged communities must be transformed using one of the four following intervention models:

• Turnaround model: Replace the principal and rehire no more than 50% of the staff, and grant the principal sufficient operational flexibility (including in staffing, calendars/time and budgeting) to fully implement a comprehensive approach to substantially improve student outcomes.
• Restart model: Convert a school or close and reopen it under a charter school operator, a charter management organization, or an education management organization that has been selected through a rigorous review process.
• School closure: Close a school and enroll the students who attended that school in other schools in the district that are higher achieving.
• Transformation model: Implement each of the following strategies: (1) replace the principal and take steps to increase teacher and school leader effectiveness; (2) institute comprehensive instructional reforms; (3) increase learning time and create community-oriented schools; and (4) provide operational flexibility and sustained support.

Natomas spokesperson Heidi Van Zant said, "Early indications are that the 'transformation' model is the best fit for us."

In a conference call with California Department of Education representatives last week, Natomas officials asked whether Principal John Eick, who has been at the site 1-1/2 years, must be replaced or if there may be exceptions to that rule.

"Our preliminary information is that the principal we have can stay," said Van Zant.

District officials say they will apply for grant funding - anywhere from $50,000 to $2 million over three years - to implement changes at Natomas High School. Applications are to be submitted by May.

11:45 AM | 2 comments | Read More

Leroy Greene School Closure Meeting Tonight

A school closure community forum is set for 6:30 p.m. tonight at Leroy F. Greene Middle School, at 2950 W. River Drive.

The meeting is part of the Natomas Unified School District's process to close a school starting the 2010-11 school year.

The district previously approved closing two elementary schools as a cost-savings measure and is now looking at closing Leroy F. Greene Middle School as an alternative option.

The Natomas school board is scheduled to make its decision later this month.

11:37 AM | 0 comments | Read More

Seen In Natomas: Community Meeting

PHOTO BY CURTIS COOK

Area residents attend the Community Partnership Meeting at Robertson Community Center last night.

11:20 AM | 0 comments | Read More

Hampton Village Neighborhood Watch Meeting

The Hampton Village is hosting a Neighborhood Watch meeting for Hampton Village residents 7 p.m. on March 10 at the new Sacramento Library located at Inderkum High School.

11:13 AM | 1 comments | Read More