The Newhall School District is reflecting on a year of positive developments in the award-winning district with the school year coming to a close.

“I continue to marvel at the district’s culture of excellence that is unwavering in its commitment to our students,” Superintendent Paul Cordeiro said. “We function so well as a team. By that I mean, teachers first and foremost, supported by committed site administrators and staff working in concert with parents and other stakeholders. And I can’t fail to mention the district Governing Board that is entirely student-focused and very supportive of the work.”

This was Cordeiro’s first full school year as superintendent after returning to the district in February 2015. He reflected on a number of highlights from the past school year, including:

• Board adoption of two new math programs, Bridges and College Preparatory Math, following months of careful review. Cordeiro said the new programs are far better than earlier programs adopted by the state Board of Education.

• Ongoing professional development to support mathematics instruction. Under the new Common Core State Standards (CCSS), the most significant changes have been in mathematics, where the emphasis is on mastery of mathematical concepts.

• Purchase of hundreds new computers to lower the student-to-computer ratio of 4:1 to 2:1.

• Creation of an implementation plan for the Next Generation Science Standards. The plan, Cordeiro noted, puts the district ahead of the curve and well-positioned to use existing assets such as a science lab at each school and trained science curriculum specialists. The district will increase professional development in 2016/17 school year in an all-out effort put Newhall on the map as a leader in science instruction.

• Successful implementation of an expanded visual arts program (the district now has two visual arts teachers) that not only helps students maximize their creativity but also helps students connect art history and art techniques to other subject areas.

• Record-high participation in the district’s thriving music program. In instrumental music alone, there were 960 participants, over 14 percent of the district’s total enrollment. Considering students start learning to play an instrument in fourth grade, over 33 percent of the district’s fourth- through sixth-graders participated.
Students are in the midst of participating in the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP), which replaced the discontinued Standardized Testing and Reporting Program (STAR). CAASPP includes online assessments for mathematics and English language arts/literacy and a paper-based assessment for grade 5 science. In the past school year, the district made continued improvement to its K-6 Coherent Writing Program to reflect changes to the Common Core standards and the CAASPP. Cordeiro is optimistic that the district will improve on last year’s CAASPP results that, by grade and subject, were the highest in the Santa Clarita Valley.

“Our theme will always be continuous improvement, applying what the research tells us works best,” he said “And our teachers deserve a great deal of credit for making it happen. They are extremely committed to their students.”

The district has also moved ahead with physical improvements to its campuses, Cordeiro said, with significant progress on building and modernization projects funded by voter-approved Measure E at Meadows, Newhall, Old Orchard and Peachland elementary schools.

Additionally, work is underway for the renovation of the historic auditorium at Newhall Elementary School. The $4.8 million project is funded by Measure E. When the Newhall Family Theater for the Performing Arts opens in December, it will be a state-of-the-art performance space for student and community productions.

Last January, the district held an informational open house, attended by more than 100 people, to provide an overview of the excellent educational opportunities the district provides students. District officials have continued to welcome students no matter where they live.

Originating with a one-room schoolhouse in the 1880s, the Newhall School District today comprises 10 elementary schools: McGrath, Meadows, Newhall, Oak Hills, Old Orchard, Peachland, Pico Canyon, Stevenson Ranch, Valencia Valley and Wiley Canyon. Additionally, the district offers preschool programs. District schools have won multiple state and national awards for education excellence and students’ standardized testing scores have been among the highest in the Santa Clarita Valley. In addition to focusing on science and technology, the district also continues to place a strong emphasis on arts education.

For information on enrolling a student, parents can contact Teri Satorhelyi at (661) 291-4182 or tsatorhelyi@newhall.k12.ca.us.