Chalk Talk
By: Brigid Cianfriani and Carol Crane
Students, teachers, parents and staff are off to a phenomenal start for the new school year in the Newport Mesa Unified School District (NMUSD). We are excited about a new idea to encourage communication between students and offer a more positive learning environment. CdM Middle School is piloting a program called Yondr that uses lockable pouches so students can’t access their devices until they unlock them at the end of the school day. If you’ve been to a concert lately, you may have used a similar device. Yondr is used in more than 1,000 schools in 21 countries as one tool to help students stay on task in class and connect to their campus community. We are already seeing more students positively engaged with peers.
The Board looked for ways that ”promote academic focus and engagement and encourage positive social interactions among students” at all levels of education. The cell phone policy was updated to disallow the use of cell phones/smart devices in TK-8th grade while providing greater access for the 9th-12th graders in 2023.
In the August issue, Mayor O’Neill encouraged civic engagement in local races. We completely agree with his wise advice. It all begins with educating ourselves. So here’s a 411 on the Newport-Mesa Unified School Board.
“The Board of Education represents the people of the District. They function as a goal setting, policy making and evaluating body. The Board has jurisdiction over the District, its programs, employees, pupils, building sites and equipment,” according to the NMUSD website.
Board members are elected to four year terms and are directly elected by the area they live in and represent. Directly means that the whole city does NOT vote for the open seat. This is different from the Newport Beach City Council races. In the 2024 election, Area 3 and Area 6 in Newport Beach will be on the ballot. Both incumbent trustees are running for re-election.
As you drive by or visit our campuses this year, please take a look at all the improvements that took place during the summer. While students were on a break, it was time for construction, as major site improvements could occur with minimal classroom disruption. In our zone, Eastbluff Elementary had the largest capital investment, with the installation of four relocatable buildings that will accommodate a music room and the TK grade expansion, the installation of a new fire alarm system plus a roof replacement. Refreshed and ready for students, Andersen, Harbor View, Lincoln and Newport Coast received structure painting, deep cleaning and asphalt resurfacing. Plans for further facilities improvements are on the way.
We so appreciate the efforts of our staff, volunteers, families and of course the students who work together to create magic on all of our campuses.
Brigid Cianfrani and Carol Crane are longtime volunteers in the Newport Mesa Unified School District, former PTA presidents at the elementary and high school levels and former Zone Pack chairs. Carol Crane currently serves as the President of the Newport Mesa Unified School District (NMUSD) board; Trustee Area 3. Brigid Cianfrani works as a substitute teacher in the district and is the current chair of the CdM Zone Pack Committee.
For more info: NMUSD.us
Email: Carol Crane: ccrane@nmusd.us | Brigid Cianfrani: brigidcianfrani@gmail.com
