Nishuane School

Principal's Welcome

Welcome to the new 2025-2026 school year! As the school year begins, I am really looking forward to partnering with you to ensure the development and achievement of each of our students. This partnership and support from both school and home are critical. We share a great responsibility for our children’s success!

In this Family Handbook and in communications throughout the year, you will learn more about important ways that you can support your child’s learning. Please ensure that your child attends school daily, arrives on time, and is ready to learn! At home, please encourage your
child to share with you about their academic and social experiences at school and please make
sure your child reads daily! Above all, especially at this young age, please be sure that your
child knows your expectations and your belief in them.

We have an exciting year planned at Nishuane School! We are so excited to continue our work with Nourishing Minds While Nurturing Hearts. As you will read in the following pages and experience with us throughout this year, we feel that this motto truly embodies our work together as a staff to develop our children academically, socially, and emotionally.

Please join us at our Nishuane Back-to-School Night, which is scheduled for September 9th from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. On this night, we will share important information regarding instruction and ways for you to be involved in your child’s educational life and our school community. Your child’s classroom and related arts teachers will also share important information regarding class activities, procedures, and curriculum.

Again, welcome to the new year. We are greatly looking forward to your partnership and involvement with our Nishuane community!
Sincerely,
Jennifer Finnerty
Principal

Nishuane School is a diverse, inclusive community where every student is valued and supported in becoming a confident, empathetic, and curious learner. Rooted in equity and belonging, we foster academic, creative, and social-emotional exploration, empowering students to develop independence, respect, and make meaningful contributions to the world around them.

Nishuane School Mission Statement

Nishuane School provides students with the foundational skills to develop their talents and interests and ensure academic success in a diverse environment; actively engaging families and partnering with the community.

About Nishuane School

• We are the district's PreK-2 Gifted & Talented Magnet School dedicated to identifying and nurturing the gifts and talents of our young learners.
• The classes in each of our three grade levels collaborate on a variety of activities throughout the year-field trips, book buddies, lunch & recess times, and grade level productions.
• We are a collaborative, creative community of professional educators who are committed to educating the whole child-socially, emotionally, and academically.
• We build a strong foundation in literacy and mathematics for all children through meaningful curriculum, enhanced through the visual and performing arts and sciences.
• We create an inclusive, challenging, and creative environment that honors diversity, encourages community building, and inspires all children to do their personal best.
• We use effective educational practices to ensure academic excellence based on standards, district curriculum, and best practices.

Nishuane Lingo

● Explorers/ASE- After School Enrichment facilitated by the PTA
● Boo Hoo Breakfast- 1st day of school caregiver social to learn more about PTA, committees, SATp, etc.
● CP- Class Partners, each class has at least 2 or more caregivers to help coordinate between teacher and PTA
● Fireball- The name of Nishaune’s mascot and a fundraising event with Hillside (usually every 2 years)
● GrowLab- Committee that oversees the outdoor gardens and classes
● SNAP- Special Nishuane Arts Program that includes art, Physical Education, music, drama, Mandarin, and technology classes.

Communication

School Day

Academics

Support Programs

Attendance

Arrival & Dismissal

Policies & Procedures

Family Engagement

Health Office