Visual and Performing Arts in NUSD
The arts play a vital role in nurturing the whole child—sparking creativity, building confidence, and helping students express their unique voices. Through access to high-quality arts education, NUSD students develop essential skills such as problem-solving, collaboration, and perseverance, all while discovering new ways to understand themselves and the world around them. Whether through visual arts, music, theater, or dance, our programs provide meaningful opportunities for students to grow, learn, and shine. We believe that every child deserves the chance to create, explore, and experience the power of the arts as an integral part of their educational journey.
Kay Recede
Witter Ranch Elementary students are building self-confidence and creative skills through a robust theater partnership with CLARA (E. Claire Raley Studios for the Performing Arts). This school year, NUSD and CLARA have committed to 19 sessions per classroom, providing the consistency needed to foster deep, impactful relationships between CLARA staff and students. These weekly sessions offer a safe and creative space for scholars to express themselves freely through the performing arts, helping them grow both as performers and as individuals.
CLARA, a nonprofit organization, partners with NUSD to provide weekly art lessons to classes across the district.
Learn more about the partnership and how scholars are developing their musical abilities here: natomasunified.org/students/
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"Arts education empowers children to express themselves and see the world in new ways.”
Prop 28
California voters approved Proposition 28 on November 8, 2022. The NUSD Board approved a plan for Proposition 28, which provides annual fund allocations to support arts and music in schools. These funds are to be used by each school site as is most appropriate for their students; however, they must be used on a new ongoing program, not one that currently exists.
The 2023-24 school year was used as a planning year. Schools determined how they would spend the money based on the feedback from their school community. This website provides the report approved by the Board and examples of Proposition 28 in action at NUSD schools.
CLARA - E. Claire Raley Studios for the Performing Arts
As part of Proposition 28 funding, NUSD has been able to develop a partnership with CLARA - the E. Claire Raley Studios for the Performing Arts. As part of this partnership, CLARA provides performing arts to students in TK-6th grades. Last school year in the fall, CLARA provided arts instruction to 2,175 students in 87 classrooms per week. Last spring, they increased to serving 3,575 students in 90 classrooms per week!
Meet the CLARA Team
"Working with NUSD has been incredibly meaningful for me as a teaching artist. One of my proudest moments is seeing students gain confidence, express themselves freely, and discover their own creativity through music and performance. Being part of NUSD makes me feel supported, valued, and inspired to continue using the arts as a tool for connection, growth, and community building. "
"What a testament to NUSD's investment in arts education for their students! I have seen major breakthrough moments for students this year - nonverbal little ones making emotional connections through puppets, young artists overcoming major stage fright, students who are reserved, letting loose and being silly, and students practicing life skills like cooperation, focus, and creative problem solving. "
"Working with NUSD has been a dream come true! As an artist and someone who deeply values arts and creativity, it is validating to know arts education is a priority for the Natomas Unified School District. It has been amazing to watch how students develop more emotional awareness, are more regulated in their bodies and connected to other human beings, and how they connect with new parts of themselves through the arts."
"Working in the Natomas Unified School District has been such a joy. There are so many wonderful, enthusiastic, and curious students, ready to take on the challenge of learning new skills and concepts. Any time a student is willing to explore new movements or ideas is an accomplishment in itself. Some of the proudest moments I have experienced working with the students include watching them perform choreography on their own, create their own dance moves, ask insightful questions, or just be brave trying something outside of their comfort zone. "
"Working full-time as a Music Program Specialist for NUSD is an incredibly rewarding and fulfilling experience! I delight in getting to know staff and students as an NUSD Program Specialist where I engage with over 400 students a week. Whether it's playing percussion instruments, recorders, ukuleles, or singing, we learn the fundamentals of music as a language and art form. I am so excited and honored to fuel the reintroduction of arts education in NUSD elementary schools for the betterment of our children's lives and emotional wellbeing."
The FIVE CLARA Program Specialists are currently in FIVE elementary schools:
- Paso Verde School: Carlos Kandia (“Maestro Mario”) teaches Music
- H. Allen Hight: Kathleen O’Rourke, DMA (“Dr. O”) teaches Music
- Natomas Park Elementary: Julia Singletary teaches Dance, and Dr. O teaches Music
- Two Rivers Elementary: Riva Jean-Paul teaches Dance
- Witter Ranch Elementary: Jenny Winstead-Rodriguez teaches Theatre
CLARA believes that the arts enrich lives — and access to quality arts education has the potential to transform a child’s future.”
Each 45-minute lesson plan, drawn from the Performers Ready! curriculum for elementary school Music, Theatre, and Dance, is specifically designed to develop and support students’ social and emotional learning needs, prioritizing self-expression and self-regulation through the performing arts. Our teaching artists may augment lesson plans with their own areas of specialization that reflect diversity, connections to cultural heritage, and innovative directions in performing arts education that align with learning outcomes and standards.