Under its Universal Pre-Kindergarten Initiative (UPK), the Ukiah Unified School District has begun constructing Transitional Kindergarten Classrooms at Nokomis Elementary that will complement the other TK offerings at their district-wide campuses. As a Title I school, with approximately 97 percent of the students from low-income families, adding TK structured programs provides access to early intervention to a population at risk of being unprepared to enter kindergarten.

Q1. What new programs will be added at Nokomis Elementary for the 2024-25 school year?

Ans. Nokomis Elementary has additional Transitional Kindergarten and Kindergarten classrooms in place beginning in the 2024-25 school year. This will be part of Ukiah's Unified district-wide early learning expansion that was done as a result of the state's Universal Pre-Kindergarten initiative. With the new classrooms, Nokomis Elementary will now be able to accommodate younger children entering the public school system.

Q2. What attendance incentive programs does Nokomis use to encourage attendance?

Ans. Nokomis Elementary is committed to increasing student attendance through several different types of programs, including recognition programs, to encourage students to attend school consistently and reward them for their efforts via recognition from the school for having shown good attendance.

Q3. What support is available to students from low-income families at Nokomis?

Ans. As a Title I school, with 97% of its students qualifying for free/reduced-price meals, Nokomis receives federal Title I funds that will be used to support additional academic, instructional materials, and intervention programs; and that are independently supported by many programs within the Ukiah Unified School District. Also, many students receive assistance with free meals and/or technology to support, and all students may access to additional support for their family/resources.

Q4. Is there after-school care available at Nokomis?

Ans. Nokomis is part of Ukiah United School District's After School Education program. Families are encouraged to contact the school office directly to obtain the most accurate information regarding program availability, enrollment, and the steps required for registration.

Q5. How does Nokomis Elementary deal with chronic absenteeism?

Ans. In recent years, chronic absenteeism has been a ongoing issue at Nokomis, with documented rates higher than district and state averages. Thus far, Nokomis has utilized attendance recognition programs and family engagement strategies as ways of addressing this issue. To qualify as a chronic absentee in California, students must miss 10% or more of the total number of school days. Families are encouraged to reach out to the school as early as possible should any barriers to attendance occur.