SRCS November Updates: TK & Kinder Enrollment; Author Visits; New DMS MPR; Teacher Residency; TL AP Award & More

Posted Date: 11/03/23 (4:21 PM)

Message from the Superintendent

Dear San Rafael City Schools Community,

It’s always exciting to think about new students and families joining our District! We have launched our annual enrollment season for our new Transitional Kindergarten (TK) and Kindergarten students for the upcoming 2024-25 school year. The information below may be helpful for your own family, or to share with neighbors and friends.

TK Eligibility (expanded!): Children whose fifth birthday falls between September 2, 2024 and June 2, 2025 are eligible for TK for the 2024-25 school year. TK is a high-quality early learning program the year before Kindergarten. Classrooms are language rich and joyful and promote learning through play, social emotional growth and self-regulation skills.

Kindergarten Eligibility: Children who will be five-years-old on or before September 1, 2024 are eligible to enroll for the 2024-25 school year.

Registration: You can start the process online at www.srcs.org/kinderenrollment. In-person registration events at schools throughout the District will begin in January. Families can also visit the Student Enrollment & Family Center at the District Office, 310 Nova Albion Way.

Dual Language Program: Our thriving Dual Language Program will continue to grow next school year at Venetia Valley School, and we're now enrolling new TK and Kindergarten students. Learn more.

Learn more: View this flyer or contact the Student Enrollment & Family Center: 415-492-3236, www.srcs.org/KinderEnrollment, 310 Nova Albion Way, San Rafael.

Sincerely,

Carmen Diaz Ghysels
Superintendent

Several Authors Visit Elementary Schools

SRCS elementary school students have recently enjoyed visits from authors!

In partnership with Copperfield's Books, poet Chris Harris visited third and/or fourth grade students at Coleman, Laurel Dell and Sun Valley. Student readers got to perform in front of their classmates with Chris and all students received his new book, My Head Has a Bellyache, to enjoy at home!
San Rafael Public Library with SRCS invited local author Michael Genhart to share his picture book Spanish is the Language of My Family with fourth and fifth grade students at both Bahia Vista and San Pedro.
Through Book Passage, author Sean O’Brien visited fourth and fifth grade students at Glenwood and Coleman to share his historical fiction novel White House ClubHouse.

We look forward to having additional visits this Spring!

Reminder: Share Your Input - Strategic Plan Surveys

SRCS' Together 2024 plan articulates our values, culture, Graduate Profile, goals and strategic actions, which guide our work to ensure all students achieve and thrive to their fullest potential. It is now time to update and refresh this plan, which we will be doing together throughout this school year.

To inform the planning process, please complete a brief survey regarding what you value most about our schools and share ideas that will help to inform our next plan.

New Davidson MPR Design Takes Shape

Thanks to the San Rafael community's generous support of Measure C in 2022, progress is underway for a new Multipurpose Room and Quad area at Davidson Middle School!

There have been several discussions about this signature project with the school community, including a presentation at a DMS English Language Advisory Committee (ELAC), led by Chris Cundall (who also happens to be a DMS alum) with Quattrocchi Kwok Architects. Listen to a recording of the 10-minute presentation on the design [English | Spanish] or view the slideshow.

Currently, the District is in the process of securing a contractor for the project and construction is slated to begin this summer.

Seeking Future SRCS Educators

We are thrilled to be recruiting our second cohort of residents for our SRCS Teacher Residency Program!

In partnership with Alder Graduate School of Education, teacher residents participate in a rigorous teacher preparation program through the lens of equity and inclusion whereby they earn their teaching credential and Master's degree in one year. A $40,000 living stipend is provided, in addition to other benefits. As an affordable and supportive pathway to a rewarding and successful teaching career, SRCS is invested in this program as a way to both expand our teacher pipeline and diversify our teaching staff.

The application for the 2024-25 school year is now open! View the flyer to learn more.

TLHS Makes the AP School Honor Roll List

We are pleased to share that Terra Linda High School was named to the 2023 AP School Honor Roll by College Board, which recognizes schools whose AP programs are delivering results for students while broadening access. Schools can earn the Honor Roll recognition annually based on their ability to increase their school’s college-going culture, provide opportunities for students to earn college credit and maximize college readiness.

TLHS administered 897 exams last spring, with 362 students taking at least one AP class during the 2022-23 school year, of which 50% were students of color. In addition, 67% of the seniors tested scored a three or higher on at least one AP exam. View TLHS' Course Catalog to learn more about their 15 Advanced Placement courses offered.

Event Shines Light on Important Role of Afterschool Programs

The afterschool program at San Pedro Elementary School hosted a spotlight event on Oct. 27 as part of "Lights on Afterschool," a nationwide rally recognizing afterschool programs and their important role in the lives of children and families. San Pedro afterschool students were asked, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" They took this question and created a fashion showcase where they created costumes of their future selves.

We're grateful to our partner, Bay Area Community Resources, and the collaboration with California Afterschool Advocacy Alliance, for bringing the event to San Pedro and for providing high-quality aftercare programming at many of our schools. Assemblymember Damon Connolly and SRCS Board Member Mo de Nieva-Marsh joined for the activities, which were planned in large part thanks to San Pedro Aftercare Site Coordinator Kelly Alecio and Assistant Coordinator Karen Chavez. This was an opportunity to see the impact that expanded learning funding has made for students and families in SRCS.

When to Keep Your Child Home from School

The California Department of Public Health has updated their recommendations for when to keep your child home when they are not feeling well. Read the guidance [English | Spanish].

As a reminder, SRCS continues to partner with and follow guidance from Marin County Public Health and the Marin County Office of Education regarding health and safety protocols, including COVID. Click here for COVID-19 Guidance for Marin County TK-12 students and staff.

Real Talk About Fake Pills

The Marin County Office of Education and OD Free Marin, in collaboration with Song for Charlie, are excited to host an in-person screening of "Drugs in the Age of Fentanyl" followed by a panel discussion on Nov. 7 at 5:30 pm at the MCOE Community Room.

This powerful event aims to raise awareness about Fentanyl, its ease of access, and its prevalence in Marin County, and to learn effective communication strategies with your children about this deadly drug.

View the flyer [English | Spanish] and register here.

Keep Youth Events Substance Free

SRCS partners with Raising the Bar, a county-wide initiative dedicated to keeping youth events substance free. Research shows that parents have a significant influence on their children’s decisions regarding alcohol. By working together to prevent underage alcohol consumption, we can have a direct impact on the health of our local youth and decrease the short and long-term consequences to adolescents, families and our community as a whole.

Raising the Bar, a Marin Healthy Youth Partnerships program, collaborates with several local organizations and coalitions to shift the norms of substance use and encourage modeling of healthy choices to create a healthier environment for all Marin County youth.

We ask that all parents and caregivers abstain from using alcohol, tobacco, marijuana and other substances at youth-focused events, sports competitions and team celebrations. Please join us to ensure the well being of our youth by promoting healthy modeling at all events. Learn more.

San Rafael City Schools

www.srcs.org | communications@srcs.org

310 Nova Albion Way, San Rafael, CA 9490