Hot Topics

  • Gun Violence and Prevention Efforts - A message from Superintendent Mary Jane Burke - February 2018

    In light of the recent events and conversations around gun violence and prevention efforts, Superintendent Mary Jane Burke has provided pertinent documents. Two workshops have been scheduled at MCOE to focus on active shooter procedures, protocols and best practices.  These workshops, held March 2nd and March 5th, are open to school administrators, teachers and staff and will be conducted by our law enforcement partners. Click here to view the workshop flyer for additional information.

    2018 Classified School Employees of the Year Program

    See the attached letter from Tom Torlakson, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, outlining the 2018 Classified School Employees of the Year (CSEY) Program. The 2018 CSEY Program will identify and honor classified employees working in the following categories: Child Nutrition; Maintenance, Operations, and Facilities; Office and Technical; Para-Educator and Instructional Assistance; Support Services and Security; and Transportation.  Click here to visit the CDE CSEY website for detailed information and program deadlines.

    California Distinguished Schools Award Program

    Following a three-year hiatus, the California Distinguished Schools Award Program will return to honor elementary schools in 2018.  Multiple measure​s from the California School Dashboard will be used to determine eligibility for the award.  The California Department of Education has released 2018 information for application and award timeline and process.

    2019 CA Teacher of the Year

    Click here for information regarding the Teacher of the Year (TOY) application process and Nomination form. Districts eligible to submit nominations rotate on an annual bases based on an assigned grouping.  Due to size, Novato Unified, San Rafael City Schools and Tamalpais Union High School districts are eligible to submit nominations for TOY on an annual basis.

    For your reference, this chart indicates the districts in their assigned cycle. Districts in Cycle A are eligible to submit nominations for the 2019 Teacher of the Year program.  Attached you will find the explanatory memo and Application/interest form for the TOY nomination process. 

    The deadline for submitting nominations is Friday, May 4, 2018 at 5:00pm.  For more information, refer to the Teacher of the Year website for more information.  Please do not hesitate to contact Raquel Rose at 415-499-5891 or rrose@marinschools.org with additional questions.

    Concussion Smart Marin Coalition - Return to Learn/Return to Play Protocol

    The Concussion Smart Marin Coalition – a countywide group comprised of Marin Athletic Foundation, Marin County Athletic League, Kaiser, Marin General, and Sutter/Novato Hospitals, athletic trainers from high schools in Marin, Marin County Office of Education and the Schurig Center have been working toward approaching a standard level of care as it pertains to the way we understand and treat concussion in students. 

    Across the last year this has looked primarily at, in the educational environment - a consistent protocol used by all high schools in Marin; at the medical level - a consistent approach to understanding, diagnosing and providing follow up to concussions across all settings from ER to pediatrician.  This work has also included developing and implementing a system for collecting concussion data in a centralized location. 

    Attached please find the Marin County Schools Concussion protocol and process.  These forms follow the expectations for Ed Code 49475.  It is anticipated that we will begin moving these out to our schools in the month of March – Head Injury Awareness month – in meetings with high school principals and athletic directors. 

    ScholarShare 529 Scholar Dollars Grant Program- Application Deadline March 7, 2018 

    The ScholarShare Investment Board, which oversees California's ScholarShare 529 College Savings Plan, is once again launching the Scholar Dollars grant program.  These grants will provide K-8 public and charter schools statewide with moer than $300,000 to support programs and services that foster a rich college-going culture on their campuses, innovatively prepare students for success in higher education, and enhance extracurricular and enrichment activities.  Please see the attached for application and grant details.  Grant entries are accepted until March 7, 2018.

    Find Your Voice - Teens Tackle Tobacco, Alcohol, Drugs and Youth Wellness Conferences - March 8 and 9, 2018

    Students, parents, and educators are encouraged to join the 20th Annual High School and Middle School Conferences designed by youth and for youth that will include discussions and interactive workshops on healthy relationships; peer education on drugs and alcohol; coping with stress; mixed messages: tobacco, vaping and marijuana; youth preventing violence; and more!

    College Financial Aid Session - March 13, 2018

    Learn about college financial aid planning under the new tax rules.  Learn about:

    • Key financial aid terms
    • Sources of financial aid
    • Mastering the financial aid process
    • Cost reducing strategies under the new tax code

    Recycled Materials Art Competition Mini Grant Opportunity

    Registration open until March 13, 2018 - The Paper Seed Foundation has provided funding for two opportunities to share with your teachers:

    1. They will be hosting an afternoon event in early March for teachers integrating math, science and recycled trash.  Workshop will be run by Youth in Arts with funding provided by Paper Seed Foundation
    2. Paper Seed Foundation is sponsoring a Recycled Materials Art Competition to use creativity to promote sustainable consumption, recycling, and reuse, keeping in line with California's goals to divert 75% of waste from landfills by the year 2020.  The competition is open to all Marin County elementary schools. Teachers may register their classrooms to submit a group project, or encourage students to each make their own creation. Winning students will receive prizes, and their teachers will be awarded a $500 classroom mini-grant. To learn more, please visit the PaperSeed Foundation website.

    Important dates:

    • Registration is open now through March 13th
    • Photo submissions are due April 9th
    • Winners announced April 20th
    • Awards ceremony on May 10th

    Anti-Defamation League Series - March 14, 2018

    The Anti-Defamation League will facilitate a series of discussions designed to highlight topics that allow participants to inspect and understand their biases.  Topics to consider for this work are: Freedom of speech and hate speech; Bullying and disrupting bullying.  Please click here to register for the workshop.

    Free Immigration Workshop - March 16, 2018

    On March 16th at 5:00pm, Canal Alliance, in partnership with the Marin County Office of Education, will host a legal clinic for:

    • DACA renewals
    • Legal screenings
    • Immigration benefits information and Know Your Rights

    Please spread this information to those you feel need to know.

    The Ladies of Broadway - Free Tickets for Marin County Students - Show Dates March 17 & 18, 2018

    We are so excited to share with you a free opportunity for all Marin County students and families.  The Transcendence Theatre Company has generously offered free tickets to their live musical performance of "The Ladies of Broadway".  Please request your tickets from the Transcendence Theater Company website by March 11th. To obtain additional information, please reference the Transcendence Theater Company website.

    Essay and Visual Arts Scholarship Contest for High School Students - Application Deadline March 23, 2018

    Please refer to the letter from Tom Torlakson, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, encouraging high school students to participate in an essay and visual arts Scholarship opportunity that also increases awareness of the Armenian Genocide. Click here for application information, and Essay and Visual Art Scholarship Awards information.

    Marin Builders Association Scholarship Opportunities - Deadline for application March 29, 2018

    Each year Marin Builders Association awards scholarships to high school seniors who are pursuing a college, university or trade school education.  Since 1978 they have awarded close to $1,000,000.00 in scholarships to deserving students. Completed applications are due at the Association no later than 5:00 P.M. on Thursday, March 29th , 2018.  After being reviewed for completion and accuracy, they will be forwarded to the Scholarship Selection Committee who will select applicants for personal interviews.  Though the Selection Committee may view academic achievement as an accomplishment, it is not the basis for awarding these scholarships.  Marin Builders Association requests this application be made available to any of your senior students who wish to apply for a scholarship.

    Empowering students to be Leaders and Make Changes in Their Environment - Week of April 23, 2018

    Above is a letter from Mary Jane Burke, Superintendent, and Dr. Matt Willis, Marin County Public Health Officer.  Rates of youth substance use in Marin County continue to be among the highest in California.  We are facing new challenges with the legalization of cannabis, the ongoing epidemic of prescription drug use, and historically high rates of alcohol use among our youth.  In order to bring awareness to these issues and empower youth to make positive choices, the Marin County Office of Education, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the County-wide substance use prevention coalition, the Marin Prevention Network (MPN), are working together to bring Dr. Matt Bellace to Marin County the week of April 23rd for a series of presentations to students and the community.  Please refer to the attached letter for school reservations and more information.