The Marin Community United Annual Meeting - October 26, 2016

Drugs &  Sex Trafficking in Marin  - October 27 at the Elks Lodge in San Rafael

Free event with special presentations focused on marijuana and opioids and sex trafficking.

Fulfilling the Dream - Resources for Undocumented Students Conference, November 4, 2016

Happening at the Santa Rosa Junior College, the Conference is hosted by Undocumented Student Union, MEChA, Mujeres Xingonas, HEP, Embassadors and Santa Rosa Junior College ELL Outreach Team.  Keynote Speaker will be Sergio C. Garcia.  Registration is due by October 21, 2016.

Election day is Tuesday, November 8, 2016

The Marin County Elections Department is recruiting high school students to work at polling places on election day.  Information about the program is detailed in a Letter to Teachers and Flyer for Studends.  Many schools are used a public polling places.  Election Code 12283 stipulates that, if an elections official specifically requests use of a school on an election day, then the building shall be made available for the purpose requested. 

California Green Ribbon Schools Recognition Program

The California Department of Education (CDE) invites K-12 schools, school districts, and early learning centers to apply for the California Green Ribbon Schools Award.  The Green Ribbon Schools Award program recognizes schools and districts with an established and replicable focus on sustainability, environmental education, and the health and wellness of students and staff. Additional information about the award is posted on the California Department of Education website. Interested applicants should first complete the Application Interest Survey.  Once the survey is completed, applicants will be provided additional application materials.  The complete application package is due to CDE by 5:00 p.m. December 23, 2016. Click here for the Full Application Instructions.

2016 National Blue Ribbon Schools Program

Congratulations to Sun Valley Elementary School in San Rafael for being the named by the U.S. Department of Educational as a 2016 National Blue Ribbon School.  The Sun Valley Elementary award is one among 279 public and 50 private schools receiving this honor in 2016. Schools are nominated for the award by the state department of education, and then complete a comprehensive application about school practices. Schools may apply for status as Exemplary High Performing or Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing.  Sun Valley Elementary is recognized in the category of Exemplary High Performing Schools, which means that it is among the state's highest performing schools as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests. Click here for more information about the National Blue Ribbon Schools program.

New Tobacco 21 Law – Effective June 9, 2016

New legislation took effect in California regarding tobacco sales, including e-cigarettes to anyone under the age of 21.  See the attached for detailed information.

2017 United Senate Youth Program

Please see the attached letter from Tom Torlakson, State Superintendent of Public Education, regarding a competition of outstanding juniors or seniors who are interested in pursuing careers in public service.  All public and private high schools in the state are invited to nominate up to two juniors or seniors to participate.  Those chosen will participate in a week of intense study of the federal government as guests of the United States Senate.

2016 Art Rosenbaum Sports Writing Scholarship

Sponsored by the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame, this scholarship is for Junior and Senior high school sports writers.  Nominees may be juniors or seniors who have written sports-related articles covering (or related to) high school sports.  The method of selecting the nominees is left up to the school's publication advisor or staff. Click here for the Art Rosenbaum Application Form to submit names of nominees.

Elks USA 2016-2017 Essay Contest

The Elks Lodge has selected the theme for their annual essay contest: Why Is It Important to Vote?  This essay contest is open to students in grades 5-8.  See the attached for more information.

Credential Monitoring

As a reminder, the Marin County Office of Education is required by Ed Code 14258.9 to administer credential monitoring for each district on a four-year cycle.  For the 2016-17 school year the following districts are scheduled for monitoring: Dixie, Sausalito-Marin City, Larkspur Corte Madera, Ross and Tamalpais.  The MCOE credential office will be in touch with each district shortly..

Sonoma Marin SMART Train – Ongoing

Sonoma Marin SMART Train has created a Rail Safe website with rail safety resources for all members of the community, including parents and students. On the website, you will find rail safety materials including posters, activity books and safety tips.  They are also offering free rail safety presentations to schools.