Hot Topics

  • Fingerprint Clearinghouse

    Attached is the Memorandum of Agreement Fingerprint Clearinghouse. The purpose of the clearinghouse is to provide a centralized system for receiving and maintaining criminal history records for temporary, part-time, or substitute certificated and classified employees who may be employed, or work as an unpaid volunteer for more than one Marin County public school employer.  The term 'employee' includes unpaid volunteers.

    We are forwarding to you so you can review prior to May 1st and provide any changes to your district's signatory. At the May's Superintendent's day meeting a copy of the signed agreement will be provided so edits and new signatories may be added. Please let Assistant Superintendent, Raquel Rose, know if you have any questions rrose@marinschools.org.

    Suicide Prevention Policies for Grades Seven Through Twelve

    Governor Jerry Brown signed Assembly Bill (AB) 2246 into law.  AB 2246 requires the governing board of any Local Educational Agency that serves pupils in grades 7-12 to adopt a pupil suicide prevention policy that specifically addresses the needs of this high-risk group. In recognizing that suicide is a leading cause of death among youth and that school personnel who regularly interact with students are often in a position to recognize the warning signs of suicide and to offer appropriate referral and/or assistance, this Bill has significant impact. To attempt to reduce suicidal behavior and its impact on students and families, the Superintendent or designee shall develop measures and strategies for suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention.

    Marin County Plan for Equity Capacity Building and Learning

    Per the attached Marin County Plan for Equity Capacity Building and Learning document, Marin County Office of Education has assembled a team of educators from Local Educational Agencies across Marin to look carefully at our work on equity.  In order for this multi-faceted work to be effective and sustainable it must have a strand-approach for our stakeholders: students, educators, and family/community.  The purpose of this plan is to:

    • Provide professional development around equity, cultural competency and inclusion that is differentiated and increases cultural proficiency levels
    • Offer strategy and curriculum workshops such as but not limited to: A world of Difference Institute & No Place for Hate to support various agencies with resources for our community
    • Emphasize importance of an inclusive school climate and culture
    • Positively impact the social character and academic achievement of our student population

    California Department of Education 2018 California Teacher of the Year Program

    Please see the attached for information about the 2018 California Teacher of the Year Program, eligible school districts, and the nomination form.  Nominations from eligible districts must be received by the Marin County Office of Educaton by Friday, May 5, 2017.

    Celebration of Arts Education in Marin - May 11, 2017

    Join us for an afternoon of celebrating arts education in our County!  You will hear from community-based organizations and school-based arts programs that provide arts instruction to students throughout Marin.  You will also have the opportunity to view the ArtsEdVision Marin data dashboard, created to map our County's arts education ecosystem.  Please see the attached poster for registration information.

    2017 Exceptional Education Leaders Letter - Nomination Deadline May 12, 2017

    The California Department of Education maintains a file of exceptional educators that consists of distinguished teachers and principals.  These education leaders may be candidates for special recognition as well as being considered for membership on advisory boards and task forces.  CDE is requesting recommendations to identify educators who will be of great value to o=community and state and who may ultimately receive prestigious recognition.  For more details please see the attached letter from Tom Torlakson and Talent Pool Recommendation Form.

    Marin Child Care Council (MC3) - May 2017

    The Marin Child Care Council offers a variety of learning opportunities designed to prepare individuals for work with and on behalf of young children and their families, as well as community training opportunities. Please refer to the attached flyer to learn more about upcoming classes in May including classes around:

    • Gardening - May 6
    • Stand For Children - May 10
    • Strengthen Family and Social Connections - May 18
    • CPR and First Aid - May 20
    • Breast Feeding Friendly Environment - May 25

    MCSAA Annual Back to School Kick Off - August 10, 2017 3:30-5:30 p.m.

    Save the Date for MCSAA's Annual Back to School Kick Off with keynote presentation by Ronen Habib who will speak about mindfulness in our roles as school administrators. More information forthcoming.

    Safe Prom and Graduation Season - A Message From Mary Jane Burke

    Please see the attached op-ed related to teen alcohol and drug abuse.  This is also posted on Mary Jane Burke's blog.  Please distribute this message as broadly as possible.

    Equal Access to Public Education

    Under Federal law, State and local educational agencies are required to provide all children with equal access to public education at the elementary and secondary level.  Recently we have become aware of student enrollment practices that may chill or discourage the participation, or lead to the exclusion, of students based on their or their parents' or guardians' actual or perceived citizenship or immigration status.  These practices contravene Federal law. Both the United States Department of Justice and the United States Department of Education write to remind you of the Federal obligation to provide equal educational opportunities to all children residing within your district and to offer assistance in ensuring that you comply with the law.

    Also noted on the Immigration Documentation and the question: should a district inquire into the immigration or citizenship status of a student or parent as a means of establishing the student's residency in the district? Answer: No.  Immigration or citizenship status is not relevant to establishing residency in the district, and inquiring about it in the context of establishing residency is unnecessary and may have a chilling effect on student enrollment.

    Brown Act Requires Online Posting of Agendas for Meetings

    Please see the attached School & College Legal Services of California Legal Update regarding AB 2257 amending the Brown Act to require local governing bodies, including school boards (such as those for school districts and county offices of education), to post current board meeting agendas online for all board meetings occurring on or after January 1, 2019.

    California 2017 Science Standards Communication Toolkit

    Please see the attached letter from the California Department of Education regarding California Science Standards Communication Toolkits adopted by the State Board of Education.

    U.S. Department of Education and U.S. Department of Justice Withdraw Guidance on Transgender Students

    Please see the attached Legal Update from the School & College Legal Services of California regarding the February 22, 2017 Dear Colleague Letter on Transgender Students.

    Travel Restrictions Using State Funds to Certain States That Have Enacted Discriminatory Laws

    Assembly Bill 1887 (2016) prohibits state agencies from requiring any of its employees, officers, or members to travel to, or approving a request for state-funded or state-sponsored travel to, any state that, after June 26, 2015, has enacted a law that voids or repeals, or has the effect of voiding or repealing, existing state or local protections against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. The California Office of the Attorney General (OAG) has been identified as the agency responsible for posting a list of states that fall within AB 1887's prohibition.  Currently the OAG lists four states which are currently subject to the travel ban: Kansas, Mississippi, North Carolina and Tennessee.  For more information, please visit the Assembly Bill 1887 website.

    Text Application: Register 2Vote for High School Students

    We have been in communication with our Marin County Registrar of Voters regarding a smartphone text application that will be available for every high school in Marin County later this year.  This application is specifically aimed at high school students who want to pre-register to vote at age 16+ or actually vote at age 18.