Annual Organizational Meeting Information - Due December 17, 2020

Attached you will find forms to be completed at the annual organizational meeting of your governing board.  Under Education Code section 35143, the organizational meeting must be held on a day in a 15-day window period that commences with December 11, 2020, which is the second Friday in December and continues through December 25, 2020 as reviewed in the attached Legal Update from School and College Legal Services.  In accordance with section 9 of the Education Code, since December 25 is a holiday, the 15-day period terminates on December 26, 2020.  Please see the attached documents outlined below:

1. Certificate of Election of Oficers of Governing Board: Please designate the newly elected President, Vice President (optional), District Clerk, and Trustee Representative/Member, Marin County School Boards Association Board of Directors. Please return the completed card to the Marin County Office of Education.
2. State of California Registry of Public Agencies Form: The Registry of Public Agencies form is to be filled out after your organizational meeting. Please return the completed form to the Marin County Office of Education for distribution. 
3. Trustee Signature Form: If you have new board members, please fill out and have them sign this card. Please return the completed card to the Marin County Office of Education.
4. Updated Trustee Contact Information: Please forward any updates regarding contact information for your board members to our office.  You can email them to tbobo@marinschools.org.

The County Superintendent's Office would greatly appreciate receiving your materials by December 17, 2020 so that we are able to meet the requirements for submission to the Secretary of State.  Please contact that office if you have questions or you need additional information - tbobo@marinschools.org or call 415-499-5801.  Thank you.

Managing Immigration Issues on Campuses

Attached in Spanish and English, please see the updated information that the Marin County Office of Education forwards each year related to managing issues of immigration at our campuses and administrative offices.  Please let MCOE know if you have questions or if you would like assistance in any way.

Marin County Public Health Guided Return to Site-Based Classroom Instruction

Dr. Santora of the Marin County Public Health Department has kindly furnished the attached Guided Return to Site-Based Classroom Instruction.  Please feel free to share out with our communities.

2020-21 Countywide School District Calendar

Attached is the 2020-21 Countywide School District Calendar.

2020-21 High School Graduation Calendar

Attached is the Marin County 2020-21 High School Graduation Calendar.

Leader of Leaders for Racial Equity Transformation Seminar Series

There is still time to register for the Leader of Leaders seminar series designed for Educators.  This series takes a deep dive into the conversation of racial equity and is specifically designed to help educators deconstruct often unconscious personal biases and beliefs, develop the knowledge and skills to challenge them when they arise, thereby moving closer to systemic equity transformation.  Educators will engage in a series of personally reflective exercises, thought provoking dialogue and race-centered instruction supporting their ability to serve as equity leaders in their school communities.  Please refer to the attached flyer for registration and other information about this series.

Confronting Online Antisemitism

If you were not able to join the Confronting Online Antisemitism webinar on October 1st, a recording of that conversation is now available at this link. All resources discussed throughout the webinar are attached here.

Through our partnerships with the Jewish Family & Children’s Services Holocaust Center and the Anti-Defamation League, we are glad to share that this meaningful work will continue. Virtual workshops for students, parents, teachers, and school administrators are offered from November 2020 through April 2021 beginning in November with a Teacher Workshop on November 12th and an Administrator Workshop on November 18th. Attached are the flyers in both English and Spanish with additional information.  Please share these opportunities with your staff.

Let's Get Ready, Marin!

There are simple steps we can all take today that will greatly increase our preparedness for when the next big earthquake strikes in our community.

• build an evacuation backpack
• make a family plan
• build a kit to be on your own for 5-7 days
• Emergency service contacts

Please take a few moments to review these resources. There is no time like the present to Get Ready, Marin! Please share this with all!

PG&E Marin County Planned Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS)

On October 20th (the time of this writing), PG&E activated its Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in preparation for another Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) event. Marin County appeared to remain unaffected at this time, but we know that outages in other communities can impact our staff.  Please Check PG&E’s website for more specific information and to track outage updates.

2020-21 First Interim Marin Common Message

The Marin Common Message for First Interim 2020-21 providing guidance on the State Adopted budget and the associated changes to Education Code has been released and is attached. 

 

Preparation for First Interim Budget  

We began a series of weekly budget work sessions on Friday October 23rd that will continue through November focused on the first interim budget. Technical notes for the 2020-21 Adopted Budgets have been provided to the school district chief business officials and notes for the 2019-20 Unaudited Actual review will be provided this week. Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) revenue estimates and other first interim budget guidance including P-1 Property Taxes will be provided by November 15th.

 

Special Education Annual Financial Reporting

Special Education maintenance of effort forms for both 2019-20 compliance and 2020-21 eligibility have been updated for technical corrections and are being provided to chief business officials with an updated subsequent year rule worksheet which will need to be certified by each district and returned to us by November 16th for filing with CDE. Federal excess cost reports are also being provided to chief business officials and will also need to be certified by each district and returned to us by November 16th for filing with CDE.

 

 

COVID-19 Safe Classrooms Clean Air Program

The Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria have established the FIGR COVID-19 Safe Classrooms Clean Air Program to help facilitate the return to in-person instruction by supporting the acquisition of air purifiers in classrooms serving low-income students.

 

Air purification equipment that satisfies Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidance and that has been installed prior to December 30, 2020  in classrooms most directly serving low income children, is eligible for reimbursement. EPA guidance is available at this link: https://www.epa.gov/coronavirus/air-cleaners-hvac-filters-and-coronavirus-covid-19 

  

To claim reimbursement under this generous grant program, we will need a copy of the invoice for air purification equipment and a signed copy of the attached certification (electronic signature is fine). If your district has purchased an alternate model of air purifier to those listed above please also provide evidence that the model satisfies EPA guidance cited above.

 

Many districts have already provided our office with copies of their invoices for air purification equipment. As soon as we receive the signed certification and, if necessary, supporting evidence the equipment satisfies EPA guidance we will process the request for reimbursement.

 

 

Extension of due date for Annual Financial Audit

Senate Bill 98 added Education Code Section 41020.9 which provides an extension on the submission of the 2019-20 annual financial audit from December 15, 2020 to March 31, 2021. Some districts have received notice from their auditors that reports will not be finalized in 2020 as the auditors will be using the extension of time to complete audits.

Leader of Leaders for Racial Equity Transformation Seminar Series

There is still time to register for the Leader of Leaders seminar series designed for Educators.  This series takes a deep dive into the conversation of racial equity and is specifically designed help educators deconstruct often unconscious personal biases and beliefs, develop the knowledge and skills to challenge them when they arise, thereby moving closer to systemic equity transformation.  Educators will engage in a series of personally reflective exercises, thought provoking dialogue and race-centered instruction supporting their ability to serve as equity leaders in their school communities.  Please refer to the attached flyer for registration and other information about this series.

Confronting Online Antisemitism

If you were not able to join the Confronting Online Antisemitism webinar on October 1st, a recording of that conversation is now available at this link. All resources discussed throughout the webinar are attached here.

Through our partnerships with the Jewish Family & Children’s Services Holocaust Center and the Anti-Defamation League, we are glad to share that this meaninfgul work will continue. Virtual workshops for students, parents, teachers, and school administrators are offered from November 2020 through April 2021 beginning in November with a Teacher Workshop on November 12th and an Administrator Workshop on November 18th. Attached are the flyers in both English and Spanish with the information.  Please share these opportunities with your staff.

McKinney Vento Foster Youth Training - November 17, 2020

This is a live ZOOM training with Carl D. Corbin, General Counsel School & College Legal Services.  This interactive workshop will provide a summary of the responsibilities for a Local Education Agency (LEA) towards students who are currently experiencing homelessness or currently in the foster care system.  The training will also address common questons and concerns in meeting the educational needs of these students.  Please see the attached flyer for information and registration details.

Virtual Teaching Technology Tools - November 10, 2020

Join Dominican University professors Dr. Katherine Lewis and Dr. Rebecca Birch for this Technology Tools virtual learning series.  Offered for K-12 teachers to support distance teaching - but open to all Marin educators and support staff.  Participants will have access to a virtual learning repository with session information, forms for earning CEUs (.5 for every two sessions attended), and reflection templates.  Please refer to the attached flyer for registration details.

Region 4 History-Social Science Community of Practice 2020-2021

Focus on distance learning and strategies for developing a community of mindful, historical thinkers.  Please refer to the attached flyer for registraton details.

• Connect with Bay Area Teachers
• Practice new strategies
• Align teaching to HSS framework

History-Social Science Region 4 - Special Topics - November 18, 2020

There are three workshops remaining in this four-part series.  Each workshop offers: resources for in-person and remote teaching and learning; networking with grade-level teachers from the Bay Area; and, an opportunity to earn a CEU if you attend all four sessions.  Please see the attached flyer for more information and registration details.

• November 18 - Civic Action
• January 20 - Ethnic Studies
• April 28 - Climate Change and History

Substitute Teacher Workshops via Zoom - November 17, 2020

There are three sessions offered in the Workshop series.  Please refer to the attached flyer for more information and registration details.

• November 17th 2020 - November's workshop will be geared towards technology: Zoom, Google Classroom, and Google Docs.
• February 23rd, 2021 - Topic to be announced
• May 10th 2021 - Topic to be announced

Prevention From Sexual Harassment Workshop - January 13, 2021

This virtual-live Zoom interactive workshop will address sexual harassment and abusive conduct prevention in the educational setting.  It will include harassment based on gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation.  The workshop will include practical examples of harassment and best practices to address sexual harassment issues within the educational environment.  This workshop is being offered at no cost to Marin County School Districts Employees.  Please see the attached flyer for registration and other workshop details.

California Department of Education Weekly COVID-19 Updates

Following are the weekly COVID-19 updates for the month of October 2020, from California State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tony Thurmond:

• October 2, 2020
• October 9, 2020
• October 16, 2020
• October 23, 2020
• October 30, 2020

Shots For Schools Immunization Information Pre-school to College

Following are links from ShotsForSchools.org for the immunization requirements for Child Care/Pre-Kindergarten through College:

• Immunization Requirements for Childcare/Preschool
• Immunization Requirements for K-12
• Immunization Requiremenst for 7th Grade
• Immunization Requirements for College
• Immunization - California School Immunization Law

California Department of Education Immunization and Health Checkup

California law requires children to be immunized (please see the attached for exemptions from immunization requirements).  All children under eighteen years of age that enter a California public or private elementary or secondary school for the first time or transfer between schools must present a written immunization record that includes at least the month and year of receipt of each dose of required vaccines (or an exemption to the immunization requirements).  Otherwise, the child will not be allowed to attend school.  Please refer to the attached Immunization and Health Checkup from the California Department of Education for more information.

4 Key Dimensions of Self-Care

Attached is '4 Key Dimensions to Self-Care' by Lynda Monk, Trainer, Crisis & Trauma Resource Institute.  It's a handy reference for self-care during these unusual times.

Court of Appeal Upholds Certificated Employee's Dismissal Over Facebook Comments

On August 11, 2020, the Court of Appeal upheld a certificated employee’s dismissal for Facebook comments considered derogatory to students of color and immigrants, which were deemed “immoral,” rendering her “unfit to teach.”  Please refer to the attached memo from the School and College Legal Services of California for more information on the court decision.

Youth Under Eighteen Entitled to Legal Consultation Prior to Custodial Interrogation by Law Enforcement Officer

Effective January 1, 2021, Senate Bill 203 will require that prior to custodial interrogation by a law enforcement officer (including a school resource officer) and prior to a waiver of any Miranda rights, a student under eighteen years of age must be allowed to consult with legal counsel (which can be in person, by telephone, or by video conference) and the consultation may not be waived.  Failure to comply with this legal requirement may affect the admissibility of the student’s statements at a criminal hearing and affect the credibility of the law enforcement officer.  Please refer to the attached memo for more information and exceptions. 

Changes in Truancy Laws

This Legal Update addresses recent changes to, and interpretations of, laws related to habitually truant students.  This year, the California Supreme Court answered two questions related to truancy proceedings. The case involved a ninth grade student who was not referred to a school attendance review board (“SARB”) prior to the district attorney filing to make the student a ward of the court after the parent had received three truancy notices for at least 19 absences or tardies in less than one year. The first question before the Court was whether the use of a SARB process or a similar truancy mediation program is required for a juvenile court to have jurisdiction, i.e. authority to exercise control, over a student. The second question was whether the issuance of a fourth truancy report is required before a juvenile court may exercise jurisdiction over a minor on the basis of truancy.  Please refer to the attached memo from the School and College Legal Services of California for more information.

Posting of Title IX Training Materials

One of the many new requirements of the Title IX regulations that went into effect on August 14, 2020, is that each recipient must publish on its website the training materials used to train its Title IX Coordinator, Investigator, Decision-Maker, and Informal Resolution Facilitators.  It is recommended that if the training materials were proprietary, and thus copyrighted, you list the materials by its title, but not make them available on your website. Additionally, it's recommended that you further state on your website that the materials may be available for inspection with the Title IX Coordinator.  Please refer to the attached SCLS Memo for additional information and recommendations.

Mandatory Employee Trainings

While there are many available trainings offered to school employees, only some are mandated by law.  Please refer to the attached SCLS Memo for a list of trainings that are mandated by law for school employees, the frequency by which they must be completed, and the relevant legal citation.

Senate Bill 820's Wide-Ranging Amendments to the Law

The attached legal update reviews some key changes to the law made by Senate Bill 820 (“SB 820”), the education cleanup bill passed on September 21, 2020. The bill affected everything from distance learning, charter schools, the definitions of instructional materials, how SELPAs may use their funds, changes to the local control funding formula (“LCFF”), state preschools, and county superintendent duties. For more in-depth detail, please refer to Senate Bill 820, attached here, and the School and College Legal Services memo, attached here.

Student Social Media - Searching, Gathering, and Maintaining Information

In these days of distance learning, many Local Education Agencies (“LEAs”) are considering adopting the use of a computer program to search the social
media of students to gather information regarding school and student safety. For example, Bark offers a free web filtering service for schools.
However, prior to the implementation of such a program for “educational purposes”, Assembly Bill (“AB”) 1442, mandates the completion of various
requirements along with on-going LEA responsibilities. AB 1442 is codified at
Education Code § 49073.6, which is attached to this Legal Update.

 

 

 

Trustee and Superintendent Roundtable - November 9, 2020

All school district trustees and superintendents are invited to a MCSBA Roundtable on November 9, 2020 from 6:00-7:15 p.m.  The meeting will be held by Zoom.

Topics include:

• Update on MCSBA work on countywide committees and resources for Trustees
• District Updates on Status of Reopening Schools

 

The Zoom information is below:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82921117061?pwd=dzZ4SUpDYzFYR3VncndpRFhaYm5Pdz09

 

Meeting ID: 829 2111 7061

Passcode: 698975

One tap mobile

+16699006833,,82921117061# US (San Jose) 14086380968,,82921117061# US

+(San Jose)

 

 

SchoolsRule Distribution Event - October 27, 2020

Marin County's public school foundations received $650,000 in funds from SchoolsRule-Marin.  This announcement was made during the SchoolsRule Marin Distribution event held on October 27, 2020.

Please see the SchoolsRule-Marin Distribution Event - October 27, 2020 Press Release for the tremendous impact on students and districts most in need.

SPG: Stages and Features of Bilingual Language Development - November 4, 2020 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. 

SPG: Report Writing and the Art of Scoring (Part 1) - November 16, 2020 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. 

SPG: Report Writing and the Art of Scoring (Part 2) - November 18, 2020 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. 

School & College Legal Services of California: Common Special Education mistakes leading to litigation- November 9, 2020 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Learning  Ally: Strategies for Read-Aloud with Learning Ally Audiobooks (Elementary) - November 12, 2020 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. In this workshop, you will learn how to motivate students to read with strategies to incorporate read-alouds with Learning Ally Audiobooks into your instruction.

Learning  Ally: Strategies for Read-Alouds with Learning Ally Audiobooks (Middle and High School) - November 13, 2020 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. In this workshop, you will learn how to motivate students to read with strategies to incorporate read-alouds with Learning Ally Audiobooks into your instruction.

Learning  Ally: Special Circumstance Assistance (SCA) Part 2 - November 5, 2020 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. This series of workshops will review procedures for identifying and/or assessing the need for an SCA, how to understand the components of SCA, and how to monitor progress and develop a fade plan.