Marin County Suicide Prevention Collaborative Meeting - December 2, 2020

You are invited to participate in the following event around suicide prevention. We can all play a role in suicide prevention. Here’s how:

Attend the upcoming Marin County Suicide Prevention Collaborative Meeting. Our next Collaborative meeting is scheduled for Wednesday December 2 at 2 pm. Register here. What can you do to raise awareness about suicide prevention in our community? 1) Be sure to register and attend!, 2) bring a friend or colleague and stay connected, and 3) share the attached announcement on your social media or email network so that we can reach our Marin community. Please share this invitation widely!

5 Key Principles for Quality Distance Learning Virtual Mini Sessions - December 1 - 15, 2020

Embark on synchronous learning experiences focused on the 5 Key Principles for Quality Distance Learning.  Each 30 minute interactive learning session is followed by an optional 15 minute Q&A.  Sessions are free and open to all educators.  Participate in any or all sessions.  Please see the attached flyer for registration information.

• Tuesday, December 1, 2020 - Student & Teacher Connection - Big Idea: Teacher Presence
• Wednesday, December 2, 2020 - Learning Structure and Sequence of Instruction - Big Idea: Accelerate Student Learning
• Tuesday, December 8, 2020 - Content Presentation - Big Idea: Learner Variability and UDL Design
• Wednesday, December 9, 2020 - Collaboration Opportunities - Big Idea: Exploring Collaborative Activities
• Tuesday, December 15, 2020 - Feedback Opportunities - Big Idea: Creating Feedback Opportunities

 A Safer Way to Holiday 2020

This Holiday Season we urge all to understand and follow Public Health guidance to help ensure the safety of our schools and community during this critical moment in the COVID-19 pandemic.  With case rates increasing in our community, region, state, and nation, it is important to take these guidelines seriously.  Please see the attached guidelines "A Safer Way to Holiday 2020" for Holiday travel and Holiday gathering tips from the Marin County Health and Human Services, the Marin Prevention Network, and the Marin County Office of Education.  Wishing everyone a happy and safe Holiday Season!

Marin Child Care Council's Holiday Gift Drive - December 1 - 18, 2020

All kids deserve a great Christmas and you can help make that happen!  Please drop off a new unwrapped toy or gift card at Marin Child Care Council, 555 Northgate Drive, Suite 105, San Rafael.  Thank you for your generosity!

Social Emotional Wellness Series Offering from the Marin County Office of Education

The attached flyer shows the Social Emotional Wellness offerings from the Marin County Office of Education for the months of December 2020 and January 2021.  Please look under the tab "Education Services" for more information on 'Talk Saves Lives', 'Emotional Intelligence', and 'Pure Edge' seminars.  All seminars can be accessed virtually and a link will be sent after registration is completed.

 

2020-21 First Interim Budget Reports

2019-20 First Interim Budget reports are due to the COE on or before December 15, 2020. The first interim report submission should also include the Budget Overview for Parents and, if amendments were made, the revised Learning Continuity and Attendance Plan. Our review will culminate in letters addressed to your Board Presidents. We will provide draft copies of the letter for your review prior to the January 14, 2021 mailing deadline

 

 

2020-21 Enrollment

Enrollment and unduplicated pupil count data must be certified in CALPADS Fall 1 Certification due December 20th. We have requested all Districts to notify us when the Fall 1 has been certified for your District and have further requested that data amendments be performed in 'revised' mode during the review period rather than decertifying the data. These minor adjustments will greatly facilitate our statutory review of the data. As you are aware, beginning in 2019-20 the SELPA office must certify the pupil data for students with disabilities for the districts to complete their Fall 1 certification.

 

The Fall 1 certification includes the pupil counts for high needs students (low income, English Learners and Foster Youth) that drive supplemental and concentration grant funding in the Local Control Funding Formula. While attendance remains static in 2020-21, the districts' percentage of high needs students will be updated based on the Fall 1 Certification.  We encourage all districts to review the low-income data in particular as current food service operations do not require us to recertify students for service in the 2020-21 school year, however to identify students as low income for the CALPADs Fall 1 count, this data must be verified and or updated for the new year using an alternative household income form.

 

California Department of Education (CDE) issued a letter on November 17, 2020 providing that Alternative household income forms may be distributed and collected online, and electronic signatures are acceptable.  In addition, in 2020–21, Local Education Agencies (LEAs) may complete an alternative household income form on behalf of a student’s household by collecting the required information over the telephone provided the LEA documents 1) the date, time, and name of the student’s adult household member spoken to, and 2) the date, time, name, and signature of the LEA staff member collecting the information.

 

Alternative household income form prototypes can be found on the California Department of Education (CDE) LCFF Frequently Asked Questions web page at: https://www.cde.ca.gov/fg/aa/lc/lcfffaq.asp#PROV2and3.

 

 

5 Key Principles for Quality Distance Learning Virtual Mini Sessions - December 1 - 15, 2020

Embark on synchronous learning experiences focused on the 5 Key Principles for Quality Distance Learning.  Each 30-minute interactive learning session is followed by an optional 15-minute Q&A.  Sessions are free and open to all educators.  Participate in any or all sessions.  Please see the attached flyer for registration information.

• Tuesday, December 1, 2020 - Student & Teacher Connection - Big Idea: Teacher Presence
• Wednesday, December 2, 2020 - Learning Structure and Sequence of Instruction - Big Idea: Accelerate Student Learning
• Tuesday, December 8, 2020 - Content Presentation - Big Idea: Learner Variability and UDL Design
• Wednesday, December 9, 2020 - Collaboration Opportunities - Big Idea: Exploring Collaborative Activities
• Tuesday, December 15, 2020 - Feedback Opportunities - Big Idea: Creating Feedback Opportunities

Talk Saves Lives - An Introduction to Suicide Prevention for Educators & Community Members - December 1, 3, and 8, 2020

Suicide can be prevented. This presentation will cover what we know about this leading cause of death, the most up-to-date research on prevention, and what we can all do to fight suicide. Participants will learn the common risk factors for suicide, how to spot the warning signs in others, and how to keep ourselves, our loved ones and those in our community safe. Participants will be empowered with tools to remain connected through the socially-connected yet physically-distant requirements. Talk Saves Lives will empower all participants to remain connected and help keep our communities safe in an ever-evolving COVID-19 environment.  See the attached flyer for registration details and more information.

Prevention From Sexual Harassment - January 13, 2021

Presented via Live Zoom by Carl Corbin, General Counsel, School and College Legal Services.  This 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.  Please refer to the attached flyer for more information on this seminar which is at no cost to Marin County School District employees.

DB Bedford - Emotional Intelligence - December 10, 2020 or January 14, 2021

Pure Edge Social and Emotional Wellness Sessions - December 2020

Pure Edge is offering six classes in December that encompass strategies to support social, emotional, and academic development through mindful movement and rest.  Please refer to the attached flyer for more information and registration details.

• For High School Students: Learn breathing, mindful movement, and guided rest techniques to help you de-stress and relax!  Learn how to help your body and brain access a state of calm.  December 10th and December 17th, 2020
• For Parents/Guardians: Learn simple strategies to support your well-being! This session will look at how stress affects your body and nervous system, and introduce Breathe, Move, Rest Brain Breaks for self-care.  December 8th and December 9th, 2020
• For Educators: Engage in breathing techniques, mindful movement, and guided relaxation strategies in the form of Breathe, Move, Rest Brain Breaks to promote Educator well being.  December 9th and December 16th, 2020

Confronting Antisemitism Series II: Taking a Stand - Rescue and Resistance During the Holocaust - January-February 2021

Series II is an exploration of the heroic women who stood up to Nazi discrimination during the Holocaust. 

Series III being held in March-April 2021, addresses Genocide Awareness.  What are the patterns of genocide in history? How can our community come together in commemoration and activism?

To register or learn more, please refer to the attached flyers in both English and Spanish.

Youth In Arts Move, Groove, and Grow! - SEL Through the Arts Resources

Youth In Arts is offering Student and Teacher courses "Move, Groove, and Grow!".  Both courses are offered at no cost and meet Social Emotional Learning (SEL) objectives and core-competencies as well as National Core Arts Standards in Dance.

• Student Course: "Move, Groove, and Grow! My Thoughts and Feelings Through Movement".  Ideal for K-4.  Click here for information and registration.
• Teacher Course: "Move, Groove, and Grow! A Teacher's Resource for SEL.  Ideal for teachers and administrators.  Click here for information and registration.
• The "promotional" video for the Move, Groove, and Grow courses. Click here for video.

 

 

 

 

California Department of Education Weekly COVID-19 Updates

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

• November 6, 2020
• November 13, 2020
• November 20, 2020

Public Health Liaison Meetings 

Please refer to the attached link for Weekly Public Health Liaison Meeting recordings and documents, as well as much more up to date information and local and state data on COVID-19.

Marin Healthy Youth Partnerships - Family Resources

The Marin Healthy Youth Partnerships offers great resources for families including a series of six conversations, four of which are noted below.  Please refer to their website, link attached here, for these virtual conversations and much more offered in support of students and their families around teen substance use and abuse.

• December 2, 2020 - Parenting to support our teens
• February 3, 2021 - Uppers, downers and all-arounders
• March 3, 2021 - Legal and school consequences
• April 7, 2021 - Getting support and help

COVID-19 Marin County Alert

Due to increased COVID-19 positive cases in our State, the Governor’s Office and the California Department of Public Health have announced that over 40 counties will be moving back to more restrictive tiers.  Marin County has been moved back to Tier 2 (Red – Substantial). This change became effective on Wednesday, November 18, 2020. 

Please refer to the Rethinking Schools Website Document page to revisit the Tier 2 Decision Tree, Exposure Protocols and Student & Family Handbook.

Oral Health for School Aged Children

Schools are a pivotal partner in achieving optimal oral health for school aged children. Poor oral health in our students is an ongoing issue across our districts.  Oral health examinations are a part of the kindergarten registration process and yet are not mandatory.  As a result we continue to see a higher number of dental and oral health issues that may have an impact on overall health. Please take time to review the Oral Health Advocacy - Role of Schools and the Marin County Oral Health Program offering sound information on oral health, particularly during COVID-19.

Governor's Regional Stay-at-Home Order

On December 3, 2020, Governor Newsom issued a Regional Stay-at-Home Order, which goes into effect on December 5, 2020. This Order modified
previous orders addressing the COVID-19 pandemic, including specifically the Governor’s November 19, 2020 limited Stay-at-Home Order, which established
a state-wide curfew between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.  Please refer to the attached Legal Update for more information.

Employer Notice Obligations Related to COVID-19 Exposure and Outbreaks (AB 685) - Addendum

Per SCLS November 5, 2020 - Please refer to the attached Addendum to the Employer Notice Obligations Related to COVID-19 Exposure and Outbreaks (AB 685) memo that was referenced in the October 2020 Superintendents' Report.  The addendum is attached here.  California AB 685 is attached here.

Employer Notice Obligations Related to COVID-19 Exposure and Outbreaks (AB 685) - REVISED

Per SCLS December 4, 2020 - Except as noted below, effective January 1, 2021, Labor Code section 6409.6 requires employers to notify certain employees, their exclusive representatives, and employers of contracted employees, within one business day, after the employer receives a “notice of potential exposure” to COVID-19. Section 6409.6 also requires notice to the local public health agency, within 48 hours, after learning of a “COVID-19 outbreak” at a worksite.  Please refer to the attached Legal Update for more information.  To view AB 685, click here.

Annual Development Fee Accounting with Attachments

Reminder: Development Fee Accounting requirements must be met within 180 days after the last day of each fiscal year. This year, 180 days after the last day of the fiscal year falls on Sunday, December 27, 2020. As a result, School & College Legal Services of California recommends that Development Fee Accounting disclosure requirements be completed prior to any December holiday office closures. The attached information and documents are provided to assist school districts maintain statutory compliance.

Public Health Issues Out of State Travel Advisory and FFCRA Implications

On November 13, 2020, the California Department of Public Health issued a travel advisory recommending restrictions for those who engaged in non-essential travel, defined as travel that is considered tourism or recreational in nature.  Please see the attached Legal Update from School & College Legal Services of California for more information.

LEA of Residence Has a Duty to Assess and Provide an Offer of FAPE

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals issued an unpublished decision on October 26, 2020, confirming the duty of a Local Educational Agency (LEA) of residence under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), to assess and provide a formal written offer of placement for a special education student even if the student is not enrolled in the LEA.  Please refer to the attached Legal Update for more information.

Reminder: January 1, 2021 Deadline for Sexual Harassment Prevention Training

School and College Legal Services of California (SCLS) is issuing the attached Legal Update as a gentle reminder to Local Education Agencies (“LEAs”) of their obligation to ensure that all staff receive sexual harassment and abusive conduct prevention training.
SCLS has previously shared with LEAs, all private employers with at least five (5) employees and all public employers are required to ensure that all employees receive training in sexual harassment and abusive conduct prevention. The training must include at least two hours of effective interactive training for supervisors and at least one hour of effective interactive training for non-supervisors. SB 778 (enacted in 2019) extended the deadline to complete this training to January 1, 2021.

 

SPG: Report Writing and the Art of Scoring (Part 1) - December 1, 2020 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Participants will understand the eligibility and exit criteria for Speech and Language Impairment and be able to apply this knowledge to written reports.

SPG: Report Writing and the Art of Scoring (Part 2) - December 8, 2020 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

SPG: Language Based Multi-Tiered System of Support (Part 1) - December 2, 2020 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Participants will learn about the Federal, State and ASHA guidelines for providing an appropriate MTSS program.

SPG: Language Based Multi-Tiered System of Support (Part 1) - December 4, 2020 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.