Dear Marin Families,

Are you interested in getting more involved with what’s happening at our school? I have 2 opportunities to share with you…

We’re looking for a parent and/or community member to participate in the AUSD Facilities Steering Committee. This committee will take a look at how space is used in our district, and specifically at Marin. This committee will also help prioritize site improvement projects at our school.

We’re also looking for more people to join our School Site Council. This committee plays a vital role in shaping our school’s goals, reviewing academic data, allocating certain school funds, and helping to guide programs that support student learning and well-being. 

If you’re interested in either of these opportunities, please email me at mpfohl@ausdk12.org.

Please take note of some important schedule changes in November:

• Conferences 11/7 - 11/21. Minimum day schedule for 1st-5th. 

• No school for Thanksgiving Break (11/24 - 11/28)

Other important updates…

Curious to dive deep into our two elementary literacy priorities: protected time for differentiated instruction and adopting evidence-based literacy curricula? Click here for a comprehensive update from our district's Teaching & Learning Team!

Have a wonderful weekend,

Melisa Pfohl, Principal

Marin Movie Night: Dogman

Please join us TONIGHT, Friday November 14th, for a family movie showing of Dogman at Marin! The movie starts at 6:30pm in the Multi-Purpose Room with food available starting at 6:00. All children must be accompanied by an adult chaperone. Get your tickets here for a suggested donation of $5 per person -- Domino's Pizza, popcorn and a drink will be included in the ticket price. Families with a PTA membership at the Turtle, Dolphin, or Premiere Dolphin levels gain free admission to all movie nights this year for the entire family! Join the PTA here.

Marin Family Directory (Now Live!)

We’re excited to share that the 2025–26 Marin Family Directory is now available online for families who opted in via Aeries. The directory includes contact information for classmates and school friends, perfect for planning playdates or connecting with other parents.

The link to the directory was shared on Friday, Nov. 7, via ParentSquare.

If you spot an error or need an update, please email Crystal at pres@marinschoolpta.org.

Moonlight Auction Planning Meeting

Please join us for our first planning meeting for the 2026 Moonlight Auction! Wednesday, November 19 at 8:00pm via Google Meet.  

Join by video: https://meet.google.com/ntc-xrqc-tnf
Join by phone: +1 484-367-5621, PIN: 598 970 992#

While we expect most of the work to occur in the Spring, we are having an initial meeting to assign volunteer roles, to discuss a flash summer camp auction occurring in January, and to go over a timeline and budget. The Moonlight Auction, on April 18, 2026, is the PTA's biggest fundraiser and is so much fun to create. Volunteers get complimentary tickets to the event!

Want to volunteer but can't make the first meeting? No problem! Just contact the 2026 Moonlight Auction chair Kate Breeding: autioneer@marinschoolpta.org

 Join the PTA – And We'll Throw a School-wide Popsicle Party!

We’re close to our goal of 125 members! Once we hit it, we’ll celebrate with a school-wide popsicle party. Plus, at certain membership levels, you’ll get free family entry to all movie nights this year, starting with our showing of Dogman next Friday, 11/14. Join today!

Family Math Night - Tuesday, Nov. 18 at 6:15p in the Marin MPR

Join us in the Marin Multi-Purpose Room for games and puzzles that illustrate the fun, creative, and inspiring side of math for kids and adults alike!

If you are planning on coming and want pizza, please RSVP before 3pm on Tuesday so I can order the right amount. I hope to see you there! I'll add in a little extra for those who forget to RSVP but would still like to eat. Please consider bringing a $5 to $10 donation per pizza-eater to help offset costs.

Fall Conference Schedule – Nov. 7-21

The fall conference schedule will continue next week. Conference days follow the minimum day schedule (Wednesday schedule). Please ensure that you have followed your classroom teacher's instructions regarding signing up for conferences. 

Minimum days (Wednesday schedule) for conferences will run through Friday, Nov. 21. First through Fifth grades will attend school from 8:30-1:45 every day during the fall conferences. TK and Kindergarten remain on their normal schedule of 8:30-1:30.

Help Needed For Marin's Wednesday Lunchtime Knitting Club!

If you know how to do the basic knit stitch, we would love your help! Many students showed up to the first meeting of our new 4th/5th grade knitting club. Most of them have never knit before. If you are able to join us to help show students the basics from 12:20-12:45 on Wednesday November 19, please contact Julie Bussgang (jbussgang@ausdk12.org).  

Food Bank Donations

Thanks to Ms. Dunigan and her 2nd grade class for organizing our Holiday Gift of Food Drive! It's a wonderful opportunity to discuss kindness and helping others in addition to giving the children a chance to participate. We just ask that it's non-perishable - no fresh fruit, veggies, milk products etc. If your child would like to bring something, they may drop it off before school or during recess in the box outside of the office. 

Albany Disability Squad's Family Support Group Please join us for the next meeting of the Albany Disability Squad's Family Support Group* Wednesday, November 19, 7–8 pm and the third Wednesday of upcoming months. So much of our time, energy and heart goes toward supporting our kid(s)! It can be rewarding but also exhausting, overwhelming, and lonely. This drop-in group provides peer support to each other in our frustrations and triumphs. Join the Zoom Meeting at this link or dial by your location: (408) 638-0968, Meeting ID: 886 0018 4968, Passcode: 798604. *This is a peer-to-peer support group for caregivers and not professional group counseling. Free Weather Station Science Event The Science Olympiad Team is running another great science event: Weather Stations! SciOly will have Interactive lab stations on clouds, rain, useful tools for measuring weather, and more! If your child is interested in attending the event, sign up here. If you are interested in volunteering to bring snacks or drinks for the kids, sign up here (no allergens, please!) Sunday, November 23, 10am–1pm at Albany Middle School. Please arrive at 10am, and stay as long as you like! If anything changes, we will contact registrants via email. Questions? Email the SciOly Div A Leadership Team at scioly.div.a@gmail.com. Making College Affordable: FAFSA & Early Financial Planning  Join the Asian Pacific Islander Parent Engagement Group (API-PEG) on Thursday, December 11 at 7pm via Zoom for valuable insights and an interactive discussion (a Q&A section will be included) with the expert, Mike Nie. Mike specializes in family-centered tax and real-estate strategies, with deep expertise in college cost planning. You may join API-PEG Google Group by filling out this form. Join API-PEG Group email by filling out this form.  You can also find us on Facebook and Instagram. If you have any questions, please email AlbanyAPIparents@gmail.com. Superintendent's Community Update Click here for the Superintendent's Community Update.