Marin School Newsletter: January 9, 2026

Posted Date: 01/09/26 (05:17 PM)

PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE

Dear Marin Families,

On behalf of the entire Marin Staff, THANK YOU for all of your kindness and generosity over the holidays!! Your thoughtfulness and support truly mean so much to us and are deeply appreciated by everyone on our team! We hope you and your families enjoyed a wonderful break.

Are you interested in enrolling your child in summer camp? The PTA online Summer Camp Auction starts today and runs through Jan 16th!! Please see below for more information.

Have a great weekend,

Melisa Pfohl, Principal

IMPORTANT DATES

Jan. 9-16	Moonlight Auction for Summer Camps
Jan. 14	“Counted Out” Film Screening, Ocean View MPR, 5:30pm, RSVP needed
Jan. 22	PTA Parent Ed: “Raising Healthy Gamers,” Ocean View MPR, 6:15-7:45pm
Jan. 27	Family Math Night, Marin MPR, 6:15-7:30pm
Jan. 29	“Left Behind” Film Screening & Panel, AHS Little Theater, 5:30pm, RSVP needed
Feb. 4	Marin PTA Meeting
March 14	Marin Talent Show

PTA CORNER

Online Moonlight Auction for Summer Camps!

The PTA's Summer Camp Auction is this Friday, January 9th at 7am to January 16th at 7pm! Click here to bid on the incredible summer camps generously donated by businesses in our community. This is part of Marin's annual Moonlight Auction, which is the PTA's biggest fundraiser. See flyer as 100% of the proceeds go towards supporting Marin school!

Marin Elementary Talent Show!

We are thrilled to announce the third annual Marin Elementary Talent Show, on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at Albany High School's Little Theatre. This is always a favorite event and a wonderful opportunity for students to celebrate their talents and creativity and to build confidence and community.

If your child is interested in performing, here’s the sign-up link: https://forms.gle/5i3vi2tFipjHwCvk8. Please make sure to sign up by January 23. Auditions will be in the Marin multi-purpose room the weekend of January 24/25, with a rehearsal the weekend of February 28/March 1. Note that all are welcome - everyone who wants to perform can be in the show! We also would love some behind-the-scenes crew members, so kids and adults who want to help bring the show to life please email us at talentshow@marinschoolpta.org.

Looking forward to working together to make this show even more spectacular than the last!

Save The Date! Parent Education Night THURSDAY January 22!

RAISING HEALTHY GAMERS: What Parents Need to Know

Research-based insights for helping kids build healthy gaming habits

What you will gain:

Understand what drives kids' gaming behavior
Identify what healthy gaming looks like at different ages
Support safety and digital well-being in gaming environments
Use practical strategies at home to build balance and reduce conflict

THURSDAY, January 22

6:15–7:45 p.m.

Ocean View Elementary MPR

Pizza & Childcare Provided (limited childcare spots available, reserve your spot by RSVPing)

RSVP HERE

Free Childcare for Screening of Counted Out

Counted Out will be shown on Wednesday, January 14, 5:30–7:30pm in the Ocean View MPR. Through a mosaic of personal stories, expert interviews, and scenes of math transformation in action, Counted Out explores what is at risk in math education. If you are planning on attending, please register here; if you'd like to sign up for free child care during the screening, please click here.

SF Giants Discounted Tickets + Fundraiser

Support Marin by joining the Giants at Oracle Park for a select fundraising game! Tickets are available at a great discount, and $5 of each ticket purchased will be donated back to Marin PTA by purchasing through this special link.

Link to purchase tickets: https://www.gofevo.com/group/GiantsschoolfundraisingCW

Promo Code: marin

MARIN NEWS

Committee to Get Involved In

We’re still 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.

If you’re interested in this opportunity, please email Principal Pfohl at mpfohl@ausdk12.org.

AUSD NEWS

Albany Disability Squad's Family Support Group

Please join us for the next meeting of the Albany Disability Squad's Family Support Group* Wednesday, January 21, 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.

Superintendent's Community Update

Click here for the Superintendent's Community Update.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Teen Service Showcase

The Albany Library will be hosting a Teen Service Showcase on Sunday, January 11, from 2–5pm. Come to hear live music from the School of Rock House Band and Albany High School’s Vocal Soul acapella group. See how teens can get involved in our local community, and enjoy hot cocoa and a treat!

Voices of Music Voice and Recorder Classes

Voices of Music is offering two kinds of music classes starting on January 14, 2026:

Wednesdays after school, Albany students in grades 2–5 are invited to learn to play the recorder, begin to read music, play rhythm games, and play songs from many countries around the world. Small class sizes allow for individual attention and foster ensemble skills. The teacher is Greta Haug-Hryciw. Singing classes are offered for students in grades 3–8, by Tim Silva. The children will learn how our voices work with the songs we sing, and they will begin to read music, sing, play, and have fun together! No prior musical experience is necessary for either class. See the flyer for more information.

Girls On The Run Group Forming

Girls on the Run Bay Area is dedicated to empowering young girls through running, mentorship, and our nationally recognized confidence-building curriculum. We're gearing up for our Spring 2026 program! See flyer for information about participant and coach registration.

Little League—Final Week of Registration!

Register now for Berkeley-Albany Little League spring season! Baseball is more fun with friends, so check in with your community to see who else might want to play! Any registration we receive after January 14 will hit the waitlist, so if you want to secure a spot this season, now is the time! Interested in coaching this season? Email playeragent@albanylittleleague.org. We will be holding a Coaches Training on January 14. Please direct registration questions to registrar@albanylittleleague.org.

Register For Mersey Soccer Club Spring 2026 Season!

Volunteer At The Gill Tract Farm

On January 19, MLK Day of Service, join us at the Gill Tract Farm. Come join us on the land to prepare the Farm for spring planting. No experience is necessary, tools will be provided. Free lunch! (vegan soup and bread) If you are under 18, please bring a waiver form signed by your adult caretaker. RSVP here. Please plan to attend the entire time, from 11am–2pm. Gill Tract Farm, 1050 San Pablo Ave.

Albany Berkeley Girls Softball Association

Registration for our Spring Recreational Leagues is now open for all age groups and skill levels. The spring season runs from the first Saturday in March to the first Saturday in June. We hope you join us!

Take advantage of early bird pricing in December. Registration closes February 1st. Register at https://www.abgsl.org/registration