Marin School Newsletter: January 16, 2026

Posted Date: 01/16/26 (04:42 PM)

PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE

Dear Marin Families,

Teachers are in the process of giving all K-5th grade students Middle of the Year assessments. All students will be assessed before Jan. 30th. These assessments help us understand student progress, identify areas of growth, and determine which students are in need of intervention and/or extra support during WIN (What I Need) time. The information we gather will help guide instruction and ensure we are meeting the needs of all Marin students.

If you haven’t already, please complete Intent to Return for 2026-27 school year forms by Jan. 31. (3 different forms for different grade levels). This information will help us with planning for next year.

Current TK students: https://www.parentsquare.com/feeds/69053304
Current K-4th students: https://www.parentsquare.com/feeds/69193842
Current 5th grade students: https://www.parentsquare.com/feeds/69194566

Have a great long weekend, as there is no school on Monday in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr!

Melisa Pfohl, Principal

IMPORTANT DATES

Jan. 16	End of online Moonlight Auction for Summer Camps – 7pm
Jan. 19	NO SCHOOL: MLK Jr. Day
Jan. 20	Marin Site Council Meeting, 6-7pm
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
Feb. 16-20	NO SCHOOL: Mid-Winter Break
March 14	Marin Talent Show
March 23-28	Marin Book Fair

PTA CORNER

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

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

Thank You for Holiday Food Drive Donations!

Thank you for all the donations to our Holiday Food Drive for the Bay Area Rescue Mission (which receives 4 out of 4 stars on charitynavigator.org). We were able to donate many bags and boxes in November, prior to Thanksgiving and then again in December. We donated about 40 bags and boxes in all - it was wonderful! It's so much fun to be able to include the children in helping to make others' holidays brighter. Thank you for your generosity and, of course, Happy New Year!

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

Active Transportation and Watershed Management Expo

The City of Albany is holding an Expo on Thursday, January 22, 5:30-7:30pm at the Albany Community Center, 1249 Marin Avenue. The Expo is an opportunity for community members to provide feedback on the Active Transportation Plan and the Watershed Management Plan. The Active Transportation Plan outlines opportunities to improve the City’s future bicycle and pedestrian networks. At the Expo, review draft active transportation projects and help set project and policy priorities. The Watershed Management Plan studies storm-related water flows and identifies best management practices. The Expo offers the chance to help identify existing stormwater management issues.

Sundrop Tutoring

Sundrop Tutoring provides free tutoring services specifically for elementary school students who are neurodivergent and/or under-resourced children in our local community. These sessions are taught 1-on-1 by volunteer high school students and are scheduled individually to meet each student's specific needs. For more information visit sundroprobotics.org, email sundroprobotics@gmail.com, or call (510) 306-4594.

Robotics (S.T.A.R.)

Robotics Club for grades 4–6 is enrolling for the upcoming season. Students work with Lego Spike Prime to build STEM skills and prepare for the First Lego League (FLL) tournament. Meetings are held every Saturday from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm, starting January 17. While the program fee is $150, scholarships are available upon request to ensure these opportunities remain accessible to underprivileged families. For more information visit sundroprobotics.org, email sundroprobotics@gmail.com, or call (510) 306-4594.

Albany Berkeley Soccer Club (ABSC) Spring Registration Is Open

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.

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.