Marin School Newsletter: June 5, 2026

Dear Marin Students, Staff, and Families,

It’s our last day! Our last assignment, last recess bell, and last class party. The last chaotic, beautiful, exhausting, wonderful day of a school year. And for me, it is the last day as your principal.

I've been a part of this community for a very long time. I arrived as a teacher in 2005. This community helped me raise my son and daughter who both attended Marin from Kindergarten through 5th grade. In 2017, I was honored to be named Marin Principal. The past 21 years have taught me that Marin is magic. And not because of me.

The magic of this school has never lived in one person. It lives in the teachers and staff who think about their students long after the school day ends. It lives in our custodians who open and close this school everyday, leaving it bright and shiny for kids each morning. It's in our office staff who handle every phone call, every ice pack request, and more. It lives in the families who show up as partners in support of their children. And most importantly, it lives in every student who chooses kindness and tries their best, even when it’s hard. That magic, that culture, that community, belongs to all of you. 

We proved that when the bulldozers demolished our old campus and we got split up and moved across the district. We proved it on Zoom screens and on campuses that weren't our own. The heart of Marin followed us everywhere we went because it was never in the walls. It was always in the people. 

I am deeply proud of what we have built together, and I am grateful beyond words for  every staff member who gave their best, every family who trusted us, and every child who defined our purpose.

As I step into my new role as MTSS Administrator at the district office, I carry the Marin Dolphins in my heart. I'll be working to support students across all three elementary schools. So while I'm leaving Marin, I'm not going far, and I'm not done serving Albany.

I am glad to leave Marin in the extraordinary hands of Ginger Cook, our new principal. She brings genuine passion and deep experience, and I have full faith that she’ll continue the great work we’ve started here. I hope you'll welcome her with the same warmth and partnership you've always shown me.

To the students: Be kind, and be brave enough to be exactly who you are. 

To the families: Keep showing up. Your support makes all the difference. 

To the staff: You are the heart of this school. You always have been.

It has been an extraordinary honor to be a Marin Dolphin. Thank you for 21 years of memories. I will carry them with me always.

With so much love and gratitude,

Melisa Pfohl 

Thank You for an Incredible Year!

As we wrap up another fantastic school year, the PTA wants to extend a huge thank you to the entire Marin community. Because of your generosity and volunteerism, we continue to support every Marin student's experience and success, build a strong community to help every child thrive, and fund programs and events that fall outside the school district's budget. 

This year, we raised over $64,000 in net fundraising revenue, which went right back into enriching our school:

• Classroom Supplies & Educational Experiences: Funding teacher reimbursements for supplies, classroom experience grants, PE gear, and school-wide assemblies.

• Campus & Staff Care: Investing in making our campus an inspiring place to learn - including our beautiful new school mural - and celebrating our hardworking teachers and staff.

• Events & Enrichment: Funding community favorites like movie nights, the STEM event, the international potluck, the talent show, and our engaging noontime programs.

Whether you volunteered, bought an auction ticket, or simply showed up to cheer on our students, you helped make this year vibrant and memorable. Have a wonderful summer break, Marin families!

Educational Technology in AUSD Classrooms - Survey Results To Date

Thank you to everyone who has completed the technology use survey so far! Before summer break begins, we wanted to share a snapshot of the data from the 171 responses received to date: Click here for results

If you haven’t participated yet, there’s still time - the analysis will be updated as new responses are collected. Complete the survey here.

The group of parents organizing this effort has had the chance to connect with teachers, School Board members, District Administration, and parents - and in true Albany spirit, they’ve made early progress and are laying the groundwork for ongoing collaboration.  Watch this space in the fall for more ways to get involved.

If you’d like to stay engaged over the summer, please email: ausdtechnology26@gmail.com

Leaving the School District