Marin School Newsletter: November 13, 2026

Dear Marin Families,

Happy Friday, everyone! It’s been so nice to see some of you on campus for your parent teacher conferences. I’m glad that each of you will have the opportunity to connect in partnership with your child’s teacher. 

Ongoing Implementation of Fishtank

I’m so proud of our teachers for their continued work implementing Fishtank, our new English Language Arts curriculum. As I've been in and out of classrooms in the last week, I've seen students intently focused in a folktale about Anansi, crafting their own narratives with dialogue and sensory details, and building writing stamina and independence, accessing personal high frequency word walls and resources around the room. 

Here are just a few examples what I've seen on classroom walls. Many classrooms are transitioning to their second unit. I'm looking forward to their continued engagement and our collective learning.

Marin Tours

Tours for families of  prospective students start next week! Please help spread the word:

• Thursday, 11/19, 9-9:30am

• Wednesday, 12/9, 9-9:30am

• Wednesday, 1/13, 9-9:30am

• Wednesday, 2/10, 9-9:30am

• Wednesday, 3/10, 9-9:30am

Gratitude

We continue to reinforce the importance of gratitude and looking out for each other. As some of you may know, I’m a mom of a now 19 year old in Colorado for his Sophomore year. When he was still home we often shared “roses and thorns” (aka, highlights and lowlights) from the day or small moments of gratitude. I’m working on slowing down and incorporating this into my daily practice this month.

Your Moment of Zen: TK Monarch March 

What a delight to see all our butterflies - in egg, caterpillar, chrysalis, and butterfly form at the Monarch March. I loved seeing all their chosen forms and handmade costumes - especially the sticks on the chrysalises. Thank you TK families for joining in the fun!

Thank you all for your continued partnership. We look forward to connecting with you as we transition to the second trimester. 

With appreciation,

Ginger

Reminders from last week:

Student Council Fundraiser for Nepal Flood Victims

Student Council members shared their plan to raise money for the flooding victims of Nepal. You can help! They are hosting 3 different Bake Sales on Dec. 2, 9, and 16th (3 consecutive Wednesdays).

WE NEED BAKED GOODS! Please sign up to bring a baked good on any/all of the days. PLEASE NOTE: NO NUTS!!!! Please include an ingredient list for your item on the day of the Bake Sale. Baked goods can be dropped off at the front office on the morning of the Bake Sale! Thanks for all of your help!

Marin Annual Food Drive

Please help with our Food Drive for local food banks. We ask that food is non-perishable - much needed items include lentils, beans, pasta, cereal, rice, and canned vegetables. Please have your children drop items off before school or during recess in one of the boxes outside of the office. May your holidays be joyous and peaceful.

Teacher & Staff Appreciation Lunch

November is 3rd grade’s month to help the PTA celebrate an appreciation lunch for our teachers & staff! Sweet & savory pies are covered by the PTA — we need 3rd grade families to help with drinks, fruit, veggies, cheese, bread, decor, set up & clean-up for our ~80 staff members. Sign up and view details here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A45A5A92BAAF4C43-67311795-teacherstaff#/

Look for more details in the email from your Room Parent, and the flyer below! Thank you for helping us show our teachers and staff some love! — PTA Teacher & Staff Appreciation Committee

Mark your calendars and join us for these upcoming PTA events!

Five Little Monkeys Fundraiser:  Five Little Monkeys will be donating 15% of the pre-tax sales to the PTA between Nov 1-15. Please consider doing your holiday gift purchasing local and early this year. You must use our school code (MARINSCHOOL2026) for it to count in-stores or on-line! ​

Turkey Trot Save the Date for Marin's First Turkey Trot! Start Thanksgiving morning with fun and fitness. Marin Elementary PTA is hosting a family-friendly 5K and 1 mile kids run in Tilden Park on Thursday, November 26th. The 5k will start at 9am and the 1 mile kids run will start at 10am. Kids under 12 can choose to run the 5k, the 1 miler, or both! This is a fun run to support the PTA and 5th grade outdoor education overnight. Parking is at Tilden Nature Area next to the Little Farm and the course will be an out and back along Wildcat Creek Trail. Timing will be unofficial — we're not using bibs or chip timers, so finish times are for your own satisfaction, not for the record books. More information, registration and volunteer signups can be found here.

Moonlight Auction Committee - Call for Volunteers

Want to help with the PTA's biggest fundraiser of the year? We have an experienced crew this year but could use more people! From the flexible time commitment of solicitations to defined day-of help, please reach out and we can discuss. Contact Yana Brewsala, auctioneer@marinschoolpta.org. Auction date Saturday, April 17th, 2027.

Community Partners

• Albany Board of Education: Meeting on Tuesday, Nov 17 @ 6pm at Albany City Hall. Pizza and childcare provided with sign up, email Katherine (katharinebmarketing@gmail.com)

Useful Links

• About the PTA

• Join the PTA or donate here

• Volunteer with the PTA

From all of us on the Marin PTA, have a fantastic weekend!

Attendance: How To Report Absences

Please call 510.558.4787 or email marinattendance@ausdk12.org before 10am each day your child will be absent. Please include the reason for your student’s absence. Thank you!

Family Math Night

Family Math Night is on Tuesday, November 17, 6:15-7:30pm in the Marin MPR. Drop in any time with your kids for hands-on math games and puzzles. All ages are welcome; activities are aimed at K-5. Pizza is available by RSVP. Please pay at the pizza table, $5-10 per person eating, by Venmo or cash... or pay @Dan-Zeltzer-1 in advance. The rest of this year's Family Math Nights (all Tuesdays, 6:15-7:30pm, MPR): Dec 15, Jan 19, Feb 16, Mar 23, Apr 27.

Holiday Food Drive

Our Holiday Gift of Food Drive is under way! It's a wonderful opportunity to discuss kindness and helping others in addition to giving the children a chance to participate. Posted outside the office is a list of food items and dates, however, the items and dates are not important. 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 one of the boxes outside of the office. May your holidays be joyous and peaceful.

AEF Book Fair at Pegasus Books Starts Saturday! Support Albany schools while you shop at Pegasus Books! Albany Education Foundation (AEF) is having a book fair fundraiser at Pegasus Books on Solano Ave. starting Saturday. From November 14-20 Pegasus will donate 30% of all sales when you mention "AEF" at checkout. Do you have friends and family who live out of town who would like to support our schools? Direct them to pegasusbookstore.com/albany-education during the AEF Book Fair and be sure to type "AEF" at checkout. All purchases at Pegasus qualify — books, gifts, gift cards, etc. If you would like to purchase a book for a classroom or library, Pegasus has lists — both in store and online — of requested books for each AUSD school. The AEF Pegasus Book Fair helps fund AEF grants for teachers while supporting a valued local bookstore. Thank you! AUSD & Community Events & Announcements The AUSD Events & Announcements page features districtwide events and opportunities for AUSD students and families.