Marin School Newsletter: October 31, 2025

Dear Marin Families,

What a BLAST! Thanks to all who came to campus and helped us cheer on all Marin Dolphins at our Halloween Parade today! I appreciate your patience as we got the kids settled on the turf, and for following our safety protocols on this exciting and fun day.

Our annual large-scale release earthquake drill is this Wednesday, November 5th from 12:50-1:25pm. Communication went out last week, and you’ll be getting another reminder next week. Thanks to all for helping us make sure that we keep our students safe by practicing what we would do in the event of a serious emergency.

Please take note of some important schedule changes in November:

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

Note new starting date of Fri, Nov. 7

• No school for Veterans Day (11/10 & 11/11)

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

Other important updates…

Our school is working on adopting a new English Language Arts curriculum. Please click here to read an update from the committee on the process. An update from the Math Vision Team is also included!

Happy Halloween!

Melisa Pfohl, Principal

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 first one next month. Join today!

 Parent Education - Childcare Provided!

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 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

Fall Conference Schedule – Nov. 7-21

The fall conference schedule will begin on Friday, November 7, 2025. 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 from Friday, Nov. 7 through Friday, Nov. 21. First through 5th 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.

Originally, conferences were scheduled to begin on Nov. 12, and we acknowledge that including November 7 as our first conference day was a change. The adjustment was made because this year’s calendar includes two days off for Veterans Day, which reduced the number of available conference days. Including November 7 ensures that every family has the opportunity for a meaningful conference with their child's teacher.

AEF Book Fair at Pegasus Books Wraps Up on Saturday The final day for the Albany Education Foundation (AEF) book fair fundraiser at Pegasus Books on Solano Ave. is Saturday, November 1. Pegasus is donating 30% of all sales when you mention "AEF" at checkout. Can’t get to Pegasus by Saturday? Do you have friends and family who live out of town who would like to support our schools? Go to pegasusbookstore.com/albany-education 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 future AEF grants for teachers while supporting a valued local bookstore. Thank you! Diwali, The Festival of Lights The Southwest Asian and North African (SWANA) Parent Engagement Group is hosting a Diwali potluck get-together. All are welcome! Saturday, November 1, 1–3:30pm in the Ocean View Multipurpose Room. Sign-up link is here.  Albany Community Craft Fair The AMS PTA’s Craft Fair returns on Sunday, November 2, 11am–3pm. Come for crafts, music, and food. All are welcome! Superintendent's Community Update Click here for the Superintendent's Community Update.