We’d Like Your Feedback – Please take our Digital Li...

We’d Like Your Feedback – Please take our Digital Literacy Survey Dear SRCS Middle School Families, In SRCS, we want to make sure our students have the skills they need to succeed in school and in life. As part of our District’s goals for this year, we are looking at  Digital Literacy . What is Digital Literacy? It is more than just using a computer or a tablet. It is about helping our students: Stay safe  and protect their private information online Find a healthy balance  with technology (digital wellness) Think deeply about the information they see on the internet Obtain skills that can be useful for school and life Be creative  by using tools to solve problems and express their ideas As our partners in your child’s education, we need your help! We want to hear your thoughts on how your child uses technology and what you feel is most important for them to learn. Please take about  10 minutes to answer this short survey. Your response will help us create a better plan for our schools and support our students. 6-8th Grade Parent Survey:  English  |  Spanish Thank you for your time and input. Your voice is very important to us! Sincerely, Carmen Diaz Ghysels Superintendent     San Rafael City Schools www.srcs.org  |  communications@srcs.org 310 Nova Albion Way, San Rafael, CA 94903

Wednesday, Feb 11 2026

We’d Like Your Feedback – Please take our Digital Li...

We’d Like Your Feedback – Please take our Digital Literacy Survey Dear San Rafael City Schools Families, In SRCS, we want to make sure our students have the skills they need to succeed in school and in life. As part of our District’s goals for this year, we are looking at  Digital Literacy . What is Digital Literacy? It is more than just using a computer or a tablet. It is about helping our students: Stay safe  and protect their private information online Find a healthy balance  with technology (digital wellness) Think deeply about the information they see on the internet Obtain skills that can be useful for school and life Be creative  by using tools to solve problems and express their ideas As our partners in your child’s education, we need your help! We want to hear your thoughts on how your child uses technology and what you feel is most important for them to learn. Please take about  10 minutes to answer this short survey. Your response will help us create a better plan for our schools and support our students. TK-5th Grade Parent Survey:  English  |  Spanish Thank you for your time and input. Your voice is very important to us! Sincerely, Carmen Diaz Ghysels Superintendent     San Rafael City Schools www.srcs.org  |  communications@srcs.org 310 Nova Albion Way, San Rafael, CA 94903

Wednesday, Feb 11 2026

SRCS Consent Form for Mental Health and Wellness Ini...

Note: This post is intended only for parents and guardians who received a direct message or email with this link from an SRCS staff member. This post is not yet relevant to all SRCS families. We are currently piloting the program and look forward to expanding it in the future.      If you received this message, it is related to a new mental health and wellness initiative, and we are asking for your consent. Please read on and review and complete the included form. Thank you!        Mental Health and Wellness Initiative   SRCS is beginning to implement the state-wide  Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI), a first-of-its-kind effort to ensure all students can access mental health support in schools. The new CYBHI fee schedule program makes it easier for students to get critical services at school at no cost, while also helping to sustain existing student wellness programs.       Parents’ partnership is essential to access these additional resources. California’s health plans and insurers are now required to reimburse public schools for covered mental health services provided to students at school. This will bring additional funding directly back to our schools and students!       Most importantly, state law protects families, guaranteeing zero impact to your insurance coverage: No bills, copays or deductibles No increase to premiums No reduced or impacted plan benefits No effects to coverage No denial of private services if/when the same service is provided at school We are proud to partner with the Marin County Office of Education to bring this essential work to our District.  Learn more. If you received this message directly from a SRCS school staff member, please review the following information and complete the form below.

Tuesday, Feb 10 2026

SRCS Board Updates: Budget Reductions and MacPhail S...

Board Approves Budget Reduction Plan SRCS is facing the challenging task of making budget reductions for our Elementary School District and High School District. At its meeting on Jan. 27, 2026, the SRCS Board of Education approved a two-year plan to ensure fiscal stability. Like many districts throughout California, SRCS is experiencing financial pressure due to expiring one-time state COVID grants, rising operating costs and declining student enrollment. We are grateful to the members of our community who served on our Budget Advisory Committees (BACs). Their time, expertise and collaboration helped us navigate these tough choices and guide recommendations on how to reduce our spending.  At the meeting, the Board accepted and acknowledged the work of the BACs and provide direction to staff to implement reductions over the next two years: 2026-27 - Implement reductions to meet the identified deficits as well as position the District for the one-time funds sunsetting 2027-28 - Implement reductions and/or absorb prioritized expenditures into the general fund while monitoring the remaining one-time funds, enrollment, revenues and reserve levels  The phased approach allows us to address immediate structural deficits, while also preparing for additional adjustments in the future. Some of the reductions outlined will be made heading into the coming school year; then, as we plan for 2027-28, we will continue to closely monitor financial conditions and enrollment and implement further reductions accordingly.  We’re proud of the exceptional work happening in our schools and classrooms, and that work will continue! Even as we make these difficult reductions, our priority continues to be providing high-quality learning experiences and ensuring the safety of our students. While this process has not been easy, it has shown the strength of our community, our collaborative spirit and our shared focus on what matters most - our students. View the slide deck Watch a recording of the presentation   (starts at 1:43:17) View ESD BAC materials   |   View HSD BAC materials Surplus Property Update:  Board Approves Sale of MacPhail Site At its January 27, 2026 meeting, the SRCS Board of Education approved the sale of the MacPhail site following a lengthy, transparent process to make the highest and best use of the District asset to benefit our students, our community and the District. The MacPhail property has been formally declared surplus, and the District has no current or anticipated educational need for the site. SRCS has remained committed to our duty to our students to ensure that the property is sold at fair market value. After first seeking interest in 2024 from nonprofits and public agencies,  the Board issued a competitive public bid process in Sept. 2025. As a result, last evening the Board accepted the highest and best offer from Pazala, a local private family foundation, for $6 million. The foundation has shared its intention to use the site for a community center and open space, in partnership with the Santa Venetia Commons non-profit. Another group submitted a pre-bid questionnaire to make them eligible to bid orally at the meeting, but they did not do so.  As discussed through this process, the funds from the sale must go towards capital improvements and / or ongoing facility maintenance in the District.    The MacPhail surplus property is part of the SRCS Elementary School District. It covers about 9.76 acres and is located on Vendola Drive in the Santa Venetia area of San Rafael. MacPhail was declared surplus in 1979 by the Board following the recommendation of a 7-11 Committee. It was reaffirmed as a surplus property three times after that, including most recently in March 2024. We are grateful to our community for engaging in this process and we look forward to completing the final steps with the new owners to fully complete the sale. Learn more . San Rafael City Schools www.srcs.org  |  communications@srcs.org 310 Nova Albion Way, San Rafael, CA 9490

Thursday, Jan 29 2026

SRCS Updates: News from around the District for our ...

2026-27 School Year Calendar We're happy to share the SRCS calendar for TK-12 students for next school year! The first day of school for students will be August 19, 2026.  Add to Google Calendar:  https://bit.ly/3O1gneF English Spanish Budget Reductions SRCS is facing the challenging task of making budget reductions for both our Elementary School District and High School District. Like many districts across California, we are nearing the end of the large, one-time state grants provided in the aftermath of the COVID pandemic. At the same time, rising operational costs and declining student enrollment are creating additional financial strain. Together, these factors have resulted in structural deficits for both districts. To address immediate needs, the Elementary School District budget needs to be reduced by about $830,000, and the High School District budget by approximately $590,000. Looking ahead, we are also preparing for further reductions over the next two years, totaling up to $2.8 million in our Elementary School District and $1.3 million in our High School District, as the remaining one-time state funding expires. As we navigate these tough choices to manage the many competing demands on our resources, we are grateful to the members of our SRCS community who have stepped up to serve on our Budget Advisory Committees. Their thoughtful feedback is helping guide recommendations on how to reduce our spending for the next school year and beyond. While it is still preliminary, we are hopeful that layoffs can be avoided as much as possible and that reductions will occur primarily through attrition. We anticipate the Board will take action on proposed reductions at its meeting on Jan. 27.  Coming Soon: Mental Health and Wellness State Initiative Mental health is a priority, and we're taking an important step forward! In the coming months, SRCS will be implementing the state-wide Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI), a first-of-its-kind effort to ensure all students can access mental health support in schools. The new CYBHI fee schedule program makes it easier for students to get critical services at school  at no cost, while also helping to sustain existing student wellness programs.  Parents’ partnership will be essential to access these additional resources. California’s health plans and insurers are now required to reimburse public schools for covered mental health services provided to students at school. This will bring additional funding directly back to our schools and students!  Most importantly, state law protects families, guaranteeing zero impact to your insurance coverage: No bills, copays or deductibles No increase to premiums No reduced or impacted plan benefits No effects to coverage No denial of private services if/when the same service is provided at school We are proud to partner with the Marin County Office of Education to bring this essential work to our District. More details will be shared soon.  In the meantime, learn more here . Students Recognized at Heart of Marin Awards Earlier this month, the Center for Volunteer & Nonprofit Leadership held their annual  Heart of Marin celebration. The ceremony was attended by over 500 attendees from the Marin nonprofit, government and business communities.  In the category of "Youth Volunteer of the Year," we are proud that SRCS students Kelvin Colli; Melanie Garcia; Alex MacKay; Levi Rivera; and Jessica Viera were nominated for their work with local non profits and Levi ( pictured right ) went on to be recognized as an award recipient for her volunteer efforts with the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy.  New Year's Attendance Resolutions As we move into the new year, we are maintaining our focus on the importance of school attendance and we want to start 2026 on a high note! Here are some possible New Year's Attendance Resolutions for your family to consider: Be consistent  - Set a routine for your child with a regular bedtime schedule. Use alarm clocks and have all the items you need for the day prepared. Be organized  - Avoid booking medical appointments and extended trips when school is in session. Be direct  - Talk to your child about the importance of being at school on time, everyday. Be mindful  - Track and monitor days your child misses school. Work with your school to improve attendance. Take notice of positive steps! Be healthy  - Keep your child active and ensure they have plenty of rest so they are refreshed, recharged and ready to learn!  Upcoming Parent Education Opportunities The Marin County Office of Education has compiled some upcoming parent / caregiver education events that are free and open to families throughout Marin. Social Media and Youth Body Image: What to Know and What to Do Jan. 22 | Hosted by Children and Screens |  Learn more & register Parenting to Support Your Middle Schooler Jan. 27 | Hosted by Let’s Talk | Flyer |  Learn more & register Vigilant Parent Training: Social Media How-To's, Vault Apps and Online Exploitation Prevention Feb. 4 | Hosted by MCOE & DA’s Office | Flyer |  Register Parenting to Support Our Teens Feb. 4  | Hosted by Let’s Talk |  Learn more & register Cómo Cuidar y Apoyar a Nuestros Hijos Durante los Grados de Educación Media  (How to care for and support our children during their middle school years) Feb. 11 | Hosted by Let’s Talk | Learn more & register Reminder: TK and Kindergarten Enrollment Reminder: Enrollment for the upcoming 2026-27 school year is open!  Eligibility for 2026-27: TK: Children who will be four-years-old on or before Sept. 1, 2026  Kindergarten: Children who will be five-years-old on or before Sept. 1, 2026  Current TK students DO NOT need to re-enroll for kindergarten.    Registration:  You can  start the process online . Families can also visit the Student Enrollment & Family Center (District Office, 310 Nova Albion Way). Dual Language Program:  SRCS is thrilled enroll new TK and Kindergarten students into our thriving  Dual Language Program . Learn more : View this flyer or contact the Student Enrollment & Family Center: 415-492-3236, srcs.org/tk-k-enrollment , 310 Nova Albion Way San Rafael City Schools www.srcs.org  |  communications@srcs.org 310 Nova Albion Way, San Rafael, CA 9490

Friday, Jan 16 2026

Invitación a la reunión del DELAC - VIRTUALMENTE - H...

DELAC (District English Learner Advisory Committee / Comité Distrital para Aprendices del Idioma Inglés) AGENDA Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026 el jueves 8 de enero de 2026 6 - 7:30 pm Zoom Info/Link: https://srcs-org.zoom.us/j/87362006409 Les invitamos cordialmente a participar en nuestra próxima reunión del Comité Asesor del Distrito para Estudiantes Aprendices de Inglés (DELAC), que se llevará este jueves 8 de enero, de 6:00 a 7:30 p.m., por   Zoom . Durante esta reunión: Nuestro Sub-superintendente, Bob Marcucci, nos acompañará nuevamente para compartir actualizaciones de los comités del presupuesto del distrito y para escuchar los comentarios, preguntas y recomendaciones de las familias de DELAC. También se presentarán actualizaciones de las escuelas, y se brindará un espacio para que las familias compartan sus ideas y sugerencias con el propósito de fortalecer los programas y servicios para nuestros estudiantes multilingües. La participación y la voz de nuestras familias son fundamentales para informar las decisiones del distrito y continuar mejorando los apoyos y oportunidades para los estudiantes aprendices de inglés. You are cordially invited to participate in our upcoming District English Learner Advisory Committee (DELAC) meeting, which will take place today, Thursday, January 8, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.  via Zoom . During this meeting: Our Deputy Superintendent, Bob Marcucci, will join us again to share updates from the district budget committees and to hear comments, questions, and recommendations from DELAC families. We will also receive site reports and school updates, and there will be time for families to share ideas and suggestions to help strengthen programs and services for our multilingual learners. The participation and voice of our families are essential to informing district decisions and continuing to improve services and opportunities for English learner students.

Thursday, Jan 08 2026

Please Join us for Informative Sessions on the IEP P...

Dear Families, We are excited to partner with experts and leaders from the Marin County Special Education Local Plan Area to bring you two informative sessions around the IEP process. These meetings are virtual and will be offered in both English and Spanish.  Presented in English Thursday, January 15, 6 pm Thursday, January 29, 6 pm Presented in Spanish Miercoles Enero 14, 6 pm Miercoles Enero 28, 6 pm ZOOM link for all sessions:  https://srcs-org.zoom.us/j/86026660950?jst=2 Sincerely, San Rafael City Schools [Monday, Jan 12 at 12:51 PM] As a reminder, these sessions begin this week! Presented in English Thursday, January 15, 6 pm Thursday, January 29, 6 pm Presented in Spanish Miercoles Enero 14, 6 pm Miercoles Enero 28, 6 pm ZOOM link for all sessions: https://srcs-org.zoom.us/j/86026660950?jst=2

Tuesday, Jan 06 2026

SRCS Updates: News from around the District for our ...

Happy Holidays! We wish our entire SRCS community a restful and joyful Winter Break! School resume for students on Tuesday, Jan. 6. Happy holidays!  New Check-In Process for All Visitors As part of our ongoing commitment to student and staff safety, we are implementing a new visitor check-in system called Verkada Guest for all schools. A recent District safety audit recommended strengthening our visitor management procedures as an important step in ensuring safe school environments. Verkada Guest allows us to screen visitors in a consistent, secure way and keep an accurate record of who is on campus. Some of the key steps to the check-in process include: All visitors must check in at the school's main office. On an iPad at the main office, visitors enter their name and phone number or email and then scan their photo ID. Instead of using an ID, visitors have the option to share their date of birth with the office's staff member. This information allows us to screen visitors against sex offender registries. This system does not send information to the Department of Justice, ICE or any outside agency. Visitors have their photo taken for their visitor badge. Visitors sign consent forms related to:  Surveillance, acknowledging that images of them may be collected, as our schools are monitored by video surveillance in order to ensure the safety of all.  Visitor conduct, acknowledging that they must follow important guidelines to ensure a safe and respectful environment.   Returning visitors can use a QR code for faster check-in. For large school events, schools may choose to use alternate systems. For smaller classroom events, we encourage families to arrive early to allow time for check-in. We understand that this new check-in system is a change for visitors, and we appreciate your patience and cooperation. Our goal is to make Verkada Guest a routine part of ensuring safe, positive and welcoming campuses for all students, staff and families. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact your school principal or administrator.  Final Reminder: Please Take our 2025-26 Family Survey Thank you to everyone who completed our 2025-26 Family Survey through YouthTruth! If you have not yet, please complete the survey by tomorrow, Friday, Dec. 19:  ytsurvey.org/srcsfamily25 Thank you for taking the time to provide your feedback. Your response is incredibly valuable to us.  Learn more.  Every Day Counts: Attendance During Cold and Flu Season As we transition into the winter months, we are focusing on keeping our learning environments vibrant and consistent! Positive attendance is key to academic success. We also know this time of year often brings an increase in seasonal flu and other respiratory illnesses that can lead to absences. Here are simple, effective ways we can work together to promote health and attendance: Reinforce Hand Hygiene: Please remind your students to wash their hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially before eating and after using the restroom. Cover Coughs and Sneezes: Encourage students to cough or sneeze into their elbow or a tissue. When to Stay Home: If your child has a fever, vomiting, diarrhea, please keep them home. They should be fever-free for 24 hours before returning to school. Flyer [ English | Spanish ] Thank you for your continued partnership in prioritizing the health and education of our students. Have a Cybersafe Holiday Season! Here are some helpful tips and information during the holiday season to keep you and your family cybersafe from the County of Marin Technology Services. Before You Buy: Choose Secure Gifts Not all connected devices are created equal. When shopping: Check for security features. Look for products from a reputable manufacturer that support multi-factor authentication (MFA) and automatic updates. Avoid “no-name” brands. Ultra-cheap smart gadgets may lack basic protections and rarely receive updates. Review privacy policies. For children’s toys, make sure the device does not unnecessarily collect location, audio, or behavioral data. Shopping Scams: Stay Alert The holiday shopping season is peak time for cybercriminals. Beware of fake tracking emails pretending to be Amazon, UPS, USPS, or FedEx. Watch for counterfeit storefronts offering impossibly low prices. Use secure payment methods like credit cards or trusted digital wallets. Avoid debit cards, direct wire transfers, or peer-to-peer payment apps (like Venmo or Zelle) for online purchases. Never save your credit card number with retailers you rarely shop with. When You Unbox: Set Up Devices Safely Once the wrapping paper is off, take a few minutes to lock things down. Change default passwords immediately. Never keep the factory password, as attackers scan the Internet for these. Enable automatic updates so security patches can install without you needing to remember. Turn on MFA wherever available (gaming accounts, streaming services, online stores, etc.). Connect to a trusted network. Avoid setting up devices over public Wi-Fi. Smart Toys & Children’s Gifts: Extra Care Needed Kids’ tech often includes microphones, cameras, and GPS. To protect your family: Disable unnecessary features such as voice activation, always-on listening, or location tracking. Review app permissions on the companion smartphone or tablet app. Create children’s profiles on gaming platforms and restrict in-app purchases, chat features, and content exposure. Store devices securely when not in use, especially those with cameras. Gaming Consoles: Secure the Fun New video games and consoles are a holiday favorite, but can also be a target for account hijacking. Turn on parental controls for age-appropriate content. Enable purchase restrictions. Require a pin or other authorization that you control. Protect online gaming accounts such as PlayStation Network, Xbox Live, and Nintendo with strong passwords and MFA. Teach kids not to share login information or click unknown links sent through in-game chat. Reminder: TK and Kindergarten Enrollment Reminder: Enrollment for the upcoming 2026-27 school year is now open!  Eligibility for 2026-27: TK: Children who will be four-years-old on or before Sept. 1, 2026  Kindergarten: Children who will be five-years-old on or before Sept. 1, 2026  Current TK students DO NOT need to re-enroll for kindergarten.    Registration:  You can  start the process online . Families can also visit the Student Enrollment & Family Center (District Office, 310 Nova Albion Way). Dual Language Program:  SRCS is thrilled enroll new TK and Kindergarten students into our thriving  Dual Language Program . Learn more : View this flyer or contact the Student Enrollment & Family Center: 415-492-3236, srcs.org/tk-k-enrollment , 310 Nova Albion Way San Rafael City Schools www.srcs.org  |  communications@srcs.org 310 Nova Albion Way, San Rafael, CA 9490

Thursday, Dec 18 2025

Reminder: We’d like your feedback – Please take our ...

Reminder: We’d like your feedback – Please take our 2025-26 Family Survey Thank you to everyone who completed our 2025-26 Family Survey through YouthTruth! If you have not yet, please complete the survey by Dec. 19:  ytsurvey.org/srcsfamily25 Thank you for taking the time to provide your feedback. Your response is incredibly valuable to us.  Please see below for more information.    Dear San Rafael City Schools Families, I am writing to ask for about 10 minutes of your time to complete an online survey that will help us improve your child’s school. We have asked  YouthTruth – a nonprofit organization that supports hundreds of schools and districts across the county – to conduct an anonymous survey on our behalf. Please take the survey before it closes at midnight on Dec. 19 by clicking this link:  ytsurvey.org/srcsfamily25 Please note: The survey needs to be completed in one sitting. We ask that one member of each household fill out the survey. If you have more than one child who attends the same school, you may respond to the survey multiple times - one time per child. If you write any comments, please do not include your name or anything else that might identify you. Your responses are anonymous, and they will be combined with the responses of other parents and guardians before being shared back with school and district leadership. We sincerely thank you for taking the time to provide your feedback .  Your response is incredibly valuable to us. If you have any questions about the survey, or our plans for how we will use your feedback, please contact communications@srcs.org. Sincerely, Carmen Diaz Ghysels Superintendent     San Rafael City Schools www.srcs.org  |  communications@srcs.org 310 Nova Albion Way, San Rafael, CA 94903

Tuesday, Dec 09 2025

We’d like your feedback – Please take our 2025-26 Fa...

We’d like your feedback – Please take our 2025-26 Family Survey Dear San Rafael City Schools Families, I am writing to ask for about 10 minutes of your time to complete an online survey that will help us improve your child’s school. We have asked  YouthTruth – a nonprofit organization that supports hundreds of schools and districts across the county – to conduct an anonymous survey on our behalf. Please take the survey before it closes at midnight on Dec. 19 by clicking this link:  ytsurvey.org/srcsfamily25 Please note: The survey needs to be completed in one sitting. We ask that one member of each household fill out the survey. If you have more than one child who attends the same school, you may respond to the survey multiple times - one time per child. If you write any comments, please do not include your name or anything else that might identify you. Your responses are anonymous, and they will be combined with the responses of other parents and guardians before being shared back with school and district leadership. We sincerely thank you for taking the time to provide your feedback .  Your response is incredibly valuable to us. If you have any questions about the survey, or our plans for how we will use your feedback, please contact communications@srcs.org. Sincerely, Carmen Diaz Ghysels Superintendent     San Rafael City Schools www.srcs.org  |  communications@srcs.org 310 Nova Albion Way, San Rafael, CA 94903

Monday, Dec 01 2025