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

DELAC (District English Learner Advisory Committee / Comité Distrital para Aprendices del Idioma Inglés) AGENDA Thursday, April 16, 2026 el jueves 16 de abril de 2026 6 - 7:30 pm Zoom Info/Link: https://srcs-org.zoom.us/j/87362006409 En la reunión de hoy de DELAC compartiremos los resultados de la encuesta familiar de YouthTruth 2025–2026 y tendremos tiempo para escuchar sus valiosos comentarios. Nuestra reunión comenzará a las 6:00 p.m. El enlace de Zoom se encuentra a continuación y también en la agenda adjunta. ¡Esperamos contar con su participación esta tarde! At today’s DELAC meeting, we will share the results of the 2025–2026 YouthTruth Family Survey and provide time to hear your valuable feedback. Our meeting will begin at 6:00 pm. The Zoom link is linked above and also in the attached agenda. We look forward to your participation this evening! The meeting will be conducted in Spanish. English interpretation is available upon request.

Thursday, Apr 16 2026

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

Celebrating our Multilingual Learners We proudly hosted our District’s Fifth Annual Reclassification Ceremony on March 26, honoring 210 outstanding students who have met all criteria to be reclassified as English Proficient! This achievement reflects each student’s perseverance, growth and dedication, and marks a significant academic and personal milestone in their educational journey.  The celebration embodied our values of equity, community and joy. It was moving to see families, educators and staff come together in recognition of our students' hard work and the rich linguistic and cultural diversity that strengthens our schools every day.  We extend our deepest gratitude to: Our students, for their commitment and determination Families, for being essential partners every step of the way Teachers, counselors and staff, for their unwavering support and encouragement This achievement opens doors to new opportunities and continued success, and we look forward to all that lies ahead for our students. Don't Miss Carnival on April 25 The beloved HeadsUp Carnival returns on Saturday, April 25, at San Rafael High School, and promises to be bigger and better than ever. Attendees can look forward to new games, musical performances, the return of the animal zone, delicious food and more. New this year, our community partner Youth in Arts will bring their C Street Festival to the Carnival. We invite families and community members to join us for a day of fun and connection, all in support of our community. Student Innovation Meets Sustainability Last week, Terra Linda High School's  Marin School of Environmental Leadership (SEL) presented its Green Business Leaders Mixer, an inspiring showcase of student innovation, entrepreneurship and environmental leadership. The event marked the culmination of months of work by MarinSEL juniors. Through a dual enrollment entrepreneurship course with College of Marin, students took on the roles of CEOs and founders, transforming ideas from initial “Shark Tank” style pitches into  fully realized, sustainable businesses . Families, staff and community members gathered to experience student entrepreneurship in action. Students teams shared the passion, creativity and purpose behind their ventures, and attendees explored and purchased a range of the eco-conscious products. The energy continued with a “Day After” event, providing teachers, staff and district leaders another opportunity to engage with students and witness their work firsthand. Left and center photos by Mark Sims     Highlights of Bond Program Construction Work We  are excited to share our latest progress on our Bond Program construction projects! Across multiple campuses, significant milestones are being reached, reflecting our ongoing commitment to providing modern, safe and high-quality learning environments for our students. From the final plastering of the new pool at San Rafael High School ( pictured right ) to the installation of structural footings at Venetia Valley School's Kindergarten building to the community-focused Butterfly Garden at Sun Valley nearing completion, these projects highlight the breadth and impact of our work.  Thank you for your continued patience and support as we build for student success! Davidson Middle School MPR Exterior: Plaster scratch-coating has begun on the exterior walls, and all storefront window frames have been installed. Interior Development: Drywall installation is currently closing up interior walls, and pendant light fixtures have been installed in the open area. HVAC & Solar: HVAC units were placed on the roof recently, with hookup work starting now. Solar panel clip layout is also underway. Venetia Valley K-8 Structural Alterations: New interior concrete footings and restroom slabs for Kindergarten Buildings was poured. Roofing Updates: The existing K roof has been fully removed, and new plywood sheathing is being installed in preparation for the new roofing system. Sun Valley Elementary Monarch Butterfly Garden: The garden relocation is nearly complete. Final Touches: The remaining plants and fencing materials are scheduled for delivery and installation this month, followed by final mulching. San Rafael High School Pool Preparation: The new pool is being plastered and prepared for filling and equipment startup. Scoreboard installation and gas line connections are also ongoing. PE Building Upgrades: Interior work includes the installation of rubber sports flooring in team rooms and weight training areas, alongside final interior and exterior painting. Paving Operations: Paving is continuing behind Gym-2 and in parking areas west of the PE building. Terra Linda High School Aquatic Center Progress: Work is moving into finishing stages with the installation of lockers.  Site Work: Crews are currently casting sleeves for tables and benches, with paver installation to follow. The final Pool light pole is being set by crane. Weight Room: Window installation is underway. Campus Fence: The campus fencing project is nearing its final stages, awaiting the arrival of specific door hardware and panels. Refocus on Farmerworkers' Contributions At the March 24 Board meeting, SRCS Board President Carolina Marin, along with fellow Board members and leaders of our labor groups, shared statements in response to the deeply troubling and serious allegations regarding Cesar Chavez. The messages shared common themes of standing in firm solidarity with the survivors who have courageously shared their stories, and the importance of the broader recognition of the farmworkers movement. While we remain committed to teaching the important history of the labor and farmworker movements, we believe our schools must prioritize the safety, dignity and well-being of all students and individuals. In alignment with these values, we are reviewing our educational resources and commemorative practices. At the meeting, the Board unanimously approved a revision to its resolution to rename the March 31st Cesar Chavez Day to Farmworkers Day. The State has also acted to rename the holiday. Staff and Families Bring Back CABE Learnings R ecently, SRCS proudly sent more than 50 teachers, administrators and parents to the California Association for Bilingual Education (CABE) conference in San Francisco. Thanks to a partnership with Yoots Transportation, a San Rafael-based nonprofit, we were able to expand access to this valuable professional learning opportunity to over 20 parents and family members. At the conference, families and staff learned from experts about best practices for supporting multilingual learners across all grade levels. Our participants gained insights into upcoming policy changes, effective instructional practices and innovative family engagement strategies. They returned with meaningful ideas and strategies to share at their schools; their learnings are already helping to further strengthen and enrich our SRCS community. Rolling Out the Mental Health and Wellness State Initiative Mental health is a priority, and we're taking an important step forward! SRCS is piloting the state-wide Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI) at a few of our schools. CYBHI is 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 As we learn from this initial pilot, we will be expanding to more schools this spring, with a goal of implementing District-wide for the 2026-27 school year. We are proud to partner with the Marin County Office of Education to bring this essential work to our District. Learn more . San Rafael City Schools www.srcs.org  |  communications@srcs.org 310 Nova Albion Way, San Rafael, CA 9490

Tuesday, Mar 31 2026

Scam Email Sent to SRCS Student Email Accounts

Scam Email Sent to SRCS Student Email Accounts Dear Families, The safety of our students, both in person and online, is a top priority. We want to make you aware of a phishing email that may have briefly appeared in some students’ SRCS email accounts yesterday afternoon. What Happened Late yesterday, our team was notified that a phishing message promoting a “relocation sale” offering discounted items was sent to a number of student email accounts from a compromised employee account. The message asked recipients to respond using a personal email address to “learn more.” We have confirmed that similar messages were also sent to other school districts in the county. Our Response Our IT Services team responded immediately and took swift action to contain and address the issue. Steps included suspending the compromised account, identifying the fraudulent message and removing it from student inboxes. This morning, schools also followed up with students about this email and instructed them to contact our IT Services team if they responded to the email.   Next Steps As a precaution, we encourage you to check in with your child to confirm that they did not reply to the email. If your child did respond and provided a personal email, we recommend changing that personal email password as a best practice. If any financial information such as a credit card or bank account number was shared, please review your accounts and contact your financial institution to report any suspicious activity. SRCS has multiple safeguards in place to protect our students, staff and systems, and to quickly respond when suspicious emails enter our network.  Situations like this also provide an opportunity to reinforce important digital safety habits for students and families - please see the information below. Thank you for your partnership in helping keep our students safe online. Sincerely, SRCS IT Services it-services@srcs.org   What is Phishing? Phishing is the fraudulent attempt to obtain sensitive information such as usernames, passwords and credit card details by disguising oneself as a trustworthy entity in an electronic communication. Attackers often pose as district or school leaders or other staff, and sometimes ask the individual to click on an attachment that is corrupt or provide personal information. Because phishing emails can sometimes look convincing, a healthy amount of caution is essential. When reviewing an email, consider:   Do you recognize the sender’s email address? Does the message seem unusual or unexpected from this sender? Is the sender asking for money, personal information or passwords? Are you being asked to click a link or open an attachment? If a message seems questionable: Do not reply to the message or click on the links or attachments.  Report the message as spam/phishing on the message itself from your inbox. Forward the email to IT Services at DOsupport@srcs.org so we can investigate.  San Rafael City Schools www.srcs.org  |  communications@srcs.org 310 Nova Albion Way, San Rafael, CA 9490

Wednesday, Mar 11 2026

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

Reminder: Digital Literacy Surveys for Parents As a reminder, we are asking parents to complete our short 10-minute Digital Literacy surveys to help us better understand how students use technology and what you feel is most important for them to learn. Your feedback will help us create a better plan for our schools and support our students.  Please select your child’s grade level to participate: TK-5 Grade: English | Spanish   6-8 Grade: English | Spanish 9-12 Grade: English | Spanish Your voice is very important! Spring Into Reading Week Is Almost Here Spring Into Reading is coming to our school libraries during our TK-5 and Venetia Valley conference week, March 17-20! Each year, our elementary and middle school students celebrate the joy of reading with a week full of special events, creativity and book-filled fun. Students will design their own bookmarks, share favorite reads, buddy up with another class for reading time and enjoy visits from inspiring community guest readers. We’re also thrilled to welcome incredible authors and illustrators to our campuses! It’s a joyful celebration of stories, imagination and the power of books—and we’d love for you to be part of it. Snuggle up with a favorite story at home or stop by the school library with your child to discover some new favorites together.  Let’s Spring Into Reading!  Rolling Out the Mental Health and Wellness State Initiative Mental health is a priority, and we're taking an important step forward! At this time, SRCS is piloting the state-wide Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI) at a few of our schools. CYBHI is 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 As we learn from this initial pilot, we will be expanding to more schools this spring, with a goal of implementing District-wide for the 2026-27 school year. We are proud to partner with the Marin County Office of Education to bring this essential work to our District.  Learn more. Short-Term Independent Study Contracts For Remaining of School Year A reminder that if your family is expected to be away from school for an extended vacation or family emergency up to 15 school days, please reach out to your school to request a Short-Term Independent Study Contract . We will stop approving contracts at the end of March for this 2025-26 school year  due to the end-of-year assessments and culminating activities. Students and families are encouraged to reach out to your school's main office for more information. 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, including a “Raising Healthy Families” series in March in partnership with the Community Institute for Psychotherapy of Marin (CIP Marin). Parenting Teens in a Time of Risk: Understanding Development, Spotting Red Flags, and Responding to Substance Use March 2 | Flyer |  Register Starting the Conversation: Suicide, Stigma, and Support March 12 | Flyer |  Register Call of the Wild: Helping Teens to Resist Extremist Political Ideologies March 16 | Flyer |  Register Emotional Suffering in Children & Teens: What Parents Should Know and When to Act March 30 | Flyer | Register Let's Talk Online Parent Session on Youth Nicotine Use The next  Let’s Talk Marin  event is March 4 from 7 – 8:30 pm on Zoom. The session is focused entirely on youth nicotine use — something which continues to be on the rise, especially with the constant stream of new and changing products designed to appeal to teens.  The event, “The Latest Nicotine Products Targeting Youth,” will feature Dr. Jeremiah Mock from UCSF, who will break down what these products are, how they’re being marketed and what families should know. We’ll also hear directly from a local student and MHYP Youth Ambassador. Spanish interpretation will be available.  Learn more and register.  San Rafael City Schools www.srcs.org  |  communications@srcs.org 310 Nova Albion Way, San Rafael, CA 9490

Friday, Feb 27 2026

2026 State Testing Parent Notification

2026 State Testing Parent Notification  California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress Summative Assessments, California Science Test, and Physical Fitness Test Assessments Dear Parent/Guardian: Every year, California students take several statewide tests. When combined with other measures such as grades, class work and teacher observations, these tests give families and teachers a more complete picture of their child’s learning. You can use the results to identify where your child is doing well and where they might need more support. Your child may be taking one or more of the following California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) and Physical Fitness Test assessments. Pursuant to California Education Code Section 60615, parents/guardians may annually submit to the school a written request to excuse their child from any or all of the CAASPP assessments. This exemption does not exist for the Physical Fitness Test. CAASPP: Smarter Balanced Assessments for English Language Arts/Literacy (ELA) and Math Who takes these tests? Students in grades 3–8 and grade 11. What is the test format? The Smarter Balanced assessments are computer-based. Which standards are tested? The California Common Core State Standards. CAASPP: California Alternate Assessments (CAAs) for ELA and Math Who takes these tests? Students in grades 3–8 and grade 11 whose individualized education program (IEP) identifies the use of alternate assessments. What is the test format? The CAAs for ELA and math are computer-based tests that are administered one-on-one by a test examiner who is familiar with the student. Which standards are tested? The California Common Core State Standards through the Core Content Connectors. CAASPP: California Science Test (CAST) Who takes the test? Students take the CAST in grades 5, 8, and grade 12. What is the test format? The CAST is computer-based. Which standards are tested? The California Next Generation Science Standards (CA NGSS). CAASPP: California Alternate Assessment (CAA) for Science Who takes the test? Students whose IEP identifies the use of an alternate assessment take the CAA for Science in grades 5, 8, and grade 12. What is the test format? The CAA for Science is a series of four performance tasks that can be administered throughout the year as the content is taught. Which standards are tested? Alternate achievement standards derived from the CA NGSS. CAASPP: California Spanish Assessment (CSA) Who takes the test? The CSA is an optional test for students in grades 3–12 that tests their Spanish reading, listening, and writing mechanics. What is the test format? The CSA is computer-based. Which standards are tested? The California Common Core State Standards en Español. Physical Fitness Test  Who takes the test? Students in grades 5, 7, and 9 will take the FITNESSGRAM®, which is the test used in California. What is the test format? The test consists of five performance components: aerobic capacity, abdominal strength, trunk strength, upper body strength, and flexibility. Which standards are tested? The Healthy Fitness Zones, which are established through the FITNESSGRAM®. San Rafael City Schools strongly encourages all students to participate in CAASPP testing. Parents/Guardians will have access to a digital score report through our student information system (Aeries) that summarizes performance on the CAASPP assessments. Student Score Reports will only be available electronically. Please contact your school for more information on how to activate your Parent Portal account to view scores.  To learn more about the CAASPP, go to the California Department of Education Parent Guides to Understanding webpage . You also can look at sample test questions on the practice tests, which can be found on the  CAASPP Web Portal . Schools will communicate more details about their testing schedule.   Sincerely,  Education Services Department   San Rafael City Schools www.srcs.org  |  communications@srcs.org 310 Nova Albion Way San Rafael, CA 94903

Monday, Feb 23 2026

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

DELAC (District English Learner Advisory Committee / Comité Distrital para Aprendices del Idioma Inglés) AGENDA Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026 el jueves 12 de febrero 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 de DELAC. Valoramos profundamente su voz, liderazgo y compromiso con el éxito de nuestros estudiantes y familias. Durante esta reunión, abordaremos los siguientes temas: Revisión y aprobación de las minutas de enero Informes de cada escuela Foro Comunitario: Iniciativa de Salud Conductual para Niños y Jóvenes (CYBHI) – Tabla de Tarifas Comentarios públicos y anuncios Les compartimos la agenda adjunta para más detalles. We warmly invite you to join us for our upcoming DELAC meeting this Thursday. We truly value your voice, leadership, and partnership in supporting our English Learner students and families. During this meeting, we will discuss: Review and approval of January minutes School site reports Community Forum: Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI) Fee Schedule Public comments and announcements Please see the attached agenda for details. The meeting will be conducted in Spanish. English interpretation is available upon request.

Thursday, Feb 12 2026

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...

If you received this message from an SRCS staff, 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. 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