Do a community's schools shape its place or is it the other way round -- the community shapes its schools? Obviously the answer is somewhere in between, with both actors influencing the other. Here in Reed, I see a vibrant, close knit community where what happens in its schools affects, and is affected by, the families and other caring adults that interact with the caring and skilled Reed educators.

Information about last night's Board meeting is summarized below. What you will notice is a predictive, positive meeting where this community/school interplay is in full display. Folks are working hard on making schools better while simultaneously celebrating the joy that happens every day for our students.

Finally, I've shared some thoughts on games. Games of every type have been the catalyst for incredible growth, learning, and great joy for my own family, and perhaps yours as well.

On we go!

Kevin Skelly, Ph.D.
Interim Superintendent
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Thoughts on Games...

Much of what I learned in life came from playing games. It started with Rummy with a babysitter. War, Uno, Phase 10, Go Fish, and Hearts (my minor in college, I joke), all helped me understand statistics, mathematics, patterns, and logic. Besides card games, Monopoly, Risk and the new favorite, Settlers of Catan, captivated my household when I was a kid and remain addicting now that I am a larger kid. Over one Thanksgiving, when our Stratego game was interrupted after two hours by dinner, the rest of the family begged my oldest son and I to stop arguing about who would have won had the game been “allowed” to continue. While I usually implored my children to go to bed, if it’s game night and I hadn't won, the night didn't end until I did. We’ve had some very late nights indeed!

Games have taught me plenty about math and its intellectual cousins. Additionally, they teach life lessons that aren't captured in the Common Core or formal curricula. From games we learn how to win humbly, to accept defeat gracefully, and to navigate the various gray areas that go with die that roll off the table or with the establishment of "house rules." Games teach strategizing, bluffing, deception, and the establishment of alliances, all bound by a set of formal or informal rules. Inevitably the outcomes of games have spilled over into my relationships with friends and family. How I have participated has affected whether I’m viewed as moral and ethical, or not.

The best poker players know how to read the other players at the table. A good friend shared how effective an older colleague, who grew up in the Soviet era, was at sizing up potential customers and business partners because his very survival depended upon it. Games teach these life skills in much gentler ways. And just as a master storyteller brings you into a character's life, a good game forces you to understand your opponent.

In most games there are at least as many losers as there are winners. The most skilled player doesn't always win and more practice doesn't guarantee victory. There is an element of luck that salves the loser’s wounds and makes the winner feel blessed. I have competed with every ounce of my intellect and energy, lost my cool, been driven crazy by defeat, and then realized how silly I was to lose perspective. So it is with much of the non-game world.

With all this rainy weather, perhaps a game night should be on your agenda. Multiple potential benefits include a night without screen time, a chance to meet your child’s friends and to see how clever your child has become, an avenue to spend time as a family, and the possibility to show your child you’re smarter than they thought!

From Brian Lynch, Director of Student Services

The Reed Union School District community is committed to creating and sustaining an inclusive, equitable and respectful environment in which each person has a sense of belonging and is provided the support to thrive.

The Reed Union School District community believes that valuing visible and invisible diversity is essential for an inclusive teaching and learning environment that fosters educational excellence for all.

We believe learning about and being around people with disabilities is beneficial for all people. In light of Disability Awareness Month, we at RUSD want to acknowledge the contributions those with disabilities have made in our community, and around the world, and help our community self-educate and support people with disabilities.

Each school recognizes the Disabled community and promotes allyship so we can deepen a culture of belonging. We encourage you to join by exploring some ideas below, shared from our neighbors in Mill Valley. Choose one or all!

Learn, grow, and build community

● Join a virtual event, “Disabling Segregation: Presentation by Sam and Dan Habib” hosted by Dedication to Special Education (DSE) this Thursday, March 16, 2023 at 6pm.

● Head to Cup O’Karma Cafe for a coffee or snack, located on 850 4th Street in San Rafael in the Autistry Studios building, open from 8am-2:30pm. What makes this place special is they have young adults with disabilities doing job training there.

● Attend Superfest Disability Film Festival to support disabled filmmakers - Superfest Disability Film Festival is the longest running disability film festival in the world.

Talk to you kids about Disability

● Disability is common! It’s estimated that more than 1 billion people – or 1 in 6 people worldwide – experience significant disability.

● Watch “I Notice You Noticing- Encountering Disability in Our Community,” a practical guide for parents. Hosted by Dedication to Special Education.

● Talk with your children about disabilities. A few tips below, we found here:

○ Embrace your child’s curiosity

○ Be honest and direct

○ Avoid making assumptions and interpretations

○ Keep your explanations positive

○ Prepare for tough questions and avoid shushing their questions

○ Talk about human diversity (and neuro-diversity) with your kids. We are all different in some way and that we all do things every day to adjust to our unique circumstances.

○ Emphasize similarities and shared interests

○ Learn about disabilities together

○ Facilitate conversation

Diversify your children’s bookshelf!

● Fighting for Yes - The Story of Disability Rights Activist Judith Heumann (General - ages 6-9) ● Say Hello (Shyness - ages 3-7)

● Get a Grip Vivy Cohen (Autism - 8-12)

● A Walk in the Words (Dyslexia- ages 4-8)

● Listen - How Evelyn Glennie, A Deaf Girl, Changed Percusion (Hearing Impairment - ages 4-8) ● Awesomely Emma (Physical Differences - ages 3-8)

● Moonflower (Depression/Anxiety - ages 9-12)

● In the Blue (Parent Mental Health - ages 4-8)

● A Sky Blue Bench (Physical difference- ages 4-7)

● Chance to Fly (Physical differences - ages 8-12)

● What Happened to You (Physical differences - ages 4-8)

● We Move Together (Physical differences - ages 8-12)

● Theory of Hummingbirds (Physical Difference - ages 8-12)

Here is another great resource shared from Ross Valley Charter School in Fairfax: https://www.canva.com/design/DAE_Shqz9Aw/e9OUy8gsCvWzbQyI_0WQFg/view?utm_content=DAE_Shqz9Aw&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=sharebutton.

Thank you for supporting RUSD!

At the RUSD Board Meeting on 3/14, the following topics were reviewed:

1. Bel Aire Play – The Little Mermaid – The Mersisters cast from The Little Mermaid performed a fabulous song and dance from the upcoming play that will be presented March 22-26 at Bel Aire Elementary School. Thank you to the PTA Play Directors, Carli Hamilton, Megan Pirsch, and Lana Burstein for their leadership and support for our Bel Aire performers.

2. Bel Aire – Distinguished School Award – Bel Aire Principal, John DiCosmo accepted the CA Distinguished School Award last week in Anaheim, CA for Bel Aire’s exceptional work in closing the achievement gap and showing strong academic performance. Board Member Afsaneh Zolfaghari attended the event, along with additional Bel Aire staff, who all shared in the momentous celebration.

3. Reports from the Foundation and PTA – Foundation Director, Annie Defesche, shared that the Mike Barnowski Parent’s Phone Bank was a great success raising more than $100K for the Foundation. PTA Secretary Mickey Hubble announced the PTA Nominating Committee is currently working to fill 5 open PTA officer positions for the 2023-24 school year. She also shared updates about the many PTA supported activities happening across campuses.

4. Superintendent Update – Dr. Kevin Skelly, Interim Superintendent, thanked our dedicated maintenance staff, led by Eduardo Munoz, for keeping our facilities in top shape during this rainy season. He also thanked Keith Woodard in his communication to ECM families and is looking forward to welcoming families who choose to come back to RUSD. He is pleased to report that Dr. McGrath is doing well and is planning to return in early April. We are so thankful for Dr. Skelly’s leadership during this time.

5. Student Services Update - Director of Student Services, Mr. Brian Lynch, shared findings from the education audit conducted by FCMAT that was requested under Mr. Lynch’s direction. Areas of focus targeted an inclusion mindset across curriculum, instruction and behavior. The Board approved job descriptions for an Inclusion Specialist Teacher and School Counselor to support K-8. View Presentation

6. YouthTruth Survey Report – Coordinator of Special Projects Ms. Ashley Williams, provided a thorough report on the findings from the YouthTruth Survey. Opportunity exists to support students emotional & mental health and provide more communication to the parent community. View Report

7. Equity Committee Update – Ms. Williams also reported on the great progress that the Equity Committee is making this year, led by Ms. Williams and equity consultant Tenisha Tate. The committee has met twice this school year and is scheduled to meet again on Mar. 30^th, 2023. View Presentation

8. Approval of Second Interim Budget and SARC Report Cards – The Board approved the 2022-23 Second Interim Budget, presented by Chief Business Officer, Mr. Carlos Estrella. The Board also adopted the RUSD SARCs for the 2021-22 School Year with the addition of Bel Aire‘s recognition as a CA Distinguished School.

9. RUSD 2024-2025 School Year Calendar – The Board voted 5-0 to approve the 2024-2025 School Year Calendar presented by Interim Superintendent Skelly and approved by the Reed District Teacher's Association (RDTA).

The next Regular Board meeting is scheduled for April 18, 2023.

SAVE THE DATES FOR SPRING EVENTS!

Friday 4/28 - Boutiques, Bites, & Bubbles!

Saturday 5/6 - Gala - Sit Down Dinner, Dancing, Auction!

WE NEED YOUR HELP!

We need lots of help making these events successful.

Throw a Sign Up Party! Become a Corporate Sponsor! Donate to our Silent or Live Auction!

More information on how to help and events details can be found on our website HERE.

Tickets will go on sale at the end of March.

Interested in finding out what a Sign Up Party is like? There is room in a few from last year that are coming up soon - you can check them out and sign up HERE.

PTA Nominating Committee for 2023 Officers

The Nominating Committee is currently meeting to develop a slate of PTA officers for the following open positions, each with a two year term:

District President
District Secretary
Bel Aire Site Chair
Bel Aire Treasurer
Del Mar Treasurer

If you are interested in one of these leadership positions, or would like to nominate someone else, please contact any of the Nominating Committee members - Dana Berhoff, Rachel Berman, Jennifer Feldman, Rebecca Hermanski & Wendy Martin.

RUSD Mission & Vision: Each student will be challenged and inspired to reach their fullest intellectual, social-emotional and creative potential to positively impact the world.

Dr. Kevin Skelly, Interim Superintendent

Tel: 415-381-1112

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