RUSD Community,
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly evolving and transforming industries, and it is imperative that our education system stays ahead of the curve to maximize the benefits of AI while safeguarding the welfare of our staff and students. I was honored to be 1 of 23 educators appointed to serve on a state level Artificial Intelligence (AI) Task Force. The AI Taskforce is aimed at equipping school districts with the necessary knowledge and tools to navigate the complexities of integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into the work of public-school districts and county offices of education. I’m honored to serve for the benefit of RUSD and beyond.
- Districtwide Earthquake Drill - 10/19 at 10:19 AM, expect a call from 503-946-XXXX and an email. This is only a drill.
- Updated Public Health Guidance - Here’s a link to updated Public Health information.
- E-Bike and E-Scooter Safety - Please partner with us to ensure student safety!
- Ashley Williams Fund - Many of you have asked about donation opportunities in Ashley’s honor. We are communicating with her family and will get a link to you soon.
- Communication / Marketing - Check out our unified, modernized logos!
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If you are interested in more detailed information, please see below:
- On Thursday, October 19th at 10:19, millions of people across the world will participate in the Great Shake Out. RUSD will use this opportunity to conduct our first of three districtwide drills for the school year. As part of this districtwide drill, we will incorporate an Emergency Operation Center and practice communicating with our parents and staff. Please note that you will receive a call and/or text from a number with an Oregon area code 503-946-xxxx and an email. If you wish to receive a text message rather than a phone call, you can change your notification preferences in ALMA. Please see the following help desk article for instructions.
- Marin County is home to students, families, and staff with strong ties to Israel; many of us have friends and family there. Our community must remain vigilant and in strong opposition to any antisemitic messages or activities that may arise after these tragedies. As an educational community, we must continue to do all that we can to provide a safe space for our students, one that defies hate, bigotry, and prejudice.
If you would like a resource to discuss conflict and war, here is a link.
https://sites.google.com/view/mcoeequitysite/resources-for-educators-families-to-discuss-conflict-and-war
Best regards,
Dr. Kimberly McGrath
Superintendent
Reed Union School District
"We are even stronger together!"
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At the RUSD Board Meeting on 10/17, the following topics were reviewed:
- Moment of Silence for Ms. Ashley Williams – The Board of Trustees observed a moment of silence in remembrance and acknowledgement of Ms. Ashley Williams, RUSD Educator since 2017, who passed away on October 13, 2023 from breast cancer. Ashley will be forever remembered for the significant contributions that she made to the students, staff and families of the Reed Union School District.
- Recognition of Newly Tenured Certificated Staff – Superintendent Dr. Kimberly McGrath, recognized Cynthia Easterday, Reed PreK Teacher and Allison O’Brien, Del Mar Resource Teacher, for their newly tenured positions at RUSD.
- Reports from the Administrative Team – Director of Technology, Mr. Evan McKay, provided information on the Cyber Security measures that the District has put in place to secure District data including migrating data from on-premise to the Cloud which has more IT resources, maintenance and better security measures to protect District data.
- Reports from the Foundation and PTA – PTA President, Mickey Hubbell, shared that the PTA has successfully raised funds through dues and balanced the budget, allowing the PTA to fund more programs for the District. She also shared the exciting PTA sponsored activities happening at the school sites this month including Towntastic at Reed, and the Bel Aire Book Fair and Fall Fest happening this week. Foundation Director, Annie Defesche, shared the Run for Reed was a huge success with 479 runners registered this year (up from 130 last year). Fundraising activities continue with the Scholar’s Circle Event on Thursday (10/19) and Pledge Day on Friday (11/3).
- Board of Trustees Update – The Board of Trustees shared activities and meetings they have attended this month including Challenge Day, Spanish Task Force, Strategic Planning Meetings, E2 Universal Lunch Group, Towntastic and Run for Reed. Board President, Jacqueline Jaffee, expressed the Board’s deepest condolences and tremendous appreciation for Ms. Williams and her work; Trustee Jaffee also recognized RUSD for valuing diversity and continuing to fight hate and prejudices in light of the events in the Middle East.
- Superintendent Update – RUSD Superintendent, Dr. Kimberly McGrath, spoke of standing in solidarity, recognizing there is no place for hate in our community, and being part of the solution. She also provided an update on the Communication and Marketing initiatives, MAP testing, Community time with Kimochi’s at Reed, Mosaic starting at Bel Aire and Challenge Day at Del Mar.
- Review of English Language Learner (ELL) Program – Superintendent McGrath and Intervention Specialist/ELL GLC Ms. Jennifer Conde presented the annual report for the District's English Language Learner (ELL) program. The presentation can be viewed here.
- District Math Update – District Math Teacher on Special Assignment (TOSA) Mr. Nathan Grebil, presented information on the implementation of the Math Task Force recommendations and the current math activities within the District. The presentation can be viewed here.
- Approval of Safety Plan 2023-24 – Superintendent McGrath presented and the Board approved the District’s Comprehensive Safety Plan for 2023-24.
The next Regular Board meeting is scheduled for November 14, 2023.
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Thank you to all who came out for a sunny Run for Reed last week!
We'd like to give special thanks to our Race Chair, Mandy Boyd, and the Run for Reed Team: Lana Burstein, Michelle Barnowski, and Michelle Wilson. Well done!
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Next up. . . PLEDGE DAY!
November 3rd, 2023
Pledge Day is a day for families to make their annual donation or pledge (make a commitment now, pay later). Why? It helps us give an accurate forecast to the district so they can budget properly for staffing. Plus, it saves valuable volunteer hours throughout the year and your fellow parents a call to you later. Your gift supports Art, Music, Technology, PE, Spanish, and library programs!
Please find our 23-24 Impact Report with what we fund and donation level information HERE.
Ready to Donate or Pledge? CLICK HERE!
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Starting this month, the PTA will launch a new initiative called the PTYay. It will be a platform where we introduce, recognize, and thank our wonderful PTA members. Today we’d like to highlight four parents that have done an exceptional job building community.
Bel Aire and Del Mar
Thank you to our PTA New Family volunteers, Christine Neumeir and Christine Patel. Over the summer, these PTA rockstars reached out to new incoming families to Bel Aire and Del Mar. They helped to arrange buddies to ease the transition for new students. They also held a new family meet and greet before the school year began as an opportunity for the students and parents to meet each other. It doesn't end there, Christine and Christine continue to mentor new families to ensure the students and parents transition smoothly! Both Christines rocked this role. Why? Because once they were "the newbies." Christine Neumeir is originally from Germany and moved to Tiburon in 2015. She is mom to 8th grader Maximillian and 5th graders Korbinian and Ferdinand. She is an avid athlete who enjoys running, biking and tennis. Christine Patel moved to Tiburon from San Francisco in 2020. Christine's children, 6th grader Layla and 8th grader Jayden, are both at Del Mar. Christine also enjoys tennis, outdoor adventures and karaoke. RUSD PTA is thankful to you both for your volunteer time in helping to make our new families feel at home!
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Reed
A big PTYay to our Reed PTA Towntastic Co-Chairs, Michelle Thomsen and Sophia Ghaffary. As the first Reed-wide community building event of the school year, Towntastic plays an important role in welcoming new families to the RUSD community and reuniting returning families after the summer break. Towntastic Co-Chairs, Michelle and Sophia did an amazing job bringing the entire Reed School community together for an evening of fun, friendships, and “futuristic” creations. They went the extra mile putting together this beloved Reed annual tradition by incorporating a new “futuristic Tiburon” theme, recruiting a great team of volunteers, and streamlining the concessions check out process to ensure that families spent more time visiting with each other than waiting in line for food. Thanks to generous parents like Michelle, Sophia and all of our PTA volunteers, the RUSD PTA can continue its mission to enrich the lives of our children and the school community.
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The Bel Aire Book Fair Begins Tuesday, October 17th!
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Preload your child's gift card and mark your calendars for the upcoming Bel Aire Literati Book Fair taking place from October 17th - October 20th! The fair will be open daily for students during classroom hours, snack and lunch recess.
Volunteers are needed to help put on this great event. Sign up here!
Family Night at the Book Fair
Please also join us for family night TONIGHT (during Fall Fest). All purchases from the book fair benefit our school and help support our students.
Shop the Bel Aire Book e-Fair Now
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Fall Festival Family Night, a beloved Bel Aire event, returns TONIGHT from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Join the Bel Aire community in celebrating the arrival of fall with traditional festival games, pizza and food trucks with dinner for the whole family, a fun photo booth, arts and crafts, the book fair, spirit wear for sale and many other fun things to do!
We need volunteers in order to make this a successful night. Please sign up for a volunteer shift at: Fall Fest Sign up
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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.
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Dr. Kimberly McGrath, Superintendent
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