Halloween Costume Exchange (PTA details below)
October 14 - 25 | 1st Grade Parent Talk with Dr. Van Putten
Wednesday, October 30
8:30am - 10:00am in Room 17 | Reed School Halloween Parade
Thursday, October 31 8:45am-9:15am (please read details below) | Staff Development Day (NO SCHOOL)
Friday, November 1 | 2nd Grade Parent Talk with Dr. Van Putten
Wednesday, November 6
8:30am - 10:00am in Room 17 | Picture Make-Up Day
Wednesday, November 6 (details below) | Reed Spirit Day: Positiv-Tee Day
Wednesday, November 6 | Veterans Day (NO SCHOOL)
Monday, November 11 | Parent Teacher Conferences
November 12-15
12:00pm dismissal | Ruby Bridges Walk & Roll to School Day
Wednesday, November 13 | Reed PTA Meeting
Wednesday, November 13
9:00am in Room 17 | Annual Reed Racoon Food Drive
November 18 - 22 |
Dear Reed Families and Caregivers, Students and staff have settled into daily routines making space for special activities, adventures, and schoolwide special events. Our kindergarten classes enjoyed their first field trip with a visit to the Tiburon Fire Department. Next week, our 1st grade classes will have a special visit from the Marin/Sonoma Mosquito and Vector Control District. Students will learn all about the life cycle of mosquitoes. Today we had our first visit from the Del Mar Leadership class. These amazing middle school leaders will be coming to Reed School on a biweekly basis to support students across the entire campus in classrooms, at recess, at snacktime, and in specialist classes. We are lucky to have such great role models on campus. Over the past few weeks, every class at Reed School has enjoyed a visit from Mr. Dave Nettell, founder of Cooperative Adventures. Be sure to read more about Mr. Nettell below. Lastly, be sure to mark your calendar for a very special schoolwide event— the Reed School Halloween Parade. Please read below for details about the day.
Looking forward to seeing you then! Warmly,
Mary Niesyn & Staff Youth Truth Family Survey Coming October 28 - November 22
Please look for an email with a link to the Youth Truth Family Survey being sent to all RUSD families and help us increase Reed School's family participation rate by responding to the survey. Your feedback and personal perspective across several aspects of school functioning is invaluable and we use it at both the school and broader district level to inform, strengthen, and expand our practices. Thank you in advance for your participation! Classroom Visits with Mr Dave Nettell
Over the past few weeks, every class at Reed School has enjoyed a visit from Mr. Dave Nettell, founder of Cooperative Adventures. Mr. Nettell is an educational consultant who has worked for decades in classrooms throughout the county guiding students and educators in building trust, risk-taking, and cooperation skills (TRC). Through classroom-based challenges, Mr. Nettell guides students and staff to think about our behaviors and how we can help students understand how to make the most of their decision making, bring out the best in others, and promote social critical thinking skills. Mr. Nettell teaches students strategies to help them shape the world of communication around them. His strategies are posted in classrooms to remind us of the choices that we have. He teaches students to: Make good decisions; Stop, think first; Acknowledge that mistakes are important and necessary; Let go and move on; Ignore goofy behavior that takes us off task; Encourage one another; Work as a team; Read body language; and many more. Reed School will enjoy a second visit from Mr. Nettell in January. Be sure to ask your child all about it. Halloween Fun at Reed
We look forward to seeing our Reed families and caregivers next week for Halloween festivities at Reed. Please read below for important information about the day. Halloween Parade Visitor Check In: All guests must check in at the tables in front of the office. Check in will begin at 8am. Please consider stopping by the tables early to check in to alleviate long check-in lines. The front gate will open for guests at 8:35am. Guests may not be on campus without a visitor pass. Once inside, guests are asked to form a large outer-circle on the blacktop. Look for cones with teacher names. General Halloween Guidelines:
Costumes: Costumes are optional. Students wear costumes to school. Please be sure to select an appropriately themed costume for your child. Costumes may not include weapons, masks, or be overtly scary (this includes parents). Be mindful that our students are young and scary images can be overwhelming. After the parade, students will change into their regular clothing. Costumes will be placed into backpacks. Classroom celebrations: Classroom celebrations have been scheduled at the discretion of the classroom teacher. All guests must sign in at the office before proceeding to the classrooms. Party activities and treats have been arranged by the classroom teacher and the class event coordinator. Please do not send in extra candies or sweet treats for your child to share. Thank you.
School Wide Parade: Our school-wide parade is scheduled for Thursday, October 31st from 8:45am to 9:15ish on the blacktop. Parents, caregivers, and non school-age siblings are welcome. Parents must wait on the blacktop before the parade. Please do not escort your child to his/her classroom either before or after the parade. Teachers will bring students down to the blacktop to form a large circle. Parents and guests form an outer circle. This will allow for equal opportunity picture taking! Parents may not stand in the center of the circle or in front of the sound system, as this is reserved for students only. Use this link to review Halloween Health & Safety Tips from Healthy Children.org 2024 Mark Your Calendar: Parent/Teacher Conference Schedule:
Friday, November 8 is the end of Trimester 1. Parent/teacher conferences will take place Tuesday, November 12 – Friday, November 15. School dismissal time is 12noon. Buses will continue to operate. School lunch will be available “to-go” for students. Trimester 1 Report Cards:
Your child’s trimester 1 report card will be emailed directly to you on the afternoon of Friday, November 8. It also will be available through Alma. Please look for an email on Monday, November 4 which will include instructions for accessing Alma and a letter explaining the report card format.
| Specialist Corner: PE Note from Mr. Kaiser Reed Raccoons are busy in PE! Students did a great job in our Team Pin Guard unit. After completing our in-class unit, 2nd graders were offered a chance to join a special lunchtime Team Pin Guard tournament and the turnout exceeded my expectations. I am so proud of our students for demonstrating fair play and sportsmanship throughout the competition. They have embraced the good feelings that can happen when everyone plays by the rules and genuinely compliments each other after the game. We also had a wonderful time during parachute week. Students worked together as a team flinging ping pong balls into the air like popcorn. Shark Attack was another recent highlight. Spatial awareness has been a particular area of focus while we play various tag games like Tunnel Tag, Bug Tag, and Minion Tag. Skill development is supported with activities such as foot stompers, ball ‘n cup, juggling scarves, paddle and balloon, cup stilts and balance beam. We are looking forward to our upcoming Bowling Unit. Be on the lookout for volunteer opportunities after Thanksgiving. | Kindergarten Field Trips to the Tiburon Fire Station! | Picture Retake Day For students who missed picture day, the retake day is November 6 from 8:30-10:30am. Please email Isabelle (imoattar@reedschools.org) in the front office if you would like your student to have a picture taken that day. Please copy your student's teacher in the email as well. | SAVE THE DATE: Reed School Grade Level Parent Talks with Dr. Maya Van Putten
Reed School is delighted to offer our annual Grade Level Parent Talks with our school psychologist, Dr. Maya Van Putten. The presentation is targeted to share information about your child’s cognitive, physical, and social emotional development. We hope to see you there! - 1st Grade Presentation: Wednesday, October 30 • 8:30-10:00am
- 2nd Grade Presentation: Wednesday, November 6 • 8:30-10:00am
| Lice Reminder Head lice are a common nuisance among school-aged children. This is a friendly reminder to routinely check your child for live lice and nits (eggs) at home. We encourage you to read this head lice flyer for parents and nit-combing guide from the California Department of Public Health for helpful tips about how to prevent your child from getting lice, how to check your child for lice, and how to treat your child and your household if lice and nits are found. | Message from the District Office RUSD is proud to partner with Changing Perspectives this school year in our efforts to foster inclusive school communities. In addition to staff professional development, we will host 3 webinars specific to parents and caregivers. See below and this document for more detailed information on all three webinars (including the zoom link):
Fostering Self-Advocacy
October 29, 2024 6- 7 PM
Changing Perspectives - Parent Ed Webinar (Geared toward families with students with disabilities)
You can join this meeting from your computer, tablet, or smartphone.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83754196074 Using Literature to Foster Disability Awareness at Home
January 15, 2025 Changing Perspectives - Parent Ed Webinar 6- 7 PM (all welcome) Disability Awareness and Inclusion Work in RUSD
March 4, 2025
Changing Perspectives - Parent Ed Webinar 6- 7 PM (all welcome) | Halloween Costume Exchange #reedkindness Let’s "go green" this Halloween by reusing costumes in our community! When: Now through Friday!
Where: Costumes can be dropped off & picked up at the front gate on the rolling rack
Details:
- Costumes should be CLEAN and in good condition (no rips or tears)
- Please bring your costume on a hanger
- No weapons please Special Request: 3 Volunteers Needed for October 31st "Before-School" Yard Duty Reed School needs 3 volunteers for yard duty the morning of Halloween between 7:55 - 8:30am. Please sign up below if you're able to help out. Volunteers should check in at the front office and will be directed to their supervision area.
Date: Thursday, October 31st
Time: 7:55am - 8:30am
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0D49A8AD28ABF94-52581848-halloween Coming Soon…The Annual Reed Racoon Food Drive! Over the past several years, Reed families have donated food items in an effort to support the SF-Marin Food Bank. Last year, we donated over 1,500 pounds of food! From November 18th to 22nd, two bins will be located outside the front office to collect your donations. See the fliers below for the most needed items. Thank you in advance for your generosity! | Packing food boxes for those in need is another way to help and a great way for our kiddos to roll up their sleeves and get involved! Sign up on the San Francisco-Marin Food bank website: https://www.sfmfoodbank.org/volunteer/ Click ‘Warehouse’ to pick your volunteer site and register. Pre-registration is required. Kiddo volunteers must be 8 years old to volunteer at the SF warehouse and 11 years old at the Marin warehouse.
Ruby Bridges Walk & Roll to School Day
Walk and Roll for Ruby on November 13. Join a national celebration of the spirit of Ruby Bridges who, as a six-year old African American in Louisiana in the 1950s, successfully helped integrate an all-white school. It was Ruby’s daily walk to school, despite bullying and threats, that we’ll celebrate by walking, rolling, carpooling, or parking-and-walking to school. Come to the Safe Routes to Schools welcome table on the morning of November 13 to receive a prize! Please sign up HERE to help distribute prizes to participating students! | Buddy Up Contest Safe Routes to Schools’ BUDDY UP contest recognizes groups of students who walk (park-and-walk), bike, carpool, or ride the bus together. Now through November 15, two or more students who actively travel to or from school together can be entered in the contest. Tell us your success story on the contest form.
Habits are more likely to stick when families support each other. There is also safety in numbers and groups are more visible to drivers. Best of all, friendships and fun memories are formed! A $50 prize will be awarded to five winning groups. Notifications will be sent out in mid November.
Eyes Up, Marin!
| Let’s Make our Streets Safer for Everyone! From September 23 through November 15, you will again see bright and colorful banners and lawn signs popping up all over Marin asking people to keep their “Eyes Up” and be alert. These signs will ask drivers to slow down, watch when turning and look for pedestrians in the crosswalk; bicyclists to yield to pedestrians and to follow the rules of the road; And those walking to pay attention when crossing the street. These messages will also show up in your social media feeds, and you can find them at www.streetsmartsmarin.org. Please share with your friends, family and co-workers! To get a free lawn sign for your yard, contact your local municipality. There is a tab on the www.streetsmartsmarin.org website that has this information. | Measure B
Join the RUSD PTA in supporting Measure B!
What is Measure B?
Measure B is a responsible plan to replace outdated and deteriorating high school classrooms and prevent cuts to instructional programs. It provides $289 million in locally controlled funding to address the most urgent and essential needs at each high school. The State does not provide dedicated funding for school facility repairs and improvements, so local funding from Measure B is the only realistic way to upgrade aging and deteriorating high school classrooms, labs, and school facilities.
Didn’t we just vote on a bond measure for local high schools?
Measure A on the March 2024 ballot would have provided $517 million in funding to repair and upgrade local high schools, which is the full cost of the needed upgrades identified in TUHSD’s Facilities Master Plan. Measure A fell a few hundred votes short of the 55% voter support needed for approval. Following the Measure A election, TUHSD leaders worked with the community to develop a scaled-down proposal that focuses on the most urgent and high priority facility improvements. Measure B is the result of this work.
How is Measure B different from the prior bond proposal?
Measure B is 44% smaller than the bond proposed in March and has a scaled-down project list that focuses only on the projects at each high school that are most urgent and essential for student safety, supporting quality instruction, and keeping local high schools functioning. The tax rate for Measure B is $18 per $100,000 of assessed value (not market value), or almost half the cost of the prior bond proposal.
How are students in our local high schools performing academically?
By any measure, academic performance in our schools is among the best in the State and the Nation. In TUHSD high schools, 98% of students graduate, 80% meet University of California entrance requirements, and admission rates to elite colleges rival that of private schools.
What is the state of TUHSD high school classrooms, labs, and facilities?
While TUHSD provides students with a high-quality education, local high school classrooms, labs, and facilities are more than 60 years old, are deteriorating and need urgent upgrades. The last significant upgrades to local high schools occurred when voters last approved bond funding nearly 20 years ago.
Will all local high schools receive funding from Measure B?
Yes, the detailed and specific project list for Measure B allocates funding to each high school for the highest priority projects on each campus. The funding is split equitably among all high schools based roughly on each high school’s percentage of total district student enrollment.
Specifically, what types of projects would Measure B fund?
Funding from Measure B would be used to replace the most outdated and obsolete classrooms, science labs, technology, and equipment. It will repair or replace replace leaking roofs and inefficient heating, cooling, electrical and plumbing systems. Measure B funds will replace outdated and deteriorating temporary portable classrooms.
What if I don't have children in local high schools?
Even if you don’t have school-age children, Measure B is a smart investment. High-quality schools protect and strengthen the value of our homes and enhance the quality of life in our community.
Will all Measure B funds benefit our local high schools only?
Yes. Every dollar raised by Measure B is locally controlled and can only be used for critical and urgent school repairs only identified in Measure B’s legally binding project list. No funds can be taken away by the State or diverted to other uses.
Who supports Measure B?
Measure B is supported by a broad coalition of teachers, parents, students, and education leaders like Marin County Superintendent of Schools John Carroll and Mary Jane Burk (ret). Local elected leaders like Congressman Jared Huffman, County Supervisor Stephanie Moulton-Peters, and former Supervisor Katie Rice endorse Measure B along with many members of our local city councils and elementary school district boards of education. Respected organizations like the League of Women Voters and Marin Democratic Party recommend a YES vote.
To learn more about the proposed projects, visit https://www.yesonbtuhsd.org/proposed-projects
Thank you for supporting Measure B and Voting YES on B! | Don't Miss Del Mar's Broadway Bound!
Rehearsals are in full swing for "Broadway Bound: A Musical Theatre Revue" presented by the Del Mar PTA, directed by Ms. Derby and starring nearly 30 of our very talented Del Mar students.
The performance is scheduled for Thursday, November 14, at 6:30pm
You won't want to miss this show highlighting scenes from beloved musicals, including Grease, Les Miserables, Six, Mamma Mia, Dear Evan Hansen and Hairspray Jr.! Purchase tickets here.
We are also looking for a few parent/guardian volunteers to help before and on the day of the performance. Please sign up here.
See you on Broadway!
| Would you like to nominate someone for PTYay? Simply email your school’s site chair and let them know!
Reed: Michelle Thomsen mmsmith8@yahoo.com
Bel Aire: Tracey Paull traceypaull@gmail.com
Del Mar: Argavan Nilforoush argavan@gmail.com
| Reporting a Reed School Absence All students are expected to attend school on a consistent and on-time basis. If your child is going to be tardy, absent, or leave school early for any reason, please be sure to email OR call and notify the office: reedattendance@reedschools.org (415) 435-7840 extension #1 Please Provide the Following Information: - First and last name of your child
- Your relationship to the child
- Teacher's name
- The reason for the absence or tardy
| | 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. | Mary Niesyn, Principal Reed Elementary School | |
