Headline News

Wednesday, January 15, 2025

Dear RUSD,

Dr. Mary Niesyn, our beloved Reed Elementary School Principal, is retiring! - A big congratulations to Dr. Niesyn on 33 years of service in education and 21 years of dedication to Reed. Please congratulate her when you see her!

• Here is a link to a survey if you would like to provide input about what we should look for in our next PK-2 leader, and an opportunity to volunteer your time to participate in focus groups and the interview process.
• Registration Open - PreK & Kindergarten online registration opens Wednesday, January 22 for incoming students new to Reed School. If you have an incoming, age-eligible PreK or Kindergarten child, please register beginning January 22.  Early registration is important so we can plan and secure staff and classrooms. Please also pass this along to any friends and neighbors in the district. Current PreK & Kindergarten students do not need to re-register. Current students will remain automatically enrolled.
• Prop 28 - Additional Arts & Music Funding from the State - voters graciously approved increased funding for arts and music education in public schools. These funds must be used for additional art and music opportunities, and can not be used to fund any current staff. Since RUSD has a robust program, we are thinking creatively about how to incorporate additional opportunities. More to come as we continue to develop our vision.
• Budget Fast Facts Document - Here is a link to our one page clarifying document on our budget fast facts. We produce this each year to add transparency and clarity around RUSD’s school budget.
• January 6th Professional Development / Staff Training - RUSD held a safety training in the Del Mar gym on the January 6th Staff Development Day. Participants learned how to perform Hands-Only-CPR, how to use an AED (Automated External Defibrillator), and how to Stop-the-Bleed in a life-threatening bleeding situation. Thank you to our District Nurse, Alison Mankin for leading the training, and to volunteers from the county’s Medical Reserve Corps (MMRC) for their valuable assistance. Some staff also participated in math training around the new curriculum pilot and math strategies.
• January 27 - International Holocaust Remembrance Day - The BelTib Library will be hosting George Landau, a Tiburon resident, former Board member, original founder of our Foundation, and Holocaust survivor. Here is a link to more details

Kind regards,

Dr. Kimberly McGrath
Superintendent
Reed Union School District
"We are even stronger together!"

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The Board of Trustees reviewed the following items at the RUSD Board Meeting on January 14: 

1. Administrative Update – Bel Aire Elementary Principal Mr. John DiCosmo reported on the site goals for Bel Aire including utilizing research-based reading practices and adopting math and social-emotional best practices, as well as professional development with Sam Drazin, inclusion goals, curriculum updates, student leadership, design lab and the inspiring Infinite Flow Dance Assembly.
2. Board of Trustees Update – The Board of Trustees reported on their recent activities including the Board Governance Workshop, JLAC meeting, CSBA Webinar on the Governor’s budget proposal, Winterfest and the Band and Percussion Concert. Board members also shared heartfelt condolences for the families, teachers, and schools affected by the fires in Southern CA.
3. Superintendent Update – District Superintendent Dr. Kimberly McGrath provided updates on the recent Professional Development Day, Math curriculum pilot, Prop 28, Expanded Learning Opportunities Program Plan, an assessment of our facility and class size capacity in case of a need to accommodate families seeking shelter from the fires, and a special congratulations to Dr. Niesyn on her retirement.
4. Review of State School Dashboard Report 2023-2024 Including Absenteeism – Ms. Nicole Trickett and Mr. Brian Lynch presented results from the State School Dashboard and shared that the District has successfully reduced chronic absenteeism and suspension rates through targeted messaging, communication, school counselor priority student outreach, and alternative disciplinary actions.
5. RUSD Strategic Plan 2024-2030 Update – Superintendent McGrath provided a progress update on the key objectives of the 2024-2030 Strategic Plan across each of the six pillars including Academic Excellence, Social Emotional Learning (SEL), Staff, Community & Families, Facilities, and Finance.
6. Spanish Task Force Action Plan Update – Coordinator of Educational Services, Ms. Nicole Trickett, presented an update on the Spanish Task Force, including staffing, curriculum, reducing barriers to access, instruction, experience & enrichment, parent community & volunteer opportunities and activities outside of the classroom such as Spanish clubs and conversational Spanish speaking lunch tables on campus.
7. Reserve Policy Discussion – The Board of Trustees reviewed, discussed, and suggested potential language for a Reserve Policy for the District.
8. Annual Review and Adoption of School Accountability Report Cards (SARCs) – The Board reviewed and adopted the 2023-2024 School SARC Report Cards for the District.       

The next regular Board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday February 11, 2025.

A big PTYay to the Reed Food Drive Co-Chairs, Shay Kenjora and Sarah Mastrorocco. Shay and Sarah did an amazing job bringing the Reed School community together to support the SF-Marin Food Bank. They collected food donations daily from the bins and drove all 567 pounds of food to the SF-Marin Food Bank in San Rafael. Thanks to generous parents like Shay and Sarah and all of our PTA volunteers, the RUSD PTA can continue its mission to enrich the lives of our children and the school community.

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.