Headline News Wednesday, October 1, 2025

Dear RUSD,

The beginning of any new year is a special time, and this one is proving to be no exception. It's been wonderful seeing new and familiar faces connect and learn. We believe that a strong partnership between home and school is the foundation for student success, and we look forward to working alongside you to ensure every student at RUSD thrives!

First Districtwide Safety Drill

Our first districtwide safety drill will be October 16th and this will be our Earthquake Drill.

Vaccination Clinics Available Throughout the County

Check out this flier if you’re interested.

Excited to Announce

Dr. McGrath has been appointed to the Superintendent Advisory Council by the California School Board Association (CSBA)’s President-elect for 2026. This state-level appointment is exciting news!

Our Inclusion Work
Many of us are taught from a young age that asking questions about disabilities is rude or disrespectful. Yet, open discussions in which children can ask candid questions and get honest answers about differences break down misconceptions and stereotypes and help encourage inclusivity and empathy. Empathy is recognized as an essential social skill that not only helps to reduce bullying and social isolation, but that also supports development of self-awareness, social awareness, self-esteem, confidence, leadership skills, compassion, collaboration skills, and effective communication strategies.

This year, our students will take part in ongoing lessons, story times (Reed and Bel Aire) and Book Talks (Del Mar) focused on Disability Awareness, in partnership with Changing Perspectives, an educational nonprofit that promotes empathy, inclusion, and social-emotional learning. During these sessions, students will listen to stories, watch short videos, and take part in age-appropriate activities that encourage respect and understanding of differences. After each lesson, we will share with you what was covered along with suggested talking points and questions you can use at home. Please refer to this link for Reed and Bel Aire and this link for Del Mar as a resource for the scope and sequence of this work.

We’re excited to provide this opportunity for students to grow in empathy, respect, and inclusivity. Thank you for your support in helping us make our school community a place where all students feel valued and understood. All students feel valued and understood. Should you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Brian Lynch, Director of Student Services.

Kind regards,

Dr. Kimberly McGrath

Superintendent

Reed Union School District

"We are even stronger together!"

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RUSD Interactive Parent Ed Event "Navigating the Hard Stuff: A Parent's Guide to Meaningful Conversations with Your Child" - Tuesday, October 7th @ 6 PM via Zoom
Join us for an interactive evening designed to equip you with the tools and confidence to tackle those challenging conversations every parent faces. Whether it's discussing mental health, addressing difficult emotions, or navigating sensitive topics, this session will provide you with evidence-based strategies that work. Speaker: Dr. Allison Briscoe-Smith

ZOOM link here. Password: deepbreath

What You Can Expect:

Evidence-backed guidance on how children process difficult topics at different developmental stages.
Interactive practice opportunities to try out conversation techniques in a supportive environment.
Real-world scenarios and Q&A time to address your specific concerns.
Practical resources you can take home and use immediately.
Mental health insights to help you support your child's emotional wellbeing This isn't a lecture—it's a collaborative space where you'll gain concrete skills while connecting with other parents who share similar challenges. Come ready to engage, ask questions, and leave feeling more prepared to have those important conversations that strengthen your relationship with your child.

Let's Talk Parent Series

Community discussions take a deeper dive into the Let’s Talk topics on the website with guest facilitators and topic experts. Parents and caregivers have the opportunity to share their experiences and best practices in a safe, solution-oriented environment. Register for one of our community discussions here.

Marin County Office of Education Delaying Social Media. Together

Today’s social media landscape is shaping how kids see themselves and the world—often before they’re ready. This talk dives into current research on how platforms like TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, YouTube, and Discord are impacting youth mental health, self-esteem, and safety. Register here.

Marin County Office of Education AI Artificial Intelligence for Future Ready Families

Virtual Webinar - No Cost. Learn more here.

Marin County Office of Education’s 2025-2026 Parent & Caregiver Education Series
These FREE offerings are intended to provide support to both you and your families throughout the upcoming school year. Learn more here. Questions? Email jle@marinschools.org.

The Marin County Office of Education warmly invites you to a special community screening of the award-winning documentary Counted Out, directed and produced by Vicki Abeles.
In today’s world, technology, data, and algorithms increasingly shape our opportunities. Counted Out shines a light on how math education impacts equity, access, and the power to participate fully in society. Together—as families, educators, and community partners—we can build classrooms and homes where all students see themselves as “math people.” Watch the trailer here. Join us on Thursday, October 30, 2025 from 5:30 – 7:45 PM at the Marin County Office of Education: 1111 Las Gallinas Ave., San Rafael, CA 94903. Following the film, join a special discussion with filmmaker Vicki Abeles. REGISTER.

Strengthening Partnerships for Students with Disabilities
2025–26 Webinar Series Fourth Thursday of the Month from 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. The California Department of Education, Special Education Division, in partnership with the Seeds of Partnership project, invite you to join this engaging webinar series. Sign up here.

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.