 |
|---|
Too Long, Didn’t Read (TLDR)
-
Coffee Chat on We Are One Lessons at Cove on 12/11 from 8:30-9:30 am
-
Coffee Chat on Transitional Kindergarten at Neil Cummins on 12/18 from 8:30-9:30 am
-
Data Learning Labs - Teachers are Taking Data to Action
-
English Language Arts Second Pilot to Begin in February (EL Education)
-
Post-Tsunami Alert Reflections and Next Steps
Dear LCMSD Community,
This fall, our district has been engaged in meaningful conversations, new initiatives, and reflective planning as we work together to support our students and staff. Coffee Chats have provided a valuable space for connecting with parents, answering questions, and sharing updates. Meanwhile, our Data Learning Labs are empowering educators to utilize student data more effectively, driving instructional decisions and fostering academic growth.
We’re also thrilled to launch our second ELA Curriculum Pilot, exploring research-based resources to strengthen literacy instruction for all learners. In addition, following the recent tsunami alert, we’ve taken time to reflect and refine our safety protocols to further emergency preparedness.
These updates highlight the heart of our work—collaboration, continuous learning, and a commitment to student success. Thank you for your partnership in making LCMSD an exceptional place for education and community. Please see below for details on this important work.
Dr. Brett Geithman
Superintendent
Upcoming Superintendent Coffee Chats: December 2024
We’re excited to announce two upcoming coffee chats this month! These gatherings provide an excellent opportunity for parents to connect, ask questions, and engage in meaningful discussions about our schools. Future and current parents from all LCMSD schools are welcome to attend either or both sessions. Future and current parents from all LCMSD schools are welcome to attend either or both sessions.
Wednesday, December 11 | 8:30–9:30 AM at Cove School
Topic: We Are One Lessons
This session will begin with a 20-minute overview of the We Are One curriculum, designed to foster inclusivity and self-awareness among students. Following the overview, we’ll hold a 20-minute Q&A focused on the program. The final 20 minutes will be an open-ended discussion where parents can bring up any district-related topics.
Wednesday, December 18 | 8:30–9:30 AM at Neil Cummins School
Topic: Transitional Kindergarten (TK)
In this session, we will discuss the district’s decision not to offer Transitional Kindergarten for the 2025-26 school year. Parents will have the opportunity to ask questions and gain clarity on this matter. The session will follow the same structure: a 20-minute overview, 20-minute topic-specific Q&A, and 20 minutes of open discussion.
Where’s My Teacher? Data Learning Labs - Taking Data to Action
You might have noticed a substitute in your child’s classroom for a couple of days this fall. That’s because our teachers have been busy taking data to action! So far, we’ve had two dedicated Data Learning Lab days, with three more scheduled throughout the year. These days are strategically planned following iReady assessments and other key timeframes to ensure teachers have the most relevant data to guide their instruction.
During these full-day sessions, Beth Hawkins, our math coach, and Lisa Capobianco, our literacy coach, collaborate with teachers to analyze assessment results and plan next steps to meet the specific learning needs of their students. Grade-level teams from Neil Cummins and Cove come together for these labs, fostering cross-site collaboration and shared strategies. At Hall Middle School, teachers engage in full-day labs dedicated to either ELA or math, allowing for department-specific exploration and planning.
Tier I instruction is a key focus during learning labs. Tier I instruction refers to high-quality, research-based teaching strategies and practices implemented in the classroom for all students. It forms the foundation of a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework and aims to meet the academic, behavioral, and social-emotional needs of all learners. Tier 1 instruction ensures equitable access to grade-level standards through standards-aligned, evidence-based teaching strategies. Teachers use assessment data to monitor progress and tailor instruction to address diverse learning styles and abilities. This approach includes small group instruction, which provides targeted differentiation based on students’ specific needs.
At LCMSD, we are proud to dedicate 1% of our budget to professional development, underscoring our belief in investing in our educators. We are fortunate to have exceptional coaches like Ms. Hawkins and Ms. Capobianco, whose expertise elevates teaching practices and fosters a culture of continuous improvement. A huge thank you to our coaches for their leadership and to our teachers for embracing this impactful work!
ELA Curriculum Adoption Update: Pilot Program Announced
We are excited to provide an update on our English Language Arts (ELA) adoption process. This year, the Elementary Curriculum Council has been diligently working to identify a curriculum that is aligned with the science of reading and best supports our students’ learning.
The Curriculum Council developed detailed evaluation criteria to guide the selection process, ensuring alignment with our district's goals and values, as well as best practices in literacy instruction. These criteria were shared with publishers ahead of their presentations, allowing them to tailor their responses to address each element. Several publishers praised the team for its thoughtful and organized approach.
As part of our commitment to transparency and community involvement, we hosted a Parent Preview Window during the last week of October. Parents were invited to review materials from the five publishers under consideration—Benchmark Advance, EL Education, Amplify CKLA, i-Ready Magnetic Reading, and Collaborative Literacy—and provide feedback. We appreciate the valuable insights shared by our families during this event.
After evaluating all feedback and materials, the team decided to move forward with piloting EL Education. During planning discussions, EL Education informed us of a curriculum update for the 2025-26 school year and agreed to provide access to these updated materials for our pilot.
To use these new materials, we had to revise our pilot timeline. Teacher training for the pilot will begin in January 2025, with the pilot starting in February 2025. This will keep us on track for spring data collection, comparison with last spring’s pilot of Benchmark Advance, and a possible recommendation for Board approval by April/May.
Thank you to the teachers, staff, and parents who have contributed to this comprehensive and collaborative process, as well as Daniel Norbutas for his leadership and facilitation of this work. Your feedback and dedication play a vital role in helping us select the best resources for our students. We look forward to sharing updates as we continue this important work!
Post-Tsunami Alert Reflections and Next Steps
As we reflect on the recent tsunami alert, I want to express my deepest gratitude to teachers, staff, principals/leadership, the Office of Emergency Services (OES), the Central Marin Police Authority (CMPA), and the Marin County Office of Education (MCOE). The swift and coordinated response from all parties ensured the safety and well-being of our students. Additionally, as with all situations involving the implementation of our emergency operating procedures, we are using this experience as an opportunity to reflect and continuously improve our emergency response.
Throughout the day, we sent multiple communications to keep you updated on the situation as it unfolded. At Cove, teachers and staff efficiently moved students to higher ground in an organized and calm manner within minutes of OES/CMPA’s order. Across all sites, staff engaged students in restorative circles to clarify facts, answer questions, and identify any students who might need additional Tier II support with counselors or designated staff.
We are grateful to the parents who followed instructions to keep roads clear and avoid campuses during the response. This cooperation allowed emergency responders and school staff to focus on their critical tasks and helped ensure the safety of all.
While the event was handled efficiently, we can always learn and grow from these experiences. When an emergency or potential emergency is initiated—such as last week’s tsunami alert triggered by notifications on our phones—schools immediately follow established Emergency Operating Procedures (EOPs) for that specific event. A few key reminders for future situations:
-
Read emails and follow guidance: During emergencies, the district will immediately contact the appropriate authorities and communicate important updates and instructions via email. Please take a moment to read these messages and follow the guidance provided.
-
Follow directions from staff: Our staff are trained to manage these situations. Please follow their instructions and cooperate fully to help us maintain an organized and safe environment.
-
Stay clear of schools until we message that student release has begun: For your safety and the safety of responders, please avoid approaching the school or evacuation areas during emergencies. You will be notified via Parent Square when the student release process is initiated.
-
Student Release: It’s important to note that all EOPs include a student release plan. However, please understand that reaching the student release portion of the EOP may take some time and typically falls towards the end of the EOP. During an active emergency, staff members are prioritized to enact critical safety procedures, which require their full focus and attention. As a result, we will have very minimal staff available to process student release requests. This is intentional, as the safety and well-being of all students and staff must come first.
Additionally, please know that during emergencies, LCMSD works closely with first responders to ensure we have the most up-to-date and accurate information as the situation unfolds. It’s important to remember that on any given day, one of the largest gatherings of people in our community is at our schools. The safety of students and staff is the top priority for both the district and emergency personnel. All judgment calls are made with an abundance of caution to protect our students and staff, and our decisions reflect a conservative approach to ensure their well-being at all times.
Thank you again for your understanding, support, and partnership in ensuring our schools remain safe spaces for all.
Additional Resources:
|
