SUSD Community Newsletter

Dear Shoreline Community,

A new year always brings a sense of renewed hope and purpose to our work, and an opportunity to return from a long break refreshed and rejuvenated for the days ahead. In schools, the new calendar year comes right in the middle of the school year, as you all know, and for us January is time to reflect on what we have accomplished so far in this school year, and where we want to focus for the remainder of the year.

In Shoreline, we will be using academic data gathered over the last couple of months to look at ways to refine our academic program in planning for both the spring, and into the future. We’ll be using our Early Release Wednesday program, as well as our March 17th Professional Development Day, to support that work at each of our school sites, and across the district as a whole. We’ll consider how to apply our resources, particularly time, staffing, and money, to ensure that students are continuing to grow as learners, and get the support they need.

This is our most important work, and I am excited for it to move forward this spring.

In community,

Adam Jennings

Shoreline Unified School District

The position of Regional Food Services Director is now available on EdJoin. This position is part of an innovative collaboration between Shoreline Unified, Nicasio, Bolinas-Stinson, and Lagunitas school districts to improve the quality of our school nutrition programs.

As a participant in the West Marin Regional School Wellness Leadership Team, Shoreline Unified led the effort in applying for a California Department of Food and Agriculture grant, which awarded us $200,000 to pilot this position. The Regional Food Services Director will oversee menu development, food procurement, and training for staff, with a focus on local ingredients and nutritious, scratch-cooked meals for our students.

This position will be funded by grant funds for the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 school years, with the opportunity for continuation depending on the district’s needs and budget for the 2026-2027 school year. We invite all qualified applicants to apply and join us in this exciting initiative to enhance our school nutrition programs.

To apply, please visit EdJoin and submit your application. We look forward to welcoming a dedicated professional to help us make a lasting impact on our students' health and well-being.

North Marin Community Services (NMCS) is hosting a virtual parent education event for Shoreline families offered in Spanish and English:

How to Talk to Your Kids About Sex

February 27th @ 6:30–7:30 PM

Register here

The THS Student Wellness Ambassador Program (SWAP) is hosting a screening of the film, Screenagers: Under the Influence

January 29th @ 5:30-7:30PM at Tomales High

Please RSVP here

Marin County's DA Office presents:

Vigilant Parent Training: Exploitation and Safe Social Media

TODAY, January 14th, 6:15pm (Zoom)

Register here

The December 4th Let's Talk - The Teen Brain event drew 300 Zoom attendees, sharing insights on adolescent brain development and support strategies. A recording is available to watch here.

All staff will take part in an LGBTQ+ Rights and Inclusivity in Education training this week to ensure we are implementing inclusive practices so all students feel safe, supported, and welcome throughout our district.

Tomales Preschool is now accepting applications for children as young as 2 years old who are potty trained. The preschool offers both part-time and full-time options to accommodate your family’s schedule.

Our dedicated staff focuses on fostering social-emotional growth while supporting the development of gross and fine motor skills in a nurturing and engaging environment that prepares students for TK and beyond.

For more information or to schedule a visit to learn about schedule options and fees, please contact Mrs. Velarde, Preschool Director, at (707) 703-6117.

The Early Release Enrichment Programs for West Marin-Inverness students have been a great success, thanks to the support of community partnerships. The School Site Council and school administration team have all played a key role in making these programs a reality. Special thanks to Board Vice President Thomas Tyson and the West Marin Fund for their support in securing funding for these initiatives.

Throughout the past semester, students have participated in a variety of enriching activities, including nature art, theatre, dance, science, reading intervention, and more. We are grateful to our community partners—InPlace, The Dance Palace, PRNSA, and the Marin County Free Library—for their contributions to these programs.

Looking ahead, a new gardening program will be introduced this semester in collaboration with the Inverness Garden Club. This program, like the others, was made possible through the efforts of volunteers and the power of community collaboration. Thank you to all who have made these opportunities available to our students!

Shoreline Unified is currently evaluating our Extended Learning Opportunities, including after-school, summer school, and intersession programming for all TK-8th grade students in the district. As part of this evaluation, a parent survey will be sent out soon to gather valuable family feedback. We are committed to providing the best educational experience for our students and greatly appreciate the support of our families in helping us achieve this goal. Your input is essential as we work together to enhance our programs for the benefit of all students.

Semester 1 report cards are now available in Aeries. We encourage you to log in and review your student’s progress, as these grades are final and determine graduation status.

To view on the Aeries app:

1. Log in to the Aeries app.
2. Select Report Cards to view and download the report card in available languages.

To view on a computer:

1. Log in to Aeries.
2. Go to Grades and select Report Card History.
3. Choose the grading period to view the most recent report card.

For questions on accessing the report card, contact Samantha Gutierrez, THS Family Advocate. For questions about graduation status, contact Rachael Kobe, THS School Counselor.

This week, Tomales High School will take the spotlight in a special feature on NFL Films Presents! Tune in to catch the inspiring story of our school and community:

Premiere Date: Wednesday, January 15th

Time: 8 PM PT

Channel: FS1

The episode will also re-air on NFL Network and will be shared on social media and YouTube later in the week. Stay tuned for updates and links to watch online!

The West Marin-Inverness School PTSA is excited to host its first-ever Crab Feed, and we want you to be part of this incredible evening! Don’t miss out on a night of delicious food, great company, and community support.

Enjoy an all-you-can-eat crab dinner while supporting our local school and spending time with fellow parents, teachers, and neighbors.

🗓 Date: February 8, 2025
📍 Location: Strauss Home Ranch
🎟 Tickets: Available now!
👉 Purchase tickets here

All funds raised will directly support programs, activities, and the enrichment of our students' education. This is an event you won’t want to miss — come for the crab, stay for the community!

Tomales Elementary invites parents and community members to make a difference in their school community by volunteering during volunteer hours. Volunteer hours will be hosted every Wednesday between 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. Please contact Cristina Salcedo at (707) 878-2214 for more details.

Sunset School is always looking for volunteers to lead enrichment activities on Wednesdays. We are looking for volunteers who are passionate and experienced in the following areas:

• Cooking
• Arts & Crafts
• STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math)
• Sports & Physical Activities
• History Lessons & Cultural Exploration

If you're interested in volunteering for either of these opportunities, please email me at audrey.sullivan@shoreline.com

Your contribution will help inspire our students and make Wednesdays extra special.

Bridge the Gap is offering after-school tutoring on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:10 pm to 5:00 pm and Wednesdays 1:40 pm to 3:00 pm in the library. It is open to all students who need tutoring. Our THS librarian, Abby Spaletta, is one of our Bridge the Gap tutors for science and math, and Adriana Quintana will assist with history, English, and Spanish. A sign-in sheet will be available to track attendance, and snacks will be provided for those attending.

Join us every Wednesday, weather permitting, for Walking Wednesdays at Bodega Bay Elementary. Families are invited to meet at the church parking lot at 8:00 AM to walk to school together as a community. After the walk, parents are welcome to stay at the school for coffee and tea to connect with one another.

Additionally, parents and community members are encouraged to stay and volunteer on Wednesdays after walking the students to school. It’s a wonderful way to be involved and support our school community!

On December 11th, the Dental Mobile Unit visited Inverness School to provide check-ups for students with a signed consent form and were due for a visit. The unit will be at West Marin School on January 23rd for check-ups. We appreciate Coastal Health Alliance for their ongoing support in ensuring the health and well-being of our students.

Tomales Elementary is offering in-person ESL (English as a Second Language) classes on Mondays and Fridays from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. in the Family Center. These classes are open to the entire community and are a great opportunity to improve English language skills in a supportive environment.

For more information, please contact Cristina Salcedo at 707-878-2214.

Bodega Bay Elementary is introducing a new section in the weekly newsletter where families can give away or search for items they need. If you’re looking for something like a dresser or have items to offer, simply reach out to Mrs. O'Donell, and it will be shared with the community. This space can also be used for selling items.

Additionally, if there’s enough interest, a Spring Closet Clean-out event will be organized where families can swap gently used clothes. Please take a moment to answer the poll sent through ParentSquare if you'd like to participate.

This is a great opportunity to reduce waste and help each other out!

Sonoma County’s Bibliobus will be stationed at Bodega Bay Elementary's parking lot on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month from 2:30 to 3:30 PM.

The Bibliobus provides access to books, Wi-Fi, and other resources. Community members can register for a library card and take advantage of this convenient service. Stop by and explore all the Bibliobus has to offer!

West Marin-Inverness School is hosting a Wildcat Wear Recycle program! If your child has outgrown their Wildcat Wear that is still in good condition, they can bring it to the front office or Family Center to donate. In exchange, they can pick out a new size that fits.

All clothing must be in good condition to be accepted. This is a great way to ensure that every student has the opportunity to show their Wildcat pride!

Exciting news! Our district's Facebook page is now live and buzzing with updates, celebrations, and stories from our wonderful community. We invite you to follow and share our page as we embark on this journey of two-way communication and celebration.

Tomales Elementary will be hosting a Know Your Rights workshop on Wednesday, January 15th, at 6 PM in the Family Center. This informative session, presented by West Marin Community Services and the Marin County Public Defender's Office, will provide valuable information to support our community. Childcare and food will be provided. For more information, contact the Public Defender's Outreach team at 415-747-9089.

Our January Board meeting will take place on January 16th at 6 p.m. at West Marin School. A Zoom option will be available for those who cannot attend in person. Click here to access the meeting on Zoom.

Our board meetings are held on the second Thursday of each month, except January and April. We encourage all community members to participate and stay informed about important district matters.

Join us for the 8th Annual Black Hat Classic Community Basketball Game on Saturday, January 18 at Tomales High School! Proceeds raised at this event support ALL sports at Tomales HIgh School. This fund helps pay for uniforms and other sports related costs. Please find the event flyer attached with more details.

Join us for the Senior Class Financial Aid Night on January 23rd, 2025 at 6:00 PM, exclusively for senior students and their families. This important event will provide valuable information on the financial aid process, including how to apply for grants, scholarships, and student loans. Representatives will walk through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and California Dream Act Application, offering guidance on completing forms and understanding eligibility requirements. This is a fantastic opportunity to get your questions answered and ensure that your student is prepared for their next steps in higher education. Don't miss out on this essential resource to help make college more affordable!

Join us on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at the Tomales Town Hall to co-create the next steps to better serve our Shoreline Unified School District and the youth and families of Tomales.

📅 Date: Tuesday, January 28, 2025
⏰ Time: Dinner at 5:30 PM, Meeting at 6:00 PM
📍 Location: Tomales Town Hall, 27150 Main St., Tomales, CA

This in-person event will be bilingual, with childcare provided. For more information, contact youth.program@westmarincs.org or call 415-663-8418. All are welcome!

Tomales Elementary will host its first-semester Academic Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, January 31st, at 9:15 AM in the school gym.

This event will highlight the hard work and achievements of students over the past semester. Families and community members are invited to join us in recognizing the dedication and academic success of our learners.

We look forward to seeing you there!

We invite you to join us for coffee and connection at our schools!

• Cafecito at West Marin School: Every Wednesday at 8:30 AM
• Community Coffee at Tomales Elementary: Fridays at 8:30 AM during Walking Fridays
• Bodega Bay Elementary: After Walking Wednesdays at 8:30 AM

Come connect with other parents, school staff, and learn valuable information about community resources and school news!

We invite everyone to get involved in our school community by joining one of the many upcoming meetings. Your participation is key to helping us create a stronger, more supportive environment for all our students and families.

Here are a few meetings coming up:

• ELAC Meetings:
• TES & BBS: January 14th at 6:15 p.m.
• WMS-INV: January 23rd at 3:15 p.m.
• THS: January 21st at 6p.m.
• PTA/PTSA Meetings:
• PTA at BBS: January 15th at 4:00 p.m.
• PTA at TES: January 30th at 3:00 p.m.
• PTSA at WMS-INV: January 14th at 6p.m.
• School Site Council:
• SSC at TES: January 21st at 3p.m.
• SSC at BBS: January 23rd at 3p.m.
• SSC at THS: January 28th at 3:15 p.m.

We look forward to seeing you there and working together to support our schools!

Schools will be closed on Monday, January 20th, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. This holiday honors Dr. King’s legacy of equality, justice, and nonviolence. We encourage families to reflect on his contributions and engage in activities that celebrate his vision. Classes will resume on Tuesday, January 21.

January is School Board Appreciation Month, and we want to take this opportunity to thank our Board of Trustees for their commitment to the success and well-being of our students. Your leadership and service play a crucial role in shaping the future of our schools, and we are grateful for all you do.

We are also excited to welcome two new board members, Josie Lanker (Area 3) and Stacey Lawson (Area 2), who were sworn in just before winter break. We look forward to their contributions as they join us in supporting our students, staff, and community.

Classified

• NEW: Para Educator II Special Education (temporary) – Tomales High School

• District Clerk

• District Mechanic
• Van Driver, 5 days per week
• District Technology Coordinator

• Bus Drivers – part-time and substitute positions

Certificated:

• TK Teacher – Long-term Sub – Inverness (pending)
• Spanish Long-term Sub – Tomales High School

Classified Management:

• Regional Food Service Director

Coach

• Coming soon – Cross Country Coach