Happy Friday the 13th and Happy Valentine’s Day tomorrow!

Enjoy Mid-Winter Break next week, when schools will be closed. We will reopen on February 23rd and look forward to receiving our students again at that time.

Valentine’s Day at Edna:
What a great opportunity to share a bit of kindness with classmates and staff through the exchange of valentines. We saw a lot of red and pink on campus today as well. It was quite the festive day.

Middle-of-the-Year Assessments - iReady and DIBELS

Rather than sending i-Ready results home in students’ backpacks, we will be sharing your child’s i-Ready results for both English Language Arts (ELA) and Math electronically on Friday, February 13th. The DIBELS reports were either sent home earlier this week or will be today. 

The “For Families” i-Ready report summarizes your child’s performance on the middle-of-the-year assessment, which was administered over the past few weeks. i-Ready assessments measure standards across the entire grade level. Because of this, students are not expected to demonstrate mastery of all skills at this time of year. 

DIBELS (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills) is an assessment used to monitor students’ progress in key reading skills such as phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency and comprehension.

i-Ready and DIBELS are tools we use to monitor your child’s academic growth. The data from these assessments helps us understand how your child is progressing in relation to grade-level standards, provide instruction and assignments tailored to your child’s academic needs, and track growth throughout the school year.

We look forward to working together for every child's success!

Student Assembly:
Earlier this week our Student Council hosted their second student assembly of the year. Students heard more about and were reminded of personal responsibility at Edna (i.e., picking up trash and recycling in the appropriate bins), considered what they like about Edna, and heard from peers about some of their recent experiences (Walker Creek and Let Grow Projects). We were also a supportive audience for our 1st and 2nd graders who sang two songs that reflect the four Edna Bs (Be Kind, Be Respectful, Be Responsible, and Be Safe) under the tutelage of our Music Teacher, Mr. Win. Thank you for hosting, Student Council!

Lost and Found:
Today is the last day to check Lost & Found for any missing treasures before it is all donated to local non profit organizations over the break.

Variety Show Registration:
Today is also the last day to register your student to participate in the upcoming annual Variety Show. Our PTA sent out a PS yesterday with additional information.

Black History Month:
As I walk in and out of classes this month, I regularly see lessons and discussions around a variety of topics that relate to Black History Month. One example is from a 5th grade class where they were learning about and discussing the history of school segregation, including in Marin County. Books written by African American writers are on display in the Library, as well as a display in the two-story building outside the Library of local black history.

Ramadan:
Ramadan begins next week and is celebrated by many students and families in the Edna Community. It is a month of reflection, prayer, fasting, charity, and community. The Library will be open during lunchtime for students looking for a quiet space. 

To our students and families who will be celebrating Ramadan, may this Ramadan bring peace, prosperity, and joy to you and your family.

From the Garden (Nonprofit News) 

Chicken Care Update

Our hens have started laying eggs again. A clear sign that Spring is so close! During mid winter break we need extra help taking care of them. Interested in helping? Please sign up for chicken care HERE, and note that the lock code has changed.

Garden Work Party

Sunday, March 1st, 2026 | 10:00 AM–2:00 PM

All ages welcome—no experience needed! Come lend a hand, get a little muddy, and enjoy time together in the Garden. Many hands make light (and fun!) work.

Open Garden

Every Wednesday | 1:30–3:30 PM

Stop by to enjoy the Garden, connect with the community, and—when available—purchase fresh produce and flowers.

Our cut flowers are starting to bloom, with a few beautiful bouquets available each week.

Enjoy your Mid-Winter Break!

Daniel

Dear Mill Valley School District Families,

As we approach the mid-winter recess, I want to wish you and your families a restful and restorative break. I hope this time provides an opportunity to recharge and enjoy meaningful moments together.  Please prioritize time for your own wellness as you spend time caring for others you love. 

I want to share a brief update on my health. Following additional recent procedures and consultations, I have learned that my lung cancer has spread to my lymph nodes. While this news is difficult, I am working closely with my medical team to determine the best course of treatment and next steps.  I came back to work this Monday and I am deeply grateful for the extraordinary support of this community. I remain committed to serving our district and will do everything I can to maintain continuity and stability in our leadership during treatment.  Should I need to be on an extended leave, I will work with the Board to select an acting superintendent to support our district.

On an uplifting note, we were honored to welcome Ken Kay to our leadership meeting this week. Ken is a renowned educational thinker and author, best known as the founder of the Partnership for 21st Century Skills and the framework of the 4 Cs—critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity. Even more special, he is the proud grandfather of one of our TK students. During his visit, he shared an inspiring overview of how we will build Mill Valley’s Portrait of a Graduate. We are grateful for his insight and for the meaningful connection he shares with our community as we begin this important work next fall.

Thank you for your continued kindness, patience, and support. It is a privilege to serve this community, and I look forward to continuing our important work together after the break.

Transitional Kindergarten (TK) Enrollment Update

Thank you to all families who submitted their TK enrollment applications. If you completed your enrollment before January 30, 2026, you should have received an acknowledgment email confirming receipt of your application.

Families who met this deadline will receive notification of their child’s school placement in May. We will continue to accept enrollment applications; however, notification of school placement will not be available in May for applications submitted after the deadline. All eligible students will be placed in one of our schools.

We look forward to welcoming our newest learners!

Wishing you all a wonderful mid-winter recess.

With much gratitude,

Elizabeth