Principal's Weekly Message
Good Afternoon Edna Families–
Here’s hoping your Friday the 13th is going well.
Many, many thanks for all the volunteers who feted the Edna staff so well this past week during Staff Appreciation Week. From door art, to snacks, to flowers, to lunches, to all the ways that “Thank You” was said, we sincerely appreciate it. Many, many thanks for being such incredible partners as we strive together to serve our little incredibles.
Have a wonderful weekend,
Daniel
Day 120
Yesterday was the 120th day of school, a VERY important day in 1st grade :). They had activities throughout the day around the number 120, as well as spending the school year counting up to this day in a variety of ways.
Progress Reports
Wednesday, your child will bring home their progress report. Please look out for it in their backpack! Reporting student progress is an essential part of our communication and home-school partnership. We are thrilled to share the wonderful learning that has taken place this trimester. Markings on the progress report are based on student expectations at the end of each trimester and are accompanied by teacher comments to create a comprehensive picture of each student’s growth.
Personal Items
Students have recently been bringing personal items from home to school, such as Pokémon cards, balls and stuffed animals. To help minimize distractions and prevent items from being lost or damaged, please keep these items at home unless specifically requested by the teacher for a classroom activity. Thank you for your support in helping us keep the focus on learning during the school day.
Come to the Cabaret: Matilda, Jr!
Don’t miss the spectacular MVMS production of 'Matilda, Jr.'!
Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical JR. tells the story of an extraordinary child who, armed with a vivid imagination and psychokinetic powers, dares to take a stand against bullies and change her own destiny.
The performances are at 6:30 PM on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, March 18th-20th in the Mill Valley Middle School Gym. Tickets will be sold at the door (cash or check only), $20 for adults, $10 for kids/students. The show is approximately 80 minutes long.
Wear GREEN Tuesday!
Tuesday is St. Patrick’s Day! To celebrate, everyone is invited to wear green. You never know, we might be lucky and see a leprechaun!
News from the Garden 
After a rainy start to the year, the Garden is bursting back to life and off to a wonderful start for 2026! Fresh green growth is everywhere; the chickens are soaking up the sunshine, and we’re excited for all the learning and community moments ahead. None of this is possible without your continued support—thank you for helping our Garden thrive!
Garden Work Party
Sunday, January 25, 2026 | 10:00 AM–2:00 PM
All ages welcome—no experience needed!
Join us for a fun, hands-on day in the Garden. Come for the whole time or drop in for a bit—every helping hand makes a difference.
Being a Good Neighbor
It was reported to me this week by our Scott Valley neighbors that they are in contact with the city and the school district for help with stopping the bike jumping that occurs regularly behind the homes on Lower Drive. There is great concern around youth safety, privacy of the residents, and fire safety. The city has removed the jumps and they quickly return. Thank you for whatever you can do to help resolve this issue, especially if you know any of the bike riders.
Special Board Meeting: Budget Study Session
On March 10, 2026, the Board of Trustees held a budget study session in the Middle School library to review the district’s budget history, consider the current fiscal outlook, and discuss key questions as we plan for the 2026–2027 budget. The session brought together representatives from across our community, including teachers and classified staff (MVTA/CSEA), district and site administrators, and parent and community partners from Kiddo!, PTA, BAC, and DAC. A copy of the presentation from the session is linked here.
Trustees rotated among small group discussions to listen to perspectives on several topics, including reserve levels, whether to include a Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) in long-term projections, considerations for addressing the projected deficit, and ways to improve transparency and confidence in the budgeting process.
To continue the conversation, district leaders will host school site meetings with parents in April and a districtwide staff meeting to share information and gather additional feedback.
Edna Magurie Monday, April 13, 2026 at 8:30 a.m.
Old Mill Tuesday, April 14, 2026 at 8:30 a.m.
Park Wednesday, April 15, 2026 at 8:30 a.m.
Strawberry Point Friday, April 17, 2026 at 8:30 a.m.
Tam Valley Monday, April 20, 2026 at 8:30 a.m.
MVMS Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at 8:30 a.m.
Community members are also invited to share their perspectives through a Google feedback form linked here. Input from these conversations will help inform the development of the 2026–2027 budget.
Spring Village Fest: Celebrating Neurodiversity, Disabilities, and Belonging
Our Spring Village Fest on March 10, 2026 brought the community together at the Mill Valley Community Center to celebrate Neurodiversity, Disabilities, and Belonging through art, activities, and connection. Organized by our PTA DEI Committee and It Takes a Village (ITAV), the event highlighted the importance of inclusion and understanding across our school community. The celebration also marked the 20th anniversary of ITAV, our districtwide PTA that supports students and families navigating learning differences, challenges, and disabilities.
The event featured family-friendly activities for children and a visit from a pizza truck staffed by deaf workers, an opportunity for our community to enjoy great food while supporting an inclusive workplace. A highlight of the afternoon was a collection of powerful sculptures created by our middle school students in collaboration with their art teacher, Julie Leonard. Working in teams of three to four, students designed sculptures representing experiences such as anxiety, ADHD, blindness, OCD, and dyslexia. These thoughtful projects reflect not only artistic creativity, but also empathy, research, and a deeper understanding of diverse experiences.
It was a joyful afternoon that celebrated creativity, inclusion, and the power of community. Thank you to all who coordinated, contributed, and attended.
News, Notes, & Votes
Regular Board Meeting - March 5, 2026
Student Learning & School Programs
English Language Development Presentation
Director of Educational Services Kate Sprague presented an overview of the District’s English Language Development (ELD) program, including our approach to supporting English learners through designated and integrated ELD instruction and the use of ELPAC assessments to monitor student progress.
The focus of the presentation was primarily the delivery model for designated ELD next year. We anticipate that our Targeted Learning Lab (TLL) teachers will support designated ELD for multi-lingual learners.
Business & Financial
2025-26 Second Interim Financial Reports
Assistant Superintendent of Business Services Paula Rigney presented the District’s Second Interim Financial Report to the Board of Trustees, providing an update on the District’s financial position as of January 31. The report included updated revenue and expenditure projections and a review of key budget assumptions for the current year and the multi-year financial outlook.
Matt Phillips of School Services of California provided additional context regarding the state budget and broader fiscal conditions affecting school districts.
Following the presentation and discussion, the Board of Trustees approved the Second Interim Report with a positive certification, indicating that the District is projected to meet its financial obligations for the current and subsequent two fiscal years.
Facilities
Proposed Scopes for Renovation including Plans for Schematic Design and Design Development
Laura Knauss of Lionakis presented the proposed scope of work for the Mill Valley Middle School Renovation project, including improvements to the main academic building, the gym/multi-purpose building, required site mitigation, and overall site development. The presentation also included the preferred and alternate locations for the District Office as part of the broader campus planning effort.
Following the presentation and discussion, the Board approved the proposed scopes of work and design direction for the Mill Valley Middle School Renovation project, including the preferred District Office location and authorization to proceed with the design as presented.
Next Regular Board Meeting: April 16, 2026