Principal's Update and Coleman Connect: Sunday, October 19, 2025

Posted Date: 10/19/25 (4:00 PM)

Dear Coleman Families,

I hope you're having a relaxing weekend! Thanks to our dedicated teachers, Ms. Martha, and you for making conference week a success.

A huge thank you Anne, Hannah, Karina, Nicole, and to all who volunteered at the Book fair last week.

If you visited school last week, you saw our Ofrenda for Día de los Muertos. A huge thank you to Joss and Glenda for building such a beautiful Ofrenda. An Ofrenda is put together as a way to remember your loved ones who have passed away. Every Día de los Muertos, my wife and I share sweet stories with our children to honor and remember those we've lost. We invite you to contribute to our community ofrenda by placing a picture, favorite food, or kid-friendly drink on it.

United Against Hate Week at Coleman

At Coleman Elementary, we prioritize creating a safe, welcoming, and inclusive community for every student. We firmly believe that every student has the right to feel safe being who they are regardless of race, ethnicity, socio-economic status, gender identity, or sexual orientation. We aren't just discussing abstract ideas; we are laying the groundwork for a safe, fair, and respectful community.

United Against Hate Week: Why It Matters to Our Kids

Building Empathy: We teach kids to recognize that everyone deserves respect, regardless of differences - choose inclusion over exclusion.
Preventing Bullying: We define unfair treatment and equip children with the courage to be "upstanders"—to speak up against mean behavior, name-calling, or exclusion—instead of being silent bystanders.
Smart Media Habits: Kids learn critical thinking skills to question and reject unfair stereotypes they see in shows or online, helping to counter prejudice early.
Foundation of Fairness: Reinforces that the rules of fairness and equality apply to all people, not just in school, laying the groundwork for a just society.

Dinner Table Questions:

What does it mean to be treated fairly, and what would you do if you saw someone being treated unfairly because of who they are or what they believe? (This is a foundational question that focuses on the concept of fairness, which is easy for even younger children to grasp. It encourages them to consider different types of differences—like beliefs, race, or family structure—prompting a discussion about action.)
Have you ever seen a movie, show, or post online where people were making fun of or being mean to a whole group of people, like those from a different country, or people who dress or speak differently? What did you think about that? (This question connects what you see in media and allows students to identify and discuss stereotypes and prejudice in a concrete way, covering themes like anti-immigrant, racist, or anti-LGBTQ+ messages.)
Imagine you hear a friend or classmate say something unkind about someone else just because they are a boy or a girl, or because of the color of their skin. What is one kind and brave thing you could say or do in that moment?

Book Recommendation: Desmond Cole Ghost Patrol Hold on to your Heads! by Andres Miedoso, illustrated by Victor Rivas

To prepare for Halloween, my daughter picked up Desmond Cole Ghost Patrol: Hold on to your Heads! at the book fair last week, and we’re having a blast reading it—it's spooky but not scary! The story follows Desmond as he investigates a terrifying creature haunting the Kersville Thrift Store: a mannequin that wants to thrift your head right off your shoulders! With easy-to-read language and illustrations on nearly every page, the Desmond Cole Ghost Patrol chapter books are perfect for emerging readers.

Coleman Handbook Highlight

Coleman Elementary School Handbook English

Coleman Elementary School Handbook Spanish

Student Attendance Review Board (SARB)

Attendance plays an important role in student success. We want to partner with families to ensure their students attend school. As a school and district, we take a few measures to communicate with families when their students are missing significant amounts of school.

Legally, we are required to inform you if your child is at risk for truancy or may be considered truant. The California Education Code Section 48260 and Board Policy 5113.1 defines truancy as follows:

“(a) A pupil subject to compulsory full-time education or to compulsory continuation education who is absent from school without a valid excuse three full days in one school year or tardy or absent for more than a 30-minute period during the school day without a valid excuse on three occasions in one school year, or any combination thereof, shall be classified as a truant and shall be reported to the attendance supervisor or to the superintendent of the school district.”

Important Resources, Links & PTO Weekly Newsletter

Marin County Events and Resource page - A Google Sheet containing Immigration Resources and Upcoming Events
25-26 Bell Schedule

The Weekly Wrap - the Coleman PTO Weekly Newsletters

Important Dates and Upcoming Events

Coleman Family Google Calendar HERE

Monday, October 20-Friday, October 24: United Against Hate Week
Monday, October 20, from 5-6 pm on Zoom: SSC https://srcs-org.zoom.us/j/84637984594?jst=2
Friday, October 24, from 4:30-9 pm: Trunk or Treat
Tuesday, October 28: Life touch Picture Day Make up
Friday, October 31, from 2:20-2:45 pm: Coleman Halloween Parade
Saturday, November 1, from 3:30-5:30 pm: Dia de Los Muertos Celebration and parade in the Canal at the Albert J. Boro Community Center.
Wednesday, November 5, from 6-7 pm: PTO Monthly Meeting - https://srcs-org.zoom.us/j/97517282664
Tuesday, November 11: No School -Veterans Day

SRCS Bond Project Updates

SRCS Bond Project - Coleman Elementary

PROJECTED SCHEDULE

Construction Start: 6/16/25

Completion: 9/19/25

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The project will modernize the kindergarten and upper-grade play areas, improving overall campus functionality. The New Kindergarten play yard will feature a brand-new play structure designed to stimulate young children, surrounded by protective surfacing. A designated shade structure will also be built for the kindergarten lunch area. The upper-grade playground will receive new play equipment. Both playgrounds will include new AC paving and playground striping. Campus-wide enhancements will include a large shade structure with picnic tables in the main lunch area, the

addition of bio-retention areas and associated landscaping, and a new marquee at the front of the campus to improve visibility and communication.

PROJECT UPDATE

The project has reached substantial completion, with the contractor focusing this past week on

addressing minor punch list items. However, the project scope has been expanded to include three new areas of work: Revising the drainage system between the play yards; removing a fire hydrant located in the main play area and

installing playground fencing around the bioretention area. The drainage revision and fire hydrant removal are scheduled to commence on Saturday, October 18th, and are expected to be completed within a week and a half. Installation of the fencing will be scheduled upon the complete fabrication of the new fence.