Community Updates

The health and well-being of our school community is our highest priority and we are actively monitoring the latest information regarding the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

This page provides information and resources for MCDS families and will be updated as the situation evolves.

Planning for the 2020-21 School Year

Marin Health and Human Services (MHHS) and Marin County Office of Education (MCOE) released a set of health and safety guidelines that make it possible for schools to reopen with all students on campus.

Based on these guidelines, MCDS is preparing to have students on campus this fall, and will work towards having all students back five days a week, however, only if we can do so safely.

The health and safety of our community is our primary concern. Until there is a vaccine, any scenario where students are on campus includes use of face coverings, regular hand washing, and social distancing protocols. We continue to develop alternate hybrid and distance learning models so that we can be prepared and adaptable should conditions change in the months ahead.

We will share our final decision on opening campus, along with details on key logistics, by early August.

COVID-19 Resources

Cleaning and Safety Recommendations

Cleaning and Safety Recommendations

Curated Resources and Activities for Students!

We've put together an amazing list of online resources and activities for your kids, you check out the list here!

Social and Emotional Support for Kids: Parent Questions and Tips

Margie, Nell and Darlene have answered the questions submitted by parents prior to their Zoom session and have compiled them, along with dozens of helpful parent tips, into a single resource for families. You can find the Q&A and tips here.

Helpful Links for Families

Media-Related Links

Common Sense Media

Child Mind Institute:

Helping Those In Need

How to Talk to Kids About the Coronavirus

National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN):

Non-MCDS Webinars & Parent Ed

We often receive information from other schools and organizations about webinars or parent ed offerings related to the COVID-19 crisis. We will share those offerings with you here.

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Latest News on: Cancellations/Postponements

3/25/20

SF Unified School District and Marin County Office of Education, along with other Bay Area school districts, plan to remain closed through May 1, 2020. MCDS will follow the direction of our public school districts and public health officials and our campus will remain closed until at least May 4. Distance learning will continue during this time.

Please see below for an update on upcoming school events. If an event does not appear below, we are still assessing how we can postpone it or offer an alternative option. We will let you know as soon as we have more information.

13 April: Parent/Guardian - Teacher Conferences - canceled. We will be in touch about options for you to touch base with your students’ teachers as soon as we have an updated plan.
17 April: 7th Grade Social--canceled or postponed.
21 April: 7th Grade Parent High School Information Night--We offer this session remotely, with details to follow.
29 April: SSAT for 7th Grades---This will not be offered at MCDS, and we will follow up with details on options per the SSAT.
25 April: Community Dinner Dance - event canceled. IT fundraising will continue. Details to be announced.
30 April - 1 May: Walker Creek - canceled.
1 May: 5th Grade Social- canceled or postponed.

3/16/20

Due to the shelter in place order for Bay Area counties that is currently in effect, the MCDS campus will remained closed through April 10. However, given the fluidity of the situation, it is possible campus will be closed for longer.

Parent Teacher conferences scheduled for April 13 will be held via teleconference, if needed.

Please continue to check email and this page for updates.

3/13/20

3/12/20

3/11/20

As of March 11, here are the latest updates on non-essential activities and programs that we are changing or canceling in order to support social distancing.

Athletic Games/Matches: CANCELED until further notice. After school practices for MCDS teams continue as normal.
18 and 19 March - Parent Teacher Conferences: If school has not been closed because of COVID-19, we will have conferences as normal. If school is closed, we are working on teleconference options.
19 March - 7th/8th Grade Play: CANCELED evening performance for families. Students will still perform for their peers, and we will video the performance and share it with you.

3/10/20

The following school events have been postponed or cancelled:

10 March - Banyan 1st grade trip to the SF Creativity Museum - POSTPONED
11 March - 7th Grade Community Engagement Day - CANCELLED
12 March - 1st Grade Curriculum Share - POSTPONED
12 March - 4th Grade Gold Country - CANCELLED / RESCHEDULE IF POSSIBLE
17 March - Mathletes Competition - MCDS will not send a team
17 March - Community Event: Janet Daijogo in Conversation with David Sheff - POSTPONED

These March Community Ed events have also been cancelled:

16 March - Climate Change and Our Kids: What the Science Tells Us (sponsored by SPEAKSF)
24 March - How Understanding the World of Boys Today Can Support Healthy Masculinity Tomorrow (MCDS)
30 March - How Shifting Our Food Culture is One of the Best Ways We Can Support Our Kids to Thrive (MCDS)

Shoutout to Justin and all of our teacher heroes!

FAQ's

What can I do to keep my family healthy?

Be sure to take the following precautions to prevent the spread of colds, flu and infectious diseases, including the coronavirus:

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
Stay home when you are sick.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.

Also, please help us by keeping children at home if they are sick or have flu-like symptoms. We require at least 24 hours fever-free without medications before a child can return to school.

Should my family inform the school of any spring break travel plans?

Please be sure to inform the school if you are planning spring break travel abroad or domestic travel to areas where there have been recent outbreaks. The International Travel Form can be found here.

If you have traveled to any of the affected areas and believe you are exhibiting symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat), seek medical care as soon as possible and inform our School Nurse Karen Bond.

We recommend families make informed decisions regarding travel by following travel advisories and directives from the World Health Organization, CDC, and other governmental organizations.

Following recommendations from the CDC, any student or faculty/staff member who travels to a country designated by the CDC as a "Warning Level 3" area will be subject upon their return to a 14-day period of self-isolation away from school.

Presently, China, South Korea, Italy and Iran are designated Level 3. If your family will be traveling to an "Alert–Level 2" country (check CDC's website for updates), we are suggesting that you seriously consider your plans in the event that country is elevated to Level 3 status at a later time.

What happens if MCDS has to close due to COVID-19?

A school closure would occur if determined by Marin Health and Human Services in consultation with Marin County Office Education. This may require that school be closed for up to 14 days or more, depending on the timing of the exposure.

We will notify families of a school closure via AlertMCDS, our school-wide emergency notification system.

During a school closure, all school events, such as field trips, athletics (including away games), performances, community education speakers, etc. will be canceled or rescheduled if possible.

All campus facilities will go through a deep cleaning, and all employees, students, and families must remain off campus until school is reopened.

How will families be notified of a school closure?

Is there a plan to provide learning opportunities for students during an extended school closure?

Our teachers will ensure educational continuity for students during a school closure through technology tools, online resources, unplugged learning exercises, and regular communication to students and their families.

Teachers will:

Communicate with LS families via email at least three times a week.
Communicate with US students via email or Google Classroom at least three times a week.
Expect 6th-8th graders to transport chromebooks to and from school daily, and keep them charged at home as usual.
Provide learning opportunities to maintain students’ growth in all areas of our academic program.

While our teachers are very creative and resourceful, they will not be able to replicate all classroom experiences such as group discussions, collaborative projects, science labs, etc. Teachers do not expect students to have access to printers or scanners, and therefore work will not necessarily be assessed or graded until students return to school.

If you do not have access to the internet at home, or your 1st-5th grader does not have a device at home to use for distance learning, you can make arrangements for your child to bring home their school device. To initiate that process, contact the MCDS Tech Department.