MVMS Panther Pride - March 15, 2026
Wonderful Panthers,Mark your calendars! The Cabaret is performing Matilda, Jr. is week. Evening performances are Wednesday - Friday at 6:30pm. The Cabaret is partially funded by Kiddo!
If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at kkriss@mvschools.org. You are always welcome to make an appointment to meet with me, also.
Thank you,
Kelly Kriss, Principal
Bell Schedule for This Week
What's Happening
3/18 Matilda at 6:30pm
3/19 Matilda at 6:30pm
3/20 Matilda at 6:30pm
Check out the Sports Calendar HERE
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 are available at the door. Suggested donation (cash or check), $20 for adults, $10 for kids/students. The show is approximately 80 minutes long.
Cell Phone and Watch Reminder
Just a friendly reminder, cell phones can be used outside of the building until 8:30am. The building opens for students at 8:15am. Cellphones and watches need to be turned off and in your backpack upon entering the building. Thank you!
Neighborhood Update
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. Illegal bike jumps are being made and used. There is great concern around youth safety, privacy of the residents, and fire safety. Thank you for whatever you can do to help resolve this issue, especially if you know any of the bike riders.
MCOE Resources
| Upcoming Trainings for Families |
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It Takes A Village (ITAV)
Please see our website here for ways you can support us. We are still below our participation goal for the year, and we truly appreciate any way you can support. It goes to great use, and the staff and PTSA Board are so grateful for this community!
Raising the Bar
Raising the Bar, a program of Marin Healthy Youth Partnerships works in collaboration with Marin Prevention Network, Marin County Office of Education, Marin Health and Human Services, Marin schools, youth sports teams and organizations and other local community based organizations. Together, we aim to shift norms around substance use and encourage healthy choices by promoting positive adult role modeling. To learn more, please visit rtbmarin.org or email lisa@mhyp.org.
Kiddo!
PTSA, Kiddo!, and MVSD work closely together to maintain educational excellence for our students. Kiddo! plays a vital role by fully funding arts education, and this year, we stepped up to provide crucial additional funding to protect elementary counseling and add STEM electives at MVMS. These essential programs rely entirely on the generosity of our community; without your donations, the salaries for these dedicated teachers and the programs they lead would simply not be covered, and these opportunities would vanish. If you haven't yet, please consider making a tax-deductible donation to Kiddo! today at a level meaningful to your family. Every single dollar directly supports our students by ensuring these high-quality, essential programs continue. www.kiddo.org
Superintendent's Report
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.
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
Feel free to reach out to any of our administration:
Kelly Kriss, Principal, kkriss@mvschools.org
Melanie Harris, Assistant Principal, mharris@mvschools.org
Rob Celli, Dean, rcelli@mvschools.org