San Marin Sun - October 25, 2026
Posted Date: 10/25/26 (09:00 AM)
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Novato, CA · Home of the Mustang Way
San Marin Sun
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| Week of October 26, 2026 | Vol. 3 · No. 11 |
Our Mission
San Marin is committed to an environment that promotes critical thinking, a culture of support and wellness, optimal learning, and successful outcomes for all students.
Our Vision for Student Learning
At San Marin, every student is greeted by name and heard, reasons aloud with classmates through problems they cannot solve alone, drives their own thinking and revision, and leaves San Marin ready to think, contribute, and lead.
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🎓 Aeries 🔔 Bell Schedule 📞 Report Absence 🏆 Athletics 🎭 Performing Arts 🔬 STEM Marin 🤝 PTSA 📣 Sports Boosters
From Principal Boone
The Sun shines bright again this week. It is a big issue, with more of the improvements you asked for. Please take your time with it, so you can see our work and our progress. If you read the Sun each week and have followed the improvements to our newsletter, please drop me a line and tell me what you think. You can reach me at aboone@nusd.org.
What a Homecoming week. We had the parade on Grant Avenue Thursday night, Homecoming football against Windsor on Friday, and the dance in the gym on Saturday. Friday's game did not turn out the way we hoped, and we move on. Congratulations to Julia MacDonald and Bryce Nottingham, chosen by their classmates and crowned Homecoming royalty at halftime. The Homecoming vibe was strong all week.
We sold more than 600 tickets to the dance, and it was a smashing success. I wish you could have seen the smiles.
Thank you to Novato Toyota for loaning us a truck for the parade, and a shout out to NUSD Board President Magali Limeta and Trustees Abbey Picus, Diane Gasson and Debbie Butler, who rode in it with us. Thank you to our parent volunteers and Thursday's parade cleanup crews. A special shout out to Liz Lloyd and our ASB students, including the dance planning teams. They handled a very busy week with energy and care: spirit days, the parade, the rally, the crowning, and the dance. Thank you.
Last week I wrote that we wanted to leave downtown cleaner than we found it. We did. Thank you to the staff who came out to the parade and stayed to help clean up. Changing a school's culture means naming our values and then living them. An organization's culture is its values multiplied by its behaviors. What we actually do, and how we spend our time, are what count. Leaving Grant Avenue cleaner than we found it is one more sign that our culture at San Marin is changing for the better.
Don't miss The Mustang Way section below, with a cool update on how our Upstanders are working with Sinaloa Middle School. There is more data this week in the WASC section, too.
What a Homecoming week. We had the parade on Grant Avenue Thursday night, Homecoming football against Windsor on Friday, and the dance in the gym on Saturday. Friday's game did not turn out the way we hoped, and we move on. Congratulations to Julia MacDonald and Bryce Nottingham, chosen by their classmates and crowned Homecoming royalty at halftime. The Homecoming vibe was strong all week.
We sold more than 600 tickets to the dance, and it was a smashing success. I wish you could have seen the smiles.
Thank you to Novato Toyota for loaning us a truck for the parade, and a shout out to NUSD Board President Magali Limeta and Trustees Abbey Picus, Diane Gasson and Debbie Butler, who rode in it with us. Thank you to our parent volunteers and Thursday's parade cleanup crews. A special shout out to Liz Lloyd and our ASB students, including the dance planning teams. They handled a very busy week with energy and care: spirit days, the parade, the rally, the crowning, and the dance. Thank you.
Last week I wrote that we wanted to leave downtown cleaner than we found it. We did. Thank you to the staff who came out to the parade and stayed to help clean up. Changing a school's culture means naming our values and then living them. An organization's culture is its values multiplied by its behaviors. What we actually do, and how we spend our time, are what count. Leaving Grant Avenue cleaner than we found it is one more sign that our culture at San Marin is changing for the better.
Don't miss The Mustang Way section below, with a cool update on how our Upstanders are working with Sinaloa Middle School. There is more data this week in the WASC section, too.
Andy Boone, Principal
The Mustang Way
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THE MUSTANG WAY
Mustang: Así Es Como Somos
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The Mustang Way · Question 10 of 37
Citizenship · Ciudadanía
When did you last speak up for someone?
¿Cuándo fue la última vez que alzaste la voz por alguien?
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When did you last speak up for someone? For our Upstanders, speaking up is a behavior, not just a belief. It is what doing the right thing looks like, and it is a human skill that has never been more important. An Upstander is someone who speaks up when they see or hear something wrong, including racial slurs and hate speech, instead of standing by. San Marin students have trained as Upstanders since 2024, and this fall they presented to every freshman.
This year we moved further upstream. Before school started, our Upstanders trained a group of Sinaloa Middle School eighth graders. Then they presented to every Sinaloa eighth grader, and those eighth graders will teach Sinaloa's sixth graders. Thank you to Caley Keene, who leads this work with Sinaloa counselor Josh Evans, and to the student leaders at both schools. That is the power of the Upstander way: one student speaking up changes what a room accepts.
In September 2025, I told our school board this would happen. It is happening. This is the citizenship we are building at San Marin.
This year we moved further upstream. Before school started, our Upstanders trained a group of Sinaloa Middle School eighth graders. Then they presented to every Sinaloa eighth grader, and those eighth graders will teach Sinaloa's sixth graders. Thank you to Caley Keene, who leads this work with Sinaloa counselor Josh Evans, and to the student leaders at both schools. That is the power of the Upstander way: one student speaking up changes what a room accepts.
In September 2025, I told our school board this would happen. It is happening. This is the citizenship we are building at San Marin.
WASC Self-Study
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25
weeks
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to our WASC visit, April 19 to 21
On Wednesday, October 21, our staff met in WASC committees to answer the self-study questions and add evidence. We will do more WASC work on Thursday, October 29, the minimum day.
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What our surveys say. Since 2021-22, San Marin students, staff and families have answered 12 surveys: the California Healthy Kids Survey, YouthTruth, and the district's annual surveys. We read them together this fall. Here is what the 2025-26 results show.
| The adults are moving · 2024-25 to 2025-26 | |
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72%
from 43%
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Staff reporting a meaningful role in decisions. ▲ Up 29 points |
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69%
from 48%
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Staff seeing a clear direction for our school. ▲ Up 21 points |
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76%
from 57%
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Families comfortable approaching administration. ▲ Up 19 points |
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74%
from 56%
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Families comfortable approaching teachers. ▲ Up 18 points |
Well-being is improving. Juniors reporting chronic sadness fell to 18 percent, from 33 percent in 2021-22, and well under the most recent state figure of 30 percent. Our freshmen reported more sadness and more harassment than our juniors. That is why our Freshman Support Team focuses on ninth graders, and every ninth grader gets Upstander lessons.
Community agreements and circles are spreading
What are community agreements? A class, a team, or a group of staff writes down how its members will treat each other and work together, using the Mustang Way as the guide. Because everyone helps write them, everyone owns them. The adults went first. My weekly leadership cabinet, our Instructional Leadership Team, our whole staff, and our classified (non-teaching) staff have each written community agreements. Now our focus is the classroom: adults first, now students.
26% → 61%
of teachers who have run a circle, end of last year to this fall
What is a circle? Students and their teacher sit facing each other, and a question goes around the room. Every student gets a turn to speak, and everyone listens, the teacher included. The purpose is for every voice to be heard and for students and teachers to know each other. Science and Math are leading the way. Twenty-two teachers have held a second circle so far this year. The teachers who use circles most use them for the class work itself: Monday check-ins, reflections after a concert, and critiques of each other's work.
Why a circle?
The shape is the point. Everyone sits facing each other, with no front of the room and no head of the table, so no one is in a position of power. Many circles pass a talking piece: only the person holding it speaks, and everyone else listens. A keeper, usually the teacher at first and later students, opens the circle, asks the question, and closes it, but does not direct the answers. Before it starts, the group agrees on how its members will treat each other, which is where community agreements come in.
Circles are not new. People around the world have gathered this way for a very long time. Indigenous peoples, including First Nations and Native American communities in North America and the Māori of New Zealand, have long used circles to build community, make decisions together, and repair harm. These are a few examples among many throughout history. In the Yukon in the early 1980s, First Nations leaders and a territorial judge began bringing peacemaking circles into the justice system, and from there circles spread through restorative justice programs across North America. Schools now use circles as part of restorative practices, an approach built on strong relationships and on repairing harm when it happens. When a class sits in a circle, it is using one of the oldest ways people have built community.
Circles are not new. People around the world have gathered this way for a very long time. Indigenous peoples, including First Nations and Native American communities in North America and the Māori of New Zealand, have long used circles to build community, make decisions together, and repair harm. These are a few examples among many throughout history. In the Yukon in the early 1980s, First Nations leaders and a territorial judge began bringing peacemaking circles into the justice system, and from there circles spread through restorative justice programs across North America. Schools now use circles as part of restorative practices, an approach built on strong relationships and on repairing harm when it happens. When a class sits in a circle, it is using one of the oldest ways people have built community.
In an age of AI, machine intelligence, cell phones, and social media, that matters more, not less. Listening, speaking up, and working through a hard conversation face to face are human skills, and they are skills all of us must be willing to practice.
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Why it matters
28%
of students on the 2025-26 Healthy Kids Survey reported meaningful participation, meaning a real say in what happens in class.
Students do not feel our gains in their classrooms yet. They want a say and adults who know them. Now we bring community agreements and circles into the classroom. In a circle, every student has a say and is heard by classmates and the teacher. That is the first promise in our Vision for Student Learning:
Every student is greeted by name and heard.
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Sources: California Healthy Kids Survey, 2021-22 to 2025-26; YouthTruth, 2018 to 2024; NUSD annual staff and family surveys, 2024-25 and 2025-26; San Marin circles tracker, October 2026; Fisher and Frey, ASCD, 2022; Kay Pranis, The Little Book of Circle Processes; Native American Rights Fund; CBC.
Coming Up
| Mon Oct 26 | Red Ribbon Week at the Wellness Hub. Red Ribbon Week promotes substance use prevention. Monday at lunch, meet Karma Club. Wednesday at lunch, connect with Marin County's Tobacco Prevention Program and make your own squishies. More → Students |
| Tue Oct 27 | Learning Lounge. 4:00 to 5:00 PM in the Library. Drop-in help with academic work, with science support on Tuesdays.Students |
| Wed Oct 28 | College visit: UC Santa Cruz. 1:20 PM. To attend, email vjensen@nusd.org. College of Marin dual enrollment help is also on campus, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, in the College and Career Center. Students |
| Thu Oct 29 | Minimum day. Dismissal at 1:15 PM. No Learning Lounge that day. Families |
| Fri Oct 30 | Second progress report period ends. Teachers then enter progress grades, and grades post in Aeries after that. Families |
| Mon Nov 2 | AP exam orders due. $99 per exam. A $40 late fee per exam applies after this date. How to order is in Counseling and College below. Students |
| Tue Nov 10 | San Marin Rock Band night at HopMonk. HopMonk also hosts an all-day Dine and Donate for Performing Arts. Info and tickets → Families |
| Thu Nov 12 | Blithe Spirit opens. San Marin Drama presents the comedy by Noël Coward. Four performances: Thursday, November 12 and Friday, November 13 at 7:00 PM; Sunday, November 15 at 2:00 PM; and Monday, November 16 at 7:00 PM. Tickets are sold at the door one hour before each show. Details → Families |
| Wed Nov 18 | PTSA General Association meeting. 7:00 PM in the Library. Julie Jacobson of the NUSD Board of Trustees gives an update on the district budget and answers questions. Join the PTSA → Families |
Full district calendar at nusd.org →
STEM Marin
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🎉 STEM Stampede 🎉
SOLD OUT!
Saturday, November 14, 5:00 PM
Indian Valley Golf Course
Thank you, STEM Marin families. See you there.
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🔧 🧬 🎨
Engineering, Biotechnology, and Design Lab (STEAM)
Four-year pathways at San Marin.
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Mark your calendar
| Mon Nov 2 | 8th grade application appointments open. Eighth graders at charter schools, private schools, and schools outside NUSD must schedule an appointment to apply. Schedule → |
| Wed Dec 2 | Chemistry Game Night. 6:00 to 7:30 PM in the STEM Building. STEM Marin chemistry students share board games they built around chemical reactions. Open to the public. |
| Wed Dec 2 | First Animation Film Night. 6:30 PM in the Emily Gates PAC, doors at 6:15. Tenth grade Design Lab students present films on the physics of animation using Newton's laws. Open to the public. |
Math and science tutoring. Peer tutors are at the Thursday Learning Lounge, 4:00 to 5:00 PM in the Library, for any math or science class. Science support is also there on Tuesdays. There is no Thursday session this week because of the minimum day. Students who want science help, or want to become a peer tutor, can use the form.
Science tutoring form →
Science tutoring form →
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Two ways to help
Mentor a senior
Seniors are starting their capstone and research projects. If you work in a STEM or STEAM field, you can mentor a student and give feedback along the way.
Sign up to mentor →Give to the Family Giving Campaign
STEM Marin runs on family giving. A gift of $250 comes with a STEM swag bundle.
Support the STEM Marin Fund →
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The October STEM Marin newsletter features the October STEM Students of the Month.
Read the newsletter →
Subscribe to the newsletter →
Read the newsletter →
Subscribe to the newsletter →
San Marin Performing Arts
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🎭 🎸 🎬
Three programs, one department
Music, Theater, and Technical Arts at San Marin.
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Coming up
| Tue Nov 10 | Rock Band night at Hopmonk, plus an all-day Dine and Donate for Performing Arts. Info and tickets → |
| Thu Nov 12 | Blithe Spirit opens. San Marin Drama, four performances through Monday, November 16. Tickets at the door. Details → |
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Find your rhythm
Music
Students find their voice, build musicianship, and perform together in bands, choirs, and orchestras while exploring classical, jazz, and contemporary music. Learn more →
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Step into the story
Theater
From the first read-through to opening night, students build confidence, creativity, and connection through musical theater, drama, and live performance. Learn more →
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Behind every moment
Technical Arts
Student crews bring every production to life through lighting, sound, sets, props, costumes, stage management, and production support. Learn more →
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Twelve minutes inside the program, made by Starnstruck Media, San Marin Class of 2020.
▶ Watch the video sanmarinperformingarts.org →
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Parent and Family Education
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💬
Let's Talk webinars
From Marin Healthy Youth Partnerships, for middle and high school families. Youth speakers, time for questions, and live Spanish interpretation at every session.
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| Wed Nov 4 |
ADHD and Youth Well-Being 7:00 to 8:30 PM on Zoom |
| Wed Nov 18 |
Fentanyl and Overdose Protection 7:00 to 8:30 PM on Zoom |
| Wed Dec 2 |
The Adolescent Brain 7:00 to 8:30 PM on Zoom |
More parent and family events across Marin, with registration links, are on the county office of education calendar.
Register for Let's Talk → County events calendar →
Counseling and College
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⏰ Deadline: Monday, November 2
AP exam orders are due
Exams are $99 each. After November 2, a $40 late fee applies to each exam. To order: pick up an order form in the Counseling Office, attach a check payable to San Marin High School, select Register for Exam in MyAP (the College Board's AP site), join your teacher's AP Classroom, and return the form and check to Ms. Milani in Counseling.
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Monday, October 26
Freshman presentations
Counselors present to all freshmen in their health and ethnic studies classes: the courses required for graduation, A-G requirements for college admission, resources on campus, and an activity with career interest tools in the California College Guidance Initiative app.
Freshman presentation slides →
Freshman presentation slides →
Wednesday, November 4 and Wednesday, December 9
Financial aid workshops
10,000 Degrees runs online workshops, 5:00 to 7:00 PM, to help families complete the FAFSA, the CADAA (California Dream Act Application), or the 10,000 Degrees Scholarship application. Questions go to FinancialAid@10000degrees.org.
November 4 workshop →
December 9 workshop →
November 4 workshop →
December 9 workshop →
Every week
| Tuesdays | College essay help for seniors. Volunteers from 10,000 Degrees are in the Library from 1:55 to 3:10 PM to help with college essays and Personal Insight Questions (the University of California application essays). Sign-up sheets are in the College and Career Center. |
| Wednesdays | Dual enrollment help. Dual enrollment lets students take college courses while in high school. College of Marin is in the College and Career Center, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, to help with applications and questions. See your counselor to book an appointment, or stop by. |
| Thursdays |
Career exploration. Mr. Glasgow, the Marin County Office of Education career liaison, meets with students about internships, volunteer opportunities, and career exploration. Families and students can join his Remind group for programs and deadlines. Meet with Mr. Glasgow → Join his Remind group → |
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🎓 Senior resources
Senior slides → Senior packet → Brag sheet → Healthcare careers → Counseling Office →
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Athletics
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🏆
Playoff week
Times, opponents and sites may change pending playoff results. Check sanmarinathletics.com before you head out.
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| Mon Oct 26 |
Girls Varsity Golf at NCS D2 Individuals (Vallejo)time to be confirmed · Out all day for qualifiers
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| Tue Oct 27 |
Home Girls Varsity Tennis v Marin Catholic (MCAL Quarterfinal)3:00 PM · Release 2:00
Varsity Cross Country at San Rafael with Marin Catholic4:00 PM · Release 2:30
Boys Varsity Water Polo v Marin Catholic (MCAL Quarterfinal at Archie Williams)4:00 PM · Release 2:00
Girls Varsity Water Polo v Marin Academy (MCAL Quarterfinal at Archie Williams)5:15 PM · Release 3:15
Girls Varsity Volleyball in the NCS first round, opponent and site to be confirmed7:00 PM
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| Wed Oct 28 |
Varsity Flag Football in the NCS first round, opponent and site to be confirmedtime to be confirmed
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| Thu Oct 29 |
Home Freshman Football v Casa Grande6:00 PM
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| Fri Oct 30 |
JV Football at Marin Catholic4:00 PM
Varsity Football at Marin Catholic7:00 PM
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Ten contests this week, two of them at home. Home contests are at San Marin. Student athletes with a release time leave class early that day. Every team, every result, at sanmarinathletics.com →
Around Campus
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San Marin Athletics → Schedules, scores, rosters, and results for every Mustang team. |
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Counseling Office → Course planning, transcripts, college and career, and student support. |
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Yearbook The 2027 San Marin yearbook is on sale, and so are senior ads. Senior ads are due January 31. Order information → En español → |
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The Pony Express → San Marin's student-run newsroom. Campus life, sports, and opinion, written by Mustangs. The paper is entirely self-funded, so subscriptions and donations are what keep it running. Subscribe or donate → |
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Student travel: Japan, June 2028 A teacher-led, ten-day WorldStrides tour of Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima, and more. This is not a school event and not an NUSD board-approved trip. Questions go to mlemieux@nusd.org or rwatson@nusd.org. Trip information → |
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PTSA → New volunteers always welcome. Every hour helps. |
Two home contests this week: girls varsity tennis hosts Marin Catholic in the MCAL quarterfinal Tuesday at 3:00 PM, and freshman football hosts Casa Grande Thursday at 6:00 PM. Playoff times may change, so check sanmarinathletics.com before you go.
Go Mustangs. Go Green & Gold. 🐴
→ School Website → NUSD District → Aeries → Bell Schedule → Report Absence → Counseling → STEM Marin → NUSD Board
San Marin High School · 15 San Marin Drive, Novato, CA 94945 · (415) 898-2121
Attendance: Jacque Baniqued (A to L) · Michelle Guin (M to Z)
Sent via ParentSquare. Drafted and assembled with AI assistance. Every word directed, edited, and approved by Principal Boone.
Attendance: Jacque Baniqued (A to L) · Michelle Guin (M to Z)
Sent via ParentSquare. Drafted and assembled with AI assistance. Every word directed, edited, and approved by Principal Boone.