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Venetia Valley TK-8 School

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The dates are as follows:

January 7th 2026

January 21st 2026

February 4th 2026

February 11th 2026

February 25th 2026

Enroll Now: 2026-27 TK & Kindergarten

Transitional Kindergarten and Kindergarten registration for new students is OPEN for the upcoming 2026-27 school year! To be considered for neighborhood school placement, completed registration packets are due by March 2.

  • TK Eligibility: Four-years-old on or before Sept. 1, 2026
  • Kindergarten Eligibility: Five-years-old on or before Sept. 1, 2026

Learn More and Enroll

📣 ❗️ APRIL NEWSLETTER 🌼

Venetia Valley
APRIL NEWSLETTER
                                                     

Principal’s Message

Hello Venetia Valley Families,

7 Period Day- Middle School 

I am excited to share that Venetia Valley will be transitioning to a 7-period day for our middle school students beginning in the 2026–2027 school year. A draft of the bell schedule is included below for your review.

VV Schedule

This has been a thoughtful and collaborative process, and I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to our parents, middle school teachers, and district leadership partners for their input in shaping a schedule that best meets the needs of our students. Thoughtful conversations are being had now about how Social-Emotional Learning will take place within General Education classes, as the new schedule will no longer contain an advisory period. While SEL lesson delivery may look a bit different, I remain committed to ensuring our students receive appropriate SEL curriculum in order to develop well-rounded students.

We are especially excited to expand our elective offerings next year. Potential additions include Spanish, Orchestra, Choir, and an expanded Art program (pending hiring and staffing). These opportunities will provide students with greater access to enrichment during the school day and help foster a deeper connection to our school community. More details about elective selection will be shared once staffing is finalized.

VV Egg Hunt, April 1st 4pm-5pm

Back by popular demand, our PTA Board is excited to welcome all families to campus for our annual Egg Hunt on Wednesday, April 1st, from 4:00–5:00 PM.

Refreshments will be available for purchase starting at 3:30 PM, and the front gates will open promptly at 4:00 PM for our egg hunters. Be sure to bring your basket and join in the fun!

P.S. Keep an eye out—there may be some special prizes for those who find a “Golden Egg”!

Parking Reminder and Drop-Off Lane Safety

Thank you to everyone who continues to prioritize the safety of all students during drop-off and pick-up. We recognize that congestion in the drop-off lane can be challenging, and we truly appreciate your patience and care when navigating campus.

If you are in a rush, we encourage you to use the Civic Center parking lot for quick drop-off. Staff members are present to help monitor students and ensure a safe process. Please also note that traffic is typically heaviest around 8:55 AM—arriving just a few minutes earlier can help you avoid delays.

Heads Up Carnival April 25th @ 11am, San Rafael HS

The Heads Up Carnival is right around the corner, and Venetia Valley is excited to once again be part of this wonderful community event.

Following last year’s success, we will be selling diced fruit cups again! In the coming days, we will send out a request for:

  • Volunteers to help peel and chop fruit the morning of the event

  • Volunteers to help prepare and distribute fruit cups during the event

For now, please save the date and plan to join us as we celebrate alongside families from across San Rafael City Schools.

A special thank you to Ms. Mary from ELAC, and Jessy, Kevin, and Samantha from our PTA Board for their leadership in organizing this effort.

Open House- May 19st @ 6PM

Please also mark your calendars for Open House on May 19th at 6:00 PM. This will be a wonderful opportunity to visit your child’s classroom and see the incredible growth they have made throughout the year.

Our students are already hard at work preparing projects and are excited to welcome you into their classrooms. PTA will also be offering food and refreshments toward the end of the event.

In partnership, 

-Mr. O

 
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL'S UPDATE
  

 Your Language is a Superpower!

 Hello, amazing families! We want to celebrate the special way our students  speak, play, and learn.

 In our school, we use a plan called SEAL and the most recent research on    language learning. These help us see that every language is a gift. We          have students in our Dual Language classes working to become bilingual    in Spanish and English. We also have students in our Structured English        Immersion classes who are mastering English while keeping their home        languages strong.

 Our classrooms are filled with the rich sounds of Spanish, English,       Vietnamese, Russian, and Mayan languages (like Mam or Kʼicheʼ). Whether   you are teaching your child your first language or helping them learn       Spanish or English as a second one, you have exactly what they need to     be a great student!

 What is "Translanguaging"?

 "Translanguaging" is a big word for something very natural. It means using    all the words you know to understand the world.

 Think of your child’s brain like a giant toolbox. English is one tool. Spanish    is another. Vietnamese, Russian, or a Mayan language are tools, too! When   they use all their tools together, they can build much bigger ideas. Your     child isn't "confused" when they mix languages—they are being extra     smart.

 How Your Language Helps with Reading and Writing

 You might wonder: "If we speak our home language, will it hurt my child's   English?" The answer is a loud NO! In fact, it helps them read and write   better. Here is why:

  • Big Ideas Stay the Same: If a child understands a "cycle" in Russian or a "tradition" in a Mayan language, they already understand the idea. They just need to learn the new label for it in English or Spanish.

  • Strong Talkers Become Strong Writers: When you tell stories or jokes in the language you know best, you are teaching your child how stories work. This makes them much better at writing at school.

  • Confidence is Key: When children feel proud of their family’s roots, they feel smarter and work harder.

 

 Try These "Language Power" Activities!

 Here are three quick ways you can help your child use their "superpower"   this week:

  1. The "Cognate" Hunt: Many words in Spanish and English look almost the same (like familia and family). Can you find words in Vietnamese, Russian, or your Mayan language that sound like English or Spanish words?

  2. Story Time in Your Strongest Voice: Tell a story about your childhood. Use your most comfortable language. Ask your child to tell the story back to you using whatever words they know.

  3. The Expert Interview: Ask your child to teach you a word they learned in their Dual Language or Structured English Immersion class today. Then, teach them that same word in your home language. This shows them that being a "bridge-builder" between languages is a special skill. 

 I had the joy of visiting our Kindergarteners this morning, and the room    was buzzing with excitement! They were discovering the     word "magnificent." It was a beautiful sight to see them try it out. It rolled     off of their tongues, felt fun in their mouths, and sounded like music to           their ears. They smiled and giggled as they played with ways to use the        new word. Whether they were calling a drawing "magnificent" or describing  a friend, they were building a bridge between their worlds with joy.

DEAN OF STUDENTS' DETAILS

Vigilant Parent Workshop

Please join us for the “Vigilant Parent Workshop” on Thursday, April 30th presented by the Marin Sheriff’’s Department. This workshop helps families learn how to protect their children from online dangers and to be an active participant in their online activities. 

 

Families will learn about:

  • Basic social media and technology how-tos

  • Trends in youth social media use  

  • How to navigate and customize security settings for popular social media apps

  • Knowing how to talk to their child about protecting themselves online

  • The dangers of apps that are designed for its users to hide what they are sharing or receiving.

 

We only have 20 spaces in this valuable workshop. Please rsvp to the Family Center as soon as possible to save a spot. This event is for parents/guardians, not their students.

   

COUNSELORS' CORNER

Hi Families!

Life can be a rollercoaster of big feelings—for both kids and adults. To help navigate those ups and downs, we’d love to tell you about our upcoming Wellness Workshop in the Family Center.  

We will be diving into the world of Regulating Emotions. We’ll chat about what emotional regulation is and what this actually looks like (it’s more than just "staying calm"!)  We will also share practical, everyday strategies you can use to help your child manage their moods and build resilience.

Whether you're dealing with toddler-sized tantrums or pre-teen mood swings, come grab a coffee and connect with other parents. We’re all in this together!

We will let you know the date and time soon.

In partnership, 

Mariya Cree K, 2, 4, 6, 8 School Counselor

Barbra Katz 1, 3, 5, 7 School Counselor 

 
 
GARDEN UPDATE
VV Garden Day
SCHOOL NEWS

Happy April Venetia Valley Falcons!

 

Independent Studies

Please note that NO Independent Study contracts submitted will be approved by the district. If your child is absent for more than 10 consecutive days, they will be disenrolled from the school.

 

Attendance

If your child will not be attending school, please contact the Main Office directly on the morning of the absence at 415-492-3150, and provide the student’s name and the reason for the absence.

When a Child Should Stay Home: 

  • Fever (typically 99°F or higher) — stay home until fever is gone without fever-reducing medication and symptoms are improving.
     

  • Vomiting or diarrhea — remain home while symptoms are active and usually until 24 hours after symptoms stop.

When a Child Can Return to School:

  • Fever-free without fever-reducing medicine for at least 24 hours and symptoms improving.
     

  • Vomiting/diarrhea resolved (typically 24 hours after last episode).
     

  • For diagnosed contagious diseases (like strep throat, pertussis, etc.), return may be allowed after appropriate treatment and medical advice.

***After 3 absences, a medical note will be required to excuse the absences***

Please return any medical, dental, or other appointment notes to the Main Office as soon as possible. These notes ensure that your child’s absence is officially excused and help us maintain accurate attendance records.

Thank you for helping us support your child’s education by keeping their attendance up to date!

Technology: Chromebooks

  • If your child is experiencing difficulties with their Chromebook and/or internet access, please visit the Main Office. It is crucial that all student Chromebooks are up to date and functioning properly to support academic success.

First-time repairs are free. After that, the following charges apply:

  • $95 — Replacement screen
     

  • $325 — Replacement Chromebook
     

  • $30 — Replacement charger

Head Lice Guidance

CDPH has released guidance for the care of children found to have head lice. The transmission of head lice in the classroom setting is low, CDPH recommends that children should not be excluded from the classroom based on finding head lice or nits. For more resource see below:

 
Instructional Coaches Update
 
 
 

Free Library

The Marin County Public Library is a great, FREE resource with:

VISIT ANY OF THE 12 LOCATIONS 

*FIND INFORMATION IN SPANISH HERE or change your browser language settings to Spanish for the above links.
 
 
Community Liaison's Updates
 

Free English Classes in Canal Alliance:

Free Library

Citizenship Classes:

Classes PosterClasses Poster

Basic Digital Literacy Classes: 

Classes Poster

Hello Venetia Valley Falcons,

 

ELAC Meeting Tuesday 04/21 at 6pm:

 

Classes PosterDELAC MEETING Thursday 16th at 6:00pm by zoom

 

Headsup Carnival Saturday 25th at 11:00am - 3:00pm

 

San Rafael City School , te invita a una serie el miércoles 1 de Abril a las 6:pm, donde se tocará el tema para :

 

         TIPOS DE DISCIPLINA Y COMPORTAMIENTOS

 

Classes Poster

 

WALK & ROLL / APRIL 1ST

 

Walk and Roll

AIM HIGH Summer Program 



 

Aim High Poster

WALK & ROLL / APRIL 15,22,29 and MAY 6


Walk and Roll

 
 

Family Center Updates!

 
Upcoming Events!

Egg Hunt 4/1-

As Mr. Oseguera mentioned, we are having our egg hunt on 4/1! Thank you to everyone who donated all the materials to ensure we have enough eggs and candies for this event. If you’d like to volunteer during the event, please call the front office or family center and we’ll let you know where we need the support.

Book Fair 4/3-

During lunchtime, we will be holding a schoolwide book fair in the family center for students to come and choose any books they’d like for free! We will also have fun activities for the students to do, and some may come with prizes as well👀. If you’d like to volunteer we are looking for 2-3 parents to come and help out during the event. Please call the family center to let us know if you’d like to help out during this fun event.

HeadsUp Carnival 4/25-

Families! Once again Venetia Valley will be participating in the annual HeadsUp Carnival. We will need the support to make sure our stand runs as smoothly as possible. Included in this newsletter will be a link to a form if you’re interested in helping out. They will work in 2 hour rotations as follows:

10:30-12:30

12:30-2:30

2:30-4:30

If you’re interested please fill out this form included hereGoogl form. Thank you!

Falcon 5K- 5/9-

It’s that time of the year again for the Falcon 5K! This year we will have the Kona Ice truck for those who’d like something refreshing after the long run. As well, we are looking for volunteers to be along the track making sure runners know where to go, and encouraging them during the event. We also need support in the setup, registration, and clean up. If you’d like to help please call the family center to let us know, and be on the lookout for more posts regarding this event. Thank you!

City of San Rafael After School Enrichment Activities

Venetia Valley families! The City of San Rafael is now hosting some of their after school activities here at our school, but it’s not too late to join if you are still interested in signing your student up. Please reach out to the Family Center team to see which activities still have spots available for sign up/any questions you may have beforehand. You can call us at 415-496-0226 and our extensions are as follows:

Jesse Ochoa- ext: 2070

Rosa Flores- ext: 2049

Kim Mazariegos- ext: 2007

 

IMPORTANT DATES

4.1.26
  • Walk and Roll
  • Egg Hunt
4.3.26
  • 1st and 5th Grade Gallery Walk
  • Book Fair
4.6.26-4.10.26
  • Spring Break no school!
4.15.26
  • Walk and Roll
4.16.26
  • DELAC Meeting
4.21.26
  • ELAC Meeting
4.22.26
  • Walk and Roll 
4.24.26
  • Middle School Dance 
4.25.26
  • HeadsUp Carnival @ San Rafael High School
4.29.26
  • Walk and Roll
4.30.26
  • Vigilant Parent Presentation

 

A building with a white facade under a clear blue sky.
A young girl holding onto yellow handlebars outdoors.
Children are seated at a table in a classroom or activity center.
A teacher kneels by a student to help them at their desk.
Two children smile at the camera in a brightly lit room.
Two young children smile at the camera indoors.
A person is drawing a mountain scene.
A teacher interacts with a group of young children in a classroom setting.
Children are focused on an activity at a table.
A pair of individuals stand close together, appearing to be in a friendly setting.
A young person smiles in a classroom setting.
A young girl smiles at the camera, wearing a pink shirt.
Modern building with a white facade and a blue sky background.
A classroom with desks and chairs, viewed from a distance.
Children sit at a table in a brightly lit classroom.
Students sit at desks in a classroom, facing forward.
Children playing a game on a grassy field on a sunny day.
A person wearing a dark hoodie sits outdoors, looking at the camera.
A classroom with desks and chairs, ready for students.
A group of people, including children, sit together indoors.

WELCOME TO VENETIA VALLEY

Our Values: Equity, Community and Joy

Thank you for visiting our school website. We hope you find the information provided here useful. For those of you that have selected Venetia Valley as your school of choice, we thank you! We cannot express how excited we are to have the opportunity to provide your child with an amazing educational experience! Our teachers and staff work tirelessly to ensure our Falcons are receiving a world class education as we implement 21st century learning. Venetia Valley is a school where all are accepted for who they are and where we do everything we can to ensure they reach their desired aspirations. Parents, guardians and families take a leap of faith in us everyday with the belief that our staff are exceeding the needs of our students. For that, we are humbled and honored to live up to that expectation and we will continue to strive for excellence. 

VV Leap program kids with staff.

Families are encouraged to visit our Venetia Valley After School Programming – LEAP page from our partner at Bay Area Community Resources (BACR). On the LEAP page, you’ll be able to see the highlights of our program, what we offer and how to enroll! Simply click on the LINK HERE to access the webpage directly!

 

2025-26 School Plan for Student Achievement (SPSA)

Our School Plan for Student Achievement (SPSA) is our guiding document that outlines our goals for meeting our student’s academic and social emotional needs. This document is created in collaboration with our School Site Council. For full details, please click on the link to view the full  2025-2026 SPSA .

Our School Vision

Venetia Valley is a community school where students, families and staff are celebrated for who they already are and are supported in every way to become all that they aspire to be.
 

Young girl with her hand raised.

Academic Excellence

At Venetia Valley, we believe ALL students can learn at high levels. We are dedicated to providing a rigorous and comprehensive educational experience for both dual language Spanish immersion and English only pathways that challenges and nurtures the intellect of every student.

Young boy using a laptop to video chat.

Innovation & Future Readiness

We embrace innovation as a catalyst for educational excellence and future readiness by providing a 1:1 digital device experience for all of our students in 2nd – 8th grade. Students in TK engage in a “Play to Learn” model, empowing students to have agency and students in primary grades (K-1) are exposed to digital literacy.

Girl wearing hijab using a computer.

Equity & Inclusion

We are committed to providing equitable opportunities for all students, valuing and celebrating their diverse backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives. ALL are welcome at Venetia Valley and are honored for being themselves.

School Site Council Meetings - Agendas

Venetia Valley’s School Site Council meets quarterly to provide feedback in the creation of our School Plan for Student Achievement (SPSA) and other schoolwide activities. If you are interested in participating in school site council, we welcome you to attend our meetings!

Currently, SSC Meetings are held in the Family Center and are scheduled as follows:

September 30, 2025

October 28, 2025

December 16, 2025

January 27, 2026

March 10, 2026

May 12, 2026 

Click on the link here for the running AGENDA for each meeting!