Andrew’s Letter

Dear families,

Over the past year, we have been immersed in the process of reflection on our strengths, our opportunities, and our goals as a school. From the completion of our comprehensive self-study for our California Association of Independent Schools re-accreditation, to the development of a new strategic plan in the months to come, significant time and energy has been invested in defining and articulating the benefits of an MP&MS education. Marin Primary & Middle School is at a decisive time in its history, and as we approach our 45th year, there is so much to honor and to celebrate about our connections, our community, and our curriculum. In this issue of Footsteps Magazine, you will read about some of the special events that build connections in our community, from Bookfest, to Horse Hill Community Service Day, to Grandparents & Special Friends Day, to Harvest Festival, to Family Fun Festival, to the Rock the Boat Auction & Celebration. Our community is welcoming and inclusive, and these gatherings provide not just a joyful experience, but an opportunity to build meaningful relationships among parents, students, faculty, and staff. A special section about the key features of fourth grade provides a window into the experience of the students who serve as role models and leaders in the primary school. Fourth grade teachers Gray and Kristine have established a rich, exciting, and challenging academic program for their students, and this section shines a spotlight on some of the most noteworthy elements of life in fourth grade. In the curriculum section, academic highlights from across divisions underscore our robust, varied, and challenging program. MP&MS students don’t just learn about topics of study in a compartmentalized way; they learn how to learn by making connections, making mistakes, solving problems, and building resilience. When students know how to advocate for themselves, they are set up for success. The curriculum highlights featured in this issue offer a glimpse at some of the ways MP&MS students develop a love of learning. With an alumni story about being courageous, to a faculty reflection on professional development, to donor profiles about the importance of charitable giving, there is so much to share in this issue of Footsteps. Finally, it is with deep gratitude that I share news of the upcoming retirements of our beloved Donna and Steve Fanfelle, both of whom have given so much to the MP&MS community for the past 40 years. I invite you to read their reflections and to join us as we celebrate their tenure at our festivities on June 6, 2020.

Take care,