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Dec 14, 2025 · Neil Cummins Elementary

Neil Cummins Weekly December 14, 2025

UPCOMING DATES

December 17 All School Assembly - NC Gym - 8:30am

December 17 LCMSD School Board Mtg.- at Hall - 12:30pm

December 19 Early dismissal day for all students K -5 - 1:30pm

December 22, 2025 - January 2, 2026 Winter Break - No School

January 5 Classes Resume

January 6 Bond Informational Mtg. - Cove - 10:30am-11:30am

January 7 All School Assembly - NC Gym - 8:30am

January 7 PTO Meeting - Room A1 - 9:15am

January 8 Informational Mtg. - Hall Middle School - 5:00pm-6:00pm

PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE

Hello Neil Cummins Families,

This is our last weekly bulletin until January 4th, and as we wrap up 2025, I want to take a moment to thank you for your continued partnership and support. We had a wonderful Inclusive Schools Week, and I want to express my gratitude to our students and staff for their engagement, openness, and commitment to building a welcoming community for all. As we look forward to next week it will be full of excitement as as we have 2025 come to a close.

Spirit Days Next Week
Wednesday, December 17 — Pajama Day
Come comfy and cozy in your favorite PJs.
Thursday, December 18 — College Day
Rep your favorite college or university gear.
Friday, December 19 — Glam Day / Fancy Friday
End the week in style and dress to impress with your best glam or fancy outfit.

Lastly, I want to wish each of you a joyful holiday season and a happy New Year. May the weeks ahead bring rest, connection, and moments of celebration with family and friends. We look forward to welcoming everyone back in January, refreshed and ready for a great start to 2025.

Sincerely,
Kyle Shaw, Principal

Priority registration for kindergarten and new students for 2026-27 is open from December 1 to January 31 (Click Here)

Hall Prospective Family Tours calling all rising 5th grade families, Hall School Tours are now available. Tours are held about every other Thursday at 9 am. Please take a look at available dates here and sign up to reserve your spot! This is a wonderful opportunity to take a peek inside and preview a day at Hall Middle School. We look forward to having you on campus and supporting the transition to Hall! Go Cougars!!!

Board Updates:

On December 17, 2025 the Board will meet at 12:30 in the Hall Library to conduct the annual organizational meeting. The Board will vote on the first interim budget, bond consultant contracts, and the updated facilities strategic plan. Additionally, the Board will discuss math and literacy intervention, as well as the 2024-25 auditor’s report. The meeting will be live streamed via Zoom (link; passcode - lcmsd). Please know, public comments will only be taken by in person attendees; public comments via Zoom will not be available. We hope to see you there. All agendas can be found here.

SCHOOL & PTO NEWS

Readathon—our month-long celebration of reading and largest PTO fundraiser—is coming January 5–30, 2026.

Our visiting authors will sign books during Readathon Day (Jan. 28). Families may pre-purchase books through Book Passage. These special links allow Book Passage to track our orders, and Book Passage will donate 15% of all Readathon 2026 book purchases back to Neil Cummins. You do not need to pick up the books. Readathon volunteers will collect all pre-ordered books and deliver them directly to classrooms on Readathon Day.

Thank you for supporting our students as they read to soar!

Attention all performers! The Neil Cummins Variety Show will take place on Wednesday, March 11, 2026 from 5:00-8:00pm. There will be a Parent Info Session via Zoom on January 12. Official sign ups will start on January 15th. Much more info to follow. Please save the date!

January Lunch Volunteer Sign-ups are open! Please sign up HERE to help with lunch during the month of January. We would love your help from 11:15am-1:15pm, because as much as we try, we haven't been able to clone ourselves. :) Your support is truly invaluable and helps make sure every student receives their lunch each day. If you're available, we would be grateful for your help. Thank you!

Parent Puberty Talk:

Thank you for joining, Growing Up Together, our parent talk about puberty.

If you missed the live event, the link to the full recording is HERE.

Click HERE to learn about upcoming Parent Education events.

Lunchtime Recess Enrichment Activities

Lunch Games with Coach Arroyo

When? Mondays | 12:20-1:05 PM
Where? The blacktop
What? Fun P.E. games in the gym. (Such as dodgeball, indoor soccer, volleyball, etc.)

Gaelic Football with Neil Cummins Parent Chris Lennon

When? Wednesdays | 12:20-1:05 PM
Where? The blacktop
What? Gaelic football is the most popular sport in Ireland; 80,000 people go to the amateur finals every year in Dublin! See here and here. Chris is Irish and has played and coached Gaelic football his whole life! Thank you, Chris!

Dance with Ms. Ena

When? Thursdays | 12:20-1:05 PM
Where? The blacktop
What? Dance with E.N.A is a cherished local dance studio that many of our students attend. Founder and director Enakshi Vyas will lead weekly sessions for all our students. They will learn fun dance fundamentals and routines across all genres! A great way to get moving at recess.

Learn to Knit with Neil Cummins Parent Lauren Quint

When? Tuesdays & Friday | 12:20-1:05 PM
Where? Music Room
What? Come learn fiber arts! Create friendship bracelets or learn to knit. We have beautiful string and yarn available. Beginners and experienced students in any grade are welcome!

Magic with Mr. Gapinski

When? Friday | 12:20-12:50 PM
Where? Room E2
What? 3rd–5th graders who enjoy (or want to learn!) Magic: The Gathering Join us to play friendly games, learn new strategies, and meet other MTG fans. All experience levels are welcome—beginners too!

Support Our School While You Shop!

The PTO offers several ongoing discounts and givebacks that benefit Neil Cummins throughout the year. These vendors donate a portion of your purchases directly back to our school, helping fund programs like the garden, enrichment, and more.

Minted: Use promo code FUNDRAISENEIL at checkout to enjoy 20% off holiday cards and gifts. 10% of net sales from your order will be donated back to Neil Cummins PTO.
Sports Basement: Become a Basementeer and select Neil Cummins Elementary, you’ll get 10% off, and the school gets 10% back.
Good Eggs: Enter code GoodEggsForNeilCummins at checkout for a 5% giveback.

The Hawks’ Garden

Shopping at Sloat January 2-11? The Hawks’ Garden participates in the Sloat Growing Up Green Fundraiser where any purchases earn 10% back directly for the school garden. Stock up on your winter plants and garden supplies, and help our outdoor classroom grow at the same time! Check out details HERE.

Read all our garden news on the Hawks’ Garden Blog.

SPARK NEWS

Click HERE for volunteer opportunities!

Click HERE to read all about fall fundraising progress, how your dollars support teachers, and what’s coming up!

Click HERE to learn about SPARK Biz Spotlight partner, Flair.

Follow SPARK on Instagram & Facebook to stay up to date with all the latest news, events and opportunities to get involved.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Click HERE for our Community News Page

Larkspur Winter Sports Camp with John Corbolotti Info
Twin Cities Softball Registration Info
Twin Cities Little League Registration Info
Vacation Camps November – May at Marin JCC

58 Mohawk, Corte Madera, CA 94925 | Phone 415-927-6965

The Neil Cummins Weekly is a digital bulletin distributed to the school community each Sunday via email. To submit an article, email Lyn Everly at leverly@lcmschools.org. Articles must be received by Wednesday at 3:00 p.m. in order to be included in the next issue.

Need more information? Contact The Weekly editors or visit one of the following Web sites: Neil Cummins, Larkspur Corte Madera School District,

Neil Cummins PTO or SPARK .

Dec 7, 2025 · Neil Cummins Elementary

Neil Cummins Weekly December 7, 2025

UPCOMING DATES

December 8 Facilities Strategic Planning Meeting, 3:30-5:00 pm, via Zoom

December 10 NC School Tour - 2:30pm-3:30pm

December 10 School Safety Task Force (3:30pm at Hall)

December 12 HOLIDAY STORE!

December 17 All School Assembly - NC Gym - 8:30am

December 17 LCMSD School Board Mtg.- at Hall - 1:00pm

December 19 Early dismissal day for all students K -5 - 1:30pm

December 22, 2025 - January 5, 2026 Winter Break - No School

PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE

Dear Neil Cummins Community,

Next week, we’re proud to join schools across the country in celebrating Inclusive Schools Week. Inclusive Schools Week began in 2001 with the purpose of recognizing the strides schools have made to provide high-quality, inclusive education for all students including those who have been historically marginalized based on disability, culture, language, gender, and more. This week is also a chance for us to reflect on our progress and continue building a community where every learner belongs.

Why Inclusive Schools Week Matters

Schools that embrace inclusion help students build empathy, respect, and understanding.
Belonging is foundational: when students feel valued, they engage more deeply and confidently.
The week reinforces our shared commitment to equity and to nurturing a community where everyone can thrive.

What’s Happening at Neil Cummins

Monday – Kindness Pledge Kickoff
Tuesday – Read Aloud & Kindness Chain
Wednesday – Student Voices & Celebrating Strengths
Thursday – Thank You Cards
Friday – Reflection & Highlights

Our Shared Invitation

Inclusive Schools Week is more than a celebration, it’s a reflection of who we are as a community and the future we’re committed to building. It directly advances the goals of Vision 2036: LCMSD Reimagined by reinforcing our district’s commitment to cultivating belonging, equity, and opportunity for every learner.

Thank you for partnering with us as we work to ensure students feel safe, respected, and valued at Neil Cummins.

With appreciation,

Kyle Shaw, Principal

Quinn Galli, School Counselor

Dani Boozer, Education Specialist

Julie Rhinard, Education Specialist

Priority registration for kindergarten and new students for 2026-27 is open from December 1 to January 31 (Click Here)

Facilities Strategic Plan and Bond: Families are invited to join a Zoom meeting on Monday, December 8, 3:30–5:00 pm to provide feedback and help shape the future of our schools. LCMSD is updating its ten-year Facilities Strategic Plan to reflect new safety needs, rising construction costs, evolving program, athletic and community priorities, and the current condition of our campuses. The District is also exploring a bond extension of the 2000 Measure A authorization and will be seeking input on potential safety, facility, and athletic projects. Dec 8 Meeting Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89150189131

SCHOOL & PTO NEWS

There are still several open spots for December Lunch Volunteer Sign-ups and we need your help! Please click HERE to sign up to help with lunch during the month of December. If you have a little time to spare, your support makes a huge difference in keeping things running smoothly in the lunchroom and ensuring our students receive their lunches. Thank you!

Readathon Coming Soon!

Get ready for Readathon, our month-long celebration of reading and the primary fundraiser for the Neil Cummins PTO! This year’s Readathon runs January 5–30, 2026.

Help support our visiting authors by purchasing a book in advance—each book will be signed by the author during Readathon Day on Wednesday, January 28.

We can’t wait to kick off another inspiring month of reading and community connection. Here’s to a fantastic Readathon 2026!

The holiday store is on Friday, December 12th! All Neil Cummins students will shop for two special adults in their lives. Please send $2 with your child on that day. No child will be turned away due to lack of funds.

We are LOW on donations so far this year. In order to run the store we need almost 1000 items to fill our store. Please bring all donations to the main office as soon as possible. Gently used and cleaned items that could fill categories such as:

Soft goods
Home items—coffee mugs, picture frames, and tumblers
Candles
Hobby zone
Books—hobby and non-fiction needed
Sports! Sports memorabilia
Outdoor equipment
We also accept holiday wrapping paper, tissue paper, and ribbon. Tape and bows galore! Little boxes to wrap gifts in, and gift tags!
We do not accept children’s items, clothes, dirty or broken items.
Please only donate items you wish to receive.

On Friday, please send your child to school with $2 so they can pay for their gifts. Alternatively, you can pay online through Zeffy, the online payment platform for the PTO.

A fire sale will happen directly after school for all remaining gifts. No gift wrapping will be provided. All gifts are $1.

Click HERE to learn about upcoming Parent Education events.

Lunchtime Recess Enrichment Activities

Lunch Games with Coach Arroyo

When? Mondays | 12:20-1:05 PM
Where? The blacktop
What? Fun P.E. games in the gym? (Such as dodgeball, indoor soccer, volleyball, etc.)

Garden Fun with Ms. Natalie

When? Tuesdays | 12:20-1:05 PM (Except the 1st Tuesday of the month)
Where? Garden
What? Activities include helping Ms. Natalie with garden jobs such as watering, planting, harvesting, cutting compost, and hanging out in the garden.

Gaelic Football with Neil Cummins Parent Chris Lennon

When? Wednesdays | 12:20-1:05 PM
Where? The blacktop
What? Gaelic football is the most popular sport in Ireland; 80,000 people go to the amateur finals every year in Dublin! See here and here. Chris is Irish and has played and coached Gaelic football his whole life! Thank you, Chris!

Dance with Ms. Ena

When? Thursdays | 12:20-1:05 PM
Where? The blacktop
What? Dance with E.N.A is a cherished local dance studio that many of our students attend. Founder and director Enakshi Vyas will lead weekly sessions for all our students. They will learn fun dance fundamentals and routines across all genres! A great way to get moving at recess.

Learn to Knit with Neil Cummins Parent Lauren Quint

When? Tuesdays & Friday | 12:20-1:05 PM
Where? Music Room
What? Come learn fiber arts! Create friendship bracelets or learn to knit. We have beautiful string and yarn available. Beginners and experienced students in any grade are welcome!

Magic with Mr. Gapinski

When? Friday | 12:20-12:50 PM
Where? Room E2
What? 3rd–5th graders who enjoy (or want to learn!) Magic: The Gathering Join us to play friendly games, learn new strategies, and meet other MTG fans. All experience levels are welcome—beginners too!

Support Our School While You Shop!

Minted: Use promo code FUNDRAISENEIL at checkout to enjoy 20% off holiday cards and gifts. 10% of net sales from your order will be donated back to Neil Cummins PTO.
Sports Basement: Become a Basementeer and select Neil Cummins Elementary, you’ll get 10% off, and the school gets 10% back.
Good Eggs: Enter code GoodEggsForNeilCummins at checkout for a 5% giveback.

The Hawks’ Garden

Shopping at Sloat January 2-11? The Hawks’ Garden participates in the Sloat Growing Up Green Fundraiser where any purchases earn 10% back directly for the school garden. Stock up on your winter plants and garden supplies, and help our outdoor classroom grow at the same time! Check out details HERE.

Read all our garden news on the Hawks’ Garden Blog.

SPARK NEWS

Click HERE to learn more about volunteer opportunities with SPARK!

Click HERE to read about SPARK fundraising progress, how your dollars support teachers, and what’s coming up.

Click HERE to book your reservation for Photos with Santa at The Village!

Learn about SPARK Biz Partner of the Month, two birds.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Click HERE for our Community News Page

Larkspur Winter Sports Camp with John Corbolotti Info
Twin Cities Softball Registration Info
Twin Cities Little League Registration Info
Vacation Camps November – May at Marin JCC
Ross Valley Lacrosse Club Registration Info
Family Biking Event Information for December 13th

58 Mohawk, Corte Madera, CA 94925 | Phone 415-927-6965

Need more information? Contact The Weekly editors or visit one of the following Web sites: Neil Cummins, Larkspur- Corte Madera School District , Neil Cummins PTO or SPARK .

Dec 2, 2025 · Neil Cummins Elementary
Round 1 of 2026-2027 New Student Enrollment Ends January 31st
Hello LCMSD Community,

Enrollment for new students to LCMSD for the 2026-2027 school year is now open on our district website.

Round 1 of new student enrollment for the 2026-2027 school year will close on January 31st.

Enrolling in Round 1 significantly increases the chance your child is placed in your preferred elementary school (Cove or Neil Cummins), so complete your enrollment now for any students who will be new to LCMSD next school year!

This enrollment process is for students NEW to the district. Students currently enrolled in the district do not need to enroll again - they will automatically be rolled up into the next school year. This includes fifth grade students moving on to Hall Middle School. If your child is currently enrolled and is NOT planning to attend school in LCMSD next year, please complete this Student Exit Survey.

Enrollment Process
Go to the LCMSD Enrollment Website for information about the documents you will need to upload and how to begin the online process. Before enrolling, check your home address against the LCMSD Boundary Street Listing to ensure your address is within the district boundaries. You can also check your property tax statement. If your address does not appear on this list, you are not in the LCMSD boundaries. Click on LCMSD Enrollment Instructions to begin the process. For assistance with the enrollment process, please contact Edith Valencia at evalencia@lcmschools.org or 415.927.6960 ext 4.

Enrollment Timeline
The district prioritizes elementary school placement based on enrollment date. The earlier you register, the better your chances of getting your school preference. Here are the enrollment rounds and notification dates:
Round 1

Enrollment Window: December 1 - January 31

Placement Notification: February 13

Round 2

Enrollment Window: February 1 - April 30

Placement Notification: May 15

Round 3

Enrollment Window: May 1 - July 31

Placement Notification: August 5

Enrollments after July 31
Notification will be as soon as possible, prior to the first day of school in August. Final waitlist adjustments will be made by the 10th day of the start of the new school year.

School Placement Criteria
Parents have the opportunity to state a preference for a particular elementary school during the online enrollment process. The District office determines final placement based on the following prioritized criteria:

Enrollments are prioritized based on enrollment dates. See "Enrollment Timeline” above for enrollment rounds and notification dates.

Siblings of currently enrolled students will be enrolled in the same school if they choose; however, this placement may not always be at your school of choice. The currently enrolled sibling must be in attendance at the requested school when enrolling your new student.

Addresses within The Cove School or Neil Cummins Neighborhood Parameters (per AR 5111.1). Key Codes for streets within the Neighborhood Parameters are shown as (NC) for Neil Cummins and (TCS) for The Cove School on the List of Streets Within District Boundaries.

Facility capacity and class size.

Notification of elementary student placement will be according to the registration window and round notification timelines above. Waitlist requests will be reviewed at each round of notification, and placements will be made accordingly. Notification will only be provided when space is available. If you are not notified, you will remain on the waitlist.

School Waitlist & Lottery
Parents identify their school of preference during the online enrollment process. At that time, they also indicate if they would like to be placed on a waitlist if their school of preference is not available. Should the school of choice not be available at the time of placement, students will be placed on a waitlist.

Round 1 Only: Siblings and students living the neighborhood attendance parameters will be automatically placed at their school of residence. All others will be placed in the lottery.

Waitlisted students will be placed via public lottery for each enrollment round, following the district prioritized criteria shown in "School Placement Criteria" above per AR 5111.1

It is the District’s desire to keep siblings together whenever possible. If one child has a space at the school of choice and the other child(ren) does not, parents have a choice. They may choose to stay at the school where there is space for all siblings to attend, or they may choose to accept the opening for the child at the school of choice and remain on the waitlist for the other child(ren).

When you are notified that space for your child is available at your school of preference, you will have 72 hours to respond to the District with your decision.

If you decide not to accept the space or do not respond within 72 hours, the District will move down the list in order of priority to the next student on the waitlist.

For more information about attendance areas and lottery procedures, see Administrative Regulation 5111.1 District Residency.

Please note: Enrolling in Round 1 significantly increases the chances of your child being placed in your preferred elementary school (Cove or Neil Cummins).

Transitional Kindergarten Information
Transitional Kindergarten will not be offered for the 2026-2027 school year. See Information About Transitional Kindergarten for more information. While LCMSD does not offer UPK/TK programs, families who meet California State Preschool Program (CSPP) criteria may have access to free preschool services. CSPP eligibility includes income limits, current aid recipients, children experiencing homelessness, children receiving protective services, or those with exceptional needs. If your family meets these criteria, we encourage you to explore preschool options available through the College of Marin.

Kindergarten Information

Birthdates for Kindergarten Enrollment (2026-2027)
Students born on or before September 1, 2021 (students turning 5 years old on or before September 1, 2026)

Holding Students Back

Children eligible for Kindergarten are not required to enroll, as Kindergarten is not mandatory.

However, parents and guardians must enroll their children in school once they reach the age of six (EC Section 48200). It is a school-based decision, with parental input, whether the six-year-old student will be enrolled in Kindergarten or first grade. For first grade enrollment, California law requires a child to be six years old on or before September 1 to be legally eligible for first grade (EC Section 48010).

Kindergarten Class Sizes
Our goal is to maintain an average of 24 students per classroom.

-Daniel Norbutas, Director of Educational Services and Technology

Nov 30, 2025 · Neil Cummins Elementary

Neil Cummins Weekly November 30, 2025

UPCOMING DATES

December 2 Superintendent Coffee Chat - The Cove School - 8:30am

December 3 Walk & Roll to School - Kinder Gate and Blacktop - 7:45am

December 3 PTO Meeting - Room A1 - 8:20am

December 10 NC School Tour - 2:30pm-3:30pm

December 12 HOLIDAY STORE!

December 17 All School Assembly - NC Gym - 8:30am

December 19 Early dismissal day for all students K -5 - 1:30pm

December 22, 2025 - January 5, 2026 Winter Break - No School

PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE

We hope you had a wonderful and restful Thanksgiving break. We are excited to welcome your students back to school tomorrow!

Updates from Ms. Galli

As we move into a new month, we invite you to take a moment to look over what your child will be learning during their Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) lessons during December. These skills play an important role in helping students build strong relationships, manage emotions, and thrive in both school and life

Last Month’s SEL Focus:

Kindergarten: Growth Mindset
1st Grade: Body Feelings
2nd Grade: Flipping a Lid
3rd Grade: Coping Skills Practice
4th Grade: Self-Talk
5th Grade: Time Management

Coming Up Next:

Kindergarten: Perseverance + Self-Talk
1st Grade: Helpful vs. Unhelpful Coping Skills
2nd Grade: Perseverance + Self-Talk
3rd Grade: Coping Skills in the Real World
4th Grade: Executive Functioning Overview
5th Grade: Ignoring Distractions

As always, an immense thank you to SPARK for making these programs possible for our students to experience!

Sincerely,

Quinn Galli, School Counselor

Morning Drop-off and afternoon pick-up: For the safety of all our students, please do not pull into the visitor spots to drop off or pick up your child. During these busy times, many students are walking and riding their bikes through the area, and having cars drive in creates a dangerous situation. Recently, we have experienced some very near misses. We ask that you use street parking and walk in or park in the lot near Town Park to drop students off in the morning or pick them up in the afternoon. Additionally, you should not stop your car in the street to drop off students. This blocks traffic and creates an unsafe situation for them. Please park your car in a parking spot on the street and walk on the sidewalks

The main entrance is especially busy this school year for walkers, bikers, and cars. Please consider using an alternate entrance (Town Park, Cafe Verde, or the Hickory bike path) to alleviate congestion at the main entrance.

Thank you for being patient, kind, and supportive as we all work together to protect our students and keep them safe and help pick-up and drop-off run smoothly. Your cooperation makes a difference! Let's work together to prevent accidents before they happen.

SCHOOL & PTO NEWS

December Lunch Volunteer Sign-ups are open!

Please click HERE to sign up to help with lunch during the month of December. If you have a little time to spare, your support makes a huge difference in keeping things running smoothly in the lunchroom and ensuring our students receive their lunches. Thank you!

The NC Holiday Store

This year's holiday store will be Friday December 12. Students will shop for two special adults in their lives. We need YOU to start gathering your new or gently used goods and set them aside. Collections will start Monday, December 1 in the main office. Treasures to collect include: costume jewelry, women’s accessories, holiday-themed decor, housewares, cookbooks, books, etc (luggage, hiking, sports memorabilia, outdoorsy things). Wrapping supplies will also be needed in great supply: wrapping paper, gift bags, gift boxes, jewelry boxes, holiday tissue paper, holiday ribbons, tags and more. Note that we CANNOT take used clothing or new clothing without tags, dirty or broken items, any children’s items, toys or stuffed animals. Please only donate items that you would like to receive as a gift.

Any questions please reach out to: Jessica Dinday (jdinday@gmail.com) or Sanaz May (snojoumi@gmail.com).

Parent Education
Click HERE to learn about upcoming Parent Education events.

Walk & Roll to School — December 3rd!

Get ready for our final Walk & Roll to School Day of the year happening on Wednesday, December 3rd! It’s an awesome way to kick off the morning and celebrate the beginning of December! Gather your friends and neighbors for our final event of 2025 and send this year off with a bang!

Lunchtime Recess Enrichment Activities

Lunch Games with Coach Arroyo

When? Mondays | 12:20-1:05 PM
Where? The blacktop
What? Fun P.E. games in the gym? (Such as dodgeball, indoor soccer, volleyball, etc.)

Garden Fun with Ms. Natalie

When? Tuesdays | 12:20-1:05 PM (Except the 1st Tuesday of the month)
Where? Garden
What? Activities include helping Ms. Natalie with garden jobs such as watering, planting, harvesting, cutting compost, and hanging out in the garden.

Gaelic Football with Neil Cummins Parent Chris Lennon

When? Wednesdays | 12:20-1:05 PM
Where? The blacktop
What? Gaelic football is the most popular sport in Ireland; 80,000 people go to the amateur finals every year in Dublin! See here and here. Chris is Irish and has played and coached Gaelic football his whole life! Thank you, Chris!

Dance with Ms. Ena

When? Thursdays | 12:20-1:05 PM
Where? The blacktop
What? Dance with E.N.A is a cherished local dance studio that many of our students attend. Founder and director Enakshi Vyas will lead weekly sessions for all our students. They will learn fun dance fundamentals and routines across all genres! A great way to get moving at recess.

Learn to Knit with Neil Cummins Parent Lauren Quint

When? Tuesdays & Friday | 12:20-1:05 PM
Where? Music Room
What? Come learn fiber arts! Create friendship bracelets or learn to knit. We have beautiful string and yarn available. Beginners and experienced students in any grade are welcome!

Magic with Mr. Gapinski

When? Friday | 12:20-12:50 PM
Where? Room E2
What? 3rd–5th graders who enjoy (or want to learn!) Magic: The Gathering Join us to play friendly games, learn new strategies, and meet other MTG fans. All experience levels are welcome—beginners too!

Help us capture great memories for the yearbook!

Upload any photos you take at class events here: https://share.picturesqr.com/dsyqsi/

It’s super easy, just click and upload. Our Yearbook team is diligent about making sure every student's face is represented (and omitting those who don't consent to photo sharing), so submit any photos you have and the team will do the rest.

Support Our School While You Shop!

Minted: Use promo code FUNDRAISENEIL at checkout to enjoy 20% off holiday cards and gifts. 10% of net sales from your order will be donated back to Neil Cummins PTO.
Sloat Garden Centers: Shopping at Sloat November 21-30? The Hawks’ Garden participates in the Sloat Growing Up Green Fundraiser where any purchases earn 10% back directly for the school garden. Stock up on your fall plants and garden supplies, and help our outdoor classroom grow at the same time! Check out details HERE.
Sports Basement: Become a Basementeer and select Neil Cummins Elementary, you’ll get 10% off, and the school gets 10% back.
Good Eggs: Enter code GoodEggsForNeilCummins at checkout for a 5% giveback.

The Hawks’ Garden

Shopping at Sloat Nov. 21-30? The Hawks’ Garden participates in the Sloat Growing Up Green Fundraiser where any purchases earn 10% back directly for the school garden. Stock up on your fall plants and garden supplies, and help our outdoor classroom grow at the same time! Check out details HERE.

Click HERE to find out more information about volunteering with the Hawks’ Garden on December 6th!

Read all our garden news on the Hawks’ Garden Blog.

SPARK NEWS

Click HERE to donate to SPARK.

Click HERE to get involved with SPARK!

COMMUNITY NEWS

Click HERE for our Community News Page

Twin Cities Preschool Parent Education - December 2nd @7:00pm - Surviving and Thriving Through the Holidays: Nervous System Intelligence for Staying Well | Merrill Page
Twin Cities Little League Spring Registration is OPEN!
Larkspur Winter Sports Camp with John Corbolotti Info
Vacation Camps November – May at Marin JCC
Ross Valley Lacrosse Club Registration Info
Twin Cities Softball Registration Info
Corte Madera Parks & Rec news and updates
Family Biking Event Information for December 13th

58 Mohawk, Corte Madera, CA 94925 | Phone 415-927-6965

Need more information? Contact The Weekly editors or visit one of the following Web sites: Neil Cummins, LCMSD, NC PTO, SPARK.

Nov 21, 2025 · Neil Cummins Elementary

With Gratitude: Honoring LCMSD Staff Who Inspire Us

Dear LCMSD Community,

At LCMSD, we believe in celebrating the incredible people who make our learning community an amazing place to learn and grow. As we head into Thanksgiving break, it's a fitting time to express our sincere gratitude for our dedicated staff, supportive families, and inspiring students. Together, you help create a school district where everyone can thrive.

As part of LCMSD's Vision 2036, staff members were given the opportunity to recognize a colleague who exemplifies one of the Adult Portrait elements in their daily work. One staff member was selected to be recognized for each element, and was awarded with a gift donated by the PTO/As and SPARK at their school site staff meetings, were featured on the LCMSD social media accounts, and were celebrated during the November 19, 2025 Board Meeting. This recognition not only honors their impact, it helps others know who to turn to when growing in that specific area.

The following are the Adult Portrait elements and the staff members who were honored. Congratulations!

Danielle O'Reilly

Critically Thinking & Creative Educator: Demonstrates innovation, creativity and resilience to continually adapt and embrace new/changing technologies, circumstances and teaching methodologies.

Danielle's nominator wrote, “Her resilience, creativity, and collaborative spirit inspire colleagues and make her a powerful example of what it means to be a critically thinking and creative educator.”

Dakota Long

Equity-Focused Change Agent: Champions equity and inclusion to create a just, compassionate, and responsive school community.

Dakota's nominator described her as someone whose “leadership inspires others to reflect, grow, and join her in building a truly inclusive community.”

Christian Chinchilla

Emotionally & Socially Aware Leader: Models emotional awareness, empathy, and cultural responsiveness to cultivate belonging and collaboration.

Christian's nominator remarked, “He routinely goes above and beyond by being solutions oriented and always willing to help for the betterment of our students.”

Natasha Griffin

Flexible Collaborator: Facilitates a culture of inquiry to promote curiosity, a deeper understanding of subjects, and appreciation for different perspectives.

Natasha's nominator noted, “Her commitment to collaboration has led to strong connections and extraordinary achievement.”

Karina Hernandez

Caring, Kind, & Connected Adult: Demonstrates care, kindness and connection to inspire belief, inclusion, and emotional well-being.

Karina's nominator shared, “Her support increases feelings of belonging for students and families and ensures we are meeting the needs of our students of focus.”

Lyn Everly

Impactful & Effective Communicator: Demonstrates emotional intelligence, empathy, and effective communication to inspire, connect, and guide growth.

Lyn's nominator expressed, “She is one of my personal North Stars.”

Brooke Suther

Adaptive & Enthusiastic Lifelong Learner: Embraces growth and innovation to create an adaptive, engaging, and inclusive learning environment.

Brooke's nominator shared, “She consistently goes above and beyond to make learning both fun and challenging."

These incredible staff members will be featured on the LCMSD Vision 2036 webpage for the year. Congratulations to all!

Dr. Brett Geithman
Superintendent

Brett Geithman, Ed.D., Superintendent

LCMSD Board of Trustees

Amir Movafaghi, President | Beth Blair, Vice President | Natalie Medved, Clerk | Ava Fruin | Jessica Dinday

LCMSD Board of Trustees

Amir Movafaghi, President

Beth Blair, Vice President

Natalie Medved, Clerk
Ava Fruin

Superintendent

Brett Geithman, Ed.D.

Nov 16, 2025 · Neil Cummins Elementary

Neil Cummins Weekly November 16, 2025

UPCOMING DATES

November 19 Ruby Bridges Walk & Roll to School - Kinder Gate and Blacktop - 7:45am

November 19 All School Assembly - NC Gym - 8:30am

November 19 LCMSD Board Mtg. - Hall Middle School - 6:00pm

November 20 Hear it from Hall (5th Graders at Hall - 3:30-5:30pm)

November 21 Early dismissal day for all students K-5 - 1:30pm

November 24 - 28 Thanksgiving Break - No School

December 2 Superintendent Coffee Chat - The Cove School - 8:30am

December 3 PTO Meeting - Room A1 - 8:20am

December 10 NC School Tour - 2:30pm-3:30pm

December 12 HOLIDAY STORE!

December 17 All School Assembly - NC Gym - 8:30am

December 19 Early dismissal day for all students K -5 - 1:30pm

December 22, 2025 - January 5, 2026 Winter Break - No School

PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE

A Letter from Hall Middle School Principal Dr. Toni Chavez

to NC 5th Graders and Families

Dear Rising Cougar Families,

Hear it from Hall is happening next week and we wanted to share more information! Please take a moment to read and bring a 5th grade friend! We hope to see you there!

Below is the brief agenda for November 20:

3:30-4:30 pm All rising 5th grade Cougars

This student-only portion of the event will be led by our Hall Leadership students. Please meet in our quad for groups to come together for the first time as the Class of 2029!!

4:30 - 5:00 pm: Mix & Mingle: Parents & 5th Grade Students (Hall Gym)

Once the student event concludes, we will transition to our Hall Gym for our students and families Mix & Mingle. This is an opportunity for parents and students to self-select topics of interest to ask questions and discuss with staff, parents, and/or Hall students (and alumni!). Bringing together our Neil Cummins and Cove families for the first time to give you an opportunity to interact. Families and students will be able to get up close and personal with our Hall community as we begin our journey to middle school together.

5:00 - 5:30 pm Family Information Session: Parents & 5th Grade Students (Hall Gym)

We will offer a brief presentation to give families a timeline for what to expect as your child matriculates to Hall. Come hear from our LMCSD Board President, Hall alumni, parents, and more as we share how to prepare for a successful transition to middle school.

We hope to see you there!!

Dr. Toni Chavez and Hall Staff

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Reminders from Mr. Shaw:

Families and community members: No Dogs on Campus
As we head into a new week, please remember that dogs are not allowed on campus or on the blacktop during morning drop off or afternoon dismissal.

While we understand many families have pets, keeping them off school grounds helps ensure a safe, calm environment for all students and families, especially during our busiest transition times.

Thank you for your cooperation and for helping us keep our campus safe and welcoming for everyone.

Sincerely,
Kyle Shaw, Principal

Board Updates:

On November 19, 2025 the Board will meet at 6:00 in the Hall Library and begin by celebrating the 2025 Adult Portrait Recognitions. The Board will vote on the Marin Primary Roof Repair project. Additionally, the Board will discuss Depth & Complexity Icons at Hall Middle School and the bond process. The meeting will be live streamed via Zoom (link; passcode - lcmsd). Please know, public comments will only be taken by in person attendees; public comments via Zoom will not be available. We hope to see you there. All agendas can be found here.

SCHOOL & PTO NEWS

December Lunch Volunteer Sign-ups are open!

Event Update: Ruby Bridges Walk and Roll to School Day Postponed

Our Ruby Bridges Walk and Roll to School Day has been postponed to Wednesday, November 19th.

We’re excited to celebrate with (hopefully) clearer skies! On Wednesday, November 19th at 7:45am, let’s come together to honor Ruby by walking, biking, rolling, carpooling, or parking-and-walking to school.

Thank you for your understanding, and we can’t wait to celebrate this special day with our community next week!

The NC Holiday Store

NC Holiday Store Parent Volunteers: A sign up genius will be sent out on Wednesday, November 19th at 12pm. Spots typically go fast so please be prepared to sign up at that time. We will need help setting up on Thursday, December 11th and running the store on Friday, December 12th. Time slots are 2 hours at time.

Any questions please reach out to: Jessica Dinday (jdinday@gmail.com) or Sanaz May (snojoumi@gmail.com).

Lunchtime Recess Enrichment Activities

Lunch Games with Coach Arroyo

When? Mondays | 12:20-1:05 PM
Where? The blacktop
What? Fun P.E. games in the gym? (Such as dodgeball, indoor soccer, volleyball, etc.)

Garden Fun with Ms. Natalie

When? Tuesdays | 12:20-1:05 PM (Except the 1st Tuesday of the month)
Where? Garden
What? Activities include helping Ms. Natalie with garden jobs such as watering, planting, harvesting, cutting compost, and hanging out in the garden.

Gaelic Football with Neil Cummins Parent Chris Lennon

When? Wednesdays | 12:20-1:05 PM
Where? The blacktop
What? Gaelic football is the most popular sport in Ireland; 80,000 people go to the amateur finals every year in Dublin! See here and here. Chris is Irish and has played and coached Gaelic football his whole life! Thank you, Chris!

Dance with Ms. Ena

When? Thursdays | 12:20-1:05 PM
Where? The blacktop
What? Dance with E.N.A is a cherished local dance studio that many of our students attend. Founder and director Enakshi Vyas will lead weekly sessions for all our students. They will learn fun dance fundamentals and routines across all genres! A great way to get moving at recess.

Learn to Knit with Neil Cummins Parent Lauren Quint

When? Tuesdays & Friday | 12:20-1:05 PM
Where? Music Room
What? Come learn fiber arts! Create friendship bracelets or learn to knit. We have beautiful string and yarn available. Beginners and experienced students in any grade are welcome!

Magic with Mr. Gapinski

When? Friday | 12:20-12:50 PM
Where? Room E2
What? 3rd–5th graders who enjoy (or want to learn!) Magic: The Gathering Join us to play friendly games, learn new strategies, and meet other MTG fans. All experience levels are welcome—beginners too!

Help us capture great memories for the yearbook!

Upload any photos you take at class events here: https://share.picturesqr.com/dsyqsi/

Support Our School While You Shop!

Minted: Use promo code FUNDRAISENEIL at checkout to enjoy 20% off holiday cards and gifts. 10% of net sales from your order will be donated back to Neil Cummins PTO.
Sloat Garden Centers: Shopping at Sloat November 21-30? The Hawks’ Garden participates in the Sloat Growing Up Green Fundraiser where any purchases earn 10% back directly for the school garden. Stock up on your fall plants and garden supplies, and help our outdoor classroom grow at the same time! Check out details HERE.
Sports Basement: Become a Basementeer and select Neil Cummins Elementary, you’ll get 10% off, and the school gets 10% back.
Good Eggs: Enter code GoodEggsForNeilCummins at checkout for a 5% giveback.

The Hawks’ Garden

Shopping at Sloat Nov. 21-30? The Hawks’ Garden participates in the Sloat Growing Up Green Fundraiser where any purchases earn 10% back directly for the school garden. Stock up on your fall plants and garden supplies, and help our outdoor classroom grow at the same time! Check out details HERE.

Read all our garden news on the Hawks’ Garden Blog.

SPARK NEWS

Donate to SPARK HERE.

Learn more about G Family Construction HERE.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Click HERE for our Community News Page

Corte Madera January – May After School Classes Opens 11/17 at 9:00am
Larkspur Winter Sports Camp with John Corbolotti Info
Vacation Camps November – May at Marin JCC
Get info about the new Hart Street Connector Path…Come celebrate on November 20!
Ross Valley Lacrosse Club Registration Info

58 Mohawk, Corte Madera, CA 94925 | Phone 415-927-6965

Need more information? Contact The Weekly editors or visit one of the following Web sites: Neil Cummins, Larkspur- Corte Madera School District , Neil Cummins PTO or SPARK .

Nov 14, 2025 · Neil Cummins Elementary
LCMSD Board Appoints New Trustee: Jessica Dinday

Dear LCMSD Community,

Last night, the LCMSD Board appointed and swore in Jessica Dinday as the next Trustee to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Eric Schmautz. We were fortunate to have four highly qualified applicants, each bringing unique strengths, experiences, and a strong commitment to LCMSD. We sincerely appreciate the engagement of our community throughout this process.

As a parent who has had children attend all three LCMSD schools, Jessica brings a deeply rooted and well-rounded perspective to the Board. She has been an active and engaged volunteer in our district for many years, serving as PTO Co-President at Neil Cummins, helping lead major community-building initiatives, and contributing to districtwide collaboration efforts. Jessica also currently serves on the Hall Middle School Site Council, adding valuable school-level perspective to her work. Professionally, she brings extensive experience as a therapist, clinical supervisor, and program manager supporting children and families - expertise that aligns closely with our district’s commitment to student well-being, belonging, and academic success.

Jessica joins the Board with a strong history of partnership, service, and student-centered leadership. Congratulations Jessica!

Dr. Brett Geithman
Superintendent

Brett Geithman, Ed.D., Superintendent

LCMSD Board of Trustees

Amir Movafaghi, President | Beth Blair, Vice President | Natalie Medved, Clerk | Ava Fruin | Jessica Dinday

LCMSD Board of Trustees
Amir Movafaghi, President
Beth Blair, Vice President
Natalie Medved, Clerk
Ava Fruin

Superintendent
Brett Geithman, Ed.D.
Nov 11, 2025 · Neil Cummins Elementary
Get Ready to Show Courage Like Ruby!
This Friday, November 14, is Ruby Bridges Walk and Roll to School Day! Join students and families across the nation in honoring Ruby Bridges’ bravery by walking, biking, rolling, carpooling, or parking-and-walking to school. Let’s make our community shine with courage, kindness, and care for the planet!

Neil Cummins Elementary

Welcome!

Neil Cummins Elementary News

Neil Cummins Weekly December 14, 2025

Neil Cummins Weekly December 7, 2025

Round 1 of 2026-2027 New Student Enrollment Ends January 31st

Neil Cummins Weekly November 30, 2025

With Gratitude: Honoring LCMSD Staff Who Inspire Us

Neil Cummins Weekly November 16, 2025

LCMSD Board Appoints New Trustee: Jessica Dinday

Get Ready to Show Courage Like Ruby!

Why Inclusive Schools Week Matters

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