SchoolsRule turns 10! It's hard to believe that it's been 10 years since SchoolsRule launched in the spring of 2011 with our first 16-week ad campaign thanks to the generosity of our founding partners, the Marin Independent Journal, Venables Bell & Partners, and the Marin Community Foundation. As a coalition of the public school foundations from all of Marin's school districts, we set out with a mission to engage the community in a discussion about our schools and the important issues facing education, to encourage action through volunteering in the schools, and to work together as one in raising funds to benefit every public school student throughout the county.

Ten years, more than 100 ads, and nearly $5.5M later, our mission continues, helping to ensure that all of Marin's 36,000 public school students have the best possible educational opportunities and that all schools have the resources they need to fully meet the needs of their students. We are beyond grateful for your continued support and generosity, especially during the immense challenges of the past year. Although circumstances will not permit us to hold our big annual event again this year, our work continues and we look forward to your ongoing support and other opportunities to celebrate our 10-year milestone!

We are extremely proud of how Marin public schools are navigating the COVID-19 pandemic while continuing to provide the best possible educational experience for our students.

“Marin County schools, public and private, have led the way in showing that schools can be reopened safely for students and staff,” said Mary Jane Burke, Marin County Superintendent of Schools. “This would not be possible without the guidance and support provided by Marin County Public Health, or, without the courage and dedication of the nearly three out of four Marin teachers and school staff who are providing in-person instruction.” Read the complete press release here.

And now that Marin has moved back to the Red Tier and with more educators receiving vaccines, more schools have been able to open for site-based instruction, continuing to increase the percentage of students receiving in-person learning. See the most recent statistics on the Marin County Schools COVID Dashboard.

Laurel Dell Elementary siblings show off their art from the Youth in Arts COR program funded by HeadsUp with support from SchoolsRule

HeadsUp San Rafael Public Education Foundation is using SchoolsRule monies to support virtual enrichment programs for 3,100 Kindergarten through 5th grade students. They've developed an engaging, activity-based, online curriculum, and this spring will be adding live webinars and activity challenges for students to do together. Coupled with self-directed PE, these offerings allow flexibility for families as they continue to navigate this unusual academic year.