• Growth in All Areas: English Language Arts (+2%), Math (+5%), and Science (+3%)

• More than 50% of students exceed math standards at all schools (and over 76% met or exceed standards)

• CAASPP student score reports for current 4th-8th graders can be accessed via Aeries

• District and school CAASPP data can be accessed here

• Detailed CAASPP Board Report

Dear LCMSD Community,

Today, the 2025 California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) results were publicly released by the California Department of Education. They are available here. We’re excited to share that LCMSD students continue to excel as LCMSD CAASPP results show gains across all subjects:

• English Language Arts (ELA): +2%

• Mathematics: +5%

• Science: +3%

These results reflect the dedication of our students, teachers, staff, and families. It is important to note that more than half of our students exceed standards in math at every school, with 76%+ meeting or exceeding standards.

Each spring, LCMSD students in grades 3-8 participate in the CAASPP assessments, which measure critical thinking, problem-solving, and writing aligned to California’s academic standards. These assessments provide one valuable snapshot of student learning - alongside daily classroom work, projects, and teacher feedback - to help us ensure every student is growing and thriving.

We are proud that this growth is being seen districtwide. The increases in all three subjects show that our long-term focus on literacy, Cognitively Guided Instruction in math, and data-driven interventions is making a difference. These efforts, combined with high-quality teaching, dedicated support staff, and strong family partnerships, are helping students reach new levels of success.

While we celebrate this continued progress, we also remain focused on helping every child meet or exceed state standards. Continuous improvement is part of our culture, and we will use these data to guide next steps in curriculum, instruction, and targeted support.

For families, individual CAASPP score reports for current 4th–8th graders are now available in Aeries. To access your child’s report, log in to Aeries Parent Portal and select Test Scores from the menu.

We invite you to review the detailed CAASPP Report shared at the September 17 Board Meeting for a deeper look at our district and school results.

Congratulations to our students, teachers, staff, and families - your hard work is paying off!

With pride and gratitude,

Dr. Brett Geithman
Superintendent

Daniel Norbutas
Senior Director of Educational Services & Technology

Too Long, Didn’t Read (TLDR)

• Where’s My Teacher? Understanding Professional Development in LCMSD

• Becoming a Trustee Workshop – October 8 at 5:00 via Zoom; recording available October 9

• Superintendent Coffee Chat – October 17, 8:30–9:30 a.m. at Neil Cummins (open forum)

• E-Bike Safety Reminder from CMPA

• “Let’s Talk” Parent Education – First Elementary Session

Dear LCMSD Community,

It’s been a full and engaging start to October! I want to thank the many families who participated in SPARK in the Park yesterday. Events like this help strengthen the connections that make LCMSD such a special place to learn and grow.

Also, today kicked off Parent-Teacher Conference Week, an important opportunity to connect with your child’s teacher, celebrate growth, and discuss goals for the months ahead. We deeply appreciate the time and collaboration that go into these conversations - they are an essential part of our shared commitment to student success.

Below are a few additional updates and opportunities to connect this month.

Thank you,

Dr. Brett Geithman
Superintendent

Where’s My Teacher? Understanding Professional Development in LCMSD
From time to time, you may hear that your child’s teacher is out for the day to participate in professional learning. These days are not just time away from the classroom - they are an essential part of how we continually grow as educators and strengthen teaching and learning across the district.

At LCMSD, we believe that ongoing professional growth is central to providing the best educational experience for our students. Our professional development framework is multi-layered and intentionally designed to build shared understanding, deepen expertise, and personalize growth.

We are fortunate to have three instructional coaches who guide much of this work:

• Lisa Capobianco – Literacy Coach

• Beth Hawkins – CGI Math Coach

• Nathan Beach – Depth and Complexity Coach (20%)

Our professional learning model includes several interconnected layers:

• Foundational PD – Full-day sessions designed to establish a shared, districtwide understanding of key initiatives and best practices.

• School-Level PD – Site-specific professional learning tied to each school’s goals, often integrated into staff meetings and site-based planning.

• Department (Hall) and Grade-Level (Elementary) Lab Days – Teachers collaborate in teams to analyze data, plan Tier 1 instruction, and engage in classroom-based learning experiences where strategies are modeled and practiced. These sessions are led by our instructional coaches, and substitutes are utilized to cover classrooms.

• EL Education Lab Days  – This year, teachers and administrators will also engage with EL Education staff developers through several Lab Days focused on modeling lessons and deepening understanding of our newly adopted literacy curriculum.

• Individual Coaching – At the most personalized level, teachers work one-on-one with instructional coaches who provide them support tailored to their classroom needs.

Our professional learning focus areas for 2025–26 include:

• Implementing EL Education in literacy across all schools

• Implementing Depth and Complexity at Hall Middle School

• Continuing support for Cognitively Guided Instruction (CGI) in mathematics

Through this intentional and layered approach, LCMSD educators continue to learn, reflect, and refine their practice, ensuring that every student benefits from high-quality, research-based instruction every day. Thank you in advance for your support and understanding when your child’s teacher is engaging in this important work. 

Becoming a Trustee Workshop: Wednesday, October 8 at 5:00 via Zoom (LINK)
With a current vacancy on the LCMSD Board of Trustees, this workshop is a great opportunity for community members to learn more about what it means to serve. Current Trustees and I will share information about the role, responsibilities, and appointment process. Whether you are considering applying or simply want to better understand Board governance, we encourage you to attend. A recording will be posted (HERE) on October 9 for anyone unable to join live.

Superintendent Coffee Chat: October 17, 8:30–9:30 a.m. at Neil Cummins
Coffee chats are a great venue for parents to learn more and partner with our schools. This month’s chat will be open-ended - any and all questions are encouraged. As always, parents from all schools are welcome to attend.

E-Bike Safety Message from CMPA
The Central Marin Police Authority (CMPA) reminds families that only certain e-bikes are legally permitted for student use; please see this letter from Chief Norton. Note, only Class 1 e-bikes are permitted on LCMSD campuses and no e-scooters are allowed. For more information, please visit this website. Thank you for helping us keep students safe on their way to and from school.

Parent Education: “Let’s Talk” Series
Supported by the Marin County Office of Education (MCOE) and Raising the Bar, we invite parents and caregivers to join the first elementary session of the Let’s Talk series on Wednesday, October 15, from 7:00–8:30 p.m. via Zoom. Guest speaker Annie Egan, MA, will guide a discussion on key parenting topics, including:

• Different parenting styles

• Effective communication strategies

• Building strong, trusting connections with children