San Jose Scorpion Scoop! Week of 3/29/2026 Principal’s Message Dear Scorpion Families, I hope you've had a restful weekend. We're headed into our final five days before Spring Break. Be sure to make every last moment count this week! Write in your planner every day for each class period, complete your nightly homework and catch up on missing work, read your book, email a teacher if you need assistance, and get excellent sleep each night. These are routines that, if established in middle school, will help you for the rest of your life! You've got this, Scorpions. Don't forget that you may use the link below to sign up your student for Scorpion Success Intervention (SSI), which is held every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday after school. This is an opportunity available to any Scorpion who needs a quiet place to work, catch up on missing assignments, get help from a teacher, study for a test, work on organization, and more! Sign ups are on a first come, first served basis. You will hear from a counselor, teacher, our community liaison, or an administrator that your child is confirmed to attend SSI. Please be sure you have made it clear to your Scorpion that you expect them to attend, and have planned a safe way for them to get home after they attend.  Link to sign up your student: Scorpion Success Intervention Parent/Guardian Sign Up Sincerely, Mrs. Whitney McEachern, Principal Upcoming Dates April: 📌4/3 - End of Progress Report Period #5 📌4/6-4/10 - Spring Break, NO SCHOOL 📌4/14 - 8th Grade Promotion Picture Day 📌 4/15 - School Site Council Meeting, 3:30-4:30 PM, Location TBD 📌4/15 - PTA Meeting, 6 PM, SJMS Library 📌4/13-4/17 - Wellness Week 📌4/21 - Multilingual Learner (Dual Language) Parent/Guardian Meeting, 10:45 AM, Location TBD 📌4/30 - Open House, 6 PM ***All athletic events are noted in the Sports Program section below. Please tune in there for opportunities to spectate and cheer on your fellow Scorpions!*** PTA Update Next week there is a dine and donate at Round Table on Tuesday, take a night off from cooking and help SJMS at the same time! Scorpions! On Thursday, April 2nd, we have our All-School Field Trip Day! The entire school will be "pausing" on our regular routine and exploring new learning experiences with staff and families. Be grateful for this incredible gift and the opportunity to try something new. Be prepared and ready to go: 1) Your child's CELL PHONE should STAY HOME! Any cell phone brought to school will be locked in a classroom and will not be allowed on the field trip. If a cell phone is used on a field trip, school rules will be applied.  2) Show up to school ON TIME...or even early! Many field trips are leaving soon. 3) Plan on wearing layered clothing (jacket, sweater or sweatshirt). 4) Wear comfortable shoes - you’ll be moving around a lot! 5) School lunches will be provided for every student. Be respectful! We have staff, families, bus drivers, docents, and speakers that are making this opportunity possible. Ask questions and learn something new! Please reach out to Aubin or Megan with any questions: aubin6@gmail.com or mkhoniball@gmail.com ****We can’t wait to share the wonderful presentation from Nathan Harmon on Wednesday, April 15 at Novato High. This will be about how parents can help their kids navigate current social pressures. Please tune in for more details about Wellness Week below.*** We are excited to announce San Jose's Second Annual Wellness Week lineup! Save the date for a Parent Night Presentation featuring Key Note Speaker Nathan Harmon on Wednesday April 15th at 6:30 at Novato High School Center for the Arts. A 60 minute keynote  and 15 min Q&A with parents, and community leaders.  Nathan’s keynote addresses how parents can support their kids navigate pressures that previous generations did not experience at the same level. As parents, our instinct is to protect our children from pain and disappointment. Nathan will help parents discover the right  balance between support, guidance and knowing when to step back.  Nathan will emphasize that every conversation you have with your teen matters, every moment of encouragement matters, and your presence, your belief in them and your love are some of the most powerful tools they will ever have. Our  goal as educators, parents and community  is to help teens develop strength to face challenges. Topics include : dangers of substances/ vaping, self image, mental health (I am not enough mentality), self-harm, suicide ideation, social media comparison, peer pressure, academic expectations, anxiety about the future, developing resiliency, integrity, confidence,  responsibility. Working through difficulties-setbacks is what helps teens keep moving forward. All of Nathan’s messages focus on instilling in teens that their value is not defined by outcomes, but by effort, attitude and character. AP's (Assistant Principal's) Corner  March 29: Dear SJMS Families, What a beautiful weekend to carry us into our final week before Spring Break! Our students have so much to look forward to in the coming weeks, from our whole-school field trip this Thursday to Wellness Week immediately following the break, along with a host of year-end activities for all grade levels. While the excitement of upcoming events and summer vacation is palpable, it can sometimes be a challenge for students to stay focused on the important learning and classwork still ahead of us. With that in mind, this is a wonderful time to sit down with your student and review our school handbook. Specifically, please help us reinforce our community expectations regarding disruptive behavior, cell phones and electronic devices, hate speech, gum, dress code, and attendance. We originally shared the handbook at the start of the year, but we are more than happy to provide another copy if you need one. Additionally, you can find our behavior matrix, which outlines further campus expectations, in our weekly newsletter. When students hear a consistent message from all the adults in their lives, those expectations become much more powerful. Thank you for your continued partnership in keeping our school a focused and positive learning environment. Please feel free to reach out to me at jjones@nusd.org with any questions. All the best, Juliette Jones Assistant Principal San Jose Middle School 1000 Sunset Parkway Novato, CA 94949 San Jose Middle School Athletics – Home of the Scorpions 🗓 2025–2026 Sports Program Scorpion Athletics: Spring Season Kickoff Hello Scorpion Families, This is an exciting week as we kick off our Volleyball and Soccer seasons in the Novato leagues. Our student-athletes have been working hard at practice, and it’s time to hit the court and the field. Here is the schedule of games for the week: Volleyball Monday, March 30: 6th Grade: vs. Sinaloa at Sinaloa, 3:30 PM 7th/8th Combo: vs. Hamilton at Hamilton, 3:30 PM Friday, April 3: 7th/8th Combo Team: HOME OPENER vs. Sinaloa at San Jose, 4:00 PM Soccer Tuesday, March 31: Boys Soccer: vs. Sinaloa at Sinaloa, 4:00 PM Thursday, April 2: Girls Soccer: HOME OPENER vs. Hamilton at San Jose, 4:00 PM Good luck to all our players and coaches on what we know will be a successful and fun season. We hope to see a sea of blue and gold supporting our teams Middle School Sports Registration 2025-2026 | Arbiter Arbiter Live Schedules Mr. Gallagher Athletic Director San Jose Middle School Counselor's Corner Dear Students and Families, Spring is near and we’re already planning for next school year!  Counselors visited 6th and 7th grader English classrooms this week to help students select their elective course choices for next school year using a Google form. Students learned about each elective course, the benefits in taking a 0-period or 7th period course, and answered questions about their interests to help us better support them. We encouraged students to review their choices with you by showing you their emailed results. Friendly reminder to 8th grade students and parents to check for any emails from programs and NHS and SMHS regarding admission status, course selection, or transfer information.  Take care, -SJMS School Counselor, Ms. K & Mr. E Megan Kovacevich for 6th graders, 8th graders with last names A-J: mkovacevich@nusd.org/ 415-798-5276 Evan Englar for 7th graders, 8th graders with last names K-Z: eenglar@nusds.org/ 415-798-5284 Wellness Hub Wishlist: We want to extend a huge thank you to every family that purchased or donated items from our Wellness Hub Wishlist! Your contributions directly ensure that we can provide students with essential resources like healthy snacks and vital coping tools. This support helps us keep the Wellness Hub a functional space for self-regulation. Thank you for investing in the well-being of our SJMS students. Wellness Hub Wishlist Below you will find an excellent resource to support your student in their education. We have designed a checklist that you can use throughout the year as you navigate topics like academic planning, time management, sleep and wellness, screen time, and more! Feel free to stop by the front office where you can pick up a hard copy. Parent Checklists for Success: Parent Checklist for Scorpion Success.docx Spanish Checklist for Scorpion Success.docx Community Expectations Below you'll find the 8th grade expectation letter that went home with every single 8th grade Scorpion on Friday, 1/23. Please be sure you have reviewed the letter with your Scorpion, and filled out and returned the bottom portion. We appreciate collaborating with you in support of your student! Please consistently review the Middle School Handbook, as well is the SJMS Behavior Matrix. Both consist of expectations that are reviewed regularly at school. We highly encourage you to discuss high expectations at home with your Scorpion. Thank you for partnering with us to ensure your student knows how to be #ScorpionStrong! Middle School Handbook PDF: SJMS Copy of MS Student Parent Handbook 25-26 - ENGLISH.pdf MS Student Parent Handbook 25-26 - SPANISH.pdf SJMS Behavior Matrix:

Get Your Yearbook now! Here's a special message from Ms. Mastro, our teacher yearbook coordinator:  Buy your SJMS Yearbook TODAY for $45.00! - BEAT THE RUSH! To use a credit card to order your yearbook, go to www.YearbookOrderCenter.com and use order number 6690. Paper order forms are available in the front office. Return an order form with a check for the amount shown below to the SJMS office. Please make your check payable to SJMS.

Novato Open Gym Information

Location: The weight room inside Gordon Gym

• Format: Open Gym is a voluntary opportunity focused on general athletic development (basic weight training and movement for fitness and safety).

• Instruction: There is no sport-specific instruction. Coaches are present only to supervise for safety.

• Who can attend: Rising 9th graders only (current 8th graders entering high school next year).

Parents are welcome to reach out to Coach Simmons at: joseph.simmons0623@gmail.com

Education Opportunities for Parents/Guardians

• CIP Marin’s Raising Healthy Families - Community Education Series (digital flyer) including these upcoming events:

• Call of the Wild: Helping Teens to Resist Extremist Political Ideologies. Monday, March 16th, 6:00 - 8:00 pm in-person and via Zoom. More information and register here.

• Emotional Suffering in Children & Teens: What Parents Should Know and When to Act. Monday, March 30th, 6:00 - 8:00 pm in-person and via Zoom. More information and register here.

Dear Educators, Staff and Parents/Caregivers: 

We are delighted to share that, by popular demand, renowned psychologist and bestselling author Dr. Madeline Levine, Ph.D. will be returning to Marin County for a powerful and timely evening session focused on supporting adolescents’ mental health and emotional well-being.

Hosted by the Marin County Office of Education, this free virtual event is open to parents, caregivers, educators, and school staff throughout our community. The evening includes a live Q&A, giving participants the opportunity to engage directly with Dr. Levine.

March 25, 2026 | 6:30–7:30 PM (No Longer March 10th)
Springtime Stress – Testing, Transitions, and the Road Ahead
As students face testing season and end-of-year transitions, Dr. Levine will offer tools to help them manage performance-related stress and approach future planning with confidence and emotional balance.

REGISTRATION

We hope you’ll join us for this inspiring session as we continue working together to support the well-being of our students and families.

Estimados educadores, personal y padres/cuidadores:

Nos complace informarles que, debido a la gran demanda, la reconocida psicóloga y autora de bestsellers, Madeline Levine, Ph.D., regresará al condado de Marin para una sesión vespertina enriquecedora y oportuna centrada en el apoyo a la salud mental y el bienestar emocional de los adolescentes.

Organizados por Marin County Oficina de Educación, estos eventos virtuales gratuitos este evento virtual gratuito está abierto a padres, cuidadores, educadores y personal escolar de toda nuestra comunidad. Incluye sesión de preguntas y respuestas.

Marzo 25, 2026 | 6:30–7:30 PM (Ya no es el 10 de marzo)

Estrés de primavera – Exámenes, transiciones y el camino por delante

Con la llegada de la primavera, también aumenta la ansiedad relacionada con los exámenes estatales, las transiciones de fin de año y la planificación del próximo capítulo académico. En esta sesión, la Dra. Levine continuará la conversación sobre la planificación del futuro y abordará las presiones únicas que surgen en esta época del año. Los participantes obtendrán herramientas para ayudar a los estudiantes a manejar el estrés relacionado con el rendimiento y a enfrentar las transiciones con confianza y equilibrio emocional.

REGISTRESE

Con afectuosos saludos,

Marin County Oficina de Educación

Joint message from the City of Novato, Novato Police Department and Novato Fire District

Youth Safety Matters

Novato Police and Novato Fire personnel are seeing a concerning rise in injuries involving e-bikes and e-motorcycles, especially among youth. Over the past year, the Novato Fire District has responded to 15 incidents involving an e-bike or e-scooter, several resulting in serious injuries — and more than half involving riders under the age of 18. Across Marin County, children ages 10–15 are five times more likely than other age groups to require emergency transport following an e-bike crash.

As we head into the holiday season, the City of Novato, Novato Police Department and Novato Fire District urge parents and guardians to understand the differences between e-bikes and e-motorcycles before purchasing one for a child. While e-bikes can offer a fun, eco-friendly and convenient way to explore Novato, not all models are the same, and some may be unsafe or even illegal for young riders.

Understanding E-bike Classifications

Under California law, all e-bikes must have fully operable pedals, and the motor must not exceed 750 watts. Marin County has adopted additional safety regulations for Class 2 (throttle-assisted) e-bikes. Here’s a quick break down:

• Class 1: Pedal-assist, up to 20 mph. The ONLY e-bike legal for all ages in Marin County. Helmets are required for riders under 18 and strongly encouraged for everyone.

• Class 2: Throttle-powered, up to 20 mph. In Marin County, riders must be 16 or older, and helmets are required for all ages.

• Class 3: Pedal-assist, up to 28 mph. Riders must be 16 or older and helmets are required for all ages statewide. These e-bikes are not allowed on multi-use pathways in Marin County.

Important

Some retailers may market a vehicle as an “e-bike” when it is actually an e-motorcycle. These often don’t have pedals, have motors over 750 watts, or go faster than 28 mph.  E-motorcycles require a driver’s license, registration, insurance, and a DOT-approved helmet. They cannot be ridden on bike paths, sidewalks, multi-use trails, or in parks. 

Safety Tips

Safety Tips for Riders and Parents

• Know the law: E-bikes and e-scooters follow the same traffic rules as cars and bicycles.

• Understand classifications: Only Class 1 e-bikes are legal for all ages in Marin County. Classes 2 & 3 e-bikes are illegal for riders under the age of 16.

• Practice before riding in traffic: Learn how to accelerate, brake, and handle turns safely under parent supervision. 

• Ride predictably: Stay visible, use signals, and avoid sudden movements.

• Stay alert: Avoid distractions such as phones or headphones.

• Wear protective gear: Helmets are required for all ages. Gloves, eye protection, and closed-toe shoes add an extra layer of safety.

• Parent guidance: Teach your children responsible riding habits, including riding solo (no additional riders on the back) and ensure their e-bike is age appropriate.

• Maintain equipment: Regularly check brakes, tires, and batteries.

By choosing the right e-bike for a child’s age and skill level, families can enjoy Novato’s roads, trails and parks more safely.

Watch our youth e-bike safety PSA to learn more.

Educational and Safety Resources:

• Marin County Safe Routes to Schools – E-Bike Education

• Marin Health & Human Services – Bike Safety Dashboard

• County of Marin – “E-Bikers Club” Campaign

• California Highway Patrol – E-Bike Safety Overview

Click here for more information