Dear Novato Community and Staff,

I am writing to ask for your prayers and support for four of our San Marin High School students and their families. There was a single car accident involving four San Marin students on Saturday night. Thanks to our partners at Novato Police Department, Novato Fire, and California Highway Patrol, the students were transported to different hospitals to best meet their individual needs. As we address the needs of our students, staff, and families, we do so from a place of compassion. We must join together as a community as we experience this tragic event, stay focused on the students involved, and hold each other near with unconditional love and support.

NUSD is in the process of developing support systems for students and adults which will be provided at San Marin High School this week starting tomorrow, Monday, February 21. We also have a team meeting on Tuesday to plan support systems for the entire staff and students at San Marin when we return to school on February 28, 2022. Multiple agencies beyond NUSD are providing support services including Marin County Office of Education, North Marin Community Services, Bay Area Community Services, Novato Police Department, and California Highway Patrol.  As we learn more about our students, we will share with the greater community. The Marin Independent Journal has published an account on-line and it will be published in the newspaper tomorrow.

What can each of us do during this time?  We can send our heartfelt messages to families through San Marin High School, gather as faith communities in prayer, and allow each family space to be together.  More direct support will be needed once the students are stabilized, and we learn what is needed to support each family. For now, we must honor the privacy of these families and provide them space to address the needs of their children.

I send my appreciation to the entire Novato community and staff. Special thanks to Amanda Langford and Mark Sims for their tremendous care and presence for the families. When we experience challenging times, we know we are better together.

Respectfully,

Jan La Torre-Derby

Superintendent