HeadsUp September Newsletter!

Welcome back to school! As we begin the 2026–27 year, I’m excited about the many ways HeadsUp is continuing to grow our support for students and schools—and about the partnerships that make this work possible.

This year, we’re especially proud to expand our elementary partnership model to include physical education, working alongside San Rafael City Schools and our elementary PTOs and PTAs to fund quality PE for TK–5 students. Thank you to everyone who joined us at Field Fest to celebrate the launch of this new partnership. It was wonderful to see students, families, educators, and community partners come together to kick off the year.

We’re also excited that Youth in Arts programming begins this week, bringing weekly arts enrichment to elementary classrooms across the district. Together, these partnerships show what is possible when HeadsUp, the district, our parent organizations, and community partners combine resources around a shared goal: creating more opportunities for every student.

With your support, this year HeadsUp will help provide:

Our annual family giving campaign is also underway. We know many families are asked to contribute to their school’s PTO or PTA, and both forms of support are important. PTOs and PTAs fund needs specific to their school communities, while HeadsUp brings resources together to support programs and opportunities for students across San Rafael City Schools.

There are many ways to be part of this work. Please consider making a donation to HeadsUp this fall—and if you’re looking for another way to get involved, we are currently welcoming new members to our board of directors. We’re looking for community members who care deeply about public schools and want to help strengthen opportunities for San Rafael students.

Thank you for being part of the HeadsUp community. We’re looking forward to a great year ahead!

With gratitude,

Michelene Moayedi

For the 2026–27 school year, we are taking the next step by expanding this shared partnership model to include physical education programming in addition to the visual and performing arts (VAPA) programming across all elementary schools in collaboration with our community partner, Youth In Arts.

The updated model incorporates the District's PE contract, currently with the National Academy of Athletics, alongside contributions from school parent organizations and HeadsUp. By aligning these resources, we can create a more coordinated, sustainable approach to enrichment.

This model reflects a shared commitment to:

This week, elementary students districtwide begin their Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) enrichment programs.  This year, our community partner, Youth In Arts has added two new disciplines for student enrichment: Theater and Digital Media! Find out more about the teaching artists and their disciplines HERE!! 

We have officially kicked off our  2026/27 Annual Giving Campaign!! We know that many of you are asked to contribute to your school's PTO/PTA, which helps to directly fund site specific needs for your school community.  Your DONATION to HeadsUp complements that by funding essential and impactful programs that will reach EVERY student across all of our San Rafael City Schools.  

With your generous support, this year HeadsUp will fund:

Together, these programs make an impact on more than 7,000 students districtwide, helping to ensure equity, opportunity and enrichment for ALL!

When you give to your PTO/PTA, HeadsUp and Schools Rule, you are strengthening your school, your district and public education across Marin.  All of these organizations work together to ensure that EVERY student in EVERY school in EVERY district has access to the enrichment, resources and support they need!!

Link Crew at San Rafael High School kicked off the school year with a warm welcome to the incoming Freshman Class!  The Link Crew program pairs an incoming freshman with a junior or senior to provide support and mentorship during their first year of high school.  HeadsUp is proud to sponsor and provide funding for this impactful program. 

Let's empty the racks for education! Come join us on Thursday, October 8th from 6-8pm to shop for a cause. Enjoy bubbles, bites and personalized styling.  15% of all sales will be donated to HeadsUp! 

We are looking for a few more community members to join our Board.  As we continue to grow, we would like strengthen and broaden our Board with individuals who share our deep commitment to public schools, the students we serve and equitable educational opportunities across our San Rafael City Schools District.  

The more we grow, the more we can give!! Help shape the next chapter for HeadsUp as we continue to expand our impact and build upon our role as an Education Foundation and philanthropic partner for our public schools. 

Interested in finding out more?! We'd love to connect with you!  Send an email to: michelene@headsupsr.org