News From Murwood PTA

Murwood is a place for learning. Everything we do is about learning. We are even learning how to get along with others on the playground at recess.
We are all learners, not just the students, but the teachers and the principal, too.
The teachers and I are prepared everyday for the students and we expect that they will come each day prepared for learning.
At Murwood we respect each other. We are all part of a community and we need to show each other respect to get along and work together.

You can support these expectations at home in several ways: 1) talk to your child at home about what they are learning in school each day, 2) make sure your child attends school regularly and arrives on time each day, 3) each evening help your child to organize their backpack and materials that need to be returned to school, 4) communicate regularly with your child's classroom teacher.

We are looking forward to working with you and your child this year.

From the Office

PICK UP & DROP OFF

We have extended the yellow loading/unloading zone. As a courtesy to others in the car line please pull all the way forward to the next available spot. This will allow us to load and unload more students and reduce the time everyone spends in the car line. The staff on duty will help your child get to your car. As a reminder only those waiting for carpools or siblings may stay in the first three spots during pick up. All others must go around again if their student is not yet ready for pick up. We have asked teachers to make sure that students are dismissed on time.

NOON SUPERVISORS NEEDED

Would you like to spend time outside and earn some money for coffee out? We are looking for Noon Supervisors. If you would enjoy spending time with Murwood students then we would love to have you apply to be a Noon Supervisor. Please contact the office if you are interested.

WALNUT CREEK SCHOOL DISTRICT 2011-12 CALENDAR

See here for this year's school calendar.

PTA Corner

AFTERSCHOOL ENRICHMENT REGISTRATION CLOSES TOMORROW!!!

These classes are held after school right here on the school campus! If you are interested in registering for any of the Fall enrichment classes, please be sure to submit the registration and payment to the office (or drop it in Keyspot) by tomorrow, Thursday, September 8th. There is plenty of space in Computers, Legos, Mad Science, and Basketball. If minimum enrollment is not met some classes may be cancelled. So if you are thinking about registering for any of these, please submit your forms as soon as possible. You can obtain more detailed information and registration and waiver forms at the PTA website at www.murwoodpta.org. If you have any questions, please contact Kim Claus (925)699-0705 or Kachina Foscalina at (925)212-3697 or email at murwoodase@gmail.com.

INNISBROOK SALES ARE TAKING OFF

Innisbrook sales began last week and continue through Sept. 21st. If you did not receive a packet in last week's Wednesday envelope, please contact Danielle Scheg at schegd@yahoo.com. Fifty percent of proceeds from each purchase will go to Murwood, so please show your support by participating in the sale.

Fifth Grade Families - Proceeds from Fourth Grade sales will be used to lower Outdoor Education costs for the student's Fifth Grade class next fall.

Fourth Grade Families -Proceeds from each student's sales will be used to off-set their own individual Outdoor Education costs. EVERY sale counts!

IT'S TIME FOR RELECTIONS
Each year, the National PTA Reflections Program challenges students to create art inspired by a specific theme. This year's Reflections theme is "Diversity Means." If you would like to volunteer to help organize this fun program at Murwood, please contact Tracie Granzotto at
Tracie_at_home@yahoo.com. More information about submitting an entry will be posted on the PTA website soon.

BOX TOPS 1, 2, 3

Three tips for better Box Tops results:

1. Make sure to check the expiration date on your Box Tops. Anything earlier than 12/31/11 has expired and is not redeemable.

2. If you are using the Box Top sheets that come home in the Wednesday envelope, please be sure to NOT use staples. Tape or glue stick are acceptable adherents, or if it's easier just throw them in a Ziplock bag (which is a participating Box Top vendor). Be sure to mark it with your teacher's name so you're sure to get classroom credit.

3. If your family doesn't purchase any products with Box Tops on them you can still earn credit for Murwood if you shop online. Log onto www.boxtops4education.com and through the earn tab you can shop at your favorite stores, (ex: Nordstrom, Target, Old Navy, Toy R Us, Justice, and more) and a portion of your total will come back to us.

Thank you for your support.

LEGISLATIVE NEWS

The 2011-12 school year is shaping up to be another challenging one! The economy continues to be a major issue at both the state and federal level, and education continues to suffer. State-wide, school budgets are facing yet another year of inadequate revenues, with some school districts taking drastic measures to save money.

In the recent "Blueprint for Great Schools" report, Superintendent Tom Torlakson stated: "There's no question that the financial emergency facing California's schools represents the biggest roadblock in our path, made even more daunting by the recent failure to reach a bipartisan budget agreement." (Read the complete report at www.cde.ca.gov)

Murwood PTA Legislation team is once again gearing up to work hard on behalf of the children to ensure that your legislators hear your voice, and do what is right for our children's education.

We will be keeping you informed about issues that affect education, organizing letter writing campaigns to local legislators and in the spring will take our annual Advocacy Day trip to Sacramento.

What can you do to help?

Go to your Murwood PTA meetings - a great way to get informed, and meet other parents who care about education. Sign up at www.lastrampaspta.org for legislative alerts and for more information.

Questions? Contact Soumya Saratchandran [Legislative Rep for Murwood] at soumyasarat@yahoo.com.

WCEF

September's First Friday and Upcoming Fall Events

First Friday! Click here to view the latest exclusive discounts and special offers from local businesses that support our Walnut Creek Schools.

Thank you for supporting our students through WCEF.

Upcoming Fall Events!

Whole Foods Shopping Day: Tell your family, friends and neighbors! Our next Whole Foods Shopping Day is September 14^th! 5% of all purchases go back to WCEF. Last time Whole Foods presented a check for over $6,000 to WCEF. Let's set a new record!
Downtown Wine Walk: Join us on Wednesday, September 14 from 6:00-9:00 p.m. at the Walnut Creek Downtown Business Association Fall Wine Walk. Advance tickets: $30 per person; $35 per person day of event. Click here for information and to purchase tickets. Be sure to select "Walnut Creek Education Foundation" under "How did you hear about this event?" and $25 of your ticket price will come back to WCEF!

Calendar

		September
8	Thu	Fall Afterschool Enrichment Registration ends
9	Fri	PTA Back to School Picnic, 6-7:30pm
20	Tue	First PTA Meeting - 7pm in the Library
21	Wed	Innisbrook Fundraiser ends

Community News

Please check out the WCSD website to see informational flyers for these events and other happenings.

Walnut Festival Run-Support Schools

Proceeds Support Walnut Creek Schools

5k walk/run, 10k run Click here for more information

Cub Scouts

1st meeting, Monday, September 12

Click here for more information

Walnut Creek Community Service Day

Participate in Walnut Creek's Year of the Volunteer All ages

http://www.walnut-creek.org/about/resources_n_programs/csd/default.asp.

Junior Knights Children's Cheer Camp and Performance

Open to all kids K-6

Cheer Halftime Performance Las Lomas vs Doherty Valley Football

School Pool Free Bus Passes for Students!

Passes available through September 16

Chess at Walnut Heights

Boys and Girls Grades 1-3

Learn Chess and Have Fun!

Walnut Creek Aquabears Fall Swimming

Learn new Techniques in a Fun, Friendly and Positive Atmosphere

Ages 7 and up

Sleuths & Youths

Walnut Creek Library

A Celebration of Children's Detective Fiction

Stanford University Online Courses (K-8)

All Levels of Ability, Individualized and Self -Paced

Las Lomas High School Car Classic

Proceeds benefit LLHS Class of 2012

Show Hours 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Little League Fall Ball

Less Competitive than Regular Season

Ages 7-12 and 12-15

Walnut Creek Recreation Fitness

Fall into Fitness with Zumba

Water Polo

Boys & Girls

Ages 7-18

East Bay Youth Sports

Fall Sports Programs Ages 4-14

Football, Baseball, Basketball, Soccer

KidZ Love Soccer

City of Walnut Creek Fall Soccer

Ages 2-10

Contra Costa Children's Chorus

Come Sing With Us!

No Experience Required Ages 6-15

Quick Links

Murwood School Website Murwood PTA Website

Murwood Keyspot Murwood School Lunch Menu

Walnut Creek School District WCEF - K12

Escrip Walnut Creek Intermediate

Las Lomas High School Las Trampas Creek Council of PTAs

E-News Submissions

To submit an article or announcement for next weeks e-news letter, please send by Friday, 5pm, to: murwoodpta@yahoo.com.

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