Our school is happy to begin Soul Shoppe again this year. Today students and teachers attended their first Soul Shoppe Workshop of the year, entitled "Respect". Our goal is to create a community of learning where each person is respected and honored for who they are. Daniel, our Soul Shoppe facilitator, introduced two tools at the grade level workshops, the "Chair of Respect" and the "Balloon". These tools help us to get to the core of what Respect means in our school community. The "Chair of Respect" is a metaphor for making wise choices. The "Balloon" demonstrates how we can deal with feelings that we don't know what to do with and what happens when we don't deal with those feelings. I want to encourage you to ask your child about the metaphors, and practice the tools with your child by using the bookmarks they are bringing home today.

The Soul Shoppe objectives:
Create Optimal Learning Environments: A foundation of Respect
Personal Empowerment: Awareness around choices we make
SkillBuilding : To navigate life powerfully
Community Enhancement: Promote empathy and high level functioning for all
Joyful Living: Encourage a sense of freedom in all we do.

In the coming weeks I will be sharing more information with you about the program and how you can support your child at home. I hope you will all mark your calendars to attend our Soul Shoppe Family Night on Thursday, October 13 at 7:00 PM.

From the Office

OUTDOOR EDUCATION - 5TH GRADE

There will be an Outdoor Education parent meeting Thursday, September 22, from 6:00-7:00 PM in the library. A representative from Camp Loma Mar will be at the meeting to share information about the camp and to answer your questions. The gift wrap sale has been extended until Monday, September 26. The gift wrap sales for 5th grade students go directly towards reducing individual camp costs.

MURWOOD PARENT EDUCATION

During the month of October we will be hosting several Parent Education events at Murwood. We will have a series of Curriculum Nights from 7:00-8:30 PM. This will be an opportunity for parents to learn about the content standards and how the curriculum is implemented at each grade level. Our staff will share instructional strategies used in the classroom and ways that parents can help at home. The focus will be on three areas; reading, writing and math. We will also have a Soul Shoppe Family Night. This will be an opportunity for parents to learn more about our Character Education program. Daniel, our Soul Shoppe facilitator, will review the Soul Shoppe tools with parents and children. Please mark your calendars.

Thursday, October 6 - Grades 4-5 Curriculum Night

Thursday, October 13 - Soul Shoppe Family Night

Thursday, October 20 - Grades 2-3 Curriculum Night

Thursday, October 27 - Grades K-1 Curriculum Night

WALNUT CREEK SCHOOL DISTRICT 2011-12 CALENDAR

See here for this year's school calendar.

PTA Corner

INNISBROOK DEADLINE EXTENDED TO 9/26
Last chance to order gift wrap, gifts and chocolates through our Innisbrook fundraising sale. We must close sale on Monday, September 26. Please order now to benefit our school, and don't forget to remind family and friends. There is still time to reach our goal, but you must order NOW! If you have not received a packet, please contact Danielle Scheg at schegd@yahoo.com. Please remember, 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!

MURWOOD FUNDRAISING COMMITEE

Exciting new events are in the works, including the Holiday Boutique, the Gingerbread Shoppe and the Spring Auction. Learn how you can get involved, meet new friends and make a huge impact this year at Murwood! Come join us for our first Fundraising Committee Meeting of the school year, on Tuesday, September 27th at 7pm in the Library. Mark your calender; look forward to seeing you there.

2 WAYS TO EARN FOR MURWOOD

Did you know that by logging into www.2ways2earn.com you can register to earn extra Box Tops credit for Murwood? Such common products like General Mills cereals, Betty Crocker, Progresso, Yoplait and more are participating through December 15, 2011. Log onto www.2ways2earn.com and register with your grocery store club card, purchase participating products, and see the money start rolling in.

WIMPY KID PRE-ORDERS COMING HOME

Check out today's Wednesday envelopes for your pre-order form for the upcoming Diary of A Wimpy Kid : Cabin Fever. This ultra popular series by Jeff Kinney is a kid favorite. Books ordered with this form will be considered a part of our upcoming Scholastic Book Fair sales which benefits Murwood. Please return your pre-order by the end of the bookfair, October 22^nd. If you have any questions about this pre-order, please contact Alison McDaniel at alisonmcdaniel@yahoo.com.

WALKING CLUB HELP NEEDED

Walking Club volunteers are needed on Mondays and Tuesdays from 11:40-12:30 on the track. Volunteers help the kids keep track of laps and hand out feet for every mile walked. If you are interested in helping please contact Tracie Granzotto at tracie_at_home@yahoo.com

ESCRIP - DO YOU GROCERY SHOP?

You may have noticed the "10% Goes Back To School" signs at your local grocery stores lately. Over the last month, your purchases have accumulated money those products will donate to our school. Starting September 19th, a code will be printed on the bottom of your receipt for you to redeem that money for Murwood. Starting September 19th, take your code and go to www.backtoschools.escrip.com and select Murwood. Enter the code on your receipt and Murwood will receive that money you've earned. It's that easy. If you don't have access to a computer, you can bring your receipt into the office and we can enter it for you. Escrip members contributions will be automatically donated. Entries must be made by October 13th.

REFLECTIONS PROGRAM 2011-12

The Murwood PTA is proud to sponsor the Reflections Program. Reflections provides an opportunity for students to express themselves creatively and to receive positive recognition for original works of art inspired by the theme "Diversity Means..." Students can submit entries in six different categories; Literature, Photography, Visual Arts, Musical Composition, Dance Choreography, and Film Production. Entry forms and category rules are available on the Murwood Elementary School PTA website.

Completed entry forms and submissions are due in the Office by Monday, October 10, 2011.

Any questions can be directed to the Reflections Chair, Tracie Granzotto, at tracie_at_home@yahoo.com.

HOLIDAY BOUTIQUE

Calling all Vendors, Home Business Owners, etc. We would like to talk to you regarding Murwood's First Holiday Boutique! Please contact Shelden Hyde at sheldenhyde@astound.net.

HARVEST FEST IN THE WILD WEST!

Save the date: Saturday, October 22nd, 11-2pm

Keep an eye on the e-news and Wednesday folders for more information. Volunteer opportunities still available. Contact Garnet: garnetshah@hotmail.com for more information.

WCEF

Only 9 Days Left - Shop Now and Support our Students through September 30th!

Moms Helping Schools: 40% of each sale of these Mom Invented Products goes straight to WCEF through Sept. 30th! Click here to start shopping and be sure to tell your friends and family!
Extreme Pizza - 20% off your order and 10% back to WCEF. Click hereto place your order or get more information.

"A Taste for Education"

Join us outside on Sunday, October 16 from 2:30 - 5:00 PM in the Gardens at Heather Farm. Stroll the grounds while enjoying savory sips, delectable treats, fine music, and the camaraderie of friends, faculty, and other WCEF supporters! A few select auction items will also be available for your silent bidding pleasure. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.

$5,649.60 raised at our Whole Foods Shopping Days! Thank you to our partner, Whole Foods and to all who shopped and supported our students. Thank you also to those who attended the DBA Wine Walk. We don't have the figures yet from this event but will post them when they become available.

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.

WCEF Seeking Data Manager

The Walnut Creek Education Foundation (WCEF) is seeking a Data Manager to process donations, generate reports, maintain database, and assist with budget preparation. This is a part time paid position with variable hours based on the time of the year. Hours vary and range from 20-80 hours per month - with an average of 50 hours per month. For a list of skills and responsibilities, click here.

To get additional information or to apply send a cover letter and resume to Glynnis Cowdery at lifmag@aol.com no later than September 25, 2011.

Calendar

		September
21	Wed	Innisbrook Fundraiser ends
21	Wed	MAC Meeting, 4:30-5:30pm, Library
22	Thu	Parent Outdoor Ed Meeting, 6-7pm, Library
27	Tue	Fundraising Committee meeting, 7pm, Library
29	Thu	5th grade camp deposit due
		October
6	Thu	Grades 4-5 Curriculum Night
10	Mon	Reflections entry forms and submissions due
13	Thu	Soul Shoppe Family Night
20	Thu	Grades 2-3 Curriculum Night
17-22	Mon-Sat	Book Fair
22	Sat	Harvest Fest in the Wild West, 11-2pm, Murwood Campus
27	Thu	Grades K-1 Curriculum Night

Community News

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

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.

Sprouts Cooking Club

Girls & Boys Ages 7-15

Classes held at Whole Foods Market - Lafayette

Walnut Creek Bulldawgs Baseball Spring Tryouts

Boys 9-14

Develop skills and strategies to play competitive baseball

Youth League Tennis

Ages 5-14 All Levels

Fall and Winter Sessions

All Ears Reading Children Grades 1-5

Reading with animals at the Walnut Creek Library

Second Monday of each month 4-4:30

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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