Collaboration began last week. During collaboration teachers meet by grade levels, to plan instruction and review assessments. Twice a month during collaboration they meet with our Instructional Coach, Laura Duggan. Last week teachers studied beginning of the year assessment data to determine which students were in need of additional support and which students would benefit from enrichment in their classes. This information was also used to develop action research topics. During coached collaboration teachers and the coach work on Action Research. Action Research is an inquiry process whereby teachers study an aspect of teaching in depth in order to improve their teaching practice. In addition, teachers will meet three times this year with all grade level colleagues at the district with a focus on math. While teachers are in collaboration students attend classes led by our Music, Art and PE Specialists. The specialist program is funded by the Walnut Creek Education Foundation (WCEF).

From the Office

LIBRARY HELP NEEDED

Library Volunteers Wanted! Do you love books? Know your ABC's? Have an hour to give to the school? Then the library is the place for you! The library needs volunteers. Please contact Erin in the library 8:30 -2:30 or email at kdurflinger@wcsd.k12.ca.us. Thank you!

5TH GRADE OUTDOOR EDUCATION

All Outdoor Education paperwork is due to the office Friday, September 30.

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 7:00-8:30pm. 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 K-1 Curriculum Night

*Thursday, October 27 - Grades 2-3 Curriculum Night

* Please note the date changes for K-1 and 2-3.

PTA Corner

murwood

NEW this year: our first Online Book Fair! Beginning October 12, visit our Book Fair Website and purchase books that will be delivered FREE to your child's classroom. Email the link above to friends and family who are far away and the books will be shipped 3 days after our Online Book Fair closes on October 26!

Don't forget to order your copy of Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever! Order forms are available in the school office. Contact Alison McDaniel at alisonmcdaniel@yahoo.com with questions about Wimpy Kid orders.

BATTY FOR BOX TOPS

Be sure to look for your October Box Tops collection sheet in your child's Wednesday envelope. We're off to a great start this year. We've collected over 1,700 Box Tops so far! Let's keep it up!

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.

HOLIDAY BOUTIQUE

Are you creative? Whether your talents are expressed with paint, yarn, fabric, beads, wood, or something else eye-catching and wonderful, 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 on the Murwood Campus. This is a family event that is free to attend. There will be Los Gallos Taqueria Taco cart: $2 tacos, Blush Frozen Yogurt, Games & Prizes, Little Explorers Petting Zoo, The Magic of Heather Rogers, Book Fair,

Live entertainment and MORE! 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

"A Taste for Education" to Benefit WCEF Hosted by Wine Thieves

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.

Increase Your Donation to WCEF with Corporate Matching

Remember, if your company offers corporate matching, don't forget to sign-up. For Kaiser employees, October is the month to sign up for matching your WCEF contribution. To find out if your company has a matching gift policy, click here. It's an easy way to double your donation to WCEF! If you have questions, please contact Liz Davis at eadavisus@yahoo.com.

Thank you for supporting our students through WCEF.

Calendar

		September
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
14	Fri	Final 5th grade camp deposit due
18	Tue	PTA Meeting, 7pm, place TBD
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
24-28	Mon-Fri	5th Grade Camp Loma Mar trip
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.

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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