A BIG, HUGE THANK YOU TO Aileen, Thomas, Kym, Drew, Matt, Aimee, Naomi, Zephyr, Garnet, Arjun, Naglaa, Ali, Omar, Jennifer and William for participating in the 1st Walnut Creek Community Service Day! They came to the Murwood library on Saturday morning and cleaned books and shelves! Be sure to say "Thank you" when you see them on campus. I'd like to continue cleaning the books, if you have an hour come to the library and you can clean books! The library can always use volunteers!

PARKING LOT

The spaces labeled "staff" are for school staff only. Several staff members leave and arrive at varying times throughout the day and we ask, as a courtesy to them, that you not park in a staff spot during the school day, or during morning drop-off. We have a few visitor spaces near the office we ask that you use these for short visits into the office. When volunteering please park in the spots which are not labeled. Thank you.

CREEK AND CHANNEL SAFETY AWARENESS MONTH

October is Creek and Channel Safety Awareness Month. Please take this opportunity to speak to your children about the dangers of fast moving storm water and the almost certain fate of anyone who enters rain swollen creeks and channels. The flood control channels are designed to drain storm water from our communities and take it swiftly "out to sea", preventing flooding. Appreciate the great job they do for our community, but leave the channels to storm water and Stay Out, Stay Alive!

For more information please visit: www.cccounty.us/creekandchannelsafety.

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 in the Multipurpose Room. 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

schoolbookfairs for more titles. The online fair will run from October 12-26.

DO YOUR KIDS LOVE THE WIMPY KID BOOKS?

They probably do. This ultra popular series is set to have a new release available in November, but you can preorder your copy today at a reduced price. Flyers went home last week, but more are available in the office. Please fill out the order form and turn in your payment to make sure you get your copy. All preorders count as bookfair sales and benefit Murwood's fundraiser. If you have any questions, please contact Alison McDaniel, 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.

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.

LEGISLATIVE NEWS:

Authored by Assemblyman Mike Eng, D-Monterey Park, AB 1156 expands the definition of bullying. Parents of children who are bullied by classmates would be able to transfer them to another district under this bill now awaiting the signature of Gov. Jerry Brown. The bill would also require school-site personnel to be trained to recognize a larger definition of safe schools, one that goes beyond natural disasters or criminal activity.

Also California is one of 20 states chosen to develop new common content standards in science as part of a national effort to better prepare students. As a lead state, California will help write the new standards based on a framework developed by the National Research Council, but it is not obligated to adopt the standards once they are complete.

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

WCEF

Taste for Education, Thank you and Time to Match

"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. Ticket prices increase the day of the event. Come join us as a volunteer - it is fun and we need your help! Click here if you can volunteer at the event.

Downtown Business Association (DBA) Wine Walk

The DBA Wine Walk held on September 14 was a huge success. WCEF earned $4,375 thanks to the parents, friends and community members who attended and chose us as their beneficiary. Thank you DBA Walnut Creek for your continued support of our local schools.

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

		October
6	Thu	Grades 4-5 Curriculum Night, 7:00-8:30pm, MPR
10	Mon	Reflections entry forms and submissions due
11	Tue	5th Grade Heritage Day
13	Thu	Soul Shoppe Family Night, 7:00-8:30pm, MPR
14	Fri	Final 5th grade camp deposit due
18	Tue	PTA Meeting, 7pm, Room 14
20	Thu	Grades K-1 Curriculum Night, 7:00-8:30pm, MPR
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 2-3 Curriculum Night, 7:00-8:30pm, MPR

Community News

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

Cub Scouts

Interested in joining Cub Scouts? It's not too late! Please join us at our next meeting, Monday, October 10, in the Murwood multi-purpose room. Pizza and salad at 6pm ($4 per person), activities at 6:30pm. We are having a special visit by the East Bay Vivarium, and will learn all about reptiles! For more info contact Elizabeth Boegel at elizabethboegel@gmail.com.

Girl Scouts of Northern California

Daisy, Brownie, Junior Girl Scout Parent Meeting

Wednesday, October 12th WCI - (Library)

2425 Walnut Blvd., Walnut Creek 7:00 to 8:00 PM

If your kindergarten through fifth grade daughter is interested in Girl Scouts, please come to this meeting. Join us for information about the Girl Scout program and on how to enroll your daughter in Girl Scouts. Questions, please e-mail Allison Ridenhour at ridenhoura@aol.com.

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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