Today Soul Shoppe was at our school to focus on Caring. We can demonstrate caring by treating others with respect and by acting responsibly. Daniel taught students that when negative things happen to people, we tend to put "bricks" up around our hearts, cutting ourselves off from other people. With "bricks" around their hearts, many children stop caring about themselves and the people around them. Our focus is on "taking down the bricks" by teaching students how to reach out, talk to others, and express their feelings in constructive ways.

You can help your child practice Caring by:

· Asking your child what they care about.

· Sharing with your child what YOU care about.

· Asking your child how he/she can show care in your family, in your community.

· Ask your child what it means to "take down the bricks".

We care about EVERYONE at our school-children, teachers, parents, administrators, staff- and together we can foster an even more caring environment.

From the Office

SUPERINTENDENT MESSAGE

Dear Walnut Creek School District Community,

Below is a link to a questionnaire concerning program improvement in the Walnut Creek School District. We are seeking input from all parents and staff in the district. Please take a few minutes to take this survey which will be open from October 10-October 14. Thank you in advance.

Program Improvement Survey

Sincerely,

Patricia Wool, Ed.D.

Superintendent

Walnut Creek School District

LIFETOUCH MAKE-UP DAY

Lifetouch photo make-up day is on Monday, November 7th, from 8:30-10:30am.

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 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

ONLINE BOOK FAIR STARTS TODAY

This year's book fair has a new online option that starts today. Log onto the PTA website, www.murwoodpta.org and click on the book fair button. Thousands of titles will be available for all age groups, including adults. Please let your friends and families know they can participate too by shopping online. All online orders will be shipped for free to school. The online book fair will run from the 12th to the 26th. Our on site book fair will be next week, from the 17th through the 22nd. We hope to see you all there.

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. Order forms have already gone home, 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.

AUCTION FOR EDUCATION

Come down to the school on Tuesday, October 18th, between 6 pm-7 pm in room 14 to help with the Auction for Education. We will be assembling donation letter mailers to send to local business and organizations in an effort to gain their support in making a difference at Murwood Elementary. Your help is greatly appreciated!

SPIRIT WEAR IS IN

If you ordered Spirit Wear at Welcome Back Days, you should have received your order earlier this week. If you did not, please contact Nicole Larsen at nicolelarsen@sbcgolbal.net.

HARVEST FEST IN THE WILD WEST!

Yeehaw!

Murwood's Fall Fest in the wild west is on Saturday, October 22nd

11am-2:30pm on the Murwood Campus

Come enjoy a rootin tootin good time with your fellow mustangs!

This is a FREE event for the entire family. Come enjoy the Little Explorers petting zoo, The dazzling magic of Heather Rogers, many game booths and fabulous prizes!

Is your apple pie the best in the west? Try your luck in The Great Apple Pie Showdown at high noon.

There will be great grub available for purchase:

Tacos from Los Gallos Taqueria $2 each

Frosty frozen yogurt from Blush $3 each

Try your luck at the cake hoedown $1 per try

Don't forget you take a last chance look at the book fair, it is out of this world!

Contact Garnet Shah if you would like to find out about volunteer opportunities: garnetshah@hotmail.com

WCEF

"A Taste for Education" - Hurry, only a few tickets remain for this great annual event!

Join us outside on Sunday, October 16 from 2:30 - 5:00 PM in the Gardens at Heather Farm for sips and savors. Golden State Warrior NBA star Dorell Wright's collectible autographed game shoes, tickets to the CAL vs. Washington football game, Swarovski crystal earrings and other cool items will be available for your silent bidding pleasure. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets. Ticket price is $35 and will increase the day of the event. Come join us as a volunteer - it's fun and we need your help! Click here if you can volunteer at the event.

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.

Calendar

		October
12-26	Wed-Wed	Online Book Fair
13	Thu	Soul Shoppe Family Night, 7:00-8:30pm, MPR
14	Fri	5th Grade Outdoor Education payment due
17-22	Mon-Sat	Book Fair (Book Fair is open later on Tue. 10/18 from 5:30-7pm)
18	Tue	Auction for Education meeting, 6-7pm, Room 14
18	Tue	PTA Meeting, 7pm, Room 14
20	Thu	Grades K-1 Curriculum Night, 7:00-8:30pm, MPR
22	Sat	Harvest Fest in the Wild West, 11-2pm, Murwood Campus
24-28	Mon-Fri	5th Grade Outdoor Education - Camp Loma Mar
27	Thu	Grades 2-3 Curriculum Night, 7:00-8:30pm, MPR
31	Mon	Pumpkin carving contest & parade

Community News

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

KEYSPOT FUNDRAISER

At Chevy's

Wednesday, November 2nd, 11:00am-10:30pm

650 Ellinwood Way, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523

For reservations call: (925) 685-6651

Keyspot will receive 25%

Simply print out the attached fliers and bring one to the restaurant with you. Extras can be given to friends and family. The more the merrier!

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.

You can easily remove your email address from this weekly newsletter list by clicking on the words "Update your Profile/email address" at the bottom of this email.