Reading is one of the most important skills a child learns in school. It is important that children have access to good books and the opportunity to choose their own books, which will motivate them to read more. The more practice children get reading, the better reader they will become. Reading is vital to every child's success, and raising children to be readers means getting involved while they are young. Consider visiting the library and letting your child choose books to borrow. You can also give books as gifts to your child. We invite you to visit our Book Fair, where there is a wonderful selection of fun engaging and affordable books that kids want to read. The Book Fair will be open through the Fall Festival on Saturday. Don't forget to share the enjoyment to be found in a good book by reading aloud to your child regularly.

From the Office

SUPERINTENDENT COFFEE

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

9:00-10:00am

Murwood Staff Lounge

Superintendent Wool will be hosting a series of coffee hours to meet with parents at each of our schools. This is an opportunity for all parents to talk with the Superintendent in a casual setting. Please bring your thoughts, questions and concerns and join her for coffee and snacks.

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 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

COME VISIT THE BOOKFAIR

This week is our annual Scholastic Bookfair. We're in the library everyday from 8am-3pm with a fabulous selection of books for all ages and levels of readers. We encourage everyone to come in and show our kids how important reading is. If you can't make it this week, we are also available online. Visit the PTA website at www.murwoodpta.org and shop at home. You can forward the link to family and friends so they can help Murwood too. The online bookfair will run until October 26th. Online orders will be delivered, with no shipping costs, to school.

LAST CHANCE TO GET YOUR WIMPY KID ORDERS IN

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 of $9.19 with tax. If you haven't filled out an order form, they are available in the office and at the bookfair in the library. The last day to get your order in will be at the Fall Fest, this Saturday. All preorders count as bookfair sales and benefit Murwood's fundraiser. If you have any questions, please contact Alison McDaniel, alisonmcdaniel@yahoo.com.

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.

MURWOOD SPIRIT WEAR

One more chance to order T-shirts only from the Spirit wear collection. Click here for the order form. The final day to order will be October 31st. Make checks payable to Gryco Sportswear. Forms will be going out in today's Wednesday envelope.

WCEF

Five Little Monkeys

Join us at the Five Little Monkeys Open House, 1366 Main St, Walnut Creek on Thursday, October 20 from 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. Great promotions all day. Purchase a raffle ticket for a chance to win some amazing prizes! All raffle ticket proceeds will be donated to WCEF.

"A Taste for Education"

Thank you to everyone who joined us on Sunday, October 16 for our annual "A Taste for Education". It was a magnificent day in the Gardens at Heather Farm. We would also like to thank parent Rod Santos of Wine Thieves and the many restaurants that helped make this event possible. Click here for a complete list. Check out the photos on our Facebook Page!

Thank you for supporting our students through WCEF.

Calendar

		October
12-26	Wed-Wed	Online Book Fair ends 10/26
17-22	Mon-Sat	Book Fair
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 NOTES

Thank you to everyone who attended the Rocco's Family Night event! The joint was packed and the food was delicious. Thank you to those who purchased gift cards the day of the event even though you weren't able to attend. The gift card sales count in the total amount Keyspot will receive.

Mark your calendar:

Keyspot Family Night at Chevy's Fresh Mex

Wednesday, November 2, 2011 from 11:00 AM to 10:30 PM.

Chevy's will donate 25% of the proceeds directly to Keyspot.

650 Ellinwood Way, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523 (925)685-6651

Be sure to take a flyer with you. You can get download one

on the Keyspot website www.murwoodkeyspot.org.

Keep Keyspot updated: As fall winds down and winter draws nearer children's schedules begin to change. Soccer season concludes, some after school activities wrap up and other sports & activities begin. Please drop Keyspot an email with any schedule changes your children may have ahead of time. FYI: Did you know that Keyspot is open 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM Monday through Friday? This is especially convenient during the month of November when there are 4 early release days and 7 non-school days. If your child is not currently registered for a Block that includes the early release days or the non-school days you MUST sign up for them in advance. Keyspot's current enrollment is at the licensed capacity and space WILL be a factor for last minute drop-ins. Call (925)932-8118 or email keyspot@pacbell.net to reserve a space for your child at any time. Visit our web site www.murwoodkeyspot.org to get registration information.

Diablo Valley Farmers Market-Halloween Harvest

October 29th Kids Costume Parade at 10 AM

Farmers market Every Saturday, 9-1

Howe Homestead Harvest Festival - FREE Admission

Fun For The Whole Family! Sunday, October 30th, 11am-4pm

Pumpkin Carving, Stories, Face Painting,Games & Crafts, Spooky Trail

After-School Program

Contra Costa JCC-California Adventure Camps

Boys and Girls 1st - 5th grades

Webelos Invitational Campout

October 22-23, Noon Sat. to noon Sun.

For more information: 818Scoutmaster@gmail.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.