News From Murwood PTA

Parent Teacher Conferences are coming. Teachers are beginning to send home notices and reminders for scheduling conferences. Students will have minimum days beginning on Wednesday, November 16 through Friday, November 18. There will be no school for students on Monday, November 21 and Tuesday, November 22. These dates and times are reserved for parent-teacher conferences. Our Murwood staff values the time and opportunity that we have to meet with parents to personally discuss your child's progress. We appreciate your effort to attend and actively participate in your child's conference during the designated conference days. Our teachers work very hard to develop a conference schedule that provides the necessary time to share your child's progress while meeting the scheduling needs of all the parents. Once your conference has been scheduled, we ask that you arrive on time and honor the designated time frame of the conference. Teachers have scheduled conferences with the parents of at least 20-28 students and your adherence to the schedule is appreciated. Please also note, that according to the California Labor Code 230.8(a) (1), all parents have a right to take time from work to attend parent-teacher conferences.

In an effort to help you prepare for your child's conference, below is a list of questions that you may choose to consider prior to your conference. Having planned questions will facilitate the conference process. Here's a sampling of questions that you may want to ask:

Is my child meeting grade level standards?

Is my child working to his/her ability?

How has my child's work improved this reporting period?

What are my child's strengths and weaknesses?

In what specific ways can I help my child improve in his/her weaker areas?

In what ways can I reinforce classroom work at home?

How can I help my child with his/her homework?

Does my child have a positive attitude in class?

How is my child's relationship with peers?

Does my child consider the feelings of others?

Does my child accept responsibility for his/her actions?

How can I work with you and the school to support the success of my child at school?

I hope that you find your parent-teacher conference to be a valuable experience, and we look forward to working with you to meet the needs of your child.

From the Office

LIFETOUCH MAKE-UP DAY

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

NOVEMBER SCHEDULE

During the month of November our school schedule is adjusted for staff development, parent-teacher conferences and holidays.

The following dates are non-attendance days for students:

November 10 - Staff Development

November 11 - Veteran's Day

November 21-25 - Thanksgiving Holiday

The following dates are minimum school days students in grades 1-5 will be dismissed at 12:15:

November 4

November 16-18

All Kindergarten students will attend from 8:00-11:50 on minimum days with the exception of Wednesday, November 16 which remains 8:00-11:20.

PAPER SAVER

We are beginning our paper saver program again in order to conserve natural resources and save the cost of copying. Beginning with the Wednesday envelope next week only the youngest child in the family will bring home paper notices in their Wednesday envelope.

PTA Corner

INNISBROOK ORDERS ARRIVE TODAY!

Your Innisbrook Orders will arrive today, Wednesday, November 2nd. They will be available for pick up after school.

THIS WEEK ONLY: SPECIAL HOLIDAY SHOPPING OPPORTUNITY!

The holidays are fast approaching, and the Murwood community has a terrific opportunity to get some holiday shopping done quickly and easily! Local toffee company, Elaine's Toffee Etc., has agreed to allow us to sell their delicious, buttery toffee in advance of the Holiday Boutique, and Murwood will reap the profits. This is a great opportunity to purchase delightful gifts for family, friends and co-workers, and as well as benefit Murwood. Elaine's Toffee is known for their perfect crunch and has been featured on the Rachel Ray Show. Click here for an order form.

This unique opportunity came to us with short notice. Orders must be returned to the school office by this Friday, November 4. Orders will be available for pick up at the Holiday Boutique on Saturday, December 3. Contact Shelden Hyde with any questions at sheldenhyde@astound.net.

DO YOU HAVE 3 BOX TOPS?

If everyone was able to turn in 3 Box Tops each month, we would be able to reach our goal of $1,200 this year. Do you have 3 Box Tops? Be sure to put whatever number you have on the new November collection sheet coming home this week.

HARVEST FEST THANK YOU!

A huge thank you to all the wonderful volunteers that came out to make the Harvest Fest great! We all had a knee slapping fabulous time. Murwood Parents - You are amazing.

WCEF

Walnut Creek Sports & Fitness Turkey Trot to Benefit WCEF & P.E.A.K.

Be part of Walnut Creek's premier holiday event, the 19th Annual Walnut Creek Sports & Fitness Turkey Trot 5K/10K/Kids Fun Runs, by participating or volunteering on Thanksgiving morning, November 24, to raise money for WCEF. This year we are asking for your help by getting sponsorships for your Turkey Trot run from your friends and family. Click here for all the details! It's a healthy activity to share with thousands of other enthusiastic runners who care about healthy minds and bodies. Not a runner but want to join in the fun? Over 200 volunteers are needed for race preparation and race day support.

Click here to sign up! Thank you for supporting our students through WCEF.

Calendar

		November
2	Wed	Innisbrook Wrap to be distributed, after school, front lawn
4	Fri	Elaine's Toffee orders due today
4	Fri	Short School Day
7	Mon	Lifetouch Picture Make-up day, 8:30-10:30am
10	Thu	No School/District Staff Development
11	Fri	No School/Veteran's Day
15	Tue	PTA Meeting, 7pm, Library
16-18	Wed-Fri	Short School Days
21-22	Mon-Tue	No School/Parent Conferences
23	Wed	No School
24-25	Thu-Fri	Thanksgiving Holiday

Community News

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

KEYSPOT NOTES

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.

Warriors Basketball Camp Winter 2011-12

Boys and Girls, Ages 7-15

Walnut Creek Warriors Lacrosse

Registration Is Open for the Spring 2012 Season

Girl and Boy Teams Ages 7-14

After-School Program

Contra Costa JCC-California Adventure Camps

Boys and Girls 1st - 5th grades

Boy Scout Troup 818

Open house for boys 6-8th grade

Monday, November 7th

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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