Today we celebrated Diverse Ability Day at Murwood. Students attended a Soul Shoppe workshop where they learned about some famous individuals who faced challenges that make them different from others. The students learned that we are all different and those differences make each one of us special. In addition to the workshop, students participated in hands-on learning experiences which simulated what it feels like to have communication difficulties, difficulties reading, sensory overload, fine motor difficulties and physical challenges. It is our goal at Murwood to create an inclusive community where the similarities and differences between students are respected and celebrated. Today gave us the opportunity to learn more about these differences and what it means to be accepting of all individuals both in our classroom and our school community. You can help your child at home by talking about their day today. I would encourage you to ask your child about the challenges they faced during their experiences today. Other questions you might ask your child: How were you able to overcome those challenges? How did it feel? Now that you understand better, do you feel more comfortable with children who act differently? What can you do if you see someone being teased or sitting by themselves? How can you help make Murwood a safe place for everyone? Also ask your child to tell you about the button they are bringing home today.

From the Office

ROPES ORIENTATION

The Walnut CreekSchool District is holding an informational Rite of Passage Experience (ROPES) Orientation for any interested fifth grade students and parents on Thursday, January 12, 2012 at 7:00 PM in the WCI Library. Click here to see flyer.

PALS INFORMATION MEETINGS

What: Parkmead PALS informational meetings

When: Thursday January 12, 2012

Tuesday January 17, 2012

Where: Parkmead MPR 7 pm

Who: These meetings are for families (child free) who are interested in learning more about the PALS program. Attendance to one of the meetings is mandatory in order to receive an application for the PALS program. Attendance is also required to maintain a child's place on the wait list for the 2012/2013 school year. Families of children with sibling priority need not attend. Please contact the membership co-chairs Shelly Havrilenko or Donna Chivers with any questions. membership@parkmeadpals.org.

NEW BOOSTER SEAT LAW

Beginning January 1, 2012 a new California Law began. The new law states that children must be secured in an appropriate child passenger restraint (safety seat or booster seat) in the back seat of a vehicle until they are at least 8 years old or 4 feet 9 inches in height. Parents or drivers face a minimum fine of $475 and a point on their driving record for not complying with the law. In order for our field trip drivers to be in compliance with the law we ask that you send a booster seat to school for your student on the day of a field trip.

5-Step Test (for children over 8 years old):

Can your child...

Sit with his/her back flat up against the vehicle seat

While his/her knees are bent naturally over the seat cushion edge

With the lap belt across his/her hip or thigh bones

And the shoulder belt across his/her shoulder (not crossing over his/her face or under his/her arm or, behind his/her back

And, he/she can stay seated in that position for the whole trip?

If your child cannot achieve all 5 steps above, they need to stay in their booster seat.

PTA Corner

WALKING CLUB HELP NEEDED

As we start off 2012, we are looking for a few volunteers to help keep the Walking Club available to our students during lunch. Volunteers are needed on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. Walking Club is held each day on the field from 11:45 -12:30. If you can help, please contact Tracie Granzotto at tracie_at_home@yahoo.com.

WIZARD OF OZ SING-A-LONG THIS FRIDAY

You are invited to follow the yellow brick road to Murwood's Movie Night: Sing-a-long Wizard of Oz! Friday, January 13th, 6:30pm

Murwood's Multi-Purpose room

Cookies and Milk will be provided for a treat.

This is a free event for the entire family.

*Parents or guardians are required to stay with your children.

Feel free to come dressed as your favorite character from the movie.

Bring your lawn chairs, sleeping bags and a picnic dinner.

See you somewhere over the rainbow!

AUCTION NEWS

TICKETS:Get your tickets now! You won't want to miss out on this fun evening on March 3 at the Clubhouse at Boundary Oaks. If you purchase your tickets by this Friday you'll receive the early bird price of $55 per person. Drop off your check in the school office or bring it with you to Wizard of Oz. Look for our auction and toffee table.

LEND A HAND: Come and join us for our next auction meeting on Tuesday, January 17 at 6 pm in the Library. The auction is less than two months away and WE NEED YOUR HELP!! We will be discussing donations follow-up, marketing, day-of event planning and the planning of the parties that we all love to attend!!

FAMILY DONATIONS: We rely on family donations for our annual auction. If you have a vacation home, time share, season tickets, mileage, etc. that you would like to donate, we could really use it! Not only will it help with our auction but it's a tax deduction. Donation forms are in the office.

The Murwood PTA is able to provide instructional materials and supplies, technology in the classrooms and library, salaries for science and playground supervisors, support for programs such as MNN, Accelerated Reader and Soul Shoppe, and staff development opportunities largely due to the proceeds of this event. We urge everyone in the Murwood community to attend and support our wonderful school!

TIME TO START SELLING RAFFLE TICKETS

Look for the raffle packets that will be coming home in your child's Wednesday envelope today. The grand prize this year is a Dell Inspiron 14z laptop! Second prize is a Barnes and Noble Nook Tablet with WiFi. The winning tickets will be drawn at the auction on March 3. The top ticket selling class wins a pizza party and the top student seller earns a $50 cash card. If all tickets are sold we can potentially raise over $15 thousand for our children. Wow!

PTA MEETING

The PTA meeting will follow the auction meeting at 7pm on the 17th. We will be meeting in the library. Agenda items include a financial update, electing our nominating committee for next year's PTA Board members, and information on Diverse Ability Day. Hope to see you there!

SPRING ASE

Spring ASE registration is just around the corner! Registration will start on January 23, 2012 and end on February 15, 2012. Classes will begin the week of February 27. Some of the classes offered this session are - Chess, Field Games, Computers, Tennis, Yoga/Zumba, Indoor Broom Hockey, Village Music and Mad Science. Register early to guarantee your spot! Registration info will be online starting January 23 and also available in the office. For questions please email murwoodase@gmail.com.

MURWOOD SCIENCE FAIR

The Murwood Science Fair is Thursday, February 2. Have you started your Science Fair project yet? Check the Science page on the Murwood School website for places to go for ideas. Paperwork is also shown there.

CALIFORNIA STATE PTA

Has your PTA implemented a parent education program that engages parents and families about digital issues such as cyberbullying and internet safety?

If so you can apply for a $500 award from PTA and Common Sense Media. Click here for an application and more information.

WCEF

Thank You Wells Fargo Bank & Honey Bear Trees

Thank you to Wells Fargo Bank for their support of WCEF through the Wells Fargo Bank Educators' Grant. This is the second year in a row WCEF has received a $10,000 donation to help support their programs. This photo is from the check presentation with Mary Vanderpan, WCEF President, Elizabeth Davis, WCEF Executive Director, and Bob Ceglio, Regional President for Wells Fargo.

To our families who purchased their holiday greens from the Honey Bear Tree lot this year, thanks to you WCEF will receive approximately $600 towards their fundraising goal.

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

		January
11	Wed	Diverse Ability Event
12	Thu	Ropes Orientation, 5th Grade, WCI Library, 7:00-8:30pm
13	Fri	Family Fun Night, MPR, 6:30pm
16	Mon	No School, Martin Luther King Observance
17	Tue	Auction Meeting, 6pm
17	Tue	PTA meeting, Library, 7pm
27	Fri	Student Leadership Spirit Day - Pajama Day

Community News

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

Las Lomas Jr. Knights Basketball Cheer Clinic

Performance at varsity boys game in February

Boy Scouts of America Troop 216 eWaste & Shredding Fundraiser

Saturday, January 21, 9am-4pm

Join Us For Fun Scouting Events Boy Scout Troop #216

Open House Meetings & Activities for All New Boy Scouts & Parents

Scout Troop 1811 Buddy Night

Troop 1811 is hosting a free night of fun from 6:00 pm January 13 to 9:00 am January 14 at the Elks Lodge #1811 in Walnut Creek. Friends are welcome. Read more about this fun FREE event.

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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