I would like to encourage 5th graders to participate in the Right of Passage Experience, ROPES program. This is an opportunity for students to participate in an enrichment activity before they complete a cycle of their education- elementary school. The purpose of the program is to give students the opportunity to participate in an academic ritual that connects learning with real life experiences. ROPES is an optional program supported by many groups in the Walnut Creek community. If you and your child were not able to attend the Orientation Meeting last week it is still possible to participate. We have booklets available in the office which explain the program in more detail, including the types of projects students can choose to do.

From the Office

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.

KINDERGARTEN ORIENTATION FOR NEW PARENTS OF PRESCHOOLERS

The Walnut Creek School District is offering Kindergarten Orientation for Parents of Preschool Students Entering Kindergarten. Join them on February 15 at 7:00 pm in the Walnut Creek Intermediate School Library. RSVP by February 10.

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.

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. Drop off your check in the school office. Ticket prices are $65 per person.

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!

Do you own your own business? Advertising spaces are available in this year's auction program at reasonable rates. If you are interested in an ad space, contact Danielle Scheg at 925-518-6899 or schegd@yahoo.com.

HOT RAFFLE TICKET PRIZES

The raffle packets came home in your child's Wednesday envelope last week. 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. Raffle tickets are $5/ticket or $40/booklet. If all tickets are sold we can potentially raise over $15 thousand for our children. Wow!

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.

WCEF

Gather 'round for the grand opening of Nothing Bundt Cakes in Walnut Creek! On Friday, January 20, 9:00-6:00 p.m., 20% of proceeds from this new bakery will benefit WCEF. For more information on all the grand opening activities, click here.

On Friday, January 13, Walnut Creek Sports and Fitness (WCSF) presented a $30,000 check to WCEF as co-beneficiary of the 19th Annual Turkey Trot Thanksgiving Day 5k/10k and Kid's Fun Run. Thank you to WCSF as well to all our families and community members who came out on that rainy morning last November to run or volunteer. Participation in the Turkey Trot and all of WCEF's fundraising events helps provide the enriching and engaging learning environments our students need to prepare them for the demands of the 21st century. We look forward to seeing you at the race next year!

Thank you for supporting our students through WCEF.

Calendar

		January
27	Fri	Student Leadership Spirit Day - Pajama Day
		February
02	Thu	Science Fair
13-24		Online Auction
15	Wed	Incoming Kindergarten Parent Orientation, 7pm, WCI Library
16	Thu	Staff Development day, No School for Students
17	Fri	Holiday, Lincoln's Birthday observed
20	Mon	Holiday, Washington's Birthday observed
21	Tue	PTA meeting, Library, 7pm
		March
03	Sat	Fiesta para la Escuela at Boundary Oaks

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

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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