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The Murch
Mustang Express
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| Reach for the Best |
October 30, 2009 |
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Happy Halloween!
As we head into our second term, it's an appropriate time to highlight some of the special programs at Murch and the wonderful cultural offerings unique to our area that our teachers are taking advantage of to enhance the math, science, reading, and social studies curriculum.
Two wonderful examples: Author Megan McDonald's speaking to our students last month about the writing process; and last week fifth-grade science teacher Karen Levy arranged for a portable planetarium to be set up in the auditorium. The portable planetarium is very cool. Once it is inflated, students climb in and sit inside for their astronomy lesson.
Other enrichment activities are within easy walking distance from Murch. Walking to Politics and Prose to hear a children's author is a favorite outing. Already this year, third graders have heard KidsPost writer Fred Bowen and fifth graders, Deborah Heiligman to support their study of biographies. In early November, fourth graders will be going to hear poet Mary Ann Hoberman.
Of course, field trips outside our neighborhood also enhance the curriculum. Homestead Farms, the National Museum of the American Indian, Butler's Orchard, and the National Museum of American History are just a few destinations that support specific grade-level social studies, math, and literacy units in October and November.
Murch is also bringing in performing groups this year to deepen understanding of different topics. Our first big performance, focusing on science concepts related to conservation and timed to highlight Murch's big push to recycle internally, will be the Blue Sky Puppet Theater on Nov. 10. (Two performances will be tailored for younger and older grade audiences.)
The arts are also getting a big push this year thanks to the work of our visual arts and music teachers. Any visitor to the school can see the wonderful artistic expressions of our children displayed in every hall. Art teacher Miriam Cutelis also keeps an art blog updated with student work and has organized an art show featuring the work of Murch students. We look forward to opening night on Friday, Dec. 4.
Music teacher Ann Smith is working with the Washington Performing Arts Society to provide almost every grade level an opportunity to see fabulous performances. At the Kennedy Center, first graders will see "NSO Kinderkonzerts" in November, 4th graders will see "The Nutcracker" in December, kindergartners will see "Peter and the Wolf" in February, and the fifth grade will see "NSO:Young People's Concert" in March. In December, 3rd grade will take "Duke Ellington's Neighborhood Tour" at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History.
The arts and curriculum enrichment is definitely alive and well at Murch. A joint staff/parent committee, led by assistant principal Norah Rabiah and parent Wendy Togneri, are compiling a list of parents who can provide enrichment opportunities as well as a comprehensive list of enrichment activities outside of the school. The committee is also exploring additional partnerships for next year and their next meeting is November 17th at 5:30 pm in the media room, parents welcome.
Another thing alive and well here is the flu. Many of you know only too well that our school has not been immune to the ravages of the seasonal flu (and possibly H1N1), as a number of families are reporting sick children and parents. Thank you to all of you parents who have heeded our request to keep sick children at home until fully recovered. We hope that the extra time away from school this long weekend will give students a chance to rest and recover as we also take this time to disinfect the classrooms (again). H1N1 clinics are being offered by DCPS and Wilson High School will have clinics on November 3 and 14.
Hoping you and your family stay well,
--Dawn Ellis, Principal
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| HSA Update |
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 Happy Halloween,
Murch Community!
The critical role HSA plays in building and sustaining community at Murch was demonstrated in many special ways this past week. Last Friday's Coffee-on-the-Playground (flawlessly organized by Karen Bond and Nicole Mintz) brought parents together to catch up with old friends, make new ones, and chat with the principal. And Sunday's Fall Fair was a fun-filled day for hundreds of Murch families, friends, and alumni. A million thanks to co-chairs Michelle Cochran and Kathryn Harllee for their hard work, and thanks to the many parents who assisted them in large and small jobs alike.
This past Monday the HSA-sponsored Safe Routes to School Program was honored with the National Oberstar Award - by Representative Oberstar himself. Robin Schepper deserves our deep appreciation for spearheading the program, as do the student Safety Patrol volunteers who are out, rain or shine, ensuring a safe entry to school for Murch students.
The commitment of staff, students and families to Murch is truly incredible, and the resulting community spirit makes our school an amazing place. Thanks again to all! Have a happy - and safe - Halloween.
--Alison Howard and Karin Perkins, co-presidents
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| Safe Routes National Award |
Murch Recognized for
Walking and Biking to School
Murch was buzzing Monday morning when U.S. Representative Jim Oberstar (D-MN), U.S. Representative Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), and a host of federal and DC officials came to our school to present us the 2009 James L. Oberstar Safe Routes to School Award, a national honor for outstanding achievement in implementing a Safe Routes to School Program. The award was presented to Principal Dawn Ellis, parent team leaders, Robin Schepper and Jane Solomon, and the Murch Safety Patrol.
"Murch Elementary School has made incredible progress improving the school's safe walking and bicycling culture and infrastructure," said Rep. Oberstar, chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. He added that he hopes Murch students will lead a new generation of walkers because "we are in danger of losing our legs because we spend so much time driving."
Chairman Oberstar told the packed auditorium of pre-k to 5th-grade students that he grew up walking to school in Minnesota and there was never a snow day because his town had a sidewalk snow plow. He challenged students to keep walking and biking and said he challenges himself every year to ride 2,000 miles on his bicycle.
"You won an award that put you number one, not just in the District of Columbia, but in the United States of America," Rep. Norton told the crowd. "I knew you were good with learning but I didn't know you were so good at biking and walking to school."
Lauren Marchetti, director of The National Center for Safe Routes to School, explained that "Murch Elementary School showed exemplary Safe Routes to School program successes, including: reversing school policy that prohibited students from bicycling to school without special permission; building community support for walking and bicycling to school, including neighborhood support for new sidewalk construction; and implementing an effective student Safety Patrol program to enforce safe driving behavior around the school." She also thought that the parking tickets the student safety patrol gives out were "very clever."
 "The Oberstar Safe Routes to School Award means a great deal to us at Murch Elementary," said Principal Ellis. "The safety and wellness of our students is and always will be our first priority. Gaining recognition for our parent volunteers and students who have worked so hard in the area of safety and fitness allows us to demonstrate to Washington, DC, and the rest of the country that we have original ideas for making our school even better - and those ideas can work."
Safe Routes to School team leaders, Robin Schepper and Jane Solomon, asked Chairman Oberstar to make the federal Safe Routes to School program permanent and include middle and high schools like Deal and Wilson. They explained that Murch's Safe Routes to School program has become a platform for community activity. "We are now working with senior centers and the Advisory Neighborhood Commissions (ANCs) to put a major focus on Connecticut Avenue," Schepper said. "It's in everyone's interest that we can walk safely in our neighborhood."
-- Laura Kaiser
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| SOS Campaign |
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 One Day Left to Win iPod
There is only ONE day remaining in the SOS (Staff our School) Campaign. It's not too late to contribute! Don't miss your last chance to do well by doing good: Send in your contribution by Oct. 31 to be entered in a drawing for an iPod Touch.
A huge thank you to the 214 families who have given or pledged over $100,000 to this important campaign.
So far we have received responses from 60% of the Murch community - can we do better?
Please help us attain an impressive participation rate and reach our goal of $141,800 by returning your completed SOS reply form TODAY. Even if you are unable to make a full contribution, we would love to hear from you - any contribution is very much appreciated. If you have misplaced your form you can download a new one or make an online payment.
For more information please email Julie York or call her at 364-8491.
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| Salute |
 In Sync on the Front Desk
Best friends for over 20 years, Mary Blake and Naomi Thomas have always had each other's backs. They have a history of working together -- they both spent many years at Turner Elementary, from where Naomi recently retired.
So when Naomi (below) got a call this summer from Mary, Murch's administrative assistant, asking for help to reopen Murch after clerk typist Autumn Craig's departure (not to mention, a new principal coming on board), Naomi was more than happy to pitch in. Three months later, Naomi continues to volunteer her time each day in the front office to keep Murch running smoothly. From answering the phones and doors to writing late slips and doing attendance, from keeping the books straight and making copies to any number of tasks large and small that simply must be done, Mary and Naomi are always in sync.
"Mary is my best friend, if you see one of us, you see the other," says Naomi.
Asked what is unique about Murch, they voice similar answers. Says Mary, "I have never worked in a school that is so much like a family. Parents, staff - everyone -- gets along. It's diverse, but it's one big melting pot."
Naomi chimes right in, noting that Murch "has so many different cultures - Chinese, Korean, Hispanic, Russian - all different cultures in one place." Her biggest challenge is spelling names correctly, which always gives her a chuckle.
Both Mary and Naomi have been pleased with the addition of Principal Ellis. "She's fair to work for," Mary says. "She works as hard as you do. Your work is appreciated." Naomi and Principal Ellis have become close during the last three months.
Naomi will be leaving Murch soon to return to her
much-deserved retirement, but please stop by the office to tell her how much she means to the school and tell her that we will all miss her.
-- Kelly Callahan-Poe
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| Fall Fair |
 Four Hours of Fun This year's fall fair was delayed by a day because of rain, but when the sun came out on Sunday, the fair turned out to be perfect. Most of the games and rides had a steady stream of customers, spending the more than 22,000 tickets sold. There were lots of kids on the big, big slide, and it seemed that every other child's head had colored hairspray.  This was the first year for the Dunk-a-Hunk booth and some of the soaking wet "hunks" seemed shocked to discover just how accurately some Murch students could hurl a ball at a target. Third grader Jacques Nissen (shown left) hit the bull's-eye twice in a row!  The cakewalk was held on the newly resurfaced blue hard top near the little white building. This is how the cakewalk works: Music starts, people walk around a circle of chairs, then when the music stops, people sit down on a chair with a number in front. Someone picks out a number from a hat, and the winner is the person sitting in front of that number. The winner picks out a cake to take home. Across the playground, Murch dad Brendan Canty, had set up a great sound system with nonstop festive tunes. Marsha Goodman-Wood, mother of first grader Olivia Wood, played a set of rollicking songs on her acoustic guitar.  At the student council table, reps and officers did a brisk business selling Murch sweatshirts, new tie-dyed "Murch Mustang" t-shirts, and this year's brand new navy, hooded blue sweatshirts with white writing. They sold out of the new sweatshirts, the children's t-shirts, and they almost sold out of the adult t-shirts, (only 1 was left). "I think the best thing about the day was how the community worked together to make the day a success even with the date change on such short notice,'' said Michelle Cochran, who co-chaired the event with Kathryn Harllee. As one Murch mom told Harllee, the fair is a "win, win, win" because "the kids all know each other and can enjoy the day together and you know what and where the money is going towards so she feels like she can say 'yes' to her kids all day long!" -- Adelaide Kaiser, 3rd grade, and Meghan Dayton, 3rd grade
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| Save the Date |
 Murch Art Show Dec. 4, Deadline for Entries Nov. 13
Miriam Cutelis, Murch's great new art teacher, is organizing an art show for December and students from any grade can submit artwork to be shown.
There are certain guidelines that everyone has to follow. You must do the work by yourself without any grownup help. It must be done within the last 6 months. 2-D art must be matted on a piece of black construction paper (as shown above). 3-D art must be submitted in a box, such as a shoe box.
You need to turn in your work by Friday November 13. There are two times a day to drop off your work: 8:45-9 a.m. and 3:15-3:30 p.m. Be sure to include a registration form.
Opening night will take place December 4 in the gym. The art show will start at 6:30 p.m. but that's just the introduction.
Ms. Cutelis would like parents to help out or to bring food and refreshments. She is also looking for adults or students to play background music for opening night. Email Ms. Cutelis to volunteer.
Ms. Cutelis's goal is to have 80% of the school enter. We hope to see your wonderful work on December 4th!
-- Julia Arnsberger, 3rd grade, and Sophie McInerney, 3rd grade
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| Staff |
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Meet the New Recess Aides
Please extend a hearty Mustang welcome to Murch's new recess aides! They are responsible for monitoring lunch-time recess and interacting with children to ensure safety and proper use of playground equipment. Pictured from left to right, they are:
Eduardo Chavez: Referred to us by a Murch family, "Eddie" has years of experience at local pre-schools where he had the opportunity to work with a few of the students now attending Murch. When he is not performing his duties as recess aide, Eddie's smiling face will soon be seen in the school's front office as our new data entry clerk.
Tanell Allums: Enrolled at Howard University School of Law, Tanell has a wealth of experience with elementary school children, having served as a teacher's aide and tutor in her hometown in New York. She has also worked as an afterschool coordinator for a DC elementary school.
Rachel Liscinsky: This American University student is majoring in literature with a minor in education. Rachel has lots of experience with young children including planning curriculum and lessons, working with small groups, training tutors, and coaching swim teams.
Phyllis Jordan: Many of you know "P.J." as our ever cheerful, outgoing, and kind crossing guard at the corner of Davenport and Reno. She has been a superb crossing guard for DDOT for many years.
"Our children benefit from these dynamic staff members who are actively engaged in providing a fun and safe environment, while allowing our teachers much needed time for curriculum planning and enrichment," says Principal Ellis, who initiated this pilot program, funded by HSA. "We are thrilled to have these new team members on board."
If you happen to be on the playground midday, please say hello and welcome to our newest staff members. They can't be missed in their neon safety vests.
-- Maria Conway, HSA personnel chair
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| Culture Corner |
A Sketch a Day
To encourage students to sketch daily, art teacher Miriam Cutelis has been interviewing students who volunteer to share their work and ideas. One sketchbook artist is fifth grader Jesse Lipshie, who began sketching when he was 6 years old and sketches imaginary characters in real-life situations on a daily basis. He was initially inspired by the story of Walt Disney who also began creating characters as a child after having a run-in with a real mouse. In his sketchbook, Jesse creates elaborate characters never seen anywhere before and his sketchbooks are filled with these unique imaginary beings. Although inspired by other cartoonists' work, Jesse strongly believes in creating creatures from his own mind.
One of Jesse's favorite characters is Eyeball. Eyeball is just that: a creature with two big eyeballs, two arms, and two legs. Jesse believes that "emotions always come from the eyes" and finds this creation his favorite and most successful. Jesse enjoys drawing eyeballs in various emotions and situations that almost always mirror Jesse's personal life.
In other art room news from Ms. Cutelis...
1. If your child has not yet brought the mandatory two containers of wipes for the art room, please send them in this week.
2. An updated list of recyclable items needed in the art room are on the art blog.
3. Art Show applications went out next week. Please contact Miriam Cutelis if you did not get one.
4. The 4th-grade "Portrait with Character" display is up in the all-purpose room.
5. All 2nd-grade butterfly paintings are hanging in the stairway right outside the art room.
6. Thanks to all the room parents who are scheduling volunteers for their kids' art times.
-- Miriam Cutelis, art teacher |
| Got News? Comments? Contact us |
Copy deadline: Tuesdays at noon.
Editors: Laura Kaiser and Robin Schepper
Julia Arnsberger; Kelly Callahan-Poe; Maria Conway; Miriam Cutelis; Meghan Dayton; Wendy Guiltieri; Alison Howard; Adelaide Kaiser; Evy Mages; Sophie McInerney; Julie York | |
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Health |
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H1N1
Flu Shot Clinics
H1N1 flu shots will be available 5-9 pm, Nov. 3 and
8 am-4 pm, Nov. 14
at Wilson
High School.
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Volunteer
Open House
Parents are needed to give tours to prospective Murch families. Contact Wendy Gualtieri.
Project GROW
Parents needed to help Murch's
Art Show
Parents and performers
are needed for Murch's art show Dec 4. Contact Miriam Cutelis. |
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Appreciation
We love our teachers & staff
Thank you to the 4th grade families who brought in a delicious breakfast for our teachers and staff in appreciation for all they do for Murch! Quiche, ham, bagels and many sweet breakfast treats...it was all divine! A special thanks to Sharon Yanagi for organizing the event.
-- Wendy Gualtieri, Room Parent Coordinator
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Open House
Visitors
Welcome
Nov. 6
The Open House for families interested in visiting Murch will be Friday, November 6,
from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Please let your
neighbors and friends know so they can come and see our fabulous school firsthand!
Visitors will have a chance to meet our principal and assistant principal; learn about our curriculum, culture and activities;and see our staff in action on a tour of the school.
We need volunteers to conduct tours of the school from 10:30-11:15 a.m. Each tour guide
will take a group of about ten prospective parents around the school -- stopping in a classroom, showing our resource classes,
visiting the Kaufman wing, and showing off
our beautiful playground. Instructions will be given on how to guide
a tour so you don't have to know everything about
Murch -- people will be on hand to help answer questions.
Please contact
if you can help out with a tour.
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Shop for Murch |
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You can raise money for Murch through the eScrip program in three easy steps.
1)Register your Safeway card, using Murch's designation number: 11873273. Even if you've previously registered your Safeway card, you need to renew your commitment every school year.
2) Sign up your credit & debit/ATM cards and shop at participating merchants, who donate a percentage of your purchase to our school. eScrip merchants include Nordstrom, Macy's, American Airlines, Drugstore.com, Sears, and many more including 700+ online partners.
3) When you dine at thousands of restaurants around the country, pay your bill with a credit or debit card that's registered with eScrip and up to 5% of your total bill-including tip!-- will be donated to our school. Locally, earn yet more cash for our school by patronizing participating restaurants in DC and in Bethesda.
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Open House for Deal M.S. Enrolling 6th, 7th, and 8th Grade in August 2010
Come visit Deal!
Nov. 17
9 am - 3 pm
Dec. 15
9 am - 3 pm
Jan. 9, 2010
9 am - Noon |
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Contributors Wanted
The Murch Mustang
Express is looking for parents--and students!--to be reporters, editors,
& photographers.
Next meeting is Nov. 2 at 4 pm.
Contact Laura Kaiser or Catherine Cooney. | |
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