My message this month isn't about report cards, upcoming events, or awards won. It is to explain why I think I am exceptionally fortunate to be the principal of Murch Elementary School.
 
Specifically, I am grateful for the students at Murch, who are some of the most polite, helpful, and considerate children I have ever met. Our students exemplify what it means to be good-hearted and respectful, and it is a joy to be with them every single day.
 
I am grateful for the Murch parents, who come to school not just for the Fall Fair and Back to School nights, but also for classroom publishing parties, Muffins for Moms celebrations, and endless field trips; who call in their children's absences faithfully and are steadfast and selfless supporters of daily reading and homework; and who inform themselves by listening to Connect Ed messages, going through weekly Friday folders, and reading newsletters, handouts, and everything else we throw at them.
 
I am grateful for the Murch teachers, who demonstrate extraordinary dedication to this community. Our teachers are here because they love their work and the children they teach, and it shows in their every interaction, the long hours they work, their selfless contributions, and their everyday acts of generosity and compassion.
 
I am grateful for the students on the safety patrol and their adult sponsors, whose dedication is phenomenal and beyond praiseworthy. During last week's Nor'easter, the students on safety patrol insisted on staying out in the hideous weather to ensure the safe arrival of their peers.  Wow.
 
I am grateful that we have peer mediators who demonstrate great maturity and sensitivity in dealing with issues and problems. The peer mediators are also extraordinarily kind students who think nothing of giving up their recess to help or provide companionship to a fellow student.
 
I am grateful for the HSA officers and members who provide Murch the kind of support that most school principals only dream of.
 
I am grateful for the Murch instructional aides, who enrich the instructional experiences of children at every grade level and who support every facet of our educational program.
 
I am grateful for an office staff that makes the entire main office area warm and friendly, a school nurse who is determined and devoted to the health and well being of this school community, and an assistant principal who serves the school with enormous affection and constancy.
 
My list could go on for much longer. I am often asked what makes Murch such a special school, and the answer I have finally come up with is the sense of community that pervades everything we do here. I am extremely grateful for the strong Murch community.
 
My sincere hope is that each of you has time during the holiday to enjoy your family and friends. If you have visiting relatives, bring them on over to the new Murch playground and burn off the extra holiday calories with a little fun and exercise. And please, take a moment to let your children know how grateful you are to have them in your lives. Happy Thanksgiving.
 -- Dawn E. Ellis, Principal 
 

 

With the Thanksgiving holiday coming up next week, we are reminded of the many things that we have to be grateful for: the new playground, our new principal and assistant principal, our wonderful teachers and staff, the many parents who do so much to help the school and the children.
 
In particular, we thank Julie York for her hard work on the SOS campaign. Julie asked the Murch community to contribute financially to "staff our school" and once again we came through. We are grateful to all the parents, grandparents, guardians, and other Murch friends who gave so generously in these hard economic times. 
 
We also thank the event chairs who have done so much already this year to build community: Trenni Jefferson for her work on picture day; Lori Woerhle for the Book Fair; Kathryn Harllee and Michelle Cochran for the Fall Fair; Chrissy Mahoney for Sally Foster Gift Wrap; and Martha Saccocio, Phyllis Jordan, and Jane Soloman for working on the Directory (which is coming soon!!); and Karissa Kovner and her team for the enormous amount of work they have already put into planning the spring Auction.
 
Thanks also to Karen Bond and Nicole Mintz, our Hospitality chairs, for their style and generosity at Back to School Night, Coffee on the Playground (another one this Friday), and at the Open Houses.
 
Finally, we extend a very happy holiday wish to all of you! We are truly thankful to be part of such a great school community.
 
--Alison Howard and Karin Perkins, co-chairs

 
Blue Sky Puppets' Green Message
 
On Tuesday, Nov. 10, the Blue Sky Puppet Theatre came to Murch to perform "Lights Out on the Bunny Brothers." First, we saw the sun and moon, who were both 9 feet tall. Mother Nature, a large, swirly-haired woman, was 10 feet tall! After that came the best and funniest part of the show: Sunny and Funny Bunny, who are fourth graders, turn on every light in their house and overflow the tub while they're playing. Honey, a sixth grader, teaches them a lesson by making them think they've used up all the electricity and water in the world!
 
The show's message was how you can save the planet by doing things like turning off the lights when you leave a room. You can listen to their catchy tune "Turn It Off, Turn It Out" by clicking here. 
 
"We thought this performance aligned with the environmental goals we have for our school," said Assistant Principal Norah Rabiah. Ms. Stewart sponsors the school's Green Club, which is focusing this year on issues related to conservation.

After the show, one of the puppeteers, Blue Sky's Artistic Director Michael Cotter, picked some fifth grade volunteers to help teach the school to "save the world"!
-- Adelaide Kaiser, 3rd grade