Murwood Elementary
eNewsletter

  Wednesday , October 12, 2016
Calendar

October

13
Parent Education Night - Siblings Without Rivalry, MPR, 6:30 PM
14 Gift Wrap Sales End
17
Reflections Entries DUE
18
PTA Meeting, MPR 7 PM
19
MAC Meeting, Library, 4:30 PM
24-28
Book Fair, Library
     Monday thru Friday from 2-4 PM and during lunch
     Thursday night from 6-8 PM with guest author Penny Warner
     Saturday during the Fall Carnival 11 AM- 3 PM
29 Fall Carnival, 11 AM- 3PM
31 Halloween Parade, Around the Murwood track, 8:15-9 AM
Pumpkin Contest
Minimum Day
     TK/K dismissed at 11:20 AM
     1-5 dismissed at 12:30p
Principal's Message
  

Our Attendance theme for October is
What I love about school...
Good attendance is important in kindergarten and first grade because: 
1) children learn to read and write in these early grades; 
2) reading provides the building blocks to understand math; 
3) children learn how to be good students in the early years; and 
4) students have fun and make friends when they are in school.
 
DID YOU KNOW?
  • Starting in kindergarten, too many absences can cause children to fall behind in school.
  • Missing 10 percent (or about 18 days) can make it harder to learn to read.
  • Students can still fall behind if they miss just a day or two days every few weeks.
  • Being late to school may lead to poor attendance.
  • Three tardies are equivalent to one missed day of school.
  • Absences can affect the whole classroom if the teacher has to slow down learning to help children catch up.
  • Attending school regularly helps children feel better about school-and themselves.
Start building this habit in transitional kindergarten so they learn right away that going to school on time, every day is important. Good attendance will help children do well in high school, college, and at work.
 
WHAT YOU CAN DO
  • Set a regular bed time and morning routine.
  • Lay out clothes and pack backpacks the night before.
  • Don't let your child stay home unless she is truly sick. Keep in mind complaints of a stomach ache or headache can be a sign of anxiety and not a reason to stay home.
  • If your child seems anxious about going to school, talk to teachers, school counselors, or your principal for advice on how to make her feel comfortable and excited about learning.
  • Develop back-up plans for getting to school if something comes up. Call on a family member, a neighbor, or another parent.
  • Avoid medical appointments and extended trips when school is in session.
Together, we can make this your child's best year.
 
Thank you,
Carol Nenni
Murwood Principal
From the Office

We've been asked by our neighbors to give another friendly reminder that you please be mindful of not blocking the driveways, crosswalks and streets adjacent to Vanderslice Avenue (especially Kayser Court) during morning drop-offs and afternoon pick-ups...we want to be good, respectful neighbors! 

REMINDER: If you are participating in the Reflections program, project entries are due this coming Monday, 17th October.
From the PTA President

October is such a fun month here at Murwood!  We have a read-a-thon, Book Fair and Halloween Carnival!  We will need volunteers for the Book Fair and Halloween Carnival.  It's your generosity with your time that will make these events a success.

We have a PTA meeting on Tuesday, October 18th at 7pm in the Library.  I would love to see you there!

Danielle Scheg
PTA President
Reflections

It's not too late!  Your child still has time to get creative and enter this year's Reflections Program.  Students who participate in the Reflections Program get an opportunity to explore the arts and recognize themselves as artists.  This year's entries should reflect upon the theme : "What is Your Story?"  Program rules and entry forms can be found in the office, or you can got to  http://capta.org/programs-events/reflections/ for more information. All entries are due to the office by Oct 17. Please contact Stacy Cerruti at  [email protected] if you have questions.
Ahoy There Matey!

Our Bookaneer Book Fair is on the horizon!  The Bookaneer Book Fair will begin on Monday October 24 and run through the end of the Fall Festival on Saturday, October 29. We will be open everyday at lunch and again after school from 2-4 PM. We will also be having a special evening presentation by Penny Warner, author of the Code Busters series on Thursday October 28th from 6-8 PM.  Please check out the link  and sign up to volunteer!  We love to see happy readers with new books in their hands. 
Halloween Carnival 

It is time for our annual Halloween Carnival on Saturday October 29th from 11:00-3:00pm. Admission, games, prizes, and a 2pm magic show are all FREE to you, your family, and our community. There is an optional cake walk at $1 a turn and an opportunity to purchase delicious food from Sips and Sliders or Blush frozen yogurt. 

These amazing family friendly events depend on volunteers to run smoothly for everyone. Please sign up here for a time that works best for you.
Keyspot Corner

Murwood Keyspot's Ohana Luau
Thursday October 20th 5:30-7:30pm at Keyspot

Have you or your child always wanted to check out Keyspot?  This is your chance.  Come on by for some food, drinks, crafts, photo ops, volcano eruptions, face painting and a Hula lesson!  Meet our friendly staff, play Keyspot Ohana Bingo, and maybe even win a prize.  This is an event for the entire family. All Murwood families are invited to join us. 

Questions?  Give us a call: 925-932-8118
Walnut Creek Education Foundation: WCEF K-12


Make your annual donation to WCEF!
So far, we have raised $450,000 of our $1.1 million goal. This means that we still have $650,000 left to raise to fund the critical programs at our schools. Have you made your annual donation to WCEF K-12 yet? Do your part; donate to WCEF today !
 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Join us at Walnut Creek Oktoberfest on October 15!
Walnut Creek downtown is hosting Oktoberfest 2016 on Saturday, October 15th from 11 am - 5 p.m. on Locust Street between Civic and Cypress, and Bonanza Street between N. California & Commercial Lane. There will be live music, a biergarten, harvest themed arts & crafts, and gourmet food.
 
Come visit WCEF's pumpkin patch within the Kinder Platz section of Oktoberfest where families can enjoy a variety of activities!
 
For more information about Oktoberfest, including activities, directions and parking, click here .

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Register for the 24th Annual Walnut Creek Turkey Trot!
This Thanksgiving, before the big meal, why not get a little exercise with a few thousand of your neighbors? The Forma Gym Turkey Trot is an event the entire family can enjoy. There are several races to choose from including Kids' Fun Runs, 10K and 5K runs and costume contest.
 
By running the Turkey Trot you will also be giving back to your local community. WCEF is honored to once again partner with Forma Gym for this fantastic event. Register here .
 
If you wish to volunteer for the Turkey Trot, contact Morgan Hansen .

Community eFlyers and Events

These links are all Walnut Creek School District approved flyers that are electronic. Please use the links below to view the newest flyers or click on  Community Flyers  to view all electronic flyers on the Walnut Creek School District website.  
Quick Links

eNews Submissions

To submit an article or announcement for next weeks eNews, please send by Sunday, 5pm, to:  [email protected] .

You can easily remove your email address from this weekly newsletter list by clicking on the words "SafeUnsubscribe" at the bottom of this email.
Murwood Elementary | Phone (925) 943-2462 | http://www.walnutcreeksd.org/murwood