Principally Speaking
Dear Family,
Last Thursday Edna Maguire received the "Green Feet of the Month Award" from the Safe Routes to School organization. I accepted the award along with our team leaders, Lisa Gilmore and Rhonda Campbell. Our school has participated in the Safe Routes program since 2000. We have used the "School Pool" program, we've sponsored classroom and individual "pooling" competitions, and we hold regular Walk and Wheel Wednesdays. As a result, the Edna community has decreased our driving from 65 to 39 percent and our walking and biking has increased from 24 to 36 percent!
Safe Routes is kicking off a new campaign called "Green Ways to School" and we will provide more information as it unfolds. In March, we will sponsor additional activities to reduce our carbon footprint. Thank you to everyone who has joined these efforts. I can see all the bikes on the racks, families walking together, and the carpools as they enter our car line, and I am extremely proud! Thank you!
—Lisa Zimmer
Edna Raised More than $1,100 for Haiti Relief Efforts!
Last Thursday's "Dollar Day for Haiti" was a huge success: more than $1,100 will be donated to the Red Cross on behalf of our children. Thank you to the Edna community for your support!
Interactive Art Show
Come see what our kids have been doing in art class and create some beautiful works yourself! Edna's Interactive Art Show will take place February 5th through 11th. Please come to the multipurpose room during your scheduled classroom time to participate in some fabulous interactive art with your child. Download the schedule (pdf).
Our evening event, the Art Show Reception, will be held on Tuesday, February 9th at 6:30 p.m. Hope to see you all there! If you can help out, please contact Negissa or Teresa.
See's Candies Valentine's Day Fundraiser
Help raise money for Sutter's Fort, Walker Creek, and other PTA programs with tasty Valentine's Day treats from See's Candies. Edna receives 50 percent from each box of chocolates sold. Your flyer and order form came home last week in your child's backpack, and more are available in the office. Please return forms to your child's teacher or the office by this Friday, January 29th. Chocolates will be delivered to the classroom by February 8th.
Box Tops for Education
If you've been collecting Box Tops (those bright pink labels on Kleenex, Go-Gurt, Cheerios, Pillsbury, Ziploc, Bisquick, Gold Medal Flour, Pull-ups, and many other General Mills, Pillsbury, Old El Paso, and Betty Crocker products), please turn them in at the school office. There is a small basket on the counter. Each Box Top is worth 10 cents, and the next turn-in date is February 28th. The more families who participate, the sooner we can earn some real money! Thanks to those families who have contributed.
Unclaimed Lost and Found
The following people have labeled Lost and Found items. Please come pick them up from the green bin outside the office: Ames, Asch (hoodie and lunchbox, have been there since before Christmas!), Jacob Cohn, Pat Clifford, Lieser, Lucas Meyers, Emelia Reuter, Jack Duboff (lunchbox), Ben Gillmer (wet hoodie, hanging up on fence by office).
Donate Outgrown Shoes This Week
Edna is collecting outgrown shoes for Step by Step for Shoes, which provides new and gently used shoes to children in impoverished villages around the world. To donate, please bring a gently worn pair of shoes this week to your classroom. Questions, please contact Erin Griffis.
Edna Calendar is Online 24/7!
Wondering about an upcoming school event? Can't remember which day to donate shoes or attend the Evening Art Show? Remember, an updated Edna calendar with general school events is always online at ednamaguire.org/calendar.html.
PTA Executive Board and Committees
Do you want to become more involved, have fun, and support your school? We need you!
In February, the PTA Nominating Committee will begin looking for volunteers to fill a few PTA Executive Board positions. The PTA will also be recruiting Committee Chairs for open positions. If you are interested in becoming more involved, please contact Ahtossa Fullerton.
Make Edna Shine This February
Top five reasons to join the next campus clean-up event on Saturday, February 6th from 9:00 a.m. to noon:
- Enjoy fresh air and sunshine with your child.
- Raking, pruning and cleaning make a great workout.
- It stimulates your brain with hands-on opportunities to teach your child.
- It boosts your mood and sets you up for a great weekend.
- It's an opportunity for you to get more involved at Edna!
Also, you can join us for the inaugural weeding contest. Every child that attends the clean-up is automatically entered. The one who collects the most weeds around the school campus will hold the title "Weed Whacker of the Month" and will be acknowledged in the next Pony Express.
Get a dose of the outdoors and school pride at the next campus clean-up event, sponsored by the second grade. Bring your entire family; there is a job for everyone. Contact Laura Figueirinhas for more information.
Kindergarten Sponsored Garden Work Day February 6th
February's Garden Workday is scheduled for Saturday, February 6th from 9:00 a.m. to noon and is being sponsored by the Kindergarten classes. Everyone is welcome but we hope "kindergardeners" and their parents will make an extra effort to come out and support the garden. As always, everyone is encouraged to participate; no gardening experience necessary. Whole Foods will provide plenty of refreshments and breakfast snacks. Questions: contact Saor Stetler.
Call for Variety Show Volunteers
Edna will engage in theatrical magic again, if you help to make it happen. The annual Variety Show is in the planning stage for late spring, but we cannot go forward without active parent involvement. We need: Show Production Coordinator, Parent Volunteer Coordinator, Piano Accompanist, Back Stage Manager, Set Designer, and Concession Stand Coordinator. We welcome you to be a part of making performing arts come alive at Edna.
There will also be mandatory volunteer sign ups for roles to be filled by the parents of participants in the show. For further information please contact us ASAP: Jody Branham, home 388-1282, cell 272-3312; Robert Thomure, 388-1282, or Deb Luster, 389-8236.
IT TAKES A VILLAGE SPECIAL EDUCATION PTA
Family Stroll
Sunday, January 24th, 9:00 a.m.
Join us for a pleasant family stroll at Cascade Falls in Mill Valley. Please RSVP to Strawberry Point School parent Mark McGahan (306-3463) if you wish to attend and for weather cancellations.
Brendan Pratt, Ph.D.
Thursday, February 4th, 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
Mill Valley Middle School Multi-Media Room
Dr. Pratt is a licensed psychologist who specializes in psychological evaluations, educational advocacy and school placement assistance. In this presentation, he will explain how to understand the results of an evaluation and how to translate those results into an effective educational plan. He will discuss the details of an IEP team meeting including the perspective of the various participants. He will then give parents practical suggestions for educational advocacy and answer questions from the audience. Please note: Dr. Pratt does not allow people to record his presentations.
For more information regarding Dr. Pratt, visit his website. This education event for parents is presented by It Takes a Village in collaboration with the Mill Valley PTA Council.
KIDDO!
Please Look For Your Name On The Kiddo! Supporter List
Kiddo! will publish a full list of 2009 donors in its upcoming community newsletter and wants to make sure your name is listed correctly. Please take a moment to check the donor list for any omissions or errors in your name by visiting the Kiddo! Donor List. If you believe you have contributed, but do not appear on the list, please contact the Kiddo! office at 389-7794. Thank you!
COMMUNITY CONNECTION
You Still Have Time to Register for 2010 Softball
The spring 2010 girls' softball season is just around the corner. Teams and coaches are being selected now, and you must sign up right away if you want to assure your place on a team. Games start on March 20th. Go online to Mill Valley Girls Softball or email scarsella@comcast.net for more info.
News from the Mill Valley Public Library
Extra Love-ly Valentine Story Time – Wednesday, February 10th. Meet special guest Thacher Hurd, author and illustrator of Art Dog, Bad Frogs, and many other amazing picture books. He'll read from his book Little Mouse's Big Valentine, draw pictures, and discuss the true meaning of love. Enjoy a heart-shaped cookie, too. 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the Creekside Room, All ages, no sign-up required.
Coming in March – Picture Books & More. Want to foster the love of reading in your child? Our fun-filled four-week series for first and second graders, Picture Books & More, returns soon. Children's librarians will visit classrooms in late February, so watch for flyers in your child's backpack. Space is limited.
For information about all of our programs and services, including HelpNow online tutoring, My First Library Card, and our personalized reading program (PeRP) please visit our website or call 389-4292 x106. | 
