PRINCIPALLY SPEAKING
A Message from Lisa Zimmer
Dear Family,
Thank you to everyone who joined us for our annual Family Math Night. Squeals of joy rang through the crowded room as students built towers and shapes that were taller than the host, Randall, from Lawrence Hall of Science! A special thank you to parents who came out to volunteer at the 14 stations: Katrina Kehl, Drew Pratt, Jennifer and Andy Levine, Joe Locke, Margaret Krivoruchko, Julie McCrady and others who pitched in as needed. Students enjoyed making two- and three-dimensional shapes and tessellations using the skills of proportion, spatial visualization, and creative problem solving. I think we even managed to delight a skeptic kindergartner who reluctantly came in the door telling me he "didn't like math!" He soon realized that math is FUN! The multipurpose room was full, and we all had a great time! Here are some photos from the event.
Parents, please remember to frequently check your child's classroom website. It is our goal to become paperless and present all classroom newsletters online. You can click on your child's classroom site from the Class Websites page on the Edna Maguire website. Also check our calendar of events regularly, as one of our most exciting activities is coming soon — The Family Dance! Don't miss it!
As new kindergarten families arrive each week to tour our school, I realize how quickly the year is going by. I continue to enjoy each day, and truly appreciate the Edna Maguire family of staff and parents who work so hard to give our kids the best opportunities we can provide. If our actions inspire our students to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, we have accomplished our goals. Thank you for all you do for this amazing school!
Best Regards,
Lisa Zimmer
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 30th. Chocolates will be delivered to the classroom next week.
Edna Family Dance Rocks On!
The Family Dance, a fifth grade fundraising event, was one of last year's most exciting events. You won't want to miss this year's show on Saturday, February 28th, starring:
- Close Enough – new to the Family Dance, this rockin' band stars Christopher Newell (dad to fifth grader Jake and first grader Aidan) and other MVSD parents.
- Chasing Maya – back by popular demand, with six Mill Valley children ages 10 to 12, including Edna fifth grader Reed Felder. These kids put on an amazing performance!
- Staff – Last year's rendition of "I Will Survive" by principal Lisa Zimmer and the PTA co-presidents brought down the house, and our fifth grade teachers' performance of "Living on a Prayer" must have had the executives at MTV talking. This year, we will again watch our principal and teachers transform into rock stars!
- You!! – Parents, you can be part of the show! Last year we were treated to beautiful piano playing, singing, and drumming. Go solo or get together with a few other Edna parents and let your inner Sting, Pink, or Michael Bolton take over! Space is limited but we'd love to have you, so please contact Nancy Felder (ronancy@pacbell.net or 381-4371) ASAP to discuss your Edna debut.
Dr. Seuss Café Volunteers Needed
Edna Maguire is gearing up for the annual Dr. Seuss Reading Café, March 3rd through 6th. While this event is primarily run by students, we need parent volunteers to help with café decorations on Monday afternoon and to assist the fourth- and fifth-grade waiters (two- to three-hour shifts during the day). If you can help, please contact Janie Karp at jkarpj@comcast.net. Thank you!
Amazon.com School Rewards Program for Valentine's Day
Through Amazon's School Rewards Program, Edna Maguire can earn up to 10 percent of every purchase made through our special Amazon.com link, including products sold through Amazon by other companies. You can always access the link from the right-hand sidebar of Edna's website. Then start shopping for that special someone for Valentine's Day or any day – it's easy and available all year!
To bookmark the link for future purchases, you'll need to right-click on the link labeled "Amazon.com School Rewards Program" on the Edna website and then, depending on which browser you use, do one of the following:
Internet Explorer: Select "Add Favorite"
Firefox: Select "Bookmark this Link"
Safari: Select "Add Link to Bookmarks"
Once you are on the Amazon site, it will not look any different than usual, but trust us, Edna will get credit for your purchase! Please feel free to pass this link on to your friends and family. Simply have them visit the Edna website and click on the Amazon.com School Rewards Program logo in the right-hand sidebar.
What better way to shop year-round and raise money for our students?
COMMUNITY CONNECTION
Mothers' Roundtable: Turning Green
Come to a free roundtable discussion on what it means to be “turning green” on February 7th from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. at the Marin Art and Garden Center. The event is sponsored by MOMAS (Mothers of Marin Against the Spray). This roundtable is part of the Teens Turning Green Summit where parents, teachers, and children (not just teens) can attend panels and workshops and hear visionary speakers in the green chemistry movement.
MOMAS was founded by Edna Maguire parents Debbie Friedman and Valerie Wynn. Its mission is to create a healthy, non-toxic environment for all children in Marin County by reducing the use of common household toxins, dangerous chemicals, and pesticides in our community. For more information, contact Debbie at Debbie@GreenWaveStrategies.com or click here to download the flyer (pdf).
News from the Mill Valley Public Library
Very Valentine Story Time. What's not to Love? Kids enjoy a sweet snack and listen to Love-ly Valentine Tales read by volunteers from the Library's Teen Council February 12th at 3:30 p.m. in the Creekside Room. All ages welcome, no sign-up required.
In March – Picture Books & More. We'll be unveiling "Sharks, Seahorses, and Underwater Tails," for the return of our fun-filled, literacy-based after school series. Children's library staff will be visiting first and second grade classrooms to tell students all about it. Space is limited, so be on the lookout for flyers in early February.
Saturday Family Story Times. In addition to our Wednesday and Thursday preschool, toddler and infant story times, we offer a story experience the whole family will enjoy on Saturdays at 11:00 a.m. Visit the library and listen to local treasure, Phil Sheridan, as he captivates audiences with his vibrant performances of children's classics.
For information about all of our programs and services, including Live Homework Help, PeRP, and My First Library Card, please visit our website at http://millvalleylibrary.org or call 414-389-4292 x 106
Upcoming Events at the Richardson Bay Audubon Center
Bay Shore Studies Volunteer Training Orientation
Monday, February 2nd at 8:45 a.m.
Become a Bay Shore Studies Volunteer at the Richardson Bay Audubon Center. Leading children to explore the natural world benefits both children and volunteers. Learn how you can lead small groups of fourth through sixth graders on their best field trip ever. RSVP: 388-2524.
Mudflats Exploration
Saturday, February 14th from 10:00 a.m. to noon
A Teacher Naturalist will guide us along the intertidal areas of the Sanctuary as we discover the inhabitants and investigate how they cope with the extreme conditions of this unique ecosystem. Appropriate for families with children of all ages. Not a drop off program. Cost: $10 adult / $5 child. RSVP: 388-2524.
Nature of the Bay Lecture Series
Thursday, February 19th, from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Denise Greig, Marine Biologist, the Marine Mammal Center presents "Health and survival of San Francisco Bay harbor seals." FREE program. RSVP: 388-2524.
Restoration Work Day
Saturday, February 21st, 9:00 a.m. to noon
Come for a morning of restoration and clean-up at the Richardson Bay Audubon Center and Sanctuary. We may be removing trash, invasive plants, or helping with restoration projects. Appropriate for young children. Children 10 and under must be accompanied by an adult. FREE program. RSVP: 388-2524.
Animal Tracks and Signs
Saturday, February 28th, 10:00 a.m. to noon
Bobcat or housecat - curious about what track you found in you backyard the other day? Come learn to identify tracks and signs and about the animals that left them. Appropriate for children ages 5 through 8. Children ages 4 and under may participate, but must be accompanied by an adult. Advance Registration Required: 388-2524. Cost: $15/child. |
