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SCHOOL NEWS
Food Allergy and Peanut Alert Update
from
Lisa Zimmer
After looking throughout the county and area districts we found no school or district that is peanut free or has had such a policy. Edna Maguire still remains a “peanut alert” school. Being peanut alert simply means we do our best to alert families in classrooms in which there are children with food allergies to be considerate when bringing in treats for special occasions or school events. It does not mean that children cannot bring peanut butter sandwiches or peanut products to eat for lunch. Classrooms that have children with peanut allergies have postings outside the doors to remind everyone that special attention is given to food that is brought in. We want to be careful that we don’t exaggerate the threat and scare children, doing more harm than good. The children who do have food allergies have been guided by their parents on how to handle their allergies and what precautions to take. Teachers and school personnel are also aware of the students with allergies and work with parents on the best way to handle their allergy in the classroom.
There have been many questions circulating around this issue. I recently read an article in Harper’s Magazine called “Everyone’s Gone Nuts” by Meredith Boussard that you might find interesting. The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) also have a great website for children at www.faankids.org that has wonderful information to share with your children about food allergies and dealing with friends that may have food allergies. This month I will circulate around to the classrooms sharing information to students on this topic.
Garden Videos: Everyday Angels and Giving Tree
Since the Mill Valley Children’s Garden creation in 1990, Edna Maguire has welcomed its reputation as the "Garden School.” Our incredible one-third acre garden was established by world-renowned Green Gulch horticulturists. For the children attending Edna Maguire, the garden has become an integral part of their school life. In January 2007, the garden underwent a “rebirth” and has since received an outpouring of community love and support. Click on this link to watch two videos that demonstrate why the garden always appears to be in a magical state – because it is cared for and loved by the children.
The first video is from last May, when Comcast Cable produced a segment of their show "Everyday Angels" that featured Jenny Rees’s 1st grade class and Bridget Evans's 4th grade class. The clip captures the importance of educating through hands-on curriculum. It shows just a snapshot of the enriched curriculum that a school garden can offer, such as teaching children healthy eating habits and all about the environment through our edible schoolyard garden program.
The second video shows how over the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday on January 19, 2008, Edna Maguire families and community friends gathered to replant a dozen apple trees in the orchard as part of "Giving Tree Week.” The short film by Jack Budish, a Tam High freshman, captures the community involvement that is absolutely imperative to a successful public school education for your children. The Edna Maguire PTA is proud and honored to sponsor the Mill Valley Children's Garden and post these video clips. Edna Maguire School is indebted to Principal Lisa Zimmer for her continued support and dedication to the superior education of our children.
View photos from the tree planting day.
Last Call for Yearbook Orders
If you haven’t already ordered your 2007–2008 yearbook, you still have until 9:00 a.m. Friday, February 1st! Drop off a $20 check to the office with “Yearbook” and your child’s name on the memo line, or have your child just give the check to his or her teacher. After 9:00 on February 1st, the price of the yearbook may go up to cover additional printing costs for books that were not pre-ordered. Don’t miss out – order yours today! Questions? Contact kathy.bishop@gmail.com.
Tree Naming Raffle Winners
On behalf of the 5th grade, we would like to thank everyone who participated in the “Tree Naming Raffle” during Giving Tree Week. We are proud to announce that $179 was raised for our garden! The winners of the raffle are: David Hampton, Kyra Carney, and Zoe Philippides from room 4; John Luster and Isabella Bauer from room 5; Samantha Locke from room 8; Connor Norton from room 14, Bennett Gates and Amanda Faubel from room 15; and Lilah Yob, Dani Budish, and Julia Pickel from room 20.
We will be in touch with the winners regarding the tree naming. Congratulations and thank you for your support!
Garden Fundraiser
Edna Maguire is partnering with Botanical Interests to raise funds for the Children’s Garden. The garden will automatically receive a portion of sales through this website.
Botanical Interests’ product really is unique. Their seed packets aren't just paper envelopes with seeds in them; they have HUGE amounts of information – enough to make even the novice gardener successful. The seed quality is surpassed by none and is unconditionally guaranteed. They have over 500 varieties of flower and vegetable seeds. Many of these are certified organic, and all are chosen with the home gardener in mind.
For more information, visit our blog.
Emergency Phone Tree Created for Each Classroom
This year, the PTA presidents, Mari Allen and Katrina Kehl, along with our room parent coordinator, Nancy Felder created Emergency Phone Trees to use in the event of an emergency. The phone trees allow for each family to be notified when a situation arises, such as our “lock down” that occurred earlier this year. In addition to our email blast capabilities, this is another tool for us to use to communicate with our families. Many, many thanks to these amazing ladies and to all our head room parents for your collaboration in getting this completed. Click here to read the phone tree instructions.
Family Math Night Fun!
Thank you to all the families that came out to enjoy our Math Around the World night. The students quickly become the experts on these math games, edging out our wonderful parent volunteers! Although the event was scheduled to end at 7:00, it was hard to get people to stop! We couldn’t do this event without all of you who came forward when we asked for volunteers. You are much appreciated!
Rotary Club to Distribute Dictionaries to 3rd Graders
The Mill Valley Rotary Club will be donating personal dictionaries to the 3rd grade students next month. These are wonderful gifts that students can keep and use throughout their school years. We are very excited to have this opportunity for our students.
Children's Book Project Thanks Edna Maguire Girl Scout Troop
Vicki Pollack, Executive Director of the Children's Book Project, sent a thank you to our Girl Scouts who collected over 843 books for teachers, community workers, and children all over the Bay Area. These books are used by teachers in classrooms or as gifts to children, many who have never owned a book before. The Children's Book Project puts books into the hands of children who need them.
Target Red Card Fundraiser
Did you know that if you have a Target REDcard, that you can designate a donation to Edna during any purchase at a Target store or at Target.com and Target will donate 1 percent of the total purchase to Edna.
Healthy Kids = Healthy Families
We all rely on plastic as a convenient, lightweight, and unbreakable resource when it comes to packing our kids' lunch. However, did you know that some of the chemicals from the plastic can leach into the food and drinks our children consume? That can happen when the plastic comes into contact with oily or fatty foods, when the plastic is heated, or when the plastic gets scratched. And one more idea to keep in mind when it comes to plastics: they are made from petroleum, a non-renewable resource that creates waste and takes up significant landfill space – a reason to think twice before buying yet another plastic container at the store. Check out these links for more useful information on plastics and alternative containers:
Healthier Food Uses of Plastics (pdf)
ReusableBags.com
- Nutrition and Wellness Committee, PTA
REMINDERS
Interactive Art Show
Next week, February 4th through 8th, Edna Maguire will host the interactive art show. See the complete schedule for individual classroom activities. The show culminates on the evening of Thursday February 7th, when all projects will be on display for everyone to see and enjoy. Please note that there will be a PTA Executive Board and Association Meeting at 6:00 p.m. before the Art Show begins at 6:30. All are welcome to attend.
COMMUNITY CONNECTION
Richardson Bay Audubon Center & Sanctuary
http://richardsonbay.audubon.org Phone: 388-2524
The Richardson Bay Audubon Center & Sanctuary is owned and operated by the National Audubon Society. Its mission is to conserve and restore natural ecosystems by inspiring and educating our community. Some upcoming events include:
Nature Journaling with John Muir Laws
Saturday, February 2, 10:00 a.m. - noon
Blackie’s Pasture Work Day
February 9, 9:00 a.m. - noon
Mudflats Exploration
Saturday, February 16, 10:00 a.m. - noon | 
