It's Art Show Time!
Come see what our kids have been doing in art class and create some beautiful works yourself! Edna's Interactive Art Show is this week – you can check your child's scheduled class time here. The Art Show Evening Reception is this Tuesday, February 9th at 6:30 p.m. We hope to see you there!
Edna's Family Bingo Night – Mark your Calendars!
Join the Edna community on Saturday, March 6th, at 5:30 p.m. when our fifth grade sponsors Family Bingo Night in the multipurpose room! This fun-filled new event will feature live music (starring Edna alumni Harley Phleger and his band "Know Clue"), prizes, a bake sale, and of course: Bingo!
All proceeds will go to a local charity and help fund fifth grade graduation. The cost is $3 per person or $5 per family. Stefano's pizza, yummy salads from Pizza Antica and beverages will also be on sale.
Green Ways to School Challenge
Carpool, walk, bike or bus to school and help us all win big!
We are pleased to participate in the new Green Ways to School Campaign from Marin Community Foundation and Safe Routes to Schools. The program focuses on reducing car trips to and from schools to lower related greenhouse gases and traffic congestion in our community. A new web-based SchoolPool trip-matching program will help you find other families with whom to carpool.
There are incentives for families to participate and cash awards of $500 to $2000 for the Marin County schools with the largest increase in Green Trips. Please register to support Edna Maguire in this contest – there's no cost or obligation. It only takes a minute at www.SchoolPoolMarin.org.
A Pile of Donated Shoes
Thank you to everyone that donated shoes to Step by Step! 126 pairs of shoes were donated. These shoes will be distributed to kids in impoverished villages around the globe. Thank you to Edna Maguire for making a huge difference.
Music Fills the Multipurpose Room
Last Thursday, Edna students were treated to a morning of music presented by the third, fourth, and fifth grade choruses and the Chamber Singers from Mill Valley Middle School. Songs ranged from Native American to classical to rock. The morning ended on an upbeat note when all choirs joined together for "Yonder Come Day." See some terrific photos.
Rose Pruning Workshop in the Garden
Please join us this Saturday, February 13th at 10:00 a.m. in the Children's Garden at Edna Maguire when the Rose Society of Marin pruning team will help rejuvenate our roses and teach a workshop on proper rose pruning. Please bring your own pruning shears and thorn-proof gloves if you have them.
A suggested donation of $10 to the Rose Society is optional but appreciated since this is their only fundraiser. Any questions, please contact Master Gardener Sandy Waks waksy@earthlink.net, 389-9321.
Keeping Edna Beautiful
"The land is where our roots are. The children must be taught to feel and live in harmony with the Earth." – Maria Montessori
The Beautification Committee is overwhelmed by the ongoing support to keep Edna Maguire such a beautiful place. Thank you to the students, parents, and staff who came out on February 6th to show that pride in our school.
Imagine what you could do for Edna at the next Campus Clean-up on Saturday, April 3rd. Please mark your calendar and come out to help.
Edna Spirit Wear from Lands End
Interested in "Edna gear" to show your school spirit? Check the Edna Maguire homepage for the link to Lands' End spirit wear. Lands' End will add the Mighty Mustang Mascot to a huge selection of clothing, hats, backpacks, lunchboxes and totes. Ordering is easy. Just use our preferred school number (#9001-2976-8) when ordering online or by phone at (800) 963-4816.
Jump Rope for a Happy, Healthy Heart and Donate $1
February is jump roping month in P.E.! On Wednesday, February 24th, Edna Maguire students will jump rope for the American Heart Association. We hope each child will donate $1 toward lifesaving heart and stroke research and educational programs. There is no pressure to donate; either way, your child will have fun jumping rope! Put your dollars in the "Happy Heart" box in the front office or give them to your child's teacher. Thank you Schuyler Harvey for organizing this event!
Help Wanted – Pony Express Editor
Now you can become part of the team that publishes the Pony Express email newsletter! We are looking for a Pony Express Editor for the 2010/11 school year. This is a great way to get involved from your own home or workplace. The Pony Express Editor works with the PTA co-presidents to collect news items and then edits them into a document for publication. This position requires good writing and editing skills and a home or work computer. It takes about two hours once every other week. You'll keep on top of all the latest Edna news and be a great help to the school, all from the comfort of your own home! Please contact Lauren Snell for more information.
Valentine Treats
Happy Heart Day! The Nutrition and Wellness Committee would like to pass along some fun and tasty "heart" healthy snack ideas (pdf) for classrooms planning Valentine's Day parties. If you and your child decide to bring something more than Valentine cards, we encourage you to select a non-food item. Keep it simple, keep it inexpensive, keep it eco-friendly, and most of all keep it FUN! We hope this inspires you and opens your heart. With lots of love on Valentine's Day!
XOXOXO – The Nutrition and Wellness Committee
Mill Valley Middle School Parent Education Programs
Stephen P. Hinshaw, Ph.D.
Middle School Boys and Girls: Same Age,
Different Stresses
Tuesday, February 23rd, 7:00-8:30 p.m.
MVMS Multimedia Room
Don't miss this special opportunity to hear this world-renowned UC Berkeley developmental psychologist and author of The Triple Bind: Saving Our Teenage Girls from Today's Pressures.
When Should I Worry? A Panel Discussion
Wednesday, April 7th, 7:00-8:30 p.m.
MVMS Multimedia Room
All parents worry about the academic, social, or emotional challenges that their children face, and as they near the end of the school year, they begin to have more questions about the issues that remain unresolved. Join us for a lively panel discussion about the developmental tasks and difficulties of middle school children, featuring local child and family therapists and moderated by Parent Education Co-chair and clinical psychologist Daphne de Marneffe, Ph.D.
IT TAKES A VILLAGE SPECIAL EDUCATION PTA
Next Parent Coffee
Friday, February 12th, 9:00-11:00 a.m.
211 Morning Sun, Mill Valley
Parents of children with learning differences face many challenges. Our coffees provide a chance for parents to share information and support each other. Please join us. If you have questions, please contact Tam Valley School parent, Maureen Pardi, 389-8942.
KIDDO!
In February, Kiddo! will launch our own email newsletter so that we can better inform all our donors and parents about what's new at Kiddo! We'll have articles, photos, examples of student work, news about our fundraising, and key dates for upcoming performances and events. Look for it in your inbox soon! If you'd like to make sure you are on our email list, please call the office at 389-7789 or email your information to info@kiddo.org. To see the latest newsletter, check our website at www.kiddo.org.
If you have photos to share of Kiddo! sponsored events, we would love to feature them in our new newsletter or post them to our online gallery. Please contact Kelly Cacic. Thanks!
COMMUNITY CONNECTION
Richardson Bay Audubon Society
In February, the Richardson Bay Audubon Center has some wonderful family programs for kids age 5 to 8, including A Tree is Nice exploration of the Sanctuary's native trees on February 13th, the Restoration Work Day on February 20th, and Animal Tracks and Signs on February 27th. For more information, visit the Weekend and Family Programs section of their website. | 
