Lions Dance Rings in the New Year
To the roll of drums and the crash of cymbals, 12 children form the Marin Chinese Cultural Association, including Edna third grader Edward Gilmore, pranced and slithered into the multipurpose room doing lion dances to welcome the Chinese new year. Afterward, the dancers and musicians took many questions about the significance of the dances, music and costumes. See the colorful pictures here.
Spirit Day This Friday
This Friday, February 13th, is Sports Day, when students and teachers can represent their favorite sports teams. Come wearing hats, jerseys, shirts, sweatshirts — you name it!
Terrific Tuesday, February 17th at Pizza Antica
Want a night off from cooking and doing the dishes? Meet your friends during ski week for a delicious dinner and support Edna Maguire.
On Tuesday, February 17th, Pizza Antica in Strawberry Village will donate 20 percent of your dining bill to our school. Just tell your waiter you are with our school and be sure to write Edna Maguire on your restaurant bill. It's that simple! The more you eat, the more we make!
Interactive Art Show This Week
It's time for the Interactive Art Show! Download the schedule (pdf) to see when you can join your child for individual classroom activities. You can see all projects on display on Tuesday, February 10th at 6:30 p.m. at the evening art show reception. Come at 6:00 p.m. to the teachers' lounge for a PTA Executive Board and Association Meeting. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Edna Eliminates Excess Paper
The PTA has been working hard to cut back on the paper that is sent to Edna and for the Wednesday folders. Leslie Lewczyk and Kathy Bishop have been instrumental in spearheading the program to provide only the youngest child in a family with district, school, and community news through the Do Not Duplicate program. The program has been a hit and will have eliminated thousands of pieces of paper this school year alone! Thank you Leslie and Kathy.
More and more classroom news comes home via your child's classroom website or teacher's electronic newsletter. Of course, the Pony Express will remain the primary source of up-to-the-minute school information, and you can always get more information on Edna's website. Edna Maguire and the PTA will continue to find ways to eliminate excess paper whenever they can.
Extra! Extra! Mighty Mustangs Yearbooks for Sale!
The yearbook is well on its way and we're looking for more subscriptions! If you did not pre-purchase your yearbook, please do so ASAP as the order deadline is March 2nd! The yearbooks are $20 and you can leave a check in the envelope marked "Yearbook" in the office. Please make checks out to "Edna Maguire PTA" with your child's name, room number and "yearbook" in the memo section of the check. Don't miss out!
If you have questions, contact Jackson Butler at belv@comcast.net. To find out whether you've already ordered your yearbook, email Kathy Bishop at kathy.bishop@gmail.com.
Warm Wishes Thanks Edna!
On December 13, more than 250 volunteers assembled backpacks for homeless men, women and children. These packs were distributed to hospitals, shelters, soup kitchens, churches and other programs throughout Marin, San Francisco, Napa, Sonoma and the East Bay. The holiday cards made by Edna students provided warmth of heart and spirit in the backpacks, which were filled with gloves, caps, socks and rain ponchos. Thanks so much Edna Maguire and Warm Wishes!
Do You SchoolPool?
Calling all parents who drive to school! Here's a great way to cut down on hectic mornings and extra driving while you spare the air: SchoolPool! What's that, you say? SchoolPool is a Safe Routes to Schools program offered through the MVSD Directory to help you find other families in your neighborhood with whom to carpool, walk, or bike. Check the Directory on page 13 or visit the Mill Valley School Pool page of the Safe Routes to School website to find out how to get with the program. Thank you for walking, biking and carpooling; your efforts contribute to the health and safety of both our community and the environment.
Valentine Treat Options
Happy Heart Day! The Nutrition and Wellness Committee has some fun and tasty "heart" healthy snack ideas for class Valentine's Day parties. Check out our Valentine suggestions (pdf), or plan your own creative ideas. If your child delivers more than a card, we encourage you to select a non-food item. Keep it simple, inexpensive, eco-friendly, and FUN!
Green Team Cleans!
The Green Team is a group of third, fourth, and fifth graders who have been working together to keep Edna Maguire clean and help the earth. Learn more about the Green Team and look for a "Greenzine" (online magazine) from the Green Team soon!
Helping Kids Understand Non-verbal Cues
Understanding and responding to non-verbal cues is sometimes a very
demanding job for young children. District psychologist Claudia Trinklein-Engman writes about how you can help your children learn to read their environment and respond appropriately.
Edna Maguire Website Help Needed
The PTA is looking for a volunteer to post news to the EdnaMaguire.org homepage 2-4 times a month. Responsibilities include writing brief summaries of school news and events, tracking down photos from events, and posting news on the website homepage. A computer with internet access is needed, but no special website technical expertise is required. This position takes 3-4 hours a month. Please contact Linda Dunne at ldunne@dunne-design.com if you're interested.
PTA Meeting Agenda and Minutes
The PTA’s February meeting agenda (pdf) is now posted on the Edna website, along with the January meeting minutes (pdf). If you have any questions or comments, contact Leslie Lewczyk at lesliepta@gmail.com.
KIDDO! News
Save the Date: Kiddo! Spring Gala & Auction March 14
The Kiddo Spring Gala & Auction will be March 14 at the Mill Valley Community Center. Don't miss the live auction with host Doug McConnell, silent auction, open bar, dinner with wines from E & J Gallo, and dancing with the Unauthorized Rolling Stones. Dress up and party with your friends and neighbors and enjoy a night full of fantastic auction items and great food and wine – all to benefit our local public schools. Look for your invitation in February!
Support the Local Businesses That Support Our Local Schools
Kiddo! would like to thank The Mill Valley Market for their longstanding and continued support of our local schools through their "Shop & Give" program. A full three percent of your total purchase goes to Kiddo! All you need to do to when shopping is let the checker know that you'd like the contribution to go to Kiddo! before your transaction is completed.
Safeway contributes over $40,000 a year to Kiddo! through their participation with the eScrip program. Be sure to register your Safeway Club Cards, ATM and credit cards with eScrip at www.eScrip.com to generate these significant donations for Kiddo! at no cost to you.
DeLano's IGA Markets, Mollie Stones, Paradise Market and Woodlands Market also support Kiddo! with their eScrip participation. As long as you have registered your credit and/or ATM card with eScrip, you will generate contributions for Kiddo! whenever you shop with them.
United Market in San Rafael supports Kiddo! with their Community Cards, available in the Kiddo! offices. Call Patty Flax at 389-7789, ext. 3 if you would like one.
Please thank these markets for their important contributions when you are shopping. We appreciate their support as well as your participation in these programs more than ever during these challenging economic times. |
