PRINCIPALLY SPEAKING
A Message from Lisa Zimmer
Dear Family,
Each year Mill Valley Schools nominate a Golden Bell and Elizabeth Terwilliger Teacher Award recipient for excellence in teaching. Those chosen are honored in May at an awards recognition ceremony. This year, the Edna staff unanimously nominated our beloved art teacher, Jackie Lalanne. Jackie inspires individual creativity and engages the social, physical and cognitive needs of our children. She is a kind and gentle spirit who is loved by every student, parent and staff member. Congratulations Jackie!
The Elizabeth Terwilliger Foundation also grants a "Student Community Service Award," and this year's honor goes to Reed Felder, Edna Maguire fifth grader. Along with his band, "Chasing Maya," and his parents, Nancy and Ron, Reed has spearheaded incredible community and global outreach. In the fall of 2007, his band members began raising money for needy children. Their fundraising drive included a lemonade stand, a letter-writing campaign, two school dances and a benefit concert – all of which raised money for the Mill Valley-based charity, Common River (link commonriver.org). This organization supports education in the village of Aleta Wondo in Ethiopia. The band raised more than $11,000 to help build and furnish a one-room school house, which has been named "Chasing Maya Classroom." This year's Edna Family Dance raised capital to purchase bookshelves, school supplies, 20 chickens and one milking cow for the village. In addition, in June 2008, Reed's band participated in the first annual "KidsJam Rock-a-Thon, which benefited the Performing Stars of Marin, a nonprofit agency providing low-income children access to arts and enrichment programs.
It is my pleasure to honor these amazing members of Edna Maguire School, who truly benefit our local community and beyond!
Lisa Zimmer
Donuts with Dads this Thursday Morning
Calling all dads and donut connoisseurs! Grab your dad and come join us for some sweet and tasty connection time this Thursday, March 19th from 7:45 to 8:30 a.m. in the multipurpose room. How often do you get to sample delicious confections while sharing quality time with dad before the busy day unfolds? We'll also have coffee, juice and assorted fruit, so don't miss this popular event. We hope to see you there!
Lice Volunteers Needed Friday, March 27th
The biannual lice check will take place on Friday, March 27. We need at least two parent volunteers for each class. Please consider signing up on the sheets outside classroom doors. Kindergarten check is at 12:30pm; grades 1 through 5 are at 2:00 p.m. Informal training is available, so please donate just an hour of your time. It's a great way to get to know the children and another parent in your child's class. Questions, please contact Joe Locke at jnlocke@hotmail.com.
Terrific Tuesday, March 17th at Pizza Antica
Want a night off from cooking and doing the dishes? Meet your friends for a delicious dinner and support Edna Maguire this Tuesday, March 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!
Child Safety Bookmarks
The Joyful Child Foundation through the Orange County Department of Education had provided Edna with bookmarks that lists tips to keep our children safe. Please look for the bookmark in your child's Wednesday folder and consider taking time to discuss the things listed on it.
Garden Workday a Success
Last weekend's Garden Workday, sponsored by the second grade, was a huge success. Plenty of second graders and parents tackled our task list, which included pruning fruit trees, removing blackberry bushes, amending soil for the vegetable and pumpkin beds, painting worm bins, securing greenhouse windows, mulching the orchard and back fence area, and gathering clay for the earth sculpture that Mr. Sanchez's class will create near the back parking lot. Thanks to everyone who came out in the glorious weather to help and to Whole Foods for again providing lots of nourishing treats. With your help, the Children's Garden continues to grow. The next Garden Work Day will be on March 28th, sponsored by the third grade.
Reminder: Razzle KIDazzle Variety Show
The Edna Variety Show is a great opportunity for your kids to gain confidence on the stage in front of a friendly audience. We encourage all grade levels, including kindergarteners and first timers, to share their talents in this supportive environment. Auditions are Thursday, April 2nd and Friday, April 3rd from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. in the multipurpose room. Application forms for the Variety Show are due in the office by Monday, March 23rd. Blank forms are available on the Edna website and in the office.
The Garden Fair Needs Tablecloths
The Spring Garden Fair is coming on May 31st. Event planners are looking for tablecloths to cover the 20 tables that will host activities, food, games and crafts. Please consider donating or lending a tablecloth. There will be a collection box in the office for the next two weeks. If you are lending a tablecloth, please attach your name and phone number. Questions, contact Barbara Bleckman at barbaracrampton@comcast.net.
The PTA Needs You
The Edna Maguire PTA is looking to fill two chairperson positions for the next school year: Volunteer Coordinator and Publicity Coordinator. The Volunteer Coordinator helps organize the First Day Coffee, manages the volunteer sign-up forms at the beginning of the school year, and sends volunteers to committee chairs as needed. The Publicity Coordinator is in charge of creating and maintaining the two signboards by the drop-off areas on a monthly basis.
If you are interested or have any questions, contact Valerie Wynn at howval@comcast.net
Whole Foods 5% Day For Kiddo!
Thursday, March 26
These days, every dollar counts for families, local businesses and our schools. Make your dollars go further on Thursday, March 26th by shopping at Whole Foods in Mill Valley. Whole Foods will donate 5 percent of that day's net sales to Kiddo! So plan ahead, make a big list, and help our kids reach their full potential!
COMMUNITY CONNECTION
Upcoming Events at the Richardson Bay Audubon Center
Nature of the Bay Lecture Series
Thursday, March 19th, 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Please join us for our next Richardson Bay Audubon Nature of the Bay lecture series when Kathy Boyer, Assistant Professor of Biology, Romberg Tiburon Center for Environmental Studies, discusses "Eelgrass restoration in San Francisco Bay." The lecture series is held on the third Thursday of every month from October through March, coinciding with the closing of the bay to all human use. Come learn about all the wildlife that use the bay while we are not! This event is free of charge.
Restoration Work Day
Saturday, March 21st, 9:00 a.m. to noon
Bring your family and friends for a morning of restoration and clean-up at the Richardson Bay Audubon Center & 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. This event is free of charge.
Ecology of Wild Fermentation
Saturday, March 28th, 10:00 a.m. to noon
Wild fermentation is an age-old tradition of food preservation and enhancement. This workshop, led by Audubon California's Conservation Coordinator Mike Perlmutter, will help us appreciate and understand the wild ecology of fermentation and will be a hands-on demonstration of how to make delicious and nutritious sauerkraut. Bring a large wide-mouthed jar to fill, some veggies to chop (e.g. cabbage, carrots, beets, radish, turnips, parsnip), seeds and spices of your choice (e.g. seeds of mustard, caraway, celery, coriander, cumin), a large mixing bowl, a cutting board, chef's knife, and a grater. Each participant will leave with their own batch of sauerkraut. Appropriate for adults and families with children ages 3 and up. Children must be accompanied by a parent. Cost: $10 adult / $5 child. Advance registration suggested: 388-2524 |
