Special MVSD Budget Study Session:
All Parents Invited
Wednesday, March 31st at 6:00 p.m., Strawberry Point School
Over the next two years, the Mill Valley School District expects much deeper cuts in state education funding than previously anticipated. This reduction in funding, coupled with flat or negative growth in local property tax revenues means budget cuts are imminent. Funding is lower, yet the cost of providing a quality education continues to rise due to enrollment growth and staffing needs.
The MVSD Board of Trustees will have to make difficult budget reduction decisions before the adoption of the 2010/11 budget on June 23rd. Now is the time to ask questions, make comments and gather information regarding this critical challenge. Our district is dedicated to remaining resilient and innovative in its response to budget challenges. Please attend this first study session and be part of the solution.
Walk and Wheel Wednesday March 24th
We had so much fun last Wednesday (see photo here), we're doing it again! Let's continue our green trips and improve Edna's chances of winning $2000 in the Green Ways to School Competition. Meet at the Mill Valley Community Center this Wednesday, March 24th at 8:00 a.m. to join the walking and wheeling "school bus." All kindergarten and first grade students must be accompanied by a parent or older sibling.
Lisa Zimmer will lead the group to Edna Maguire where a welcome table awaits with green edible goodies. Feel free to wear green! Questions: Rhonda Campbell or Lisa Gilmore.
Green Feet Winners
Congratulations to the winners of our Green Feet Certificates, awarded to a student in each grade and their sibling who consistently walk or bike to school. These students have walked or cycled to school nearly every day of their school lives: kindergartner Simon Gooden and fourth grade sister Natalie, first grader Amelia Sharpe, Maeve Cain and fourth grade brother Ronan, third grader Gus Gunter, fourth grader Taiki Rhodes, and fifth grader Peter Lewczyk. Rain or shine, you all have amazing Green Feet!
Tamalpais Bank Donates to Edna Maguire!
BIG NEWS: Edna Maguire received $1095.68 from our local Tamalpais Bank as part of their "Community Counts" program! This wonderful program contributes to hundreds of worthy non-profit organizations every year. When you open any checking or savings account with Tam Bank, the "Community Counts" program contributes a percentage of your account balance to the non-profit of your choice each year.
Tam Bank has special savings accounts for kids with no monthly service fee and special "Tambucks" incentives for prizes. This is a great way to encourage your child to save, and you can designate Edna Maguire as your non-profit! Remember, the more people select Edna for Community Counts, the more money we will receive from the program every year. Please stop in and identify yourself as an Edna Maguire family and thank Tam Bank for their generosity.
The Variety Show is Coming to Town May 14th
Variety Show auditions are Thursday and Friday, April 8th and 9th from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. Information sheets, sign-up forms, vounteer agreements and the rehearsal schedule are in the office and on the school website (flyers & forms webpage). Sign-up forms are due in the office on Friday, April 2nd. There are new guidelines for the show this year; please review all important details on the information sheet, including great new group numbers for kindergartners and fourth and fifth graders.
We need your help! Parents of all participants are required to sign up for one of our many rewarding volunteer jobs. Here's a short list of key roles we're still looking to fill: Show Production Coordinator, Parent Volunteer Coordinator, Back Stage Manager, Set Designer, and Concession Stand Coordinator. Questions, please contact Jody Branham, (415) 388-1282.
The Chickens are Coming!
Chickens are coming to the Mill Valley Children's Garden this spring! They will live in the garden and contribute fertilizer and eggs, assist with pest control and aerating the soil, and endlessly amuse and entertain. We plan to use $1280 in garden funds to purchase an eglu cube that will provide a safe and secure place for them to live and lay eggs. The PTA will vote to release the funds at the next PTA Executive Board and Association meeting on Wednesday, April 7th at 8:40 a.m.; please join us for the vote.
Emergency Readiness Symposium on March 24
On March 24th The Marin County Office of Education is sponsoring an Emergency Readiness Symposium for Marin County schools. Please join them for a day of workshops for parents and school personnel to learn the skills necessary to support prevention, preparedness, response and recovery from emergencies in the school setting. See more details here (pdf).
Our Farmer's Market is Back, Thursday, March 25
The first Edna Farmer's Market of the year is this Thursday, March 25th at the back parking lot after school. There will be plenty of seedlings for your home garden (sunflowers, pole beans, tomatoes, corn, herbs, squash and more) as well as flowers, herbs, produce and some baked goodies. Sustainable rainforest jewelry will also be available, donated by Whole Foods. Remember to bring cash and donate generously to support the Children's Garden.
Donuts with Dad this Friday, March 26th
Grab your dad and join us for some very sweet and tasty connection time. This Friday, March 26th, from 7:45 to 8:30 a.m. in the multipurpose room, we'll have coffee, juice, assorted fruits, and of course donuts! Don't miss this popular event.
Clean, Green, Spring Event on April 3rd
"Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, Nothing is going to get better. It's not."
–
The Lorax, by Dr. Seuss
The Beautification Team needs more students, parents, educators, and Loraxes than ever to come outside and help make Edna great. Please mark your calendars and join us for our "Clean, Green, Spring" event on April 3rd, 9:00 a.m. to noon, sponsored by the third grade. Here are pictures from our last event. If you are interested in becoming an official member of the Beautification Committee, please contact Laura Figueirinhas.
Second Grade Sponsored Garden Work Day on April 3rd
April's Garden Workday is Saturday, April 3rd from 9:00 a.m. to noon and is sponsored by the second grade. Everyone is welcome but we hope second graders and their parents will make an extra effort to come out and support the garden. There's a lot to do to get ready for spring. Whole Foods will provide plenty of refreshments and breakfast snacks. Questions: contact Saor Stetler.
New Scent Rock Garden at Garden Entrance
Thanks to Lora Amara of Your Soulful Garden for donating her time and expertise to designing and building the new rock sculpture at the garden entrance. Thank you Edna parents Billy Thurman, Chris Cooper, Eric Schreiber and Barbara Bleckman and teacher Mike Taylor, who helped build it. Take a look next time you are in the garden entrance on both sides of the bird bath. The rocks hold the soil in place and flowering herbs will grow through the spaces between the rocks.
B-I-N-G-O!
Wow, what a turnout! With a rockin' band (thank you "Know Clue"), delicious food, and fabulous prizes, Edna's Family Bingo Night was a huge success! We raised enough money to purchase a new laptop computer and software for ForWords, a literacy project for students in the San Rafael Canal area.
A very special thank you to coordinators Leslie Lewczyk, Mari Allen, Tina Taylor and Susie Drysdale and the many fifth grade parents who donated gift cards , prizes, baked goods, and their volunteer time. Please remember to also thank our local donors: Scott Valley Swim & Tennis Club, LaFolie Restaurant, Mary Arnold Acupuncture, Monkey Business, Serena & Lily, CanDo Kids!, Lizibags, Daria Painter Jewelry, Green Beans Coffee, Cake-a-Holics and Archrival.
Read Across America Day with Dr. Seuss
Edna students celebrated Dr. Seuss's birthday with famous guest readers from all over Mill Valley. Thanks to all who made Read Across America Day with Dr. Seuss a success: Barbara Bleckman, Stacey Ciauri, Lisa Monge, Anne Fretes, Janie Karp, Rob Thomure, Kathy Lucas, Catherine Grava, Jeanne Johnson, Trina Rivera, Meera Dolasia, Harara Salehbhai, Mari Allen, Dominique Hawthorne, Jessica Ryan, Saor Stetler, Andrew Frierson, and the entire fifth grade.
Ode to Ms. Zimmer
Thank you to second grade teacher Adam Sanchez and the students in Room 5 for their wonderful Ode to Ms. Zimmer. Be sure to read the beautiful tribute.
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