PRINCIPALLY SPEAKING
Dear Family,
I hope you are rested and found spring break to be relaxing and rejuvenating. We are in the home stretch! This week Edna Maguire students will be celebrating Earth Week. Please read the rest of this Pony Express for complete event details.
Between April 27th and May 13th, our district will be participating in the California Standards Test (CST). These are summative assessments given at the end of the year to evaluate student performance on the California State Standards for grades 2 through 11. Students in second through fifth grades are tested in two areas: Language Arts and Math. These tests are divided into three parts and each class schedules their own testing periods. Your child's teacher will let you know the specific testing days and times for your class. It is very important for your child to arrive at school on time during this testing window. If you would like more information about the CST or standards for each grade level, please visit the California Department of Education website.
I'd like to thank Eric Zener, Elexa and Ethan's dad, who graciously worked with this year's fifth grade students to paint the "Blue Skies Ahead" mural outside the teacher's lounge building. Along with organizer Janie Karp and numerous volunteer parents, our fabulous fifth graders gave Edna Maguire a beautiful parting gift as they move on to middle school. Thank you all so much!
Best Regards,
Lisa Zimmer
Edna Celebrates Earth Week!
Earth Week starts today and culminates on Friday with the Garden Sing. To celebrate, Edna is getting into the spirit by focusing on reducing waste:
On Monday, look for the Green Team's posters about how to reduce waste and be "waste-free" at school. On Monday and Tuesday, the Green Team will present to classes an informative slide show about ways to reduce waste and go green.
On Tuesday, students will get together with their buddy classes to watch The Story of Stuff, an informative movie about the production, consumption and dumping of stuff.
On Wednesday, Earth Day, the Green Team will sponsor "Zero Waste Day," in which staff and students will be encouraged to produce no waste. Pack a lunch using reusable containers and give the Earth a break.
On Thursday at 8:40 a.m., we will celebrate organic pest management by releasing ladybugs into the Mill Valley Children's Garden with our buddy classes. We will also have a visit from student Conner Swenberg's chickens – Turkey, Tiger, Squirt and Fluffy – who will demonstrate their own method of organic garden pest management and garden fertilization.
On Friday at 11:15 a.m., the Garden Sing will take place on Alto Field behind the Garden. Parents are invited to bring a lunch to share with their child after the sing.
Terrific Tuesday at Pizza Antica Tomorrow
This week's Terrific Tuesday is at Pizza Antica in the Strawberry Shopping Center. Have a great dinner out (or take it home!) and earn 20 percent for Edna Maguire. Tell your server you are with Edna Maguire School and write Edna Maguire on your restaurant bill. You'll be treating yourself and helping support education.
Sutter's Fort Pictures
On April 2nd, 56 Edna Maguire fourth graders, three teachers, and 40 parent volunteers attended the Environmental Living Program at Sutter's Fort in Sacramento. Thanks to your PTA contributions, the students experienced life in 1846 first hand.
Parents became docents for the day, teaching the children about various activities that actually took place more than 160 years ago. Becoming pioneers, riding in horse-drawn covered wagons, cooking over open hearths, churning butter, roping cattle, creating corn husk dolls, hammering stools, making candles, baking bread and rolls, weaving a tapestry, sewing leather pouches, dancing the Virginia Reel, and sleeping on the Fort floor, all added up to an unforgettable experience. See some terrific pictures from their visit to the past.
Thank you, Edna Maguire, for making this all possible, and special thanks to our Sutter's Fort parent coordinator, Mari Allen!
Third Grade Garden Workday a Success
The Garden Workday on Saturday, March 28th, sponsored by the third grade was a huge success. There were plenty of students and parents to tackle the task list and the weather was beautiful. Volunteers transplanted a lemon tree, sheet mulched the fence area to create an area for vegetable plantings, moved the worm bins, and chipped the cut branches. Saor's three hens visited to help remove weeds and insects, aerate and fertilize the soil, and entertain the volunteers! Thanks to everyone who helped and thanks to Whole Foods for the treats. With your help, the Garden continues to grow. Next month's Garden Workday is Saturday, April 25th and will be sponsored by the kindergarten classes.
Humane Society Collection
Girl Scout Troop 30453 is collecting small cans of cat food, towels, collars and leashes for the Marin Humane Society. Please help provide much needed food and items for the shelter and their partnership programs. A collection box is located in the office and will be there through Monday, May 4th. Thanks for your support!
Keep Walking, Riding, and Carpooling to School
The Frequent Rider Program continues through May 8th. Keep track of when you walk, bike or carpool to school for a chance to win the grand prize, a new bike!
2008-09 Innovative Teaching Fund Grant Awards
The Innovative Teaching Fund (ITF) is a line item of the PTA budget designated specifically for teachers to use toward unique teaching practices. This year, a total of $3493.00 was allocated to the ITF, and every penny has been spent. Teachers apply as individuals or as a grade level, and the requests are reviewed by the Site Council. Below is a list of the grants distributed this year.
- First Grade: $1307.53 for nonfiction Readers focusing on science
- Second Grade: $526.04 for "Lifecycles 2.0: Looking Closely at Change and Stability Through Art in the Garden"
- Third Grade: $900.00 for the Third Grade Musical
- Fifth Grade: $160.00 for scholarships to Walker Creek Outdoor Education Program
- First Grade: $599.43 for a document camera
Thank you, PTA, for helping to fund these programs, activities, and resources!
If you have questions regarding the Innovative Teaching Fund, please contact ITF Coordinator Mari Allen at allenmari@hotmail.com.
PTA Meeting to Elect Board
Please join us for the PTA Association meeting this Friday, April 24th at 10:45 a.m. in the Teachers' Lounge. We will be electing next year's PTA Executive Board, and we want your voice and your vote. Immediately following the meeting is the all-school Garden Sing. We hope to see you there. The meeting agenda is posted on the Edna website.
Following are the 2009/10 PTA Executive Board Nominees.
- President: Leslie Lewczyk
- Executive Vice President: Janie Karp
- Vice President of Student Well-Being: Michelle Barenbaum
- Vice President of School Community: Karen Carr
- Vice President of Fundraising: Mari Allen
- Vice President of Programs: Stirling Sommers
- Vice President of Site Enhancement: Ronnie Sharpe
- Treasurer: Suzanne Alpert
- Financial Secretary: Kathy Bishop
- Auditor: Lisa Gilmore
- Recording Secretary: Shaila DeLeede
- Corresponding Secretary: Deb Luster
- Historian: Katrina Kehl
- Parliamentarian: Ahtossa Fullerton
COMMUNITY CONNECTION
Lecture: "Parenting the Internet Generation"
On April 30th, three top authorities on children and technology will discuss on-line life from the young child through adolescence. Click here to download the flyer (pdf). The lecture will be held at the Mill Valley Community Center on Thursday, April 30th from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Tickets cost $20, which you can reserve by emailing susannah@baldwin.com or calling 279-2866.
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