PRINCIPALLY SPEAKING
Last week I met with our District Technology Director, Terry Kritsepis, to discuss classroom workstation computers. Edna Maguire has 18 computers in the classrooms and library that have become obsolete because they can no longer be supported by our 700 MHz network. The good news is that the PTA has funds and has approved the purchase of ten new computers for the library, which will be ordered and in place by the first day of school in August. Next year, one of our fundraising goals will be to purchase at least two computer workstations per classroom.
The staff and Technology Teacher Leader Team are working to establish technology standards for the 2009-10 school year. These include creating benchmarks for:
- Using hardware and software to support learning and productivity
- Applying vocabulary and strategies for using technology in a networked system
- Using electronic resources to communicate, collaborate and retrieve information
- Using technology to create and deliver presentations
- Demonstrating ethical behavior
All standards will be implemented as students and staff use the laptop carts and classroom workstations.
Our first week of STAR testing is complete, and all testing will be finished by May 13th. Please consult with your child's teacher for specific testing times. Remember to have your children here on time and make sure they have a good breakfast!
We need your feedback about the lunch program provided by Revolution Foods. Please click to see a very simple and quick survey that we'd like each family to fill out only once. The answers to these questions will help us modify and improve our program. We ask that you complete this survey even if you don't currently participate in the lunch program.
Thanks for your help with this important service, and for your continued support.
Lisa Zimmer
Final Revolution Foods Lunch Orders due May 22nd
Thank you for supporting the Revolution Foods lunch program this year. As summer quickly approaches, we need parents to place their final lunch orders for the year. Orders must be placed online and all unpaid balances are due in the office by Friday, May 22nd. Lunch is available through the last day of school, June 17th. Don't forget to take the survey so we can continue to improve the lunch program!
Anyone who has an outstanding balance in their account on May 22nd will be notified. You may donate the balance to the PTA or you can receive reimbursement by contacting Suzanne Alpert at suzanne_alpert@yahoo.com. Thank you again for your support of this program, which benefits the educational programs at Edna. We hope your children have enjoyed lunch!
Also, the new June menu is available now. New for June is an all natural hamburger with organic ketchup.
Keep Walking, Riding, and Carpooling to School
The Frequent Rider Program continues through this Friday, May 8th. Keep track of when you walk, bike or carpool to school and turn in your cards on Friday. Next Tuesday there will be a drawing for prizes, including a new bike and scooter.
Let us Razzle KIDazzle You!
The Fifth Annual Edna Maguire Variety Show is next Friday, May 15th, at 6:00 p.m. in the multipurpose room. Come watch and cheer for the dazzling talent at Edna! The concession stand opens at 5:00 and we will be serving hot and cold food, home baked goods, popcorn, drinks, and more. Come have dinner with the stars! Download the flyer (pdf).
Muffins with Mom
Parents, teachers, and children of Edna Maguire School, mark your calendars – it's Muffins with Mom! Join us in celebrating the untiring efforts of the moms next Friday, May 15th, from 7:45 to 8:30 a.m. in the multipurpose room.
Volunteer husbands and partners will joyfully greet everyone and serve muffins, coffee, juice and fresh fruit. This event is a big hit each year. Do not miss the opportunity to rub shoulders with the important behind the scenes school operators: the Moms!
Edna Celebrates the Garden!
On Friday, April 24th, Edna celebrated Earth Week and the Edna Garden with an all-school sing on Alto Field. It was a glorious Spring day and the entire school fanned out on the grassy field with their Kiddo! sponsored music teacher, Nora Thomas leading each grade in song. See some lovely photos here.
Kinder-Garden Work Day a Success!
The Kindergarten-sponsored Garden Workday was a huge success. Many parents, "kinder-gardeners,” and older students came out to enjoy the beautiful weather and help prepare the Children's Garden for the upcoming Spring Faire. Volunteers cleaned and organized the adult tool locker, repaired and painted the shed and the shed bed, organized and labeled supply containers, harvested veggies, planted more goodies, filled holes, painted pots, and prepared prizes and activities for the Spring Faire. Thank you Bruce Cardinal for irrigating the orchard area, and thanks to everyone who came out to help. Thanks also to Whole Foods for again providing lots of nourishing treats.
Bake Off! Bake Off! At the Spring Faire!
Come show off your talent and passion for organic baking and let's see who will reign as Top Pastry Chef in Mill Valley. Enter your organic dessert in the Garden Spring Faire baking competition. The judges are chefs from the Buckeye Roadhouse, San Francisco Baking Institute, Yankee Pier, Piazza D'Angleo, Small Shed Flatbreads, and Pine Point Cooking School.
1st Prize:
2nd Prize:
3rd Prize:
- $100 gift certificate to Williams Sonoma
- A cooking library
Bakeoff requirements: An organic dessert with a fruit element
To register: Provide your name, phone number, email, the name of the dessert with a description, and a check for the entry fee ($20 before May 25th or $25 after, payable to Edna Maguire PTA). Drop off in the marked envelope in the office.
Note: In order for the judges to start their work, all desserts must arrive at the Faire by 11:30 a.m. on May 31st.
Poets on Display
Congratulations to the Edna students whose poems have been chosen to be displayed in the Kiddo! Art Show at Frame-O-Rama, located at 487 Miller Ave. between Grilly's and the Mill Valley Art Store. Their work will be on display through May 23rd, and everyone is welcome to attend the reception this Thursday, May 7th at 5:30 p.m. at Frame-O-Rama. Click here to see the complete list of honored poets.
The PTA Needs You!
Are you looking for a way to become more involved in the PTA and your children's school? Do you have a small amount of time each month to help ensure that our children and school are prepared for a disaster situation? The PTA is looking for a co-chair for the Disaster Preparation Committee. Basic tasks include:
- Attend monthly meetings with Mill Valley School District Emergency Prep Committee – an hour of your time
- Manage annual inventory and restocking of classroom emergency prep kits
- Give brief presentations to teachers and room parents about classroom kits
- Assist at annual school disaster drill
This important work can't happen without your support. To find out more, please contact Katrina Kehl kkhel@pacbell.net.
PTA Agenda and Minutes Posted
The Edna Maguire PTA's May agenda and April minutes are now available online. The next PTA Executive Board and Association meeting is on Wednesday, May 6th, from 8:40 to 10:00 a.m. in the teachers' lounge. Please note that we will be ratifying the vote from the April 24th meeting, which approves purchasing 10 computers for our library. Everyone is welcome to attend!
KIDDO!
Kiddo! Donation Day - Thank You!
Thank you to everyone who joined us on Donation Day, May 1st, to launch our 2009 Annual Giving Campaign. Hundreds of families helped Kiddo! lower fundraising costs by making their annual donations on this day, saving valuable volunteer time and significantly decreasing the cost of paper, printing and postage for follow-up mailings.
It's not too late! In light of the ongoing budget constraints facing our local schools, it is critically important that we financially support our children's education. If you have not already done so, please make your annual contribution to Kiddo! today and help fund next school year's arts and technology programs as well as save library and classroom aides from budget cuts. Giving is easy – make your donation online at www.kiddo.org, or mail it in to 409 Sycamore Ave. Thank you in advance for your participation in Kiddo!'s fundraising efforts this year. Together we can protect the quality education our students deserve!
Kiddo! Night at The Giants, May 17 – Tickets Selling Fast
This year's Kiddo! Night At The Giants is Sunday, May 17th at 5:00 p.m. and will feature the Mill Valley Middle School Chorus singing the National Anthem. It is also Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum bobble head night, so plan on getting to AT&T Park early to watch the kids sing and the Giants play the Mets! More than 500 Mill Valley folks attended last year, so join us in our very own upper reserve section. The Giants expect that this game will be sold out, so place your orders today! Ticket are $18, and $8 of every ticket sold will benefit Kiddo! CLICK HERE to purchase tickets now.
It Takes a Village Special Education PTA
Speaker Event: Diane Provo – “How to Talk so Kids will Listen – Solutions and More Solutions”
Thursday, May 7th, 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
in the MVMS multimedia room
Are you worn down by food fights, bedtime challenges, tantrums, whining and the dreaded "NO?" Do you find yourself using threats, bribes or a raised voice, though you swore you never would? Then join us at our May speaker event with acclaimed speaker Diane Provo. Diane will discuss how to engage your children's cooperation, provide discipline with respect, and ways to nurture development of a strong sense of integrity and self worth.
Diane is an independent consultant who creates and develops comprehensive educational and intervention programs for children. She brings more than 35 years of intensive child development experience to her clients. Diane has co-authored two books "Starting Blocks" and "Kids Are Great... When You Know How They Work." This is one meeting you do not want to miss! For more information, please contact Andrea Brandeis, 383-9800.
COMMUNITY CONNECTION
Mill Valley Library
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo on Wednesday, May 6th with bilingual stories and a colorful craft at 3:30 p.m. in the Creekside Room. All ages, no sign-up required, and it's absolutely FREE!
What are you doing this summer? Whether you're visiting Paris, France, your grandma in Petaluma, or staying home in beautiful Mill Valley, you won't want to miss our Summer Reading Program. We'll have more than 45 amazing activities to knock your socks off, including reading games, a guessing jar, fun entertainment, hands-on art projects, lizards, and dogs! (Yes, the Marin Humane Society's SHARE-a-Book dogs will be back to listen to young readers.) Librarians will visit your school in early June to give you the details; summer flyers will be available to the public (and on our website) on June 8th.
Free Bicycle Education Workshop for the Whole Family
The Riding with Youth Workshop is this Saturday, May 9th, from 9:30 to noon. The location has been changed to Edna Maguire. To register and to learn more about workshops go to www.marinbike.org and click on “Share the Road,” or e-mail RidingWithYouth@marinbike.org. |
