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A Message from Principal Lisa Zimmer
Dear families,
As you know, we were under a “lock down” procedure Thursday, Nov. 1st. It happened shortly after school started, as some students were still arriving late. The police contacted us with the details and then the front office started the procedures to get our students and staff into classrooms, rooms and areas where everything is locked and students are placed where they can’t be seen from the windows.
The students and staff practice this drill many times throughout the year. The entire event occurred over a 45 minute period. We were able to communicate to the teachers over the loud speaker in a code that instructs them to remain in lock-down until they get an all clear communication. The District office and our front office are in constant contact through a district communication system throughout such an event. The alleged suspicious person's description was reported to the police by a citizen caller. The police department searched the entire campus and neighborhood during and following the lock down and found nothing that warranted further action. The Mill Valley police and surrounding officers were all here and did an amazing job. The MV Police Department stayed on campus the entire day to keep an eye on things and also patrolled the neighborhood. We stayed inside for the morning and afternoon lunch/recess just to keep everyone comfortable and together. I personally visited classrooms and talked to students about what we do when we think someone or something is unsafe around our campus. They were given no specific details.
Due to our wonderful team of technologically gifted parents and the efforts of the head room parents, we were able to immediately send the communication to our families via email as well as through the district email system. I am so thankful that we can do this at Edna Maguire this year! I can’t thank everyone enough for this capability. A hard copy of the email information was given to teachers to hand to any parent who didn't have email communication or who had not seen the email. Leslie Fielder was amazing answering phone calls and talking with parents who had come to the office. The district office personnel were all on stand-by offering support as needed.
I was very thankful to have such a calm and leveled headed group of teachers/staff that did exactly what we practiced in the case of such an event. The children were extraordinary, doing everything they practiced and staying calm for such a long time. I am so proud of them!
Lisa Zimmer
A Message from the Edna Maguire PTA
Our community should be made aware of the extraordinary job that was done by the administration and staff at Edna Maguire School on November 1 during the lockdown situation. Principal Lisa Zimmer, School Secretary Leslie Fielder, and the teachers of our school remained professional and calm during an incredibly tense and stressful time. These people should be commended for their actions, and should be examples in our District of how to respond during a crisis.
Lisa Zimmer's leadership during this time was amazing, and the Edna Maguire community is deeply grateful. Leslie Fielder provided information via phone and email throughout the ordeal, and offered advice and strength throughout. The teachers followed established protocol, and ensured that our children felt safe.
The Edna Maguire PTA is working together with Principal Zimmer to establish an Emergency Procedure and Protocol for Parents. Please look for this information in your Wednesday Folders and on the website soon.
The New Kindergarten-1st Grade Play Structure!
With your help, the Edna Maguire PTA is ambitiously working towards replacing the K-1st grade play structure by January 2008! Hard-working volunteers have secured a 50% discount on the new play equipment if we install it this year. We know that Edna parents can rise to the challenge and help us reach our goal under this tight timeline because of the successful replacement of the 2nd-5th grade play structure.
We have the opportunity to make a big impact by coming together to build a state-of-the-art play structure for our K-1st grade children. We ask all parents to contribute to this important initiative—the kindergarteners are the foundation of Edna, and they represent the future of our school. Edna families with older children must remember how essential quality outdoor play time and equipment is for our youngest students.
Our $50,000 goal is achievable if every family gives in a personally meaningful way. Ideally each family would contribute $100, but we know many of you can contribute substantially more; our goal is 100% participation from K-5th grade. Every contribution of any size gets us closer to our goal.
Drop your fully tax deductible donation in the envelope marked "New K-1 Play Structure" in the Edna Office as soon as possible. Please make checks payable to "Edna Maguire PTA" with "New K-1 Play Structure" as the memo. Many companies offer employees a matching gift benefit that doubles your gift to the Edna K-1 play structure.
Please make a gift to the K-1st play structure today! For more information, contact: Katrina Kehl (415) 378-9267 or Gary and Suzanne Alpert (415) 388-3815.
Library Shelving Help Needed
Our librarian needs help with shelving and maintaining our library books. Afraid of dealing with the Dewey Decimal System? Don't worry about it; we'll do it the easy way. Adopt an area of the library to maintain — the sports section, the mammals section, the planets section, etc. The library needs your help!
For more information, please contact Lisa Monge’s long-term substitute Librarian Deborah Wiley at dwiley@mvschools.org or 389-7733, ext. 2660.
Book Fair: "A Winter Wonderland of Books"
Edna's annual book fair will be held November 26 through 30, featuring an assortment of great books for all ages. This is Edna Maguire's biggest fundraiser to help support our library, to make sure our children have all the latest and greatest books. Look for your teacher's wish lists at the Book Fair —this is an easy way to find a gift your child's teacher will appreciate. Look for your child's wish list—they'll be bringing them home next month! We are still looking for volunteers. E-mail Jill Anderson at jajand@comcast.net or call 388-7455.
Kindergarten Registration
Get ready, it’s Kindergarten registration time soon. Please pass on this message to anyone you know with pre-Kindergarten children!
A child is eligible for public school kindergarten if he or she will be five years old on or before December 2, 2008. Registrations for the 2008/2009 school year will be from 1:00 to 7:30 p.m. on the following days:
Monday, January 14
Thursday, January 17
Monday, February 4
Thursday, February 7
Register at the District Office at 411 Sycamore Ave.
See additional information on website: http://www.mvschools.org, under Guide to Registering, or call 389-7717.
School tours will begin in November at most schools. Call the school to schedule date and time. Edna Maguire Tours are on the following Thursdays at 8:45 a.m.; December 6 and 13; January 10, 17, and 24; and February 7.
Parent Education at MVMS
Mark your calendars for Saturday, November 17th from 8:15 am to 1:00 pm. The MVMS Parent Education Committee is presenting: "The Roller Coaster Years; Positive Parenting Through Middle School." To view the flyer about this FREE event sponsored by the MVMS PTSA, click here.
For more information, contact Joyce Feeney at joycefeeney@comcast.net or (415) 380-9693.
It Takes a Village, Special Education PTA
Parent Coffee
Wednesday, November 14, 9-11 am
900 Ventura Way
Parents of children with learning differences face many challenges. These coffees provide a chance for parents to share information and support each other. Please join us. If you have questions, please contact Pam Sowerby at psowerby@comcast.net or (415) 380-9680.
Eastwood Park Playgroup
Thursday, November 15, 3-5 pm
Some children with learning differences (or not!) have a hard time making friends. Our play group is a great chance for kids to build relationships. Let Pam Sowerby know if you can make it and check weather cancellations at psowerby@comcast.net or (415) 380-9680.
Holiday Appreciation Party
Wednesday, December 19, 2:30-5:00 pm
Masonic Center, 19 Corte Madera Ave.
The District's special education staff will be the guests of honor at a holiday appreciation party. Parents and children are invited to attend and support our teachers. We will have lots of food and beverages. Come and enjoy!
A big THANK YOU to teachers Pauline Nacamuli (Tam Valley), Erin Conklin (Park) and Sarah Stoelting (Strawberry) for your insights at our October speaker event on reading. We all learned so many strategies to help our children.
Many of you have asked for notes from our speaker events. We now have minutes available. Please contact our secretary, Jeanine Ferris at ferrisjab@aol.com or (415) 381-9540.
Finally, welcome Lisa Santos! Lisa is our newest board member and Edna Maguire's school representative. Lisa will be publicizing our events at Edna. She is also available to answer any questions. Please don't hesitate to contact her: lsantos@rightnowconsulting.com or (415) 388-1005.
Psychologically Speaking
Each month Mill Valley school psychologist Claudia Trinklein-Engman will have a column devoted to various topics in child development. This month she offers excellent advice on conflict resolution tactics for your child. Click here to read the full article.
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