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Principally Speaking
A Message from Lisa Zimmer
Dear Family,
Our first Spirit Day, "Winter Wonderland," is this Friday. Of course when we planned it, we thought it would be a novelty to ask everyone to wear their winter wear; we certainly didn't know that we would need it! Join in the spirit this Friday, December 18th.
We enjoyed a wonderful Family Science Night last week with the Lawrence Hall of Science. Thank you to the Green Team and its leaders, Carrie Morgan and Lisa Stapp, for sponsoring the bake sale that funds our Green Team efforts. Mark your calendars for Family Math Night on January 21st. These PTA sponsored events bring our families together for fun, connection, and learning outside of the regular school day.
Edna Maguire sponsors a toy and food drive through the end of this week. If you can provide a toy or non-perishable food items, it will be much appreciated.
Beginning January 4th, Edna's front circle drive area will be closed. This area is not to be used for pick up or drop off. All students will be directed to the back parking area and no one will be dismissed to the front of the school after the New Year.
Car Line is the safest way to get students to and from school given our limited parking space. It was designed to ensure that students enter and exit cars without the risk of accident. Families that are not following the guidelines are blocking the entrance/exit. This is the first year of Car Line, and there have been growing pains, but it will eventually become part of our culture. We now have more than 450 students and it is imperative that we ensure their safety. If you do not want to wait in the Car Line, it is usually cleared out by 3:00. We dismiss at 2:50, and it takes students a few minutes to get to the pick-up area.
Thank you to all the many, many parent volunteers who work tirelessly each week to provide this safe service to our families. I also want to thank the amazing dad who handled Car Line at the end of a day last week by himself! He had the Life Skills of Humor, Personal Best, Flexibility, and Perseverance, and turned a sticky situation around by just being hilarious! Please let me know who you are; I want to personally thank you for not giving up. The children were entertained and you got everyone on their way wearing a smile! I appreciate you so much – I just don't know your name!
Wishing you all a healthy and happy break, and a wonderful beginning to the New Year.
All the best,
Lisa Zimmer
Warm Wishes from your PTA Co-Presidents
Wishing you and yours the best of holiday seasons and a bright and healthy 2010! Thank you, thank you for your energy, enthusiasm, creativity, and continued support. The staff, administration, and all the wonderful families of Edna Maguire make our school such a magical place!
All the best,
Leslie and Janie
Winter Wonderland Assembly
The Edna Maguire Winter Sing is this Friday, December 18th, at 11:00 a.m. in the multipurpose room. Come see your kids sing their hearts out to some favorite holiday songs. Kids, come to school dressed in winter wear on Friday!
Lost and Found Rummage Sale
Yes, it's that time of year again, and we all want to start 2010 with a clean slate and an empty clothing rack! The final unclaimed clothing sale of 2009 will be held this Thursday and Friday, December 17th and 18th, before, during and after school in the multipurpose room. Each item is $3.00, and all proceeds go the PTA. Anything left over will be donated to charity.
As of December 9th, the following people have labeled items in the green box outside the office: Conner Cardinal (lunchbox), Piper Santos, Ludin, Noa, Colson (two jackets), Maya Lynch, Jake Cohn, Silmore, and Luke Bleckman. Please come claim your stuff!
Many Hands, Many Thanks
Edna is beautiful thanks to the 24 volunteers who worked so hard at our annual Winter Beautification Day on Saturday, December 5th. Special thanks to Libby Brockhoff and Douglas and Lyla Tipton for being so supportive of the Beautification Committee. We could not do this without you. Please come out and help in the new year. Contact Laura Figueirinhas for more information.
Thank you Madison and Edyn!
Fifth graders Madison Zimmerman and Edyn Jensen recently held their own bake sale to raise money for the Children's Garden. They made Rice Krispy Treats, decorated them with fondant flowers, and raised $32! Here's a lovely picture of the girls presenting the money to Ms. Zimmer. Thank you girls!
Emergency Supplies
A huge thank you to Steven Podesta for organizing and updating all the emergency bags and supplies for Edna Maguire. He has done an incredible job in helping ensure that our school is prepared in the event of emergency. If you have not donated your $5 per child to help purchase supplies, it's not too late! A marked envelope is available in the front office.
Dance and Music Performances
Thanks to Kiddo! and the amazing Alan Scofield, our kids and parents were treated to an outstanding dance performance by all fourth and fifth graders last Tuesday. African dance, the Charleston, disco, swing, "Bollywood" ... our kids do it all with aplomb and a smile!
Also thanks to Kiddo! and Nora Thomas, our wonderful music teacher, the second graders performed terrific, spirited musical versions of "The Story of Ping" and "Abiyoyo." Kids, Alan, Nora, and Kiddo! supporters, take a bow!
Amazon.com Gives 10% to Edna Maguire
Just in time for the holidays, reward your family, friends, and Edna Maguire by shopping at Amazon.com through this link. Edna Maguire can earn up to 10 percent of every purchase made at Amazon.com, including products sold through Amazon by other companies. Access the link from this newsletter or from the Edna Maguire homepage, then start shopping – it's that easy!
There are no codes or names to add; Edna Maguire automatically receives a percentage of your bill when you shop through this link.
Book Passage Gives 5% Back
Did you forget to make some book purchases at the Book Fair? Now you have another opportunity to buy books, support a local store, and give back to Edna Maguire. Just by saying "Edna Maguire School" at the register, Book Passage in Corte Madera (and the San Francisco Ferry Building!) will give 5 percent of all purchases to our school library, not just for the holidays, but all year round! Questions? Contact Mari Allen.
Parental Conflict: Psychologically Speaking
School psychologist Claudia Trinklein-Engman says one question she is often asked is whether parents should ever fight in front of their children. In this month's column, she answers that question and discusses functional and dysfunctional forms of conflict at home.
It Takes a Village Special Education PTA
Next Speaker Event
Maeve Burke: "Executive Functioning"
Thursday, January 7th, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Mill Valley Middle School Multi-Media Room, 411 Sycamore
Maeve Burke is an educational therapist serving families in Marin County. As a parent of a child with learning differences and a classroom teacher for thirteen years, Ms. Burke sees each child through the lens of an educational therapist but brings a valuable parent and classroom teacher perspective to her practice. She will explain how weak executive functioning skills can compromise a child's learning experiences at school. She also will discuss strategies to help children with planning, organization, working memory, initiating skills, transitions, directions, and self-regulation. This education event for parents is presented by It Takes a Village in collaboration with the Mill Valley PTA Council.
Next Parent Coffee
Friday, January 15th, 9:00 - 11:00 a.m.
806 Chamberlain Court, Mill Valley
Parents of children with learning differences face many challenges. Our coffees provide a chance for parents to share information and support each other. Please join us. If you have questions, please contact Strawberry Point School parent, Ross Buffington, 383-7294.
Speaker Notes and Handouts
Many parents have asked for notes from our speaker events. They are available on our website, along with information about our speaker events, parent coffees, and playgroups.
COMMUNITY CONNECTION
Carmel Youth Organization Basketball
This year Carmel Youth Organization (CYO) will be introducing the Challenger League, a new community program for youth with special needs and is open to any youth age 5 to 18 living in Marin County. The Challenger league is a division of CYO and is a unique opportunity for children who have developmental disabilities to participate in a basketball league on Sundays, beginning January 10th. Players wear the same uniforms as other CYO players and teams are supported by coaches and by a buddy system in which young, non disabled volunteers assist Challenger players when needed. Any questions please call Janet Miller, 380-0631, or Pam Sowerby, 380-9680 | 
