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Murwood Weekly eNewsletter
No school on Wednesday, November 1st
What's Happening This Week:
Oct. 23rd-Oct. 27th- Red Ribbon Week!
Oct. 31st- Halloween- Parade and Pumpkin Decorating Contest
Nov. 1st- No School- Staff PD Day
Nov. 3rd- Picture Make-ups
Nov. 8th- Parent Ed Event: Fentanyl: What Every Parent Needs to Know
Nov. 9th- Shortened Day Schedule
Nov. 10th- No School- Veteran's Day
Principal's Message ๐
Our weather is finally starting to cool down. It's a great idea to send your child with a jacket or sweatshirt since our mornings are definitely feeling chilly. Be sure to write their names inside their jackets or sweatshirts and to check the lost and found regularly if something comes up missing.
WCSD adopted a new social studies curriculum, InquirEd. In Inquiry Journeys, students investigate History, Geography, and Civics by exploring complex questions. It is an inquiry based model of learning and our students are enjoying learning about their community and the world around them. Third graders are researching continents and what makes each continent unique. They will then create bumper stickers that highlight each continents beauty and unique qualities.
Thank you to all of our amazing volunteers and our Murwood PTA for creating such a wonderful Fall Festival! It was an amazing time as always. Thank you to all the parent and family volunteers who helped make sure this event ran smoothly. It is such a wonderful community event and I am so thankful we have the opportunity to do this every year. It takes a lot of volunteers and we appreciate everyone
Have a wonderful week!
Monifa
Message From the Office
Independent Study Contracts (ISC)
Although we strongly encourage families to take advantage of our numerous school breaks and holidays when scheduling vacations, etc, we do understand that sometimes it is unavoidable. If your child is going to miss a minimum of 5 to a maximum of 14 school days, we recommend that you request an Independent Study Contract. The contract provides several benefits: your child will receive academic and attendance credit and the school will receive the ADA. For more information and to request an ISC please click HERE. ISCs must be requested at least one week in advance of the start of the studentโs absence and is due the first day the student returns to school. Please contact the office if you have any questions.
Mrs. Kaye
Office Manager
Halloween Celebration
On Tuesday, October 31st, students will be allowed to wear their costumes to school. Our Halloween parade will take place at 8:30 am on the blacktop. Our amazing PTA Room Parents are working closely with teachers to help organize fun games, art and treats in class that day as well. Students will also get a chance to participate in the annual pumpkin decorating contest.
ALL TK/K students will attend school from 8:10-12:55. This way they will all be able to join in all of the activities!
To support our efforts to ensure we are an inclusive school community where everyone feels as though they belong, students should avoid wearing costumes that are racially, ethnically, and/or culturally based, or those that play on gender stereotypes. Here are some thoughts to consider as families prepare Halloween costumes to wear at school:
Please consider the impact a costume depicting an ethnic/racial/cultural group can have on others, including making people feel unsafe and/or disrespected.
Please reflect on what it means to depict a culture or race even for a day because for many people it is not just a costume, it is part of their identity. Even if your child is part of the group of people the costume is intended to represent, it is helpful to ask if the costume is perpetuating a negative stereotype.
Consider that a costume meant to be funny because it is making light of an ethnic or racial group is most likely a caricature, and thus not appropriate.
Also, please see the following costume guidance below:
We must be able to identify students; no masks that cover the entire face.
Face paint is acceptable as long is it not gory (i.e. no blood)
No weapons. Even fake weapons made of plastic, foam, etc.
Inflatable costumes are ok for the parade only. Students must be able to remove their inflatable costume for class time
Costumes must not reference weapons, drugs, or alcohol.
Murwood Pumpkin Contest
Who will have the scariest, sweetest or most creative pumpkin this year? The Pumpkin Contest is happening at school on Halloween. Click here for the instructions and all the details.
Come find WCEF at Trunk-or-Treat in Civic Park on October 27
Registration for the Forma Turkey Trot increases Oct. 30!!
Home for Thanksgiving? Add Forma Gymโs 31th Annual Turkey Trot to your holiday plans. Start the morning off right and gather your friends and family for a morning run/jog/stroll through downtown Walnut Creek. Or sign up for the energetic Kids Fun Run! The Turkey Trot donates to WCEF and is a BIG supporter of our public schools. Register here today as the cost increases on Oct. 30!
Support WCEF with Corporate Matching!
Does your employer offer corporate matching? You can DOUBLE YOUR GIFT with corporate matching! Last year corporate matching brought in almost $200,000 for our schools. It all adds up! Visit wcefk12.org/match to see if your company will double or triple your WCEF donation.