Murwood Weekly eNewsletter
Tomorrow is a Shortened Day!
What's Happening This Week:
Nov. 9th- Shortened Day Schedule
Nov. 10th- No School- Veteran's Day
Nov. 14th- Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day
Nov. 14th- PTA General Meeting
Nov. 20th-Nov. 24th- No School - Thanksgiving Break
Principal's Message 📝
The month of November is Native American Heritage Month. Our staff will integrate lessons throughout the month to recognize the contributions of Native Americans within our community. Native American Heritage Month serves as a platform to promote awareness and understanding of the unique traditions, contributions, and challenges faced by Native American people. It is an opportunity to honor and celebrate the customs, languages, art, and the enduring wisdom that have been passed down through generations.
Secure Campus Drill , Wednesday, November 15th
Throughout the school year, all schools in WCSD practice a variety of safety drills. Next Wednesday (11/15), as part of our annual safety drills at Murwood, we will be holding a campus wide Secure Campus drill.
The purpose of the drill is to:
Allow for dialogue surrounding safety drills and developing situational awareness in the event of a true emergency.
All staff have been trained in a non sequential tactic to respond to a dangerous individual on campus. The ALICE training has prepared our staff to make those informed decisions. ALICE stands for; Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter and Evacuate, which is the acronym used to outline the actions we take during dynamic emergency situations.
Secure Campus
Initiate for the potential of threat of danger in the surrounding community. All classroom/ office doors/ windows are closed and locked, and all students and staff remain inside until otherwise directed. Instruction continues as planned unless escalated to a Lockdown (Violent Intruder).
An example of a Secure Campus: Law enforcement informs us of a police activity in the area and out of an abundance of caution, Secure Campus is initiated. No immediate threat on campus.
Violent Intruder
Initiate for an immediate threat of danger to occupants of a campus or school building. A violent intruder is defined as an individual actively engaged in causing great bodily harm in a confined and populated area.
An example of Violent Intruder: A dangerous person is on campus and immediate action is required to ensure safety of all on campus. Students/Staff will take action to respond to the situation based on location of threat and ability to evacuate campus safely.
As we know the subject matter of this drill can heighten anxiety, please speak with your child. Teachers will also have age appropriate discussions in their classrooms. They have been trained through our ALICE training program the appropriate language and discussion depending on the student groups age.
In our lower grades, TK-2, teachers hold discussions about strangers and the importance of following the directions of the staff members at school in an emergency. In Grades 3-5 teachers also hold a stranger discussion, the importance of following the directions of staff members in an emergency, and possible ways the teacher may ask them to evacuate or respond in an emergency.
We are so sorry that drills like these are necessary. However, as the safety of our students and staff are always a priority, we need to think and plan for possibilities. Research shows that through preparation, anxiety levels decrease as students know that the adults on campus have a plan to support them.
Happy Diwali to our families who will be celebrating this weekend.
Monifa
Tomorrow is a shortened Day. See the schedule below:
ALL TK/K- 8:10 am-11:30 am
1st-5th Grades- 8:10am -12:25pm
Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day- November 14th
To remember the courageous, historic and nation-changing "walk" of Ruby Bridges in November of 1960, and to promote healthy living, families are invited to walk to school with their children on Tuesday, November 14th to arrive by 8:10am.
Ruby Bridges was the first African American child to desegregate William Frantz Elementary School. At six years old, Ruby's bravery helped pave the way for Civil Rights action in the American South. ON that day she became the first Black child to attend an all-white primary school in Louisiana.
Now, more than 60 years later, her vision is for children to become the next generation of leaders who create positive change in their communities, one step at a time. Help us honor Ruby Bridges and get inspired to find your passion and strength by walking to school on Tuesday, November 14th.
Notes From the Office
First Grade Health Exams
Reminder to all 1st grade parents that Health Exam reports are due January 15, 2024. As required by the State of California, each student entering first grade must provide to the school a certificate documenting that the student has received a health examination within 90 days of the start of school. If a health examination was recently obtained for your child, please email me the completed and signed report. Children who received a health screening examination at any time 18 months prior to first grade fulfills the exam requirement. Here is the link to the form.
Candy Donations
Got leftover Halloween candy? We are collecting candy donations for Blue Star Moms in the office until November 17th. If you would like to get rid of that leftover Halloween candy, then please consider donating it to this wonderful organization.
Thank you,
Mrs. Kaye, Office Manager
PTA Meeting
November 14th at 6pm via Zoom. Click here to register.
Holiday Spiritwear Sale
November 6th through December 8th, get 20% off plus guaranteed delivery by December 23rd. Click here to order!
Gott’s Day of Giving is back on November 15!
Save the date for the annual Gott’s Day of Giving on November 15 from 11-8:30 (all day!). Grab your family, friends, and neighbors for a meal at Gott’s because 10% of every order goes back to support our public schools and WCEF!
$5 Off the Forma Gym Turkey Trot!
Home for Thanksgiving? Add Forma Gym’s 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!
City of Walnut Creek Proclamation
At the November 14 City Council meeting, WCEF will have a proclamation read in honor of our 40th anniversary. The city wishes to recognize WCEF’s 40 years of fundraising and its impact on Walnut Creek public schools and the community. Want to show your support for WCEF and our schools? Make a comment at the City Council meeting in person or submit an email of support. The meeting starts at 6 pm. Email WCEF for more details.