Dear Families,

Murphys Irish Days is approaching, and our town will be bustling with activity. Keep an eye out for MPC in the Murphys Irish Day Parade. They'll be promoting our upcoming fundraiser, "Chicken in a Barrel," which celebrates its 36th year on Saturday, June 7, from 12-5 PM in Murphys Park. It's always a joy to see our students participating in the parade and connecting with family and friends throughout the festivities.

Kindly, Josh

Notes:

• The last week of after school tutoring for this year will be the week of March 24th. However, the children are welcome to continue to log onto the tutoring program from home two days per week.
• Next week I will continue ALICE Safety Training with fourth grade. Last week, Mr. Nunn's class did a great job with discussing this drill, and I look forward to working with the next group.

• If you have a transitional kinder or kindergartner ready to start school next year, please give Judy a call to set up an appointment for Kinder/TK Registration. Feel free to pass this on to other folks who live in our attendance boundaries.

Monday 3/17

Read-A-Thon
Ms. Oliver's Class to UPWD Water Facility -8:15 - 11:15am

Good News Club

Volleyball Practice - 2:10 – 3:30pm

Tuesday 3/18

Read-A-Thon

Hawks Hub -AMS Room 9 - 2:05 – 5:05pm

Library For Families - 2:00 - 2:45pm

After School Tutoring - 2:05 - 3:10pm

AME Girls Volleyball Game @ Aroche - 3:30 - 4:30pm

Middle School Volleyball Club - 5:00 - 8:00pm

Wednesday 3/19

Read-A-Thon

Hawks Hub -AMS Room 9 - 2:05 – 5:05pm

Nature Bowl Practice - 2:00 – 3:15pm

AME Girls Volleyball Game VS HFE - 3:30 - 4:30pm

AME Girls Volleyball Game VS Mark Twain - 4:30 - 5:30pm

Thursday 3/20

Read-A-Thon

4/5 Ski Trip - 8:40am – 5:10pm

Ms. Klassen/Winters Classes Walk to Murphys Senior Center12:00 – 1:00pm

Library For Families - 2:00 - 2:45pm

Hawks Hub -AMS Room 9 - 2:05 – 5:05pm

After School Tutoring - 2:05 - 3:10pm

AME Girls Volleyball Practice - 2:15 - 3:30pm

Middle School Volleyball Club - 5:00 - 8:00pm

Friday 3/21

Crazy Sock Day (World Down Syndrome Day)

Read-A-Thon

SRT Performance - 12:45pm

Hawks Hub -AMS Room 9 - 2:05 – 5:05pm

Have A Great Weekend!

On March 21st, AME will be celebrating World Down Syndrome Day! This special day is observed around the world to raise awareness and show support for individuals with Down syndrome, highlighting their contributions to our communities.

Why March 21st? The date signifies the uniqueness of the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome, which causes Down syndrome. It's a day dedicated to advocating for the rights, inclusion, and well-being of those with Down syndrome.

To make this celebration extra fun, we invite all students to participate in our Crazy Socks Day! Wearing brightly colored or mismatched socks is a symbolic way to spread awareness and start conversations about inclusion and diversity. So, let's get creative and show our support by wearing the wildest socks we can find!

Congratulations to all participants in the 40th Annual Calaveras County Science Fair! Several of our students placed in the top three in their categories:

• Robbie and Logan: First Place
• Kaylyn and Eliot: Second Place
• Morgan: Third Place

Earning these cash prizes at a county-level competition demonstrates these students' exceptional understanding of the scientific method and creative thinking. Their hard work and innovative projects clearly impressed the judges!

Today our students had an incredible learning opportunity as Dr. Clint Collins from Sacramento State University and Jessica Self from WPUD guided them through a trout dissection. The children were able to observe firsthand as Dr. Collins (Ada's dad) demonstrated the fascinating biology of a fish.

Students got to see the internal organs, learn about fish anatomy, and experience science in action. We're grateful to Dr. Collins and Mrs. Self for sharing their expertise and providing our students with this valuable educational experience.

AME readers, you continue to amaze us as we enter week three of our Read-a-thon! The race for the grand prize limo ride is tighter than ever, with reading minutes soaring to impressive heights across all grades. We've seen incredible dedication—reading during lunch breaks, before school, and creating special reading nooks at home! Every minute counts, every page matters—keep tracking those reading minutes and showing us all what true reading champions look like! Here are the top readers by grade so far:

TK: Elliott L, Stephens

Kinder: Ella D, Ryan

1st: Julian M Wright

2nd: Madilynn N, Winters

3rd: Nellie S, Oliver

4th: Elijah M, Fleck

5th: Morgan N, Fleck

Overall: Elijah Madsen, Fleck

Despite challenging weather conditions this week, we're happy to let you all know that our trout release trip was a great success! Students enjoyed an educational presentation from WPUD staff, followed by an exciting opportunity to observe the baby trout through a fish scope.

The highlight of the day was releasing our baby trout into Murphy's Creek, where they quickly swam off to find shelter in the cool pools.

Thank you to everyone who helped make this valuable learning experience possible for our students!

On March 19, we will meet at the San Andreas Library (Zoom available) for the informative class on Developmental Milestones with Andria Tiquet. The class will meet in person from 5-7 PM (Zoom 5:15- 7 PM), and dinner and childcare will be available.

Register here: https://forms.gle/FP7x8DWhb7g9beR37

Thursday, March 20, we will start a great new series on Social Media and Anxiety. This 4-part series will include a free book and lots of information on how to balance and monitor your children’s social media usage. This important class will be on Zoom from 6- 7:30 PM.

Register here: https://forms.gle/wv9snLzkAT9896cB6

Finally, on Wednesday, March 26, we will meet via Zoom for a class on Teens and Preteens: Conversations and Boundaries. This class will cover so much great information on these challenging years. The class will meet from 5-7 PM.

Register here: https://forms.gle/waW3EiyQTwhEXBbv5

Long-Term Benefits of Good Attendance

• Establishment of positive attendance habits that carry into secondary education and future employment
• Higher graduation rates and increased likelihood of pursuing higher education
• Better developed time management and organizational skills
• Stronger work ethic and understanding of commitment and responsibility
• Improved future employment prospects and earning potential

Last week's ALICE overview was "E" for Evacuate. This week I will summarize the ALICE Acronym.

• Alert: Become aware of a threat
• Lockdown: Lock, pull shades, turn off lights, employ Bollo Lock, barricade rooms & hide
• Inform: Communicate information in real time
• Counter: If a room is breached: Create chaos, movement, distraction and as a last resort throw objects at the intruder.
• Evacuate: Remove yourself from danger when safe to do so

This is a protocol developed for schools and organizations as a response to active shooter situations. It's designed to provide options beyond traditional lockdown procedures and empower people to make survival decisions based on their specific circumstances during a crisis.

MAKE-UP 4/5 Ski Trip

Thursday, March 20⋅8:40am – 5:10pm

Crazy Sock Day - World Down Syndrome Day

Friday, March 21

TK, K, 1 to Red Barn Museum

Friday, March 21⋅9:30am – 12:30pm

3rd Cross Country Ski

Monday, March 24⋅8:15am – 4:00pm

EdVenture cross country skiing (K-2)

Thursday, March 27⋅1:00 – 5:00pm

Rehearsal for talent show

Thursday, March 27⋅5:00 – 7:00pm

Last Day of Afterschool Tutoring

Thursday, March 27⋅2:00 – 3:15pm

MINIMUM DAY

Friday, March 28

Top Trojan Assembly

Friday, March 28⋅9:00 – 9:45am

NO SCHOOL-SPRING BREAK

Monday, March 31 - Friday, March 4

Unless otherwise notified, all meetings are held on the third Wednesday of every month at the District Office. Open Public Session will begin at 5:30 PM.

VUSD Public Board Meeting Agenda - Wednesday, March 12, 2025

Important Reminders For Student Drop Off & Pick Up

• Children may only be dropped off and picked up in the Feeney Park parking lot.

Serious safety concerns have arisen, relative to the morning drop off line. If you want to walk your child to the stairs, please park your vehicle in a parking space. Do not stop your vehicle in the drop off line and exit the car to walk your child to the stairs.

• In order for a safe and speedy morning drop off, your child must remain in the car until

you reach the first place in line. Mrs. Martinez or other Michelson personnel will safely assist your child as he/she exits the car. Do not allow your child to exit your vehicle until you reach the first
place in line.

• All students must walk up the stairs to the playground. Remind your child not to climb

the hillside.

• All vehicles (except those bearing “Disabled” placards) are prohibited from entering the main

Michelson School parking lot to drop off and/or pick up children.

A Great Place To Learn!

Email: jogeen@vsd.k12.ca.us
Website: https://www.vallecitok12.com/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=1531440&type=d&pREC_ID=1664461
Location: 196 Pennsylvania Gulch Road, Murphys, CA
Phone: (209) 728 - 3441

The Vallecito Union School District and its schools do not endorse any advertised products or services referenced in this publication.