Thank you to Lululemon for their grant of $600 to purchase new P.E. equipment and balls. Every Edna student has P.E. so we all benefit from this generous gift. Of course, none of this would have happened without the support of Edna parent and Lululemon employee, Margaret Krivoruchko.

Posted by Tim Schultz on January 28

Our Steeplechase Award winners for most sponsors or most dollars raised enjoyed their pizza luncheon with Principal Zimmer out in the Garden under blue, sunny skies. Thank you again everyone for making Steeplechase such a success!

Posted by Tim Schultz on January 28

Starting February 7, the multi-purpose room will become a vibrant art gallery where you can check out magnificent work from EVERY Edna student. You're also invited to join us in the "gallery" on Tuesday, February 8, from 6-7 p.m., for the Art Show Reception.

Throughout the week, students will participate in special Kiddo! art classes in the multi-purpose room. These classes are open to family members, so plan to join your child's class for a fun art project! Please check the schedule here for your child's classroom's date and time.

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on January 25

ITAV and Edna's PTA are pleased to present educational therapist Maeve Burke, speaking about executive functioning, at the Mill Valley Community Center from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Weak executive functioning skills can compromise a child's ability to learn and succeed in school. Burke will share strategies to help children with planning, organization, working memory, directions, self-regulation and more. For more details, please download the flyer or go to www.itavmv.org.

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on January 25

Your last chance to buy a 2011 yearbook is just days away! Don't miss out--order your copy TODAY. Absolutely NO orders will be accepted after January 31.

To order, go to www.JostensYearbooks.com or bring cash/check to the school office with this order form Make checks payable to Edna Maguire PTA. Please Note: If you already ordered a yearbook on the PTA One-Stop Shopping form at the beginning of the year, you do not need to fill out another form.

Posted by Tim Schultz on January 25

Family Math Night is coming to the multi-purpose room THIS Thursday from 6 to 7 p.m. Featuring the Lawrence Hall of Science's Art of Math Program, this event is sure to add up to a good time for all! Students in kindergarten through fifth grade will get to work their way through a series of interactive stations, such as Quilt-O-Rama and Kaleidoscope makers, that blend art and math concepts.

We still need a few more parent volunteers to help man the stations! No need to be a math whiz-- just show up 10 minutes early to learn about your station. Please contact Janie Karp at jkarpj@comcast.net if you can lend a hand.

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on January 24

Are old electronics cluttering your home, office or garage? Then bring them to the E-Waste Drive this Saturday! Sponsored by Edna's Green Team, the drive will be held in the multi-purpose room, from 9 a.m. until noon.

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on January 24

There's still time to treat your sweet ones to delicious chocolate from See's this Valentine's Day--and to show some love for Edna, too! The deadline to submit candy sale order forms and proceeds has been extended to Friday, January 28. Enjoy the ease of ordering See's candy directly through Edna Maguire. Order forms are available in the office or here. Candy will be delivered on Monday, February 7. Thank you for participating in this important event that directly benefits our students.

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on January 24

As the Mill Valley School District launches the next phase of its facilities modernization program, you're encouraged to provide your input. The district believes the more robust the public process is, the better the project outcome will be.

You are invited to attend the Edna Maguire Design Development Documents meeting on Monday, January 31. The meeting will be held in Edna's multi-purpose room from 6 to 7:30 p.m. This is the last opportunity for community members to offer input on the design of the new Edna school.

Topics to be discussed during this meeting will include:

• Comprehensive Functional Review
• Aesthetic Design Review
• Construction Estimate

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on January 24

The Second Grade Gardening Day is Sunday, February 13, from 2 to 4 p.m. It's YOUR turn to get a little dirt under your nails and help the garden prepare for spring! This fun afternoon will also include a scavenger hunt with prizes, plus snacks and drinks from Whole Foods.

And don't forget THE GARDEN CONTEST! The sponsoring grade with the biggest turnout of students for their Garden Work Day wins a party--either pizza or ice cream-- at the end of the year. So tell your friends (especially your fellow second graders), bring your family and spend a great afternoon outdoors. As always, all other grades are welcome. Contact Saor Stetler
(sstetler@earthlink.net) for more information.

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on January 24

The School Site Council is sponsoring this year's Family Bingo Night, scheduled for March 26. We need prizes for adults and kids! If you have new, unused items to donate, or gift cards you won't be using, please bring them to the office. Our first bingo night last year drew a huge crowd. The more prizes we have this year, the more games we can play!

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on January 24

We are all part of the Edna community, so even if you don't plan to use the car line, it's important that you do your share to make it successful and keep our school safe. Please sign up to volunteer during your classroom shift! Also, when using the car line, please remember to move as far forward as possible and wait for a volunteer to help your child out of your vehicle. Thanks for helping to keep our car line running smoothly!

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on January 24

Have you thought about where your children would get water after an earthquake or other natural disaster during school hours? We have. As part of our unwavering commitment to the health and safety of your children, the Edna PTA has purchased a H2OG (a.k.a. "the water hog").

The H2OG holds 50 gallons of potable water and is engineered to last 20 years. The tank water will be changed and refilled annually. In addition to the H2OG, Edna stores 120 gallons of water in plastic containers. With the H20G, we'll be able to purchase fewer of these containers. And at the end of each year, we'll recycle the H2OG's water into our landscape! To learn more about our H2OG visit http://rainwaterhog.com.

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on January 24

The Bay Area Discovery Museum invites you to its annual Discovery Forum, which will take place at the Ritz Carlton, San Francisco, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. This year's theme is Creativity and the 21st Century. Innovative thinker and science writer Jonah Lehrer will be the keynote speaker. His compelling presentation will explore creativity from a scientific perspective, and will advocate for integrating science and art to understand and advance human culture and reasoning. See the flyer forumflyer.pdf for more information, or go to www.BayKidsMuseum.org/forum11.

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on January 24

Best-selling author and internationally recognized parenting and bullying consultant Barbara Coloroso will deliver an information-packed presentation at the Mill Valley Community Center. You'll leave with lots of practical advice on how to use the stuff of everyday family life--chores, mealtime, sibling rivalry, toilet training, bedtime, allowances and more--to help children become self-disciplined, responsible and compassionate. Tickets are $20 in advance; $25 at the door. To register, go to www.parentsplaceonline.org/marin. Click here BCflyer.PDF to download the flyer.

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on January 24

Mudflat Exploration
Saturday, February 12, 12 to 2 p.m.

When the tide goes out the fun comes in! Join us at Audubon to explore and learn about our mudflats. Watch the birds hunt for crabs, worms, and other critters, or pick up a rock and join them. Be sure to wear shoes that can survive a day in our "peanut butter" mud. Children 10 and under require adult supervision. Cost is $7/participant; please call 415-388-2524 to RSVP.

Restoration Work Day
Saturday, February 19, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Bring your family and friends for a morning of restoration and clean-up at the Richardson Bay Audubon Center & Sanctuary. We may be removing trash, invasive plants, or helping with restoration projects. Children 10 and under must be accompanied by an adult. FREE program. RSVP: 388-2524.

Audubon at Home Workshop - Invaders in your Yard
Saturday, February 19, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Stick around after our Restoration Work day to learn about invasive plants that show up in our own yards--such as English Ivy, Periwinkle, Fennel, and Cotoneaster--and steps you can take to stop them. The cost is $5 for Restoration Work Day participants, $10 for all others. RSVP: 388-2524.

Winter Adventures Camp
Monday, February 21 - Friday, February 25; 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Come rain or shine, campers ages 5-7 will explore the Sanctuary's trails, beaches and pond in true naturalist fashion. Cost: $325 per child. Advanced registration required: 388-2524. Download registration forms at http://richardsonbay.audubon.org.

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on January 24

Hey kids! Are you a beginner, intermediate or advanced tennis player? Don't miss the FREE Tam Junior Tennis Festival coming to Tam High this Saturday. The fun starts at 10 a.m.; ages 6 to 14 are welcome. Improve your game, make new friends, and meet celebrity tennis pro Cary Stansbury and Charlie Fager, Commissioner of Novato Junior Tennis League.

Parents: You're invited too! We're looking for parent volunteers to help us build a community and school-based junior tennis program with top-level instruction and friendly competition.

For more information, contact Charlie Fager at 415-385-0161 or TamJuniorTennis@gmail.com.

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on January 19

Order your See's candies for Valentine's Day directly through Edna Maguire School. Order forms can be downloaded here. The deadline to submit order forms and monies collected is Friday, January 28th, and your candy will be delivered to school on Monday, February 7th.

Posted by Tim Schultz on January 19

Dear Family,

Welcome back to school and Happy New Year! I want to thank all of you for your generous donations to our food and toy drives. The Student Council set a goal of collecting one food item per student (476 total). We received more than 600 food contributions! And they also collected more than 200 toys--that's more than double their goal of 100!

After a lovely break, we are back in full swing. This Friday, January 14, is a professional development day for our district's teachers. We will focus on technology integration and building our classroom websites. In addition, teachers will work on writing curriculum instruction for their grade levels. These are very valuable days for our staff to collaborate and make our school even better!

Please save the date for another valuable event, the Lawrence Hall of Science's Art of Math program. It's happening in the multi-purpose room on Thursday, January 27. Students will work their way through a series of interactive stations, such as Quilt-O-Rama and Kaleidoscope makers, that intertwine art and math concepts. The program is geared to students in kindergarten through fifth grade. I hope you'll join us for this fun, engaging evening!

If you purchased or received new electronics over the holidays and need to get rid of old ones, bring them to our Green Team's E-Waste Drive on Saturday, January 29. (see the Green Team's article for more details). It's a great way to declutter your home or office for the New Year, protect our environment and raise money for our school.

Finally, if you resolved to make your life easier in 2011, I encourage you to bookmark ednamaguire.org. Doing so will provide you with easy access to all the latest school-related information and news--at your convenience.

Best to you,

Lisa Zimmer

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on January 11

For just $20, you can relive the incredible events and experiences of this school year every time you open your 2011 yearbook. The deadline for orders is January 31. Absolutely NO orders will be accepted after this date! 
 

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on January 11

This Friday, January 14 is a staff development day--there is NO SCHOOL for students. School is also out next Monday, January 17, in honor of Martin Luther King Day. Enjoy your long weekend!

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on January 11

Support our popular Sutter Fort and Walker Creek programs, plus other school programs, by selling scrumptious chocolates from See's Candies for Valentine's Day. Edna can earn up to 50 percent from our See's sales! Instructions, order forms and collection envelopes were sent home in last week's Wednesday folder. You can also get them in the office or on our website. Please return your order form and all proceeds to your child's teacher or the office by Wednesday, January 26. We'll deliver the chocolates on Monday, February 7.

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on January 11

Remember us? We're the Green Team and we are here to remind you about an important event. Edna is having an E-Waste Drive, on Saturday, January 29. The drive will be held right here, in the multi-purpose room, from 9 a.m. until noon. Bring your old computers, printers, screens and cell phones. No batteries, light bulbs or appliances, please. The money we raise will buy P.E. and recess equipment--thanks!

By Green Team members Justin Carr and Elias Michael.

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on January 11

As the Mill Valley School District launches the next phase of its facilities modernization program, you're encouraged to provide your input. You're invited to attend the Edna Maguire Design Development Documents meeting on Monday, January 31. The meeting will be held in Edna's multi-purpose room from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The Design Development phase is the last opportunity for community members to offer input on the design of the new Edna school.

Topics to be discussed during this meeting will include:

• Comprehensive Functional Review
• Aesthetic Design Review
• Construction Estimate

For more information, please go to the district website: www.mvschools.org.

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on January 11

Starting February 7, the multi-purpose room will become a vibrant art gallery where you can check out magnificent work from EVERY Edna student. You're also invited to join us in the "gallery" on Tuesday, February 8, from 6-7 p.m., for the Art Show Reception.

Throughout the week, students will also get to participate in special Kiddo! art classes in the multi-purpose room. These classes are open to family members, so plan to join your child's class for a fun art project! Please check the schedule here for your child's classroom's date and time.

 

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on January 11

Edna Maguire collects Box Tops and you can help! Just look for the bright pink label on food items such as Gogurt, Bisquick, Gold Medal Flour, Cheerios, Pull-ups, and a variety of other General Mills, Pillsbury, Old El Paso, and Betty Crocker products. Clip the pink coupons from boxes and turn them in at the office. We'll collect and send them in for cash. Each Box Top is worth 10 cents! The money adds up quickly--especially when every family is on the hunt for these treasures!

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on January 11

Registration for next fall's kindergarteners kicked off this month. Additional registration dates are listed below:

• Thursday, January 13
• Monday, February 7
• Thursday, February 10

Please go to the Mill Valley School District Office, 411 Sycamore Ave, from 1 to 7:30 p.m. on these dates to sign up your child for kindergarten. You'll find important registration information and forms at www.mvschools.org.

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on January 11

The Kiddo! Spring Gala is coming! Pease join us for a fun night of dining and dancing at the Mill Valley Community Center. We will also have live, silent auction and online auctions. The Auction Committee is busy gathering wonderful items to bid on, but we need the help of the entire parent community. Can you help with any of the following?

Parties: Gather some friends and host or help underwrite a fabulous party. No party is too big or too small!
Wine collectors: Consider donating a wine vertical, a big bottle or a specially engraved bottle to the Kiddo! auction.
Food lovers: We're looking for families with connections to restaurants or chefs who can help us put together dining gift certificates, a private dining experience for a group of people with a (known) chef, a cooking class for a group, or any other fun food ideas.
Travelers: Have some miles to use up, or maybe an available vacation home or timeshare, or a hotel contact?
Sports fans: Do you or your friends have access to sporting event tickets, luxury boxes, or sports memorabilia?
Connections: Do you know someone in the movie industry, TV or radio? People love to bid on behind the scenes tours or autographed items.

If you or anyone you know can help us with these items, please submit an auction donor form (available on www.kiddo.org) or contact one of our Silent Auction chairs: Paige Wright Kintz (845-3702) d_paige_wright@yahoo.com and Kathy Piombo (336-4569) kathypiombo@comcast.net.

Kiddo! Gala Sponsorship: Our gala publications offer sponsors high visibility with our Mill Valley School District families as well as with the local community. Sponsor donation levels and associated benefits are available at www.kiddogala.org.

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on January 11

Kids of all ages tell lies. Older kids don't go where they say they're going or don't arrive home when they're supposed to. Parents are usually angry or terribly worried. It's natural for youngsters to test the family system and the consistency of the rules. And as parents, we obviously need to enforce family rules, logically and quickly.

This topic also ties in with the concept of community I've discussed in previous articles. When a parent says that lying and deceitful behavior won't be tolerated, in part, it is because the family community is based on honesty and integrity. In order for any community to exist in a positive way, its members must trust and rely on one another. It's the responsible thing to do. And frankly, it ought to be the expected thing to do.

Here is where moral character by example is of paramount importance. We, as the adults in the family, need to be truthful as well. Not just with our children so that they experience how a truthful environment operates, but also with others.

If we demand that our children let us know where they are going to be and to come home when asked, then we need to follow the same rules. In my household--even long after my children left--there's a notepad by the back door. It is expected and non-negotiable that if no one is home when a person leaves, then each of our whereabouts (either specifically or generally) and the time of our return need to be documented. In certain cases, a contact number is also appropriate.

Family members may object. But when a family values honesty and accountability, everyone needs to support these values continuously. And when what we teach at home is the same as what's taught in our schools, children understand that honesty and integrity are universal moral qualities.

By Claudia Trinklein-Engman, School Counselor

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on January 11

Read any award-winning books lately? The Newbery, Caldecott, Sibert, Printz, and other prestigious children's book awards are announced on January 10. Just ask and we'll fill you in on the year's top books and help you find winners from the past to satisfy your hunger for high-quality reads.

Happy Birthday to the Mill Valley Public Library! 2011 marks our 100th year - that's 100 years of books and reading for the entire community. Read our Centennial Blog (including 100 Great Children's Books) at http://www.millvalleylibrary.net/blog/ and watch our online calendar for special events throughout the year: free entertainment, author visits, a commemorative boat race in the Old Mill Creek, and much more. Stop by the Children's Room to see our Centennial Biography Display -how many identities you can guess?

Does reading to a dog sound fun? It is, and it can help build confidence for struggling readers, too. The Marin Humane Society SHARE A Book Dogs will visit the Children's Room once a month. Kids in Kindergarten and older can sign up for a 15-minute appointment on Saturday, Jan. 15 (1:00 - 2:00 p.m.) or Friday, Feb. 18 (3:30 - 4:30 p.m.).

A PeRL is worth its weight in gold. Personalized Reading Lists are now available to Mill Valley kids in grades 4 - 8! Call to make an appointment with a librarian - tell us what you like and what you've already read; we'll create a customized booklist just for you.

For information about all of our programs and services, including HelpNow online tutoring, Little Pim online languages, and My First Library Card, please visit our website at http://millvalleylibrary.org or call 415-389-4292 x106.

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on January 11

If you're concerned about the impact social media and other technology has on your kids or students, don't miss this informative workshop. Presented by Rebecca Randall, Vice President of Education Programs for Common Sense Media, this event will empower parents and school staff to make smart decisions about how kids use media and technology. The workshop will be held at the Marin County Office of Education.

Click here for more information.

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on January 11

Restoration Work Day
Saturday, January 15, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Bring your family and friends for a morning of restoration and clean-up at the Richardson Bay Audubon Center & Sanctuary. We may be removing trash, invasive plants or helping with restoration projects. Children 10 and under must be accompanied by an adult. This is a FREE program. To RSVP, call 388-2524.

Life in a Pond
Saturday, January 22, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

When it rains, seasonal ponds suddenly come to life! Bring your sense of adventure and join us as we explore the micro to macro inhabitants of our seasonal pond. Be sure to wear clothes that can get muddy and wet. Appropriate for children ages five to eight; those four or younger may participate if accompanied by an adult. The cost is $7 per participant; advance registration required: 388-2524. This program will be canceled if fewer than five participants sign up.

GreenPlay Afternoon Adventure Programs at RBAC !

In the GreenPlay/ RBAC program, children spend one afternoon per week exploring the wonders of RBAC's wildlife sanctuary, or venturing beyond to Ring Mountain and other natural and historical locations in Tiburon. Every other week, the children will work on a conservation project at RBAC. Instead of generating trash for the landfill, children leave behind only the result of their restoration efforts, taking with them a sense of empowerment and accomplishment.

GreenPlay classes meet at the RBAC on Wednesdays, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. The cost is $160/session or $25 per class. Winter session: February 9 - March 20; spring session: April 6 - June 1. For more information, go to www.maringreenplay.com.

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on January 11

Please join us for the Lawrence Hall of Science's Art of Math program. It's happening in the multi-purpose room on Thursday, January 27. Students will work their way through a series of interactive stations, such as Quilt-O-Rama and Kaleidoscope makers, that blend art and math concepts. The program is geared to students in kindergarten through fifth grade, so there's something for everyone. Don't miss this fun and engaging evening!

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on January 11

The Winter Sing, featuring the 3rd and 4th grade Chorus led by Nora Thomas, got us in the spirit for the holiday season. There was even a surprise visit from Frosty the Snowman! View more pictures of the event here: 

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on January 11

The Winter Sing, featuring the 3rd and 4th grade Chorus led by Nora Thomas, got us in the spirit for the holiday season. There was even a surprise visit from Frosty the Snowman!


View pictures of the event here:

Posted by Tim Schultz on January 10

The Edna Maguire Teachers and Staff would like to give a big thank you to all the Edna families, as part of our wonderful PTA and to the parent volunteers who help put our Teacher Appreciation Luncheon together in December. It was such a treat to walk into our staff room and see all of the delicious goodies and décor! Thank you so much!


View photos of the event here:

Posted by Tim Schultz on January 10

Posted by Janie Karp on January 10

Please note: Special PTA Association Meeting, 8:30am, Teacher's lounge to vote on PTA Nominating Committee, amending 2010-2011 budget to reflect a change in gifts to district and approval of checks. Click here for full agenda.

Posted by Tim Schultz on January 9

Posted by Tim Schultz on January 4