BINGO Night proved to be a popular event for Edna families. The multi-purpose room was filled to capacity -- with people of all ages playing and calling out BINGO!

Check out some more pictures of the fun here.

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on March 29

The annual Donuts with Dads event was a smashing success, as always! There were enough dads to fill the multi-purpose room and enough donuts to fill everyone's bellies. 

See some more pictures of the event.

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on March 29

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on March 27

On Thursday, March 17th, the students showed their spirit with green everything - clothing, hats, glasses, and even hair! See some pictures from the day here:



Click here for more pictures

Posted by Tim Schultz on March 22

Need help getting your summer camp plans squared away? Come to the Marin Camp Fair on Thursday, March 31. It will be held at Dominican University from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Most of the local day camps (and some overnight camps) will be on hand to share information about their programs. Bring the kids, too--we'll have free pizza, snacks, a jump house and more! For more details, visit www.MarinCampFair.com.

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on March 21

Whoo-whoo needs you? Edna's owls, that's who! We need someone with experience wiring a camera into a television, computer, or smart board so we can watch what's happening at Edna's Owl Inn. Please contact Ronnie for more information at ronniesharpe@me.com.

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on March 21

Raising children of character in a culture of affluence, high achievement and rapidly evolving technology can be challenging. This kind of environment can also contribute to pushing family members away from each other. What can you do to bring your family together? Find out at the Biggest Job Workshop, featuring Laura Denton Gauld, parenting expert, author and executive director of the Hyde Schools, a network of college preparatory schools dedicated to the development of character and leadership. The workshop will be held in Hollis Hall at the Marin County of Education. For more information or to register for this event, please contact Wanda Smith at 207-443-7101 or go to http://www.hyde.edu/2011/01/17/events/parenting-workshop-4/.

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on March 21

Dear Family,

Please pay particular attention to our Earthquake/Tsunami Relief efforts for Japan (see the article below for details). Any help you can give, through your children, to the victims of this devastating disaster is appreciated.

This event is also a reminder to be grateful for all that we have, including the wonderful people we celebrate in our lives. I want to recognize two such individuals here at Edna Maguire.

First grade teacher Nandita Stachon is Edna's nominee for this year's Golden Bell and Elizabeth Terwilliger Teacher Award for excellence in teaching. She and other Mill Valley school nominees will be honored at an awards ceremony on April 29.                              

Nandita has been a teacher in the Mill Valley School District for 11 years. She is well respected at our school and in the community. Nandita holds her students to high standards for behavior, manners, social skills and achieving their personal best. In addition, she contributes her time and talent to various school and district organizations, including the PTA, School Site Council, Sunshine Committee and the District's Report Card Design Team. 

The Elizabeth Terwilliger Foundation also grants a Student Community Service Award, and this year's recipient is Edna Maguire fifth grader Alana Reis. Alana, along with her synagogue, donated trees through a non-profit organization after major fires in Israel. She and her family buy and donate food and toys to homeless shelters in San Francisco. They also make matzo ball soup for families with sick members. And each year during Chanukah, Alana and her brother pick a charity to give money to instead of receiving gifts themselves. If that's not enough to impress you, Alana is also involved in animal charities, homeless kids' programs and a nonprofit that helps poor kids in Southeast Asia.

It is my pleasure to honor these amazing members of Edna Maguire who benefit our community and beyond. Congratulations Nandita and Alana!

All the Best,

Lisa Zimmer

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on March 21

This Thursday, March 24, Edna Maguire will sponsor "The Thousand Cranes Project" for Earthquake and Tsunami Relief in Japan. We encourage each child to bring $1 - preferably of his or her own money - to contribute to a class envelope.

At the end of the day, we will collect the envelopes and make a cash contribution to the Salesforce.com Foundation on behalf of Edna Maguire. Salesforce.com Foundation will match our funds, dollar for dollar, and will work with a Japan-based organization focused on emergency relief and recovery efforts. For more information, and to make your own additional contributions, please go to SalesForce.com Foundation. Thank you Edna parent and Salesforce.com Foundation Executive Director, Suzanne DiBianca, for facilitating this for us!

We also hope the students of Edna Maguire will join us in folding 1,000 origami cranes as a symbolic gesture to the children of Japan. An ancient Japanese legend promises that anyone who folds 1,000 origami cranes will be granted a wish by a crane, such as long life or recovery from illness or injury. We will be folding cranes in some of the classrooms and at lunch recess but will need more than one crane from each student to reach our goal of 1000. If you would like to make a crane at home, please stop by the office to pick up a piece of origami paper and click here to view written and video instructions. Once we have 1000 cranes, we will deliver them to the Japanese consulate as a gesture of good will. We hope the cranes will then be forwarded to a school or orphanage in Japan.

You can also find more information on how to help the earthquake victims, and make donations to the American Red Cross Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami Relief, at www.redcross.org. Or text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

If you have any questions, please contact Janie Karp at jkarpj@comcast.net or Kit Harris at kitharris57@gmail.com. If you would like to help with the cranes, please contact Mari Allen at allenmari@hotmail.com.

Thank you for your care and support.

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on March 21

Make a date with the coolest guy in your life--you know who we're talking about-- and head to the multi-purpose room from 7:45 to 8:30 a.m.. How often do you get to savor delectable donuts AND time with your dad before school? Along with dozens of donuts, we'll also serve coffee, juice and assorted fruits. See you there!

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on March 21

Join us in the multi-purpose room at 5:30 p.m. for Edna's second annual Family Bingo Night! To fuel the fun and help fund their upcoming trip to Sutter's Fort, fourth grade students will sell pizza and other snacks. Buy a single card for $5 or a set of five cards for $20. All Bingo! winners will take home some nifty prizes! And proceeds from the evening will go to Save the Children, an organization in Japan helping children orphaned by the tsunami. 

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on March 21

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on March 21

The seventh annual Edna Maguire Variety Show is coming to town on Friday, May 13! This popular event encourages and showcases our kids' diverse talent and creativity in the performing arts. Come audition your practiced, stage-ready act on Wednesday, April 6, from 2 to 6 p.m., in the multi-purpose room. We're also looking for students to fill technical production roles, such as announcer, stagehand, usher and show hosts.

See the Variety Show information and rehearsal schedule flyer for more details. Or pick-up a copy in the office. We look forward to another exciting production! Questions? Contact Jody Branham: jodyvera@pacbell.net, (415) 388-1282.

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on March 21

We need YOUR help to ensure that the seventh annual Edna Maguire Variety Show goes off without a hitch. This year, we especially need parents willing to be mentored to take over directing and producing roles that will be vacated by fifth grade parents Jody Branham, Deb Luster, Max Perkoff and Rob Thomure.

Be a part of carrying on this wonderful tradition of bringing the performing arts to life at Edna. Enjoy the fulfillment of watching kids' faces light up in response to the fun, supportive experience of being on stage--often for the first time- in the Edna Variety Show.

Here's a list of roles we're looking to fill:

• Assistant Director

• Show Production Coordinator

• Volunteer Coordinator

• Piano Accompanist 

• Sound and Lights Technician

• Stage Manager

• Set Production

• Graphic Designer (posters and programs)

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on March 21

Many kids get head lice at some point in their elementary school career. These pesky bugs don't pose a health risk and can infest even the cleanest of hair. But having them--and removing them--sure isn't fun! Please take a look at the presentation, Lice Info.ppt, for helpful information about preventing, and getting rid of, lice.

We will be checking ALL Edna students for lice after Spring Break! To prevent infestation outbreaks, we also recommend inspecting your child's head for lice and nits (eggs) at home on a regular basis. If you find any, be sure to alert the front office staff.

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on March 21

"What kind of bug is that?" "Can I recycle this container?" "We use how much water?!" These are some of the questions from students participating in Edna Maguire's Next Generation Green Schools program.

Next Generation provides Edna Maguire with Green Team and Garden Club facilitation, garden and sustainability education, field trip coordination, puppet shows and more. Program Coordinator Rebecca Mullaney is here every Thursday. She works with classes in the garden on an ongoing basis, delivers other environmental programs, and along with third grade teacher Carrie Morgan, meets with the Green Team or Garden Club.

Now in its third year at Edna, the Next Generation program empowers young people in Marin to learn more about environmental issues and sustainable solutions, gain leadership skills, and take action for our environment. Next Generation is funded by the Marin Community Foundation, Marin County Board of Supervisors, Marin Sanitary Service, local green businesses, schools, and many individual donors. 

Visit www.gonextgeneration.org to learn more about Next Generation programs or make a donation! Or contact Rebecca Mullaney: 459- 6398 or rebecca@gonextgeneration.org.

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on March 21

We are sad to report that Thelma Cornish, a good friend of the garden, recently passed away. Thelma donated flower bulbs to the garden every year. They have been lovingly planted and tended near the main entrance and kindergarten garden beds where her spirit lives on. She was also kind enough to name the Children's Garden as a beneficiary of gifts in her memory. We will be choosing a permanent place to plant dahlias and other flower bulbs in her honor.

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on March 21

Awareness of the dangers to student athletes and others who sustain concussions is growing. Educators, school personnel, parents and students are invited to an important forum on concussions at the Marin County Office of Education. Learn what a concussion is, what to do if a child gets hit in the head, current best practices for schools and others treating these injuries, and much more

Dr. Eric Scher, MD, local pediatrician and Pediatric Hospitalist at Marin General, will be the lead presenter. Representatives from Marin County Athletic League, Marin School Nurses Organization and the Marin Brain Injury Network will also speak. Click on Heads Up Forum.pdf to see the flyer.

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on March 21

The Marin County Office of Education and the Marin County Chapter of the ACLU of Northern California are hosting a workshop on bullying prevention for educators, school administrators, school counselors, teachers, campus supervisors, instructional assistants, and parents. The workshop will highlight the serious nature of the widespread problem of bullying and offer strategies for preventing it. A panel of experts, including No Bully Executive Director Nicholas Carlisle will lead a discussion, answer questions and provide resources on effective action steps shown to reduce bullying in schools. 

Go to http://signup.marinschools.org/safeschools.asp to register or click on Bullying Prevention Workshop.pdf to see the flyer.

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on March 21

Join us at Park School from 7 to 8 p.m. for this important panel discussion for parents of children facing one of the key transitions in their education, such as starting elementary or middle school.

Panel Members

• Pre-K to Elementary - Peg Katz, Claudia Trinklein-Engman, Lisa Zimmer 
• Elementary to Middle School - Jennifer Boyd, Matt Huxley
• Middle School to High School - Karen Mates

This event is presented by the Edna Maguire PTA and It Takes A Village Special Education PTA. For more information, contact ITAV Education Chairperson, Marianne Shine, marianne@bssp.com.

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on March 21

Giving your child responsibilities at home is vitally important to his character development. He needs to understand that he's a working part of the family. And that the family unit--and its individual members--relies on him in order to be productive.

Children need to have chores. They need to see their own personal involvement within the family structure --and also see that their completed chores are appreciated and expected by the family. Chores obviously need to be age-appropriate. And it's up to parents to decide whether or not chores are attached to monetary reward.

But, regardless of a family's position on allowances, I believe strongly that there also ought to be some jobs that are not attached to money. Many of us clean our own toilets. Probably all of us see to it that dishes are cleaned and put away on a routine basis. Parents do not get monetary rewards for a job well done. Children must understand that within any communal system, there are obligations that simply need to be done. They might complain about this being unfair: "How come my sister gets all the easy jobs?" My advice is to avoid getting into a debate over who has the "best deal." You can always rotate chores to solve this problem. But the underlying principle is that everyone in the family needs to understand they are part of a working team.

Taking responsibility is not just about chores. It also carries over to being respectful of each other, being honest and responsible in general. Turning in your homework is being a responsible student. Not littering is being a responsible society member. Doing what you say you will do is being respectful and morally responsible. Expect your child to be responsible. Model the same behavior yourself. Our communities need everyone to do their share in order to thrive.

By Claudia Trinklein-Engman, School Counselor

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on March 21

Spring Adventures Camp
Monday, April 11 - Friday, April 15
9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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

CNPS Native Plant Sale
Saturday, April 9
9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

This annual plant sale (sponsored by the Marin Chapter of the California Native Plant Society) features a great selection of California plants, all with the stamp of approval from the birds and pollinators. There will also be books and posters for sale, and plant experts on hand to answer questions.

Restoration Work Day
Saturday, April 16
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 - Water Wise Gardening
Saturday, April 16
11a.m. to 12 p.m.

Water is a precious resource here in California, and this workshop will focus on methods to reduce your garden's need for it. We'll focus on everything from the ideal time to plant, best plants for specific areas of the garden, ways to store rainwater, and how to install drip irrigation. Workshop is $10/participant; $5 if you participated in the Restoration Workday. RSVP: 388-2524.

Earth Day
Saturday, April 23
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Celebrate Earth Day with a morning of naturalist-led explorations, bird watching, restoration and clean-up. We will provide information about bay and bird conservation and  RBAC's research. Help make a difference and connect with our beautiful bay and uplands. Even the wildflowers should be out in full force to brighten the day! Activities are appropriate for all ages, including young children. All restoration participants must sign a waiver, those under 18 must have a waiver signed by a parent/guardian. Children 10 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Please bring a re-useable water bottle and be sure to wear appropriate clothing and closed-toe shoes. FREE EVENT; RSVP: 388-2524.

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on March 21

On Thursday, March 24, Edna Maguire will sponsor "The Thousand Cranes Project" for Earthquake and Tsunami Relief in Japan. We, along with Principal Zimmer, encourage each child to bring $1 - preferably of his or her own money - to contribute to a class envelope.

At the end of the day, we will collect the envelopes and make a cash contribution to the Salesforce.com Foundation on behalf of Edna Maguire. Salesforce.com Foundation will match our funds, dollar for dollar, and will work with a Japan-based organization focused on emergency relief and recovery efforts. For more information, and to make your own additional contributions, please go to SalesForce.com Foundation Thank you Edna parent and Salesforce.com Foundation Executive Director, Suzanne DiBianca, for facilitating this for us!

We also hope the students of Edna Maguire will join us in folding 1,000 origami cranes as a symbolic gesture to the children of Japan. An ancient Japanese legend promises that anyone who folds 1,000 origami cranes will be granted a wish by a crane, such as long life or recovery from illness or injury. We will be folding cranes in some of the classrooms and at lunch recess but will need more than one crane from each student to reach our goal of 1000. If you would like to make a crane at home, please stop by the office to pick up a piece of origami paper and click here to view written and video instructions. Once we have 1000 cranes, we will deliver them to the Japanese consulate as a gesture of good will. We hope the cranes will then be forwarded to a school or orphanage in Japan.

You can also find more information on how to help the earthquake victims, and make donations to the American Red Cross Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami Relief, at www.redcross.org. Or text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

If you have any questions, please contact Janie Karp at jkarpj@comcast.net or Kit Harris at kitharris57@gmail.com. If you would like to help with the cranes, please contact Mari Allen at allenmari@hotmail.com. 

Thank you for your care and support.

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on March 16

The First Grade Garden Work Day is Sunday, April 3, from 2 to 4 p.m. It's YOUR turn to get a little dirt under your nails and prep the garden for spring. We'll also have 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 first graders), bring your family and spend a great afternoon in the garden. As always, all other grades are welcome. Contact Saor Stetler (sstetler@earthlink.net) for more information.

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on March 16

Sloat Garden Center is sponsoring another Growing Up Green Week, NOW through March 21! Just bring in your Edna Flyer.pdf and Sloat will donate a percentage of your purchase to the Children's Garden. The more who participate, the more benefits our garden will reap! So if you've been thinking about preparing your garden for spring or need some new garden tools or furniture, be sure to go to Sloat. Thanks for supporting the garden and for shopping locally!

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on March 15

Posted by Tom Slattery on March 11

Hot off the presses, the first issue of Eye on Edna, our student newspaper, is here! Created by the Edna Student Council and a team of fourth and fifth grade freelance reporters, the first issue of the paper is packed with interesting stories, ranging from an informative article on flag etiquette to a comprehensive review of the recent Grammy Awards. You'll also find sports coverage; stories about fun things to do; reviews of restaurants, books and movies; and much more! Click Eye on Edna.pdf to download your copy.

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on March 8

Just in time for our Jump Rope Month, world champion jump rope artist Renee Bibaub put on a mesmerizing show at Edna on February 28. Students enjoyed watching her perform some amazing tricks--and even learned a few to try on their own. Bibaub also left them with this positive message: give your best effort, mistakes are okay, don't compare yourself to others, work on your own goals-- and have FUN! This event was funded by your PTA dollars.

Students will get to practice what Bibaub taught them--and jump their way to happier, healthier hearts-- as Jump Rope Month continues. If you can, please put a $1 donation for lifesaving heart and stroke programs sponsored by the American Heart Association in the envelope in the office. Many thanks to P.E. teacher Schuyler Harvey for organizing this event!

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on March 7

The Edna PTA Nominating Committee, chaired by Deborah Huber, has worked tirelessly for the past month to fill vacant PTA Board positions and committee chairs. We so appreciate all Deborah's time and energy, as well as the efforts of Kit Harris, Jennifer Hollander, Nicole Palmer and Caitlin Smith.

Pursuant to Article V, Section 3.g. of the PTA Bylaws, the report of the Nominating Committee was submitted and posted on March 6. The election will be held during the PTA Association Meeting on Wednesday, April 6 at 8:40 a.m. in the teachers' lounge. We hope you can join us!

2011-2012 PTA Executive Board Nominees

President: Janie Karp
Executive Vice President: Simone Slattery
VP of Student Well Being: Jenn Miller
VP of Programs: Karen Carr
VP of School Community: Kit Harris
VP of Fundraising: Stirling Somers
VP of Site Enhancement: Ingrid Lin
Treasurer: Jeannine Berman
Financial Secretary: Christine Freda
Recording Secretary: Christine Cole
Historian: Mari Allen
Auditor: Open

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on March 7

Edna Maguire is participating in a four-week countywide initiative to encourage Marin students to travel to and from school by walking, biking and carpooling. During this event, there will be a poster of a tree hanging in every classroom. Each morning, teachers will distribute leaf stickers to students who used a green way to get to school. At the end of each week, classes will tally their total number of green trips. Safe Routes to School will donate $100 to top performing classrooms in EVERY school, and at the end of the year, select top performing SCHOOLS for prizes up to $1500.

To connect with someone in your neighborhood to travel green to school, go to www.schoolpoolmarin.org. Contact Safe Routes to School Team Leaders Rhonda Campbell rhonda@kcfilm.net or Lisa Gilmore lisa.gilmore88@gmail.com for more information.

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on March 7

Click to keep reading...

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on March 7

Make a date with the coolest guy in your life--you know who we're talking about-- and head to the multi-purpose room from 7:45 to 8:30 a.m. How often do you get to savor delectable donuts AND time with your dad before school? Along with dozens of donuts, we'll also serve coffee, juice and assorted fruits. See you there!

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on March 7

Join us in the multi-purpose room at 5:30 p.m. for Edna's second annual Family Bingo Night! You can buy a single card for $5 or a set of five cards for $20. Proceeds will go to Pennies for Peace. To fuel the fun and help fund their upcoming trip to Sutter's Fort, our fourth graders will be selling pizza and snacks. And all Bingo! winners will take home some nifty prizes!

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on March 7

Don't miss the first annual Edna Maguire Science Fair. Our third, fourth and fifth grade scientists have been working hard to test and document their ideas. Soon, they'll present their final projects to UCSF scientists who will review and discuss each entry. Support our intrepid experimenters, and check out their exciting work, at the Science Fair Open House, 6:45 to 7:30 p.m., in the muli-purpose room!

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on March 7

Enter Whole Foods Market Marin's Creative Reuse Contest, and you might just win a $1,000 grant for our school! As part of its mission to recycle and reduce waste, Whole Foods is looking for ways to turn regular waste items, such as sheets of plastic laminate, coated paper posters, vinyl banners, laminated signs, cardboard, and waxed cardboard into something new!

You must register for the contest by April 1. Just send an e-mail creative.reuse@wholefoods.com with your name. And be sure to mention your entry supports Edna! You'll receive more details and instructions on getting supplies to work with. (Please specify the location of your local Whole Foods Market, so we can arrange for pick-up.) See below for more information or call Susan Grelock from Whole Foods at 381-1200.

Win a $1,000 Grant

For Your Bay Area School or Nonprofit!

Enter Whole Foods Market Marin's Creative Reuse Contest

Our goal: Whole Foods Market has a mission to recycle and reduce waste. Still, grocery stores make some waste that is difficult to recycle or reuse. We are looking for ways to reuse our regular waste items - and support local nonprofits at the same time.

Your challenge: Can you take regular waste items and use them to make something new?

The raw materials: Typical waste includes sheets of plastic laminate, coated paper posters, vinyl banners, laminated signs, cardboard, and waxed cardboard.

What can you make? You can make a practical item (like a tote bag made from a vinyl banner or a notebook made with a waxed cardboard cover) or a fine art item (like paintings done on vinyl or collages made from old posters).

The event: Participants need to bring their item for judging to the Art of Community event on Saturday, April 30. Participants must arrive by noon. The event is open to the public from 1-4pm and will be at Whole Foods Market on 340 Third Street in San Rafael.

Promote your nonprofit or school: All participants must be partnered with a school or nonprofit. At the event, participants will be asked to staff a table to promote their organization. You may also sell additional items you made for donations to your nonprofit or school.

The winner: Submissions will be judged by a panel during the event and winners will be announced at 4pm. The winner will receive a check for $1,000 for the nonprofit or school of their choice. (The check should be available 2-4 weeks after the event.) Visitors at the event will also be invited to vote - the "People's Choice" winner will receive a $500 donation. Winners will also receive the opportunity to have their nonprofit or school featured in a Whole Foods Market store.

Register: Participants need to register by April 1. Register by emailing creative.reuse@wholefoods.com. Provide your name and the name of the organization you are working with. After registering, you will receive more details and instructions on getting your supplies to work with. (Please specify the location of your local Whole Foods Market, so we can arrange for pick-up.) Questions? Call Susan Grelock from Whole Foods Market at 415-381-1200.

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on March 7

Thank you, Edna Maguire community, for participating in our first E-Waste Drive in January. We collected six pallets of old appliances, electronics, cell phones, and televisions in only three hours, earning $540 for our school! The PTA will use these funds to purchase new P.E. and recess equipment. Special thanks go out to Green Team member Elissa Asch for giving up her Saturday morning to help out. And to kindergarten teacher Lisa Stapp, who not only spent her morning working at the event, but also organized it! See you at our next E-Waste Drive in June.

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on March 7

During the Second Grade Garden Work Day, parents and students (including Edna alum Lucca Citroen) began installing our new chicken run. Joe Kayser and Leslie Myers spent several more days completing the project. We appreciate EVERYONE involved in this group effort! Edna, Scarlet and Ginger are now strutting their stuff in their new home! 
Feel free to go inside and care for them as you did before. But please remember to follow these rules: 

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on March 7

A BIG THANK YOU to everyone who helped bring the Dr. Seuss Café to life for our students: Barbara Bleckman, Laura Bowman, Debbie Carney, Catherine Grava, Kit Harris, Deborah Huber, Merrie Jaffe, Kira Keane, Lyra Kelly, Karen Olson, Ann Riley, Stirling Somers and Cathy Wilmoth.

Thanks also to the first grade classes for the great Dr. Seuss art, Mr. Stachon's fourth grade class for cleaning up, and all our fifth grade waiters! And special thanks to librarian Lisa Monge and library aide Anne Fretes for providing plenty of Dr. Seuss books and lending us the library for the week.

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on March 7

Come see talented MVMS Drama Club members perform this Broadway classic at the Marin Civic Center's Showcase Theater:

Thursday, March 31 - 7:30 p.m.
Friday, April 1 - 8 p.m.
Saturday, April 2 - 1 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Tickets are $16. They're going fast, so order yours today! E-mail Tina Jennings
(TinaJen@gmail.com), to get an order form. Checks should be made payable to the MVMS Drama Club.

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on March 7

Parenting children with learning differences is often challenging. ITAV's parent coffees provide a chance for us to share information and support each other. Please join us this Friday at 312 Durant Way for our next coffee. Questions? Contact Tam Valley School parent, Antonette Greene (anto@dormanarchitect.com or 380-8696).

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on March 7

Are you passionate about organic gardening? Then consider becoming a Green Gulch Farm docent. Green Gulch is recruiting volunteers to train as docents to lead one and a half hour tours of its wonderful organic farm and garden. A free training program will begin on March 15. Learn about compost piles, worms, seed sowing, cultivation, bees, apple trees and much more. Once you've completed your training, you will be asked to lead two or three tours a month, from late April through mid-October. Visit www.sfzc.org/ggf/ for more information or call Green Gulch Volunteer Coordinator Christine Palmer (383-6463).

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on March 7

Ralph Cantor, a specialist in violence and drug prevention, will discuss techniques and strategies for helping teens avoid substance abuse and addiction. Parents of middle and high school students, and other community members, are welcome. This event will be held in the Community Room of the Marin County Office of Education, from 7 to 8 p.m. To RSVP, call 415-499-5816. See the Drug Prevention Flyer.pdf for more information.

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on March 7

Girl Scouts is holding an Information Meeting at Scout Hall in Mill Valley from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. This is a great opportunity for you and your daughter to learn about the many ways we help girls build leadership and confidence, make friends, and give back to the community! While you learn more about our organization and how to get involved, your daughter can try some of the activities Girl Scouts offers. We would love to see you there and help you discover the many benefits of being a Girl Scout! Please contact Janelle Rose at jrose@girlscoutsnorcal.org or Jennifer Oreste at jenoreste@pacbell.net for more information or to RSVP for the event.

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on March 7

Need help getting your summer camp plans squared away? Come to the Marin Camp Fair on Thursday, March 31. It will be held at Dominican University from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Most of the local day camps (and some overnight camps) will be on hand to share information about their programs. Bring the kids, too--we'll have free pizza, snacks, a jump house and more! For more details, visit www.MarinCampFair.com.

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on March 7

The Mill Valley Dirt Bowl summer basketball league for girls and boys in kindergarten through eighth grade, is now open for registration. The cost is $95. This post-basketball season league gives young players a chance to enjoy some fun competition while honing their skills. Games are on Saturdays only; no practices! To register or get more information, go to dirtbowl.com.

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on March 7

As an early adopter of SchoolPool Marin, a group committed to reducing the thousands of vehicle trips made each day in our county, Edna families have been helping to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions in our community. Now, SchoolPool needs our help to spread the word about its program. Please take a moment to forward the SchoolPool e-mail below to fellow parents and Marin County organizations you belong to. Ideal organizations include environmental, civic, homeowners', municipalities, government, business, chambers of commerce, parents', sports, neighborhood and social groups.

Dear Friends and Colleagues:

We would like to share the article Marin Families Fight Climate Change with SchoolPool Marin (see article). The SchoolPool program helps parents find others to walk, bike, carpool or take the bus to and from school together. Please post this article on your website, newsletter or forward it via e-mail lists.If possible, put a link to SchoolPoolMarin.org on your website.

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on March 7

Get the latest scoop on a HUGE range of the Bay Area's best activities for kids and families in one convenient place: http://marinhood.wordpress.com. Started by two Marin moms, including Edna parent Ronnie Sharpe, Marinhood is well on it's way to becoming your one-stop source for info on fun activities and events in our own backyard and beyond.

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on March 7

Share the love! Fill out a Kids' Picks form and tell other kids about your favorite books. Starting in March, we will post your book recommendations on the wall in the Children's Room for all to see.

March 10 at 3:30 p.m.: Local author Amy Novesky will read her gorgeous, award-winning picture book biography, Me, Frida, about the colorful year Mexican artist Frida Kahlo spent in San Francisco. Stay for a self-portrait workshop after the reading. (Grade 1 and up, no sign-up necessary, Creekside Room.)

The Marin Humane Society SHARE-A-Book dogs will be back on Saturday, March 19 at 1 p.m. Call to make a 15-minute appointment to read aloud to a four-legged listener in a fun, supportive environment. (For kids in Kindergarten and older, advance sign-up required, Children's Room.)

Coming on April 6: Rip the Page with Karen Benke at 3:30 p.m. She'll guide young poets though fun writing exercises that spark creativity and fuel experimentation. Karen's book, Rip the Page: Adventures in Creative Writing, will be available for purchase. (Grade 3 and up, advance sign-up required, Creekside Room.)

Follow our 100 Great Children's Books blog at http://www.millvalleylibrary.net/blog/. Watch our website for upcoming Centennial events and for details about all of our children's programs, including My First Library Card, HelpNow online tutoring, Little Pim online language instruction, and Personalized Reading Lists for grade 4 and up - or call 415-389-4292 x106 for more information.

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on March 7

Dear Family,

Earlier in my career, I had the horrible experience of teaching in a school where a 5-year-old child was hit and killed by a car. Our entire community was devastated by this tragedy, and I have never forgotten it. Research shows that 50% of children hit by cars near schools are struck by parents of other students.

Recently, we have noticed an increase in adults letting children out of their vehicles in the middle of the street. The children must then run around the vehicles to get to a sidewalk. In addition, people are still parking in loading zones, not using designated drop-off areas, ignoring speed limits, and cutting off bicycle riders! To control these dangerous practices, we've asked the Mill Valley Police Department for help. You may see officers patrolling our parking lot and crosswalks.

I URGE YOU - PLEASE PRACTICE SAFE, FOCUSED, RESPONSIBLE DRIVING! Here are some guidelines we should all follow when driving, walking or biking to school:

Drivers

• Stop and look for pedestrians crossing the street
• Expect the unexpected - be prepared to stop suddenly!
• Drive at or under the speed limit, especially in our school zone.
• Look for pedestrians when pulling out of driveways or driving around parked cars.
• Use our car-line for drop off and pick up--it doesn't take long!
• Be especially watchful for families and children on bikes on Lomita. The sidewalk is uneven and narrow, often forcing cyclists into the road.
• Check your side mirrors for pedestrians or bikes when you are avoiding oncoming traffic due to the narrow road.
• Stay off your phone--no call is that important!
• Remember -- your vehicle is a deadly weapon when it comes in contact with a human body or animal.

Pedestrians and Cyclists

• Use crosswalks and obey the crossing guard
• Dismount from your bike in crosswalks
• Don't cross a road between parked cars
• Wait for the "walk" signal when crossing a street with traffic lights.
• Talk to your child about traffic rules; model behavior you want him to practice
• Walk alert! Never assume a driver can see you.

Our car-line program also plays an important role in helping to make our school safer. We rely on volunteers from each classroom to keep it running smoothly, and to help kids get in and out of their cars each morning and afternoon. Please check the schedule and pitch in to help when possible! Click here to see the calendar.

Finally, I want to thank Safe Routes to School of Marin and the Mill Valley Police Department for their time, support and guidance. For more information, go to www.dhs.ca.gov/routes2school or http://www.saferoutestoschools.org.

Sincerely,

Lisa Zimmer

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on March 6

Earlier in my career, I had the horrible experience of teaching in a school where a 5-year-old child was hit and killed by a car. Our entire community was devastated by this tragedy, and I have never forgotten it. Research shows that 50% of children hit by cars near schools are struck by parents of other students.

Recently, we have noticed an increase in adults letting children out of their vehicles in the middle of the street. The children must then run around the vehicles to get to a sidewalk. In addition, people are still parking in loading zones, not using designated drop-off areas, ignoring speed limits, and cutting off bicycle riders! To control these dangerous practices, we've asked the Mill Valley Police Department for help. You may see officers patrolling our parking lot and crosswalks.

I URGE YOU - PLEASE PRACTICE SAFE, FOCUSED, RESPONSIBLE DRIVING! Here are some guidelines we should all follow when driving, walking or biking to school:

Drivers

• Stop and look for pedestrians crossing the stree Expect the unexpected - be prepared to stop suddenly!
• Drive at or under the speed limit, especially in our school zone.
• Look for pedestrians when pulling out of driveways or driving around parked cars.
• Use our car-line for drop off and pick up--it doesn't take long!
• Be especially watchful for families and children on bikes on Lomita. The sidewalk is uneven   and narrow, often forcing cyclists into the road.
• Check your side mirrors for pedestrians or bikes when you are avoiding oncoming traffic due to the narrow road.
• Stay off your phone--no call is that important!
• Remember -- your vehicle is a deadly weapon when it comes in contact with a human body or animal.

Pedestrians and Cyclists

• Use crosswalks and obey the crossing guard
• Dismount from your bike in crosswalks
• Don't cross a road between parked cars
• Wait for the "walk" signal when crossing a street with traffic lights.
• Talk to your child about traffic rules; model behavior you want him to practice
• Walk alert! Never assume a driver can see you.

Our car-line program also plays an important role in helping to make our school safer. We rely on volunteers from each classroom to keep it running smoothly, and to help kids get in and out of their cars each morning and afternoon. Please check the schedule and pitch in to help when possible! Click here to see the calendar.

Finally, I want to thank Safe Routes to School of Marin and the Mill Valley Police Department for their time, support and guidance. For more information, go to www.dhs.ca.gov/routes2school or http://www.saferoutestoschools.org.

Sincerely,

Lisa Zimmer

• Classroom News: click on Class Web Sites
• School Newsletter: click on Pony Express
• Upcoming Events: click on School Calendar
• Pictures, Edna Announcements, Community News and more:
it's all at ednamaguire.org

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on March 5

Your Edna PTA dollars brought world champion jump rope artist:  Renee Bibaub to Edna Maguire on Monday, February 28.  Edna Maguire students enjoyed watching her perform and even learned a few tricks to try on their own.  She shared her message to give it your best effort, mistakes are okay, don't compare yourself to others, work on your own goals and have FUN!




See some pictures of the event here:

Posted by Tim Schultz on March 3