Our kids ran their hearts out at this year's Steeplechase. And while the finish line is in sight, we still have a way to go before we cross it. Make sure our kids' hard work pays off by collecting your donations and turning in your pledge packets THIS WEEK. Especially now as we're feeling the effects of the budget crisis, Edna Maguire is counting on YOU to contribute whatever you can to help Every Child, Every Day with Everything. Please help your child's class reach 100% participation AND earn a popsicle party! Our Steeplechase collection deadline is now Tuesday, November 8--help us finish strong!

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on October 31

Did you know many companies will match donations their employees raise for non-profit organizations? Edna's PTA is a non-profit. So if you haven't already checked to see if your employer is willing to match your Steeplechase donations, please consider doing so. Examples of companies that have matched donations given to Edna in the past include Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Gap, Macy's and Salesforce. Thank you!

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on October 31

The Mill Valley School District is projecting a $700,000 deficit for the current school year and a $2.3 million deficit for the next school year. Our district enrolled 155 new students this year, but received NO ADDITIONAL FUNDING and only two new teachers were hired. At least 114 new students are expected to enroll in the 2012/13 school year.

In previous years, Mill Valley was insulated from school budget cuts because 95% of our revenue for education came from property taxes. Now, however, our schools--and our children-- are feeling the pain of decreasing property taxes, growing enrollment and cuts in state funding. To tackle these problems, the MVSD is looking at a three- pronged approach:

• Reducing the budget
• Shared sacrifice
• Tapping the budget reserve (for emergencies only)

At Edna Maguire, we are already experiencing the following effects of the budget crisis:

• Increased student enrollment
• Bigger class sizes in all grades
• No hiring of additional staff to support this growth
• Decreased professional development for teachers

It's essential that ALL OF US work together to protect our children's education and maintain our excellent schools. Get involved! Stay informed! Please attend one of the upcoming Parent Budget Forums at the Mill Valley Middle School: Wednesday, November 2, 7 p.m. or Monday, November 7, 9 a.m.

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on October 31

Due to the important Parent Budget Forum happening this Wednesday, we've postponed our No Bully presentation until Tuesday,January 10, 2012, at 6;30 p.m. The PTA Board and Association meeting, however, will still be held on November 2 at 5:45 p.m. in the multi-purpose room. All are welcome!

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on October 31

Thank you, Edna families, for showing up in full force to make last month's International Walk and Roll to School Day a big success! Special thanks to Simone Slattery and Rej Bourdages for passing out Clif Bar snacks and Go Green bookmarks, and to Anne Zarraonandia for coordinating the event.

To keep the momentum going, we're excited to introduce "Go Green to School Wednesdays!" Starting this week, please make an effort to walk, cycle or carpool to school on the first Wednesday of every month--rain or shine! Meet us at the Community Center at 8:10 a.m. or make your own green travel plans. We'll be handing out snacks and bookmarks in front of the school. Want to up the ante even more? Make it a habit to "go green to school" EVERY Wednesday! And consider packing a "no waste" lunch, too. Questions? Contact Anne Zarraonandia at annezarra@aol.com.

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on October 31

Bring your extra Halloween loot to school THIS Thursday and Friday! Your lollipops and candy bars will sweeten the day of our brave soldiers stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan. Look for donation tables at the front and back parking lots before and after school. Blue Star Moms of Marin (an organization run by mothers of enlisted soldiers), will ship the candy for free! If you have any questions or would like to help collect donations, please contact Karen Olson at cokobo@comcast.net

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on October 31

Attention Edna garden supporters! Sloat Garden Center is sponsoring another Growing Up Green Week, November 4 -14, 2011. Bring in this flyer and Sloat will donate 10 percent of your purchases to our Children's Garden. The more people who participate, the more we'll receive! Our rainy season is coming, so it's a great time to head to Sloat's to buy trees, shrubs or flowers that need that extra water! Or pick up those garden tools or furniture you've been eyeing.Thanks for supporting the garden and for shopping locally at Sloat's!

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on October 31

Look out Edna, it's time for our first spirit day of the year...Crazy Hair/Hat Day! Come to school on November 10 with your most outrageous hairstyle. Think colored gels and sprays or mixing ponytails and braids--anything goes! OR, wear your favorite hat! Hats or hair? Maybe both?? So many choices! This event is brought to you by your Student Council.

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on October 31

What? Book Fair 2011

Why? To support Edna's library, encourage kids to read and get some great books! Twenty percent of all proceeds go to the library for online and magazine subscriptions, books, supplies, and more.

When? Monday, November 14 - Thursday, November 17; 8:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily

More BF Events to Note:

Tuesday, November 15 from 8:45 to 9:45 a.m. - Book Chat and breakfast treats with Real Books owner Angela Cozad and children's librarians Lisa Monge of Edna and Jessica Ryan of the Mill Valley Public Library. Get the scoop on the must-reads for adults and kids.

Wednesday, November 16 - Children's Librarian, Naima Dean, will read selections from the fair to students in grades K-2

Thursday, November 17 - Author/illustrator Mac Barnett will join us for assemblies throughout the day; Book Fair Café and Evening Event - 5 to 8 p.m. -dinner, shopping and a drawing for fabulous prizes!

Questions? Contact Mari Allen (allenmari@hotmail.com)

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on October 31

During Book Fair week, Edna Maguire Girl Scouts will be collecting gently used, or new, children's books. We'll be donating the books to the Children's Book Project. You can drop off any books you'd like to contribute in our collection bin at the Book Fair. No adult books, magazines or textbooks, please. Contact Laurie Mandigo-Stoba at stoba3@comcast.net if you have questions about the Book Drive or Girl Scouts.

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on October 31

Starting the second week of November, we will provide lunch for the children in Homeward Bound's Family Emergency Center. Homeward Bound of Marin is the main provider of shelter and support services for homeless families and individuals in our county. This monthly team effort will involve Edna kids and parents bringing components of the lunches to our multi-purpose room for an "assembly line party." Please contact Sasha Eakle at sasha_eakle@hotmail.com if you'd like to help!

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on October 31

Only one book captures this year's incredible events and experiences--the friends, fun, favorite teachers, classes, games, music, art and everything else in-between--the Edna Maguire 2011-2012 yearbook!

There are two ways to order:

1. Download the one-stop-shop form at www.ednamaguire.org/flyers-forms.html
2. Order online at www.Jostens.com

The deadline to order is January 31, 2012! If you have questions, please e-mail Justine Whitehead @ Lbprod@pacbell.net

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on October 31

There are some exciting "firsts" for the 2012 Edna Maguire Variety Show. We've got a new director, Kathy Sonderby. And the show will happen much earlier in the year-- on Friday, March 9. So it's the perfect year for first-time volunteers to get their feet wet in this fun and rewarding Edna tradition! Of course, seasoned pros are welcome to return for an encore performance, too. Because one thing that hasn't changed are the Edna kids who look forward to taking the stage and letting their talents shine. They rely on parent volunteers like YOU to make that possible!

We need help with practices and set design. And we're desperately seeking someone who can create a master CD with the performers' music and handle sound and lighting for the show. Please contact Kathy Sonderby (ksonderby@yahoo.com) if you can help or have questions. Practices will begin soon after the winter holiday break!

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on October 31

Just in time for your holiday shopping, our Amazon link has been reactivated. If you enter Amazon.com through this link, or the Amazon School Rewards Program link on our home page, Edna Maguire will receive up to 10% of your purchase total. And yes, this means ALL purchases, not just books. Bookmark the link today and share it with your friends and family. Their Amazon purchases can support Edna, too!

Please Note: When you enter Amazon.com through our link, your Amazon page won't look any different. Don't worry--as long as you click on the link to get on Amazon, Edna will get credit for your purchases!

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on October 31

Show your Edna pride with shirts, fleece jackets, bags, hats or other items sporting either of our two logos. They make great holiday gifts! You can add a logo to almost any Lands' End item that can be embroidered for an additional $5.50. Choose from either of the logos below.

To place an order, click here: When ordering, enter the Edna Maguire school code number into the "preferred school code" field of the order form: 900129768. For questions about ordering, contact Lands' End directly at 1-800-963-4816.

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on October 31

Many thanks to the Birthday Book Club members below for giving the library the gift of a book in honor of their special day! There's still time to join the club--just download the form, fill it out and turn it in at the front office.

August Birthdays
Aidan Toole, Annie Ravazzini, Athena Bouas, Cole Ford, Daxton Chalstrom, Eleanor Octavio, Jace Monti, Jack Fierstein, Julian Snell, Liam (William) Ludin, Lyla Tipton, Mari Karp, Olivia Jane Skiles, Patrick Clifford, Sam Barenbaum

September Birthdays
Cassady Winchester, Cooper Alley, Creig Williges, Ella Grady, Emily Peters, Fiona Norton, Gracen Rivera, Jack Ferguson. Jessica Brooke Tempero, Joslyn Lazzareschi, Julia Jaffe, Kai Smith, Landon Minor, Luke Bleckman, Luna Sanchez, Madison Dayton, McKenna Barr, Mutindi Musyoki, Rebecca Preis,Simon Dauth

October Birthdays
Amelia Sharpe, Anna Harrell, Caroline Steele, Elizabeth Wheaton, Emily Conner, Emma Barenbaum, Gage Duchon, James Freda, Joshua Berman, Katie Ravazzini, Lauren Marler, Maria Elena Figueirinhas, Nick Taylor, Reed Neulight, Sophia Soto,Tilman Phleger, Zoe Trainer

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on October 31

We'd like to extend a special garden thank-you to EO® Products, a Corte Madera-based company that makes natural and organic body care products. EO Products recently provided the garden with NEW hand-sanitizing stations featuring their all-natural, lavender hand sanitizer gel. It's a much better alternative to traditional chemical-laden hand sanitizers--for our children AND our environment. Thanks, EO! And thanks to Ronnie Sharpe for contacting the company to make this happen.

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on October 31

Join us in the Park School auditorium from 7 to 8 p.m. to hear Dr. Anna Vagin, Ph.D., discuss how to support our children to be more successful at recess and better process the social ins and outs of playground interaction. Dr. Vagin is a licensed speech and language pathologist who has been in private practice for more than 30 years and frequently consults with schools. This event is a joint presentation of Edna's PTA and ITAV. To register or for more information, please contact Ross Buffington (ross@itavmv.org).

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on October 31

If you're a parent of a child with a learning difference, we hope you'll join us for our next parent coffee at 186 Corte Madera Avenue, Mill Valley. Our coffees provide parents a chance share information and support each other. Please join us. If you have questions, please contact Erica Kelly (erica.kelly@gmail.com - 381 8866).

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on October 31

Have You Made Your Kiddo! Donation Yet?
Your contributions to Kiddo! fund art, music, dance, drama, technology, and innovative teaching grants for the nearly 3,000 students in our district. We need every family to participate to keep these programs in place through the school year. Have you made your contribution yet? If not, donate today and save our phonathon volunteers that extra call! 

ADD EDUCATION TO YOUR SHOPPING CART
WITH WHOLE FOODS SHOP KIDDO! SCRIP CARDS

Kiddo! is offering $100 Whole Foods scrip cards and will receive a 4% rebate on each card you purchase. Buy your cards at the Kiddo! office or on designated days at the elementary schools. Check with your Kiddo! rep for days and times. You receive the full $100 value AND raise funds for Kiddo! programs. Now that's smart shopping!

Don't forget you can also shop and support Kiddo! through eScrip at Safeway and Mill Valley Market's Shop & Give Program..

For more information, and Q&A. click here.

Are You Receiving Your Kiddo! eNews?

Stay current with news, events, business promotions (that can save you money), and performance schedules at your child's school(s) with the Kiddo! monthly eNews.

Highlights for November include:
• Get to know our incredible music teacher, Anna Stearns. 
•Parents Night Out at Henry's Toy Shop on November 30 
•Check out the new Kiddo! Website and Calendar
Don't miss a single issue! Click here to sign up. 

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on October 31

The Tamalpais High School Class of 2013 is considering selling holiday trees as a fundraiser. The money raised would allow our class to put on more events to benefit our students and the community. We're trying to determine how many people would be interested in buying their trees from us so we can decide whether or not to do this fundraiser. The prices of the trees would be:

Douglas Fir            Noble Fir
5/6' $40.00             5/6' $50.00
6/7' $45.00             6/7' $55.00
7/8' $50.00             7/8' $60.00
8/9' $55.00             8/9' $65.00

Orders would need to be received and paid for by November 11 and picked up on December 3. Please e-mail us at christmastrees2013@gmail.com as soon as possible if you or others you know would be interested in purchasing trees from us and supporting the Tam High Class of 2013.

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on October 31

We'll announce the 2011 Bookmark Design Contest winners on November 1. In honor of the library's Centennial we will print ten winners (instead of only five) - come by to collect them all in late November!

Wednesday, November 2, 2:30 - 4:00 pm: Day of the Dead Altar Making Event. Honor your ancestors with a beautiful altar in a shoebox.

Thursday, November 10, 6:15 - 7:15 pm: Musical Pajama Story Time. Little and big kids alike will want to don their PJs and relax with stories and songs from lullaby expert Julia Norton.

Saturday, November 19, 1:00 - 2:00 pm: SHARE-A-Book Dogs. Watch kids gain confidence as they read aloud to a four-legged friend at the library.

Sunday Special! Acorns à la Carte with Ane Carla Rovetta: Sunday, November 20 at 11:00 am. Celebrate the season of Thanksgiving with fall stories and drawings from this multi-talented Bay Area treasure.

Mark your calendar: Winter Wednesday Craft Drop-ins! Make holiday cards on December 7, create ornaments and gifts on December 14, or come to a Gingerbread Person Party on Wednesday, December 21. Plan to join us for free family movies during our Winter Break Film Festival screenings at 2:30 pm in the Creekside Room. Watch our website for details as they become available.

Contact us: Mill Valley Public Library, 415-389-4292 x106, www.millvalleylibrary.org.

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on October 31

And the students of Edna Maguire were off and running to raise money for their school.  A sea of happy faces ran around the school as parents and teachers cheered them on.  If you weren't able to make it, enjoy some of the day here.  

Remember EVERY CHILD, EVERY DAY, EVERYTHING!  

Posted by Tom Slattery on October 28

Posted by Tim Schultz on October 27

Edna families got together on a warm fall night to celebrate diversity at our annual International Family Picnic. This year's event featured a new food tent, soft music and the addition of a taco truck and the Green Team bake sale had something to satisfy everyone's sweet tooth! See some pictures of the event here.

Posted by Tim Schultz on October 27

And the students of Edna Maguire were off and running to raise money for their school. A sea of happy faces ran around the school as parents and teachers cheered them on. If you weren't able to make it, enjoy some of the day here.

Remember EVERY CHILD, EVERY DAY, EVERYTHING! Steeplechase 2011 is counting on you to make a donation to your child's education.

Posted by Tim Schultz on October 27

Our kids ran their hearts out at this year's Steeplechase. And while the finish line is in sight, we still have a way to go before we cross it. Help us finish strong by collecting your donations and turning in your pledge packets ASAP! Edna Maguire is counting on YOU to make a contribution, big or small, to help Every Child, Every Day with Everything. Please help your child's class reach 100% participation AND earn a popsicle party!

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on October 24

Dear Family,

By now you probably know that Steeplechase, our annual PTA fundraiser, is quickly approaching. But did you know that PTA funds cover 95 percent of ALL the things that make Edna Maguire a great school? Only a very small percentage of funding comes from the state and district.

Too often, we think of school needs as supplies like paper, pencils and books. Although Steeplechase does help cover these kinds of costs, it is also critical to our ability to deliver the hands-on, project-based and cross-curricular approach to learning that is the foundation of instruction at Edna Maguire.

In project-based learning, students meet state learning standards by asking questions about a topic and arriving at their own answers. They demonstrate what they've learned by creating projects--often as part of small, teacher-guided teams--and presenting their final work to others. Cross-curricular education strengthens students' skills in science, math, reading, art and music by integrating these subjects into projects related to a specific topic they are studying. Together, these approaches to learning help our students master essential 21st Century Skills, including the very important 3 Cs- Communication, Collaboration and Critical thinking/problem-solving. Project-based learning and cross-curricular education wouldn't be possible without YOUR support through Steeplechase.

Your PTA /Steeplechase dollars enable our teachers to provide these types of learning opportunities. The funds are allocated for classroom supplies and grade-level activities. They also allow our teachers to take students on field trips to places such as Point Bonita, rivers to release trout, NASA, nature preserves, aquariums, farms and Sutter's Fort, to name only a few. In addition, PTA/Steeplechase funds support cross-curriculum studies of topics such as the Miwok Indians, animals, family heritage, the solar system, communities and many, many more. Such projects pique student's curiosity, which in turn encourages them to ask questions about what they are studying.

Without your financial support, we couldn't pay for these hands-on, eyes-on experiences--both in our classrooms and out in the beautiful world we are so lucky to live in. We have a wonderful learning community, and I want to thank you for making it possible!

All the best to you,

Lisa Zimmer

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on October 18

Check out the illustrations below to see what our new, state-of-the-art school will look like once construction is completed!

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on October 18

Steeplechase, our school fundraiser, is coming! This year's theme is EVERY CHILD, EVERY DAY, EVERYTHING. Are you ready?? Here's your chance to make a difference in your child's education. Help Edna cover the cost of EVERYTHING, including books, pens, paper, assemblies, specialists, balls, curriculum, assemblies and computers. As the state continues to cut its budget for education, we need to fund the gap for our kids. Now, more than ever, we need your help to reach our goal of 100% participation and $300 per student. EVERY CHILD at Edna is counting on us EVERY DAY!

Steeplechase starts at 1 p.m. for kindergartners and 2 p.m. for all other grades. Please come and cheer on our kids. Contact Cathy Wilmoth at ccwilmoth@comcast.net if you have any questions. SEE YOU THERE!

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on October 18

You asked for it, you got it! Choice Lunch will serve up samples of its entrees right after the Halloween Parade. Samples for kindergarten families will be available in front of the kindergarten classrooms at 1:30 p.m. Families of all other students can test-drive samples in front of the office at 2:50 p.m.

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on October 18

Come to the multi-purpose room to learn about No Bully (6:30-7:30) and, immediately before, to attend the PTA Executive Board and Association meeting (5:45-6:15). We've received numerous requests for an evening PTA meeting, so we hope you'll take advantage of this opportunity to join us!

Already used within the Mill Valley School District and across the country, the No Bully program is designed to protect our children from bullying and aggressive social behavior. The presentation will outline the No Bully game plan and give examples of the success the Mill Valley No Bully Solutions Team has already experienced. Edna Maguire school counselor Jason Mountsier, Principal Lisa Zimmer and teachers will explain the program and talk about why they believe it is a powerful and effective method of controlling bullying. 

This is an ADULT ONLY event. Please leave your children at home!

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on October 18

Bring your extra Halloween loot to school on Thursday, November 3 and Friday, November 4. Your lollipops and candy bars will sweeten the day of our brave soldiers stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan. Look for donation tables at the front and back parking lots before and after school. Blue Star Moms of Marin (an organization run by mothers of enlisted soldiers), will ship the candy for free! If you have any questions or would like to help collect donations, please contact Karen Olson at cokobo@comcast.net.

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on October 18

Our hot lunch program is in serious need of some volunteer support! If you can lend a hand between 11:30 a.m. and 12:15 p.m.-- any day of the week-- to help serve lunch to our students, please contact Ashiya Yacoobali at ayacoobali@mvschools.org. It's fun, easy and takes less than an hour. Thank you!

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on October 18

If you have season tickets to sporting events, the theater, symphony or other activities, chances are you can't always use them. We're pleased to introduce a great way to ensure your tickets don't go to waste AND give our wonderful teachers a special treat: Edna's Teacher Appreciation Stub Hub.

Our "Stub Hub" will connect teachers with families who have tickets to various events that they can't use. If you have tickets you'd like to donate to the teachers who give so much to our kids every day, e-mail Karen Carr at karenmuntercarr@yahoo.com. Please provide details such as the number of tickets you have available, the event, date and time. Karen will forward the information to our teachers. Interested takers will contact you directly to make the final arrangements. 

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on October 18

Another successful Farmers' Market season is winding down. Thank you to everyone who helped harvest, cook, bake and sell our garden's bounty: Donna Wenig, Beth LaDove, Kristin Silmore, Katherina Laan, Daina Selph, Kit Harris, Leslie Myers and Simone Slattery. And a special thanks to our Farmers' Market coordinator, Karen Olson. Thanks, also, to all of you who shopped at the market. You helped us raise over $300 for the maintenance and upkeep of our garden. We hope to re-open the Farmers' Market in the spring.

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on October 18

Miss the MVSD Board of Trustees Candidates' Forum at Strawberry Point School last month? If you haven't already watched the video on our website featuring the three candidates- Robert (Bob) Jacobs, Leslie Wachtel and Clifford Waldeck- you can see it by clicking on the links below:

Forum Part 1

Forum Part 2

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on October 18

The November 8 election is only a few weeks away, and it's crucial to get the word out about Measure B, the parcel tax renewal for the Tamalpais Union High School District, which includes Tam High.

This parcel tax is vital to the outstanding programs the district offers, as it represents 16% of the total budget, or approx. $8.8 million. A 67% majority is required for Measure B to pass, a high threshold under any circumstances, but especially in the current economic environment. It is more important than ever that we get our "yes" voters out, as this year an argument was filed against our measure.

Here's how you can help:
1. Volunteer to put a Measure B sign in a prominent spot in your yard. We'll bring it to your house-- all you have to do is choose a spot for it!
2. Vote "Yes" on Measure B either by mail or on November 8, to help preserve our great high school programs.

For more information, please e-mail Julie Kertzman at julie@kertzman.com or Laura Anderson at anderson355@sbcglobal.net, or visit www.citizens4tamdistrict.org.

Click Here to get more facts on Measure B.

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on October 18

This month, included in the October Kiddo! E-News, are lots of Kiddo! Business Partner Promotions that can save you money. To see the full article, click here.

Not receiving the Kiddo! eNews? To keep up with the most current news, events, business promotions, and performance schedules at your child's school(s), sign up at www.kiddo.org. Your E-News will arrive at the beginning of each month.

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on October 18

Worm Bin Workshop
Saturday, November 12, 9:30-11:30 a.m.

Learn how to make a worm bin for your home or classroom! Worm bins keep food waste out of landfills and produce wonderful soil for your garden. We'll also explore other methods of composting, such as tumblers and yard waste bins. Appropriate for families or individuals. Cost: $40 (includes bin, info packet, & starter worms). Advance registration required: 388-2524.

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on October 18

Bring the whole family to Infineon Raceway for a fantastic Discovery Day. There will be over 50 exhibitors with fun hands-on activities for kids of all ages. Exhibits range from wildlife to genetics to robotics. Entry and parking are FREE for all! Check the details of the event here.  This event is the highlight of the North Bay Science Festival, which is part of the broader Bay Area Science Festival. Visit www.bayareascience.org for information about FREE activities happening all over the San Francisco Bay area from October 29 through November 6.

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on October 18

Edna Maguire Students brought the house down with their rockin' Steeplechase cheers! This year, we are running around the school to raise money for Every Child. Every Day. Everything. Look for your pledge packets and participate! See some pictures of the Steeplechase Pep Rally.

 Kindergartners Get Steeplechase Off to a Rousing Start!

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on October 5

Though the weather was uncertain, kindergarten and fifth grade families came out in droves to picnic with Ms. Zimmer. It was a great ending to our grade level picnics for this school year! Check out pictures of the event here.

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on October 5

The second grade students and their families had the opportunity to picnic with Ms. Zimmer. The families that attended really appreciated the extra time they were able to spend with our principale talking about the school, the curriculum and all the extra programs that the school and PTA provides. See some pictures of the event here.

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on October 5

Miss the MVSD Board of Trustees Candidates' Forum at Strawberry Point School last month? You can view a video featuring the three candidates- Robert (Bob) Jacobs, Leslie Wachtel and Clifford Waldeck- by clicking on the links below:

Forum Part 1

Forum Part 2

The forum was hosted by the Mill Valley Council of PTAs, with support from the Mill Valley Teachers Association (MVTA) and the California School Employees Association (CSEA).

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on October 5

Green Team is off to a great start this year. So far, we've met twice, started our lunch-time recycling program, and on October 31, we will start our Friday compost pick-up team.

The Green Team is also sponsoring a bake sale on Thursday, October 13 at 5:30 during the International Family Picnic. The sale will be in front of Room 13. We're having the bake sale to raise money for our supplies and events. If you're interested in helping, please bring pre-sliced or wrapped baked goods to room 13 during school hours on the day of the sale or right before the picnic. Hopefully we will see you there, with money in your pocket!

This article was written by Green Team members Justin Carr, Tessa Keane and Catherine Morgan. Great job, guys!

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on October 3

Dear Family,

We're well into our school year, and we're really rolling! I'm proud to announce that Edna Maguire recently won a cash prize of $2,000 from Safe Routes to Schools for increasing our walking, rolling and carpooling to school.This is SO exciting, and it wouldn't have happened without your support! You can read more about our win in this article in the Mill Valley Herald.

Please be sure to sign up with School Pool Marin. The site connects families who want to carpool, bike or walk to and from school together. We get credit for every Edna family that signs up. And be sure to join us on October 12 for our first SCHOOL WALK AND ROLL of the year. We'll meet at the Mill Valley Community Center at 8:00 a.m. and head to Edna at 8:10 sharp.

Because Halloween falls on a Monday this year, I decided it would be less disruptive to our school week, and less tiring for our kids, to hold our annual Halloween Parade and classroom parties on Friday, October 28. The Halloween Parade is one of Edna's most highly-anticipated and fun traditions--you don't want to miss it! The kindergarteners will march through the classrooms at 1 p.m., followed by the remaining grades at 2:15. The parade will culminate on the playground for a final viewing of all the costumes and photo ops. Your child may bring a costume to school to change into, but please leave daggers, knives and other sharp items at home. Watch for more information about the festivities in your classroom newsletters.

Thanks to our third grade classrooms who have been diligently working Car Line since school started, and will continue to do so through October. If at all possible, please sign up when it's your classroom's turn. New this year, you can sign up online with Sign Up Genius. When you do, you'll get a reminder two days before your shift. If you haven't already received your classroom link, you will get it from your child's teacher soon. Even if you don't use Car Line, it's important to support it for our traffic flow and the safety of our students. Plus, it's fun to see our kids' smiling faces first thing in the morning!

Finally, for a short, sweet and easy way to keep up with what's happening at Edna, you can follow me on Twitter (LisaZimmer1)! If you don't have a Twitter account, just go to www.twitter.com to sign up.

Best to you all,

Lisa Zimmer

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on October 3

Please travel green to school on International Walk and Roll to School Day, Wednesday, October 12. Join students from all over Marin County (and around the world) in a united front to reduce car trips by walking, biking or carpooling to school!

All participating students will receive a colorful bookmark compliments of Safe Routes to Schools, and a snack from Clif Kid. Set a goal with your child to travel green at least once a week this school year ... it's fun, social, great exercise, bonds neighborhoods and reduces traffic around our school. GO GREEN!

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on October 3

Join us in Edna's interior courtyard from 5:30 to 7 p.m. for an evening of good food, great fun and international flair! Come with a meal that reflects your family's heritage or bring your favorite ethnic food. You might even consider teaming up with other families to put together a multi-cultural meal. Be sure to bring your own place settings, cutlery and non-alcoholic beverages. And please remember to adhere to Edna's "nut alert" guidelines.

However you plan to participate, the International Picnic will be a wonderful opportunity to mingle with other Edna families and strengthen our community. Questions? Contact Liz Harrell at lizlowe@yahoo.com. Gracias! Danke! Merci! Grazie! Спасибо! tack! ありがとう! Thank you!!

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on October 3

The Steeplechase Pep Rally really got our kids fired up for our October 21 event! As you probably know, Steeplechase is our school's annual fundraiser. Our theme this year is "Every Child, Every Day, Everything"

EVERY CHILD benefits from Steeplechase funds. EVERY DAY, our students use things purchased with Steeplechase funds. EVERYTHING Steeplechase makes possible includes computers, assemblies, P.E. equipment, library books, recess equipment, science specialists, classroom and curriculum supplies, and much, much more.

We need YOUR help to reach our goal of $130,000 so we can continue to provide every child with everything that makes Edna an outstanding school every day! We are asking for $300 per child, either by family donation and/or collecting pledges from friends and neighbors. If you can't afford this amount, please give what you can. The most important thing is to participate! Pledge packets were sent home last week, so please check your child's backpack and help them get started.

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on October 3

We had a few kinks to work out with the timing of the coffee, as it wasn't quite ready right at drop off... Though, while many parents waited patiently for the java to finish brewing, they were able to mingle and catch up with other parents. The lucky ones who stuck around even got to see the students perform in our annual Steeplechase Pep Rally! We promise that the coffee will be ready to pour right at drop off for our next coffee cart. Please join us next time! See some more pictures of the event here.

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on October 3

The morning was cool, and there were a few brewing glitches at the first Edna Coffee Cart. But that didn't dampen the spirits of the more than 50 parents who showed up in front of the office, many of whom were eagerly waiting for the Steeplechase Pep Rally to begin. Thanks to the efforts of Jon Cronander, plenty of fresh, hot coffee was flowing after the rally. Thanks also go out to Leslie Fielder and Simone Slattery for all their help. And thank you to everyone who attended for being such good sports! We learned some lessons and promise the java will be ready on time at our next Coffee Cart, November 18! If you're interested in helping with the cart, please contact Kit Harris at kitharris57@gmail.com. Click here to see some pictures.

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on October 3

From Crocs to pumps, the Edna community really stepped up to make our shoe drive a success! We collected over 70 bags of shoes for families in need in Haiti. The first batch is already on its way to them via the Arch Rival stores in Mill Valley and Greenbrae. Thank you for making a difference. And thank you to Sasha Eakle for organizing this event!

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on October 3

Edna Maguire's library now features a section dedicated to gardening books and resources. In addition to books, students and parents can also check out a DVD of What's On Your Plate? This witty and provocative documentary about kids and food politics is told through the experiences of two 11-year-old girls in New York City.

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on October 3

Congratulations to our Friends of the Garden (FOG) group! It earned an Honorable Mention in PTO Today's 2011 Parent Group of the Year search, a national competition. FOG parent volunteers help manage and maintain Edna's Children's Garden for our school and the Mill Valley community to enjoy. A BIG THANK YOU to Ronnie Sharpe for nominating FOG!

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on October 3

Being a PTA member isn't just about volunteering and supporting your school. Click here to discover some of the great deals--from places like Jamba Juice, Enterprise car rentals and Legoland, to name just a few---members can enjoy. 

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on October 3

Tired of chauffeuring your kids to and from school--and then shuttling them all over town AFTER school? Want to help the environment? Sign up at SchoolPoolMaring.org to get a list of other families in your area you can carpool, walk or bike with to school AND after school events. The first 500 families who register this year will receive a Peet's gift card!

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on October 3

Join us at Park School's auditorium from 7 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, October 6 to learn how to keep kids inspired, engaged and positive in spite of the pressures, stresses and distractions of modern life. Jeff Leiken, MA, will give what promises to be an enlightening talk on this important topic. For more information or to register, please contact Ross Buffington (ross@itav.org).

On Thursday, October 20, licensed psychologist Dr. Dan Peters will discuss "What Does it Mean to be Gifted?" His presentation will take place in the conference room of the Mill Valley District Office from 7 to 8 p.m. For more information, contact Eva Selig (evaselig@gmail.com or go to www.itavmv.org)

Note: Both events are open to all parents.

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on October 3

Thank you to all who shopped at the Whole Foods on Miller Avenue on September 14! Whole Foods donated over $3,000 to Kiddo! as a result of your purchases. It just goes to show, when we all pull together, we can make a BIG difference in our children's education. To learn more about how your contributions benefit all children in our K-8 schools, check out our website, www.kiddo.org.

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on October 3

Presented by Moms Advocating Sustainability, a panel of experts will discuss emerging health concerns related to our food supply. This event will be held at the Strawberry Recreation District Community Room from 7 to 9 p.m. A $10 donation is requested. Download the GMO Panel.pdf flyer for more information.

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on October 3

Sanctuary Night Hike
Saturday, October 29, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Experience some of Marin's wildest nightlife! Visit our sanctuary after the sun goes down and learn how the animals of Richardson Bay have adapted to live in the dark. In honor of All Hallows Eve, we'll examine skulls and bones. We'll also hike through the sanctuary with a naturalist, and if the clouds cooperate, check out the fall constellations. Children 10 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Cost is $7. Advanced registration required: call 388-2524.

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on October 3

Unleash your inner scientist at the inaugural Bay Area Science Festival! Go to www.bayareascience.org to visit the festival website and view a schedule of events.

Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on October 3