A Note from the Principal

“Every Student. Every Need.”

February is a very busy month at Murray! First and foremost I’d like to congratulate Luke Moreno on his Spelling Bee win on February 17th. Luke will go on to represent Murray Elementary in Castro Valley. Congratulations Luke and good luck! Superintendent Dr. Stephen Hanke joined us for our PFC meeting and spent almost two hours answering parent questions. Thank you for spending so much time with us! We were able to cover a wide variety of topics in depth and get more information about the Professional Learning Community movement. Our PFC meets the first Wednesday of every month and all are welcome to attend. Our next meeting is Wed, March 2 and we hope to see you there! Our new bell schedule starts Tuesday, February 22. Please remember that school will be starting at 8:25 am from then on. Our first collaboration day is Wednesday, February 23 and we will be getting out of school at 1:50 pm. The collaboration days are as follows: Wednesday, February 23 1:50 PM Release Wednesday, March 9 1:50 PM Release Wednesday, March 23 1:50 PM Release Wednesday, April 13 1:50 PM Release Wednesday, May 18 1:50 PM Release Many parents have called me asking the difference between Monday and Tuesday prep days and collaboration days. Teacher prep days are intended for individual teachers to be able to “prep” for their class. This might entail grading papers, designing lessons, entering test scores or getting materials ready for projects. It is up to each teacher’s discretion as to how they use this time. Collaboration days, on the other hand, are when a group of teachers (frequently grade level teams) (Continued on next page)

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A Note from… (Continued from Page 1) get together to assess individual student achievement. The teams make decisions together about needed interventions as well as extension activities for all students at the grade level. I hope this answers any questions you may have. If you want more information please don’t hesitate to call me at (925) 828-2568 x5401. Our next exciting event is the school talent show! Mark your calendars for Friday, February 25 and come on out to see how talented we are! See you around school! ~Ms. Nerheim

GATE TESTING 2011

The District will not be testing 2nd graders this school year for GATE. In September of 2011, we will be testing all 3rd graders. Parents/Guardians have the option to not have their child tested. This decision was based on the following rational: -Gives students the opportunity to mature in their thinking process and ability to take a test. -Qualification into GATE combines scores from the second grade CST test Spring state testing and CoGat. We do not receive the CST scores until August of 2011. All testing information for this 2010-2011 school year will go or has gone to current third through twelfth graders. Current third through twelfth graders with signed Parent/Guardian permission slips will be tested at our school site. Please contact the school office for the GATE permission slips to test. Our school's testing date is March 23, 2011.

Murray Calendar of Events FEBRUARY CHARACTER TRAIT ~

I AM TRUSTWORTHY MARCH CHARACTER TRAIT ~

I AM COOPERATIVE

The full calendar of events is listed on the DUSD Website. An abbreviated list is below.

Feb 16 ~ School Site Council Meeting 3 PM Feb 18 ~ Art Due for DPIE Art Auction Feb 21 ~ NO SCHOOL ~ President’s Day Holiday Feb 22 ~ NEW BELL SCHEDULE BEGINS ~ SCHOOL BEGINS AT 8:25 AM EACH DAY. Feb 23 ~ 1:50 PM DISMISSAL ~ COLLABORATION RELEASE Mar 1 ~ Murray’s Dr. Seuss Night Mar 2 ~ PFC Meeting ~ 7 PM Mar 2 ~ Elementary Band Concert @ Dublin El –students should arrive at 7 PM for warm up. Mar 4 ~ MINIMUM DAY ~ End of 2nd Trimester ~ 12:30 PM DISMISSAL Mar 8 ~ Spring Portrait Day ~ Optional ~ Only students with order forms take photos. March 9 ~ 1:50 PM DISMISSAL ~ COLLABORATION RELEASE Mar 16 ~ School Site Council Meeting 3 PM Mar 17 ~ St. Patrick’s Day March 23 ~ 1:50 PM DISMISSAL ~ COLLABORATION RELEASE Mar 23 ~ Jump Rope for Heart in PE Today Mar 25 ~ Soul Shoppe Workshops ~ Free to Be Mar 30 ~ Murray’s Science Fair Night Friday, April 1 ~ Regular Schedule Today April 4-8 ~ Spring Break ~ NO SCHOOL May 3 to May 13 ~ STATE TESTING DATES May 16 to May 20 ~ Teacher Appreciation Week

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Did you Know?

The Murray PFC has a new email address; it is murraypfc@yahoo.com If there is a specific question you have about something for the PFC, then you can email them directly. The monthly Murray PFC Agenda and Minutes are posted on our website! Check out the Murray PFC page!

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Superintendent/District Corner

In an effort to keep you better informed about events, activities, and news from the District Office, we are starting a “Superintendent/District Corner” section on all school newsletters. We will be providing news on items each week. Here is the first one, from the Facilities Department. Reclaimed Water Project The Dublin Unified School District has a partnership with the Dublin San Ramon Services District on a large project to provide reclaimed water to multiple sites both public and private, in the west Dublin area. The project will supply reclaimed water to the large field areas of Wells Middle School / Valley High School; Frederiksen Elementary School; Dublin High School; and Murray Elementary School. The project provides another wonderful opportunity to save precious district financial resources through long-term, on-going cost savings but also to take another great step in our environmental stewardship. This project is slated to take place during the summer of 2011. Teacher Collaboration We are excited to announce that an important milestone has been reached in support of our fundamental purpose – student learning. The District and the Dublin Teachers Association have reached an agreement to implement collaboration for the remainder of this school year and for 2011-2012. Starting on Tuesday, February 22, collaboration will be implemented at all sites. Parents, please note your student’s school schedule as they are all unique. A letter was sent home with your students referencing the schedule changes. The first collaboration day for all ELEMENTARY and HIGH SCHOOLS is Wednesday, February 23, 2011. Please contact the principal at your student’s school with any questions.

Murray Spelling Bee Finalists Congratulations to the following Murray Cougars for moving forward to the DUSD District Spelling Bee! - Christine Haggin - Mrs. Fisher’s Class - Luke Moreno - Ms. Gleichauf’s Class - Madeline Baalman - Mrs. Nash’s Class

Thank you!

A HUGE Rummage Sale THANK YOU to everyone who donated, sorted, priced, baked, got baked goods donations, worked the day of the sale, and helped clean up! We had a huge success and we earned almost $1100 for our Kids camp fund! If anyone if looking for a personal Baker (cakes, cupcakes), please consider Melissa Santamaria. She donated the most wonderful cupcakes for our sale! Her website is www.freewebs.com/tiger219. Again, thank you to everyone who helped, I couldn't have done this without you! Sincerely, Lori Boyd aka "Jamie's Mom"

Jump Rope for Heart Jump Rope for Heart is coming to Murray School! On March 23, we are having a Jump Rope for Heart Event during our P.E. time. This will be jump rope activities with music for the full 45 minutes. It is sponsored by the American Heart Association and it is a heart healthy program. We will be getting educational information for the students, and some P.E. equipment to keep and use. Donation packets will be coming home which is optional if you want to help support the A.H.A.. Please remind students to go with an adult if visiting neighbors. Athletic shoes and comfy clothes should be worn on this day.

Thank you, Carol Anderson, PE Teacher

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Kids Yoga Class

Next Wednesday, February 23, is our first Teacher Collaboration Day at Murray. Students will be dismissed at 1:50 that day. There will be no after school enrichment classes on Teacher Collaboration Days. The last yoga class will be held on Wednesday, March 2. Mrs. Clohan is not available to teach after this date. We will reimburse each student $4 for canceling the sixth class. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Fisher at 828-2568 x5438.

Kidz Club Karate

For the collaborative Wednesdays, when students are dismissed at 1:50 PM (Feb 23, March 9 & March 23) there will be no Karate Class on that day.

Elementary Band Concert

Our concert is on Wednesday, March 2nd, in the Dublin Elementary School multipurpose room. The performance begins at 7:30 p.m., will be finished by 8:00 p.m., and students are doing a group warm-up at 7:00 p.m. The concert attire is school shirts (or colors) and dark bottoms, no skirts or shorts. It is very important that students do not bring more than 2 audience members per household. Seating will be very limited, due to the large number of participating students this year.

PFC Fundraising The Murray PFC is asking for your help in supporting our school by participating in two great fundraisers! Now through March 4, you can help our school by selling or purchasing some Helen Grace Gourmet goodies -- cookie dough, churros, pretzels, funnel cakes, and more -- as well as some beautiful re-usable shopping bags from Mixed Bag Designs. Mixed Bag Designs has added some new styles to their brochure, including cosmetic bags, tote bags, garment bags, and filing boxes, in addition to some gorgeous new prints! For Helen Grace Gourmet, simply collect orders and turn in the money and order form by March 4. For Mixed Bag Designs, you can enter your orders on www.mixedbagdesigns.net (NOT .com), and hit "enter your order" on the left side of the screen. Murray's i.d.# is 21269. After entering your order, please turn in your money collected, plus the summary order form. If you can't enter your order, we'll do it for you. If you have any questions, please contact Shari Jackman at 875-0621, or at 2oldblues@sbcglobal.net . Thank you for supporting Murray School!

Dublin Partners in Education BART Tiny

Tickets Program A great way to raise funds for our public schools

BART tickets with tiny bits of value on them that you find in your wallet, pockets and drawers have just become far more valuable to DPIE. As part of the Tiny Tickets Program, BART ticket holders may donate these tickets directly to DPIE. Connecting local resources and community needs is what the Tiny Tickets Program is all about. Please send your "tiny tickets" directly to Dublin Partners in Education at PO Box 2307 Dublin, CA 94568 or drop at any local DUSD School office.

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Help Your School Earn Money!!

Register for the 13th Annual Shamrock 5k Fun Run and Walk.

The race will begin at 8:30 am on March 13, 2011 at the Dublin Civic Center. Each year cash prizes are awarded to the Parent Faculty Clubs at each Elementary School in Dublin based on a percentage of registrations compared to student enrollment. Prizes are as follows: 1st Place $500, 2nd Place $400, 3rd Place $300, 4th Place $250, 5th Place $200, 6th Place $150, 7th Place $100 and 8th Place $100 Visit www.active.com to register or call (925) 556-4500 for a registration form.

The St Patrick’s Day Festival Saturday/Sunday, March 12 & 13

10 AM to 5 PM at the Dublin Civic Center

□ 150 craft and commercial vendor booths □ international food court □ three [3] stages of authentic Irish entertainment □ exciting rides and attractions □ fun for the entire family □ Irish Tea Cottage ~ in the Library Community Room

o Celtic harpist o storytelling o crafts o knitting o tea

□ No charge for admission to the festival and □ Parking is also FREE. If you live outside of the

Tri-Valley area - you can even take BART to the event! □ Annual Firefighter’s Pancake Breakfast at Fire Station

#16 (located on Donohue Drive & Amador Valley Blvd) Saturday morning starting at 7 AM. Tickets can be purchased at the door for $5 each.

□ Dublin Lions Club Parade (there are bleacher seats available on Amador Valley Blvd near Oil Changers). Over 80 entries – equestrian riders, clowns, Dublin School Marching Bands, bagpipes, and more! Begins promptly at 9:30 AM.

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Murray PFC is Sponsoring….

After-School Running Club at Murray Elementary Get your heart, legs, and lungs pumping…have fun after school running with your friends! Families and siblings welcome! (Must be supervised by parent/guardian.) Run or walk the track at Murray for 15 minutes every day after school (except Fridays). Starts Tuesday April 12, for 3 weeks. April 12 – April 28, 2011 (Mondays to Thursdays) Program begins 5 minutes after school lets out. Meet at the track behind the basketball courts. Run lasts for 15 minutes. **Bring water bottles.** Parents – NO late pick-ups! Rain automatically cancels. Permission Slips must be returned by March 4, 2011 I allow my child ____________________________ to participate in Murray Elementary’s After-School Running Club on April 12 – 28, 2011. Grade: ________ Teacher: ______________ Parent Signature: ______________________________________________ Yes, I can help _______ (it’s only 15 minutes!) Email and/or Phone: __________________________________________ Choices of help: 1) Stand at various spots on the track to help ensure kids stay on the track 2) Give stamps when kids complete a circle 3) Count stamps for track completions 4) Possible freezie sales if enough helpers available.

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