Picture day is Monday, Feb. 5. Picture Day for all clubs and activities, and 6th Grade class pictures (not individual pictures) is Monday, Feb. 5.  Have your children bring their uniforms (cheerleading, basketball) to school Monday morning for their group photo. Group shots will be: boys & girls basketball, Cheerleaders, Student council, chess club, Choir, Math club, Peer Mediators, Beta Club. Any questions call Shelley Schonberger 364.6065 or e-mail shelschon28@verizon.net.

 News from our special education team – Miss Bergin and Mr. Sireci

The special education program has two new members who joined our team after winter break. Ellen Hayes, a former Murch parent, is our new special education assistant. Tamara Corbin is our new speech language pathologist. She is replacing Shannon Scheuer who took a job with Georgetown University Hospital. Students in the special education program may receive specialized instruction in reading and/or math. In addition to the classroom reading curriculum, we also use the S.P.I.R.E. program. S.P.I.R.E. is a comprehensive, multi-sensory, and systematic reading and language arts program. Lessons blend visual, auditory, and kinesthetic instruction to ensure mastery. The stories in the S.P.I.R.E. curriculum are phonetically regular and only include skills that the students have been taught. Students also work in SRA Reading Labs. The reading labs enable students to read passages and complete comprehension activities on their reading level. Students are able to progress through the program at their own pace.

AP Link by Marcia Jackson

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS – MURCH RECOGNIZED AS MODEL BY DISTRICT. DCPS is currently in the process of developing a uniform emergency response model for all schools in the District to follow in developing and implementing school plans. Murch’s plan is being used as the model plan in this process. School officials are attempting to ultimately ensure that local school administrators and school staff are all equally prepared to appropriately respond to emergencies. Last week, three schools were chosen to participate in these simulated emergency situations as part of the development of the system-wide emergency response plan. Murch was one of those three schools chosen.
 
Last Friday morning we held a roundtable discussion in the Murch library with safety representatives from several DCPS offices, DCPS emergency response consultants, 2nd district police officers, and DCPS school resource officers. The topic of discussion was focused on how prepared we are as a school to respond to emergencies. One of the goals of the discussion was to provide an opportunity for school administrators and other school staff to participate in simulated tabletop activities allowing for reflective discussions that would assist us in evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of our current school emergency response plan. As we carefully thought through these simulated exercises, we were able to identify several key components that are essential to effective decision-making and appropriate action when emergency situations arise. DCPS is using Murch’s plan and the information gleaned from our discussion last Friday to develop a uniform plan for all schools in the system.

On another note, on Tuesday morning of last week, we took the opportunity as a school to practice a reverse evacuation. A reverse evacuation is when children are outside and an emergency situation arises and they must find the nearest entrance into the school to safety. We also practiced how we would respond to an entire school evacuation if we needed to leave the building and travel to safety over to St. Paul’s church. During both of these practice exercises, students demonstrated their level of readiness to respond to directions given in an emergency situation. All of us were very impressed with how well the students conducted themselves considering this was the first time this school year we had practiced these exercises. The students were focused and moved expeditiously during both exercises.

A special thank you goes to each member of the Murch safety committee – James Votaw (parent), Karen Levy, Tim Welsh, Nancy Martell-Stevenson, Nurse Hessel (retired), and Principal Albert-Garvey who spent many thoughtful hours drafting and finalizing the emergency preparedness plan last year. Mr. Votaw spent countless hours writing sections of our plan and revising our many drafts. You are to be commended! We will spend many more hours as a school community discussing, revising, constantly updating and making better the current plan to ensure that we are all prepared and safe during emergency situations. Also, I would like to extend a special thank you to Ms. Levy, 6th grade teacher, for facilitating the reverse evacuation and the school-wide evacuation to St. Paul’s last Tuesday and for participation in the roundtable discussion. The efforts of everyone during both practice exercises is recognized and greatly appreciated!

Classroom Connection by the 4th grade team – Ms. Mathur, Ms. Stapert and Ms. Martell-Stevenson
 
Fourth graders are constantly striving to reach new heights. In science, we have just completed a unit of study on Humans and Disease in which students learned about causes of disease and human defenses against them. Students conducted research and completed a project on a disease of their choice. These projects are on display in the school hallways. In social studies, we are just completing a unit of study on the location and characteristics of the First Settlements and the original thirteen colonies in North America. We have also proudly completed three cycles in our brand new Writers Workshop program so far this school year, and are now well on our way to planning and drafting realistic fiction pieces.

Community News & Classified

Murch family in need of daytime Nanny care/or Sharecare w/another family (non-Murch families welcome!). We are looking for an experienced, legal, (Spanish speaking preferred) for 2-year-old during daytime hours, and also 6-year-old after school. We offer flexible hours. We live very close to Murch. Call Cathy at 276-8104 or email us at cathyandgraham@mindspring.com if you have a referral.
Camp Arena Stage is a multi-arts camp located on the beautiful, gated campus of Georgetown Visitation. Campers choose their own schedules from a host of activities in theater, music, media, dance and visual arts. Staffed by professional artist-educators and warm, energetic counselors, Camp Arena Stage brings together diverse campers to explore, discover and create art. 4-week session: June 25 - July 20, 2007. 2-week session: July 23 - August 3, 2007. Field trips, guest artists, daily noontime shows. Before and after care and need-based scholarships available for 4-week session only.
Handyman/contractor available at reasonable prices. Friend of Murch family able to do painting, carpentry, drywall, minor plumbing & electrical work, repairs of any kind in your home. Available to work daily after 4:30 pm. Take advantage of the cold weather to get those pesky projects and repairs complete before spring! Contact Khalil Guedda at 703.929.2614. (submitted by Julia Porter)
Babysitter wanted. A family friend living close to Chevy Chase Circle is looking for a babysitter from 5:30 to 9:00 p.m. Monday through Friday for her 6 year-old.  Responsibilities include: picking up the child from school, homework, dinner, bed routine.  If you are interested please contact Cinzia: (202) 362-0110.
Si usted llegara o necesita alguna ayuda para traducir algo al espanol contacteme. Sara Villeda: telefono 202.244.7493/email savll@aol.com.

NOTE FROM THE EDITOR: The newsletter is sponsored by the HSA, whose purpose is to serve the best interests of the pupils of Murch Elementary School. Members of the Murch community may submit classifieds and announcements, consistent with this mission, to newsletter@murchschool.org, with “Murch Newsletter” on the subject line.  Submissions on behalf of for-profit enterprises will not be considered for publication.