UPCOMING DATES

May 5-6                 Murch Day at Politics & Prose
May 10                   Shining Stars Talent Show, 7:30 pm
May 18                   Parent-Teacher Conference Day – NO SCHOOL
May 19                   Murch Rummage Sale

June 8                     Field Day

Co-Presidents' News by Michelle Cochran and Martha Saccocio

The school year is wrapping up, and we will be voting on some important things for the next school year on Tuesday evening at the HSA Meeting at 7 p.m. Please try to attend – there will be childcare (aka movie night) for school age children for $5 per child, $10 max per family. We will be voting for MDT representatives, for the HSA 
Executive Board, AND approving the proposed HSA budget for next year. Hope to 
see you there.

The HSA is looking for folks to help us with our IT needs. What would be great would be someone (s) who could work with Principal Albert-Garvey on a weekend or two to assess the IT situation at Murch and help to recommend ways to address some of the problems. Please contact us if you can help.

A special thank you to Julia Porter and Shelley Schonberger for helping out in a pinch (again!) and running the open house tours last Friday.

Michelle Cochran MichelleCochran@starpower.net

Martha Saccocio MarthaNS@aol.com

The Murch Cheerleaders ended the year with victory in a flawless performance at the Six Flags American Cheer and Dance Competition. The kicks, the lifts, the smiles and the enthusiasm definitely drew the attention of the judges as the Marvelous Murch Mustangs took first place in the medium-sized Elementary School Division. With first place in the DCIAA Regionals and the District of Columbia City Champions in the Novice Division, this has been a tremendous season for the
Cheerleaders. Congratulations to all of the winners and a special heartfelt thank you to Coach Tiffany Reed, Coach Laura and Cheer Mom Yvette Whittaker for their efforts, leadership, and support to all of our girls and the Murch Cheerleading program. Submitted by Karen Britton (Ashley – McCoy)

Pace Car Program. Children and bicyclists have a right to use the city streets if they obey the traffic laws. Vehicles must also obey the traffic laws. Often, especially during rush hour, our city streets look more like a NASCAR track. Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) has a new traffic-calming program—the DC Neighborhood Pace Car. The participating driver signs a “pace car” pledge to obey the speed limit. City “pace cars” will set the example in traffic. Pace car programs have been used in Atlanta, Georgia and Palo Alto, California. WABA awarded Mrs. Timony’s class $100 for having the most parent pledges to support the DC Pace Car Program. Clare Hall and Andrew Nadeau, our student council representatives, accepted the award from our city council representative, Ms. Cheh.

Rummage Sale Call for Volunteers. Can you help with this year’s rummage sale? If you love rummage/estate/yard sales like I do, come join us and have some fun!! The sale is set for Saturday, May 19th at Murch from 8 am–1 pm. We need help the week before the sale and on the day of the sale in the following categories: Sorting and pricing, driving to pick up large items, early bird set-up on Saturday morning, strong men/women to lift and move items, cashiers, door monitors and clean-up. If you were there last year, you know how much fun this is!! Contact Julia Porter at mentalpie@rcn.com or cell 210.9083.

Got Junk? Your trash is another’s treasure! Drop off your rummage sale donations in the gym the week before the sale, beginning Monday, May 14, 8 am–4 pm; Tuesday, May 15, 8 am–4 pm; Wednesday, May 16, 8 am–8 pm; and Thursday, May 17, 8 am–8 pm.  We’d love your books, electronics, furniture, knick-knacks, toys, kid’s clothes, baby items (but no adult clothes please). Donations are tax deductible and all proceeds go to support Murch.

The HSA Nominating Committee solicited Murch parents to run for positions on the Murch Development Team (MDT) and the Home School Association (HSA) for the 2007-2008 school year. We are pleased to announce our efforts have resulted in a team of parents to serve the Murch community in the upcoming school year, bringing with them a wealth of skills, experience, and enthusiasm. None of the positions on the HSA or, for the first time in several years, the MDT, were contested, meaning a ballot vote is not necessary. To introduce the 2007-2008 members of the MDT and HSA, their photos and statements will be sent to you this week via backpacks. We encourage everyone to come to the Tuesday, May 9 HSA meeting during which the candidates will be formally selected.

In Kindergarten the children are currently writing ‘How-to’ books during Writers’ Workshop. Children choose topics that they can teach to others (ex. How to plant a seed or How to wash hands). They plan and sometimes act out their How-to books with a partner. They draw a sequence of pictures, number them and write using language that directs the reader through a set of steps. The partner checks for clarity. Our young writers are learning about logical thinking and are producing more detailed writing.

The Fourth Grade and Electronic Field Trip (EFT)
The time has finally arrived! Four fourth grade students accompanied by teachers Mrs. Martell-Stevenson and Mrs. Stapert have left for Juneau, Alaska. They will be joined by Mrs. Albert-Garvey over the weekend. They will be visiting with students at a Juneau school and participating in activities to learn about the local geography and culture. Then the four students will participate in hosting a live broadcast, which can be viewed on the internet or cable television throughout the country. The fourth grade students at Murch will be viewing the broadcast, which is scheduled for Tuesday, May 8, at the Murch library. This program is provided by the EFT program of the Ball State University in collaboration with education staff from the National Museum of the American Indian, Washington DC

Each of the fourth grade classes has been preparing all year for this event. As part of our social studies curriculum we learned about the great migration across the Bering Straits and the establishment of the Native American cultures. We have visited the National Museum of the American Indian, Washington DC on two occasions, specifically to view the traveling exhibit on the Northwest Indian Nations called “Listening to our Ancestors”. We have also read and analyzed folklore in our traditional literature unit, which gave the students a glimpse into the geography and culture of the tribes in Alaska. We have read stories about the famous Iditarod race that takes place each year, and about salmon fishing in Alaska. In the last few days we have watched webisodes on the EFT website, which are prerecorded videos on different topics. The website is a great resource for students and teachers for extending learning about Alaska. The teacher section contains lesson plans, which the three fourth grade Murch teachers helped to create in collaboration with the Museum staff and teachers from Alaska. The student section contains lots of information, pictures, games and puzzles. You can access the website atwww.bsu.edu/eft/ancestors, username: pacific and password: coast. And don’t forget the live broadcast on May 8 (11 am and 1 pm)!

First graders have been teaching their friends “How-To” do many different things during the non-fiction writing unit. Writers have identified areas of their own expertise, and written sequential, illustrated pieces called “How To...” about each one. We are now using our expertise to write “All About” books. Come in and see how many experts we have! In Science, first graders are studying earth science. We have created rock collections and have examined them with magnifiers. We have identified different types of rocks, and have even seen fossils.
We are working hard and having lots of fun. Look for our beautiful bulletin boards in the main hallway.

Community News & Classifieds

CCCC ART CONTEST for Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. This contest is open to all DC Public and Charter School students. Prize: $50 for each winner. Art must represent Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. The Chinatown Community Cultural Center (CCCC) will select two winners from each group. The winners will be notified by May 20. Art will be on display at the CCCC from May 21 to May 25. CCCC will not return art entries until notified by artist by contacting info@ccccdc.org and arranging a pick up time.
Send or deliver artwork with name, age, school, email, or contact number to: Chinatown Community Cultural Center, 616 H Street, NW, #201, Washington, DC 20001. Entries must be received by 5 pm on May 16. Please visit www.ccccdc.org for more information.

SPORTS DAY AT TURTLE PARK, MAY 5TH. It’s the First Annual Sports Day for the whole family at Turtle Park. Basketball and Tennis clinics will run 9 am to 11 am for ages 15+ and under 15. Tournaments will run from 11 am to 2 pm. We’ll have prizes and giveaways in what promises to be a fun day to spend with neighbors and family.

Former Murch mom expanding her business. Columbia Heights Cleaning. House cleaning available weekly, biweekly, monthly. Great rates and excellent references. Contact Badia at 462.1408 or 258.6174.
 
Part-time school assistant needed starting in September 2007 at Auguste Montessori directly across from Murch, hours 9–11:30 am Monday–Friday. Joyful environment, children ages 2 1/2 – 6. Must be able to be firm but kind and enjoy working with children and preparing craft materials. Please call and leave message on admin line 237.1788 and send resume toaugustement@aol.comor drop-off at 3600 Ellicott Street, NW.

House for rent. Lafayette ES family offers a bright, light-filled 4-5 BR/2B townhome for rent in the Murch district. Home has a brand new kitchen, breakfast room, S/S appliances, separate DR and LR and fireplace. House has hrdwd flrs, CAC, deck, and more. Available 6/15/07. Call Anne at 301.362.1065 with questions or to see the house. Submitted by Nicole Mintz

Si usted llegara o necesita alguna ayuda para traducir algo al espanol contacteme. Sara Villeda: telefono 202.244.7493/email savll@aol.com