Photo Gallery

The Home and School Association supports Murch in a variety of ways. In the 2009-2010 school year, among other things the HSA:

• Employs three classroom aides to complement the paraprofessionals provided by DCPS, in order to ensure that there is an aide in every Pre-K and Kindergarten classroom, and one aide per grade level in Grades 1-5.
• Employs four lunch and recess aides, to maximize teacher planning time and make recess a positive and safe experience for all Murch students.
• Provides funds for a "permanent" substitute teacher to create consistency in the classrooms and to enable teachers to have time to engage in professional development.
• Makes grants to teachers for classroom purchases, including technology, curricula and other teaching materials.
• Supports partnerships with organizations in the DC area to enhance classroom instruction.
• Runs a substitute teacher training program to ensure that we have a contingent of well qualified substitutes familiar with Murch, its students, and its practices.
• Provides a field trip fund so each grade level can take full advantage of resources in and around Washington DC.
• Finances improvements to Murch’s buildings and grounds.
• Underwrites school entertainment programs such as the annual talent show and the spring play.
• Maintains the school website.
• Produces Murch’s bi-weekly newsletter, the Murch Mustang Express.

The HSA is able to provide this support through the generous contributions of Murch families. The HSA has an annual gross revenue of approximately $250,000, 80 percent of which is spent on classroom and instructional support. The majority of these funds are raised through two annual events: the fall Staff Our School Campaign and the spring auction.