American Heart Challenge
Our School is Heart Healthy!
Join us in our three-week campaign to learn about heart health and raise funds to protect all hearts – especially other kids’!
Through fun activities we’ll discover ways to take care of our hearts and brains while practicing kindness, gratitude and learning ways to de-stress. Plus, we have the chance to earn PE equipment for our school!
We understand that every family may not be able to donate, but all students will enjoy (and learn from) the weekly missions and have the opportunity to share about heart disease in your family and community. If you are able to help raise funds, the American Heart Association will put those to work right here in Washington D.C.
School’s direct link: http://www2.heart.org/goto/
Dates of Campaign: 2/3/2021 – 2/26/2021
Our money due date: 02/26/2021
Thank you!
Daniel Hayden and Shaquanda Gainey
Health/Physical Education
Health/Physical Education
Thank You From the Murch Staff
In December, we asked the Murch Community to contribute to the Murch Staff Holiday Gift Fund.
On behalf of the Murch staff, they say THANK YOU for the gifts given from Murch families towards the holiday gift fund!
It brightened their day and was much appreciated. Thank you for your generosity and appreciation, Murch Community!!
Teacher Honor Roll
Below are some of the notes from parents and students in appreciation of Murch teachers and staff. To add your own, send a copy of your card or note to MurchTeacherHonorRoll@gmail.com. Let's give them some love!
"To Mrs. Carney Hagen, Mrs. Webber, Mrs. Pines,
You have gone above and beyond this year to support me. Thank you for getting me over the hurdles, having faith in my abilities, and having the skills to get me where I needed to go."
-- Kindergarten Student
"Mrs. Dresback is an excellent teacher who goes above and beyond daily! Each week, she visits her students to drop off materials, and she works hard to have engaging assignments to keep the little ones engaged. She makes sure to keep parents updated and just all around rocks!"
-- Kindergarten Parent
"I would like to express my thanks and deep admiration of Ms. Rebecca McGraw. She was the first person who I met at Murch as I registered my oldest for pre-kindergarten. Ms. McGraw was so helpful and cheerful, it was a relief for a nervous parent and set a great trajectory for my kids at Murch.
Over the years, Ms. McGraw has continued to be extremely helpful and responsive (and always cheerful.) The other evening, I emailed my McGraw about a concern I was not sure how to solve at Murch. To my surprise, she emailed back 15 minutes later with the problem solved -- at 8 p.m.
Ms. McGraw is a great role model for our kids too!"
-- First and Second Grade Parent
-- Two Fourth Grade Students
"Mr. Dunnet is so keyed in to his students and such a caring and calming a presence. He makes kids excited to learn, and he goes above and beyond to make his online classroom feel like a community, where he truly cares about each individual within it. When the news stresses me out, I admit that even I enjoy eavesdropping on Mr Dunnet’s reassurance that it’s all going to be ok! My kid feels like third grade is going really well, and that’s truly remarkable under the circumstances."
-- Third Grade Parent
"Ms. Schwadron dressed up the class pet -- "Honey," the Komodo Dragon -- for the holiday. This brought our whole family together for a fun class moment before winter break! The kids in class love having a pet, even if she is virtual!"
-- Kindergarten Parent
-- Second Grade Parent
-- Pre-K Parent
-- First Grade Parent
-- Murch Parent
Over the holidays, we celebrated Murch's teachers and staff with cards or notes of thanks and encouragement. They are working so hard to provide normalcy and community to our children; we want to make sure they feel seen and appreciated.
Above are some examples of the appreciation that was sent -- and we would like to share more!
If you are comfortable sharing your praise, please send a copy of your card or note to MurchTeacherHonorRoll@gmail.com and we'll add it (without attribution to the writer) to the Murch website and social media pages. The Murch front office is receiving mail and can help ensure that mailed cards get to teachers (4810 36th St NW, Washington, DC 20008).
The 2020 SOS Campaign has raised over $62,000!
Thank you, Murch families! The 2020 SOS Campaign raised approximately $62,330 from 139 families — with 34 families contributing in the December challenge. Together we reached nearly 80% of our goal.
DCPS Term 3 Update
This post is an email sent by Chancellor Ferebee to the DCPS community on January 10, 2021. Click here to read it on the DCPS website.
Term 3 Update: In-Person Learning Expands to All Grades
Dear DCPS Community,
Last week, we bore witness to a dark moment in our nation’s history, in the town where we live and work and raise our children. We know you are feeling a range of emotions, and we are here to help. We remain inspired and encouraged by how our community continues to come together to ensure that students have the language and space to express their feelings and think critically about the significance of teachable moments. You can read more in our statement to the DCPS community.
We recognize it may be hard to focus on other items at the moment, but we want to provide an update on Term 3 reopening plans below. School reopening plans were shaped by their Reopen Community Corps that met over the past two months to determine the best path to welcome back students and staff in Term 3. They reviewed feedback from elementary and secondary learning preference surveys, led with equity to prioritize their highest need students, and helped school leaders design a tailored reopening plan for their school in Term 3.
Student seat notifications for in-person learning will begin this week, the COVID-19 vaccination process for the DCPS workforce is expected to start this month, and we invite you to join a community town hall on Wednesday, January 13 at 5:00 p.m. to learn more.
In the meantime, please continue to stay safe and take care of yourself.
In community,
Lewis D. Ferebee, Ed.D.
Chancellor
In-Person Learning Expands to All Schools in Term 3
Each school accounted for demand data in their reopening plans and, on average, will be able to serve approximately 30 percent of their students in person depending on staffing and classroom space. We look forward to welcoming up to 15,000 students in-person in Term 3, and schools will begin to notify families with seat offers this week. Your school will share more information about reopening plans and how to accept a seat. A family will always have the option to continue learning at home and can decline a matched seat. If you accept a seat, you may also switch to learning at home at any point by contacting your school.
Families will always have a choice to have their student remain learning at home, and there is no requirement to accept an in-person learning seat.
Term 3 begins on Monday, February 1, and every school will offer a range of in-person learning options and services for students. This includes In-Person Learning (IPL) Classrooms with teachers, CARE Classrooms or tutoring services with staff facilitators, and self-contained classrooms for special education students.
You can learn more about the in-person learning models being offered at dcpsreopenstrong.com/schedule/term3.
A Safe and Healthy Return to In-Person Learning
The safety of students and staff is paramount and all DCPS health and safety protocols are adhered to in schools’ reopening plans. In-person learning programs and services are limited to small group cohorts and follow DC Health guidelines. Daily PPE supplies, socially distanced classroom arrangements, and enhanced cleaning regimes are in place.
Schools will continue to provide rapid COVID-19 testing for students posing potential symptoms while at school, as well as regular testing of asymptomatic students and the provision of at-home testing kits for in-person staff to help schools remain safe for in-person learning. The COVID-19 vaccination process for the DCPS workforce is expected to start before Term 3.
Separately, students who accept an in-person seat must have a general immunization certificate on file by the start of Term 3. If you have questions about your student’s immunizations, contact your medical provider and request a copy of your student’s immunization history or call the DC Health Immunization Program at (202) 576-7130. Additionally, there are 64 immunization clinics across the city that are ready to respond to the needs of families to complete immunizations. Find a pediatric community facility location nearest you.
Key Dates in January for Families
January 11 – Schools begin sending in-person seat offers
January 13 at 5:00 p.m. – Term 3 Community Town Hall
January 18 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (DCPS closed)
January 19 – No school for students and teachers
January 20 – Inauguration Day (DCPS closed)
January 25 – Term 3 schedules available in Aspen
January 27 at 5:00 p.m. – Term 3 Community Town Hall
January 28 – Last day of Term 2; Your school will share if there will be asynchronous learning due to teacher PD
January 29 – No school for students; Records day for staff and teacher PD
Estimada comunidad de las DCPS,
La semana pasada, fuimos testigos de un momento oscuro en la historia de nuestra nación, en la ciudad donde vivimos, trabajamos y criamos a nuestros hijos. Sabemos que está sintiendo una variedad de emociones y estamos aquí para ayudarlos. Seguimos inspirados y animados por la forma en que nuestra comunidad continúa uniéndose para garantizar que los estudiantes tengan la voz y el espacio para expresar sus sentimientos y pensar de manera crucial sobre la importancia de los momentos de enseñanza. Puede leer más en nuestro informe a la comunidad de las DCPS.
Reconocemos que puede ser difícil concentrarse en otros elementos en este momento, pero a continuación queremos proporcionar noticias sobre los planes de reapertura del tercer trimestre. Los planes de reapertura de las escuelas fueron moldeados por su Grupo comunitario de reapertura que se reunió durante los últimos dos meses para determinar la mejor manera para darle la bienvenida a los estudiantes y al personal en el tercer trimestre. Ellos repasaron los comentarios de las encuestas de preferencia de aprendizaje de las escuelas primarias y secundarias, dirigidos con equidad para priorizar a los estudiantes que más lo necesitaban y ayudaron a los líderes escolares a diseñar un plan de reapertura personalizado para su escuela en el tercer trimestre.
Las notificaciones de cupos para estudiantes para el aprendizaje en persona comenzarán la esta semana, se espera que el proceso de vacunación de COVID-19 para la fuerza laboral de las DCPS comience este mes, y lo invitamos a que participe en el foro abierto comunitario el miércoles 13 de enero a las 5:00 p.m. para averiguar más.
Mientras tanto, continúe estando seguro y cuidándose.
Juntos en comunidad,
Dr. Lewis D. Ferebee
Canciller
El aprendizaje en persona se expande a todas las escuelas en el tercer trimestre
El tercer trimestre comienza el lunes 1 de febrero y cada escuela ofrecerá una variedad de opciones y servicios de aprendizaje en persona para los estudiantes. Esto incluye salones de aprendizaje en persona (IPL, por sus siglas en inglés) con maestros, salones CARE o servicios de tutoría con moderadores del personal y salones independientes para estudiantes de educación especial.
Las familias siempre tendrán la opción de que sus hijos(as) continúen con el aprendizaje en casa, y no es necesario aceptar un cupo de aprendizaje en persona.
Cada escuela tuvo en cuenta los datos de solicitud de los planes de reapertura y, en promedio, podrá proporcionar los servicios a aproximadamente el 30 por ciento de sus estudiantes en persona, dependiendo del personal y el espacio de los salones. Esperamos darle la bienvenida a hasta 15,000 estudiantes en persona en el tercer trimestre, y las escuelas comenzarán a avisar a las familias con ofertas de cupos la esta semana. Su escuela compartirá más información sobre los planes de reapertura y cómo aceptar un cupo. Una familia siempre tendrá la opción de continuar aprendiendo en casa y puede rechazar un cupo correspondido. Si acepta un cupo, también puede cambiar al aprendizaje en casa en cualquier momento solo comuníquese con su escuela.
Puede obtener más información sobre los modelos de aprendizaje en persona que se ofrecen en dcpsreopenstrong.com/schedule/term3.
Un regreso seguro y saludable al aprendizaje en persona
La seguridad de los estudiantes y del personal es primordial y todos los protocolos de las DCPS de salud y seguridad se cumplen en los planes de reapertura de las escuelas. Los programas y servicios de aprendizaje en persona se limitan a grupos pequeños y siguen las pautas del Departamento de salud del Distrito de Columbia (DC Health). Se cuenta con suministros diarios de equipo de protección personal (PPE, por sus siglas en inglés), arreglos de los salones socialmente distanciados y regímenes de limpieza mejorados.
Las escuelas continuarán proporcionando pruebas rápidas de COVID-19 para los estudiantes que presenten síntomas potenciales mientras están en la escuela, así como pruebas regulares de estudiantes asintomáticos y la provisión de kits de prueba para el hogar para el personal presencial para ayudar a las escuelas a permanecer seguras durante el aprendizaje en persona. Se espera que el proceso de vacunación de COVID-19 para la fuerza laboral de las DCPS comience antes del tercer trimestre.
Por separado, los estudiantes que aceptan un cupo en persona deben tener un certificado de vacunación general en su historial al comienzo del tercer trimestre. Si tiene preguntas sobre las vacunas de su hijo(a), comuníquese con su doctor y solicite una copia del historial de vacunación de su hijo(a) o llame al Programa de vacunación de salud del Distrito de Columbia al (202) 576-7130. Además, hay 64 clínicas de inmunización en toda la ciudad que están listas para responder a las necesidades de las familias para administrar las vacunas. Encuentre una instalación comunitaria pediátrica más cerca a usted.
Fechas clave de enero para las familias
11 de enero – Las escuelas comienzan a enviar ofertas para los cupos presenciales.
13 de enero a las 5:00 p.m. – Foro abierto comunitario acerca del tercer trimestre
18 de enero – Día de Martin Luther King, Jr. (las DCPS están cerradas).
19 de enero – No hay clases para los estudiantes y para los maestros.
20 de enero – Día de inauguración (las DCPS están cerradas).
25 de enero – El programa del tercer trimestre está disponible en Aspen.
27 de enero a las 5:00 p.m. – Foro abierto comunitario acerca del tercer trimestre
28 de enero – Ultimo día del segundo trimestre; Su escuela le dirá si proporcionará aprendizaje asincrónico debido al desarrollo profesional de maestros.
29 de enero – No hay clases para los estudiantes y para los maestros; Día de registros para el personal y desarrollo profesional de maestros.
Winter Coat Drive for Ages 4-12
To Be Well Fed a non-profit organization started and run by a Murch family, is organizing a coat drive for homeless and at-risk students from Southeast Academy and Eagle Academy charter schools in the Congress Heights neighborhood of Southeast DC. Both schools are located in Ward 8 in Anacostia, and struggle with a variety of social and economic issues that profoundly impact the ability of students to readily access learning.
At Southeast Academy alone, before the pandemic, more than 60 elementary students were classified as homeless. To Be Well Fed provides groceries to 80 students and families each week.
Both schools typically receive winter jackets from community groups organizing winter coat drives, but during the pandemic many of these groups have not been operating, and as a result the schools are short of badly needed winter jackets.
We would like to provide both schools with a supply of NEW winter coats for ages 4-12 and will be collecting them through January 15 for delivery the following week. This would be a great opportunity for the Murch community to provide support to a community of students and families on the other side of town.
You can drop-off NEW jackets at the homes of two Murch families:
Elissa Silverman
4618 Reno Road, NW
Amy Turner
4521 29th Street, NW
Or purchase through an Amazon Wish List and the coats will be delivered directly to the drive organizers.
For more information, please contact:
Alicia Kiyvyra
ToBeWellFedDC@gmail.com
415-658-1964
Thanks so much in advance for your support and generosity!
December 1, 2020 HSA Minutes
Canned Food Drive Thank You and Murch Directory Info
Thank you to the Murch Community for your amazing generosity!
As a result of your efforts, we were able to donate over 100 bags of canned goods and non-perishables to the Capital Area Food Bank (CAFB).
About a two-thirds of your donations were donated directly to the CAFB distribution center maintained at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, right across the street from Murch.
The remainder were taken to the central distribution center in Northeast. All donations were hugely appreciated and will make a difference to the lives of local families. Thank you!!
If you were unable to come get a Murch Directory on Saturday, please be on the lookout for announcements on future distribution opportunities.
Murch Staff Holiday Gift Fund
As a community, Murch Elementary School has risen to every challenge in 2020. Teachers, students, and parents + caregivers have adapted in ways that were just unthinkable in 2020.
At this time of year of celebration and reflection, please consider making a donation to the HSA’s Murch Staff Holiday Gift Fund by Dec. 20, 2020.
This fund is not for individual classroom teachers (that is handled by HSA room parents for each class) but for every member of Murch staff that supports our students in other ways. This includes the resource team (music, art and PE); instructional support staff (library, math and reading support); special education team; ELL staff; mental health and social work staff; custodial and maintenance staff; and front office staff.
While school hasn’t been physically open as normal, we’ve seen the extensive teaching preparation and joy from resource classes as our students sing, draw and exercise. Murch families have needed unprecedented levels of support from help recovering from house fires to the ongoing impact of COVID leading to job loss + instability — Murch’s mental health and social work team have answered every call for help. Custodians and maintenance staff have kept our building ready and prepared for the safe return of students once more. And the Murch office continues to be there for each of us to answer questions, help troubleshoot and show us what it means to serve the community.
Please help us thank them with a donation to the HSA’s Murch Staff Holiday Gift Fund! (Suggested amount is $30-$40, but any amount is welcome.)
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