To view the September 3, 2024 HSA meeting minutes, please click here.
Sleep Therapy for Adults
Luisa Palloni, LICSW is a Murch mom and DC-based clinical social worker who specializes in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I). Through her telehealth-based private practice, Behavioral Sleep Services LLC, she provides convenient and effective treatment to adults who are looking for a solution to their sleep problems. CBT-I is a short term, research-based treatment that is specifically designed for people who have trouble falling and staying asleep. It’s also widely considered to be the gold standard for insomnia treatment by organizations such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM).
If you would like to learn more, check out the practice website at behavioralsleepservices.com or reach out to Luisa directly at lpalloni@behavioralsleepservices.com.
Student Portraits from Freed Photography Now Available!
Murch student portraits are now online for viewing and ordering! You should have received an email from Freed Photography with your student's private gallery information. If you have not received this email (check your spam too), please contact Freed Photography at support@freedphoto.com or call 301-652-5452.
Circle Yoga Kids & Family Yoga Classes
Circle Yoga is your neighborhood mindfulness and yoga studio for kids and adults. Their classes for kids, teens, and families are designed to teach yoga and mindfulness through the playful use of yoga poses, breathing techniques, relaxation practices, and meditation. Circle Yoga is offering one free class for new students. For more information, please click HERE.
Deal Middle School Open Houses
Alice Deal Middle School invites feeder school families to join for their next virtual and in-person open house events. Prospective families can come learn about Deal, meet our team and community!In-Person
5th Grade Families – HERE WE GROW! Join Alice Deal Middle School in one of our open houses! Come by to visit Deal’s campus, meet with Principal Neal, and participate in student guided tours. We look forward to meeting you!
- Saturday, March, 22, 2025 from 10:00am-12:00pm
- Wednesday, April 2, 2025 from 5:00-6:30pm
- Saturday, April 26, 2025 from 10:00am-12:00pm
- Wednesday, May 21, 2025 from 5:00-6:30pm
- Saturday, May 31, 2025 from 10:00am-12:00pm
Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy and Academic Support from District Kids
Kristin Pillay, M.Ed, LICSW and Kim Palombo, PH.D, C-SLDS of District Kids: Center for Minds and Hearts, a comprehensive child and adolescent outpatient practice made up of former school educators, are offering additional support for children and families through Comprehensive Psychoeducational Assessments, Academic Support for kids and teens, and Child and Adolescent Individual and Group Therapy (with after school and Saturday availability now!).
Also, don’t miss theirDyslexia Screening Clinic on Saturday, October 19th. All families will receive screening results and reading resources. Sign up at www.districtkids.org.
District Kids: Center for Minds and Hearts is conveniently located at 5506 Connecticut Avenue NW between Mamma Lucia’s and Parthenon restaurant.
For more information, contact them at info@districtkids.org or 202-455-0706.
Important Attendance Reminders
Dear Parent/Guardian:
Our goal this year is to ensure that every student attends school regularly.
We realize some absences are unavoidable due to health problems or other circumstances. However, we also know that when students miss too much school — regardless of the reason — it can cause them to fall behind academically. Research shows:
- Children chronically absent in kindergarten and 1st grade are much less likely to read at grade level by the end of 3rd
- By 6th grade, chronic absence is a proven early warning sign for students at risk of dropping out of school.
- By 9th grade, good attendance can predict graduation rates even better than 8th grade test scores.
Absences can add up quickly. A child is chronically absent if he or she misses just two days every month!
Going to school regularly matters! Here are some frequently asked questions and answers: FAQ
Here are a few practical tips to help support regular attendance:
- Make sure your children keep a regular bedtime and establish a morning routine.
- Lay out clothes and pack backpack the night before.
- Ensure your children go to school every day unless they are sick.
- Avoid scheduling vacations or doctor’s appointments when school is in session.
- Talk to teachers and counselors for advice if your children feel anxious about going to school.
- Develop back-up plans for getting to school if something comes up. Call on a family member, neighbor, or another parent to take your child to school.
If your child will be absent for whatever reason, please fill out the Murch Absence Form found below. You can also find the link on the Murch website (www.murchschool.org):
As a reminder, an absence is only excused for the following reasons: Illness (a doctor’s note is needed after 5 consecutive days), medical or dental appointments, death in one’s immediate family, court activity, religious holidays or events, school visits (up to one day) or visiting a parent prior to military deployment.
For the 2024-2025 school year, DC Public Schools (DCPS) elementary schools will implement the “60/40” attendance policy as required by the DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE). This means if your child attends school for less than 60% of the day, it will be tracked as a 60/40 absence. This applies to both excused and unexcused absences. (See 5-A DCMR § 2199.1.)
To support your child being marked present for the full day, please make sure they arrive on time and stay until the close of the school day every day. Please note that the following late arrivals and/or early dismissals will result in your child being considered legally absent for the day:
- Students arriving after 11:25 a.m.
- Students leaving before 12:35 p.m.
- Students arriving late and leaving early and missing more than 40% of the scheduled school day.
You can review the complete DCPS Attendance and Truancy Policy for additional information.
Let us know how we can best support you and your children so that they can show up for school on time every day. If you have any questions or need more information, please contact your child’s school at Murch ES, (202) 282-0130 or email Murch.Attendance@k12.dc.gov.
Sincerely,
Attendance Team
Join Sticks + Bars Youth Marimba Ensemble
Sticks + Bars is DC’s first and only African-style youth marimba band! Our ensemble is dedicated to shining a light on the vibrant music of various African countries including, but not limited to Zimbabwe, Kenya, Tanzania, and Southern Africa. In addition to this we honor the musical stylings of countries worldwide, taking pride in providing our students with early exposure to cultural diversity through music.
Sticks + Bars has performed at the Kennedy Center on the Millennium Stage, at Strathmore Hall with Ladysmith Black Mambazo, at Ithaca College in NY, for the American Orff Schulwerk Professional Development Conference in Atlantic City, NJ as well as at various farmers markets and festivals in the DC area. DC students in grades 5-12 are encouraged to join us in our global musical exhibition! No previous musical experience is required.
For information about the Fall program, please click here.
Parent Advisory and Engagement Team – Applications Due September 6
Dear Families,
Murch Elementary School is forming a Parent Advisory and Engagement Team to enhance collaboration and inclusivity within our school community. This initiative aims to ensure that all voices are heard and valued, particularly those from historically underserved and underrepresented groups.
By actively involving parents in decision-making processes and fostering an environment of equity, the team will work to create a supportive and inclusive atmosphere that promotes the academic and social growth of every student. Together, we can build stronger connections between families and the school community to ensure that every child has the opportunity to thrive and reach their goals.
As a member of the Murch Parent Advisory and Engagement Team, you may be asked to participate in the following:
Advocacy and Awareness: Promote awareness about equity issues within the school community. This might involve organizing workshops, creating informational materials, or leading discussions on topics like race, socioeconomic status, disabilities, and other forms of diversity.
Policy Review and Recommendations: Collaborate with school administrators to review and develop policies that promote equity. This can include evaluating current practices and suggesting improvements to ensure all students have equal opportunities.
Community Engagement: Build bridges between the school and diverse community groups. This could involve organizing events that celebrate different cultures, facilitating dialogue between parents and school staff, or connecting families with community resources.
Student Support: Work with teachers and administrators to ensure that the needs of all students are met. This might include advocating for tailored support for students with disabilities, English language learners, or those from underrepresented backgrounds.
The team requires a full-year commitment from 10-12 parents dedicated to this work. We invite you to join us on this journey.
If you are interested, please complete this simple application by Friday, September 6. The first meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 25. Once the team has been finalized, a survey will be sent to to the group to poll future meeting dates and times.
For more information on the DCPS Equity Framework, please click here.
Best regards,
Principal Cebrzynski
Kids Up Reading Coaches
Is your child or teen reading below grade level? Is spelling a struggle? Is it affecting their self-confidence?
At Kids Up Reading Coaches we help students catch up to their peers in MONTHS, not years, with:
- 1-on-1, evidence-based instruction, customized to YOUR student’s needs
- 30/45/60 minute sessions over Zoom, to accommodate your schedule
- Weekly progress updates for parents
We follow the Science of Reading and use the Orton-Gillingham approach to phonics. We work with students in grades 1-12, including those with dyslexia, learning disabilities in reading and writing, ADHD, ASD, and more.
Our Guarantee: Try it for a week. Love it, or it’s on us!
Visit KidsUpReadingCoaches.com to learn more and to schedule a free consultation.