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.
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.
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.
Kids Up Reading Coaches
Many bright and capable students find reading and writing harder than expected. Whether it’s dyslexia, dysgraphia, COVID or just not enough classroom instruction, these challenges can chip away at kids’ confidence and make school frustrating.
At Kids Up Reading Tutors, we provide one-on-one tutoring for students in grades 1–12. Our approach is grounded in the Science of Reading—using Orton-Gillingham and other evidence-based methods proven to help struggling readers build lasting skills.
We use systematic, explicit instruction to:
- Strengthen phonological skills (the foundation of reading and spelling)
- Master phonics and spelling rules
- Build fluency and comprehension
- Develop confidence as independent readers and writers
Every child deserves to feel capable and confident. With the right support, they can thrive.
Learn more at www.KidsUpReadingTutors.com
August 1, 2024: Back to School Info, Enrollment and Class Assignments
Dear Murch Families,
As we enter August, anticipation fills the air with the promise of a new academic year just around the corner. I am thrilled to welcome back our students and the entire school community on August 26th. Our faculty and staff will continue to prepare for the return of both our returning and new students to Murch, ensuring that our classrooms are not only safe but also nurturing environments where your children can thrive.
One important update I’d like to share is about enrollment and student-teacher assignments. We have over 40 seats to fill to reach our enrollment projection of 661 students, which I am confident we will meet. That said, this creates some uncertainty in predicting final numbers for grade levels/individual classes at this time. The leadership team will be monitoring enrollment over the next two weeks. Once we can confidently finalize grade-level enrollment, we will send class assignments to you.
In my next update, to be sent on Monday, August 5th and posted to the HSA website, I am excited to introduce several new staff members who will be joining our Murch family as well as initiatives, in conjunction with DCPS’s new five-year strategic plan, aimed at enriching the educational experience for our students. From a focus on improving to new extracurricular activities, we are committed to providing a well-rounded education that caters to the diverse needs and interests of our students.
We understand that the transition back to school can be a time of mixed emotions for both children and parents. Please know that we are here to support you every step of the way. In the coming days/weeks, I will be sharing more information including, but not limited to our back-to-school procedures, the implementation of STRONG START (which will take the place of the morning meeting), our new staff members, and our Sneak Peek on August 23rd.
Your partnership is vital to the success of our school and your children’s education. We encourage you to get involved, whether it be through volunteering, joining our HSA, or simply engaging with your child’s learning at home. Together, we can make this a fantastic year filled with growth, learning, and joy.
Please mark your calendars for our Back-to-School Night on September 5th, where you will have the opportunity to meet our teachers, visit the classrooms, and learn more about the curriculum and our goals for the year ahead.
In closing, I want to express my deepest gratitude for your continued support and trust in our school. We are honored to be a part of your child’s educational journey and look forward to seeing their smiling faces on the first day of school.
Warm regards,
Principal Cebrzynski