BeyondMurch – Murch Elementary School

Register for Murch Chess Club – Fall Session Starts Oct. 26

Clare Carr — Sat, 26 Sep 2026 19:47:29 +0000

Silver Knights Chess Academy is offering a chess club on Mondays for the fall!
Sign up directly to continue the progression, sharpen their strategy and enjoy the game with fellow chess players.

Clubs are a mixture of lessons, activities, and games. We welcome all skill levels. Register here.

Details:

When: Mondays, Oct 26 – Dec. 14 (no club Nov. 2)
Time: 3:30–4:30 PM
Who: K-5, all skill levels
Cost: $129 for the 6-week session

Register by scanning the QR code on the flyer or visiting: https://chessacademy.com/products/murch-elementary-chess-club

Questions or financial aid inquiries: info@chessacademy.com or 703-574-2070.

Free “Pass It On” Basketball Clinic with Murch Alum – Saturday, June 20

Barry Mills — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 22:18:21 +0000

Looking to sharpen your basketball skills this summer? Murch alum Aaron Brin (Class of 2020) and current varsity basketball player at Sidwell Friends School is hosting a free basketball skills clinic for Murch students and members of the community.

Open to rising 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders, this clinic is a great opportunity to learn new skills, build confidence on the court, and have fun with fellow young athletes.

Saturday, June 20
9:00–10:00 AM
Murch Playground

Only 20 spots available — register today!

RISE Summer Bridge Program at Deal Middle School

Barry Mills — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 21:44:12 +0000

RISE is a summer bridge program designed to help rising 6th grade students feel confident and excited about their transition to Deal. The program introduces students to all things Deal while building connections and confidence.

For registration information, please see the link in this week’s HSA newsletter.

Join the DC Public Library’s Discover Summer Program!

Barry Mills — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 21:06:58 +0000

Dive into books this summer with the Discover Summer program at the DC Public Library! Complete a summer reading bingo card by doing activities such as reading for 20 minutes or asking a librarian for a book recommendation. Do just three of these activities and you will earn two FREE tickets to a Nats game AND a mini custard at Shake Shack.

The program is for kids and adults, so you can sign up the whole family! Register online or at any branch of the DC Public Library.

Future Stars Aftercare Registration Now Open

Barry Mills — Fri, 22 May 2026 00:05:47 +0000

Registration is now open for Future Stars, Murch’s new before- and after-care partner for the 2026–2027 school year!

To register, visit t hefuturestars.net and click:
Locations → Murch ES → Register

Please note that all families must first purchase a $75 Family Membership before enrolling in Before Care, After Care, or both.

As part of the registration process, families will also be asked to review and sign the Future Stars Parent Guidebook. The guidebook includes important information regarding:

Payment policies
Cancellation procedures
Behavior expectations
Arrival and dismissal logistics
Communication expectations
Additional program procedures

To view the Future Stars Parent Guidebook, please click HERE.

Questions? Please contact the Future Stars team at murch@thefuturestars.net.

Please note: Wonders will also continue at Murch next year.

Join Screenwise Families DC – Stay Connected on Tech & Kids

Barry Mills — Fri, 01 May 2026 10:40:31 +0000

Following last week’s sold-out Screenagers screening at the Avalon Theatre, many families expressed enthusiasm for staying connected and continuing the conversation—and we’re excited to help!

We invite you to join Screenwise Families DC, a new WhatsApp group designed to connect, inform, and support families who want to work together to delay the introduction of social media and smartphones, and to help children build healthy, thoughtful tech habits.

Join Screenwise Families DC here

Let’s keep the conversation going and support one another in raising screenwise kids!

Capital Cotillion – Registration Now Open!

Abigail Shawn — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 04:24:37 +0000

Looking for a unique opportunity for your child to build confidence, learn social etiquette, and have fun with peers? Capital Cotillion offers a wonderful program where students practice manners, dressing up, and social dancing in a welcoming, structured environment.

A Murch parent shared that their children have participated for several years and found it to be an enriching and memorable experience—and many Murch families may not yet be aware of it!

Pre-registration for the 2026–2027 school year is now open, and classes tend to fill quickly in the spring. Families are encouraged to sign up early to secure their preferred schedule.

Learn more and register HERE
Questions? Contact accounting@capitalcotillion.com

Feel free to share with friends—this is a great opportunity for students to learn lifelong social skills while having fun!

Smartphones & Social Media: Resources for Parents – Building Community Action

Barry Mills — Fri, 06 Mar 2026 09:58:25 +0000

As conversations about technology’s impact on kids continue, the Murch parent-led Delaying Social Media and Smartphones Workgroup is sharing resources to help families decide how and when tech enters their children’s lives.

Why pay attention? A recent New York Times article, “A Smartphone Before Age 12 Could Carry Health Risks, Study Says,” highlights a 2026 study linking early smartphone access to higher rates of depression, poor sleep, and obesity among youth.

Need more convincing? Listen to this short clip from Michelle Obama’s interview with Jonathan Haidt about device pressure and building resilience on her podcast IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson.

What action can you take now? Explore smartphone alternatives like landlines, limited-feature watches, flip phones, and more at Smartphone Free Childhood US.

It’s easier when we do it together. Join the growing community of Murch families working to delay social media and smartphones. Reach out to Meredith Katz (katzdc@gmail.com) if you are interested in hearing more!

🌱 Girl Sprouts – A New Girl Scouts Program for Pre-K Girls

Abigail Shawn — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 21:16:20 +0000

Girl Scouts Nation’s Capital (GSNC) invites families to explore Girl Sprouts, a new program designed especially for Pre-K girls! Girls who are at least 4 years old and will be entering Kindergarten next school year are invited to join.

Girl Sprouts introduces preschool girls to the Girl Scouts experience through fun, age-appropriate activities. Participants will explore STEM, the outdoors, and teamwork, while learning important values like honesty, kindness, sharing, and friendship—all while having lots of fun!

Click HERE for more details and to register.

[pdf-embedder url=”https://murchschool.org/2015/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Girl-Sprouts-Spring-2026.pdf” title=”Girl Sprouts Spring 2026″]

☀️ Wonders Summer Camp is Almost Here!

Barry Mills — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 22:25:53 +0000

Give your child a summer filled with adventure, creativity, and fun! Campers ages 5–12 will enjoy weekly themes, exciting field trips, pool days, S.T.E.A.M. activities, sports, and hands-on learning—all in a safe, supportive camp environment.

Location: Bethesda Elementary School
Schedule: Monday–Friday | 7:30 AM–6:00 PM

Spots are filling quickly—secure your child’s place today!

Questions? Email summercamp@wonderslearning.org