News & Highlights – Murch Elementary School https://murchschool.org Home and School Association Fri, 09 Oct 2026 13:31:15 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1.3 https://murchschool.org/2015/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/cropped-AugLogo-32x32.gif News & Highlights – Murch Elementary School https://murchschool.org 32 32 Pre-Order Your Fall Fair Tickets! https://murchschool.org/fall-tickets-now-on-sale/ Thu, 08 Oct 2026 16:07:46 +0000 https://murchschool.org/?p=25115 Avoid the lines and pre-order your Fall Fair tickets today! Tickets are required for all food, games, and crafts, and can be picked up at “Will Call” on the day of the Fair.

Pre-ordering is the fastest way to dive straight into the fun — no waiting, just playing! Learn more about the Fall Fair here.

You can also select to donate tickets so that Murch can support students who may not otherwise be able to access tickets. Thank you in advance!

Should you need financial assistance, please contact Ms. Miller (lauren.miller@k12.dc.gov) for help with tickets.

]]> Wear Orange for Unity Day – Wednesday, Oct. 21 https://murchschool.org/unity-day/ Wed, 07 Oct 2026 09:36:25 +0000 https://murchschool.org/?p=23607

Bullying Prevention Week is coming up!  And, on Wednesday, October 21, it’s the annual Unity Day!  This is the day to wear orange to show that we are together against bullying, and united for kindness, acceptance, and inclusion.

 

]]> 🧥 Check the Lost & Found By Oct. 19 https://murchschool.org/%f0%9f%a7%a5-dont-forget-to-check-the-lost-found-by-june-12/ Wed, 07 Oct 2026 02:19:25 +0000 https://murchschool.org/?p=26383 Missing a jacket, water bottle, lunch box, or favorite sweatshirt? Be sure to check the Murch Lost & Found — located in the main entrance.

Families will have from Thursday, Oct 6 through through conference day (10/13) and until noon on 10/19.  After that point, anything not picked up will be donated.

Please encourage your student to take a look — there are lots of items waiting to be reunited with their owners!

]]> Calling All Murch Families to Support Our School! https://murchschool.org/calling-all-murch-families-to-support-our-school-2/ Tue, 06 Oct 2026 05:03:40 +0000 https://murchschool.org/?p=23587 Dear Murch Community,

Every day, our teachers and staff give our kids their best. This fall, we’re asking our community to give a little back.

Today we’re kicking off our Support Our School Campaign, our annual fundraising campaign for Murch. Our goal this year is $110,000, and we’d love every family to be part of it.

Where your gift goes
We’re all lucky to be part of an amazing school, but the school budget doesn’t cover everything that makes Murch feel like home. SOS funds help bring to life:

  • After-school programs
  • Performing arts activities
  • Field trips
  • Coffee on the playground
  • Classroom and office supplies
  • Teacher and staff appreciation
  • Community events
  • And much more

These dollars help our teachers, and they help make sure every child can take part, including students who might otherwise miss out. When we raise this money together, it benefits everyone in our building.

Ways to give

  • ONLINE: Visit this link to make your gift via credit card.
  • Donor-advised fund (DAF): You can recommend a grant to the “Ben W Murch Home and School Association” through your DAF sponsor’s usual process. Our EIN is 52-6053804. This Thursday, October 8th is National DAF Day and would be a great opportunity to give!
  • CHECK: Please mail any checks to: Murch SOS, PO Box 6356, Washington, DC 20015

Every gift matters, whatever the amount. If you’re able, we’re suggesting $500 per student. If that’s not possible for your family, please give what feels right. Every gift of $10, $25, or $50 makes a massive difference. Participation is what makes this community work. We’ll be collecting gifts through mid-December and will share updates along the way.

Thank you for being part of this community. If you have any questions, please email sos@murchschool.org or see our Frequently Asked Questions page.

With gratitude,
Mathew Harkins
Vice President of Development Murch Home and School Association

Ben W Murch Home and School Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, EIN 52-6053804. Your gift may be tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

]]> School Picture Day – Monday, Oct. 26 https://murchschool.org/mark-your-calendars-school-picture-day/ Sun, 04 Oct 2026 14:05:38 +0000 https://murchschool.org/?p=25031 Monday, October 26 is School Picture Day! Each student will have an individual photo taken by Freed Photography, which families will be able to purchase later.

Please note: class and group photos will be scheduled for a later date. We’ll share details once those are confirmed.

Make sure your student comes to school ready to smile! 😃

sd-student-portraits-murch-es-sd

 

]]> Register for Murch Chess Club – Fall Session Starts Oct. 26 https://murchschool.org/%e2%99%9f%ef%b8%8f-murch-chess-club-spring-session-registration-open/ Sat, 26 Sep 2026 19:47:29 +0000 https://murchschool.org/?p=25861 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.

 

]]> Murch Plus Starts Wednesday, Oct. 7 https://murchschool.org/murch-plus-registration/ Sun, 20 Sep 2026 16:13:43 +0000 https://murchschool.org/?p=25041 Murch Plus will start on Wednesday, Oct. 7. Murch Plus assignments will by shared on Monday, Oct. 5.

We’re excited to welcome students back to Murch Plus , our Wednesday afternoon enrichment program! Murch Plus gives K–5 students the opportunity to explore new interests, build friendships, and enjoy fun, engaging activities with their peers and adult instructors beyond the regular school day. Thanks to the generous support of the Murch HSA, Murch Plus is completely free and open to all Murch students in grades K–5 !

Program Details

🗓 Fall Session: Wednesdays, October 7 – November 18
🕞 Time: 3:30–4:15 PM, instructors will collect participating students from the gym
🎒 Who: Free to all Murch students in grades K-5
🎟 Spots: Placement by lottery if demand exceeds capacity, please select your student’s 1st, 2nd, and 3rd choice. Confirmation by Oct. 5.

Please note that submitting the form does not guarantee placement in a particular club. Families will receive confirmation of their student’s Murch Plus placement after registration has been reviewed.

Student Expectations

Murch Plus is an extension of the Murch school community, and we want every student to have a fun, safe, and positive experience. Students are expected to follow the same behavior expectations during Murch Plus that they follow throughout the regular school day.

This includes being respectful toward instructors and classmates, following directions, using materials appropriately, participating safely, and helping maintain a welcoming environment for everyone. We understand that students sometimes need reminders and redirection.

However, repeated disruptive, unsafe, disrespectful, or otherwise inappropriate behavior that interferes with the safety or experience of the group may result in a student being removed from their Murch Plus club. Families will be contacted if behavioral concerns arise so that we can work together to support a successful experience whenever possible.

We’re looking forward to another exciting session of learning, creativity, friendship, and fun with Murch Plus! Space is limited, so be sure to register early and submit your student’s 1st, 2nd, and 3rd club choices by the deadline.

We can’t wait to see our Murch students at Murch Plus!

]]> Girls Basketball Tryouts – Oct. 15 and 16 https://murchschool.org/basketball-interest-meetings-required-forms/ Tue, 15 Sep 2026 16:05:05 +0000 http://murchschool.org/?p=8674

Girls Basketball tryouts will be held after school on Oct. 15 and 16. All fourth and fifth grade girls are invited to try out! Please note: Health forms MUST be completed in order for students to participate in the tryouts.

The girls’ season will be led by Coach Hayden. 

Boys:

The boys will be led by Coach Fisk and will take place after the girls season.

 

Health Forms:

Fourth and Fifth graders interested in basketball must complete a participation packet in order to participate in tryouts. See the DCIAA website for more details, or see FAQs on the Murch Athletics page.

]]> Volunteer for the Murch Fall Fair – Saturday, Oct. 17! https://murchschool.org/mark-your-calendar-the-murch-fall-fair-is-saturday-october-19/ Sun, 06 Sep 2026 00:51:32 +0000 https://murchschool.org/?p=23163 The Murch Fall Fair is Saturday, October 17 from 12 to 4 PM on the Murch playground!

One of the most anticipated events of the year – Murch students will get to play games, do arts and crafts, win prizes, purchase snacks and merch, and much more. This is a great way to raise funds for Murch and connect with our community!

See more about the event on the Fall Fair website.

Get Involved – the Fall Fair needs your help to be a success! 

Are you a vendor? Rent a booth at the Murch Marketplace!  Booth rental is $50 for Murch families/staff and $85 for others in the community. Past vendors have sold jewelry, quilts, or promoted kids programs and activities. Please contact Allison Fitzsimmons for details and sign-up.

]]> Fall Community Events: Washington Spirit, Fall Fair, Movie Night, Pizza Night https://murchschool.org/fall-community-events-washington-spirit-fall-fair-movie-night-pizza-night/ Sun, 23 Aug 2026 18:42:28 +0000 https://murchschool.org/?p=26708 Join the Murch Community at one of the upcoming events this fall:

Sept. 26: Murch at the Washington Spirit 

Join fellow Murch soccer fans and cheer on the Washington Spirit! Purchase discounted tickets here.

Oct. 2: Movie Night

A Murch tradition: Bring your picnic blankets and lawn chairs and watch a movie with all you Murch friends! Pizza and popcorn will be for sale. Movie time and selection to be announced! Rain Date will be Saturday, Oct. 3.

Oct. 7: Dine Out at Pete’s Pizza

Bring your friends to Pete’s Pizza and help raise money for Murch! Pete’s will donate 25% of profits to the Murch HSA. Orders must be made directly through the store (not through third-party apps) and apply to all dine in and carry out orders.

Oct. 17: Fall Fair

A full day of fun and friends at the Murch Fall Fair. Get involved with the Fall Fair and learn more here.

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