Originally delivered on 2/3/2025 10:00 am

SUBJECT: Mustang Monthly - February 2025

Murwood PTA
February 3, 2024

Happy Black History Month Murwood Community!

As we step into February, we’re proud to honor Black History Month and celebrate the incredible contributions, achievements, and legacy of Black Americans throughout history. At Murwood, we’re inspired by the strength, resilience, and diversity that shape our shared story.

Our community’s diversity is one of our greatest strengths, and we want to ensure every student, family, and staff member feels seen, heard, and celebrated. That’s why we’re thrilled to announce a new PTA Board position for the next school year: VP of Belonging. This role will focus on amplifying heritage and ability-based celebrations, fostering inclusivity, and ensuring our PTA initiatives reflect the rich diversity of our school community. Together, we’ll build on our commitment to creating a space where everyone feels like they belong.

Speaking of celebrations, don’t forget to mark your calendars for Multicultural Night, where we’ll highlight the incredible cultures and traditions that make Murwood unique. Read on for more details and ways to get involved!

Lastly, our Havana Nights: Auction for Education is just around the corner! Ticket prices increased February 1st, and sales close March 8th. Secure yours today before they’re gone. This year’s event theme promises to be an unforgettable evening of fun and fundraising.

Thank you for being part of the Murwood community. Your support and involvement help us make a difference, one step at a time.


With Gratitude,

Murwood PTA Board

YOUR TRADITIONS, OUR CELEBRATION!

Join us on February 20, 2024, from 5:30-7 PM for a vibrant celebration of the diverse cultures that make Murwood so special! Discover new traditions through food, performances, and connection with one another.


WHAT TO EXPECT

Live Performances: Captivating showcases from local performers highlighting heritages from around the world

Community Potluck: Bring and taste dishes from different cultures, lovingly shared by our very own Mustangs


HOW YOU CAN HELP

Contribute a dish and recipe representing their heritage

Assist with event setup and cleanup

Sign Up To Bring A Dish or Volunteer
DADS* & DRAFTS IS BACK | FEB 28 | 6-9PM

Friday, February 28th from 6-9pm, it's all about hanging out and laid-back fun with fellow dads and father-figures. We'll have games for some friendly competition, plus food and libations to keep things chill. 

Whether you're tossing a beanbag or just there to chat, this is a great opportunity to relax and connect. 

Tickets are $30 and include dinner, beverages, and tournament entry. All proceeds go directly to supporting Murwood PTA programs and events.

Purchase Tickets Here
SCIENCE FAIR 2025: A NIGHT OF DISCOVERY!

Our Murwood Scientists are hard at work hypothesizing, testing, and exploring as they prepare for the big reveal at the Science Fair on March 6th, from 6:00-7:00PM! Join us in the MPR to see their incredible projects and celebrate their hard work and curiosity.

In addition to marveling at student projects, you can also enjoy delicious eats from our onsite food truck and telescope views with Mt. Diablo Astronomical Society on the blacktop. It’s a night of learning, community, and fun you won’t want to miss!


 Date: Thursday, March 6th | 6:00 - 7:00PM

Location: Murwood MPR

Bonuses 
Food Truck on-site - food service begins at 5:30PM
Blacktop telescope viewing with Mt. Diablo Astronomical Society


We can’t wait to see you there!

HAVANA NIGHTS: CELEBRATING CULTURE & COMMUNITY

Murwood Elementary thrives on the rich diversity of our families, and this year we’re honoring Cuban culture—celebrated for its vibrant music, flavorful cuisine, and deep commitment to education. Just as Cuba values the power of learning, Murwood PTA is dedicated to supporting our students through incredible programs and events. We hope you’ll join us for Havana Nights on Saturday, March 22nd, 2025, at the Elks Lodge to enjoy an unforgettable evening of Cuban-inspired food, music, and fun—all while contributing to a great cause!


WHAT YOUR TICKET INCLUDES

🎉 Catered appetizers and dinner from Walnut Creek favorite, Havana

🎶 Music and dancing

🍹 Themed cocktails and beverages available for purchase

📸 A photo booth to capture the fun

🎯 Wine Toss and other games


💰 Silent and live auctions featuring incredible items like:

A Tahoe getaway

1:1 Styling Session at Anthropology

Golden State Warriors tickets

And so much more!



WHAT TO WEAR

Dress to impress with festive flair! Think tropical elegance, vintage glamour, or Havana-inspired sophistication. Please remember to honor the culture—celebrate its vibrancy with respectful attire rather than costumes.



WINE TOSS - DONATIONS NEEDED

Help us stock the Wine Toss game for our Havana Nights Auction! Guests can buy tickets to toss rings and win bottles of wine—another fun way to support Murwood.

HOW TO DONATE

Anytime Drop-Off
Bottles can be delivered anytime March 9th - 17th to:
 24 Matthews Place, Alamo, CA 94507

Vanderslice Avenue
Look for the "Wine Toss Donations" sign 
on Vanderslice Avenue from 2:30 - 3:00pm the following dates:

Thursday, March 6th

Monday, March 10th

Wednesday, March 12th

Thursday, March 13th

Monday, March 17th


🎟️ TICKETS 🎟️

 They're going fast! Regular pricing is $100, so grab yours before they’re gone.

Purchase Auction Tickets Here


We can’t wait to see you there!

IN-PERSON PTA MEETING | FEB 25 | 6-7 PM

We’re excited to welcome special guests from Walnut Creek School District, Superintendent Marie Morgan,Steve Miller, Director of Construction & Maintenance, and Vincent Morales, Chief Business Official to discuss Murwood's site modernization plan funded by Measure J. The project is expected to begin this summer. Our February meeting is a great opportunity to learn about the updates and share your thoughts!

🎈 Free Childcare Available! 🎈
Acalanes High School student volunteers will provide babysitting services for children aged 1 and up in the MPR, so parents can participate stress-free.


📅 Date: Tuesday, February 25, 2025
⏰ Time: 6:00-7:00 PM
📍 Location: Murwood School Library

Don’t miss this important discussion about the future of our school!

Capture the memories of the 2024 - 2025 school year with a Murwood Yearbook!

HOW TO ORDER
1️⃣ Scan the QR Code or visit www.buytheyearbook.com/en/
2️⃣ Enter our School ID Number: 723229                            
3️⃣ Click “Purchase Yearbook” and follow the instructions      

📖 Cost: $25 + tax


SHARE YOUR PHOTOS
Help us make the yearbook truly special by sharing your photos from school events! 

Pictures can be emailed to murwoodyearbook@gmail.com.
📸 Reminder: Ensure you have permission to share photos that include other students.


QUESTIONS? Contact Valerie Haas for assistance.

Don’t wait—order your yearbook today! 🎓

CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS

We need you to make our events shine! Murwood thrives on the support of our incredible volunteers, and we have some exciting opportunities for you to get involved:

🔬 SCIENCE FAIR (MARCH 6th) 🔬

Help with event setup, display drop-off, reviewing student projects, or handing out participation prizes.

🔗 Sign Up Here🔗

🌴 HAVANA NIGHTS (MARCH 22nd) 🌴

Help us make this unforgettable evening a success! 

We’re looking for volunteers to assist with setup,cleanup, live auction spotting, and running our live auction presentation.

🔗 Sign Up Here 🔗

🍎 EDUCATOR APPRECIATION WEEK (MAY) 🍎

Join us in celebrating our amazing Murwood staff by helping with surprise & delight activities to show our gratitude.

🔗 Sign Up Here🔗
Select the appropriate checkbox or note the initiative under "Other" if it’s not listed.

🏃‍♀️ TRACK & FIELD DAY (May 27th) 🏃‍♀️

This much-loved tradition is a highlight for our students, but it takes a team to make it happen. We need enthusiastic helpers to ensure the day runs smoothly and is packed with fun!

🔗 Sign Up Here🔗
Select the appropriate checkbox or note the initiative under "Other" if it’s not listed.

🏃‍♀️ WANTED: 2025-2026 WALKING CLUB LAP LEADERS 🏃‍♀️

Do you love seeing kids light up with excitement as they earn achievement awards?  Walking Club is one of our students’ favorite lunchtime activities, and we need 2-3 awesome leads to keep it going strong for the 2025-2026 school year!

WHAT YOU'LL DO

Coordinate Supplies: Order fun tokens, prizes, lanyards, and other goodies to keep kids motivated.

Prep Achievement Cards: Get student stickers from Mrs. Kaye, and get cards ready for action.

Plan & Recruit: Recruit volunteers, and organize Walking Club days based on availability.

Stay Stocked: Keep the Walking Club bin stocked with supplies so it’s ready for recess action.

Be the Cheerleader: Send friendly reminders to volunteers so they’re ready to roll on Club days.


WHAT'S WALKING CLUB?
Students walk laps during lunch recess, earning achievement awards for their milestones. It’s a great way to stay active and celebrate their progress!

We’ll help set you up for success, and you can even brainstorm your own creative ideas to make Walking Club even more fun. 


Interested in stepping into this role for next school year?
Contact our current Lap Leaders Tracy Shorum or Lisa Wright

TURN IT UP FOR MURWOOD

Every February, the Walnut Creek Education Foundation (WCEF, WCEFK12.org) hosts the Turn Up The Heat (TUTH) campaign to raise essential funds and boost donor participation.

So far, 34% of Murwood families have donated $53,000—let’s keep the momentum going!

By supporting TUTH from Feb 3-7, you help fund art, music, science labs, and the library at Murwood—programs that spark creativity and curiosity in our students.

Keep an eye out for flyers from your student’s teacher with more details. If you’ve already donated, thank you! If you’re new to giving, now is the perfect time to get involved. Let’s double our impact, ensure our District can continue providing essential programs and aim for 100% participation!

Our students could win a popsicle party, a trophy, and bragging rights—let’s make it happen!

DONATE HERE
PARENTSQUARE IS COMING!

In case you missed Superintendent Morgan's and Mrs. Minnich's announcements last week, Walnut Creek School District will be transitioning to ParentSquare, a new communication platform, in the Fall. ParentSquare is designed to make school updates easier, more accessible, and bring everything you need into one place!

 WHY PARENTSQUARE?
One Central Tool – All school updates updates in one place.
Instant Translations – Messages automatically translate into 100+ languages.
Two-Way Communication – Connect with staff, complete forms, sign-up to volunteer.


LEARN MORE HERE

               FEBRUARY 3 -7               

WCEF Turn Up The Heat | Donate Here

            FEBRUARY 13 - 17             

Winter Recess & President's Day | No School

                FEBRUARY 20               

Multicultural Night | 5:30 - 7 PM | Murwood MPR

               FEBRUARY 25              

In- Person PTA Meeting | 6 - 7 PM | Murwood Library
Join us to discuss Murwood's site modernization 
plan (Measure J) with Superintendent Marie Morgan

              FEBRUARY 28               

Shortened Day | Murwood Bell Schedule

GO TO PTA CALENDAR

Stay Connected with the Murwood PTA App!

No matter how you prefer to stay in touch, we’ve got you covered! Whether it's through the PTA website, e-News, Mustang Monthly, or Instagram, we’re always finding ways to keep you updated. The Murwood PTA App makes it even easier to access important info and stay connected with our community.

The app is available for free in both the Apple App Store and Google Play. Download it today and never miss a moment at Murwood!

Follow us on Instagram @murwoodpta for all the latest news, events, and exciting happenings at Murwood. Click the icon above to connect with us and never miss a beat!

Click our Murwood PTA logo to bookmark our PTA homepage where you can easily access important updates, event info, our calendar and more. Your one-stop hub for everything Murwood PTA!

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