the blog at ktmurphymatters.com

Let the Children Play, Some More

2009-09-04T04:10:00.001-04:00

September 2, 2009, 9:30 pm Let the Children Play (Some More) By Stuart Brown Here on the balmy central coast of California and all across the country, kids are heading back to school. The classes are larger, the No Child Left Behind mandates remain in place and, despite

Can Guilt Be Good?

2009-08-25T06:04:00.003-04:00

From the NY Times,August 25, 2009 Guilt and Atonement on the Path to Adulthood By JOHN TIERNEY Here is an experiment you don’t want to try at home. Show a toy — a doll, say, or a model boat — to a toddler and explain that it it’s something special you’ve had since you were little. Ask the child to be “very careful” with it. Hand over the toy, which appears to be in fine condition,

Volunteering in the Classroom

2009-01-12T22:48:00.002-05:00

Volunteering in the Classroom Discover great ideas on how to give your time — no matter how much you can spare. By Shama Narang Source: Scholastic Parents PRINTEMAIL addthis_url = location.href; addthis_title = document.title; addthis_pub = 'scholasticparents';

A Summary of BOE Actions in the 2008 Year that Was, from the Stamford Advocate

2009-01-06T04:51:00.002-05:00

Stamford's School Year Saw a Closing and Redistrictingsby Wynne Parry, Posted 1/5/2009STAMFORD - For Stamford schools, 2008 brought dramatic twists and a few conclusions to longstanding questions. In July, the Board of Education decided to close Rogers Magnet Elementary after scrutinizing a number of schools, in particular Toquam Magnet, and mobilizing parents at each one. In the end, only

Reading Is NOT Fundamental

2009-01-05T01:44:00.005-05:00

from Slate MagazineReading Is NOT FundamentalHow to help your child learn to read.By Alan E. Kazdin and Carlo RotellaPosted Friday, Jan. 2, 2009, at 7:11 AM ETAs a parent, you feel a special deep panic when you realize that your child—your beautiful, clever, funny child, who regularly surprises you with precocious bons mots, who built an ingenious bow out of tubing and rubber bands that can shoot

Involvement Matters

2008-10-08T17:03:00.001-04:00

From the PTO Today Website: Hundreds of research studies show that when parents get involved, children do better in school. We sum up the details that every parent should know.What Every Parent Should KnowResearchers have been studying the effects parent attitudes and actions have on their children's academic success for more than 30 years. The results have been consistent. Anne Henderson and

Green Playspace Music Video

2008-09-28T18:21:00.007-04:00

Hello all,We've put together a short music video commemorating the grand opening of the green play area on September 5, 2008. Hope you enjoy it.

Ready Or Not: Board to Vote on Redistricting

2008-09-22T04:57:00.003-04:00

Click here to go to the original article from the Stamford Advocate-9/22/08STAMFORD - As parents protest, the Board of Education is preparing to vote Tuesday on a plan that will redraw attendance zones for Stamford's 12 elementary schools. "You have to be brave to do redistricting," said Polly Rauh, a former educator who heads the Education Committee of the Board of Representatives, and a critic

Letter to the Redistricting Committee

2008-09-20T01:55:00.003-04:00

This is a letter Danette Melchionne has written to the BOE Redistricting Committee concerning options 1and 2, and their likely ramifications on the bilingual program. Please feel free to comment below and add your voice to the conversation. To the Redistricting Committee:I would like to first acknowledge all the countless hours and hard work that is being put into the redistricting of the

Stamford Advocate Covers Our Green Space Opening

2008-09-09T18:14:00.007-04:00

This article on the opening of our green space play area was published by the Advocate on September 9, 2008. We're re-posting it here for posterity. If you'd like to read it on the Advocate site, click here. Ex-K.T. Murphy Students see their dream come trueBy Wynne ParryStaff WriterArticle Launched: 09/09/2008 02:40:37 AM EDTSTAMFORD - When a horde of kindergartners and first-graders from K.T.

A Vision Turned Into a Reality...

2008-08-29T21:13:00.009-04:00

In 1999, the City was working on its 20-year Master Plan, and decided to engage students in elementary, middle and high school in the process by asking them to do planning projects with their teachers. A group of 3rd grade KT Murphy students came up with the suggestion that the City buy property on Horton Street and use it to expand the school play area, to create an area that would consist of "

Creating A Reader-Friendly Home

2008-08-29T06:31:00.009-04:00

A useful article from KidsHealth.org on creating a reading-rich environment for your children right in your own home.Creating a Reader-Friendly Home A home filled with reading material is a good way to help kids become enthusiastic (and proficient) readers. What kind of books should you have? Ask your kids about their interests. If they're too young to have a preference, your local librarian

K.T. Murphy School-wide Art Show

2008-08-15T16:34:00.056-04:00

The first K.T. Murphy school-wide art show that took place during May and June of 2008 was a big success! Students in grades K-5 worked very hard all year during their art classes. They learned about famous artists, experimented with new art processes and created many amazing works of art. When students learned that their artwork would become part of the "Murphy Museum" they were surprised and

Tuning Up for '08: PTO Wrangles New Piano for Murphy

2008-08-11T20:01:00.006-04:00

The basic statement is unlikely to be challenged by anyone involved in education. In the sometimes harsh reality of limited time and funding for instruction, however, the inclusion of the arts in every student's education can sometimes be relegated to a distant wish rather than an exciting reality.It doesn't have to be that way! All that's needed is a clear message sent to all those who must make

Preparation is Everything!

2008-08-10T05:03:00.009-04:00

Following up on my own musings about the first day of Kindergarten, here is an article clipped from the good folks at schoolfamily.com.Get Ready for Kindergarten!by Patti GhezziEase the stress on that momentous first day of kindergarten and prepare your child for success in the year ahead. The first day of kindergarten is tearful for parents, who can’t believe their child is

The First Day of K is Not for the faint of heart

2008-08-02T05:00:00.010-04:00

You remember their first steps, their first word, the first time you fed them solid food. You've got pictures, maybe video even. How about the first time you left them in the Kindergarten classroom? That was a tough one -- it was for me at least.There we were: myself, Mom, and our five year old. What you notice first about the classroom is the tables that will serve as desks for the students.

Greetings

2008-07-18T04:33:00.001-04:00

Greetings all,We have created this blog to be used by anyone who wishes to post here on topics concerning KT Murphy Elementary School. Teachers, administrators, parents, and students are welcome (and encouraged) to make use of this space.If you would like to contribute to this blog as an author, please contact peter@notmycat.com.We will issue you an invitation to make your own postings here

Will's Favorite Video

2008-07-15T07:39:00.010-04:00

This is one of my favorite videos from Youtube. My dad and me sing it together. We know all the words. It is named The Elephant Song.

Your PTO Needs You!

2008-07-07T09:57:00.009-04:00

We have several unfilled slots available on the PTO.2 volunteers to assist with fund raising efforts.2 volunteers to Chair and Co-chair the Book Fair.1 volunteer to assist with Hospitality/Staff Appreciation.Teacher representatives! (The more the merrier). If you would like to contribute your time and efforts to make the upcoming school year more exciting and rewarding, please consider joining