Congratulations Murdock!!!

As of noon today Murdock Elementary was named as a 2007 Georgia School of Excellence!!! Way to go Murdock!!! The following is an excerpt from a press release that can be found on the Georgia Department of Education website:(http://gadoe.org) November 30, 2007 - State Superintendent of Schools Kathy Cox named 23 Georgia Schools of Excellence on Student Achievement this morning. Superintendent Cox announced the winning schools at a speech at the Georgia School Boards Association/Georgia School Superintendents Association Annual Conference. "These schools are the best of the best," said State Superintendent of Schools Kathy Cox. "The teachers, students, parents and staff at these 23 schools are focused and determined and they are getting the job done. Congratulations to everyone who works for and supports our Georgia Schools of Excellence." For more detailed information, click on the link to read all of the wonderful news associated with receving such a tremendous honor.

This is a tremendous accomplishment that could not have occurred without the hard work and dedication of ALL of our students, parents and staff. As 2007 comes to a close we want to thank each of you for your hard work and commitment to Murdock.  We are proud to be a part of such a wonderful community.

Looking ahead:

• We will again be offering our Holiday Reading Challenge over winter vacation.  This is a school-wide initiative to keep students reading in order to improve learning over a long break.  Each grade level will be setting a goal for their students and, of course, there will be a surprise for all at the end!!
• The Online CRCT Assessment is now available. Look for an orange flier to come home with your child's login information and test taking directions. Teachers are currently working together to develop grade specific tests and these should be available in the near future.

    One final thought: As busy and harried as some days may be, take time out to cherish the short time that your child is young.  They grow up so fast! 

10 Ways to let your Child Know How Much You LOVE them!

1. Spend a little time each day playing entirely at your child's direction.

2. Exchange nose-to-nose Eskimo kisses.

3. Run fingers through their hair.

4. Send an encouraging note with your child's lunch.

5. Talk in the car on the way to school instead of listening to the radio.

6. Take a long walk together, at your child's pace.

7. Read the funny pages together.

8. Use magnetic letters to put loving messages on the fridge.

9. Develop a secret gesture only the two of you know the meaning of.

10. Say it. Just say it!!!!!!!