Principal's Message

Dear Murray Families,
Welcome to the 2022-2023 school year! We are thrilled to have 282 students return to our building.  It is my hope this message, which is chock-full of helpful information, will provide you with necessary insight as we prepare for a successful school year. 

Breakfast and Lunch: Weather permitting, students will eat breakfast and lunch outside as conditions allow. On days your student would like breakfast, they should let the classroom teacher know upon arrival and report to the cafeteria. Students will grab breakfast and return to class after eating. Breakfast is served from 7:45am-8:00 am. Lunch hours are from 11:20 am -1:00 pm. If your child would like to receive a school lunch, they should inform their teacher. Teachers will take lunch orders in the classroom every morning. 

Medicine Administration While At School: If your child needs medications while at school, there is a form that needs to be filled out.  This form will be available at Open House with the classroom teacher.

Morning Drop-Off/ Afternoon Pick-Up: As we implement traffic patterns, it’s critical our families become familiar with these expectations.  (IMAGES & EXPECTATIONS can be located here) 

PowerSchool Parent Portal: The Parent Portal is where you can locate your child’s class and bus assignments. An access letter was mailed last week to new families. It contains your username and password to set up your child's new account or add to a previous sibling account. If you are having trouble accessing your account, whether you are a new or a returning family, you may reach out to Cdodson2@k12albemarle.org for assistance. The portal opened on August 19th at 5:00 pm.

PTO: Sign up for Murray Matters, our PTO newsletter, and receive the latest parent updates via email. Please visit the PTO site to sign up: V.L. Murray PTO Web Site

Supplies: Our school supply lists can be found here: https://mes.k12albemarle.org/families/supply-lists

Technology: At this time, classroom laptops (grades 3-5) and iPads (k-2) are assigned to students and should remain at school. 

Bus and Car Rider Passes: Mirror placards for students who will be a pickup and backpack tags for those who will ride the school bus will be available for pickup at Open House on August 22nd. Look for us at the table in the lobby. 

If you are not attending Open House and would like to pick up your placard prior to the first day, you may stop in the office between 8am-2pm daily.  

Transportation Information: Bus number and bus stop information will be available in the Parent Portal as of Aug19th at 5pm. Please note, if you need to make any changes or additions it may take up to 10 days to process.  If you need a long term alternate stop ( eg., an alternate bus route and stop for childcare purposes) you must fill out an alternate bus stop form. This is available on the ACPS transportation site, or you may reach out to Cdodson2@k12albemarle.org for a copy. At this time, students are not able to ride an alternate bus for the first two (2) weeks of school. This allows division bus drivers an opportunity to learn their students and routes without shifts in their rosters.

Bus Rider Rules: Whether your child will be riding the school bus for the first time, or is a seasoned rider, we ask that you please start reviewing bus rules and expectations with your child prior to the start of school. This will help make the ride to and from school successful for everyone.

• Obey Driver at all times
• Be respectful & On Time
• Use the handrail
• Wait for the drivers’ signal when loading and unloading the bus
• Keep hands to yourself & Inside the bus
• Face forward & keep the aisle clear
• Walk to, from, and on the bus
• No electronics when loading or unloading the bus
• Keep the bus clean

These rules will also be reviewed with your child by their bus driver and classroom teachers once school starts.

Water Bottles: We kindly request every student bring a water bottle with their name on it to  school daily. All water fountains are equipped with a bottle filler.

Website: The Murray Elementary website has many useful links to things such as the Parent Portal, ST Math, and the PTO newsletter. It also holds the school calendar. It can be located here: https://mes.k12albemarle.org/

The following teachers and staff will not be returning to Murray this year due to retirement or life changes: Karin Constant, Courtney Dillard, Lexi Ellison, Erica Hanson, Jamie Hinson,Vikki Mayberry, Janice McGinthy, Marcy Williams

They will be missed, but we wish them the best as they travel forward on to their next adventure.

Please help us welcome our newest Murray members: 

•  John Hobson- Assistant Principal
• Caroline Golomb- Kindergarten teacher
• Jeff Vorberger- 1st grade teacher
• Jessica Reyes- 1st grade TA
• Iman Lafi- 1st grade TA
• Sean Snider- 5th grade teacher
• Mark Rough- Long Term Music Substitute
• Lena Davis- School Based Substitute 
• Jennifer Berkebile- FLES
• Lori Hacking- Social Emotional Learning Coach
• Eve Solomon- ESOL
• Ari Elgort- PE teacher

If you have any specific questions, need information about practices, or have the need to speak with a counselor, please do not hesitate to contact us. The front office and administrative team are happy to assist you.Thank you for reading and I look forward to working with you this year. 
Sincerely, 
 
C’ta DeLaurier, Principal
Murray Elementary
434.977.4599
 

Dear Murray Families, 

I want to thank you for your enduring partnership throughout the year.  We have much to celebrate as we near the end of the 2021-22 school year. Our teachers, students, and parents have navigated challenges with poise and perseverance, while our school theme, Murray-A Great Place to Grow, has played out academically, socially, and emotionally.  We are so proud of our students!  

The month of June has much going on. Below are some key items and updates.  Please contact the office should you have any questions.

Report Cards: The Parent Portal closed on May 27th at 5pm to allow teachers to complete report cards and will reopen with final grades on June 10th at 5pm.

Pre-K “Moving Up Ceremony”:  The Pre-K “Moving Up Ceremony” was held today. Congratulations to all our preschoolers who will be moving on to Kindergarten for the 2022-2023 school year!

Field Day: Field Day will be held on Tuesday, June 7th. There are still opportunities to volunteer, especially during the afternoon slots for grades 3-5. You do not have to have a child in those grades in order to volunteer. Please use the sign up genius link below to sign up for remaining  times. If you would like to help behind the scenes (water balloon filling, food packing for an activity) please feel free to email Cdodson2@k12albemarle.org and/or Cdodson3@k12albemarle.org   

Lunch on this day will be picnic style consisting of a bagged or packed lunch for all students. An order form should have come home earlier this week for those needing a bagged lunch from the cafeteria.

Field Day Volunteer Sign-Up  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c094ba8a72fa3fd0-field

Fifth Grade “Moving Up Ceremony”: The Fifth Grade Moving Up Ceremony will be held on June 8th, beginning at 9 AM. There will be a small social gathering for families directly after the ceremony hosted by the Fourth Grade. Weather permitting, the ceremony will be held outside. In case of rain, the ceremony will be moved indoors and guests would be limited to immediate family. A decision will be made closer to the date on the location.

Spring Music Showcase: There will be a schoolwide Zoom presentation of the Spring Musical Showcase on June 8th. It will start at 7pm and reshow again at 8pm.  The link is below:
https://k12albemarle.zoom.us/j/87669131477?pwd=UThiMU9pRjB5OEh6STVIb0E5WlpNQT09 
Password: VMES

Last Day of School: The last day of school for students is June 10th and will be a half day, 11:30 AM dismissal time.  A bagged lunch will be available and an order form will come home prior to this date.

Lost and Found: Is your child missing anything? The Lost and Found is bigger than ever before with everything from clothing and jackets to towels and water bottles. Please stop into the lobby and take a look. We will also have everything out on Field Day for children and parents to look through. Items not claimed by the end of the year, will be donated.

Kindergarten Picnic: Thank you to everyone who came out to the Kindergarten Picnic to celebrate a fantastic school year on May 26th. The time spent with family and friends was much needed and we look forward to more of this next year.

Expanding Murray Family: Our Murray family is growing! We are excited to announce that Mrs. Hanson had a beautiful baby boy on May 6, 2022. Camden Michael weighed in at 5lbs 6oz and 18 3/4in long. Mom, Dad, and baby are all doing well. Please join us in congratulating Mrs. Hanson on the birth of her son!

Long Term Sub for P.E.: While Mrs. Hanson is on maternity leave, we are lucky to have Ms. Camryn Dodson to fill in as the long term substitute until the end of the school year. Below you will find an introduction from Camryn. Please help us Welcome Ms. Dodson to Murray!
                        
Dear Murray Families,                         

My name is Camryn Dodson, and I am the long term substitute for Mrs. Hanson while she is out on maternity leave. I have been working with your child(ren) in P.E. for a little over two weeks now and am loving every moment of getting to know them. As I am getting to know them, I would like to introduce myself so you get to know me as well. I grew up in the Western Feeder Pattern attending Murray, Henley, and Western. I did Teacher Cadet for two years in high school with the former P.E. teacher at Murray, Mrs. Tillar-Hughes, and have already had the pleasure of working with many of the 3rd-5th grade children before! I just finished my junior year at Longwood University where I am studying Elementary Education and couldn’t be more appreciative for the opportunity to gain more experience working with students.  I have enjoyed working with your child(ren) so far and I can't wait to continue working with them for the rest of the year!  If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact me directly through my email: cdodson3@k12albemarle.org I check my email daily, and will respond as soon as possible. 

Sincerely, 

Ms. Dodson

Again, thank you for your continued support!

Sincerely,
C’ta DeLaurier

Murray Families,

Thank you to everyone for celebrating our teachers, office associates, and staff over the course of the last few weeks. They are indeed superheroes. We are extremely grateful for your thoughtfulness and care!!

May is the final full month of the 2021-2022 school year; however, our experiential palette will remain in full throttle until the very last day of school on June 10th. For example, there are scientists who are observing the life-cycle in several grades, field trips planned, a celebration for rising fifth  graders, events to continue building community, emerging poet laureates exercising the pen, Minecraft worlds to create, and so much more….

Talent Show: Special thanks to ALL the student performers, PTO, Isaac Brown, and Brian Squires for a magnificent talent show!!  It was a wonderful evening of entertainment enjoyed by all. 

Curb Appeal: Shout out to Jennifer James, Keith Nevison, Felix James-Nevison, and the PTO  for beautifying the front entrance of our school. Your efforts are noticed and make us happy each time we enter the building. Thank you! 

Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week: This week we observed Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week. We are so grateful to our wonderful PTO and the larger community for their support in making this a very special occasion. 

Fun on the Field Day: Fun on the Field Day was rescheduled for May 1st…then came the threat of inclement weather. It will now be held on May 15th from 4:00-6:30 pm. We hope everyone can come out and join the fun on the new date. 

Newly Planted Trees: A big thank you to our families in their support in the purchase and planting of five (5) additional trees to our campus. The hope is that these trees will provide shade in some of our more frequently visited locations. A special thank you to our PTO president, Leslie Ratan, for her continued support and guidance on the stewarding of this process.  

Food Drive: Recently, our school collected food for the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank. We collected about 956 pounds. This is the equivalent of 797 meals for our broader community. Way to go Murray! 

We were also joined by 20 other schools. Altogether, we collected 11,516 pounds of food.  This will provide roughly 8,849 meals for local families.

Upcoming SOL Dates: When scheduling appointments and time away from school, please make sure to keep SOL dates in mind:

Standards of Learning (SOL’s): Throughout the month of May our 3rd-5th graders will have an opportunity to show what they know on the state’s yea- end summative assessments. Our teachers and students have worked diligently throughout the year to ensure that academic rigor is at a constant. Way to go, Mustangs!

May 10                             SOLs – Fifth Grade – Reading

May 11                              SOLs – Fifth Grade – Reading*

May 12                              SOLs – Fourth Grade - Reading*

May 13                              SOLs – Fourth Grade – Reading*

May 17                              SOLs – Third Grade - Reading*

May 18                              SOLs – Third Grade - Reading*

May 19                              SOLs – Fifth Grade - Science

May 24                              SOLs – Fifth Grade - Math*

May 25                              SOLs – Fifth Grade – Math*

May 26                              SOLs – Fourth Grade – Math*

May 27                              SOLs – Fourth Grade – Math*

June 1                                SOLs – Third Grade – Math* 

June 1                                SOLs – Fifth Grade – VA Studies

June 2                                SOLs – Third Grade – Math*

*Taken over two days 

Field Day: 

Field Day will take place on Tuesday, June 7th. Kindergarten-2nd grade will take part in field day activities for the first half of the day and grades 3-5 will do the same in the second half of the day. Preschool students will also participate throughout the day.  Lunch on this day will be picnic style consisting of a bagged or packed lunch for all students. An order form will come home at a later date for those needing a bagged lunch from the cafeteria.

We are asking for parent volunteers to assist in set up, tear down, as well as running the actual stations throughout the day. Please use the link below to sign up. You may sign up for as many slots as you would like. If you have any questions or concerns please feel to reach out to Mrs. Hanson at ehanson@k12albemarle.org. Thank you!

Field Day Volunteer Sign-Up  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c094ba8a72fa3fd0-field

1st Grade to Expand: Due to projected enrollment in first grade for the 2022-23 school year, we will be adding a third classroom. We are excited to see our community grow.

Spanish Immersion Program: The Spanish immersion program will extend  to ALL students in grades K-5 next school year. We are thrilled to see this program expand!

Upcoming Calendar Dates of Importance:

May 20th-On 2/10/2022, the Albemarle County School Board voted to use Friday, May 20th, as a weather make up day for students. All students will have a full day of school this day.

May 30th-In observance of Memorial Day, there will be no school for students on Monday, May 30th.

June 8th- The Fifth Grade Moving Up Ceremony will be held on June 8th, beginning at 9am. There will be a small social gathering for families directly after the ceremony on the lower field area hosted by 4th Grade.

June 10th-June 10th is the last day of the 2022 school year. It is a half day for students.

Kindergarten Camp Returns: We are excited to host kinder-camp on June 14th, from 9:00 - 11:30.  At Kinder-camp your child will listen to stories, meet the kindergarten teachers, explore the classrooms, do arts and crafts, take a bus ride, and go outside for recess.  This will be a great time for your child to get acquainted with our school. We find this experience helps children better visualize kindergarten and therefore anticipate it throughout the summer with enthusiasm instead of anxiety.  

Please RSVP to Cdodson2@k12albemarle.org  letting us know if your child will be attending kinder-camp. Please send your child with a labeled water bottle. 

At 11:30 we will be having an optional family picnic after pick up.  You are invited to join us, with your child and a packed lunch, to eat outside and meet the other kindergarten families. 

Lost and Found: Our lost and found catalog is ever growing. As such, we will strategically place the lost and found rack in the front lobby. Please feel encouraged to give it a “once over” if your child is missing apparel from home. Please remember to label all jackets, hats, gloves, water bottles, etc.

Music Room Update from Ms. Concession-

Hello, families of Murray!

 I just wanted to check in and give you a quick update of some of the happenings in music class. I am so grateful for the opportunity to have stewarded your students in music this year, and I can't believe we're in the final home stretch! It's been a privilege spending my first year teaching at Murray and I'm so glad to have had such a great first year.

Kindergarten and 1st grade have been working on reading half notes, quarter notes, eighth notes, and quarter rests and are expert sight-readers by now. Our "Action activities" have included ribbon dancing, learning how to conduct, "soft or loud" exercises, orchestra instrument recognition, "color by note" worksheets and of course, singing. In preparation for our spring concert, we are learning the songs "One Small Voice", "Graduation Song" (both accompanied with American Sign Language) and "It's Such a Good Feeling" from Mister Rogers' Neighborhood.

 2nd and 3rd grade are such fun groups! 2nd grade in particular loves to perform both individually and in group songs (we've got some songwriters in the second grade!), and we have been enjoying different activities such as Boomwhackers (a class favorite), listening activities, sight reading, and listening activities, including learning different songs and dances from around the world (such as a basic Irish step, and the song "Funga Alafia", a Nigerian folk song which will be featured in the spring concert). 3rd grade has taken great leadership with learning our song "Count on Me" and have progressed to sight-reading sixteenth notes, eighth notes, quarter notes, half notes, and whole notes while also having perfected treble clef note reading.

 4th and 5th grade have been able to explore so much in the area of music appreciation and modern music. 4th graders recently had a great time with ukulele centers, learned various time signatures through a listening of some excerpts from "Beauty and the Beast", and are absolute singing rockstars. In 5th grade we've been analyzing artists/music from various genres (including a jazz-themed "virtual escape room"), we've learned how to read the parts of a choral score as well as learning the bass/treble clef notes, and we're working on the concert songs "Home" by Phillip Phillips and "Remember Me" from Pixar's "Coco". I am especially pleased with how 5th grade has stepped up to sing in the recent classes, and their sound is really developing well.  Some of our favorite activities have included Composer/Artists presentations and our competitive music-theory practice Kahoot games.

Finally, we will be doing a spring showcase, titled "Lift Each Other Up", which will be in the same format as our winter concert, which will feature some of the songs we've learned in class and will be recorded in music classes at the end of May. This will be shown in early June over Zoom (with password-protected download link for after). More details to come later this week.

Special Announcement:

After a combined 20 years at Murray, Marcy Williams has made the very difficult decision to retire from full- time teaching at the end of this school year. In her own words “Murray has been a part of my life for a long time and I have loved every day of teaching and being a part of this school.” We feel the same about her. 

Additionally, Jillian Ratliff,  our Abase teacher, is leaving Virginia to pursue her dream job in Pittsburgh. Jillian has been a valuable Murray member for the past 4 years, and in that time has made a dramatic difference the lives of our students. She has loved every moment of her time here at Murray and will miss everyone very much. Good Luck, Jillian! 

We will miss you both.  #ONCEAMUSTANGALWAYSAMUSTANG!

Sincerely,

C’ta DeLaurier

Hello Murray families, 

There are so many reminders of renewal and rejuvenation that come with spring. Among them…the student generated work in the garden, blue birds having built nests nearby that are cautiously being observed by our students, and the recess which seems to have taken on a different cadence. 

We are so happy it’s here. 

As we continue to move forward throughout the school year, here are a few updates for the month of April:

Volunteering/ Visiting the School:   As we start to see the return of visitors and volunteers, we would like to remind everyone that all visitors and volunteers who will be on the school campus need to check in at the office upon arrival. You must bring your driver’s license with you each time you visit, which you will use for check in.

Dropoff/Pickup Procedures: For safety purposes, during pickup and dropoff, all vehicles must drive the entire loop to their intended location. Please do not cut in line or to the front, even if there appears to be an opening.  

Lost and Found: Lost and found will be placed in the front lobby the week of April 18th-21st. Please stop by to look for coats, sweaters, water bottles, etc. that your student is missing. The pile is massive. Please add your child’s name to their belongings so that we can get them back home.

End Of The Day Changes: All end of the day changes need to be sent to the office by 1:15 daily. If you are emailing the teacher, please CC the office as well. Teachers cannot always check their email during the school day.

Kindergarten Registration: The kindergarten registration portal is now open for the 2022-23 school year and will be available from April 18th-May 31st. 

https://www.k12albemarle.org/for-families/student-registration/kindergarten-registration

Murray, Assistant Principal Search: We are fortunate to have the opportunity to hire an assistant principal for next year. If you would like to share insight into what you would consider essential for this position, please complete this two (2) question survey by 04.22.2022. Thank you.

Murray, Mind, Magic  (M3): M3 has begun and is off to a great start! Please remember to let the office know when your child will not attend; otherwise, we will send your child to their assigned club. Thank you to our teachers and volunteers who are working hard to make this happen.

Talent Show: Currently our talent show is set for April 21st from 5p-7p. This will happen, rain or shine, under the tent on the blacktop. A special thank you to our PTO parent volunteers for organizing and stewarding this process. 

Report Cards: The parent portal will reopen to view report cards on April 25th at 4pm. If you do not have access to your parent portal account, please reach out to the office for access codes.

24 Math Tournament: The  ACPS Western Schools’ 24! Math Tournament will be held at Meriwether Lewis Elementary School on April 20th. Good luck to our participants:
3rd graders - Sam Beverage and Gabriel McIntosh
4th graders - Avery Royer and Brooks Showalter
5th graders - Luke Lapinski and Layla LaVoy

School-Wide Trash Pick-Up Day: Albemarle County has reached out to the county schools for help in cleaning up trash on school grounds and surrounding areas in conjunction with celebrating Earth Day .  VLM will be participating in a school-wide clean up event this Thursday, April 21st.  Each class has been provided with gloves and materials and has a designated area to focus on for clean-up.  We are excited to help with keeping our school ground litter free!

No School For Students: Friday, April 22nd is a Division wide work day for teachers. There is no school on this day for students.

Fun On The Field:  We are so excited for our first ever Fun On The Field community event. This event will take place Sunday, May 1st on the Murray Lower Field from 4:00-6:30pm. (Rain Date-May 15th) More information is available in this week's Murray Matters, and on the flyers that came home earlier this week through your child's backpack Feel free to email vlmflick@gmail.com with questions.

Save the date-Scholastic Book Fair:   We will return to an in person book fair this year,  May 2nd-6th. COVID mitigations will be in place. More info coming home soon.

Field Day: Be on the lookout for a Signup Genius to come out next week for field day volunteers. There will be multiple times available for you to help.

Upcoming SOL Dates: When scheduling appointments and time away from school, please make sure to keep SOL dates in mind. 

May 10                             SOLs – Fifth Grade – Reading
May 11                              SOLs – Fifth Grade – Reading
May 12                              SOLs – Fourth Grade - Reading
May 13                              SOLs – Fourth Grade – Reading
May 17                              SOLs – Third Grade - Reading
May 18                              SOLs – Third Grade - Reading
May 19                              SOLs – Fifth Grade - Science
May 24                              SOLs – Fifth Grade - Math
May 25                              SOLs – Fifth Grade – Math
May 26                              SOLs – Fourth Grade – Math
May 27                              SOLs – Fourth Grade – Math
June 1                                SOLs – Third Grade – Math
June 1                                SOLs – Fifth Grade – VA Studies
June 2                                SOLs – Third Grade – Math

Planning for the 2022-2023 School Year: PK-4th grade parents, be on the lookout for a form in your child’s backpack to come home this week about your students 2022-23 school year intent. You will only need to send back the form if your child will not be returning to Murray next year. 

 
 

Dear Murray Families,

March…in like a lion…out like a lamb. It seems that winter has finally made a transition into spring, and we couldn’t be more prepared to receive its bounty. The flowers are blooming on campus, and we are beginning to see signs of new growth all around us. With the return of spring, we will also see the return of many Murray events. The talent show, M3, and our 5th grade Moving-Up ceremony are just a few.

Kindergarten Registration

The division is preparing for the 2022-2023 school year. The kindergarten registration portal will be available April 18th-May 31st. 

https://www.k12albemarle.org/for-families/student-registration/kindergarten-registration

Canned Food Drive: Third graders collected non-perishable items for our local Blue Ridge Area Food Bank. Thank you for donating. Pick up happened today.

Murray, Mind, Magic  (M3): M3 is returning this spring! Mark your calendars and be on the lookout for information on registration to come out soon from the PTO.

• Registration will begin on Saturday, Mar 26, 2022
• M3 sessions will begin the week of April 11, 2022  following spring break

 Class Picture Day: We will have class picture day on March 29th. We will not have individual spring pictures this year. Picture day information should have come home last week in your child’s backpack, including order forms. Each student will be included in the group picture, unless you tell us otherwise. Students will be socially distanced on the risers. Those students that wear masks will keep them on until the time of the picture and then put the masks back on. Parents, please let us know if you would prefer for your student to keep their mask on for the picture. Thank you.

Early Release Day: April 1st is a half day of school for students. Dismissal is at 11:30am for all students.  Be on the lookout for the lunch order form to come home via backpack mail.  It will also be included in Murray Matters.

Spring Break: Spring break this year will occur from April 4th-8th. All school buildings and offices will be closed during this time. We hope all our families and staff enjoy the break and look forward to everyone being back together on Monday, April 11th.

Report Cards: This quarter will end on April 1st. The parent portal will close on March 31st and reopen to view report cards on April 25th at 4pm.

Goat Busters: Goat Buster will be here on April 11th from 10am-1pm clearing out the weeds in our garden. We are so thankful to the PTO for their undertaking this project and the unique learning opportunity it presents.

Talent Show: Currently our talent show is set for April 21st from 5p-7p. This will happen, rain or shine, under the tent on the blacktop. 

Field Day: Mark your calendars: Field Day will be held on June 7th. Ms. Hanson will share more information regarding this fun event soon. 

5th grade Moving Up Ceremony: The 5th grade moving up ceremony will be held on June 8th at 9am. Currently we are planning to conduct the ceremony outdoors. In the event of inclement weather, the event would be moved indoors and we kindly request that only parents/guardians attend.

Planning for the 2022-2023 School Year: It’s hard to imagine that it’s time to begin preparation for the next school year. As it stands, and based on enrollment, Murray will revert to a two class format for kindergarten and add an additional 1st grade class. Per usual, grades 2-5 will remain at two classes per grade. 

PE Update (a word from Ms. Hanson, PE teacher):

It has been an exciting month in PE as we have transitioned to using equipment!

This month we have conquered jump roping. The students began the unit by partaking in various line jumps followed by class periods where they performed specific jumps while incorporating the jump ropes. It was challenging, but many have continued their eagerness to improve during their recess time as well as on our free choice days in PE.

We have used the smart board in the gym on our inclement weather days by participating in different activities, usually based on the upcoming holiday/season or national day of the year. In March, grades K-2 danced to an Irish jig, took part in a few “Would you rather” activities as well as ran through some St. Patrick’s Day obstacle courses that we refer to as a “Chase”. Grades 3-5 took part in some of these same activities. “Stations” were also a staple of their indoor PE classes. On these days, each class/grade votes on specific exercises that they then complete for time.

Striking is our next unit that will be introduced early next week. Dependent on grade level, students will focus on striking an object with a bat, racket or paddle.

Thank you, PTO: The teachers thoroughly enjoyed the Roots lunch you provided on March 21st. Our bellies and hearts were both filled by your generosity. Thank you for always taking care of us.

We also want to say thank you for your work putting together our Murray newspaper, the Murray Luminary. It was beautifully crafted. We loved seeing the creativity of our students showcased in this way.

Interested in serving as a PTO officer next year? Please email: president@vlmpto.org

Dear Murray Families,

While we are still contending with the pandemic, your support has made it possible for us to move forward with minimal disruptions in the “nearer-to-normal” learning experience. Thank you a million times over; I am truly grateful! Daily, our students arrive ready, eager to learn, and happy to be with their peers and teachers. 

Even though it’s the shortest month of the year, February is sure to be chock-full of celebrations and informational excitement! Here are just a few examples:

Report Cards-On February 11th, report cards will be viewable in PowerSchool at 4pm. (This is a change to the original date.) If you have any difficulty accessing PowerSchool, please feel encouraged to contact the front office by calling (434-977-4599) or emailing Carla Dodson or Janet King. (Cdodson2@k12albemarle.org, Jking2@k12albemarle.org)         

Valentine’s Day-For many of our students, February 14th serves as a special opportunity to elevate and extend friendships at Murray. In order to assist with its facilitation, please find a few reminders below: 

• If a student decides to share edible candies or baked goodies, please be sure they are store purchased and prepackaged.
• If a student decides to exchange cards, please be sure there are enough for every member in the class. A class list will be shared with families from your child’s teacher in the coming days.

New Entry Protocol-In an effort to continually improve school safety, the division has installed an intercom and camera system near the front entrance. It is located to the right of the front doors at the main entrance.

Below, you will find directions on how to use it:

1. Ring intercom to the right of the front doors (located on brick wall).
2. Stand back about 3 feet and remove mask.
3. A school employee will then greet you and inquire to the purpose of your visit.
4. You will be given access to the building once cleared.
5. Before entering, please make sure your mask is back on.
6. Door will open, allowing you to come to the office.

Extra Clothing and Masks- Please make sure that your child has extra masks in their backpacks. It is important that every child is wearing a clean, dry, and properly fitting mask.

Lower hall families (grades prek-2)- Please make sure your child has an extra set of clothing at school and that they are seasonally appropriate. The need for additional clothing coupled with the recent inclement weather is significantly impacting Murray’s inventory of spare clothing. 

Lost and Found- Our lost and found catalog is ever growing. As such, we will strategically place the lost and found rack under the portico by the front door this Thursday and Friday. Please feel encouraged to give it a “once over” if your child is missing apparel from home. Please remember to label all jackets, hats, gloves, water bottles, etc.

Spelling Bee- On Monday, January 8th, we held our school-wide Spelling Bee. We are pleased to announce that Murray Elementary will be represented in the District Spelling Bee on February 8th, 2022 by 4th grader, Ellie Canoles. In the event that Ellie cannot attend, we will be represented by the runner up, 5th grader, Layla Lavoy. Congratulations to all the wonderful spellers who participated!

UPCOMING EVENTS:

• February 8                     District Spelling Bee
• February 10                   January/February PTO Meeting – 7:30 – 9:00 PM
  meet.google.com/jxy-pznw-dan​​​​​​​   OR      +1 574-318-7604
• February 11                   Parent Portal reopens at 4:00 PM
• February 14                   Happy Valentine’s Day!
• Feb 15 – 17                     Second Grade CogAT – 8:30 – 9:30 AM
• February 17                   100th Day of School
• February 18                   NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS 
• February 25                   VLM Spirit Day – wear your Murray Green or VLM shirt
• March 4                         NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS 
• March 18                       NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS -  Teacher Work Day
• March 25                        VLM Spirit Day – wear your Murray Green or VLM shirt
• March 29                        Group Pictures/Spring Portraits

  
Sincerely,

C’ta DeLaurier, Principal
 

Dear Mustang Families,
The first part of the 2021-2022 year has gone by quickly and it has been an exciting time. As we shift from one calendar year to the next,  I would like to pause to underscore many of the things that make me incredibly grateful to be a Murray Mustang!

I am grateful for our students. They provide me with a daily reminder of why we are here and what is essential. I am truly thankful for the opportunity to spend our weekdays with them.

I am grateful for the support of the families in co-constructing an excellent community for our students. Murray has families whose partnerships in their children’s education has helped to create a safe and academically robust learning environment. For this, I will always be thankful. 

I am grateful for the teachers, assistants, office associates, school nurse, lunch clerks, support staff, interns, coordinators, custodians, counselors and bus drivers who care about students and have the best interests of our students. I see dedicated and hard-working individuals going above and beyond to make sure that great things happen in our school. They do make a difference, and our students benefit from those efforts.

Finally, I would like to wish all of you and your families a healthy, safe, and happy break! We look forward to seeing our students back at school for a regular school day on Tuesday, January 4th, 2022.

Sincerely,

C'ta  DeLaurier
______________________________________________________________________________
Important Upcoming Dates:

December 20th- January 3rd-Holiday break

January 4th-Return from holiday break (Students return to Murray Elementary)

January 17th- Holiday

January 21st- Students will  learn in person for first half of day: second half of day reserved for PLC meetings and End of 2nd Quarter

January 24th and 25th-Full day of Teacher Workday (no school for students)
 

Dear Murray Families,
 
It has been wonderful observing students as they returned eager and engaged to classroom learning. We are looking forward to a wonderful second quarter.  Just as a reminder, you can now access first quarter academic reports on the parent portal housed within Power School. 

A couple of reminders for review:

Multilingual Family Technology Support Night: The International & ESOL Program and Department of Technology will host another Multilingual Family Technology Support Night on Tuesday, November 30, from 5 to 6 p.m. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn how the BrainPOP ELL and Co:Writer programs can help grow students’ literacy skills. We will have Arabic, Dari, and Spanish interpretation. No RSVP is needed and the Zoom link is included in the event flyers (below)

• English flyer
• Spanish-English flyer
• Arabic-English flyer

Mask Wearing: We have been doing a GREAT job at Murray Elementary of wearing masks! However, during a pandemic, it is sometimes helpful for students to review proper mask wearing practices periodically. Please take a few minutes to review with your child the CDC guidance linked into our district website to ensure the proper fitting of masks worn to school.

Music Concert: This year, our students have the opportunity to participate in a Murray sponsored winter concert. Cumulatively, the concert is a 30-minute video presentation of songs recorded by our learning technology integrator, Mr. Brian Squires. This show is a celebration of winter, family, and friendship. Families will receive a Zoom link to this invite-only video concert, which will be first presented live at 7pm on December 17th. Families will also have the option of receiving a download of the show afterwards. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to email Julia Conceison    (jconceison@k12albemarle.org.)

Homework During Breaks: As we approach winter break, please recall, per policy, homework should not be assigned to students over our three major holiday breaks, including Thanksgiving Break, Winter Break, and Spring Break. 

New Murray Friend: I am pleased to announce a new member to the Murray Mustang staff, Mrs. Karen Rubendall. Mrs. Rubendall will serve as the teaching assistant in Mrs. Vikki Mayberry's kindergarten classroom. Welcome, Mrs. Rubendall!!!

Important Upcoming Dates:

• December 8th-Students will learn in person for the first half of the day; the second half of the day is reserved for professional learning community meetings; student dismissal is at 11:30am
• December 20st-31th; January 3rd-Holiday
•  January 17th-Holiday
• January 21st-Students will learn in person for the first half of the day; the second half of the day is reserved for professional learning community meetings; student dismissal is at 11:30am.
• January 24th and 25th-Full day of Teacher Workday (no school for students)

Sincerely,

C’ta DeLaurier
 

Dear Murray Families,

Every season in Virginia offers an aesthetic that I deeply appreciate. Now that it is November, the stunning shifts in the landscape’s palette often leaves me in absolute awe. Recently, I joined several classes outside who were taking full advantage of Murray’s bucolic setting. Students were exploring along the nature trail, gathering and classifying leaves, and having fun with their peers. In short, it's another reminder of why Murray is a great place to grow.
__________________________________________________________________________
A Few Essential Notes:
Golden Apple- It’s that time of year again! The 2021-22 Golden Apple Nomination Form is now live. Information, including nomination criteria, is available on our Golden Apple Awards web page. The nomination form will remain open until January 24, 2022.

Report Cards- Report cards will be viewable in PowerSchool (PS) on Nov 22, 2021 beginning at 5pm. If you currently do not have access to your child's PS account, contact the office to request login information.

Temperature- It’s now much cooler, especially in the mornings. Please be sure that your student wears clothing appropriate to the shift in temperature to school.

Pedestrian Traffic- We have several families who walk to and from school. Recently, one of our families traveling home on foot experienced a traffic event that was fairly unnerving. While there were no injuries, it is a reminder for us all to please pay special attention, especially during drop-off and pick-up times.

Upcoming Calendar Events:
•    November 10th- Early Dismissal at 11:30am (Division Professional Learning Community in the afternoon) 
•    November 24th, 25th, & 26th-Holiday 
•    November 29th-Return to Murray 
Sincerely,
C’ta DeLaurier
 

Hello Murray Families,
As a parent with children that both have and currently attend Murray, there are many reasons for us to be proud Mustang members. One of the aspects that I appreciate most about this school is its sense of community. 

On a recent Sunday, Cub Scout Pack 114 and Gregg Korbon replanted a tree in memory of Brian Korbon on the lower playground. The tree’s planting and continued care, coupled with experiences like this, are tangible examples of what it means to be a Murray Mustang.

 

New Staff Members: I’m pleased to announce two (2) additional members to the Murray team. Please welcome Dorjee Tso, Preschool Teaching Assistant, and Lexi Ellison, ESOL and FLES, educator (grades Kindergarten and first). We’re excited they’re now Murray Mustang members. Bienvenidas, Ms. Tso and Ms. Ellison!!

Active Panels: Exciting technology news!!! In the very near future,  many learning spaces at Murray Elementary will receive an Activpanel. 

Teachers are working with our Learning Technology Integrator, Brian Squires, in order to learn more about this technology tool.

Halloween Parade Reminder: On October 28th and contingent on weather, we hope to have a short Halloween parade on the track for grades prekinder-5th from 8:15-8:45am.  

Virtual CRT & Anti-Racism Classes: Community Education is proud to offer FREE classes in partnership with our ACPS Equity Specialists to inform parents and the community about culturally responsive teaching and anti-racism. Here’s one (1) example:

• Anti-Racism Orientation: Unpacking What It Means to Be Anti-Racist
  Wednesday, October 27, 2021 | 6 to 7:15 p.m.

Upcoming Calendar Events:

• October 28th- (pending weather) Halloween parade and end of the quarter/End of the first quarter.
• October 29th- Full day of PD 
• November 1st- Teacher Workday; full day
• November 2nd- Parent/Teacher Conferences
• November 10th- Early Dismissal (Division Professional Learning Community in the afternoon)
• November 24th, 25th, & 26th-Holiday

Sincerely,
C’ta DeLaurier
 

 
Hello Murray Families,

Back-to-School: Back-to-School is September 23rd from 4:30-6:30pm. This year, it is entirely virtual. We are asking families to join sessions via Zoom. Please select time slots to meet with your child’s teachers by using this Sign-Up Genius menu. On Wednesday, September 22nd, families will receive the Zoom links in order to attend these forums.

Fall Growth Assessments Reminder: A short reminder that the Virginia General Assembly introduced a new expectation for state assessments in elementary and middle schools. The purpose of these new assessments is to measure students' growth and progress in reading and mathematics content standards. Based on this legislation, students in grades 3-8 will be taking a Virginia Growth Assessments (VGA) this fall.

For fall 2021, the VGA will focus on identifying potential learning gaps resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Most ACPS students in grades 3-8 will take VGAs in the subject areas of reading and mathematics. Questions cover content that would have been taught in the previous grade level.
VGAs must be taken at the school under supervision of school staff. This week, 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade Murray Elementary students will take the VGA on September 14th and 15th. If you have any questions, please contact Laura Richardson, Murray’s Testing Coordinator (LRichardson@k12albemarle.org).

Breakfast and Lunch Reminder: Weather permitting, students will eat breakfast and lunch outside. (As it grows cooler, please be sure your child has appropriate outerwear while at school.)During inclement weather, students will eat in the cafeteria 4-5 feet apart while facing one direction. Breakfast is served from 7:45am-8:00am. Lunch hours are from 10:25am-1:00pm. 

Picture Day: Picture Day is coming on October 5th. Please mark your calendar.

Traffic: Thank you for supporting the drop-off and pick-up process. Through our collective efforts, we are able to begin class nearly at 8:00am and dismiss at 2:28 daily. Hurray!!!!

As we continue to improve processes on campus, please also be mindful of foot traffic on Morgantown Road. There are several families that walk the short distance from their homes to school.

 As always, thank you for reading and go Mustangs!!!

 

Sincerely,
C’ta DeLaurier

 

Dear Murray Families,

Welcome to the 2021-2022 school year! We are thrilled to have 264 students return to face-to-face instruction. It is my hope that this message, which is chock-full of helpful information, will provide you with necessary insight as we prepare for a successful school year. 
 
New Staff Members:
Each year brings positive change. This includes a few additions to our staff. We are delighted to welcome:
•    Julia Conceison (Music)
•    Karin Constant (Counselor)
•    Tyler Dodson (Teaching Assistant)
•    Karen Grenadier (School Nurse)
•    Erica Hanson (PE)
•    Amy Hepler (Early Childhood)
•    Jamie Hinson (Teaching Assistant)
•    Cate Little (Teaching Assistant)
•    Vikki Mayberry ( Kindergarten Teacher)
•    Yeshe Sheehy (Teaching Assistant)
 
Breakfast and Lunch:
Breakfast and lunch will be provided at no cost to all students again this year. Weather permitting, students will eat breakfast and lunch outside. During inclement weather, students will eat in the cafeteria 4-5 feet apart while facing one direction. On days your student would like breakfast, they should let their teacher know upon arrival and report to the cafeteria. Students will grab breakfast and return to class after eating. Breakfast is served from 7:45am-8:00 am. Lunch hours are from 10:25am-1:00pm. If your child would like to receive a school lunch, they should inform their teacher. Teachers will take lunch orders in the classroom every morning. Lunch periods will begin earlier this year to allow for proper spacing and distancing. Consequently, we ask that you send a larger snack for children to have throughout the day during snack periods.

COVID Guidelines  and Mitigation Strategies:

In order to minimize the spread of COVID-19, our school will follow Albemarle County Public Schools’ mitigation measures as developed and updated based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Virginia Department of Health (VDH), the Blue Ridge Health District (BRHD), and local medical professionals. Please review the division’s most current  Mitigation Strategies Webpage  for information regarding:

•    Daily COVID-19 Screenings
•    Masks
•    Physical Distancing
•    Hand Hygiene
•    Cleaning and Disinfecting
•    Ventilation
•    School Meals
•    Transportation
•    Visitor Policy
•    Management of Illness as School
•    COVID-19 Response Sequencing and Procedures
 
Please remember, all students must stay home when sick, wear a face mask in school, and maintain as much physical distance as possible while on campus. (Please review the COVID-19 slide deck) Additionally, if your child has not had to wear a mask often, it may be beneficial to start mask training at home prior to the start of school. It will take all of us (students, staff, and families) to support a school environment which continues to be safe and welcoming. #UNITEDEFFORTS

Medicine Administration While At School: If your child needs medications while at school, please read.

Meet the Teacher:
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, we are offering staggered Open House sessions. If you have not signed up for a slot, please feel encouraged to do so here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c094ba8a72fa3fd0-murray1

Morning Drop-Off/ Afternoon Pick-Up: As we implement traffic patterns, it’s critical our families become familiar with these expectations.  IMAGES & EXPECTATIONS can be located here. 

PowerSchool Parent Portal: The Parent Portal is where you can find your child’s class and bus assignments. An access letter was mailed last week to new families. It contains your username and password to set up your child's new account or add to a previous sibling account. If you are having trouble accessing your account, whether you are a new or a returning family, you may reach out to Cdodson2@k12albemarle.org for assistance. The portal will open on August 17th at 4:00pm.
PTO: 
 Sign up for Murray Matters, our PTO newsletter, and receive the latest parent updates via email. Please visit the PTO site to sign up: .V.L. Murray PTO Web Site
Supplies:
Our school supply lists can be found here:
https://mes.k12albemarle.org/families/supply-lists
 
Technology:
At this time, classroom laptops (grades 3-5) and iPads (k-2) are assigned to students and should remain at school. 
 
Towels: Students should bring a towel with them to school. Each towel should be labeled with your student’s first and last names. In an attempt to take full advantage of our beautiful campus, students will use them to sit on when outside throughout the school day. Towels should travel home on Fridays for a weekly cleaning cycle.
 
Transportation Information: Bus number and bus stop information is now updated in Parent Portal. Please note, if you need to make any changes or additions it may take up to 10 days to process.  If you need a long term alternate stop ( eg., an alternate bus route and stop for childcare purposes) you must fill out an alternate bus stop form. This is available on the ACPS transportation site, or you may reach out to Cdodson2@k12albemarle.org for a copy. At this time, students are not able to ride an alternate bus for the first two (2) weeks of school. This allows division bus drivers an opportunity to learn their students and routes without shifts in their rosters.
 
Water Bottles:
We kindly request that every student brings a water bottle with their name on it to school daily. All water fountains are equipped with a bottle filler.
 
Website: The Murray Elementary website has many useful links to things such as the Parent Portal, ST Math, and the PTO newsletter. It also holds the school calendar. It can be located here: https://mes.k12albemarle.org/

 
If you have any specific questions, need information about practices, or have the need to speak with a counselor, please do not hesitate to contact us. The front office and I are happy to assist you.Thank you for reading and I  look forward to working with you this year. 
 
Sincerely, 
 
C’ta DeLaurier, principal

Dear Murray Families,

     I am honored and excited to serve as the principal of Murray Elementary this year. I am fully committed to the school and hope to serve the community in future years. It is my goal to continue the legacy of success through collaboration, hard work, and a strong community partnership.  

Flexibility, communication, and collaboration will be key in making this a meaningful school year for our students as we continue to navigate through unprecedented times. 

As we begin the school year, please note a few dates and actionable steps: 

Meet and Reconnect
    
Community is a critical part of the V.L. Murray culture. I invite you to join me on either July 30th or August 6th from 4:00pm-6:00pm for a Kona Ice snow cone along with a brief hello. We are asking families to sign-up for this event. Sign-Up Genius Link
 
Open House
      
Open House will be held in-person this year on August 19th between the hours of 3:00pm-5:30pm. This is a chance for you and your child to drop off supplies, see your child’s classroom, and meet their teacher. (Teacher and bus assignments will be available in the Parent Portal shortly before this day.)  Since we will be meeting in person, COVID-19 protocols should be observed. While in the building, this includes wearing a mask and maintaining a three (3) foot distance. Again, because of the virus, we are sustaining our safety and mitigation measures and ask for your support in making sure this happens. 

Additionally, we would like to limit the number of individuals in the building. To support this effort, we have created a sign-up form to help structure attendance and foot traffic. Here is the link to sign-up for this event. Please choose a time that works for your family. If you have multiple children, feel free to choose multiple slots. Please call the front office if you have any questions.

For your convenience, here is a link to the recommended school supplies list. 

The first day of school is Monday, August 23rd. 

Please recall that teacher and bus assignments will be available in the Parent Portal shortly before Open House. We’re super excited and eager to start!!!    
Communication/Contact Information - Communication remains important. For broad informational purposes:

 
Beginning in early to mid August:

Please visit the VL Murray Elementary website for general information. (eg., calendar, lunch menus, school directory, school supplies list, principal’s message, PTO link)

In mid-August:

Returning families may begin to refamiliarize and use Parent Portal as a resource. Our new families will receive communication from the school with portal log-in information. Families can have access to student information, such as attendance, grades, teacher and bus assignments. At that time, and if you do not already have a Parent Portal account, you can go to https://www.k12albemarle.org/for-families/parent-portal and follow the instructions to create an account. Please make sure family contact information is current prior to the start of the school. 

 Visit the Albemarle County Public Schools website at https://www.k12albemarle.org/ for the latest information from the division.

I look forward to a wonderful 2021-2022 school year! 

Sincerely, 
C’ta Mitchelson-DeLaurier
Principal, Murray Elementary