Murray Elementary School

Principal's News

Dear Families,

As we enter November, it’s a wonderful time to pause and reflect on all that we are thankful for. This season reminds us of the importance of community, kindness, and appreciation — and we are certainly grateful for your continued support, partnership, and care.

In our classrooms, there is so much great learning taking place! Students are building on their skills, engaging in thoughtful discussions, and showing perseverance as they take on new challenges. We are proud of the effort and curiosity they bring each day. Whether it’s mastering new math concepts, diving into a good book, exploring scientific ideas, or sharing creative writing pieces, our students are growing in remarkable ways.

November also offers us special opportunities to celebrate gratitude. We are encouraging students to express appreciation for others and to notice the big and small moments that make their days brighter. Together, we’re creating a community that values empathy, respect, and teamwork.

As the holidays approach, we want to thank you for your ongoing support at home. Your involvement and encouragement make a tremendous difference in your child’s success and joy in learning.

Wishing all of our families a peaceful and thankful November!

Warmly,

John & Wendy

Every Day Matters, Every Moment Counts

One of the most important things your student can do to be successful in school is to show up. Research shows that missing instruction is linked to a variety of negative outcomes, such as increased risk of failure and dropout, falling behind in critical reading and math skills, lost opportunities for social development, higher rates of stress and anxiety, increased likelihood of substance use, and more. Research also shows that chronic absenteeism and truancy do not affect all students equally. Students of color, students with disabilities, English Learners, and students from economically disadvantaged households have disproportionately high rates of chronic absenteeism. And, truancy rates are highest among high school students. Download our printable Attendance Checklist for more information about when we should see your child in class and when it is best for your child to stay home.

Labeling Clothing and all other Assessories

As the weather turns cooler, please be sure your child is dressed appropriately for outdoor play and recess. Layers work best during this time of year since mornings can be chilly and afternoons often warm up. We also ask that all clothing and accessories—especially jackets, hats, and gloves—be clearly labeled with your child’s name. This helps us return lost items quickly and keeps our lost and found from overflowing. Thank you for helping your child stay comfortable, cozy, and ready to learn each day!

Just added: Golden Apple Nomination Information

The nomination window for the 2025-2026 Golden Apple Awards is open. Anyone can nominate a teacher for a Golden Apple: students, families, community members, or other educators.

Golden Apple webpage: https://www.k12albemarle.org/our-division/golden-apple-awards

Nominations will close on Monday, January 26, 2026.

School Wide Morning Meeting & Costume Parade

Join us on Friday, October 31, for our Schoolwide Morning Meeting led by our Student Council! We’re excited to come together to celebrate this fun and festive day as a school community.

Students are encouraged to wear their costumes for our annual costume parade, a beloved tradition that everyone looks forward to each year. Please remember that no mask, weapons or weapon-like accessories are permitted as part of costumes.

In case of rain, we have a backup plan , so the fun will continue—rain or shine!

We can’t wait to see all the creativity and excitement this special day brings. Thank you for helping us make it a safe and joyful event for all.

Merry Murray

If you are interested in helping a Murray family this holiday, visit the Merry Murray sign up link here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A054FA8AF2EA46-59968849-2025.

You can donate a grocery card, or you can purchase an outfit or shoes for a child. You can also purchase a special gift request. These are the items families have asked for from Toy Lift. Your purchase would be donated to Toy Lift, but earmarked for the Murray student, ensuring they get what they wanted for Christmas.

All donations should be delivered to the Murray office. Please note the due dates on the sign up. For questions, please contact Cindy Payne.

News from the Department of Technology

This year, we’re excited to focus on building strong digital citizenship skills with our students! Our goal is to empower them to be responsible, respectful, and safe in all their online interactions. A key emphasis at the start of the year has been on taking care of our devices. This includes closing laptops when not in use, restarting daily, keeping food and drinks away from devices, and checking for updates regularly.

For our older students, we’re also discussing the importance of seeking consent before taking photos or videos and practicing kindness and respect in all online conversations. Additionally, we’re teaching the value of privacy—covering topics such as using social media settings wisely, managing digital footprints, and understanding the potential impact of online actions. Together, we’re helping students become mindful digital citizens, prepared to engage positively and safely in today’s digital world.

Math Night is Thursday, November 13th from 5:30 - 7:00 pm.

Join us for a fun-filled Family Engagement Night focused on math on Thursday, November 13 from 5:30-7pm! Discover ways to make math come alive at home through interactive games, hands-on activities, and collaborative challenges. We will serving pasta for dinner.