Murrieta Elementary Highlights

Highlights of our school:

By Matthew Whittle

The Math-a-thon is to help the children at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. The children at the hospital have deadly diseases like cancer. If you do the Math-a-thon, you help raise money for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

If you raise a lot of money for the hospital, you get cool prizes! If you raise $75 you get: Six Flags Theme Parks Free Admission Ticket, Math-a-thon Sports bag and T-shirt, and Certificate of Achievement. If you raise $35 you get: Six Flags Theme Park Free Admission Ticket, Math-a-thon T-shirt, and Certificate. If you raise any amount you get: Certificate of Achievement.

Join the Math-a-thon and get cool prizes! It's not just for the prizes, it's to help the kids at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital!

For 5th Graders

By James Valdez

The D.A.R.E. program (Drug Awareness Resistance Education) is for all fifth to seventh grade students. The MPD (Murrieta Police Department) provides this program for the Murrieta Unified School District (Murrieta, E. Hale Curran, Tovashal, Avaxat, Rail Ranch, and Alta Murrieta). Here at MES, Officer Dennis Vrooman is in charge of teaching the D.A.R.E. program to our 5th graders.

On our first day of D.A.R.E., which began on Thursday, Feb. 5th, Officer Vrooman showed a 15 minute movie about drugs. He taught us about the meaning and rules of D.A.R.E. At lunch, Officer Vrooman was available to answer any questions students had about D.A.R.E. He even showed his utility belt! Officer Vrooman talks to you about D.A.R.E. and explains that drugs are not cool to do.

Officer Vrooman comes every Thursday. "D.A.R.E. is for fifth graders just like you," quotes Officer Vrooman. The D.A.R.E. program is like going to school. Drugs are like not going to school or even flunking! Drugs don't make you cool, they get you high. Officer Vrooman talks about the depressants (drugs that slow you down) and the high drugs (marijuana, cocaine, pot, speed, etc.). Drugs eventually will kill you. Officer Vrooman mentions how there will be times when someone will try to get you to try drugs. Our answer? Just say NO!!

Music Center Assembly:

Faustwork Mask Theatre

On February 4th our school experienced an amasing theatre performance. The "Masked Man", Mark Amdahl, was at our school to present a witty and thought-provoking performance of dance and theatre. Mark used masks to portray a variety of characters. The performance demonstrated how posture, movement and facial expressions reveal our human emotions.

"This performance really helps are students to understand the importance of body language and communication", said Assistant Principal Mike Lorimer. "It was fun and educational!"

Second Graders celebrate "Patriotic Day"

On Thursday, February 5th our 2nd grade classes were involved in a very educational and fun learning experience- Patriotic Day. The second grade teachers

set up activities that revolved around the study of the American flag and American history.

Students sang patriotic songs and learned a "Yankee Doodle" dance in Mrs. Wilson's class. The students studied historic poems in Mrs. Wood's class. They created their own flag hats of the old red, white, and blue in Mrs. Knueven's class! In Mrs. Arellano's class the students created a sketch of George Washington. Students made a "penny" with the face of Abe Lincoln right on the front!

Lots of fun and learning were had by all as the students moved from one teacher to another throughout the day!

Music Center Assembly:

We Tell Stories Group doing "Earth Tales"

This wonderful group of 3 storytellers performed some excellent tradional stories that all deal with how people relate to nature and the earth. The terrific performance included student participation on stage and in the audience.

MES Student Council puts on "Twin Day"!!!!

Students in all grades, K - 5, found friends to dress up as twins. Some twins were very interesting and other twins were pretty funny looking.

Matthew Lorimer and Ryan Sawdy were two 2nd graders who dressed up as twins. They dressed in matching turtlenecks, hats and flannel shirts.

"It was fun to dress up and see all the twins!" said Ryan. "I liked having my friend Ryan as my twin" Matthew added.

Even the principal and assistant principal dressed as twins. They may have been one of the funniest looking pairs- complete with blue jeans, matching ties, red caps, and PINK SOCKS!!

This experience brought in a "hands-on" exhibit that let our students experience what it was like back in the pioneer days of our western history.

Students got the chance to pan for gold, play with authentic pioneer toys, learn history as they wove cloth, and many other activities.

Parent volunteers helped with the different activities!

The Pioneer Living Experience turned our MPR into a pioneer town!

 "I felt like I was really there" said Brien.

"I loved the panning for gold!" many students exclaimed.

Lots of students got into the spirit by dressing up in Pioneer clothing as well.

Mrs. Hernandez summed up the Pioneer Experience in 2 sentences,

"It was fun and interesting. The kids learned alot!"

Japanese Festival Sounds Assembly November 17, 1997

This was a special multicultural LA Music Center Assembly sponsored by our PTC.

The musicians gave our students an introduction to Japanese music and culture. Performing on Taiko Drums and other ancient and contemporary instruments the members present an amazing fusion of old and new cultures. Many students were involved on stage with the musicians and the instruments. An interesting and fun experience for all involved.

El Nino Disaster Preparedness Assembly headed by the County Dept. of Safety and Supervisor Bob Buster.

November 3rd at 2:00 p.m. in the Multipurpose Room.

This was an informational assembly for 4th and

5th grade classes on the causes and effects of the

"El Nino" weather system. Students and parents

welcomed Mr. Buster and his staff and listened to the presentation on how to be prepared for emergency weather situations. Take home information packets were made available to all the students.

MVHS comes to "Rally" the Say NO to Drugs Idea.

On Wednesday November 5th, Murrieta School was the scene of a Red Ribbon Week Pep Rally provided by the Murrieta High School ASB. There were wonderful speeches by ASB officers like Jared Barrett, ASB President. The cheeerleader squads were there to lead the yells to say no to drugs and build enertaining human pyramids. Then members of the football team made a pitch to stay healthy and do other things besides taking drugs. The football players helped demonstrate by playing games with some elementary students from the audience. Ned and Nadine, the MVHS mascots helped with the judging and provided "high fives" to all!

The MVHS Dance Team performed a fantastic routine. The Ballet Folklorio dance group provided some multicultural music and dance. The MVHS Drama Club had two antidrug skits to get there message accross. There was music provided by the MVHS Jazz band, led by instructor Mr.Brian Boos.

The Basketball team came out on the court and demonstrated some outstanding moves as well as a "Don't do Drugs" message. Then they challenged some Murrieta School students to a game of full court. The outcome wasn't decided until the final shot when the elementary school students sank a lay-up for victory.

The assembly was capped off with a marvelous performance by the MVHS Choir, led by Mr. Byrne. The entire project was organized by the MVHS students as a way of helping their community and overseen by Mr.Mike Pattison, MVHS Activies Director.

Everyone in attendance had a super time (elementary audience and high school performers) and the anti-drug message was clear. "SAY NO TO DRUGS"!!!!! JOIN ME...BE DRUG FREE!!!!

Community Night at MVHS

The Murrieta Valley High School held a community night at the

football game on Oct. 17. The Jaguars entered the Decorated Wagon

contest. Students and parents met after school with Mrs. Keller and

decorated a wagon with lights, glitter, and flowers. Our school won a second place plaque. Congratulations to all who helped!

School Staff

By Matthew Whittle

Mr. Lorimer has been at this school for 4 years. Mr. Lorimer was a teacher before he was a Vice Principal. Mr. Lorimer has been a teacher for many years before he was a Vice principal. Mr. Lorimer likes being a Vice Principal for Murrieta Elementary School a lot. Mr. Lorimer likes all kids and teachers. Mr. Lorimer thinks all staff and students are fun and likes to see the students have fun playing intramurals.

Mr. Lorimer has known the staff for 4 years. Mr. Lorimer says the Aides are very good people to the school. Many of them have been here a long time. Mr. Lorimer has taught at Shivela, Murrieta, and E. Hale Curran.

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Mrs. Tiss has been at Murrieta Elementary School for 27 years. She has been the librarian here for 25 years. She's worked here the longest. She likes kids. She also gets 8 classes in the library a day. Her favorite day of the week is Monday.

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Ms. Wise is our health technician . She has worked here for 6 and a half years. She likes all kids. She likes working here. She said she's lucky to work here. She's been a nurse helper for 4 and a half years.

AIDE ATTACK

by James Valdez

Murrieta Elementary School, where the "biggest" grade is 5th. Our recess aides are my topic. Mrs. Guevara is the first aide I interviewed. Mrs. Guevara really likes kids and her favorite sport is football. When I interviewed Mrs. Guevara she looked as if she had a heart attack! That's why I named this article "Aide Attack." I tend to surprise the recess aides!

BILINGUAL TEACHERS

By Jaron Eldon & Brandon Wolfe

Mrs. Medley

Mrs. Medley loves it at her new school. She loves the school district too. She's had a good year so far and she thinks she'll like the rest of the year. Mrs. Medley thinks it's fun to have a bilingual class. She's made lots of friends in the staff. She's also run into some of her students out of school and also the same with the staff. She's happy with the staff and her class. Mrs. Medley already knew Spanish before she came to this school.

Mr. Nido

Mr. Nido likes this school and he's here for good! He knows he'll have a good year because he's already having a good year. He's also made some friends in the staff. He's met some of his students out of school also. He said his favorite activity is Racquetball because it gives him exercise. He also spoke Spanish before he came to this school.

Mrs. Reglin

Mrs. Reglin likes it at this school. She thinks she'll have a good year because her students are eager to learn. She has made many new friends throughout the whole school. She's run into some of her students at stores and restaurants. Mrs. Reglin is very happy with her class. Her students are making new friends with other kids in other classes.

* HALLOWEEN

By Cody von Muegge

Well, Halloween is now upon us and concern for safety is always there. For those of you who celebrate this day by Trick-or Treating, there are some things you must always consider. Never go to a house that doesn't have any lights on, never eat any unwrapped candy and always have your parents check your "stash" before you eat anything! Always be careful of cars while crossing the street. Carry a flashlight or glow stick if possible so that people may see you and you may see your way! A happy Halloween is a safe Halloween!

Jammin' Basketball

By Christine Enfield

Attention Intramural Basketball Fans!

TEAM: BULLDOGS

From the Bulldogs we have Fernando Esparza! He plays one of the forward positions. He thinks the best player in intramural games is Jory Johnson. His favorite player in pro-basketball is Michael Jordan. When Fernando grows up he wants to be a pro-basketball player. His best friend is his cousin, Raffael. He wants to play for the Chicago Wolves. Fernando is ten years old and is in Mrs. Keller's 5th grade class. He has confidence in himself and speaks Spanish too!

TEAM: HAWKS

From the Hawks we have Carlos Poveda! Carlos is ten years old and is in Mrs. Keller's class. Carlos doesn't really like basketball. He has never played basketball before. He speaks a little bit of Spanish. His best friend is Roy Clark. His favorite basketball movie was, Space Jam. He has fun playing basketball. He wants to keep on playing and thinks the Hawks will win the Championship!

TEAM: PANTHERS

From the Panthers we have Cody Piper! Cody is nine years old (really only two years old because his birthday falls on leap year) and he is also in Mrs. Keller's 5th grade class. Cody feels he has confidence in himself. He wants to play for the Chicago Bulls. He has a pretty good team. His favorite player is Michael Jordan. He plays to win and for fun. He exercises before playing. He has played for one year. He shoots the most shots on his team. He likes most of the people on his team. He thinks he is a good player and he thinks his teammates are good too!

TEAM: DEVILS

From the Devils we have Roy Clark! Roy is nine years old and is in Mrs. Keller's 5th grade class. His favorite sport is basketball. Roy has played basketball for two years. Roy thinks his team is super! Roy has confidence in himself. When Roy grows up he wants to be on the Lakers. His favorite player is Dr. J.

Thanks for reading our first edition of

The JAGUAR JOURNAL

If there is anything you would like to see in our monthly school paper or have any comments or suggestions.

Please submit them in Mrs. Keller's or Ms. Daniels' faculty box. See you next month!

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