What's New?
Murdock Newsletter
January 16, 2008
A BIG THANK YOU to everyone
who sent in information this week!!! Keep it coming!
Calendar
Wednesday, Jan. 16-Early dismissal at 1:15 pm
Jan. 18 – Family Movie Night at the Elementary School at 6:30 p.m.
Jan. 18 – “Hats on Day”
Jan. 23 – 5-8 Spelling Bee at the Elementary gym at 1:30 p.m.
Jan. 25 – Popcorn Friday
Feb. 5 – Elementary Science Fair from 6:45-8:00 p.m. in the gym.
Feb. 7 – No School -Parent/Teacher Conferences from 12:00-8:00 p.m.
Feb. 12 – S.O.S. meeting in the cafeteria at 6:30 p.m.
Feb. 15 – S.O.S. Soup Supper at Murdock during the Louisville basketball game
Monday, Jan. 21-Martin Luther King Day
Inspiration
Click here for PPT play (2.5 Meg file)
Elmwood-Murdock Grades 2A and 2B are competing against each other with THE GREAT SNOWBALL BOOK BLITZ.
This is the monthly reading incentive activity in which the second grade students will read at home, fill out a paper snowball, and return to school to put on the bulletin board. Each snowball form needs the student's name, the title of the book, the author and the number of pages read. Both teachers record the number of books and the number of pages. At the end of January, we will announce which class read the most books and the most pages. Everyone who participates will be invited to our celebration. So, come on all you second graders out there, let's start to build some really big snowball piles!!
Thanks for sending in this information, Mrs. Glantz!!!
Helpful Hints
Top Ten New Year Resolutions
(taken from www.goalsguy.com)
New Year's is the only holiday that celebrates the passage of time. Perhaps that's why, as the final seconds of the year tick away, we become introspective. Inevitably, that introspection turns to thoughts of self-improvement and the annual ritual of making resolutions, which offer the first of many important tools for remaking ourselves.
The following list is the result of our extensive survey, which consisted of over 300,000 responses worldwide.
1. Lose Weight and Get in Better Physical Shape
Physical activity builds physical vitality. With every year of your life, you have more to gain from being physically active; as your age-related risks of chronic disease increase, regular exercise generally slows or reverses that trend.
In fact, you're even more likely to notice the benefits of regular exercise if you already have a chronic condition.
Are you ever going to be fit again as long as you live? The answer is unless you make a resolution to get fit – you’re never going to be fit – ever. The choice is yours; it begins by opting for the stairs instead of the elevator, fruit in place of chocolate, and active rather than sedentary activities.
We have an AWESOME fitness center that is VERY reasonably priced for yearly membership for those of you who were not aware. Contact the high school at 867-2341 for more information.
2. Stick to a Budget
It’s been said that the best defense is a good offense. Developing and sticking to a realistic budget is a brilliant offensive move as it prevents overspending and ensures peace of mind.
Many people find it very difficult to stick to a budget. It does take hard work and a lot of self-discipline, at least in the beginning. The good news is that most people find the longer they can stick to a budget, the easier it becomes.
3. Debt Reduction
One of the first things you have to do before any debt can be eliminated is to stop using charge accounts. If you continue to use the accounts, you are only fueling the problem, and building on it, not solving it.
Make a resolution now to stop charging anything and to get financially stable. If you can't pay cash for it, you don't need it, make it just that simple and you will find yourself out of debt in no time at all.
Keep a diary of all money spent, whether it is by cash, check, credit card, etc. Once you know where your money is going, then, and only then, can you take the steps needed to prepare a good budget that you can live with and make huge strides to budgeting your debt away.
4. Enjoy More Quality Time with Family & Friends
More and more people are resolving to spend more quality time with family and friends this year. This means you must consciously decide to actively and purposely work on improving your family situation every day.
You may need to do such things as reschedule business activities to make time for your kids, help your children set and achieve worthwhile goals, and setting aside an hour a day for the family, every day.
Starting right now, you can begin to make choices and take day-to-day actions that will create nothing short of a phenomenal family. You can choose to have one if you just resolve to do it and know where to put your focus. Making our families stronger and healthier is important to our communities, our state and our world.
5. Find My Soul Mate
Romance is alive and well as more and more people are looking for that special someone, their soul mate who lights their fire, the ONE whom they love unequivocally and who shares their worldview.
Soul mate relationships are the sort of romantic relationships most of us dreamt of when we were young and innocent: loving and erotic, committed and inspiring and best of all - lasting.
Soul mate relationships give both partners the fulfillment that deeply satisfies them and makes them feel that they have found the most wonderful person in the whole universe.
6. Quit Smoking
Becoming a non-smoker is probably one of the best decisions you can ever make, and is a life changing as well as a life saving decision.
The benefits to your health, relationships, finances, vitality, the environment and to your sense of self-esteem for having conquered a really hard-to-kick habit will make any and all of your efforts and determination more than worth while. The resolution to become a non-smoker will also help you to live longer and enjoy the finer things in life.
Once you’ve made the resolution to stop, acted upon it and succeeded, you'll feel great about what you have achieved. Resolving to give up is your decision, and will improve your life from that moment on. No one can make you quit, and no one can help you make the resolution. You have to do it yourself, you have to want to do it, and you need to do it now!
7. Find a Better Job
A new year provides a sense of getting a free do-over, so you can try again and get it right. Many people resolve to find better jobs or to take a new approach to the jobs they've already got.
It's corny, but true -- most of us get reflective at this time of year and if we are in jobs already, we begin thinking: Am I on the right path? Do I like where my position and my company are headed? Am I even in the right career?
So you've been hearing that voice again, the one that says you're not doing what you were born to do. That may be true, but how do you figure out what you should be doing?
To begin answering this question, examine whether your current career path matches your core interests, beliefs, values, needs and skills. Resolve to ask and answer those essential questions before making any new career changes.
8. Learn Something New
People throughout the world are realizing that a strong resolve to lifelong learning is more than just education and training beyond formal schooling. A lifelong learning framework encompasses learning throughout the life cycle, from cradle to grave and in different learning environments, formal, non-formal and informal.
Perhaps you are considering a career change, want to learn a new language or musical instrument, or just how to become a better cook? Whether you take a course or read a book, you'll find education to be one of the easiest, most motivating and beneficial resolutions to keep. Challenge your mind in the coming year, break out of currents routines and challenge every comfort zone and watch your horizons expand.
9. Volunteer and Help Others
A popular, non-selfish New Year's resolution, volunteerism can take many forms such as spending time helping out at your local library, mentoring a child, or building a house to name a few.
Volunteering has risen sharply in the years since we began collecting resolutions. This suggests the possible emergence of a new civic generation and a resolve to make a bigger and better difference with your life.
Resolve to replace the pursuit of success and materialism with the pursuit of contribution and generosity. For this to occur, the critical question must move from, “How can I become successful?” to, “What can I contribute that will significantly impact other people's lives?” By focusing on what we can contribute, we automatically become successful.
10. Get Organized
Resolve this year to plan your days, reduce interruptions, clean off your desk, say "No", and make detailed lists. The benefits of getting more organized include being able to save time, as you no longer look for the same things over and over again or need to replace things you can’t find at all.
You will reduce stress because when you know where everything is, there’s no last-minute rush to find what you need and get out the door on time for school, soccer practice, or that important business meeting.
You will also find yourself being much more productive, as all the time you once spent looking for things can now be used to do more important or more enjoyable tasks.
Most people define being organized as quickly and easily able to find what you need. While this is certainly true, organization is so much more. The ability to staying organized lets you focus on accomplishing your most important goals. That’s the true benefit of being organized.
We’re two weeks into the New Year already! Anyone make a resolution that has already been broken? Don’t be discouraged, but try, try, again!
What’s Happening Around Our Community
THIRD GRADE WELCOMES STUDENT TEACHER
Mrs. Backemeyer has a student teacher from Wayne State College. Her name is Tara Oliva. We would like to welcome Miss Oliva to our school. She will be working with Mrs. Backemeyer for the majority of the semester.
S.O.S. SOUP SUPPER
The Elementary Parent Organization (S.O.S.) will be having a Soup Supper at the Murdock School on February 15, 2008 during the Louisville basketball game. The soup supper will be held in the old gym from 5:30-8:00 p.m.
Call Kim Rust (994-4395) or Miki Bruns (994-2770) if you can help in any way with the Soup Supper. We need people to work on Thursday, February 14 at 2:00 p.m. at the kitchen in Murdock to help prepare and cook the soups. We will also need help at the Soup Supper on Friday, February 15. Also, please contact either of these ladies if you can donate any of the following items: chicken and broth, hamburger, brownies, and soup crackers.
HATS ON DAY FUNDRAISER
Starting Monday, January 14, the Elementary Student Council will begin a weeklong fundraiser to try and raise money for Children’s Cancer Research. We had a blast last year with “Hats On Day” and are excited to do it again. This is a day when students pay fifty cents to wear a hat to school and the proceeds are sent to the Foundation For Children With Cancer in St. Louis Missouri.
“Hats On Day” was started in 1995 by four sixth grade students in St. Louis, Missouri. These girls started this project to raise money for a classmate, Kevin Baffa, who was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Sadly, Kevin passed away just a few days before the event. However, since 1995 schools in multiple states have taken up the project and have continued to raise money for children who suffer from the effects of cancer.
In addition to this great project, we would like to see which class can raise the most money in one week. So we are asking that kids bring in any spare change they can manage. Each class will get a jar at Monday’s assembly to start collecting their money. The first fifty cents a student donates will allow them to wear a hat for “Hats On Day”. The class that raises the most money will win a movie party sponsored by the Student Council.
“Hats On Day” will take place on January 18. There will be prizes awarded for the most colorful, the silliest, the fuzziest, the prettiest, the hat with the most school spirit, the biggest, the smallest, the most original, and the wordiest hat. All hats must still follow school dress code and be appropriate for a school event.
GEOGRAPHY BEE RESULTS
Brenna Backemeyer is the winner of our Geography Bee. Congratulations Brenna!
Brenna will now take a written test to qualify for the State Geography Bee.
ATTENTION: Senior & Junior Parents: 2008 Post-Prom Committee Meeting scheduled for FEBRUARY 5 at 7:00 p.m. in the Elmwood-Murdock High School Library. If you cannot attend and would like to help with upcoming fund raising projects or events, contact Cindy S. Drake (kcqdrake@alltel.net), 275-3755 OR 429-3752.
Elmwood Church hosting Soup Extravaganza Sunday, January 27 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. More details to come!
Elmwood Volunteer Fire and Rescue Weekly Winner
Elmwood Rescue 2008 Weekly Winner: Jan, 12th #2. Virgina Dennis, Elmwood Ne to See past winners visit www.elmwoodvfrd.org
THE ELMWOOD LIONS CLUB USED EYEGLASSES AND HEARING AID DRIVE
The Elmwood Lions Club will be conducting a used eyeglasses and hearing aid drive. Glasses need to be in good condition. Any hearing aids are welcome. Glasses that are collected are sent to Rochester Minnesota where they are cataloged and distributed all over the world. Buckets will be available for depositing glasses and hearing aids at both the elementary school office and the high school office. See Sharon Kunz for more information.
This comment was sent into me:
Nebraska Women’s Basketball
“We watched those gals trounce #15 rated Texas @ Devaney last night & were tickled to see Nikki Bober getting a lot of playing time, & retrieving a lot of rebounds!”
Nikki was also seen supporting the Elmwood-Murdock basketball team Friday night. Way to go Nikki! Good to see you!
“Zig Zag D-Wyer” enjoys the half time shut out of the Elmwood-Murdock Lady Nights against Weeping Water Indians last Saturday afternoon. The Knights almost hold the Indians to a single digit score. Final score was 37-12.
A strong defense by the Junior Varsity boys keeps them ahead of the Indians until the last seconds of the game when the Indians crept ahead by 3 for the win. “Nickelbucks Beebee” #35 and Waites #25 get large on ‘D’ to keep the Knights ahead in the majority of the game.
Varsity boys play a hard game that pays off big with a 20 point spread for a win. Final score 63-43.
FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT FEATURING “THE ROOKIE”
Free Admission
Friday, January 18th at the Elementary School gym in Elmwood
Pizza and drinks available from 5:30 -6:30 p.m. before the movie – cost is minimal
Popcorn & pretzels sold for movie
6:30 movie in the gym-bring your blankets and pillows
This is open to Elementary Students and their Families. A parent must accompany all students.
SPONSORED BY THE S.O.S.
Dedicated to Angie Fries and her family:
(sent in by Michele Fortney)
Life is too short to wake up with regrets. So love the people who treat you right. Forget about the one's who don't. Believe everything happens for a reason... If you get a second chance, grab it with both hands. If it changes your life, let it. Nobody said life would be easy, they just promised it would be worth it.
Friends are like balloons; once you let them go, you can't get them back.
News to the Editor
- Please send all your Murdock area news to me. Birthdays, anniversaries, announcements, events or news are welcome and will be added to the upcoming newsletter. Thanks in advance for all your help!
Teri Bowman
Editor@murdocknebraska.com
