Walk-a-thon (Fall)

The John Muir walk-a-thon can be called the run-a-thon since most students seem to run most of their laps. This fund-raiser is multi-faceted in that it combines much needed physical exercise with raising much needed funds for the PTA. Each fall, hopefully on a sunny day, students run or walk laps around the path that surrounds our large grass field. Parents and Guardians assist in stamping envelopes, handing out water bottles, encouraging the students and dancing to the music that is provided by our resident DJ Harry Overstreet. With every lap they get a stamp on their envelope and the more laps they run, the more money they can collect from the generous donors who have sponsored them.

Scholastic Book Fair (Fall)

For one week, the library is turned into a book store with books from Scholastic. The first two days, classes go to the book fair (usually in the library), and students make wish lists which they take home to their parents. The next two days, the kids come back with their parents after school to buy books. See http://scholastic.com/bookfairs/ for more information on Scholastic Book Fairs. This serves as a learning experience for the kids, a good source of appropriate books, and a fund raiser for the PTA.

DEAR Day (Drop Everything and Read) (Spring)

On a day in March, all public schools in Berkeley on the same day, concentrate on reading with parent volunteers reading to the lower grade classes, Berkeley Library Representatives visiting the classes, etc.

100th Day (Winter)

What do 100 goldfish crackers look like? Can you bounce a ball 100 times? How many sunflower seeds, raisins or other snack pieces can you have to total 100 in the 100th day stew? These are important questions if you have been counting the days of school and have made it to 100!!

Every year the students at John Muir celebrate completing 100 days of school with a fun gathering. Each grade (K-3) has a chance to come to the beautiful beamed ceiling auditorium and go around to different stations where they are challenged to count, add and be super familiar with the number 100. Fourth and Fifth graders act as guides to the younger grades, helping them to fill in their special 100 day crowns and pour their 100 goldfish cookies into a bag to eat later. Parents and teachers help keep things focused and fun. The day provides a chance for the students to use math skills, recognize all they have learned, and celebrate lots and lots of hard work. Many children leave wearing their ribbons which say "I am 100 days smarter".

The third graders laughed together as they tried to see who could do 100 jumping jacks. Kindergarteners challenged each other to arrange their 100 goldfish in a pattern. Some first graders repeatedly made the bean bag toss to the 100 basket and second graders used their place value skills to write up a recipe for their 100th day stew.

One fifth grader said, 100th day is great because it gives the K-3 kids a chance to see how big one hundred is and to have fun while doing math. Also, 100th day is celebrated because now we know we're more than halfway to summer vacation! A kindergartner added, "I already knew how to count to 100 but it was fun to play games and practice counting and I really like goldfish crackers".

May Fair (Spring)

In the spring, after daylight savings have given us all a few more hours of sunlight and a lot more desire to stay out and socialize, John Muir hosts our biggest community event of the year! Starting in the late afternoon the whole community, including staff, parents/guardians, and students come together on our beautiful campus to celebrate with an old fashioned carnival. Games, fresh healthy food, jumpy slides, crafts, a cake walk, student performances, and an art gallery keep everyone busy and well entertained. We are fortunate to have special appearances every year ranging from talented parents, live band performances, musicians, dancers, John Muir's mascot the Grizzly Bear (thanks to the very hot parent in the bear suit!), and some smaller animals at the petting zoo.

And if that doesn't seem to be enough to fill three hours, add in an amazing raffle with hundreds of prizes and a fabulous silent auction with such gems available as an ice cream date with a teacher or custom birthday cakes/parties! This event is the main fundraiser sponsored by the PTA and has been happening for over 30 years! We invite community members, potential incoming families, friends, neighbors, and just about anyone who wants to support John Muir School and have lots of fun. There are tons of opportunities to roll up your sleeves and help out while you enjoy the carnival, please contact the PTA!

John Muir Outdoor School (Spring)

Each year, the fifth graders go on an overnight trip for environmental education. This year, 2007, the trip will be for for three nights/four days in May to the Clem Miller Environmental Education Center at Point Reyes National Seashore. The students sleep in beautiful cabins and eat together in a spacious dining hall. The focus of the trip is on food, health, and the environment. Under Chef Carrie's leadership, the students plan, help prepare, and set and clean up the dining room for all meals.

The PTA raises money to provide scholarships for those who otherwise could not afford to go. Any contributions to support the John Muir Outdoor School can be given to the PTA.

Beach Day (Spring)

Beach Day occurs in June, when kids are getting restless for summer vacation. Rather than going to an actual beach, lots of water activities are set up on the grass field, e.g. an inflatable water slides, various water games, volleyball nets, etc. The K-2 classes play there in the morning and the 3-5 classes in the afternoon.