Huge Thanks to this Issue’s Sponsors:
Lakeshore Learning: Murray Educators - Enter to Win a $200 Shopping Spree
At Lakeshore, we’re guided by a simple question: How can we help? That’s why we devote ourselves to offering educational materials and classroom furniture that make a real difference. Developed by teachers, our products are meticulously crafted to help children reach developmental and academic milestones. Don’t forget to stock up on essentials during our Big Back to School Sale! Enjoy our lowest prices of the year from July 15 to September 8, 2024—in stores & online! Stop by our Salt Lake City store for exclusive doorbusters, lamination services, expert support from our associates and more!
While you are at it, Murray Educators can enter to win a $200 shopping spree, courtesy of Lakeshore Learning and Murray Education Foundation. Click the QR Code to the right to enter between now and August 21 at 5 pm. Lakeshore will notify the lucky winner!
Get Away Today: Huge Disneyland Travel Savings Right Now
Visit Disneyland now until September 26, 2024, to take advantage of the best ticket prices Disneyland has had in the last 10 years! Tickets start at less than $50/day per child and less than $83/day per adult on 3-day 1-Park per Day tickets valid for travel Monday - Thursdays now - September 26, 2024 - that’s up to $221 off per ticket! Get Away Today’s tickets are always less than purchasing from Disneyland directly and they offer refundable options, which is why we love partnering with them. Ticket days do NOT have to be used consecutively - just all 3 days must be used by September 26!
This is an incredible offer, and so fun that the same ticket can be used during the summer and during the beginning of Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort!
Halloween Time at Disneyland begins August 23, 2024, which means you can experience Halloween Time even earlier for so much less!
Combine these ticket savings with Get Away Today’s exclusive 3rd or 4th night free hotel specials to save the very most. Check out these sample package prices that include 2 adults & 2 child (ages 3-9) 3-Day Mon - Thurs 1-Park per Day tickets:
- Cambria with 4th Night Free: Just $1,641 - that’s an $1,813 savings!
- The Viv with reduced rates for 4 nights: Just $1,378 - that saves $1,272!
- Hyatt Regency Kids Suite with 4th Night Free: Just $1,451 - save $1,475!
- Element with 4th Night Free; Just $1,650 - That’s $1,613 off regular price!
Or, stay at one of the Disneyland Resort Hotels, you can save up to 25% off AND get a $50 Disney Gift Card PER NIGHT on select dates August 1 - September 26, 2024, exclusively with Get Away Today. Now matter where you stay, it’s the most affordable time to visit Disneyland!
And don’t forget, your exclusive promo code SCHOOLS25 gets all district employees an extra $25 off any 2-night or longer stay - including these offers!
Book by September 12, 2024 to maximize your savings with Get Away Today. Book online at https://www.getawaytoday.com/?referrerid=957 or by calling 855-GET-AWAY.
SelectHealth: Brain Body Boost Awards - Winners Can Get Up to $1,000 in Class Supplies
Our Select Health Brain Body Boost Awards program recognizes Utah educators in grades K-6 who are going above and beyond in teaching health education. We believe that these teachers deserve to be celebrated for their hard work and dedication to promoting healthy living.
Winners receive $1,000 to use for class supplies, and anyone ages 18 years and above can nominate a teacher from November 1-30, 2024.
Go here to learn more and bookmark this page so you can nominate a teacher in November!
DIRECTOR MESSAGE: Let’s Do This, Murray!
I’m incredibly excited and humbled to take on this additional role at Murray City School District. Since my first day as District PIO in January 2020, I have been living the dream. Public education is in blood – my dad, mom, sister, and brother were all teachers. Though teaching wasn’t my calling in life, my 8th grade baseball coach modeled a different pathway through school communications and public relations.
As a result, I’ve always felt most comfortable mingling with teachers and administrators, and now I get to take the additional lead of doing even more to support Murray School District as Executive Director of the Foundation.
I have lots of ideas, but at the heart of my work is service to you as educators, who tirelessly support students. So let’s do this! Let’s work together to lift, inspire, and lead Murray through positivity and kindness while maintaining our super power status as one of the state’s best school districts.
MEF CALENDAR…
- August 1-15 : Back2School Blitz School Supply Donation Drive (w/ Fox13)
- Aug. 1-30: MEF Teacher Grant Submissions (awards announced 2nd week in September)
- Aug. 23: MEF Golf Tournament
- Nov. 25 – Dec. 20: Angels Among Us Donation Drive
- Dec. 2 – Jan. 31: Pinnacle Award Nominations Open
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS…
Teacher Grants are Now Open: We are now accepting application for $500 teacher grants (August 1-30). We announced last year the scoring criteria will be different this year.
Historically, MEF’s acceptance rate is 88%. But we want to do more – both in successful submissions and number of grants awarded. There are two things you can do to help with that. First, understand the submission and scoring criteria to optimize your submission for success. And, second, connect us with people in the Murray business community who can become rockstar supporters of Murray educators, students, and schools. Your connection is powerful and invaluable to the work we do. Contact Doug here.
Laura Baker Scholarships Have Moved: Again, just a reminder that the Laura Baker Scholarship submission process has been moved from the Fall to the Spring (February 21 to March 21). Watch for more information about that as we get closer.
OTHER BITS AND PIECES…
Intermountain Health has awarded MEF with a $5K grant to help pay for refugee and undocumented student immunizations this year. While some costs are covered through different programs, not all fees are covered so this will help bridge that gap… Goldenwest Credit Union accepted MEF’s proposal to cover BizTown fees ($5K) for all Murray 5th graders – this is the second year of their support for this amazing program… This year Ron McBride Foundation has stepped up to support MEF and After School Programs at Hillcrest, Horizon, and Parkside to the tune of $30K… MEF launched it’s first-ever Back-to-School Information Guide, providing parents with information to help get students ready for school, while also leveraging $2K+ in sponsorships from more than a dozen Murray businesses that will help support MEF awards, celebrations, and incentive programs… Lastly, MEF created an Amazon Wish List of recommended school supplies that donors can purchase through the multiple back-to-school supply drives we have partnered with Fox13, Bryman Healthcare, and Total Care Auto (Formerly Larry H. Miller Auto) to run over the month of August (Go here if you would like to see that Wish List and make suggestions for other items we can ask for).