The BULLetin
August 24, 2017
Principal's Message
Well, it's been a week! As a parent whose kids also started school a week ago, I can say a few things with authority. I have signed A LOT of pieces of paper. I have doled out cash for: unexpected school supplies, spirit wear, booster club memberships, replacement athletic equipment, among other things. I have made lunches at 10pm and tried to ensure my kids have a healthy breakfast every day. But we still haven't found our rhythm. We're trying to figure out how carefully balance all of the priorities of home, school, family and life. We're doing ok but I look forward to maybe mid-September when the pace, while still extreme is better understood, planned for and our bodies and minds have adapted.
Since the start of school Ms. Bingham and/or I have visited EVERY social studies class to help reinforce expectations for students at school. We talked about the difference between expectations and rules. We took our MAVS program (Make Good Decisions, Accept Responsibility, Value Each Other and Our School and Be Safe). I had students talk about what that looked like in various school environments. Ultimately, we tried to distill our program to a sentence or two. Many classes independently came up with the phrase, "Treat others the way you want to be treated." I think that's a great mindset and posture to take. We will be working to reinforce those expectations throughout the school year.
Weekly JAM (Just Another Maverick)
I explained to her that we've had student interest in a newspaper but had a difficult time getting it off the ground. So, I suggested that she write the first edition, pick a topic. I'll look at it to make sure the content is appropriate and then include it in The BULLetin.
If your student is interested in joining in, they can contact Lilli via her school email. We'll see how this goes.
Enjoy the Weekly JAM
Murphy PTO
Thank you to everyone who stopped by the PTO table during the Locker Load sessions. We were so busy that we sold out of Spirit Wear! We will have new inventory available for sale on Curriculum Night (August 30th from 6-8pm). Be sure to stop by our table located at the entrance of the gym and at the bottom of the main staircase (across from the main office). We will also hold our annual Spirit Wear sale sometime this Fall.
As many of you know, we don’t do any fundraising as a PTO. Instead we ask families to make an annual donation to the PTO. These donations help us to fund school dances, classroom grants, new staff welcome baskets and much more! Please consider making a donation! In addition, any family who donates $25 or more will receive one free ticket to the Murphy Monster Mash! You can download a Donation Form and turn it in to the Main Office at Murphy.
For more information on the Murphy PTO, upcoming PTO events or volunteer opportunities, please contact PTO President Missy Dziewiatkowski at missyd71@gmail.com or 630-999-3927. Please also follow us on Facebook for PTO events and updates (Murphy PTO-Home of the Mavericks).
Washington DC Trip
Washington DC
Attention all 8th graders…it’s your turn for the trip of a lifetime …don’t get left behind!!
On Wednesday, September 6th there will be an informational meeting at Murphy Junior High in the LRC at 6:30PM about the Washington DC trip for Spring break 2018. This is the trip of a lifetime and might be the most exciting thing you will do as 8th graders! You will be touring our nation’s capital and see your government at work, visit the Holocaust Museum, several memorials and monuments and a play at the Kennedy Center.
Information about cost, hotels, meals, attractions, and transportation will be presented at the meeting.
ELA Classes
STAR Testing
More information can be found here. A Spanish translation of the letter can be found here.
Murphy Drama Club
Drop Off/Pick Up Procedures & Buses
We have a crossing guard at the entrance/exit to Murphy and Grande Park. Due to the numbers of kids who walk to and from school, that person or those persons are there to help ensure that students are able to safely cross the street when there is a lot of traffic. There job is student safety. Neither the District nor the Plainfield Police want them to be directing traffic. To help ensure efficient drop off/pick up procedures, we have worked with the Plainfield Police to create a process that is effective and ultimately safe.
When leaving Murphy/Grande Park parents are asked to follow the traffic patter so that the passenger door is curbside and students are dropped off/picked up curbside. This is to ensure that students are not walking through the parking lot and into the flow of traffic. That is why we ask ALL parents to drop off/pick up their students by going through the cue.
Also, in order to minimize traffic back ups on Grande Park Boulevard, between 7am and 4pm, there are only RIGHT hand turns onto Grande Park Boulevard. Because the entry to the school gets traffic from three directions, not having left turns reduces the potential for accidents from the other two directions. On most days, the crossing guards have cones to block left hand turns.
The district is still trying to find permanent crossing guards for Murphy/Grande Park, as such, there will be subs filling in on a daily basis. This means that parents need to take some additional ownership and follow the posted guidance.
Curriculum Night
You can expect that teachers will introduce themselves and share an overview of the curriculum and expectations for the year. If parents want to discuss their student specifically, please contact the teacher to set up a separate meeting.
Schedule
6:00 – 6:20 Gymnasium
6:25 – 6:32 Period 1
6:36 – 6:43 Period 2
6:47 – 6:54 Period 3
6:58 – 7:05 Period 4
7:09 – 7:16 Period 5
7:20 – 7:27 Period 6
7:31 – 7:38 Period 7
7:42 – 7:49 Period 8
7:53 – 8:00 Period 9
Student Services Spotlight
Introducing New and Continuing Student Services Staff
- Sarah Noll is our school social worker for students with the last name beginning with A-K. Mrs. Noll has been with the District for 18 years. snoll@sd308.org
- Lexi Weihler (formerly Frakes) is Murphy’s school social worker for students with the last name beginning with L-Z. This is Mrs. Weihler’s second year at Murphy. aweihler@sd308.org
- Erin Maso is our full time school psychologist. Mrs. Mason emaso@sd308.org
- Brandi Zawacki is Murphy’s school counselor for students with the last name beginning with A-K. This is Mrs. Zawacki’s second year at Murphy.
- Karen Whited is Murphy’s school counselor for students with the last name beginning with L-Z. This is Ms. Whited’s 6th year at Murphy. kwhited@sd308.org
Zeroes Aren’t Permitted!
ZAP is an intervention implemented to develop good homework habits. This program helps students self-correct without a penalty. Getting into the habit of doing homework and realizing that it counts is tough for many students. ZAP helps reinforce the importance of homework completion and provides an opportunity for intrinsic growth through self-correction.
What to do when your student is ZAPPED?
If a student does not complete a homework assignment he/she will receive a ZAP. Students have until 8:00am, the following morning, to turn the assignment into Student Services for full credit. If the student chooses not to complete or submit the assignment, then the student will be required to attend the ZAP classroom (D126) during his/her lunch to complete the homework, also for full credit. It is your student's responsibility to know what is missing and bring the necessary materials home. Students will be allowed 5 visits (every 9 weeks) to the ZAP classroom to complete their work. After 5 visits, students are no longer eligible for the ZAP intervention.
If you have questions, please contact your child’s teacher and/or counselor.
“The Maverick Way” Outside of School
Murphy Junior High students are doing amazing things in the classroom as well as demonstrating “The Maverick Way” outside of school. If any student is demonstrating “The Maverick Way” outside of school we want to know about it! Please contact Karen Whited at kwhited@sd308.org or Brandi Zawacki at bzawacki@sd308.org.
*Don’t forget to include some pictures in your email.
Attention 6th Grade Families!
Please click on the links for more information about binders.
Interested in finding out more about binders and how we check student organization? This letter explains the process that we are using.
Want to help your student keep their binder organized? This letter explains how binders are set up.
“You're off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting,
So... get on your way!”
― Dr. Seuss, Oh, The Places You'll Go!
Murphy Cooking Club
Registration fills quickly so get your sign up and $15 club fee turned in ASAP.
Oswego East Wolfpack Basketball
Tryouts are coming soon. Registration and sign up information can be found at: www.oswegoeastwolfpack.com and more information can also be found here.
Fall Sports
Fall sports first contests start today. Make a plan to come out and support Murphy athletes this fall and throughout the year. All games/meets are scheduled to begin at 4:30pm unless otherwise noted.
Cross Country
- 8/29 @ Thompson
Girls' Volleyball
- 8/24 7th Girls' @ Thompson; 8th Girl's v Thompson
Boys' Soccer
- 8/24 @ Thompson
Upcoming Events
August 24
- Boys' Soccer @ Thompson (4:30pm)
- 7th Girls' Volleyball @ Thompson (4:30pm)
- 8th Girls' Volleyball v Thompson (4:30pm)
August 25
- 6th Grade Choir "Get to Know You" (3pm)
August 28
- Boys' Soccer v Washington (4:30pm)
- 7th Girls' Volleyball v Washington (4:30pm)
- 8th Girls' Volleyball @ Washington (4:30pm)
August 29
- 7th Grade STAR Testing ELA
- Drama Club (3pm)
- Boys' Soccer @ Heritage Grove (4:30pm)
- Cross Country @ Thompson (4:30pm)
- 7th Girls' Volleyball v Heritage Grove (4:30pm)
- 8th Girls' Volleyball @ Heritage Grove (4:30pm)
August 30
- 7th Grade STAR Testing Math
- Curriculum Night (6pm)
August 31
- 6th Grade STAR Testing ELA
- Boys' Soccer @ Plank (4:30pm)
- Cross Country v Washington & Jefferson (4:30pm)
- 7th Girls' Volleyball @ Plank (4:30pm)
- 8th Girls' Volleyball v Plank (4:30pm)
September 1
- 6th Grade STAR Testing Math
If you are looking for directions to AWAY events, this link will provide directions to many area schools.
Use the "Murphy Building Calendar" link below to see all the things going on at Murphy Junior High.
Contact Us
Email: banderson@sd308.org
Website: www.sd308.org/murphy
Location: 26923 Grande Park Boulevard, Plainfield, IL, United States
Phone: (630) 608-5100
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/murphy308/
Twitter: @murphy308