The BULLetin
March 8, 2018
Principal's Message
On March 14, students across the country are invited to participate in a silent, 17-minute walkout to honor the victims of the most recent Florida school shooting and bring awareness to school violence issues. On March 14, teachers at Murphy have been invited to discuss with students, issues of school violence, the debate surrounding gun control, and mental health awareness. Some teachers will choose to do this , others will not and continue moving forward with their curriculum.
At approximately 10am all instruction will stop. At approximately 10am, all instruction will stop. Students are to stay in the building. During that time, students may choose to write letters to local elected officials or students and staff at Marjorie Stoneman Douglass High School in Parkland, Florida. Students will be provided the addresses of legislators and also the address of the high school. Students may also choose to gather in the Murphy gymnasium for a 17 minute memorial, where we will read one name each minute in memory of those lost in the Parkland shooting one month prior. Students can also stay in their classroom reflecting on what is most important to them, or how they can have a positive impact on others. Students are encouraged to make their decision on how to spend that period of time based on what helps them to feel empowered and encouraged, moving forward united as a school community. After 17 minutes everyone will be directed back to class and we will resume our day.
For planning purposes, the Murphy Junior High school campus will be closed to the public from 9:30 to 10:30am. Students will not be able to be picked up or dropped off during that time. We are working to have a local law enforcement presence on site to help close the campus.
We are asking parents and interested others to stay off campus during this time. Should they want to participate in some manner, we will ask them to assemble along the public sidewalk on Grande Park Blvd.
I believe this is a teachable moment. Parents, please talk with your student, so that he/she can make an educated decision about how they participate. Share your thoughts on these topics. Reinforce the protocols we are using to manage the day. Help us keep your student safe.
PARCC
Next week we will continue PARCC testing. Our 7th students will test Monday and Tuesday and 6th grade Wednesday and Thursday. We are testing only 2 days in a week per grade level in the hopes of reducing testing fatigue. The grade levels will each have 2 more days of testing later in March or early April. Students should bring headphones to testing.
Grade 8 3/21 & 3/22
Grade 7 4/5 & 4/6
Grade 6 4/10 & 4/11
Ms. Bingham Receives Her Major Award
Congrats, Ms. Bingham!
Murphy AVID Visits Waubonsee Community College
6th Grade Math Contest Winners
3rd Place (3-way tie) - Kyle Cetnar, Jimmy Harrison, and Bennett Schultz
2nd Place - Geet Gambhir
1st Place - Ahmed Faisal
Great job, MAVS!
Weekly JAM (Just Another Maverick)
MKP Card Collection for Parkland, FL Students
Murphy PTO
The Murphy PTO Board would like to thank you for your tremendous support! The Murphy community is simply the best!
If you haven’t already, please consider making your family’s annual donation to the PTO. Our focus this year has been on Student Events and Classroom Grants. Any contribution helps and is very much appreciated! So far this year we have awarded grants to the PE and ELL Departments. Donation Form
For more information on the Murphy PTO, upcoming PTO events or volunteer opportunities, please contact PTO President Missy Dziewiatkowski at missyd71@gmail.com. Please also follow us on Facebook for PTO events and updates (Murphy PTO-Home of the Mavericks).
Ms. Phillips - ELA
This week, Miss Phillips's 6th grade ELA students participated in debates on the following topics: banning/not banning cell phones in schools, banning/not banning school uniforms, and banning/not banning homework for students. All students did a great job and performed with commendable efforts!
Student Services Spotlight
Rebecca Rittierodt, Roney Sims, Jayden Richards, Vasya Cherpnin, Kasey Prokop, Luke Tam, Madigan O’Dowd, Kane Mullen, Marlowe Galvez, Nick Cheaure
Faculty Winner: Mr. Smith
Maverick Staff Shout Outs!
Mr. Spang - He is always working hard to do whatever it takes to keep all of the staff here happy! Dave has helped me so many times and I couldn't do my job without him! Thanks Dave! -Mrs. Steele
We think our entire MJHS staff is amazing and deserves to be acknowledged for the great work they do on a daily basis! Please use this form to recognize any member of our staff. Remember, staff includes teachers, secretaries, nurses, teaching assistants, and custodians!
Course Recommendations
Do you have questions about your student’s placement recommendation for School Year 2018-2019? If so, please contact your student’s teacher. Appeal forms can be found on the SD308 Gifted and Talented Education page. Recommendation appeals must be filed by June 29th, 2018.
“The Maverick Way” Outside of School
Ben Paranidharan, 7th grader, participated in the Mayor's Cup International Showcase at Las Vegas over the President's Day weekend. His team, the Boys 2004 Eclipse Select Black Naperville capped off an undefeated tournament as champions of the Boys U-14 (2004) Chapman Auto Group. Ben scored one goal and assisted 2 goals. Nice job, Ben!!!
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.
ZAP-Zeros 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.
PBIS @ Murphy
Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) is a proactive approach to establishing the behavioral supports and social culture needed for all students in a school to achieve social, emotional and academic success.
One aspect of PBIS includes positive acknowledgement of student behavior. When students display the expected behaviors outlined in our MAVS Matrix, they may be acknowledged with verbal praise or tangible rewards (Bullseye Tickets) from their teachers. This makes the expected behaviors more likely to occur in the future and creates positive interactions, rapport, and relationships with students.
When students earn Bullseyes, they are able to collect them to enter weekly prize drawings and shop at the Maverick Mini Mall. This year, our Mini Mall will be on a cart, and students will have an opportunity to shop with their Bullseyes during homeroom each week.
There is a weekly behavior focus, and teachers will be on the lookout to catch students displaying these positive behaviors.
For the month of March - Give 100% of what you have today
Parent Article
Teen Slang: Deciphering What Your Teen is Saying
“Each generation has a knack for creating and using words that mark the time. Perhaps creating slang is a rite of passage, or perhaps it’s to drive clueless adults insane. Regardless, it's always fun to decipher what today’s teens are saying, and how one day that saying will become ‘old school’.”
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/teen-angst/201712/teen-slang
Mrs. Zaininger's ELA
MyOwn.Edu - March College Update
Ever wonder how you ended up in your current career? It probably had something to do with your interests and passions. The same holds true for your 7th grader and now is the perfect time to help them uncover their interests. Continue reading...
8th Grade:
Schools are filled with great professionals ready to help you and your student. The role of the guidance counselor has changed since you went to school. Learn about how this ever-evolving role is important to your student's success! Continue reading...
Cooke Foundation Young Scholars Program
The Cooke Foundation Young Scholars Program is a selective five-year, precollege scholarship for high-performing seventh-grade students with financial need. It provides comprehensive academic and college advising, financial support for school, Cooke-sponsored summer programming, internships, and other learning enrichment opportunities that may benefit students during their high school years.
Cooke Young Foundation Scholars Program Eligibility
- Grade level: Currently in seventh grade
- Grades: Mostly A's with no C's in sixth and seventh grade
- Testing: Official score report from state standardized testing, SAT® score reports (if applicable)
- Family income: Less than $95,000 annually
- Location: Reside in the U.S. or a U.S. territory and will attend high school in the U.S.
Tell your students to start their applications now. The application deadline is March 21, 2018.
STEM Club
Murphy Athletics
Girls' Soccer
Interested in playing soccer for Murphy Jr. High girls’ soccer team? Tryouts will be April 5th and 6th (must be at both) from 3:15 to 4:30 on the soccer field. If there are not enough girls’ for tryouts, this time will be considered practice. Each girl MUST have a physical on file by April 3rd(good for one calendar year) and registered on the 8to18 website.
You will need to bring cleats (if you have them) and running shoes to tryouts. Please also make sure that you have something to drink.
Any questions please don’t hesitate to ask in person, email (ckerr@sd308.org), or phone 630.608.5134.
7th Girls' Basketball Round Up
City of Lights Tournament
Round 1: The 7th grade lady Mavericks began the City of Lights tournament against Simmons. The Mavericks applied full court pressure to force some turnovers early in the game to take a 12 to 6 halftime lead. After playing even in the 3rd quarter, the Mavericks were able to work for some good shots to pull away with a 25 to 9 victory. Trinity led the scoring with 6 points, Elisha was good for 5, and Allie P. and Avery each added 4 points.
Round 2: The 7th grade lady Mavericks picked up a hard fought win against Cowherd to advance in the City of Lights Tournament. The Mavericks tough defensive pressure forced several Cowherd turnovers allowing the Mavericks to grab small leads throughout the game. However, Cowherd would battle back to keep the game close until the final buzzer. The Mavericks picked up the 22 to 20 victory. Allie P. led the scoring with 11 points, while Trinity added 8. Elisha, Avery, and Angeles played well defensively.
Semi-finals: The 7th grade lady Mavericks played a tough St. Rita's team in the semi-finals of the City of Lights tournament. In the first quarter, the Mavericks were able to work for some easy baskets to keep the score close. Unfortunately, in the second quarter St. Rita's tough defensive pressure force several turnovers. At the half, the Mavericks found themselves down by 15 points. The Mavericks played tough defensively in the second half and match St. Rita's in scoring. Unfortunately, the Mavericks came up short in 20 to 35 loss. Trinity led the scoring with 8 points while Avery added 4.
Community Events
Upcoming Events
March 8
- 7th & 8th Girls' Basketball City of Lights Tournament
- Practice SAT Score Interpretation (7pm @ MPR)
March 9
- End of Quarter 3
- SIP Day (11:30 Dismissal - No Lunch Service)
March 10
- Fine Arts Fest @ MU
March 12
- 7th Grade PARCC Testing
March 13
- 7th Grade PARCC Testing
March 14
- 6th Grade PARCC Testing
March 15
- 6th Grade PARCC Testing
- Little Mermaid, Jr. (7pm)
March 16
- Little Mermaid, Jr. (7pm)
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
Murphy Junior High School is an inclusive and supportive community that promotes student success by ensuring ALL students are college and career ready.
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