Message from Principal Costello
August 28, 2022
June 4, 2023
Good Afternoon Murphy Families,
It's June! As we gear up for the final weeks of school, there are many fun and important events on the calendar. Please take a moment to view the information contained in this week's update.
Transportation Information - September 2023
Please be sure to visit the WPS Transportation Page for information regarding our bus application for SY 2023/2024, including an important deadline of June 16.
End of Year Party
As previously shared, this event is planned for June 6, from 5-7 p.m. in back of Murphy. We are keeping a close eye on the weather. Please be sure to look for messages regarding a possible change of plans on Tuesday if the weather outlook is poor.
There will be pizza, an ice cream truck (families pay the truck for their treats), and activities from North American Amusement (thank you to the amazing family of 5th grader Aiden Bradway). Families can also bring their own picnics and just come to this event to spend time with Murphy friends before this school year ends.
K-2 Music Performance
Our K-2 students did an amazing job in their concert on Friday. Thank you to all of the family and friends who came out to support them.
Field Day Volunteers & Parent Council Info
Murphy Field Day June 9, 2023
Field Day is scheduled for Friday, June 9th!
Along with field events, the Parent Council offers a free grilled lunch for all students, staff members and volunteers.
Field Day is a really fun day for our Murphy School students and can only be successful with the help of many volunteers.
Volunteers are needed for assistance with field games, lunch prep, grilling and serving and supervising the water station.
***Please note that all volunteers are required to have a current CORI on file with the school office. If you don’t have a current CORI, we can help - please just call the Murphy office and set up a time to go in with a valid ID and fill out paperwork.***
We also need a few parents who can lend us folding tables for the lunch buffet and a pop-up canopy tent for the water station. Sign up to volunteer online at:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0f4ca9af2baaf49-field1#/
Any questions or concerns, please contact
murphyschoolparentcouncil@gmail.com.
Meeting
Final Parent Council meeting of the year will be at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 7 in the Murphy gym. Please come and help us wrap up a great year. We are also looking for people to head up field day, Murphy clothing sales, and more for next year so if you’d like to become a point person for a PC event or initiative we’d love to see you!
Donuts with Dudes
Our annual Donuts with Dudes breakfast will take place at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, June 17 outside of Murphy (near the playground). Students are invited to bring a special grown up in their lives to come and enjoy a donut, coffee and juice before school that day.
5th Grade Band Concert Info
5th Grade Band demonstration
Our 5th grade band students demonstrated their instruments and showed off their progress for the rest of the school last week. It's amazing to see their growth!
Graduate Visit
We were excited to have a visit from our WHS "Murphy graduates" on Thursday. They visited with many of our students, offered advice and had fun while seeing their old classrooms. We are all proud of their accomplishments and wish them the best as they move on to the next chapter.
5th Grade Move-Up Ceremony
Kindergarten Registration
We are excited about starting our Kindergarten registration process for SY 23-24. Please view information related to the process here.
Title 1 Survey
Title I Needs Assessment Survey
Every year, all schools that receive Title I funds are asked to provide feedback about the current services your school is receiving. If you could take a moment to share your thoughts, it would be greatly appreciated.
Attendance - Every Minute Counts!
EVERY MINUTE COUNTS.
While being mindful of illness and necessary absences, please support our efforts by keeping students in school as much as possible. The educational foundation laid during these years is essential for building future successes. If your child has an appointment that necessitates a late arrival or early dismissal, please try to have them in school for the remainder of the day.
Why is this important? The Association of School Nurses defines chronic absenteeism as “missing 10% or more of the school days for any reason (excused or unexcused), detracts from learning and is a proven warning sign of academic risk and school dropout.” (Jacob and Lovett, 2017).
Please take a moment to read more about our attendance efforts.
Enrichment Clubs
This year, we have had the fortune of bringing back an enrichment club for our students (with 2 sessions of the Murphy Wildcat Media Club, so far). As we look to the future, it would be great to add a few more "clubs" or activities this spring and into next year.
If you would be interested in helping to facilitate an activity, please email Mr. Costello and / or our Parent Council and let us know. In the past we have had a variety of activities, including running club and dance. The potential topics are endless and could include: chess, yoga, newspaper etc.
Title 1 Newsletter - Reading Tips
You can find some great strategies for supporting our young readers in the April Building Readers Newsletter.
Dismissal Traffic Reminder
Thank you to all of the families in our community who follow the established traffic procedures for our dismissal. We appreciate the cooperation as we work together to optimize safety for all!
A few reminders:
1) We have a one way traffic pattern. Please do not drive "out through the in door" as that compromises safety.
2) Please do not park in the staff parking along the front of the property. These spaces are intended for staff (including Champions program staff who arrive near the end of the school day).
3) Please pull all the way forward before getting out of your vehicle. When returning to your vehicle, please remain in place until the line is ready to move. (Inching forward, again, compromises the safety of pedestrians returning to vehicles.)
Playground / After Dismissal
A message from our Nurse
Please take a moment to read a message from our nurse.
Important Reminders - Transportation, Food Services, Technology
Transportation:
Information regarding bus transportation can be found on our district website transportation page.
Bus routes are subject to change as we continue to add new riders and stops accordingly. Please email transportation questions to Transportation@weymouthps.org.
Food Service:
WPS will be providing free meals to all students once again this school year. Families who would normally apply for the free/reduced lunch program should still apply here to remain eligible for other district benefits, such as free bus and reduced user fees.
Technology:
If you require assistance or support with a technical issue this school year, please submit a request through the following links:
Family Technical Support - use any valid email address.
Art and STEAM Updates
BREAKFAST AND LUNCH
Children may bring lunch or purchase lunch in our cafeteria. A child will never be left without lunch. If forgotten, we will provide lunch. Breakfast is available each morning from 8:50 - 9:05. For the 2022-2023 school year, breakfast and lunch will be free of charge.
Please note that even though meals will be free for all, it is very important for families to still complete the household Application for Free and Reduced Price Meals for the 2022-2023 school year.
We encourage you to complete the online application, or a paper application, on the food services webpage: https://www.weymouthschools.org/district/food-services/pages/free-and-reduced-application-and-information
We strongly encourage all families to submit this application as it allows us to establish eligibility for P-EBT benefits, other fees within the district, and serve families most effectively.
ATTENDANCE
A child's successful growth (academic and socially) is greatly enhanced by consistent attendance in school. We enjoy working with our students and families to form and sustain these healthy habits that will firmly plant our students on the road to success.
When a child is absent, please call the school by 9:15 am and provide a note upon return.
Massachusetts law requires compulsory attendance for all students. Chapter 76, section 1 of the Massachusetts General Laws requires all children between the ages of six and sixteen to attend school. The school must uphold state laws relative to student attendance. We strongly discourage family vacations or trips abroad when school is in session. In addition to violating the attendance law, family vacations or trips abroad interrupt the educational process of each course in ways that make-up work cannot reverse. As such, WPS works with our School Resource Officers and outside agencies when there is cause for concern with attendance.
Dismissal / End of Day Procedures
EARLY DISMISSALS
Please send in a note when dismissing your child. This helps to remind the office and the teacher of the dismissal time. Please do not dismiss your child early to avoid the traffic. This is extremely disruptive to the classroom when teachers are assigning homework, passing out notices, or completing other necessary tasks. When a child is dismissed by someone other than a parent/guardian, we require identification and a signature for release.
REGULAR DISMISSAL
Please send a note to the school if your child is changing their regular routine of dismissal. This includes walkers, after-school care and the bus. Please do not leave this responsibility to your child. If a note is not received, your child will follow their routine for the specific day of the week.
MEDICATION POLICY
The Weymouth Public Schools Health Services Department encourages that medication is administered before and after school, if possible.
When medication is needed during school hours, there must be a physician’s order and a parental permission form with the medication in the prescribed container, or it cannot be given.
Medication must be delivered to the school in a pharmacy or manufacturer labeled container by the parent, guardian, or responsible adult. (Medications are not accepted in such things as plastic bags.) Children are not permitted to bring medication to school.
Please contact Ms. Boland, our school nurse, for the proper forms, which must accompany all medications.
Important District Information:
- Tech Support for Families
- Champions Before and After School Care - 781-812-8735 or lolee@discoverchampions.com
- Blackboard Communications - Opt In and Opt Out Instructions
- SEPAC - Click here for meeting schedule
- Town Wide Parent Council - Meets the Second Tuesday of Each Month
COVID Resources
- DESE/DPH School Guidance
- Video: How to Administer an At-Home COVID Test
- Text Guide: How Do I Administer an At-Home COVID test?
- Weymouth Public Schools Transportation Webpage
Arrival and Dismissal Updates - Please share with anyone who picks up for your family.
Please view this document and accompanying diagrams for our traffic flow and arrival / dismissal procedures.
Please remember:
(1) Our traffic flow is ONE WAY (see diagram). Please do not go "out through the in door" as this creates a safety hazard for pedestrians and a traffic hazard for our regular traffic line.
(2) Please remember that parking spaces on the left hand side (along the tree line) are for school staff and Champions staff. Please do not park there.
(3) Out back, please remain stationary until it is time for everyone to leave. "Moving up" in the line and driving between the 2 lanes of cars creates a potentially dangerous situation.
In the afternoon, please pull forward as far as possible (rather than stopping near a specific door). It is essential that we get all cars in off the street and when bottlenecks form in the line, it quickly becomes. a problem.
Thank you, everyone, for doing your part to help us maintain safe and smooth dismissal procedures.
District Links:
Additional Resources:
- Champions Before & After School Care
- Aspen Family Portal
- Family Engagement Center (Registration)
- Backpack Program - Food assistance for students in need