The BULLetin
December 13, 2018
Principal's Message
Thank You!
We do a lot of things throughout the year to provide opportunities and experiences for Murphy students. We know we ask in a lot of different ways for financial support. As we close out the year, I wanted to highlight some of the things that your donations and our fundraising efforts have provided this year. We have stocked our mini-mall, we hosted author Jordan Sonnenblick, we will be running Mav-a-palooza, we have provided donuts and pizza parties associated with a variety of school events. You have donated food, toys and dollars to the Kendall County Food Pantry, Toys for Tots and Shop With a Cop. I am sure there's more and we have more planned for 2nd semester. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Friday, December 14
The Murphy Office will be closing early about 3:45 tomorrow to ensure all of our Murphy staff can participate. Make sure those instruments are picked up, phones aren't left and your student makes the bus.
Winter Break
The Main Office will be closed for the 2 weeks of Winter Break. The office will close on Friday, December 21 at 4pm and reopen on January 7, 2019 at 7am. If you need assistance during that time, it best to email staff directly.
The 5 Essentials Survey is something that we utilize to help our school improvement process. We take the information provided and use it to inform the work that we do, make changes/adjustments and set goals.
Parents
In order for us to get a usable score, we need 20% of parents to complete the survey. If you like the work that we do, fill out the survey. If you don't like the work we do, fill out the survey. If you like some things and not others, fill out the survey. I took the parent survey for my kid's schools. I think it took maybe 5 minutes apiece. Please give us your feedback. The survey is open until mid-February. This survey is not limited to 1 response per household. Both parents are welcome to complete the survey. Thank you in advance.
Parent Survey: http://survey.5-essentials.org/illinois/survey/parent/
Students
Students will be taking the 5 Essentials Survey at some point in early second semester. This is part of the information gathering process for our school improvement planning process and information gets aggregated to our school report card. Additional information can be found in this letter.
Spelling Bee
Murphy will be having it's school-wide spelling bee soon. Students have the opportunity to review/practice for the first round of the bee. We will be using this word list. Good luck Mavs!
Strength & Conditioning Intramural
After Winter Break, Coach Dudley will be offering the Quarter 3 Strength & Conditioning Intramural. Students will work on speed and agility, as well as, work in the weight room. Additional details and sign-up information can be found below.
Golf Intramural
Fútbol
Art Show
Maverick Meet & Eats
Snowflakes
Cookie Decorating
Smash Bros.
Mav-a-Palooza
Monday, after school, Mav-a-palooza! Students will receive their tickets in Homeroom tomorrow if we do not have a record of any ZAP, tardy to class or disciplinary action between November 11 and December 7.
Battle of 127th Street
With the help of a lot of people we are able to put on a basketball game that is unlike most other junior high games. Our goal is to give a $2000 donation to the PPD Shop With a Cop Program on behalf of both Heritage Grove and Murphy. Our communities once again, came out and we will be able to once again write a check for $2000 to help those in need this holiday season.
Thank you to all who came out, last week.
AVID Things @ Murphy
The students used inquiry to determine how many 1/2 fractional unit cubes would create a 1x1x1 unit cube (6.G.2). In collaborative groups, the students created a hypothesis on how many 1/2 unit cubes would make up a unit cube. Then each group used Play-Doh and floss to split the length, width, and height of the cubes into 1/2 unit lengths. They discovered that 8 cubes would make up 1 unit cube. Therefore, if the students had to find how many 1/2 unit cubes could fit in any rectangular prism, they would find the volume normally (l * w * h) and multiply it by 8.
Students in Ms. Walsh's and Ms. Fell's classes spent time in Socratic Seminar this past week. Depending on the age-group, teachers may focus on developing students' skills toward collaborative, academic discussion and in other classes it may focus on the content that is being read. If you're unfamiliar with Socratic Seminar, Elfie Israel offers this definition and the benefits for students:
The Socratic seminar is a formal discussion, based on a text, in which the leader asks open-ended questions. Within the context of the discussion, students listen closely to the comments of others, thinking critically for themselves, and articulate their own thoughts and their responses to the thoughts of others. They learn to work cooperatively and to question intelligently and civilly.
Students in Ms. Waldron's 7th grade ELA class are reading and annotating The Outsiders, to accompany Unit 2 part 2. The students will write an argumentative paper prosecuting or defending Johnny’s actions. The students will participate in a mock trial after as a debate.
Coats for Kendall
Yearbooks are on SALE!!!
SOMETIMES IT'S
THE LITTLE THINGS
The power of a yearbook: it keeps the memories alive forever. Order one for
your student today and it'll be treasured for years to come.
Order now for $25.00! Yearbook price will increase February 1, 2019. Yearbook orders can be completed online at jostensyearbooks.com. Please contact Ms. Fell if you have any questions.
The JAM (Just Another Maverick)
Also, if you didn't follow Monday's Board meeting, late in the evening, the JAM's Editor in Chief, Lili Daniel addressed the Board. For more about the meeting and Lili's comments check out WSPY.
Student Services Spotlight
Jayden Pagan, Rishi Kuntamukala, Ella Lyzun, Payton Allen, Abby Cherepnin, Sarah Allgaier, Bella Olaszek, Blake Lokken, Emilia Busuioc, Diego Ayala
8th Grade - High School Course Selection Information
Elective selections were due in Home Access by December 3rd. If your student did not input their electives, they will need to be prepared to select them during the 1:1 course verification meeting with their high school counselor on 12/18 at Murphy.
Oswego East Incoming Freshmen Link: https://www.sd308.org/domain/2791
Important Dates
12/18 - OE Counselors 1:1 elective verification meetings with 8th graders through PE
6th/7th Grade Course Selection Information
Counselors will present elective information to current 6th and 7th graders in January after we return from Winter break. Students will select electives for the 2019-2020 school year. Additional information regarding electives and selection procedures will be in the Bulletin in January.
1/8 - Counselor presentation to current 6th graders
1/10 - Counselor presentations to current 7th graders
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 Brian Falli at bfalli@sd308.org or Brandi Zawacki at bzawacki@sd308.org.
*Don’t forget to include some pictures in your email.
- Strengthen social connections – We know that strong, supportive relationships help us manage all kinds of challenges. So, we can view the holidays as a time to reconnect with the positive people in our lives. Accepting help and support from those who care about us can help alleviate stress. Also, volunteering at a local charity on our own or with family can be another way to make connections; helping others often makes us feel better, too.
- Initiate conversations about the season – It can be helpful to have conversations with our kids about the variety of different holiday traditions our families, friends and others may celebrate. Parents can use this time as an opportunity to discuss how some families may not participate in the same holiday traditions as others. Not everyone needs to be the same. It is important to teach open-mindedness about others and their celebrations.
- Set expectations – It is helpful to set realistic expectations for gifts and holiday activities. Depending on a child's age, we can use this opportunity to teach kids about the value of money and responsible spending. We need to remember to pare down our own expectations, too. Instead of trying to take on everything, we need to identify the most important holiday tasks and take small concrete steps to accomplish them.
- Keep things in perspective – On the whole, the holiday season is short. It helps to maintain a broader context and a longer-term perspective. We can ask ourselves, what’s the worst thing that could happen this holiday? Our greatest fears may not happen and, if they do, we can tap our strengths and the help of others to manage them. There will be time after the holiday season to follow up or do more of things we’ve overlooked or did not have the time to do during the holidays.
- Take care of yourself – It is important that we pay attention to our own needs and feelings during the holiday season. We can find fun, enjoyable and relaxing activities for ourselves and our families. By keeping our minds and bodies healthy, we are primed to deal with stressful situations when they arise. Consider cutting back television viewing for kids and getting the family out together for fresh air and a winter walk. Physical activity can help us feel better and sleep well, while reducing sedentary time and possible exposure to stress-inducing advertisements.
Volunteer Opportunities-
December:
Oswego Public Library:
https://www.oswego.lib.il.us/evanced/lib/eventcalendar.asp
Ongoing:
Feed My Starving Children, Aurora:
Loaves and Fishes Community Service, Naperville (must have adult if under 14): https://www.loaves-fishes.org/volunteer/youth-volunteers/
Fox Valley Park District:
https://www.foxvalleyparkdistrict.org/our-mission/volunteer-opportunities/
Oswego Park District:
https://www.oswegolandparkdistrict.org/get-involved/volunteers/#4
Sports Update
On Friday night, the 7th grade basketball team finished their season with an exciting game against Heritage Grove. The Mavericks scored the first two baskets, but Heritage Grove quickly responded to grab a 6 point 1st quarter lead. The Mavericks toughened their defense through the rest of the game, but still were down by 5 going into the 4th quarter. During the quarter, they began to gain some ground and in the final seconds a shot by Jayden C. dropped to tie the score. In overtime, it was a battle of free throws. Unfortunately, the Mavericks came up short in the 26 to 28 loss. It was a great team effort and Will led the scoring with 12 points, while Zac added 6.
Upcoming Events
December 13
- Winter Concert (7pm) Gymnasium
December 14
- Musical Cast List Posted
December 17
- Mav-a-palooza (3-5pm)
December 18
- OE Course Selection w/ 8th Grade Students
December 20
- Toys for Tots Breakfast
December 21
- SIP Day (3.5 hour student attendance) 3:10 Teacher Dismissal
- Modified SIP Day Schedule
- End of Semester 1
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
Mission Statement
Murphy Junior High School is an inclusive and supportive community that promotes student success by ensuring ALL students are college and career ready.
Vision Statement
Every student. Every day. Grow. Inspire. Empower.
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