The BULLetin
March 15, 2018
Principal's Message
About 200 students assembled in the Cafeteria and sat quietly. After about 15 minutes, I spoke with them. I told them that when I was in 6th grade, I had to worry about getting detention for chewing gum, whether I remembered to bring my homework and other basic school concerns. However, my heart breaks for them because in addition to the "normal" stresses of school, students today, our kids, are also having to grapple with the specter of school violence.
It unfortunate and sad. My suggestion to them was that the best way to combat school violence is to treat every person that they come into contact with while at Murphy Junior High with the same love, respect and kindness that each and every one of us would want.
I believe, if we all took that posture, so many of the challenges we face would be easily overcome.
Science Fair
Weekly JAM (Just Another Maverick)
MKP
Some students have already made cards and brought them in! Way to go, MAVS!
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).
Student Services Spotlight
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.
School Supplies 2018-2019
Please click on the link to order school supplies for your student for the next school year.
Kits will be available for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students. There are two options for 8th grade students: Option 1 will have a 3 inch binder for all core subjects and Option 2 will have 4, 1-inch colored binders for each core subject. 8th grade students are the only students who will have a choice in ordering a kit.
If you choose not to order a kit, the school supply list is also linked.
“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
Parent Tips: How to Help Your Child Prepare for Standardized Tests
Here are some tips on how to prepare your child for PARCC testing.
http://www.colorincolorado.org/article/parent-tips-how-help-your-child-prepare-standardized-tests
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.
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.
Boys' Volleyball
Any 7th and 8th grade boys who are trying out for volleyball need to have the required paperwork turned in by this Friday, March 16th. There are copies of the contract and schedule outside Ms. Steele's room or in the office. You need a current physical, register on Murphy's 8to18 page and turn in a copy of the contract. Tryouts are next week- March 21 and 22. You must attend both dates. Please check the calendar to make sure you are available for everything, if you make the team. You can see Ms. Steele in room E121 with any questions! Thank you!
7th Grade Basketball - End of Season
The 7th grade lady Mavericks ended their season by bringing home the 4th place trophy in the City of Lights tournament. Playing Annunciation, the Mavericks found themselves down early in the game. The Mavericks continued to battle and out scored Annunciation during the second half. Unfortunately, some untimely turnovers slowed any push that the Mavericks made. The Mavericks played hard until the final buzzer, but came up short in the 19 to 24 loss. With all of the Mavericks playing in the game, Trinity led the scoring with 8 points, Allie P was good for 6 and Elisha added 3. Great season girls.
Community Events
Upcoming Events
March 15
- 6th Grade PARCC Testing
- Little Mermaid, Jr. (7pm)
March 16
- Little Mermaid, Jr. (7pm)
March 20
- No Student Attendance - Election Day
March 21
- Grade 8 PARCC Testing
- Boys' Volleyball Tryouts
March 22
- Grade 8 PARCC Testing
- Boys' Volleyball Tryouts
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