Murphy Middle School ENews
For the week of October 21 - October 25 , 2019
***Important News***
Yearbook Sales
Haven't purchased a yearbook? It's not too late! The 2020 Murphy MS yearbook is back on sale starting Monday 10/21 through Friday 11/1. Price changes will happen after the deadline, so be sure to order yours today. You can purchase online at jostensyearbooks.com. If you are interested in submitting photos for this year's yearbook, please email them to yearbook@mmspta.org.
*** Upcoming Events ***
6th grade Science /Engineering Fair is coming!
All sixth graders interested in doing a project can get a student handbook from their 6th grade Science teacher.
All projects are due in the MMS library on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020.
AVID Tutoring
AVID Tutoring positions are available for college students and college graduates at Murphy Middle school, and other PISD schools. Tutors will work with small groups of middle and high school students under the supervision of a teacher, and are paid $12.00 per hour. Murphy tutors are needed Mondays and Wednesdays 1:00 - 3:30 PM. Contact Kristin Anderson at kristin.anderson@pisd.edu or 469-752-8061.
Dazzlers Holiday Dance Clinic
The McMillen Dazzlers are hosting our annual Holiday Dance Clinic on Saturday, November 16, from 9 am – noon.
This event is open to all who love to dance from ages Kindergarten through 10th Grade.
For a registration form or more information, please visit https://tinyurl.com/holidaydanceclinic2019
*** Clubs and Organizations ***
Murphy Math Counts Club
Murphy Math Counts Club will begin meeting on Tuesdays after school in room H107, Mrs. Perry’s room, until 4:30 PM. Math Counts Math Club is a club for students that enjoy learning mathematics and enjoy competition. Students will prepare to compete in the Math Counts chapter competition in February. Math Counts Math Club exposes students to math problems that they may not see in the normal classroom, due to time constraints.
T-shirt and Dress shirt Donations
Donations can be dropped off anytime during the school day in Mr. Adams' rooms, B119 or K102.
Thank you!
*** Athletics ***
Lady Mavs Volleyball
Friday 10/18
7th B Team VB vs (Haggard/Frankford) @ Schimelpfenig MS – 7:15 pm
8th B Team VB vs (Robinson/Carpenter) @ Frankford MS – 7:15 pm
Saturday 10/19
7th & 8th B Team VB vs TBA (depends on results from Friday) @ PSA Murphy
Monday 10/21
7th & 8th VB vs Otto @ Otto – 6:00 pm 7th grade A Team / 7:00 pm 8th Grade A Team
Thursday – Saturday
7th & 8th A Team VB Tournament (Schedule to be distributed by the coaches Tuesday or Wednesday of next week)
Maverick Football
Monday 10/21
7th FB vs Renner @ Clark Central – 5:30 pm B Team / 7:00 pm A Team
Tuesday 10/22
8th FB vs Renner @ Clark Central - 5:30 pm B Team / 7:00 pm A Team
Student Film Manager for Football
Any student, or students, interested in becoming the 7th or 8th grade Film manager for the football team please contact Coach Woodyard at school or through email (mark.woodyard@pisd.edu).
Boys Basketball Tryouts
Boys basketball tryouts will be conducted Wednesday October 30 - November 1st for 7th Graders and October 31st-November 4th for 8th Graders. Tryouts will be from 6:30am-8:15 am each day. Students must have an up to date physical, medical history, all paperwork on rank one completed, and the parent letter turned in to participate. Days that are missed because of incomplete paperwork cannot be made up. If you have any questions about boys basketball tryouts please contact Coach Slaton.
Boys Basketball Medical History Form
*New Stadium Rules*
The new stadium bag policy information can be found in the attachment as well as with this link https://www.pisd.edu/Page/16154 or here https://www.pisd.edu/stadiumbagpolicy
Remember: Student spectators who might walk directly from school to the stadium. Effective this Friday (September 13th), student spectators can no longer bring backpacks (or other non-approved bags) into the stadium.
New Stadium Bag Policy Begins Sept. 13 (Política del ISD de Plano sobre Bolsas en el Estadio, 13 de septiembre)
Beginning September 13, 2019, to promote the safety and security of Plano ISD students, staff, families and visitors, the district has modified its stadium bag policy by limiting the size and type of bags that spectators are allowed to bring into Plano ISD stadiums. See the frequently asked questions on the athletics website for more information. Stadium locations include:
- Clark Stadium & Fields Complex
- Kimbrough Stadium
- Williams Stadium
Starting September 13, 2019, only the following types of bags are allowed:
- One clear plastic tote, not larger than 12” X 12” X 6”
- One clear resealable plastic storage bag, not larger than 1 gallon size
- One small “hand sized” clutch purse, not larger than 5” X 7”
- An exception will be made for medically necessary items after inspection at the gate
- An exception will be made for a diaper bag when accompanied by infant or young child
- Bags carried by student groups (band, cheer, drill team, etc.) entering as a group at designated entrances
The following bags are prohibited:
- All purses, bags or containers larger than an approved small clutch purse or small clear tote
- Backpacks and duffle bags
- Camera and binocular cases or bags
- Briefcases
- Mesh or drawstring bags
- Computer bags
- Coolers
- Fanny packs
- Luggage
*** Fine Arts ***
CHOIR
Cookie dough is coming!! Here is the flier.
Mark your calendars for Tuesday, October 22nd 2:30-5:00 PM in the Murphy MS Small Gym. Any items sold in our Cash Cow fundraiser need to be picked up that day! “It has to go back into a fridge or freezer that night, or it will ruin!” – Ms. Jackie <3
Contact Mrs. Evans with questions or special time requests. We also NEED VOLUNTEERS to help with pick-up! Please let us know if you are available to help at any point from 2:30 to 5:00 PM. (Amber.Evans@pisd.edu)
Please visit the Choir Website for up-to-date information including weekly tutorials schedules. – tinyurl.com/MMSChoirNews
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If the “Here” in the second line does work, here’s the link - https://drive.google.com/file/d/17vfv78md_4plJa8vhs2O9_UzK9eVys60/view?usp=sharing
Orchestra News
10/24 Orchestra concert and picnic at Murphy Central Park
10/25 Orchestra All Region Master Class 3:30PM-6PM
10/26 Orchestra All Region Auditions at Plano East Senior High
*** PTA News ***
Trick or Dip Day
Hospitality is throwing a Trick or Dip Day for all the awesome staff at MMS on Tuesday, October 29th. We need your help with providing the dips. Please sign up by clicking on the link below. Hospitality will take care of the chips and vegetables. Please help us make this day special for MMS staff! Thank you!
PICTURE RE-TAKE DAY, OCTOBER 23RD
REFLECTIONS, DEADLINES: OCTOBER 28TH AND NOVEMBER 4TH
Reflections is a National PTA sponsored arts recognition program that encourages artistic expression.
The Reflections 2019-2020 theme is Look Within! Check out all of the information at PTA.org/Reflections.
Use your talent to look within! Do you enjoy art, music, dance, or have an interest in writing, producing films and taking photos? Unleash your inner artist with PTA Reflections! This years theme is “Look Within”.
PTA Membership Required
At least one parent/guardian must be a PTA member by October 28th.
Deadline
Pick up submission guidelines and an entry form in the front office and return your entry by November 4th.
Contact
SPIRIT WEAR INVENTORY SALE
Order Deadline: Friday, November 1, 2019
Delivery Dates: Friday, October 25th and Friday, November 8th during lunch
Order now because quantities are limited: mmspta.org/spiritwear
BOX TOPS DUE OCTOBER 25TH
Box Tops due by October 25th. Details at our Box Tops for Education page.
MCMILLEN HIGH SCHOOL MATTRESS FUNDRAISER, NOVEMBER 16TH
The McMillen High School Band Mattress Fundraiser is coming soon. There will be over 30 beds on display for customers to try. The beds are new, brand name, made to order, available in all sizes, and cost less than retail stores. In addition to beds, there will also be luxury pillows, sheets, adjustable power bases and even full body massage chairs! Please share this information with family and friends!
PISD RESOLVING STUDENT AND PARENT CONCERNS
Plano ISD encourages students and parents to attempt to resolve their concerns with the appropriate teacher, principal, other campus administrator, department or employee. The district believes it is in the best interest of everyone involved to informally resolve concerns, if at all possible. Concerns should be expressed as soon as possible to allow early resolution at the lowest possible administrative level.
Details at https://www.pisd.edu/page/20314.
PTA EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION NOMINATION & APPLICATION
@HEB Excellence in Education Awards are designed to honor outstanding public school professionals and to thank them for their dedication and commitment. Nominate a teacher, principal, or school district today!
Want to Volunteer?
Re-Link Your Kroger Community Rewards, Beginning August 1st
If you shop at Kroger grocery stores, and you have a Kroger Plus Rewards card, you can benefit the families of Murphy Middle.
You must link your card every year, starting August 1st to support Murphy Middle School PTA.
Learn how at Kroger Community Rewards.
Some friendly reminders from Officer Ashmore
Please remember there are no U-turns allowed in the driveway between MMS and the Kimbrough parking lot. There are numerous cars and busses that are proceeding as through traffic and making a U-turn in this area is both unsafe and illegal.
Our staff crossing guard is on duty from 7:45 to 8:20. Please be aware that dropping your child off in the Kimbrough parking lot after 8:20 leaves them to cross without the safety of a crossing guard. Ms. Jacobs does a phenomenal job and we greatly appreciate her, but she has a 1st period class and must get to class as well.
By now you have seen the new cones in the MMS driveway creating 2 lanes as you approach the front of the school. The right-hand lane is for drop off and the left-hand lane is for those turning into the parking lot. Please be mindful when you stop to drop off your kiddos that you do not block the lane of traffic. We are going to try this out and see if it helps traffic flow a little better – your feedback is always welcome! You can email me at sarah.ashmore@pisd.edu.
Car Pool Change
We wanted to communicate that we will be trying something new in the carpool lane at Murphy Middle School. We have added cones in designated areas to keep specific left and right lanes to promote a smoother flow of traffic. Vehicles on the left side of the cones will need to turn left into the Murphy Middle School parking lot. Vehicles on the right side of the cones will continue straight to exit the carpool circle. We want to communicate that we have put these cones out as a trial and will be monitoring their effectiveness. If we find that the cones are helpful, then we may consider making them permanent. We wanted to inform you in advance so that you would be prepared for this change that will start September 30, 2019
*** Informational Links ***
Download the PISD Mobile App
Do you have the Plano ISD App on your phone or device?
The Plano ISD App is a great way to see information about the Plano calendar, news and alerts, the anonymous tip line, and much more.
• Personalize newsfeeds for your school
• View student grades and attendance
• Access school and staff info
• View news stories
• Receive important alerts
• View calendar info
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Murphy Middle School
Twitter: @MurphyMiddle
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