Message from Principal Costello
August 28, 2022
August 19, 2022
Good Afternoon Murphy Families,
I hope you have had a fun-filled and relaxing summer. We had an amazing year last year at Murphy as we worked to reinforce our foundation of academic excellence, social/emotional successes and school-wide improvements. I am excited to continue this trend during the 2022-2023 school year! I look forward to working with our highly qualified and dedicated staff, our awesome students, and all of the supportive families to ensure great learning experiences for all.
As an educational leader, my top priorities include maintaining positive school culture and meeting the needs of each individual learner. At Murphy School, we aim to support the academic, emotional and physical well-being of our students throughout all phases of their school experience. This will include furthering our PBIS program (positive behavior intervention and supports) and tailoring academic instruction in order to focus on the needs of each individual child. My goal is to continue to work with families, school staff and teachers in order to prepare our students with the skills necessary to navigate their educational journeys and to be responsible members of our community. Students will also be given ample opportunities to further develop inter-personal skills as they work with one another to problem solve. They will be recognized for their academic and social achievements and families will be invited to celebrate those successes.
I look forward to furthering our school/home partnership as we work together to develop lifelong learners. This partnership is critical to ensure student success. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns as we approach the 2022-2023 school year. I look forward to seeing all of you in the coming months. Additionally, please continue to look for our weekly “Murphy Messages” newsletter. This will be emailed on Sundays throughout the upcoming school year.
School Hours
The Elementary School day begins at 9:05 and ends at 3:15. It is very important that your child is here before 9:05 as structured learning time starts immediately after the second bell.
First Bell 8:50 A.M.
Late Bell 9:05 A.M.
End of Day 3:15 P.M.
(As a reminder, children should arrive at school no earlier than 8:50 A.M.)
Teacher Assignment
At this time of the year, students are always excited to discover their teacher / classroom assignments. This information will be available on 8/19 in the Aspen Family Portal. For directions regarding this process, please refer to this Aspen Family Portal support document.
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.
Arrival and Dismissal Procedures
Please view this document and accompanying diagrams for our traffic flow and arrival / dismissal procedures.
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.
OFF TO A GOOD START
Research shows that having a good breakfast helps children to perform at their best. Therefore, we strongly encourage all children to have a healthy breakfast. Often children come to school without the benefit of a good breakfast and struggle through the morning. Also, a snack helps to keep the momentum going. In addition, a good night’s sleep is undoubtedly in order on school nights.
BIRTHDAYS
Due to allergies and wellness policies, we ask that families do not send in food items to celebrate birthdays or other events. Also, please do not send invitations to be passed out unless all of the class is included.
VOLUNTEERS
Volunteers may be needed (COVID dependent) at times during the school year. If interested, please be on the lookout for periodic opportunities. All volunteers must have a completed CORI form on file with the school department and fingerprinting (SAFIS). The process is simple to complete and our office staff can help you.
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.
Parent Council
In addition to connecting with your child’s classroom staff, we encourage you to get involved with our amazing Murphy Parent Council. Our Parent Council collaborates with school staff to bring great programs and fun experiences to all of our students throughout the year. Please look for emails from our parent council, feel free to contact the parent council and check them out on Facebook to stay informed.
Message from EdTech:
Please be sure to continue to care for and update your Chromebook throughout the summer. The Educational Technology Department will be working throughout July and August. Refer to the Tech Support page of our website if problems arise: https://edtech.weymouthps.org/support/
Here are a few suggestions for fun and enriching activities for students--and adults--to explore over the summer from WPS Technology Integration Specialists, Beth Arthur, Mary Lou Buell, and Mike Miller.
Bus Applications for 22-23.
The bus application for next school year can be found by clicking the link below. When completing the application, you will be asked to provide a "Student LASID". If you do not know your child’s LASID, please enter "0" (zero) for this field. Also, our transportation department is only accepting payments for this school year (2021-22); please do not make payments for 2022-23 bus transportation at this time.
Important Information:
- Tech Support for Families - Submit a ticket for support. Reminder* be sure to update your child’s Chrome OS on the weekends, often and early!
- WPS Opportunities Resources - Family and community resources
- Champions Before and After School Care - 781-812-8735 or lolee@discoverchampions.com
- Blackboard Communications - Opt In and Opt Out Instructions
- Town Wide Parent Council - Meets the Second Tuesday of Each Month
- Volunteer to Become a Parent/Guardian/Caregiver ELL Immigrant Liaison
District Links:
Additional Resources:
- Champions Before & After School Care
- Aspen Family Portal
- Family Engagement Center (Registration)
- Backpack Program - Food assistance for students in need
District Calendar:
Weymouth, MA 02188
Phone (781) 331-2862