The BULLetin
January 12, 2017
Principal's Message
#bemotivated
Happy New Year! I hope that you had a restful holiday spent with those that you love.
As with every new year, we are #motivated to set new goals and achieve new things. I've set some personal goals, lose some weight, buy some new clothes, complete some personal and professional tasks, etc.
Here at Murphy we've set some resolutions as well. We are trying some new things and working to get better just like everyone else. We've scheduled a restaurant night (second time in 5 years), we're working on online course selection for 6th and 7th grade students and much more.
You can see some of these things in this week's BULLetin and others we'll have additional information to share throughout the school year.
This week's BULLetin is long enough, you don't need to hear more from me. Hopefully, your New Year's resolutions are still in tact.
#bemotivated #bemurphy
Geography Bee Finalists
Murphy held our Geography Bee preliminaries during the month of December. The following students are the finalists:
Top 10 Finalists
Nathaniel Carlson
Ben Burns
Akhil Bonela
Snigdha Akula
Rohan Cherukuri
Josh Togle
Evan Palfenier
Adam Lammert
Ian Reinke
Rula Assaf
These students will participate in our Geo Bee finals on January 19th beginning at 8:15am. Parents of the students in the finals are invited to attend.
Save the Date
That changed recently when Portillo's started doing fundraising nights. We asked ourselves, "Who doesn't love Portillo's?" In an informal poll in the office area, the answer was 0% of people dislike Portillo's.
SAVE THE DATE Murphy Junior High Portillo's Night will be March 2nd from 5 to 8pm at the Portillo's on Rte 34 in Oswego. Any money we raise will go toward helping supply the Maverick Minimall and to offset the cost of our celebration activities related to PBIS.
We hope you and your family will make every attempt to swing buy. This fundraiser includes: dine in, carry out and drive through purchases.
Yearbooks on Sale - FINAL WEEK!
The Murphy 2017 yearbook will be on sale through January 20, 2017 for the amazing, low price of $25! Please order yours today to guarantee yourself a copy! Sales will be completed online only.
Keep the memories alive by ordering your copy! The yearbook can be ordered here:
http://www.balfour.com/illinois/plainfield/murphy-junior-high-school/
Future Wolves Night
Athena Dental
Additional information here.
Practice SAT
As of 12:37pm today, there are 8 spots left. There will be a waitlist.
Practice SAT: Saturday, January 28, 2017 at Murphy Junior High, 7:45am to 11:15am.
Historically, we have suggested that the practice test be taken by students in 7th or 8th grade. Typically, students who are in honors-level courses will have had more exposure to the math content than other students. However, the reading and writing sections are generally accessible to all students, although the reading-level will be for high school students. Nonetheless, we want to ensure any interested students can sit for the test in a quasi-testing environment but also make it familiar and relatively comfortable.
We always want to give Murphy families the first opportunity to fill the available seats as seating will be limited to the first 100 students to sign up. Registration will open to others the week of January 9, 2017.
If your student is interested, sign them up at: https://murphysat.eventbrite.com
Murphy Betabots
While neither the Mavrabots nor the Betabots moved on, both teams did a great job. They showed grit and determination to think critically and make adjustments on the fly throughout the day of competition. Pic 1 - Betabots; Pic 2 Mavrabots
PTO Update
We are very excited to announce our 2nd semester Teacher Wish List Drive! Our first was a huge success! We were able to treat 30 staff members to their Favorite Things Baskets! We have about 40 staff members left to surprise this semester. Let's show our MJHS staff how much we appreciate them! Thank you Murphy Community for your generosity!
Toys for Tots
Student Services Spotlight
HAPPY NEW YEAR from Student Services! We hope you had a restful break.
SCHEDULE CHANGES
Friday, January 13th, will be the LAST day to make any schedule changes.
Oswego East Course Selection for 8th grade students
Key Dates:
January 9-25: Junior high teachers will make core course recommendations
January 26-February 12: Home Access will open for students and parents to choose elective classes
February 15: OEHS Counselors will visit Murphy to meet with students and verify course selections.
January 18: Future Wolves Night at Oswego East
Additional information related to 8th grade Course Selection
Online Course Selection Procedures
Murphy Course Selection for 6th and 7th grade students
Counselors will be meeting with 6th and 7th grade students the week of January 23rd. More information about selecting electives will be available soon.
“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 Karen Whited at kwhited@sd308.org or Brandi Zawacki at bzawacki@sd308.org.
*Don’t forget to include some pictures in your email.
#BEMOTIVATED
Get Motivated Maverick Families! http://www.success.com/article/do-these-7-things-to-get-and-stay-motivated
MyOwn.edu - January Update
That teenager of yours is still under construction! Their behaviors, moods, and personality seems to change daily - how can you possibly response in a firm, yet fair way as they continue to develop? Continue reading...
8th Grade:
You're certainly not a helicopter parent - but you may know someone who is. Help them avoid the pitfalls of hovering too closely! Continue reading...
5 Essentials Parent Survey
As of today, we're up to about 14% parent response. We need 20% to get survey results. All parents are welcome to complete the survey, it is not limited to only 1 response per family.
NOTE: Murphy is located in Kendall County. When you're searching for the school, you need to enter county information. If you're having difficulty finding our school that could be the issue.
Parents, please take a few minutes to answer some question about Murphy. We have a great school but can always improve, taking about 5 minutes out of your schedule to tell us about your experience will prove invaluable. All the responses are completely anonymous.
If you <3 The BULLetin or think the teachers are great. Or if we need to improve in some area. Let us know. It just takes a few minutes. I've completed it 3 times for my three kids three different schools.
Please visit https://survey.5-essentials.org/Illinois/ to take the parent survey.
If you have any questions about the survey, please contact 5Essentials Customer Support at 1-866-440-1874 or 5essentials@uchicago.edu.
Thank you!
Upcoming District and Area Events
Wednesday, January 18th- Dr. Ferney Ramirez with be presenting a workshop will be about “Increasing your Children’s Self-Esteem”. It will take place at Boulder Hill Elementary from 6:00-8:00pm. Presentation will be solely in Spanish.
Tuesday, January 24th- The second semester of ESL and computer classes will start on the 24th. The classes will take place every Tuesday for the next ten weeks at Boulder Hill Elementary.
Monday, January 30th- We will be hosting a presentation with Dr. Kim Potowski. She will be talking to dual language parents about the Language Acquisition Process, Biliteracy and the help that is needed at home.
The presentation will be at Hunt Club Elementary from 6:30-7:30pm.
Buenos Días Familias del Distrito Escolar 308,
Debido al gran éxito y porque usted lo pidió el Dr. Ferney Ramírez Hernández psicólogo y motivador Colombiano, viene nuevamente a nuestro distrito el próximo Miércoles, 18 de Enero del 2017, de las 6:00 alas 8:00 tarde a la escuela primaria Boulder Hill, localizada en la 163 Boulder Hill Pass, Montgomery, IL 60538. Favor de entrar por la puerta # 4.
En esta ocasión el tema es: “COMO AUMENTAR LA AUTOESTIMA DE SUS HIJOS”
Se proporcionará cuidado de niños y un pequeño refrigerio.
Esta presentación es exclusivamente en español. Invite a sus familiares, amigos y/o vecinos. ¡No se arrepentirá de asistir!
Si tiene alguna pregunta, favor de llamar al (630) 636-3689
¡NO FALTE!
DuPage Area STEM Expo
Join us at DuPage Area STEM Expo for family fun that includes interactive exploration into science, technology, engineering and math. Over 50 displays, presentations, shows, activities and projects to for school age children, grades K-6
Where?
Illinois Institute of Technology
Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice Campus
201 East Loop Road,
Wheaton, IL
When?
Saturday, February 25, 2017
10:30am - 3:30pm
(Complimentary admission and parking)
Clubs, Intramurals and Activities
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8xt4Ee01Y2danNRaDJtSjNUZWs/view?usp=sharingWith the start of 2nd semester more clubs and activities are starting up. Check out the Daily Announcements for additional information.
Upcoming Events
- NO SCHOOL Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
January 18
- Future Wolves Night @ OEHS 6:30pm
January 19
- National Geographic Geography Bee Murphy Finals
Contact Us
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