Murphy Middle School eNews
January 29, 2016
Attention Parents of Current 8th Grade Students
8th Grade Parents,
Students in eighth grade are required to complete a Four-Year Plan for high school graduation. These are tentative plans designed to guide students through their course selections for grades 9-12. Students and parents develop the Four-Year Plan based on a student’s academic performance, test scores, career interests, and graduation requirements.
Conferences to develop your child’s Four-Year Academic Plan and registration plan for 9th grade began on Tuesday, January 26. If you haven't already received a letter informing you of the date and time of your child’s academic conference, please contact our counseling office at 469-752-7015.
The group scheduling session lasts approximately one hour and fifteen minutes, during which time we will make a tentative four-year plan and complete the ninth grade registration paperwork. These are important decisions for your child, and your attendance is appreciated. If you are unable to attend, your student will still meet with us and he/she can share the information with you. Please feel free to contact our counseling office at 469-752-7015 if you have any questions
We look forward to working with each and every one of you to make the transition to 9th grade as smooth as possible.
Sincerely,
Murphy Middle School
Counseling Team
Murphy Middle School Events & Information
Multicultural Week is coming - February 1st - 5th. Students are encouraged to wear international clothing to school on Wednesday, February 3rd.
Debate Offs To Determine 10 Competition Teams For Tournaments - February 3rd from 3:30 - 5:00 in D106. Please check the callboard outside of the Speech & Theatre room for your debate off time.
No School For Students - Monday, February 15
Athletic Events - February
Admission cost for athletic events is $2 for students and $4 for adults. Please help out our ticket takers by bringing small bills.
7th Grade Girls Basketball (6:00 & 7:00 unless otherwise noted)
Thursday, 2/4 vs. Wilson at Wilson
Thursday, 2/11, Friday, 2/12, Saturday, 2/13 - "B" Team Tournament - Time & Location TBD
Thursday, 2/18, Friday, 2/19, Saturday, 2/20 - "A" Team Tournament - Time & Location TBD
7th Grade Boys Basketball (6:00 & 7:00 unless otherwise noted)
Thursday, 2/4 vs. Wilson at MMS
Thursday, 2/11, Friday, 2/12, Saturday, 2/13 - "B" Team Tournament - Time & Location TBD
Thursday, 2/18, Friday, 2/19, Saturday, 2/20 - "A" Team Tournament - Time & Location TBD
8th Grade Girls Basketball (6:00 & 7:00 unless otherwise noted)
Monday, 2/1 vs. Wilson at Wilson
Thursday, 2/11, Friday, 2/12, Saturday, 2/13 - "B" Team Tournament - Time & Location TBD
Thursday, 2/18, Friday, 2/19, Saturday, 2/20 - "A" Team Tournament - Time & Location TBD
8th Grade Boys Basketball (6:00 & 7:00 unless otherwise noted)
Monday, 2/1 vs. Wilson at MMS
Thursday, 2/11, Friday, 2/12, Saturday, 2/13 - "B" Team Tournament - Time & Location TBD
Thursday, 2/18, Friday, 2/19, Saturday, 2/20 - "A" Team Tournament - Time & Location TBD
Plano ISD - Parental Engagement Survey - Takes Less Than 5 Minutes To Complete
There are many ways in which parents may be involved in the education of their child. Extensive research has shown that activities such as reading and communicating with the child and setting expectations have the largest effect on student achievement. Other forms of parental involvement, such as attendance and participation in school functions, also contribute positively to achievement in school.
This Parental Engagement Survey will help us understand some of the ways in which parents are engaged in the education of their child. This information will guide us in providing support to the parents in our community.
With the 2015-2016 school year in mind, please take a moment to answer this brief survey.
Here are the links to the online survey:
English: http://formscreator.pisd.edu/formhandler/parentalengagementpisd.aspx
Spanish: http://formscreator.pisd.edu/formhandler/parentalengagementpisdsp.aspx
Thank you for your participation.
Multicultural Week
Next week, Murphy Mavericks will be celebrating multicultural awareness. Do you have a kimono, a sari, a kilt, a serape, or something else? Wednesday February 3, encourage your student to wear clothing to represent a culture.
International offerings from the cafeteria will coincide with Murphy's Cultural Celebration Week! Thank you, Ms. Amador!
Monday : American food – steak fingers, mashed potatoes, green beans, glazed baby carrots, fruit cocktail
Tuesday: Italian food - chicken alfredo/garlic sticks, mixed vegetables, veggie salad, peaches
Wednesday: Spanish food - chicken tacos, cheese enchiladas, Spanish rice, pinto beans, corn, mandarin oranges
Thursday: Thai food - Thai sweet chili chicken, orange chicken, rice, broccoli, pineapple chunks, crispy noodles
Friday: Chinese food - teriyaki wings, chili wings, jalapeno cheese bread, broccoli, carrots
Color Run T-Shirt Design Contest
Practice Test to Help Prepare for SAT or ACT - Registration form attached to eNews email
Dazzler Dance Clinic - Registration Form Attached To eNews Email
MMS Students Named Winners of the City of Murphy Recycling Mascot Contest
Congratulations to Cedric Zhou and Megan Trieu for winning the City of Murphy’s art contest for the recycling mascot. Their work will be displayed on the Progressive Waste Recycling truck.
Soccer Club Information
Soccer season has started at Murphy MS. The soccer club has 11 teams and 118 students participating this year! The teams play each other every Friday for the next 3 months ending with semifinals and a championship game on April 22nd.
NJHS students who need volunteer hours: make sure contact
Mrs. Isbell or show up on Fridays to help during an early, a late game, or both!
Free Lacrosse Stick Clinics
Plano East lacrosse will be offering two free stick clinics for anyone interested in “the fastest growing sport in the US”. These clinics will be at McMillen High School from 9-11 a.m. on Saturday, January 23 and Saturday, February 6. Loaner gear is available for anyone wanting to experience the sport. (Flier attached to original eNews email.)
If you have any questions, please contact Allison Worley at worley.a@gmail.com or Jeff Leach at jleach5150@hotmail.com.
Homework Hot Spot
Murphy’s Homework Hot Spot is here to serve your student. We created this area because we want students to have a teacher supervised area where they have teacher assistance, peer assistance (provided by Murphy NJHS students), or simply a quiet place to finish up homework before their day begins.
The Homework Hot Spot (HHS) is available every Tuesday and Wednesday morning from 7:50 – 8:20 in Mrs. Feil’s room D 111. We will be limiting the number of students coming in for assistance, so come early. See you there!
Grit and the Power of YET!
In order to demonstrate to students the Power of Yet, to encourage them to try again when they struggle, and to develop their grit, teachers will start adding the phrase “Power of Yet Tutorial (with the date and time of the tutorial)” on graded assignments when students are able to make another attempt at mastery. Teachers will also explain this change in grading communication so that students understand the meaning and purpose of “Power of Yet Tutorials.”
Club List - Updated January 2016
out some simple forms.
Here are the clubs that are formed so far - along with the name and email information of the teacher serving as custodian. Meeting times/dates are set by the teacher, so please direct your questions to him/her.
Book Club with Ms. Pearson in the Library (penny.pearson@pisd.edu)
Nintendo Club with Ms. McCutcheon & Ms. Hargrove in B120 (dena.mccutcheon@pisd.edu or lynda.hargrove@pisd.edu)
Star Wars Club with Mr. Murtaugh in B129 (michael.murtaugh@pisd.edu)
Environmental Club with Ms. Pilgrim in E113 (tina.pilgrim@pisd.edu)
Soccer Club with Mr. Murtaugh in B129 (michael.murtaugh@pisd.edu)
Baseball Club with Mr. Lagattuta in E112 (mike.lagattuta@pisd.edu)
Joy Club with Ms. Perry in J105 (clarice.perry@pisd.edu)
Reading Rain Club with Ms. Byrd in E101 (michelle.byrd@pisd.edu)
Mavs Steep Steppers with Ms. Holt in H102 (jemia.holt@pisd.edu)
Basketball Club with Mr. Henson in D101 (brian.henson@pisd.edu)
- Check out the latest Basketball Club News at www.Tinyurl.com/murphybballclub
Tennis Club with Ms. Hachtel in E111 (joey.hachtel@pisd.edu)
French Club with Ms. Nee in K104 (giang.nee@pisd.edu)
Singing & Dancing Club with Mr. Lagattuta in E112 (mike.lagattuta@pisd.edu)
Chef's Club with Ms. Thompson in D112 (kelly.thompson@pisd.edu)
Poetry Club with Ms. Edenkrans in F103 (elizabeth.edenkrans@pisd.edu)
Harry Potter Club with Mr. Lagattuta in E112 (mike.lagattuta@pisd.edu)
Student Council with Ms. Collins & Ms. McAnderson in F104 (karyn.collins@pisd.edu or melissa.mcanderson@pisd.edu)
Maverick Gazette with Mr. Matisoff in N101 (jason.matisoff@pisd.edu)
Current 6th Grade Students - Immunizations Needed For 7th Grade Entry
Dear 6th Grade Parent,
I want to make you aware of some additional immunizations that will be required in the 2016-2017 school year for 7th grade entry.
The changes will amend 25 Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 97, Subchapter B, §§97.61; 97.63-97.72. Following are the immunizations that will be affected:
· Meningococcal Vaccine (One dose required)
· Varicella Vaccine (Two doses required (or verification of disease)
· Tdap Vaccine (Tetanus and diphtheria toxoids and acellular pertussis) Booster dose required (within last 5 years)
Proof of these immunizations will be required to begin school for the 2016-2017 school year. Please check your child’s immunization records now and provide your school nurse proof of immunization as soon as the vaccine is received as this will provide faster service for your student’s schedule release. To view a copy of your child’s immunization record as currently on file with the school, please go to https://parentviewer.pisd.edu/
If you have questions or concerns, I recommend discussing these with your physician. The school nurse at your campus will be able to provide you with a list of locations where you can receive these immunizations.
For further assistance, please contact the school nurse at your campus or visit http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/immunize/default.shtm for more information.
Thank you,
Megan Schuler RN, BSN
Director for District Health
PTA News & Updates
Important Dates:
February 1st - 5th - Multicultural Week
February 6th - SAGE Summer Expo
February 12th - Color Run T-Shirt Design Contest Deadline
February 16th - PDQ Spirit Night
We need you if you love to take pictures and scrapbook!!! Our Historian for this year has moved she will give you all she has done thus far if you will step up and Volunteer to be the MMS PTA Historian for this year. Please contact PTA president Angela Hughes if you are interested president@mmspta.org
Please thank Anna Walker and Sreelatha Pillai for all of their hard work and dedication to PTA this year!!!!!
2016 Plano ISD Parent Workshops - Presented by Family Education and Guidance Services
Questions About Parent Programs?
Murphy Middle School PTA Community Partners 2015-2016
Please remember our generous sponsors when shopping for services or supplies!!
For more Murphy information, please visit the Murphy web page:
http://k12.pisd.edu/murphy-middle-school
For Murphy PTA news: http://www.mmspta.org
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