The BULLetin
August 5, 2021
Principal's Message
Welcome back, Mavericks! Welcome NEW Mavericks! We're looking forward to a great school year!
As we prepare for the year, I'd like to take a moment and reassure you that we know that there is a level of excitement and a level of anxiety for our students, staff, and families with returning to school. As a reminder, please be cognizant and respectful of the levels of comfort each student and family have as we return to school. This is a new feeling for everyone. We are working diligently to plan to return to school safely with providing sanitizing options and social distancing reminders to help keep our students, families, and staff safe. With new expectations coming out from the State of Illinois, we will update our school plans and share specifics with you hopefully next week. Please continue to check www.sd308.org for updates as we get closer to the start of the year. For now, please understand that masks will be required for anyone who enters Murphy.
This year is a special year for Murphy...we are celebrating 10 LEGENDARY YEARS! We will continue to do the GREAT things we do at Murphy and be sure to share them with the Murphy community with the hashtag #legendaryMAVS.
We are excited to be back for in-person learning! Opportunities for incorporating collaboration and discussion with students and staff will be endless, and offering learning opportunities through academics as well as extra-curricular activities is something we're looking forward to as well.
With the return to in-person learning and getting back to 'normal' we are excited to have our community back together within the building. We have been learning in a variety of ways since we were all last together in March of 2020 and much has been out of our control. Being back together means getting back to what we know is successful for learning and the development of our students. While we will focus on content throughout all subjects, we will also focus on other learning skills important for student success.
Just a reminder, we will have our Murphy Walk-Throughs next week. This is for any student/family who would like to get a feeling for the building and walk their schedules. Classrooms will be closed, but students will have access to their lockers and their schedules in order to help get comfortable with the building.
The Murphy Walk-Throughs will take place on:
- Tuesday, August 10th from 3:30-5:30pm
- Wednesday, August 11th from 5:00-7:00pm
- Thursday, August 12th from 3:30-5:30pm
We look forward to seeing you!!
-Laura Bingham
#LegendaryMAVS
Upcoming Events and Reminders
Important information, upcoming events, and details can be found further in the Bulletin.
Important Upcoming Dates:
- Tuesday, August 10th 3:30-5:30-Murphy Walk-Through opportunity
- Wednesday, August 11th 5:00-7:00- Murphy Walk-Through opportunity
- Thursday, August 12th 3:30-5:30- Murphy Walk-Through opportunity
- Wednesday, August 11th and Thursday, August 12th- Survival Skills (6th Grade Only)
- Wednesday, August 18th- First day of student attendance
- Tuesday, August 24th- Restaurant Fundraiser! (Taps-n-Tenders)
- Wednesday, August 25th- Kane County Cougars Game
- Thursday, August 26th- School Picture/ID day
- Tuesday, August 31st- Fall Sports Pictures
- Tuesday, August 31st- Curriculum Night 6:00-7:30pm
- Monday, September 6th- No student attendance (Labor Day)
- Tuesday, September 7th- No student attendance (Institute Day)
Murphy Walk-Throughs
We're looking forward to a GREAT year back in school! As we prepare to come back to in-person learning, I'd like to welcome you to attend any or all of our Murphy Walk-Through dates listed below. Our current plan is to have schedules available on TylerSIS the afternoon of August 10th. During the Walk-Throughs, you will have the opportunity to walk the building and your schedule during any of the sessions provided. PTO will have representation at the Walk-Throughs as well.
Murphy Walk-Through Sessions will take place on:
Tuesday, August 10th from 3:30-5:30 pm
Wednesday, August 11th from 5:00-7:00 pm
Thursday, August 12th from 3:30-5:30 pm
We look forward to seeing you!
ALL students and guardians are welcome to these sessions. If you are a 6th grader and are attending Survival Skills, you CAN attend the Walk-Throughs as well.
Murphy Restaurant Night!
Did Someone Say BASEBALL?
Purchase your tickets here!: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b0e4aa4ae29a5f58-cougars
Health Office Updates
HEALTH REQUIREMENTS
The Illinois School Code has specific immunization and examinations that are required to attend school, these must be provided at the following times: Pre-K/EC, Kindergarten, 2nd grade, 6th grade, 9th grade,12th grade and upon first entry to an Illinois school (see link below for requirements by grade level).
http://www.sd308.org/healthrequirements
Failure to provide documentation of the physical and vaccine requirements will result in first-day exclusion from school. Documentation of future medical appointments will not be accepted.
All health forms and medical documentation can be brought to the main office at the building your student will be attending during regular office hours.
Please contact Jenny Pienkos, Health Services Coordinator at (630) 608-5026 or jpienkos@sd308.org with any questions or concerns.
Athletics, Clubs, and Activities
In addition to clubs and activities, athletics are back! Intramurals will take place throughout the year and we will share information as they roll out. Below is a list of the interscholastic sports offered in each season.
A few Athletic Reminders:
- If you're interested in athletics, please be sure to register through 8-18 and pay the athletic fee on Pushcoin
- Sports physicals need to be turned in prior to tryouts, otherwise, students will not be able to try out (we will continue to take physicals the first week of school!)
- Reminder: masks MUST be worn on the bus to away games/meets
Fall
Soccer - Boys (7/8)
Cross Country (6-8)
Volleyball - Girls (7/8)
Winter
Basketball - Girls (7/8)
Basketball - Boys (7/8)
Wrestling (6-8)
Spring
Track (7-8)
Soccer - Girls (7/8)
Volleyball - Boys (7/8)
Fall Sport Details:
Boys Soccer:
Attention any 7th or 8th grade boy interested in playing soccer for the Murphy team...tryouts will be on Aug 23rd. You must have a current physical and be registered on 8 to 18 to be able to try out.
See the linked calendar for further information (subject to change)
Cross Country
Check out the Cross Country information here
Girls Volleyball
7th and 8th grade girls volleyball calendar information is linked here. There will be an open gym on Aug 19th, for any girls interested (no experience required). The coaches ask that you read through the volleyball contract and look over the calendar before attending. If you have any questions- please email the coach directly.
Schedules/Bell Schedule
Please check your student's schedule to confirm all core classes (Math, Science, Social Studies, Language Arts), PE or PE/Health (7th grade only), and lunch are present. If there is an error, please reach out to your child's counselor via email.
Mrs. Zawacki: A - K (bzawacki@sd308.org)
Mr. Falli: L - Z (bfalli@sd308.org)
Please note that requests for specific classes, class periods, and/or teachers are unable to be accommodated. Schedule changes can be accommodated for the following reasons:
- If there is a specific issue with the schedule/Schedule error (example: missing periods, double classes, wrong level, electives taken previously, should be in band/choir)
- Changing 7th/8th grade electives (only if seats are available)- This is only accommodated for the first week of school. No further elective changes will be granted after 08/25
Regular Day Bell Schedule Change:
Student Support 8:10-8:29
1st Period 8:29-9:10
2nd Period 9:14-9:55
3rd Period 9:59-10:40
4th Period 10:44-11:25
5th Period 11:29-12:10
6th Period 12:14-12:55
7th Period 12:59-1:40
8th Period 1:44-2:25
9th Period 2:29-3:10
Student Services Spotlight
OEHS Virtual Calming Resources
During overwhelming times in our life, especially now, it is important to find ways to relax and cope. The Virtual Calming Room is a place for students, parents, and staff to find tools and strategies for managing emotions and feelings. Take a deep breath and find some calm and peace.
Click here to view the OEHS virtual calming room!
Click Here: Family & Community Resources
This page provides information for families regarding resources from both SD308 and a variety of Community-Based agencies and services. This includes mental health, financial, housing, food, COVID-19 and healthcare resources.
Virtual Offices Links
Mrs. Zawacki (School Counselor, Last Names A-K)
Mrs. Noll (School Social Worker, Last Names A-K & ISP Program)
Mr. Falli (School Counselor, Last Names L-Z)
Ms. Thompson (School Social Worker, Last Names L-Z & FBI Program)
Ms. Brilliandt (School Psychologist)
Student Absences
If your student is absent, you must call the attendance line (630-608-5101) to report the absence and absence reason. Please feel free to have your student email teachers directly for missed homework. To find contact information for teachers, please use the staff list here: Teacher Directory. Your student can also check their Google Classroom(s) for missed assignments and reach out to teachers for further clarification regarding assignments, homework, or activities.
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 Brian Falli at bfalli@sd308.org or Brandi Zawacki at bzawacki@sd308.org.
*Don’t forget to include some pictures in your email.
Upcoming Events/Important Dates
Use the "Murphy Building Calendar" link below to see all the things going on at Murphy Junior High.
Contact Us
Mission Statement
Murphy Junior High School is an inclusive and supportive community that promotes student success by ensuring ALL students are college and career ready.
Vision Statement
Every student. Every day. Grow. Inspire. Empower.
Email: lbingham@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