The Marie Murphy Update
13 December 2019 Edition
Girls & Guys Basketball Teams Shine at Winter Pep Assembly!
New Morning Entry Supervision at MM
Obviously, when the 7:55 bell rings, the interior front entry doors to MM are locked, requiring visitors to check in at the main office, where we use our Raptor system to conduct a quick background check of adult visitors. But what about before school begins at 7:55? In the past, we have simply unlocked our front doors (both exterior and interior) at 6:45 to accommodate early arrivers, orchestra students, and morning athletics. Students who entered made their way to the MPR, gym, library, or a teacher's classroom. However, with growing concern that anyone could enter the building, unlocking the doors at 6:45 is not a practice that we cannot engage in anymore.
Instead, we began a new practice upon our return from Thanksgiving Break of not unlocking the interior entrance doors. Instead, a teacher volunteer and I have been manning those doors, beginning at 6:45 each morning, so we can let every student in individually. This allows us to still have our students enter the building when they wish, to engage in early morning activities that they are a part of, but also creates an adult presence to redirect, or turn away, anyone who should not be entering our building. This has been a minor change that we feel has a significant impact on the safety of the building. Additionally, it aligns with other middle schools in New Trier Township.
Avoca Band Returns with December 10 Performance!
AATF Recognizes Marie Murphy 8th Grader!
This week, Marie Murphy 8th grader, Enie B., was recognized by the American Association of Teachers of French (AATF) in their annual French Week Poster Contest. The theme was "La vie est belle when you take French" (Life is beautiful when you take French). Enie won a certificate from the AATF as well as a gift card from Dunkin Donuts, presented to her by Mademoiselle Mishinger. Her beautiful artwork is displayed below.
Do you wanna take a survey?
If you sing the words, "Do you wanna take a survey?" to the music of "Do you wanna build a snowman?", the whole experience is much more enjoyable!
Illinois 5Essential Survey - Parent Component
This survey asks parents to provide feedback about their child’s school. The survey, created by the University of Chicago, is designed to help school and district leadership improve their understanding of the parent/school relationship.
Continuum of Services Evaluation - Community Survey
Emailed to parents and staff last week, this survey seeks feedback about the continuum of services we provide students to help them be successful. Avoca School District is conducting a wholesale evaluation of our services and we need your insights.
Avoca 2020-21 Transportation Fee Survey
Need a Last Minute Gift Idea For the Kids? Try Boredom!
College professor, author, and former middle school teacher, John Spencer (@spencerideas) authored an argumentative piece for Educational Leadership magazine last December. The article was titled, "The Gift of Boredom" and made compelling arguments for the value of being bored. Acknowledging that boredom has no set definition, Spencer did argue that regardless of whatever defines boredom for an individual, people who are bored either engage in creative thinking to alleviate that sense of boredom, or are more open to new' ideas.
However, we live in a world where we have a greater number, and easier access to distractions to keep us from being bored, specifically citing access to our "devices" (phones, tablets, etc). As Spencer stated, "The underlying assumption here is that our devices pull us from deep and profoundly creative tasks." In short, if creative thinking can be the result of our mind's efforts to alleviate boredom, then what happens if we never truly allow our minds to wander aimlessly? This question has obvious implications for children, both in school and out.
The goal of Spencer's article is not promote a state of boredom all the time. Rather, in authoring the article, Spencer makes an argument that the efforts we make to avoid boredom might not be as beneficial as we believe them to be.
Unbored by the idea of boredom? Watch the video below!
Marie Murphy School
Email: palcerm@avoca37.org
Website: https://www.avoca37.org/
Location: 2921 Illinois Road, Wilmette, IL, USA
Phone: 847-251-3617
Twitter: @MarieMurphySch