The BULLetin
December 15, 2016
Principal's Message
#becompasionate
The Battle of 127th Street is not an event that is designed specifically to help students foster a sense of compassion. But, the Plainfield Police Shop With a Cop program is a way for us, as a school, to show compassion to students and families in need. In most instances, parents and students will not know who the beneficiaries are of the Shop With a Cop program. But I can say unequivocally, that the students and families who benefit are positively impacted by the compassion, benevolence and generosity of all throughout the Plainfield-area who work to ensure that students and families are cared for through the program.
I want to thank Principal Shannon Miller, the coaches, athletes, students, parents and staff from Heritage Grove for being willing to partner with us 3 years ago. They are a generous bunch and it's a really fun event. As I've described it to others, especially people who work in a middle school or junior high, I've said from a participant's perspective I'm not sure many kids get to play in front of about 1000 people very often in their school careers and in most instances, that won't happen again unless a student becomes a varsity athlete.
For those who missed the game, both our 7th grade and 8th grade boys' teams came out on the losing end. Both games were hard fought and close throughout. In both instances Murphy teams lost by 2 points.
While the outcome of the games was a bummer. The crowd and the enthusiasm surrounding the event was amazing. I am happy to be signing a check next week in the ballpark of $2500 on behalf of both Heritage Grove and Murphy as our contribution to the Shop With a Cop program.
Thank you for your support.
#becompassionate #bemurphy
5 Essentials Parent Survey
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 we do something particularly well, please let us know so we can celebrate it and keep doing it. If there is something that we can improve upon, this is a great way to let us know.
We need 20% of parents to respond in order for us to get results. Right now, we have about 5%. I would love to see a number closer to 60%. The survey window is open a little while longer.
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 PTAG Meeting
G Suite
See this letter from the district for additional information.
Kendall County PADS
Murphy PTO - December Meeting
Join the PTO
If you haven't done so already, make a donation to the PTO and join up. Donation forms can be found here and returned to the Murphy Main Office. A $25 family donation gets your student a ticket to the PTO Monster Bash.
Murphy PTO on Facebook
There is always so much going on at Murphy and we try to get information out in a variety of different ways, another way to stay connected is through the Murphy PTO Facebook page. Like them and get connected!
Spotlight on Student Services
Maverick Doughnut Breakfast
This year, we are looking to reward students throughout the school year for demonstrating MAVS expectations in school.
M = Make Good Decisions
A = Accept Responsibility
V = Value and Respect Each Other and Our School
S = are Safe
This past month (9/19/16 – 10/19/16), students were rewarded for Making Good Decisions by being on time to school and class and by completing homework on time. On Friday, October 21st, 89% of students at Murphy were rewarded with tickets to the “Maverick Movie Theatre,” where they were able to watch the new Jungle Book movie.
Way to go Mavericks!
Our next reward will be a doughnut breakfast on December 21 for students who Accept Responsibility.
Students will earn this reward for:
1- Turning homework in on time (1 ZAP or Less ) AND
2- Demonstrating positive behavior at school and on the bus (No Office Referrals that results in Disciplinary Action: lunch detention, before or after school detention, in or out of school suspension)
Between October 31 and December 16
“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.
#BECOMPASSIONATE
This article provides a number of ways to encourage compassion in your children.
Bullseye Winners
Jared Tam, Michael Gordon, Kaylee Davis, Payton Doege, Lydia Mulhall, Marshall Hodge, Jessica Guardado, Gabe Lazatin, Liam Prendki, Lily Cooper, Teja Davis, Jacob Pauls, Emma Triska, Dhruv Padiath, Jalen Lewis
Faculty Winner
Ms. Henaghan is our Faculty Winner!
Yearbooks on Sale
http://www.balfour.com/illinois/plainfield/murphy-junior-high-school/
MyOWN.edu - December Update
When was the last time your child came to your work? You may think they are getting too old but don't count out the impact that your work experience can have on their future! Continue reading...
8th Grade:
Thinking about high school classes? Having trouble understanding the many options? Learn how to help your student pick the right classes for their success! Continue reading...
Clubs, Intramurals and Other Extracurricular Opportunities
Even if a program has started, please feel free to contact the sponsor to check on joining late. I've tried to delineate who ultimately runs each of the programs in parenthesis.
- MATH COUNTS (Murphy)
- ACE College Prep Boot Camp (District Partner)
- ACE Engineering Club (District Partner)
- Game/Chess Club (Murphy)
Oswego Optimist Club
Essay Contest
The Optimist Club is once again holding an essay contest, as well as an oratorical contest, for area students. The essay contest requires students under the age of 18 as of October 1, 2016, who have not yet graduated from high school or the equivalent to compose a 700- to 800-word essay around a central idea. The topic this year is "Chasing Optimism In The Face Of Challenges". The contest is designed to develop writing and critical thinking skills. All essays need to be turned in to Ms. Tracey Contino at Oswego High School, no later than February 1, 2017. For complete rules, please visit www.optimist.org. Cash prizes are awarded for the top three placing individuals at the club level. The first place winner advances to the district level, where there is an opportunity for a $2500.00 scholarship.
Oratorical Contest
The Oratorical Contest is open to students under the age of 18 as of October 1, 2016, who have not yet graduated from high school or its equivalent. Students are required to prepare a 4- to 5-minute speech on a pre-assigned topic. The Topic this year is "What The World Gains From Optimism". This contest is designed to assist youth in gaining public speaking experience and provide them with an opportunity to compete for a scholarship. For more information and complete rules, please visit www.optimist.org.
For information on these opportunities, as well as the local Oswegoland Optimist Club, visit their website at www.oswegooptimists.com, or their facebook page, Oswegoland Optimist Club.
Murphy Athletics
Late Winter Sports
Girls' Basketball Tryouts
Tryouts for Girls' Basketball (7th/8th grades) will occur our first day back after Winter Break. Please make sure your student is registered on the 8 to 18 website.
Upcoming Events
December 15
- Winter Concert (7pm)
December 16
- Toys for Tots Breakfast @ Oswego Fire House
December 21
- End of Semester 1
- SIP Day - 4 Hour Student Attendance
December 21-January 8
- Winter Break
January 9
- School Resumes
If you are looking for directions to AWAY events, this link will provide directions to many area schools.
Use the link below to see all the things going on at Murphy Junior High
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