The BULLetin
August 22, 2019
Principal's Message
The premise of the article is that a students spends roughly 20,000 in school from Kindergarten to the end high school. During the 20,000 hours they should become exceptional at something. Malcom Gladwell suggests in Tipping Point that it takes 10,000 hours to become exceptional at any activity. So... in theory... students should have developed 2 exceptional skills.
I'll let you read John and Tony's words to frame this idea further.
But it got me thinking and wondering as a parent and educator. As students enter 6th grade they are hitting the 10,000 hour mark. What are they good at? How do we develop those skills? And then I thought about the 3600 hours that they are in middle school. How are we further developing their knowledge, skills and capacities so that they can be refined in the final 6400 hours of school.
It's amazing that 20,000 hours can seem to be both an immense block of time and a fraction of an instant simultaneously.
I encourage you to read it, think about it and feel free to reach out to me. I would love to talk about it more. I've been rolling the ideas around in my head for a week and it's always good to work through them.
Running of the Bulls 5K and Kid's Mile
Plainfield PD Reminders
The Plainfield Police Department have asked we send this message as they will be enforcing the laws in the near future. Please be reminded of the following:
- Cell phone usage is strictly prohibited in school zones.
- The speed limit in school zones when children are present is 20 mph.
- Make sure all children are buckled up properly.
- Parents and students should only be crossing the street at crosswalks.
- There is no parking along Grande Park Boulevard, Thornwood Way and Thornwood Boulevard at any time.
8th Grade Washington DC Trip Meeting
Drop Off/Pick Up Procedures & Buses
Parent Drop Off/Pick Up
We have a crossing guard at the entrance/exit to Murphy and Grande Park. Due to the numbers of kids who walk to and from school, that person or those persons are there to help ensure that students are able to safely cross the street when there is a lot of traffic. There job is student safety. Neither the District nor the Plainfield Police want them to be directing traffic. To help ensure efficient drop off/pick up procedures, we have worked with the Plainfield Police to create a process that is effective and ultimately safe.
When leaving Murphy/Grande Park parents are asked to follow the traffic patter so that the passenger door is curbside and students are dropped off/picked up curbside. This is to ensure that students are not walking through the parking lot and into the flow of traffic. That is why we ask ALL parents to drop off/pick up their students by going through the cue.
Also, in order to minimize traffic back ups on Grande Park Boulevard, between 7am and 4pm, there are only RIGHT hand turns onto Grande Park Boulevard. Because the entry to the school gets traffic from three directions, not having left turns reduces the potential for accidents from the other two directions. On most days, the crossing guards have cones to block left hand turns. Students should be dropped off no earlier than 7:45AM.
Bus Riders
Students who ride the bus should take note of the BUS NUMBER hanging in the window on the side in the morning (e.g. 8120), it will help them as they look to find the proper route home in the afternoon. This information is ALSO available on the District Transportation website. Please make sure students are at their assigned stops a few minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive.
Please understand that morning pick up and afternoon drop off will likely be delayed the first few days of school as we ensure that students are on the correct buses.
Please remember that students MAY ride another bus home from school BUT we need to have a letter from both the sending and receiving parent that it's ok. Students need to stop by the office before school or during their lunch period to get a pass to ride a different bus.
Students Who Walk or Ride Bikes to/from School
Yearbook Orders
Top Reasons To Order
- Printed pictures of all the things.
- Your future self will thank you.
- Signing day is the best day.
- So. Many. Memories
- It's the lowest price of the year.
Order yours today!
NOW $25.00
Limited Time Offer!
Order by September 27th and get four free icons when you personalize* your cover!
*Purchase name, monogram, or crest personalization for your yearbook, then choose up to four free icons.
Questions? Contact Ms. Fell - efell@sd308.org
PTO
Thank you to everyone who stopped by the PTO table during the Locker Load sessions! Don’t worry if you weren’t able to stop by, we will be set up during Curriculum Nigh as well (August 28th from 6:30-8:00pm).
As many of you know, we don’t do any fundraising as a PTO. Instead we ask families to make an annual donation to the PTO. These donations help us to provide classroom grants, student events, staff appreciation, community awareness and much more. Please consider making a donation. In addition, any family who donates $25 or more will receive one free ticket to the Murphy Monster Mash!
The PTO can accept credit card payments for annual donations. You can also make your family’s annual donation via SignUp Genius by clicking on this link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0445aaaa22ab9-20192020 UPDATED LINK. If you prefer to send your donation in with your student, please print out the form below and send it to school with your student.
For more information on the Murphy PTO, upcoming PTO events or volunteer opportunities, please contact PTO President Missy Dziewiatkowski at missyd71@gmail.com or 630-999-3927. Please also follow us on Facebook for PTO events and updates (Murphy PTO-Home of the Mavericks).
The fall PTO Meeting is set for September 11, 2019, 7pm in the Community Room at Murphy
We’re looking forward to another great year at Murphy!
Curriculum Night
You can expect that teachers will introduce themselves and share an overview of the curriculum and expectations for the year. If parents want to discuss their student specifically, please contact the teacher to set up a separate meeting. The principal and counselors will do a short introduction during your student's lunch periods.
Schedule
6:30 – 6:36 Period 1
6:40 – 6:46 Period 2
6:50 – 6:56 Period 3
7:00 – 7:06 Period 4
7:10 – 7:16 Period 5
7:20 – 7:26 Period 6
7:30 – 7:36 Period 7
7:40 – 7:46 Period 8
7:50 – 7:56 Period 9
Mavericks Make a Difference
Welcome back, Mavericks! We will continue our Mavericks Make a Difference Volunteer Program this year. Students who acquire 25 volunteer hours per year (current 8th graders only need 50, 6th and 7th graders need 75) throughout their time at Murphy Junior High will be recognized at 8th grade promotion night. Below is a list of volunteer opportunities throughout the surrounding communities. Please fill out the following form to track your hours. Forms are due to Brian Falli on or before Friday, April 24.
Service Hour Verification Form
September:
Fox Mill 5k and Color Run - St. Charles - 9/7 https://raceroster.com/events/2019/23226/fox-mill-5k-1-mile-color-runwalk/volunteer
Naperville Trails Half Marathon - 9/8 https://allcommunityevents.com/volunteer/
Stop, Drop, and Run 5k - Naperville - 9/21 https://raceroster.com/events/2019/23370/stop-drop-and-run-5k-runwalk
October:
Fraidy Cat 5k - Oswego - 10/27 http://www.fraidycat5k.com/volunteer/
November:
Gobbler Hobbler 10K - Oswego - 11/10 https://www.oswegolandparkdistrict.org/event/gobbler-hobbler-10k/
Ongoing events:
Oswego Natural Resources https://www.oswegolandparkdistrict.org/get-involved/volunteers/#1
Plainfield Public Library https://plainfieldpubliclibrary.org/about/volunteer-opportunities/
Feed My Starving Children https://www.fmsc.org/volunteer-listing/?chosen_mode=Site%20or%20Event%20Name&search_term=Aurora,%20IL&miles=25&minimum_spots=1&time=Any%20Time%20of%20Day&search_start=2019-08-19&search_end=2019-11-17
Fox Valley Park District (under 14 must have a parent) https://www.foxvalleyparkdistrict.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/VolunteerInterestForm_Fillable.pdf
Kendall County Forest Preserve https://www.co.kendall.il.us/forest-preserve/volunteer-opportunities/
Village of Montgomery https://ci.montgomery.il.us/201/Volunteer-Opportunities
Gigi’s Playhouse https://gigisplayhouse.org/foxvalley/fox-valley-volunteer-interest
Naperville Area Humane Society - must have adult https://www.naperhumane.org/volunteer
Habitat for Humanity https://www.habitat.org/volunteer/near-you/youth-programs
Oswego Senior Center http://oswegoseniorcenter.org/volunteer/day-to-day-volunteer-opportunities/
Ms. Clausen's ELA
Student Services Spotlight
Left to Right in picture
Brian Falli, School Counselor (last names L-Z); bfalli@sd308.org
Kim Cooper, Student Services Secretary; kcooper@sd308.org
Lexi Weihler, Social Worker (last names L-Z & FBI Program); aweihler@sd308.org
Gia Jaskula, School Nurse, gjaskula@sd308.org
Sarah Noll, Social Worker (last names A-K & ISP Program); snoll@sd308.org
Brandi Zawacki, School Counselor (last names A-K); bzawacki@sd308.org
Schedule changes must be completed by Wednesday, August 28.
Counselors will only make changes due to schedule errors (i.e. missing periods, double classes, wrong level, electives taken previously, etc.) or changing 7th/8th grade electives (only when possible).
Counselors will not make changes for specific class periods or specific teachers.
Students: please see Mr. Falli or Mrs. Zawacki in Student Services or send them an email to request your change. Please note, changes are NOT always possible.
The ZAP program will begin when we return to school after Labor Day.
ZAP is an intervention implemented to develop good homework habits. This program helps students self-correct without a penalty. Getting into the habit of doing homework and realizing that it counts is tough for many students. ZAP helps reinforce the importance of homework completion and provides an opportunity for intrinsic growth through self-correction.
What to do when your student is ZAPPED?
If a student does not complete a homework assignment he/she will receive a ZAP. Students have until 8:00am, the following morning, to turn the assignment into Student Services for full credit. If the student chooses not to complete or submit the assignment, then the student will be required to attend the ZAP classroom (D126) during his/her lunch to complete the homework, also for full credit. It is your student's responsibility to know what is missing and bring the necessary materials home. Students will be allowed 5 visits (every 9 weeks) to the ZAP classroom to complete their work. After 5 visits, students are no longer eligible for the ZAP intervention.
If you have questions, please contact your child’s teacher and/or counselor.
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.
Clubs, Activities and Intramurals
Clubs/Activities
There are a variety of clubs and activities kicking off soon. Below you can see information about Green Team, Student Council and Ukulele Club!
Intramurals
Intramurals are open to all students in grade 6-8. We run a variety of intramural programs throughout the year. During the first quarter (fall season) we have Flag Football and Strength & Conditioning. Sign up is currently going on. Students need to sign up by the end of the day on Friday.
- Strength & Conditioning: https://drive.google.com/…/1p-PmV4e1TdaypAO3iyaWQodgH…/view…
Flag Football: https://drive.google.com/…/1FvO86tt1YWBDdTcF_NN2tCMeo…/view…
Murphy Fall Sports Information
7th/8th Boys' Soccer
Please have a physical turned in to the office by August 23. Must also be registered on 8 to 18 website by Aug 23rd. If you have any questions, please see Ms. Kerr prior to these dates.
7th/8th Girls Volleyball
- Current physical on file at Murphy by Friday, August 23
- Complete the online registration on 8 to 18 by Friday, August 23
- Bring the signed contract to tryouts on Monday, August 26, 2019
Tryouts are Monday, August 26th and Tuesday, August 27th at Murphy from 3:15-5:00pm.
Contact Coach Steele with questions.
Cross Country
- Current physical on file at Murphy by August 26
- Complete the online registration on 8 to 18 by August 26
Practices run most weeks Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 3:15 to 4:30pm. All meets begin at 4:30pm.
Contact Coach Vihnanek with questions.
Ms. Miller & Ms. Steele's Advisory
Community Events
Upcoming Events
August 26
- 7th/8th Girls Volleyball Tryouts 3:15-5:00pm
- 7th/8th Boys Soccer Tryouts 3:20-4:30pm
August 27
- 7th/8th Girls Volleyball Tryouts 3:15-5:00pm
- 7th/8th Boys Soccer Tryouts 3:20-4:30pm
- Cross Country Parent Meeting 4:30pm in Cafeteria
August 28
- AVID Signing Night 5:30pm
- Curriculum Night 6:30-8:00pm
September 2
- Labor Day - NO SCHOOL
If you are looking for directions to AWAY events, this link will provide directions to many area schools.
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: 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