The BULLetin
April 19, 2018
Principal's Message
May is a demanding month for parents, students and teachers, alike. We are all juggling so much. It's easy to lose sight of the fact that we have 20 days of school left. As much as routines are oftentimes upset during May, work to build as much normalcy as possible into May. It will help your child as the daylight hours get longer and the desire to do school starts to wane.
May takes a ton of energy... but it's also a lot of fun... enjoy all that May has to offer and know that June will be here before you know it.
The BIG SERVE
On May 5th and 6th The BIG SERVE will be happening in Plainfield. There are are 30+ projects that are happening throughout the Plainfield-area. Students and families are invited to sign up for a project and serve their neighbors.
Oftentimes, it is difficult for junior high students to come up with ways to serve, but this is one way and maybe it is an opportunity to explore a passion. Plus it's never too early to be thinking about shaping your resume for college applications. Maybe these service hours help you join National Junior Honor Society or lead you to volunteering at a shelter regularly. Who knows?!?
For more information and to sign up for projects visit: http://thebigserve.info
SD308 Junior High Honor Band
On April 19 and 20, over 80 8th graders representing the five junior high schools in SD308 came together for the 7th Annual 8th Grade Honor Band Festival. This year, the group was guest conducted by Dr. Arris Golden, newly appointed assistant director of bands at Michigan State University. She is the first female to hold this prestigious position. In addition to performing several other works for concert band, the honor band performed the WORLD PREMIERE of a new work by composer Julie Giroux. Ms. Giroux is known throughout the music world for her work in every aspect of the business from film to concert band music. The new piece, commissioned by all five junior highs in the district is titled, "Our Castaways," and is dedicated to the thousands of pets in animal shelters who are adopted and the thousands that are never saved.
Congratulations to all of the student participants on a wonderful performance!
2018-2019 Cheerleading Tryout Information
- Cheer tryout clinics will run Wednesday, May 9th and Thursday, May 17th from 3:15-5:00.
- Tryouts will take place after school on Friday, May 18th.
- All participants must have an updated physical turned in to the office by Friday, May 4th in order to participate in the clinic.
- Please see Ms. Fell for your tryout packet of information.
8th Grade Graduation Sign
For our 8th grade families; we have yard signs available to honor your student. Personalized signs can be ordered online only $24 school delivery or $28 home delivery (2 week delivery from payment date). Here is the link:
http://napervillespiritwear.com/MURPHY-YARD-SIGN-MMYARDSIGN.htm
Splash Into Science
Hey 7th Graders!!! I said Hey 7th Graders! I know that Spring Break just ended, but let's plan the Ultimate Adventure for next year's Spring Break! How would you like to Swim With Dolphins, Kayak Through the Florida Mangroves, Snorkel in 2 Coral Reefs, and so much more!!
Well, come to the meeting for the 2019 Splash Into Science Trip! It will be held on Thursday, April 26 at 6:30 in Traughber's Multi-Purpose Room. All trip information will be explained at this meeting, so don't miss out! You will be receiving the Trip Packet within the next few days from your 7th Grade Science Teachers. See you at the meeting!
This trip is OPEN to all students in 8th grade during the 2018-2019 school year.
2018-2019 School Supply Kits
Weekly JAM (Just Another Maverick)
Murphy PTO
The Murphy PTO is excited to offer something new this year to our 8th grade students! We are working with a local vendor to offer "OEHS Class of 2022" t-shirts (image here is from last year's shirt used by another school, this year's shirt will read "class of 2022" and will be short-sleeve). Ordering and paying is very easy! Just fill out the order form on SignUp Genius, make your payment there and we will deliver the shirts to Murphy during the last week of school (exact day TBD but most likely Monday 5/21). The cost of the t-shirt is $9.95 ($9 +$.95 service fee). What a great way for us to provide our soon-to-be Wolves with their first piece of spirit wear!! We will close the order sign-up at 5pm on Monday April 30th so be sure to order soon!!
Student Services Spotlight
Maverick Staff Shout Outs!
Mrs. Steele
Mrs.Steele is an amazing teacher, she is always encouraging and can always make you laugh. She encourages us to work hard and put our best foot forward. She even takes part of her weekend to watch her students play club volleyball!
We think our entire MJHS staff is amazing and deserves to be acknowledged for the great work they do on a daily basis! Please use this form to recognize any member of our staff. Remember, staff includes teachers, secretaries, nurses, teaching assistants, and custodians!
College and Career Week
This week, all students participated in college and career activities through their Science classes. Each grade level had a different topic throughout the week. Ask your student about what they learned!
Door Decorating Contest
All Homeroom classes were asked to decorate their doors highlighting a different college/university or career. Our students challenged themselves and came up with some fantastic doors!!! Winners of the contest will be announced Friday and will receive doughnuts for breakfast!
College/Career Resources
It is never too early to start planning for college! Here is an article highlighting how to prep middle school students for college.
https://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2011/11/29/13middle_ep.h31.html
Does your student have questions about the differences between a 2-year and a 4-year College? Here is a quick link exploring both options:
https://www.educationquest.org/blog/go-2-year-4-year-college/
How do we help our students form ideas about their careers? Here is an article exploring how to change our students obsessions into potential careers!
https://www.edsurge.com/news/2018-03-15-how-middle-school-obsessions-can-shape-career-paths
Course Recommendations
Do you have questions about your student’s placement recommendation for School Year 2018-2019? If so, please contact your student’s teacher. Appeal forms can be found on the SD308 Gifted and Talented Education page. Recommendation appeals must be filed by June 29th, 2018.
School Supplies 2018-2019
Please click on the link to order school supplies for your student for the next school year.
Kits will be available for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students. There are two options for 8th grade students: Option 1 will have a 3 inch binder for all core subjects and Option 2 will have 4, 1-inch colored binders for each core subject. 8th grade students are the only students who will have a choice in ordering a kit.
If you choose not to order a kit, the school supply list is also linked.
“The Maverick Way” Outside of School
Jacob Porrey 6th grader, qualified for the 2018 Junior Olympics National Gymnastics Championships in Oklahoma City, OK in May.
Congrats Jacob!!
This weekend Brianna Beckerman competed in the USA Gymnastics Level 7 Regional Championships in Ohio. She took 1st Place All Around and is a Regional Champion. We are so proud of all her hard work.
Way to go, Brianna!
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.
ZAP-Zeros Aren't Permitted
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.
Fourth Quarter PBIS Target: Hallway Behavior
As we return from spring break, we will be introducing our next PBIS incentive.
From April 3 - May 18, we will be encouraging students to be safe and show expected behavior in the hallways.
Teachers and staff will be recognizing students who demonstrate safe and expected hallway behaviors with PINK BULLSEYES that they can enter in a raffle.
Examples of behavior that can be rewarded with a PINK BULLSEYE:
Walk calmly while entering and exiting the building
Report directly to your supervised area
Gently shut and lock your locker
When gathering, make room so that other can get around you
Respect building property and artwork on the walls
Walk with purpose
Nod, smile, and acknowledge others
Hold the door for others
Report behavior problems or safety concerns
Refrain from horseplay
Keeping hands, feet & objects to self
Use appropriate language, tone & volume
Cleaning up after yourself and others
Respond appropriately and respectfully to adult requests
Each grade level will have a bucket in student services where students can put their pink bullseyes to enter the raffle. The week before Maverick Mania, 50 winners will be chosen from each grade level.
The winners of the raffle will receive free ice cream sundaes during our year end celebration, Maverick Mania. Raffle winners will be notified and given a free ice cream ticket the week of Maverick Mania.
Parents – Please reinforce these expected behaviors at home!
MyOwn.Edu - April College Update
They want to be treated like adults...but they don't always act like it. Help them develop their interpersonal skills through adult interactions. Continue reading...
8th Grade:
Extracurricular involvement is important for students as they build skills and develop into well-rounded individuals. But what will colleges be looking for when it comes to their involvement? Continue reading...
Girls' Soccer
Community Events
AVID Community Night
Please join us on Monday, April 30th at Oswego High School to celebrate AVID successes in our elementary and secondary schools. See what AVID looks like at the elementary, junior high and high school level. Hear from a panel of SD 308 students as they share their experiences with AVID and their roads to college and career readiness. See the flyer below for more information.
Upcoming Events
April 26
- Boys' Volleyball @ Traughber (4:30pm)
- Girls' Soccer @ Traughber (4:30pm)
- Poms Clinic (3-5pm)
April 28
- Track OHS Invite @ OHS (TBD)
April 30
- Track v Thompson @ OHS (4:30pm)
- AVID Community Night @ OHS (6:00pm)
May 1
- Boys' Volleyball v Jefferson (4:30pm)
- Girls' Soccer v Jefferson (4:30pm)
May 2
- Boys' Volleyball @ Heritage Grove (4:30pm)
- NJHS Induction (7:00pm)
May 3
- Boys' Volleyball v Bednarcik (4:30pm)
- Girls' Soccer v Bednarcik (4:30pm)
- Track v Bednarcik @ OE (4:30pm)
- Parent Step Up Night (incoming 6th grade parents) (6:00pm)
May 4 (May the Fourth Be With You)
- 6th Grade Music Trip
- Step Up Day (incoming 6th grade)
- Poms Tryouts (3:00pm)
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
Murphy Junior High School is an inclusive and supportive community that promotes student success by ensuring ALL students are college and career ready.
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