The BULLetin
December 20, 2017
Principal's Message
It's that sense of stillness and quiet that makes me feel like the Christmas holiday is near. And it's that desire to disconnect from work and connect with family and friends that I have directed our school staff to go "digital silent" for the next 2 weeks. I told them to check their email before they leave today and don't check it again until our return from break. There is nothing that cannot wait. This is their chance to refuel for second semester. So, while I expect the staff to return calls and email in a timely fashion during the school year, I have told them to hold off during this break. I'm going to do the same thing, for a shorter amount of time (until January 2nd).
I encourage our students and families to find ways to disconnect to reconnect over the holidays. Use the time to enjoy one another.
On behalf of the Murphy staff, I wish each and every member of our school community, the merriest Christmas and the happiest and healthiest New Year to come.
Wreaths Across America
Wreaths Across America took place on Saturday, Dec 16th. Over 17,000 wreaths were placed on veteran gravestones at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery. This was 3000 more than last year. Murphy's history department collected money by selling ribbons for Veteran's Day and bought wreaths for the event.
AVID Holiday Dinner
Practice SAT
Murphy is once again proud to partner with Huntington Learning Center of Oswego to offer students an opportunity to take a practice SAT. The practice SAT is intended to give students a chance to see what the test looks like and offer a baseline score. These are not reportable scores for college admissions.
The test is designed for students in high school so some of the content will be beyond that of junior high-aged students. Nonetheless, you will get a score report with correct answers and the ability to use that for review prior to taking the PSAT or SAT. This is most appropriate for 8th grade students currently enrolled in high school-level classes and 7th grade students in multiple honors level courses. But anyone interested is welcome to sign up.
The test will be January 27. 2018 from 8 to 11:15. We have limited seating (we cap it at 100 students) due to space constraints. The cost for the test is $15 and the money raised will be used to help fund the Murphy Positive Behavior Intervention program.
Registration and addition information can be found here.
ONLY Murphy Parents will have an active link for this until January 4. After the 4th we will open it up to other district and area schools.
NAEP 2018 Parent/Guardian Notification Letter
Murphy Junior High will participate in the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) on Tuesday, February 27th, 2018. NAEP is the largest nationally representative and continuing assessment of what students know and can do in various subjects. It is administered by the National Center for Education Statistics, within the U.S. Department of Education. NAEP is different from our state assessment because it provides a common measure of student achievement across the country. The results are released as The Nation's Report Card, which provides information about student achievement to educators, parents, policymakers, and the public.
Bus Stop Awareness
That being said, we can never be too careful. Please remind your student about bus stop safety. If someone they do not know approaches them, offers them a ride, they need to seek out an adult and the adults need to contact the local police.
Murphy Junior High - Scripps National Spelling Bee
Round 1: By December 21, all ELA classrooms will have had a verbal, single-elimination competition to determine a classroom winner.
Round 2: On Wednesday, January 17 classroom winners will compete to determine the 10-15 students who will advance to the school finals.
Round 3: Thursday, February 1 we will have the school finals and the winner will participate in the county-wide spelling bee on February 24.
Word list, additional information and suggestions for practice can be found here.
MAVS Kindness Project
Mavs Kindness Project
Mavs Kindness Project (MKP) is a club that focuses on kindness and positivity. If your student would like to participate, meetings are held Wednesdays before school at 7:45 in the ZAP room (across from the Multi-Purpose Room). We focus on ideas for spreading kindness here at Murphy as well as beyond our community. Please contact Mrs. Noll (snoll@sd308.org) or Mrs. Zawacki (bzawacki@sd308.org) if you have any questions or would like further information.
Toys for Tots
Murphy, for the third year in a row, won the friendly competition among SD308 Junior Highs for most items donated. The outpouring of support from not only our Murphy family but also the SD308 school community at-large is amazing. The pictures I've included don't do it justice.
The Toys for Tots drive is just another great way for our students to give back to the community and those selected as "elves" really enjoy the experience.
Murphy Yearbook - LAST REMINDER BEFORE THE PRICE INCREASE
There's nothing like getting a yearbook. It is the limited edition collection of our school's stories for this year. Don't let your student miss out on sharing and reliving the big events that will make this year special.
Yearbooks are now on sale for the lowest price of the year. Order now for $25.00! Yearbook price will increase January 6th, 2018. Yearbook orders can be completed online at jostensyearbooks.com. Please contact Ms. Fell if you have any questions.
Weekly JAM (Just Another Maverick)
Enjoy last week's issue if you didn't get a chance to peruse it.
Murphy PTO
The Murphy PTO Board would like to thank you for your tremendous support! The Murphy community is simply the best!
The PTO will be running the concessions for the Girl’s Basketball season. It’s a lot of fun and a great way to give back! Grab your Murphy student or a friend and sign up for a shift (or two) using the link below:
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0445aaaa22ab9-girls
If you haven’t already, please consider making your family’s annual donation to the PTO. Our focus this year has been on Student Events and Classroom Grants. Any contribution helps and is very much appreciated! So far this year we have awarded grants to the PE and ELL Departments. Donation Form
For more information on the Murphy PTO, upcoming PTO events or volunteer opportunities, please contact PTO President Missy Dziewiatkowski at missyd71@gmail.com. Please also follow us on Facebook for PTO events and updates (Murphy PTO-Home of the Mavericks).
IMPORTANT DATES:
- PTO Meeting Wednesday January 17th at 7:00 pm. There will be several SD308 School Board Members there to discuss the pending budget cuts. Come out and let your voices be heard!
- Skating Party at Aurora Skate Center Tuesday February 20th from 6-8 pm.
We hope you have a safe and happy holiday season! See you all in 2018!
Student Services Spotlight
Faculty Winner
Mrs. Walsh
Shout Outs
Mrs. Liskunas – “Mrs. Liskunas is kind, caring, flexible, and always goes out of her way to be helpful to all students.” – Sophia Nguyen
Mrs. Schwertley – “Mrs. Schwertley is always there to welcome you with a smile. She brings joy to all of her classes and is so kind hearted. She is extremely encouraging and challenges us everyday to do our best. Thanks Mrs. Schwertley!”
Mr. Shields – “Mr. Shields always makes his students laugh. He is so nice and challenges us to be hard workers!”
Maverick Staff Shout Outs!
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!
6th/7th Grade Course Selection Information
6th and 7th grade teachers are currently making placement recommendations for next year. This timeline has changed from previous years. Please reference the links below for Honors Placement Criteria for 6th and 7th graders.
7th to 8th placement and 6th to 7th placement guidelines.
[Corrected links from last week]
“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.
Way to Go, Ryan Hyun!!!
Ryan Hyun, 6th grade, recently received a scholarship to train at New York’s Broadway Dance Center at the Titans of Dance Convention. His award was given to him by Fikshun (SYTYCD all star and finalist of NBCs World of Dance) and Alex Wong (SYTYCD all star).
Ryan also attended the Monsters of Dance Convention where he received a full scholarship to next years Monsters A-List competition.
Ryan has been training now for 3 years and he is so thankful to have an amazing group of teachers at Murphy that are supporting him as he pursues training in the Arts outside of school.
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.
PBIS @ Murphy
Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) is a proactive approach to establishing the behavioral supports and social culture needed for all students in a school to achieve social, emotional and academic success.
One aspect of PBIS includes positive acknowledgement of student behavior. When students display the expected behaviors outlined in our MAVS Matrix, they may be acknowledged with verbal praise or tangible rewards (Bullseye Tickets) from their teachers. This makes the expected behaviors more likely to occur in the future and creates positive interactions, rapport, and relationships with students.
When students earn Bullseyes, they are able to collect them to enter weekly prize drawings and shop at the Maverick Mini Mall. This year, our Mini Mall will be on a cart, and students will have an opportunity to shop with their Bullseyes during homeroom each week.
There will be a monthly behavior focus, and teachers will be on the look out to catch students displaying these positive behaviors.
PBIS Maverick Movie Celebration
This week, 438 out of our 750 students (58%) were eligible to participate in the Maverick Movie Celebration! Congratulations to these students who:
- M - made good decisions by receiving ZERO tardies to class,
- A - accepted responsibility by receiving ZERO ZAPs,
- V - valued and respect each other and our school and
- S - were safe by receiving ZERO disciplinary actions! This includes suspensions, detentions and office referrals.
They celebrated by watching Elf and enjoying candy canes during 1st-2nd periods. Way to go Mavericks!
Parent Article – Mindfulness
The holidays can be stressful for both adults and children. Here is an article to bring some relaxation and mindfulness to your family.
"Eight Ways to Bring Mindfulness to Your Family"
College Planning from myOWN.edu - December Edition
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...
3rd Quarter Soccer Intramural
Maverick Makers Club
Maverick Makers Club meeting dates from 3:00-4:00 Art Classroom
January 22, 29
February 5, 12, 36
March 5, 12, 19
Any student who is wanting to explore the visual arts should join this club. Experimentation with glass, ceramics and fibers will be introduced.
Additional information and sign up sheet can be found here.
Community Events
Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day
Is your female student curious about science and the world around them? Are they natural problem solvers? Are they compelled to understand how things work? Have them come join Argonne National Laboratory in exploring the world of engineering and science at the 16th Annual Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day (IGED).
Argonne's IGED gives young female students a unique opportunity to discover engineering careers alongside world-class scientists and engineers. Participants will enjoy motivational presentations by female Argonne employees, tour Argonne's cutting-edge research facilities, connect with a mentor, engage in hands-on engineering experiments, and compete in a team challenge — all designed specifically for middle school-aged girls.
This event is open to 8th grade girls and is registration by lottery. Lottery registrations must be completed by January 12, 2018. Event is February 22, 2018.
OHS Dance K-8 Winter Mini-Camp
2 Day Clinic
Wednesday, February 7th and Thursday, February 8
4:30-6:30PM @ OHS Cafeteria
Half-Time Performance
Friday, February 9 at the Oswego v Plainfield East Basketball Game
Upcoming Events
December 21
- End of Quarter 2
- End of Semester 1
- SIP Day (3.5 Hour Student Attendance) 11:30 dismissal; no lunch service
December 22-January 1
- Murphy will be closed the entire first week of break. There will be no staff in the Office. We will re-open January 2 from 8am to 2pm.
- Return from Winter Break
- Begin Quarter 3/Semester 2
- 7th & 8th Grade Girls Basketball Tryouts
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