The BULLetin
August 29, 2019
Principal's Message
Thank you to all the parents who came to Curriculum Night, last night. As always, we have great attendance at events like these. We love to see you and hope that you found the information that was shared valuable and were able to connect names and faces with your kid's teachers.
As I stated last night, we're looking for ways to build community and connection with parents and families. We want you here at school, we want to support you as a vital part of your students academic development. You will see a variety of out reach that we'll do to bring you here and connect you with staff and students throughout the year.
One HUGE way to connect with the Murphy school community will be our Inaugural Running of the Bulls, whether you're a runner or not this will be a great event and opportunity to engage with students and staff alike in a fun, non-academic setting. See details below.
Additionally, I want to share resources with parents as you help your student navigate the choppy waters of adolescence. This week, I'm sharing some resources from the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) about vaping and e-cigarettes. While we see them, at times, at Murphy, in talking with my colleagues at other junior highs and area middle schools, as well as high schools, it truly is the epidemic that the IDPH suggests.
Lastly, I was reading this article in the Washington Post about 5 Ways Parents Can Help Their Students Transition to Middle School. I think there's a ton in this article. I spent a couple of days in classrooms last week and this talking with students about how they can make Murphy the best possible school. The short answer was keep a mindset of safety and kindness as they transition throughout their day.
I mentioned that part of kindness includes being kind to ones self. Negative self talk, negative self perception can be pervasive, particularly in the middle school years. This article addresses, to a degree, some of that and much more.
Vaping & E-cigarettes
One of the conversations that has occurred regularly at my house over the past couple of years has focused on the hazards of vaping. While parental common sense might suggested that inhaling any substance can have negative health impacts, there is a growing amount of anecdotal findings about the negative health impacts of vaping. Recently, the Illinois Department of Public Health has shared some of these findings in the hope of stemming the tide of teen vaping.
From the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH)
Last week, IDPH learned of the death of an individual who had recently vaped and was hospitalized with severe respiratory illness. The number of cases of people reported to IDPH who have used e-cigarettes or vaped and have been hospitalized with respiratory symptoms has doubled in the past week. As of 8/23/19, a total of 22 people in Illinois, ranging in age from 17-38 years, have experienced respiratory illness after using e-cigarettes or vaping.
E-cigarette use is epidemic in the US and Illinois. Among Illinois high school seniors, past 30 day e-cigarette use is significantly rising while cigarette use is declining. In 2018, 8.4% of 8th grade students and 23.1% of 12th grade students reported using e-cigarettes. Using e-cigarettes puts youth at risk for addiction and other health consequences, but unfortunately, 40% of 10th and 12thgraders said there is low- or no-risk of harm when using e-cigarettes.
Tobacco 21 law, effective July 1, 2019, prohibits the sale of all tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, to person under 21, however, youth continue to access and use these products at alarming rates. Parents and anyone who works with young people may have seen an e-cigarette device without even knowing it. The most often sold e-cigarette in the United States is a brand called JUUL, which looks like a USB flash drive. JUUL “pods,” which contain liquid heated by the device, have as much nicotine as a pack of 20 cigarettes. They also come in flavors, which can make them more appealing to young people. E-cigarettes can also look like other everyday items, such as highlighters, credit cards, remote controls, and pens. There are many internet websites which provide easy-to-follow instructions on how to alter or “hack” these devices to add other products such as marijuana.
E-cigarettes and Youth: What Parents Need to Know
Other things to know:
The Village of Plainfield, in April 2019, enacted an ordinance prohibiting people under age 21 from having cigarettes, e-cigarettes or associated products. Students who are found in possession of such items are subject to both SD308 discipline, as well as the Village of Plainfield tobacco ordinance.
Running of the Bulls 5K and Kid's Mile
8th Grade Washington DC Trip Meeting
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
The Murphy PTO does not 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!
Every Student. Every Day
Ms. Schultz's Math
The students were taught to be skeptics by questioning what strategy their peers were using to solve a problem. Each time a student asked a higher level question they earned a sombrero.
The 6th-grade students had a higher level thinking problem where they had to show their work, write down what they did, and then explain they "why" or the concept behind what they did to get their answer.
The students were given a higher level thinking problem where they needed to decide if Bekkaye correctly answered a real-world problem. They used estimation to decide if her answer seemed reasonable. Then, they individually worked on their own answers, and compared it to their groups members. They discussed the similarities and differences between between their answers. They wrote conjectures as a group to explain how they solved their problem. Finally, they participated in a gallery walk and wrote down questions, comments, or suggestion to be more precise to prove their answers.
The students objective was to work together to build the tallest free standing cup tower in 2 minutes
Mavericks Make a Difference
We are continuing 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
Fox Valley Marathon 9/22
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/
Student Services Spotlight
Student Absences
If your student is absent, please feel free to email teachers directly for missed homework. Counselors are willing to help facilitate homework collection; however, emailing teachers is often more expeditious. To find your child’s teachers, please use the staff list here: Teacher Directory.
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!
The Murphy STEM Club will begin meeting soon. Sign up and meetings dates can be found, here.
Community Events
Upcoming Events
September 2
- Labor Day - NO SCHOOL
- 8th Grade Washington DC Trip Meeting @ Traughber (6:30pm)
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