Murray's Gifted Gab
March 2018
A Note From Mrs. Shook
We are now well into the third quarter, students have received progress reports and second quarter benchmark scores, and we have completed our Academic Blueprints with our 8th graders! I am excited every day to see the awesome these our students are doing in and out of the classroom. I am also thankful to work at a school where teachers truly do differentiate for students and work hard to meet their needs.
Differentiation is a word that educators throw around quite often, but parents may/may not be familiar with this term. Differentiation does not mean that your child is going to have individualized instruction or that they will always have different assignments. It can look like stations, projects with choice, or problems of the month. Sometimes students and parents don't realize that differentiation is occurring. Your child might receive a text that is written at a higher level than his/her peers or have more challenging vocabulary.
If you have questions or concerns about how your child's needs are being met, I hope that you feel comfortable reaching out to me.
It is also important to make sure that your gifted child is involved in a variety of activities that can meet their needs. Is your family participating in the Falcon Family Book Club? Have you looked into all of the things that Murray has to offer? Mr. Highsmith is starting a chess club, we have Battle of the Books, and so many opportunities during Mastery. Soon our Science Olympiad students will be competing with others across the county. Volunteering can also be a great way to make sure your child is learning, growing, and developing his/her talents.
In the coming weeks, we will begin talking about NCVPS for our 7th grade students. These are online classes that students can take for middle school or high school credit. Please go ahead and start having these conversations with your child to see if he/she is interested. I will send out our meeting dates as soon as I have them available.
Thank you for all that you do to support gifted education!
Mrs. Shook
Gifted Specialist
Murray Middle School
Contests and Opportunities
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High School Options
Soil and Water Contest
This year's Water and Soil Conservation Contest is open to students in grades 3-9. The theme this year is "Water...the cycle of life." You can see more about the contest here. Entries are due March 9, 2018!
Falcon Family Book Club
Tuesday, March 13 5:30- 6:30
Tuesday, April 17 5:30- 7:00
Please sign-up HERE if you'll be joining us!
Thank you!!! Looking forward to seeing you all there!
MLK Writing Contest
On April 4, 2018, from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm, the MLK and Wilmington 50 Year Commemoration Commission will hold an event at Williston Gymnasium to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. King and his commitment to promoting peace, social justice and reconciliation. All are invited to attend.
In addition, the group is sponsoring an essay contest to honor Dr. King's memory. All schools are strongly encouraged to participate. Schools may be represented with more than one submission. Additional information is attached.
For Grades 3-12 Please keep entries to 300 words or less.
What is your view from the mountaintop? What does your promised land look like? What do you think would have happened if Dr. King had come to Wilmington, NC rather than Memphis on April 4, 1968?
Include: Student's Name,Grade,School,Teacher,Principal
Please send all submissions by March 19, 2018, to Ms. Judy Stubblefield at the NHCS District office by NHCS mail or postal mail 6410 Carolina
Beach Road, 28412 or
email the submissions to