Brief Murdock High Update
April 5, 2024
Important Links
E-Hall Pass
In alignment with our desire to keep our school and hallways safe, as well as respect the learning environment, we will be moving to an online pass system next year. Many teachers will be piloting the E-Hall Pass system this spring as we plan for a full roll out and implementation in the Fall.
In a nutshell, the E-Hall Pass system will keep track of students' pass usage and keep data for us around misuse and/or need. We will be able to create special circumstances should a student have a medical need, and also hold accountable those who wish to abuse the pass system. Time out of the classroom, is time off learning. We are building systems that hold the learning environment sacred, and will keep students in the classroom when they should/need to be.
We are at work building a culture of achievement at Murdock High School - a culture that will benefit all students and their families.
And Yes, that IS me in this picture ;)
Tournament of Plays
And the Winners are...
Plays -
Freshmen = "Boy Meets Girl (A Young Love Story)" by Sam Wolfson, directed by Kristi Iannacone and Kaileen Dibble
Sophomores = "Ten Ways to Survive the Zombie Apocalypse" by Don Solidis, directed by Kevin Robertson
Juniors = "Beans" based on "The Bean Skit" from SKit Happens by Troop 344 with original material by the cast, directed by Kelly Fitzpatrick.
Seniors = "The Frankenstein Factory" by Robert Luxford, directed by Candace Frye.
Best Costumes Award = Class of 2024
Best Set Award = Class of 2024
Best Production Value Award = Class of 2027
Best Ensemble Award = Class of 2027
Best Soundtrack = Class of 2027
Best Product Placement - "Girl Scout Cookies" - Mikey Quinn, Class of 2027
Slap Heard Round the World - Holly Harris, Class of 2026
Best Baby Stunt - Bradley Wightman, Class of 2025
Best Dance Routine - Doris Higgins and Walter Moriarity, Class of 2027
Best Line - Doris Higgins, Class of 2027
Most Entertaining Performer
The Nominees were -
From the freshmen class- Mikey Quinn
From the sophomore class - Holly Harris
From the junior class - Quinne Richard and Bradley Wightman
From the senior class - Mark Quinn
The winners are Mikey Quinn and Bradley Wightman
Best performer in a supporting role nominees were:
Freshmen - Max Houle
Sophomores - Kaya Stinehart
Juniors - Jayden Lindsay, Wiley Mackay, Quinne Richard
Seniors - Via Rose, Alyssa Belliveau
The winners are Kaya Stinehart and Quinne Richard
Best Performer Nominees:
Freshmen - Doris Higgins, Walter Moriarity
Sophomores - Liam Egan, Connor Tribou
Juniors - Madison Scortico
Seniors - Colin Rowe
The winners are Doris Higgins and Connor Tribou
The coveted Best Play Award, bragging rights for a whole year - The winner is the Class of 2025!
Term 3 Grades
Term 3 ends today. Report cards will be available next Friday, April 12th.
Attendance Letters
Positive school attendance is vital to a students overall success. After all, you're missing valuable instruction and face time with the teachers and instruction. I welcome every parent and guardian to go to Parent Powerschool Portal and take a look at you students grades and attendance. In many, if not most cases, the grades are a reflection of attendance - i.e. many poor grades are attached to poor attendance. It's not the only factor, but a major factor in student success.
By law, MGL Chapter 76, schools are required to send letters home engaging the families in discussion around barriers to attending school. This does NOT matter whether it is an excused absence (doctor's appt./college visit, etc) or an unexcused absence. In the eyes of the state in regards to attendance policies, an absence is an absence.
Therefore, if you have received a letter or multiple letters regarding your students attendance, please know that:
1. We are mandated BY LAW to send these letters, and
2. We really care about your student and want them in school whenever possible. :)
Poor attendance is an epidemic in itself. We need to get students back in school and it begins at home. Please accept us as willing partners in this endeavor.
Credit Recovery - Spring/Summer School Opportunities
It is reasonable, I think, to be panicking... (Pedro Martinez)
Let me preface this post on credit recovery, that we started sharing this information with students and families back in November (the end of 1st quarter) in an attempt to be proactive and to light a fire so to speak around effort, accountability, and initiative...
As we come to the end of the 3rd quarter, I want to remind Murdock students and families that we do offer credit recovery for students who fail classes. In order to qualify for spring/summer credit recovery, the failing grade needs to be in the 50-59 point range. 60 is passing. Anything below 50% and the student will not qualify for credit recovery and will need to retake the class. We are limited on what we can offer, so our focus this year is on English and Math.
If a student fails a full year graduation requirement course with less than a 50%, they will need to retake the course. This will knock them off their 4 year graduation track.
Please check in with your student(s) and their teachers. We have shared information all year around the need to put forth effort into all the classes and that any failures will change a student's trajectory.
We will identify students who may qualify for credit recovery before April 30th, and share the plan for these students. Unfortunately (for them), it will include Summer Schoolwork. We are still determining the platform on which credit recovery may be taken, but it WILL be online, with some in-person requirements during July and/or August. Any questions, please do not hesitate. Thank you!
What's on the Horizon?
Term 3 ends - TODAY - Friday, April 5th
SOLAR ECLIPSE - Monday, April 8th
Term 3 Report Cards available - Friday, April 12
April Vacation - Monday, April 15-Friday, April 19th
Attendance Recovery Group meeting - Tuesday, April 16-Friday, April 19th.