The BULLetin
January 26, 2017
Principal's Message
#beambitious
Ambitious... Even as mild of a winter as we've had, it seems hard to be particularly ambitious during the January/February time frame. I know that I just want to just hibernate till spring. But maybe I'm unique in that feeling.
By the looks of it, there are definitely some ambitious young people coming to Murphy this Saturday. We had interest unlike any other year for the practice SAT. We initially opened the event to 100 interested (nay I say, ambitious?!?) students. It became readily apparent that we could fill more space. We were able to add 32 more desks to the space we use to test and offered those spots to people on the waiting list.
We were able to offer EVERY person on the waitlist an opportunity for a seat. Some people did not claim their tickets once they were offered but everyone was offered space. We could have potentially sat nearly 200 students for the test. Knowing that, we will look for other ways to increase our capacity for next year.
We want to thank Huntington Learning Centers of Oswego for once again partnering with us on this event. It's a great way for students to be introduced to the test and for students and parents to get a sense of where their student scored. Last year, the State of Illinois ended it's partnership with ACT and decided to offer the SAT to all Juniors in high school. As such, we wanted to ensure our students had exposure to the test in junior high so that they are increasingly prepared for the rigors of high school and the college search process.
We wish all of those students good luck on Saturday.
#beambitious #bemurphy
Activity Buses Coming to Murphy
We're excited to announce that starting the week of February 27, we will be offering activity buses for students on Tuesday and Thursday. Students who need to stay or are participating in some after school club or activity can get bus transportation (assuming their home is already receiving bus service) NEAR their home. One bus will serve the Grande Park area that has bus service, Prescott Mills and Auburn Lakes. The other bus will serve the Homestead area. More information on specific stops can be found here.
Look for an update on process to get a bus pass next week.
Problems Solving, Engineering and Math
PTO Update
PTO Skating Event - TIME CHANGE!!!!
In order to better accommodate families, the event start time moved to 6pm to allow parents more time to get their students to the rink.
The students have spoken...no Spring Dance! We are planning our first ever ROLLER SKATING night instead!! Mark your calendars! Tuesday February 21st from 6-8pm at Aurora Skate Center. The PTO is sponsoring this FREE event as our way of saying thanks for all you've done to support us this year!
We need to get an accurate head count to ensure the rink has enough staff on hand. Therefore, we will need to "sell" tickets the week before. Students will pay $2 for their ticket, parents will sign the waiver on the back of the ticket (just like you do for dances and other PTO-sponsored events). When the students arrive at the rink, they will turn in their ticket (signed waiver on the back) and we will return their $2. Skate rental is FREE as well!
Ticket sales will take place during the lunch periods on Monday 2/13 and Tuesday 2/14. TICKETS CANNOT BE SOLD AT THE DOOR! Look for updates on our PTO Facebook Page (Murphy PTO Home of the Mavericks) and via the Bulletin.
Teacher Wish Lists
We are very excited to announce our 2nd semester Teacher Wish List Drive! Our first was a huge success! We were able to treat 30 staff members to their Favorite Things Baskets! We have about 40 staff members left to surprise this semester. Let's show our MJHS staff how much we appreciate them! Thank you Murphy Community for your generosity!
Save the Date
That changed recently when Portillo's started doing fundraising nights. We asked ourselves, "Who doesn't love Portillo's?" In an informal poll in the office area, the answer was 0% of people dislike Portillo's.
SAVE THE DATE Murphy Junior High Portillo's Night will be March 2nd from 5 to 8pm at the Portillo's on Rte 34 in Oswego. Any money we raise will go toward helping supply the Maverick Minimall and to offset the cost of our celebration activities related to PBIS.
We hope you and your family will make every attempt to swing buy. This fundraiser includes: dine in, carry out and drive through purchases.
Murphy 5th Grade Music Meet & Greet
Student Services Spotlight
Oswego East Course Selection for 8th grade students
Key Dates:
January 9-25: Junior high teachers will make core course recommendations
January 26-February 12: Home Access will open for students and parents to choose elective classes
February 15: OEHS Counselors will visit Murphy to meet with students and verify course selections.
Additional information related to 8th grade Course Selection
Online Course Selection Procedures
Murphy Course Selection for 6th and 7th grade students
Counselors met with 6th and 7th grade students this week to discuss elective selection for 2017-18 the school year. Students will enter elective choices through Home Access Center (HAC).
7th Grade Course Selection Process
8th Grade Course Selection Process
SD308 7th Grade Honors Placement Criteria
Key Dates:
- January 24: Counselor course selection presentation to 6th graders
- January 26: Counselor course selection presentation to 7th graders
- January 26-February 3: Home Access will open for students and parents to choose elective classes
- January 31: Counselors will have 1:1 meetings with 6th graders to verify course selections
- February 2: Counselors will have 1:1 meetings with 7th graders to verify course selections
#BEAMBITIOUS
Please read this article for tips on how to help ambitious students manage stress effectively.
“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.
Bullseys Winners
Cody Sorensen, Emma Triska, Gabriel Kiely, Gloria Echegoyen, John Disher, Juan Contreras, Liam Prendki, Lily Cooper, Lyra Williamson, Samantha Sund
Our Faculty Winner this week is Miss Phillips
Great job!
The Maverick Way
Joey Cantu and his sisters volunteered at the most recent TKEN (The Kids Equipment Network) clinic. TKEN is a non-profit / volunteer run organization that provides gently used pediatric adaptive equipment (wheelchairs, standees, etc) to families with limited insurance / financial options to purchase new equipment. Joey's responsibilities include, but are not limited to cleaning and preparing equipment for fittings, entertaining client siblings, and carrying the heavy donated equipment to the family's cars. Joey attends these clinics several times a year and executes his responsibilities well!!
Way to go Joey!
Girl's Basketball Round Up
7th Grade
The 7th grade girls basketball team opened their season with a big win against Herget. The Mavericks started out slow, but kicked it into high gear to build a 18 to 7 halftime lead. In the second half, the Mavericks continued to play well on their way to the 39 to 15 victory. Lauren Salerno led the scoring with 16 points, while Megan Ferry and Hannah Chval scored 6 and 5.
In the second game, the Mavericks played hard but struggled to put points on the board. After 3 quarters, the score was tied 8 to 8. In the 4th quarter, both teams traded the lead, but Herget was able to hold on for the 14 to 12 win. Peyton Hines led the scoring with 6 points, while Molly Ede added 4.
8th Grade
The 8th grade girls’ basketball team took on Herget in their first game. We came out and took control from the very start and never looked back. We won 37 to 15. Kailey lead the team with 20 points, Sydney and Kate each had 6.
In the second game it started off the same way! We took control of the game right away and kept the lead. We won 30 to 13. Makeda led with 14 points and Tabitha had 10.
Great job ladies!
Athena Dental
Additional information here.
MyOwn.edu - January Update
That teenager of yours is still under construction! Their behaviors, moods, and personality seems to change daily - how can you possibly response in a firm, yet fair way as they continue to develop? Continue reading...
8th Grade:
You're certainly not a helicopter parent - but you may know someone who is. Help them avoid the pitfalls of hovering too closely! Continue reading...
Upcoming District and Area Events
Monday, January 30th- SD308 is hosting a Parent Awareness Forum. The forum focuses on cyber-bullying, sexual abuse, harassment, social media, suicide and dating violence. Presentations on these sundry topics will come from Mutual Ground and SD308 Student Services staff. This free event will take place at OHS from 6 to 7:30pm. More information can be found here.
Monday, January 30th- We will be hosting a presentation with Dr. Kim Potowski. She will be talking to dual language parents about the Language Acquisition Process, Biliteracy and the help that is needed at home.
The presentation will be at Hunt Club Elementary from 6:30-7:30pm.
La Dra. Kim Potowski, Profesor Asociado de Lingüística Hispana viene a Oswego para hablar con padres de familia que tienen hijos aprendiendo dos o más idiomas. La Dra. Potowski hablará sobre el proceso de adquisición de lenguaje, apoyo en casa mientras su hijo adquiere un nuevo idioma y mucho más.
Esta presentación se llevará a cabo en la escuela primaria de Hunt Club, localizada en la 4001 Hunt Club Drive, Oswego IL 60543, a las 6:30 p.m. , se podrá estacionar en la parte trasera de la escuela
Se proporcionará un pequeño refrigerio y cuidado para niños mayores de 4 años.
Favor de llamar al (630) 636-3689 si tiene alguna pregunta.
¡No se pierda esta gran oportunidad!
¡Gracias!
DuPage Area STEM Expo
Join us at DuPage Area STEM Expo for family fun that includes interactive exploration into science, technology, engineering and math. Over 50 displays, presentations, shows, activities and projects to for school age children, grades K-6
Where?
Illinois Institute of Technology
Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice Campus
201 East Loop Road,
Wheaton, IL
When?
Saturday, February 25, 2017
10:30am - 3:30pm
(Complimentary admission and parking)
Love to dance? Join the OE Dance Team at Mini Pom Camp! Campers will learn stretches,, dance technique and a routine they will preform at halftime of an OE basketball game. Open to students K-8. More information can be found here.
Clubs, Intramurals and Activities
With the start of 2nd semester more clubs and activities are starting up. Check out the Daily Announcements for additional information.
Upcoming Events
January 26
- 7th Girls' Basketball v Jewel (4:30pm)
- 8th Girls' Basketball @ Jewel (4:30pm)
January 28
- Practice SAT @ MU REGISTRATION REQUIRED (8:00am)
January 30
- 7th Girls' Basketball v Traughber (4:30pm)
- 8th Girls' Basketball @ Traughber (4:30pm)
February 1
- Murphy Spelling Bee Finals
- 7th Girls' Basketball @ Heritage Grove (4:30pm)
- 8th Girls' Basketball v Heritage Grove (4:30pm)
February 3
- Bring a Friend to Choir Breakfast
- 7th Girls' Basketball Tournament @ Kaneland
February 4
- 7th Girls' Basketball Tournament @ Kaneland
If you are looking for directions to AWAY events, this link will provide directions to many area schools.
Use the link below to see all the things going on at Murphy Junior High
Contact Us
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