Murphy Middle School ENews
For the week of October 28 - November 1, 2019
***Important News***
Parent Reminder
If your student rides a bicycle to school please remind them to lock their bikes using the bike rack. It is a safety and security liability to have bikes parked or lying on the sidewalk.
-Thank you
Yearbook Sales
Haven't purchased a yearbook? It's not too late! The 2020 Murphy MS yearbook is back on sale starting Monday 10/21 through Friday 11/1. Price changes will happen after the deadline, so be sure to order yours today. You can purchase online at jostensyearbooks.com. If you are interested in submitting photos for this year's yearbook, please email them to yearbook@mmspta.org.
8th grade Parents
Counselors from the Academies will be speaking to students Tuesday, October 29th. Details for a parent information night will be coming soon. Applications for the Academies are scheduled to open November 22nd and close on December 18th.
6th Grade Life Skill of the Month Winners
Aakash Arulkumaran, Gabby Bennet, Benton Byers, Ava Canady, Addison Catalano, Purbaaz Chahal, Noor El-Sawa, Julia Eubanks, Ashwin Goel, Alvie Habib, Khadija Hasani, Chandler Harrison, Kilani Jacobs, Emma Martinez, TJ Neher, Trish Nguyen, Roheemat Olaiya, Reid Power, Luke Walker, Cole Wilson
ACCEPTANCE
Note: Students are selected by sixth grade teachers looking for exemplary demonstration of the Life Skill of the Month.
Life Skill of the Month:
Acceptance:
The action of consenting or agreeing to receive or undertake something;
welcoming or including others
*** Upcoming Events ***
History Fair
Students compete in this contest by selecting a topic related to the theme, conducting research using primary and secondary sources, and analyzing their findings. Students present their work in papers, exhibits, websites, performances, or documentaries. More information can be found on the National History Day website, www.nhd.org and the Texas State Historical Association website, www.tshaonline.org
If you are interested in participating in History Fair you need to attend an information meeting on Monday, 10/28 at 3:30 in room N103.
Boo Ball Schedule
6th grade Science /Engineering Fair is coming!
All sixth graders interested in doing a project can get a student handbook from their 6th grade Science teacher.
All projects are due in the MMS library on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020.
AVID Tutoring
AVID Tutoring positions are available for college students and college graduates at Murphy Middle school, and other PISD schools. Tutors will work with small groups of middle and high school students under the supervision of a teacher, and are paid $12.00 per hour. Murphy tutors are needed Mondays and Wednesdays 1:00 - 3:30 PM. Contact Kristin Anderson at kristin.anderson@pisd.edu or 469-752-8061.
Dazzlers Holiday Dance Clinic
The McMillen Dazzlers are hosting our annual Holiday Dance Clinic on Saturday, November 16, from 9 am – noon.
This event is open to all who love to dance from ages Kindergarten through 10th Grade.
For a registration form or more information, please visit https://tinyurl.com/holidaydanceclinic2019
*** Clubs and Organizations ***
Student Council Kindnessgrams
Kindness is like confetti, sprinkle it everywhere!
Take the time to show someone how kind they are by completing a Kindnessgram during lunch, starting next Monday, Oct. 28. See a Student Council member outside of the cafeteria to complete the note. It will be displayed during the week. As it will then be given to the student you’re recognizing next Friday, you must know the student’s 7th period teacher when completing the note. As kindness costs nothing, but means everything, there is no charge for recognizing someone’s kindness.
Murphy Math Counts Club
Do you know a student that LOVES math and LOVES to compete? Then, Math Counts may be the club for your student! Math Counts Competition is a national middle school mathematics competition that builds problem solving skills and fosters achievement through four levels of fun, in person “bee” style contests. Murphy Middle School is able to take 10 Murphy students to compete in the Preston Trail Chapter competition at University of Texas at Dallas on Saturday, February 1, 2020*. (*The February 1st date is an estimate based on prior competitions. The actual contest date has not been announced, but the competition is always on a Saturday.) Students will try out for a spot to compete by completing a battery of tests: two with a calculator (school provided) and one without. The top four students will comprise the team for Murphy and the next six students will compete as individuals. These tests will be in the Distance Learning Room (DLR) after school on November 5, November 12, and November 19. Students will need to stay until 4:30PM to test.
To insure that your student has a seat to try out, please have your student sign up: https://forms.gle/4b2LaRMS97JiiaL5A
T-shirt and Dress shirt Donations
Donations can be dropped off anytime during the school day in Mr. Adams' rooms, B119 or K102.
Thank you!
*** Athletics ***
Maverick Football
Monday 10/28
7th Football vs Haggard @ Kimbrough Stadium – 5:30 B Team / 7:00 A Team
Tuesday 10/29
8th Football vs Otto @ Kimbrough Stadium – 5:30 B Team / 7:00 A Team
Student Film Manager for Football
Any student, or students, interested in becoming the 7th or 8th grade Film manager for the football team please contact Coach Woodyard at school or through email (mark.woodyard@pisd.edu).
Boys Basketball Tryouts
Wednesday 10/30
7th Boys Basketball Tryouts 6:30 – 8:00 am
Thursday 10/31
7th & 8th Boys Basketball Tryouts 6:30 – 8:00 am
Friday 11/1
7th & 8th Boys Basketball Tryouts 6:30 – 8:00 am
All student-athletes trying out for the basketball team MUST have all of their paperwork (Parent Letter, Rank One Online Forms, Medical History, Physical) completed and turned in by Friday 10/25, or before tryouts start. They will not be allowed to tryout if any paperwork is missing. Check with Coach Slaton or Coach Vaught to see if you are missing anything.
Girls Basketball Tryouts
Monday 10/28
7th & 8th Girls Basketball Tryouts 3:45 – 4:30 pm
Tuesday 10/29
7th & 8th Girls Basketball Tryouts 3:45 – 4:30 pm
Wednesday 10/30
7th & 8th Girls Basketball Tryouts 3:45 - 4:30 pm (If Needed)
All student-athletes trying out for the basketball team MUST have all of their paperwork (Parent Letter, Rank One Online Forms, Medical History, Physical) completed and turned in by Friday 10/25, or before tryouts start. They will not be allowed to tryout if any paperwork is missing. Check with Coach Slaton or Coach Vaught to see if you are missing anything.
Basketball Medical History Form
*New Stadium Rules*
The new stadium bag policy information can be found in the attachment as well as with this link https://www.pisd.edu/Page/16154 or here https://www.pisd.edu/stadiumbagpolicy
Remember: Student spectators who might walk directly from school to the stadium. Effective this Friday (September 13th), student spectators can no longer bring backpacks (or other non-approved bags) into the stadium.
New Stadium Bag Policy Begins Sept. 13 (Política del ISD de Plano sobre Bolsas en el Estadio, 13 de septiembre)
Beginning September 13, 2019, to promote the safety and security of Plano ISD students, staff, families and visitors, the district has modified its stadium bag policy by limiting the size and type of bags that spectators are allowed to bring into Plano ISD stadiums. See the frequently asked questions on the athletics website for more information. Stadium locations include:
- Clark Stadium & Fields Complex
- Kimbrough Stadium
- Williams Stadium
Starting September 13, 2019, only the following types of bags are allowed:
- One clear plastic tote, not larger than 12” X 12” X 6”
- One clear resealable plastic storage bag, not larger than 1 gallon size
- One small “hand sized” clutch purse, not larger than 5” X 7”
- An exception will be made for medically necessary items after inspection at the gate
- An exception will be made for a diaper bag when accompanied by infant or young child
- Bags carried by student groups (band, cheer, drill team, etc.) entering as a group at designated entrances
The following bags are prohibited:
- All purses, bags or containers larger than an approved small clutch purse or small clear tote
- Backpacks and duffle bags
- Camera and binocular cases or bags
- Briefcases
- Mesh or drawstring bags
- Computer bags
- Coolers
- Fanny packs
- Luggage
*** Electives ***
Elective Students of the 9 Weeks
CONGRATULATIONS to the students pictured for being selected as the Elective Students of the 1st 9 weeks! Your electives teachers are so proud of you and thank you for your kindness and hard work!
*** PTA News ***
Trick or Dip Day
Hospitality is throwing a Trick or Dip Day for all the awesome staff at MMS on Tuesday, October 29th. We need your help with providing the dips. Please sign up by clicking on the link below. Hospitality will take care of the chips and vegetables. Please help us make this day special for MMS staff! Thank you!
REFLECTIONS, DEADLINES: OCTOBER 28TH AND NOVEMBER 4TH
Reflections is a National PTA sponsored arts recognition program that encourages artistic expression.
The Reflections 2019-2020 theme is Look Within! Check out all of the information at PTA.org/Reflections.
Use your talent to look within! Do you enjoy art, music, dance, or have an interest in writing, producing films and taking photos? Unleash your inner artist with PTA Reflections! This years theme is “Look Within”.
PTA Membership Required
At least one parent/guardian must be a PTA member by October 28th.
Deadline
Pick up submission guidelines and an entry form in the front office and return your entry by November 4th.
Contact
SPIRIT WEAR INVENTORY SALE
Order Deadline: Friday, November 1, 2019
Delivery Dates: Friday, October 25th and Friday, November 8th during lunch
Order now because quantities are limited: mmspta.org/spiritwear
MCMILLEN HIGH SCHOOL MATTRESS FUNDRAISER, NOVEMBER 16TH
The McMillen High School Band Mattress Fundraiser is coming soon. There will be over 30 beds on display for customers to try. The beds are new, brand name, made to order, available in all sizes, and cost less than retail stores. In addition to beds, there will also be luxury pillows, sheets, adjustable power bases and even full body massage chairs! Please share this information with family and friends!
PISD RESOLVING STUDENT AND PARENT CONCERNS
Plano ISD encourages students and parents to attempt to resolve their concerns with the appropriate teacher, principal, other campus administrator, department or employee. The district believes it is in the best interest of everyone involved to informally resolve concerns, if at all possible. Concerns should be expressed as soon as possible to allow early resolution at the lowest possible administrative level.
Details at https://www.pisd.edu/page/20314.
PTA EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION NOMINATION & APPLICATION
@HEB Excellence in Education Awards are designed to honor outstanding public school professionals and to thank them for their dedication and commitment. Nominate a teacher, principal, or school district today!
Want to Volunteer?
Re-Link Your Kroger Community Rewards, Beginning August 1st
If you shop at Kroger grocery stores, and you have a Kroger Plus Rewards card, you can benefit the families of Murphy Middle.
You must link your card every year, starting August 1st to support Murphy Middle School PTA.
Learn how at Kroger Community Rewards.
Some friendly reminders from Officer Ashmore
Please remember there are no U-turns allowed in the driveway between MMS and the Kimbrough parking lot. There are numerous cars and busses that are proceeding as through traffic and making a U-turn in this area is both unsafe and illegal.
Our staff crossing guard is on duty from 7:45 to 8:20. Please be aware that dropping your child off in the Kimbrough parking lot after 8:20 leaves them to cross without the safety of a crossing guard. Ms. Jacobs does a phenomenal job and we greatly appreciate her, but she has a 1st period class and must get to class as well.
By now you have seen the new cones in the MMS driveway creating 2 lanes as you approach the front of the school. The right-hand lane is for drop off and the left-hand lane is for those turning into the parking lot. Please be mindful when you stop to drop off your kiddos that you do not block the lane of traffic. We are going to try this out and see if it helps traffic flow a little better – your feedback is always welcome! You can email me at sarah.ashmore@pisd.edu.
Car Pool Change
We wanted to communicate that we will be trying something new in the carpool lane at Murphy Middle School. We have added cones in designated areas to keep specific left and right lanes to promote a smoother flow of traffic. Vehicles on the left side of the cones will need to turn left into the Murphy Middle School parking lot. Vehicles on the right side of the cones will continue straight to exit the carpool circle. We want to communicate that we have put these cones out as a trial and will be monitoring their effectiveness. If we find that the cones are helpful, then we may consider making them permanent. We wanted to inform you in advance so that you would be prepared for this change that will start September 30, 2019
*** Informational Links ***
Download the PISD Mobile App
Do you have the Plano ISD App on your phone or device?
The Plano ISD App is a great way to see information about the Plano calendar, news and alerts, the anonymous tip line, and much more.
• Personalize newsfeeds for your school
• View student grades and attendance
• Access school and staff info
• View news stories
• Receive important alerts
• View calendar info
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Murphy Middle School
Twitter: @MurphyMiddle
Murphy Middle PTA Site: