Murphy Middle School ENews
for the week of 5/18 - 5/22
Farewell and Congratulations to the 8th Grade Class of 2020
A Message from Your Principal and Assistant Principals
You volunteered, studied, persevered, and have grown in so many ways. Thank you for all of your hard work and dedication throughout the school year. We enjoyed the plays, the games, the concerts, the clubs, the talks, we enjoyed you! It is an honor to work at Murphy Middle School.
We wish you love, laughter, and learning,
Mr. Conrad, Mr. McDonnell, and Mrs. Ware
Parent/Student Exchange
- Please wear a face covering when picking up or returning student materials.
- Follow COVID-19 preventative practices as advised by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
- Please stay in your vehicle. Follow the curbside process provided by your campus.
Curbside Pick Up
The last week of school May 18--22, will be dedicated to students being able to pick up and/or bring their school locker and gym locker contents, award certificates, medications, yearbooks, chromebooks and charger, library books, and textbooks.
Families are not allowed to pick up belongings for other students. Students will receive items in their assigned locker.
Student Item Exchange:
- Students Return: Chromebooks, Chromebook Charger, Library Books, ELAR Novels, Any other MMS Supplies
- Students Pick-up: Bag filled with main locker contents, PE/athletics’ locker contents, award certificates, & yearbook (if purchased)
Families with multiple students at Murphy can choose to attend the different times dedicated to each grade, or they can come during the "all grade" times and pick up supplies for all students at the same time.
Parents and students will be expected to stay in their vehicles and we will use the trunk or back of the vehicle for retrieving items and placing items. Thank you in advance for helping make this a smooth transition.
Parents, you may also contact your child's counselor if you have questions.
6th grade questions: Sylvia Lansing
7th grade questions: Melissa Allcorn
8th grade questions: Terri Azcarate
may 18-22 pick up schedule by last name and grade level
chromebook pick up
IMPORTANT - NEED RESPONSE FROM ALL FAMILIES WHO BORROWED A CHROMEBOOK
The district is committed to the following:
By providing access to devices and/or Internet connections, we have reduced the equity gap that exists among our students. If we can support that narrowing effect throughout the summer and beyond, we should.
Families/students have the option to return Chromebooks to campuses the week of May 18 if they:
- Don’t think they will be useful as a learning support over the summer and/or don’t want to be burdened with the responsibility of keeping track of them and/or no longer need them.
- We will need to collect Chromebooks from students who are not going to return to Plano ISD for the 2020-2021 school year.
- We will need to solicit acknowledgements from students and/or parents to verify the intent to keep or return the Chromebook.
- If you choose to keep the Chromebook, we will send an email indicating when the Chromebooks will be returned.
Please complete this form indicating your choice regarding the chromebook
unused medication and curbside pick up
Please pick up your child's medication on your scheduled time to pick up your student’s items or before May 22, 2020 the last day of school.
All medications that have not been picked up from the school clinic before school lets out for summer break will be destroyed without notification.
Unused medication will not be sent home with a student
Please call me if you have any questions regarding this policy.
It has been a pleasure to provide health care to your child this school year. I hope your summer is safe and healthy.
Joan Boswell, R.N.
School Nurse
469-752-7009
library book information
DO I HAVE ANY LIBRARY BOOKS TO RETURN?
Link to Library Account Instructions
Remote Learning in Plano ISD
Grading Reminders
Parents and students:
Teachers will be finalizing grades for the 4th Nine Weeks in the next two weeks.
Thank you to all our parents who have been working to ensure our students are staying on top of their work. Please continue to do so and check for communication from your child’s teachers in case there are any concerns. I know there is a lot of email communications being sent, but we want to ensure our students are successful.
Parent Guidance for Viewing Student Progress in Pinnacle for Grades 3-12
With recent policy changes to our grading practices during remote learning.
We are not using number grades, per the Grading Guidelines for Remote Learning, so what you see in Pinnacle will look a little different this grading period.
The following indicators will be used to communicate progress:
- MS: Your child has turned in the assignment and “Met Standard”
- NM: Your child has turned in the assignment and did “Not Meet Standard”
- Blank: Your child has not yet completed or turned in this assignment, and the teacher cannot evaluate their progress.
Secondary Academics Home Resources page:
https://www.pisd.edu/Page/22439
Grading During Remote Learning page:
https://www.pisd.edu/Page/22656
Grades will be recorded for all assignments as MS (Met Standard) or NM (Not Met Standard)
Plano ISD School Closure Information & Resources-check out this link for additional information
Yearbook Distribution FAQ
Immunization Information from Nurse Boswell
Thank you to those 6th grade parents that have submitted their student’s immunization information for 7th grade. This will enable you to print your student’s schedule at registration time.
An immunization letter as well as a copy of each student’s immunization record went home with your student before Spring Break if your student needed these immunizations.
Please submit the paperwork to the nurse as soon as possible so that the school record may be updated.
Joan Boswell, B.S.N., R.N.
FAX: 469-752-7019 or 469-752-7001
The Williams / Mcmillen HS JROTC program is now taking applications for those interested in membership for the 2020-2021 school year!
If you are a current 8th grader interested in developing your leadership skills, connecting with new students, and building your path to great SUCCESS during and after high school, then JROTC is for you! JROTC is a class like no other class offered in school. You will discover your interest, you will have fun, you will learn how to become a better citizen and most importantly, your grades in all of your classes will improve because of the techniques learned in JROTC.
Plano West Early Learning Center
McMillen High School Color Guard
Join the McMillen HS Color Guard for 2020-2021!
The color guard is a mix of all the visual arts: dance, gymnastics, acrobatics, equipment, dance, and color.
Learn more: https://mcmillenband.membershiptoolkit.com/join-color-guard
*** AVID ***
Attention students looking to join AVID for next year!
*** Library ***
Poetry Slam Winners
Congratulations to the winners of the Murphy Poetry Slam held virtually.
Two Voice Category
1st place winners- Jonah and Sally Ismael
2nd place winners- Justin Simms & Sharley Kiefer
Individual Category
1st place winner- Sharley Kiefer
2nd place winner- Alexa Houle
3rd place winner- Kyle Skinner
Thank you to all who participated and to our fabulous judges.
Each poet contributed amazing performances.
*** Fine Arts ***
Choir
Live Choir Announcement:
If you are signed up for Murphy Choir for the 2020-2021 school year, you are invited to a live video conference announcement on Tuesday, May 19th at 6:00 PM. You may join via Google Meet or Zoom (software download required) - links below. If you are unable to attend live, the announcement will be recorded and shared via Google Classroom, the Choir Website (tinyurl.com/MMSChoirNews), and Instagram (@MurphyMSChoir). We hope to see you there!
Choir Families:
Murphy Choir will not offer classroom supplies for purchase for the 2020-2021 school year. If you would like the Murphy PTA to do the shopping for you, please purchase a Choir supply pack through their School Supply Sale. Otherwise, families are welcome to provide the necessary materials. Students will need the following: (1) 1/2" 3-ring binder, (1) 8-count set of dividers, (1) pencil pouch with 3-ring holes, (1) highlighter, and (2) pencils with erasers for daily use in class.
Contact the Choir Mamas with any questions!
Band
Band Parents: We will continue to communicate with you through our Facebook Group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/mmsband1920/) and through email.
Please note that audition information and music has been distributed. If your child is unclear on what needs to be done, please have them contact us right away.
We have created many resources to help students be prepared for their audition!
** Social & Emotional Well Being **
Counseling Services
The SMU Center for Family Counseling at Plano ISD is now offering telehealth counseling services provided free of charge. Services are provided by SMU Counseling Program students during their Practicum and Internship experiences and will be supervised by SMU full-time and adjunct faculty. Services are for adults, children (play therapy), adolescents (activity therapy), couples, and families for a variety of presenting concerns including anxiety, depression, behavior difficulties (e.g., opposition, defiance, aggression), grief and loss, peer relationships, stress, trauma, career transition, and parenting.
Additionally, clients are being accepted for five new support groups: Adult Mindfulness Group, LGBTQ+ Parenting/Caregiver Support Group, Adolescent Support Group, LGBTQ+ Adolescent Support Group, and LGBTQ+ Adult Support Group.
Service hours and contact information is as follows:
Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday 3:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Appointments are available - please call to schedule (469) 752-3098.
An FAQ for Telehealth Counseling services may be found HERE.
Things you can do to help yourself as well as others
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue. If you do not have a tissue, use your sleeve (not your hands).
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
- Adhere to the preventative measures as recommended by public health officials, such as limiting interaction and practicing social distancing.
- Visit the CDC website for more information.
*** PTA ***
School Supplies
*** Informational Links ***
COVID-19 Communication to Families
For the most up to date information from Plano ISD regarding COVID-19, go the PISD website:
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: