The BULLetin
September 27, 2018
Principal's Message
Start With Hello Week
This past week our Mavericks participated in the Start With Hello Week at Murphy Junior
High.
Start with Hello teaches students, grades 2-12, the skills they need to reach out to and
include those who may be dealing with chronic social isolation and create a culture of
inclusion and connectedness within their classroom, school or youth organization.
Social isolation is the overwhelming feeling of being left out, lonely, or treated like you
are invisible. It is a growing epidemic in the United States and within our schools.
Excessive feelings of isolation can be associated with violent and suicidal behavior. In
fact, one study reports that chronic loneliness increases the risk of an early death by
14%. Furthermore, young people who are isolated can become victims of bullying,
violence and/or depression. As a result, many further pull away from society, struggle
with learning and social development and/or choose to hurt themselves or others.
We encourage you to talk to your child about the Start With Hello program and ask them
to share what they have learned. Not only will that help you learn how to support your
child to identify isolation, reach out and connect, and Start With Hello, it also
demonstrates to your child that you take this subject seriously and can support them in
their actions to create a more connected and inclusive home, classroom, school and
community.
Finally, we encourage you to support your child in sharing their Start With Hello story by
submitting their creative expressions to the Start With Hello Student Voices Contest at
https://www.sandyhookpromise.org/studentcontest.
For more information on Start With Hello and to sign up to receive the Start With Hello
Parent Brochure, please visit: http://www.sandyhookpromise.org/bringstartwithhello.
In honor of Start With Hello Week, members of Student Council tied orange ribbons outside of Murphy Jr. High School. Orange ribbons are used to represent and bring awareness to gun safety. Along with the orange ribbons, Student Council is asking all students and staff to wear orange on Friday to show support of this important issue.
Fannie May Candy Sale
For the past couple of years we have been doing a Fannie May candy sale with students involved in athletics. We were building up a monetary reserve to purchase new uniforms. We were able to get some new uniforms last year. But, with budget cuts, we put new uniform purchases on hold for this year. We are using our candy sale money to pay for tournament fees for our teams this year. Any additional monies we will look at replacing some uniforms and/or equipment at the end of the year.
The sale ends Monday, October 1st. If your student sold candy, please have them return the money collected and order forms to Ms. Shrum on Monday.
Maverick Mini Mall
Our Maverick Mini mall is in need of some additional supplies. Our Maverick Mini Mall is a school store students can purchase items from with Bullseyes (tokens we give for doing the right thing at school.) In the past, we used money from various fundraisers (Portillo's and Chick Fil A nights) and donations from the PTO to stock the Mini Mall. In lieu of restaurant nights this semester, we are trying to collect donations from parents to help offset the monetary costs. If you're interested in donating some candy, chips or other items, see our Sign Up Genius, mark the item purchased and drop it off in the Main Office.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0c4faaa92babf58-donations
Lastly, if you didn't get a chance to look through our This is Maverick Country slide deck please do. Staff were asked to introduce themselves and talk about something they believe in. Enjoy!
SD308 Food Drive
Starting Monday, Murphy will be participating in the annual district food drive to support the Kendall County Food Pantry. Last year, we were able to donate 5,503 items to help our local community and won the district trophy for junior highs. This year, our goal is to reach 5,750 items. In order to do this, we need your help.
During homeroom Monday 9/24 thru Wednesday 10/3, homeroom representatives will be collecting and counting the items that come in.
Students will receive some individual prizes:
- Bullseye for the 1st item donated
- A jump the line pass for lunch for the 1st 5 items donated
There will be a homeroom competition based on the number of items per student in the class. The winning homeroom will receive a pizza party.
Additionally, the district has organized a Community Collection Day Celebration! This great event is sponsored by Allied First Bank and Aramark. Free lunch is being offered in return for each donation. There will be raffles, music, cheerleaders, entertainment and more! Community Celebration day is next Saturday, Sept. 29, from 11am-1pm at Allied First Bank.
AS A BONUS: Allied First Bank is offering a 500 item bonus to the school with the most participation in the Community Collection Day!! Anyone donating food during the collection day can choose Murphy to credit the donation towards in our district-wide food drive contest. So spread the word...invite your neighbors, extended family members and friends to come out and support Murphy while benefiting the food pantry!
7th Grade Advisory with Ms. Waldron and Ms. Sanborn
Yearbooks are on SALE!!!
MEMORIES:
EVEN SMALL ONES COUNT
The friends. The classes. The teachers. Safeguard the memories, big and small,
by ordering a 2018-2019 yearbook for $25.00.
Order now for $25.00! Yearbook price will increase February 1, 2019. Yearbook orders can be completed online at jostensyearbooks.com. Please contact Ms. Fell if you have any questions.
PTO
It's Murphy Monster Mash time! This event is so much fun! Please use the link below to sign up to volunteer or donate items. Thank you for your continued support! We couldn't do it without you!
Tickets will be on sale during the lunch periods starting Monday October 15th through Thursday October 18th. Tickets will NOT be available at the door! Ticket price is $5. If you joined the PTO by donating $25 or more, your student will receive a free ticket. Please have them stop by the ticket table during lunch to pick up their free ticket. The waiver on the back of each ticket must be signed and accompanied with the student's school ID to enter the dance.
Weekly JAM (Just Another Maverick)
Student Services Spotlight
Alyssa Prince, Nico Harris, Vivian Becker, Mackenzie Ouellette, Ellie Trayser, Lucca Starkman, Emma Mayer, Stephany Nunez, Addie Roeder, Brooklynne Martynus
Congratulations, MAVS!
High School Courses: Credit Opt-Out Process
If you have a student enrolled in Algebra I, Pre-AP English 1, or Spanish and do not want your student to receive high school credit for the class (Algebra only) or wish to drop the course, please click the “Opt-Out Letter” link below for further information. Opt-out forms must be completed and returned to your student’s counselor by October 19.
September is National Suicide Prevention Month
September is National Suicide Prevention Month. Murphy Junior High partners with Elyssa’s Mission (nonprofit organization dedicated to suicide prevention) to provide depression awareness and suicide prevention training for our students as part of the Signs of Suicide® Prevention Program (SOS). The 2017-18 school year was the first year we implemented this program at all three grade levels. This year, and in following years, the SOS® program will be presented to 6th grade and 8th grade classes. The 6th grade presentations will occur in October; additional information regarding this program and presentation dates will be shared in an upcoming Bulletin.
The SOS® program teaches our students the ACT message if they hear someone talking about hurting themselves or others: Acknowledge, Care, Tell. Please talk with your students about the importance of reaching out to a trusted adult in those situations.
This week (9/9/18-9/15/18) is National Suicide Prevention Week. In honor of those who are living with mental illness, Murphy Junior High Student Services stands with Elyssa’s Mission to help #StopTheStigma.
Join Elyssa’s Mission’s social media campaign and help #StopTheStigma!
1. Go to our website and download this image.
2. Print the image and take a picture of yourself holding it!
3. Post the picture of you holding this sign to social media.
4. Use the caption: This week is National Suicide Prevention Week. In honor of those who are living with Mental Illness, I stand with Elyssa's Mission to help #StopTheStigma.
5. Use the hashtags #StopTheStigma and #NSPW18 and be sure to tag @elyssasmission on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, these free, confidential resources are available 24/7:
Crisis Text Line
Text HOME to 741741 from anywhere in the U.S. about any type of crisis
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-272-TALK (8255)
The Maverick Way Outside of School
Zach Taylor, 6th grader, and Mrs. Zawacki were both eating at Buffalo Wild Wings last week. Zach won a stuffed animal from a game and was kind enough to give it to Mrs. Zawacki’s 3-year-old daughter. Thanks for your act of kindness and for modeling the Maverick way outside of school, Zach - you made Reagan’s night!
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 Brian Falli at bfalli@sd308.org or Brandi Zawacki at bzawacki@sd308.org.
*Don’t forget to include some pictures in your email.
October Volunteer Opportunities
Montgomery Police Halloween Safety Event
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70a0c49acaa23abf58-volunteers
10/28
Fraidy Cat 5K (must have parent under 14)
http://www.fraidycat5k.com/volunteer/
September - December
Oswego Public Library Grades 8-12 unless otherwise noted
https://www.oswego.lib.il.us/teens/Fall%202018%20Voluteer%20Ops.pdf
Fox Valley Park District must have parent if under 14
https://www.foxvalleyparkdistrict.org/our-mission/volunteer-opportunities/
Math Team Tryouts
On October 16 from 3:15 – 4:45 we will be holding a school competition to select 10-12 students who will represent Murphy Junior High at the Marmion Junior High Math competition (usually in November) and the chapter MathCounts competition (usually in February). It is the hope that some of our students will qualify to compete in the state and national competitions again! Dates of the competitions will come soon.
Additional information and sign up can be found here.
Maverick Makers Art Club
Backyard Games Intramural Starting
Permission slips can be found outside of Ms. Kerr's office. They are due by September 28. First session will take place on October 2nd from 3:10-4:30.
Cross Country
Upcoming Events
September 29
- ILMEA Auditions @ Yorkville MS
October 1
- Fannie May candy sale ends
- First Rehearsal Fall Play
October 6
- IESA XC Sectionals
If you are looking for directions to AWAY events, this link will provide directions to many area schools.
Use the "Murphy Building Calendar" link below to see all the things going on at Murphy Junior High.
Contact Us
Murphy Junior High School is an inclusive and supportive community that promotes student success by ensuring ALL students are college and career ready.
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