The BULLetin
March 18 , 2021
Upcoming Events and Reminders
NEW/UPDATED:
- 5 Essentials Parent Survey and Student Survey-We need your feedback!
- Student Device Update for Remote by Choice Students
- Mutual Ground Information
- AVID Elective Applications
- Incoming 6th Grade Band/Choir Information
- Practice SAT Score Interpretation Night (Student Services Spotlight)
- The Maverick Way
Reminders:
- Phase 3 Information
- MAVS Expectations for Behavior
- Phase 2 of Hybrid Learning
- Hybrid Learning Reminders/Expectations
- Book Check-Out
5 Essentials Parent Survey
We need your help! As sent out by the district, every year we ask parents, students, and faculty to complete a survey to help drive improvement at Murphy. The survey helps identify areas of strength and areas of improvement. Your identity and survey responses will be kept confidential and will never be connected to you or your child. To participate as a parent, please click the link below and enter Kendall County and then the appropriate school to begin. Your feedback is very important to us. We would appreciate if everyone would take the survey.
We need 20% of families to complete the survey to get a response and we're almost there!
Student Device Update
Remote By Choice Student Devices (Group C)
As you know, we are moving to 1:1 devices in our district, meaning that ALL of our students will have a district issued device for use in school and at home. We're almost done! If you have NOT picked up your device yet, please come on Thursday, March 25th between 4:00-7:00 pm so we can get your device checked out to you.
Remember, this is a school supply that you will need. This device will stay with you for a few years, so be sure to pick it up, even if you are choosing not to use it at home right now.
Students/families will need the following items for the pick-up:
- Student ID (if you have it, even if it is from the previous year)
- Chromebooks and chargers that have been previously checked out to support remote learning. (This does NOT include laptops for other specialty courses or IEP/504 devices).
Please do your best to bring your previously checked out device and charger to swap out to avoid a device or power supply replacement fee. (Device fee: $320, Power Supply fee: $50, Damage fees will be assessed accordingly).
Here are some general Chromebook reminders:
- Students should bring their charged Chromebooks to school each day. They may or may not be used in each classroom each day, but it is considered a school supply now, so students should be prepared with the device
- Students should follow teacher expectations regarding CB use within the classroom
- Students should use their CB only for school related content while at school
- Students cannot "customize" their device with stickers, etc.
Mutual Ground Information
Once again, our school district is partnering with Mutual Ground, Inc. to provide sexual harassment education programming to our students. Mutual Ground has been providing these programs in our district for over 25 years. Additionally, recent legislation entitled Erin's Law now requires all public schools in Illinois to provide this programming. Mutual ground will be presenting this program in your child's classroom. Please Note: This is required information to disperse to the students. Please contact Murphy Junior High Administration of your child's counselor to discuss special circumstances.
This program will discuss topics at an age appropriate level for our students as outlined below.
Sexual Harassment Prevention Program
The presentations will cover topics such as:
- Definition of sexual harassment and examples of verbal, nonverbal, and physical forms
- Discussion of students' rights to a safe school environment and what to do if harassment occurs
- Cyber-bullying and sexting laws
- Safety planning and reporting
Our school district is committed to the safety and well being of our students, and that is why we feel that providing this programming is so important. If you have any questions, please feel free to call Thonda Annala, Mutual Ground's Prevention Education Coordinator, at (630) 897-0084 x107.
AVID Elective Applications
The 2021/2022 8th Grade AVID elective is now accepting applications!
There are many advantages to joining the AVID elective in junior high. AVID, which stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination, is a program designed to help students develop the skills they need to be successful in high school and college. During this elective class, you will participate in collaborative study groups, receive the encouragement and support to enroll in rigorous classes, learn study and organizational skills, develop critical thinking, learn to ask probing questions, strengthen your note-taking skills, and participate in enrichment and motivational activities.
Since there is only one 8th grade elective class at each junior high building, there is a selection process outlined below. This is a unique opportunity for you to apply to be part of the AVID elective class at Murphy for your 8th grade year.
Selection Process:
Please view the informational material below:
If you are interested in continuing with the selection process, please complete the application below. It is due by Friday, March 26.
If you or your parents/guardians have additional questions about the AVID elective class, please contact the AVID elective teacher, Elizabeth Fell. You can also use the link below to attend an AVID Information Night on Tuesday, March 23rd from 6:00-6:30 PM with Ms. Fell.
Meeting ID
Phone Numbers
(US)+1 617-675-4444
PIN: 772 650 773 2684#
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Fell
630.608.5166
Phase 3 Information
Phase 3 will begin April 7 and continue through the remainder of the school year.
Resources:
- A video presentation to walk you through the changes to this phase for each grade level
- The slides covered in the video
- A summary handout of the Phase 3 components
- The form to Ask A Question
- Links to the Safety Plan and Metrics pages of our website
MAVS Expectations for Behavior
Mrs. Bingham and Mrs. Lawson have started to meet with students during lunch periods to review our Core Values and Expectations for Behavior at Murphy Junior High. Below is the link to our matrix for behavior. We took time to review general expectations in a variety of settings in each Core Value area, dress code, bus expectations, the cell phone policy, and the discipline process. We also reminded students that it was the expectation when they received their student handbook that they read the district policies and procedures noted in the front pages of the handbook. We encouraged students to take time during their lunch periods to check TylerSIS and Google Classroom to keep up to date on assignments, missing assignments, and grades. Take a look below at our matrix, that is posted in each classroom and setting area at Murphy Junior High as a reminder to all students.
Incoming 6th Grade Band/Choir Information
Hey 5th graders coming to Murphy! Ms. Karvelius and Mrs. Tysiak are so excited to be able to visit you virtually in the next few weeks. If you haven't already signed up for our Google Classroom, join here now! (code: aqzlf4n). You will find several videos and informational links. If you are already sure you want to join band AND choir, then check out the Google form listed in the Google Classroom.
If you are a potential band student, you will get information about how to choose your instrument very soon!
Feel free to contact us if you have any questions. Ms. Karvelius - jkarvelius@sd308.org, Mrs. Tysiak - mtysiak@sd308.org
Murphy 2020-2021 Yearbook
Yearbooks that were preordered will arrive before the end of the school year. Thank you for all of your orders!
If you have any questions, please reach out to Elizabeth Fell at efell@sd308.org.
Health and Safety
Masks are required for all students and staff while in the building. ***Please send an extra mask in a paper bag or baggie for your student to change into a fresh mask if needed, they may then put the used one in the bag to take back home. Mints can be a refreshing way to help students tolerate their masks if they are still working on adjusting to wearing masks.
Hand sanitizer - The district has supplied hand sanitizer and there are automatic dispensers scattered around the building as well as pump dispensers in each classroom. Students may not care for the smell. If your student would like to carry their own hand sanitizer, that is a personal choice you may make.
Daily Health Certification is required for ALL students EVERYDAY they are here in person. If your student’s Health Certification is not completed, it will delay their participation in class. As students arrive we will be checking their status, if the daily certification has not been completed online, they will be instructed where to go and they will not get to go to class until they have had a temperature check and the questions have been completed with staff. The health secretary will be running reports first thing in the morning and sending reminders, the final report will be at 7:45.
Eating breakfast will be more important than ever, since students will not be eating while they are at school. Hunger can cause stomach pain or headaches which are Covid-19 symptoms and we would love to be able to keep your students in school and not have to send them home for quarantine.
Supplies for In-Person Learners
Instructions for the Daily Student Wellness Screening Certification
DAILY REQUIREMENT FOR EVERY STUDENT RETURNING TO IN-PERSON LEARNING
Signing Out Students During In-Person Instruction
If you must sign out your student, follow the instructions listed below.
Enter vestibule through Door #3
Have your driver license ready
Ring the doorbell in the vestibule
Office staff member will ask you who you are picking up
You will be instructed to hold your driver license up to the camera and/or give your driver's license to the secretary to be scanned
Office staff member will match your contact information to your student
Your student will be called out of class to meet you in the vestibule
Allow extra time to sign out your student. Parents will remain in the vestibule until joined by their child. Parents may not return to their car until their student arrives for student safety.
For the health and safety of student, please do not call the office to have your child pulled out of class before you arrive.
LRC Book Check-Out/Pick-Up
Oswego Public Library Digital Access
Click on the Documents below for more information and the Google Form to complete for access.
Want an Oswego Public Library Card?
The launch of our Ecard barcodes has gone so well! We’re now ready to start Phase 2 of our partnership, which is getting an actual physical card into the hands of every kid in SD308!
The Ecard barcode that you received from your school librarian will not allow you to check out actual physical materials, but...getting a card is easy!
Just visit either campus of the library and show them your driver’s license or state ID. This is all you need if your ID has your current address on it.
If your ID does not have your current address, then please bring one of the following items as proof of residency:
*Utility bill dated within 60 days (electronic version accepted)
*Rent receipt dated within 60 days
*Mortgage documents
*Vehicle Registration
*Checking account
*Bank Statement
*FOID card
*Lease
** Please note that handwritten letters will not be accepted as proof of residency.**
***IMPORTANT NOTE: If you are not a resident of the library district, but you are still a student in the 308 school district, you may still receive a STUDENT card (with an expiration date of June 1, 2021) which will allow you to check out up to 20 items at a time. Simply visit the circulation desk of either campus with a parent or guardian with an ID.***
Did you know that the public library has more than just books? Perhaps you’d like to listen to some new music, or watch a new movie? Maybe you’d like to start a book club with your friends or neighbors? Are you looking for STEAM activities to do with your children or your scout troop? The public library has everything you need!
We encourage you to explore the library website, or visit either campus in person, to learn more! Click on the link below to visit the website.
Oswego Public Library SD308 Recources
All students can use their Google account to access Sora/OverDrive* (read or listen to books) and the Oswego Public Library** (access to the ebook and audiobook collection).
*Use Sora/OverDrive in your Google Apps
**Add Oswego Public Library to your Library list and have both accounts in one place!
Murphy PTO
Student Services Spotlight
Practice SAT - Score Interpretation Night
Students and Parents/Guardians of students who took the practice SAT - results are in! Great job, Mavericks! In-person students can pick up their scores on their in-person attendance days; remote students can email Mrs. Zawacki to request their scores electronically.
You received an email from Mrs. Zawacki regarding the virtual Score Interpretation Night that will be held next Thursday, 3/25 from 6:30pm-7:30pm. Please see the email for the Zoom meeting login details. If you or your student did not receive the email, please reach out to Mrs. Zawacki at bzawacki@sd308.org.
OEHS Virtual Calming Resources
During overwhelming times in our life, especially now, it is important to find ways to relax and cope. The Virtual Calming Room is a place for students, parents, and staff to find tools and strategies for managing emotions and feelings. Take a deep breath and find some calm and peace.
Click here to view the OEHS virtual calming room!
Click Here: Family & Community Resources
This page provides information for families regarding resources from both SD308 and a variety of Community-Based agencies and services. This includes mental health, financial, housing, food, COVID-19 and healthcare resources.
Virtual Offices Links
Mrs. Zawacki (School Counselor, Last Names A-K)
Mrs. Noll (School Social Worker, Last Names A-K & ISP Program)
Mr. Falli (School Counselor, Last Names L-Z)
Mrs. Weihler (School Social Worker, Last Names L-Z & FBI Program)
Student Absences
If your student is absent, you must call the attendance line (630-608-5101) to report the absence and absence reason. Please feel free to have your student email teachers directly for missed homework. To find contact information for teachers, please use the staff list here: Teacher Directory. Your student can also check their Google Classroom(s) for missed assignments and reach out to teachers for further clarification regarding assignments, homework, or activities.
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 Brian Falli at bfalli@sd308.org or Brandi Zawacki at bzawacki@sd308.org.
*Don’t forget to include some pictures in your email.
The Maverick Way
Kayla Anderson - Statement at BOE Meeting
One of Murphy’s very own, 8th grader Kayla Anderson, gave a statement at SD308’s Board of Education meeting on Monday, March 15th. Kayla spoke regarding her experience throughout this pandemic and remote learning to advocate for what she felt was best for herself and her peers. We are so proud of her for speaking to her own experience and putting herself out there on a huge public platform! Great job, Kayla!
Photo Credit: Shea Lazansky
Upcoming Events/Important Dates
- Wednesday, March 24th and Thursday, March 25th: Full-Day Student Attendance - P/T Conferences (flex hours)
- Monday March 29-Monday, April 5: Spring Break- No Student Attendance
- Tuesday, April 6: No Student Attendance- Teacher Institute
- Wednesday, April 7: Students return from Spring Break (Phase 3 begins)
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
Mission Statement
Murphy Junior High School is an inclusive and supportive community that promotes student success by ensuring ALL students are college and career ready.
Vision Statement
Every student. Every day. Grow. Inspire. Empower.
Email: lbingham@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