The BULLetin
February 2, 2017
Principal's Message
#bedynamic
When we see someon who is dynamic, we know it. We can feel it. We sense their energey, passion and positive attitude. While some may argue that people have "it" in them to be dynamic or they don't and you cannot learn it, I would argue that being dyamic is a choice just like any other decision we make about the way we will approach our day, others and the world around us.
In my house I would often characterize my two teenagers as having a general sense of malaise. I sometimes attribute it to them not wanting to act like anything excites them or they are too cool for whatever. But I'm probably overgeneralizing. Do they walk like zombies around the house from time to time? Yes. But do they also show enthusiasm and excitement about things? Yes.
Whatever "it" is has to hit a certain threshold and all of a sudden they become dynamic.
The point being, February can feel like an eternity and spring can seem like it will never come. School can feel like a grind. We will be PARCC testing in a little over a month from now and ultimately, our success as a school hinges not only on what kids know but also their attitude during the test.
Dyamic people have an attitude that is infectious. Their positive energy can pass to others who in turn can pass it on too.
So, make a conscious decision today and everyday, #bedynamic, #bemurphy.
Scripps Spelling Bee
Through 10 grueling rounds the students competed. In the end Mike Polubinski was crowned the school champion. Mike will compete in the county competition at Minooka Intermediate School on February 25th.
Good Luck, Mike!
Family Literacy Night
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.
More Murphy Artwork on Display
Ms. Clausen's ELA 8
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
PBIS Celebration for Quarter 3
This Month, the MAVS Target will be:
V - Value and Respect Each Other and Our School in the Hallway and Cafeteria
· Lessons regarding appropriate hallway and lunch behaviors are being presented to students during homeroom this week
- From February 6 - March 6:
- Teachers and staff will be passing out PINK Bullseyes to students for exhibiting specific hallway and/or lunchroom behavior
- Behaviors that will be rewarded in the Hallways
- Walking
- Appropriate language
- Appropriate tone & volume
- Respectful actions (self & others)
- Keeping hands, feet & objects to self
- Cleaning up after self
- Respect building property
- Lockers
- Artwork & classwork displayed on the walls
- Bathrooms
- Behaviors that will be rewarded in the Cafeteria
- Sitting at assigned lunch table (not moving around)
- Cleaning up after self
- Respectful of others
- Not taking food
- Keeping hands, feet and objects to self
- Respectful talk (language & volume of voice)
- Following directives made by staff
- Arriving on time
- Walking - when arriving, going to lunch line, and leaving
- When students receive PINK Bullseyes, they will bring them to student services and place them in their lunch period’s bin
- On March 7th, 30 students will be randomly chosen from each bin, and these students will be notified that they are eligible to attend the PBIS Celebration (Ice Cream Sundae Bar)
- On March 10, these students will go to the multi-purpose room during their lunch period instead of the cafeteria for an ice cream sundae bar.
“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
Emelia Diederichs, Alli Dapkus, Zack Konrath, Anna Collins, Jack Benson, Brenna Ferancy, Sydney Williams, Dupablo Parodis-Yu, Gabriel Kiely, Karina Paz, Thomas Payne, Aslan Usmanov, Kristen Fritsch, Gianna Sanders, Casey Newman
Our Faculty Winner is...
Ms. Boyk
The Maverick Way
Julianna Romero and her team Dazzlers Novice representing the Downers Grove Ice Arena competed at the Midwestern/Pacific Synchronized Skating Sectional Championship at Grand Forks, ND last Saturday, January 28. The team earned 56.16 points qualifying them to go to the 2017 US Synchronized Skating Championship to be held at Rockford IL on February 22-23.
In response to the invitation from the office of Alderman Edward Bugg for the MLK Day of Service - Julianna Romero, her brother Alexander and several students from Aurora Ward 9 took the opportunity to help at the Crossroads Church Food Pantry. The food pantry is open for volunteers every second Saturday of the month.
Girl's Basketball Round Up
7th Grade
On February 1, the 7th grade girls basketball team picked up a 27 to 22 win against a tough Heritage Grove team. Lauren Salerno led the Maverick scoring with 17 points.
In the second game, the Mavericks played tough but came up short in a 11 to 18 loss. Abby Winograd led the scoring with 5 points, while Molly Ede added 4.
January 30, the 7th grade lady Mavericks started out slow against Traugber's zone defense and held a slim 10 to 7 lead at halftime. In the second half, the Maverick's tough defensive pressure held the Panthers scoreless leading to a 28 to 7 Maverick victory. Lauren Salerno led the scoring with 11 points, while Hannah Chval added 7 and Megan Ferry was good for 6.
In the second game, the Mavericks were able to hold on for an 8 to 7 halftime lead. Unfortunately, the Panthers were able to work for some good shots in the second half to pull away for the 17 to 13 victory. Faith Matyszka led the scoring with 8 points, while Kameil Hollman and Sarah Duffy contributed 2 points.
January 26, the 7th grade lady Mavericks suffered a tough 31 to 29 loss to Jewel. Both teams played evenly for most of the game. With 55 seconds to go, the Mavericks held a slim 2 point lead. Unfortunately, Jewel was able to work for some free throw opportunities in the final seconds to retake the lead. Lauren Salerno led the Maverick scoring with 14 points. Megan Ferry added 6 points, while Mia Ohlund was good for 5.
In the second game, the Mavericks dominated the boards to control the game. Six players scored for the Mavericks in the 30 to 12 victory. Faith Matyszka led the scoring with 8 points, while Hannah Martynus added 6.
8th Grade
No 8th Grade Update this week. Sorry!
Athena Dental
Additional information here.
MyOwn.edu - February Update
Now is the perfect time take note of your evolving role in their education. Gone are the days of volunteering to read to their class. But your involvement in their education has never been more important! Continue reading...
8th Grade:
We all know about letter grades and even the importance of GPA. But what is the difference between a weighted and an un-weighted grade? Understanding that difference can make a big impact on high school and college success. Read more...
Upcoming District and Area Events
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
February 3
- Bring a Friend to Choir Breakfast
- 7th Girls' Basketball Tournament @ Kaneland
February 4
- 7th Girls' Basketball Tournament @ Kaneland
February 7
- 7th Girls' Basketball v Bednarcik (4:30pm)
- 8th Girls' Basketball @ Bednarcik (4:30pm)
- East Side Jazz Night @ OEHS (7pm)
Febraury 9
- Athena Dental on-site
- 7th Girls' Basketball @ Plank (4:30pm)
- 8th Girls' Basketball v Plank (4:30pm)
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