The BULLetin
March 16, 2017
Principal's Message
#beimaginative
This morning as we were getting ready to leave the house and as I was putting dishes in the dishwasher and throwing some things in the sink to wash when I get home this afternoon, my youngest, Cal was playing with his WWE action figures. According to him, he has amassed a collection of some 24 professional wrestling action figures. This morning, he had his characters reenact, a main event match from a recent Wrestlemania. (Thank God for YouTube so he has the opportunity to watch these historic matches.) [Friends, there is a tongue firmly planted in cheek on much of this.] As the two wrestlers faced off, grappled, threw, jumped and ultimately performed their finishing moves, with a play-by-play from Cal, I semi-impatiently told him he needed to get his shoes on and grab his back pack so we could go.
But as I sit here a few hours removed, I am in awe of his imagination. As a 3rd grade student, he is a constant flow of imaginative play and activity. He's written comic books (which I've talked about previously) and authored his own short stories, created Lego sets, drawn and developed his own Pokemon cards and now is focused squarely on the world of professional wrestling.
For some reason that imaginative play and creativity disappears as students get older. My other kids once junior high aged, weren't engaged in imaginative play (unless maybe you consider video games). While they did engage in creative activities, various school projects and extra curricular musicals, the level of creativity I see from my kids and many kids, in general.
Back in 2010 Newsweek did a cover story outlining the definitive decline in creativity. From the perspective of practitioners, I would say many in the educational field would agree that student creativity has diminished, to some degree, especially if you were to ask veteran teachers. There are all sorts of potential reasons both curricular and cultural that could account, to some degree, for a decline in creativity.
But with the increased focus on STEM, project-based learning, student-centered teaching and the like, there is likely a need to equip students, to reteach the key skills for creativity and imaginative thinking. Forbes looked at the top majors coming out of college for being hired within 6 months of graduation, Computer technology, Engineering Technology and Engineering were spots 1, 3 and 4 respectively on that list. Why do graduates from these majors get hired? Oftentimes because employers know that they have developed the creative problem-solving skills to be successful in those fields but also other unrelated fields.
So how do we cultivate creativity and imagination in students? Dr. James Wellborn, clinical psychologist, offers some thoughts in his article, Preparing Teens for the 21st Century Work Place: Creativity. The article offers practical advice and fire-starting metaphor for parents to help their teens nurture a creative mind-set. Spoiler alert: It's not focused solely on participating in a Fine Arts curriculum, so there is something here for everyone.
#beimaginative #bemurphy
SD308 Math Contest - District Champions
6th grade Individual
- 2nd place - Rachel Duffy
6th grade team
- 3rd place - Karina Paz, Alli Dapkus, Sreekeerhi Panchagnula
- 1st place - Arjun Ramesh, Jalen Lewis, Jeet Patel, and Dupablo Parodis-Yu
7th grade individual
- 2nd place (tie) - Deepesh Balwani and Vivek parashar
7th grade team
- 3rd place - Deepesh Balwani, Rushil Sambangi, Vivek Parashar and Samay Inampudi
8th grade individual
- 2nd place - Nathaniel Tunggal
8th grade team
- 2nd place - Mani Nagarathnam, Akhil Bonela, Varun Rajesh and Max Naumchuck
Below is a picture of some of our winners and three of our amazing math teachers.
2017 PARCC Testing Reminders - 7th Grade
On Monday, the Murphy 7th grade students will begin a week of PARCC testing. Students should have become familiar with their testing assignments and locations this week. We've included a listing of assignments by Student ID number in the event that you want to review their testing locations with them.
Students who have special circumstances were already given their personal testing schedules.
How to Prepare?
Students should get a good night's rest the day before testing. Make sure they eat a healthy breakfast (breakfast can be purchased in the Cafeteria every day). Students should also bring headphones/ear buds. There are portions of the test that could include audio or video in order for students to successful complete those sections. Try your best. Show us what you know.
The Bell Schedule is modified Monday/Wednesday (A Day) to allow ample time for students to complete tests.
Boys' Volleyball Reminders
There are two open gyms coming up. The first one is Tuesday, March 14th from 5:30pm- 7pm. The location has changed- so it will be held at Murphy in the gym. The second open gym is Saturday, March 18th from 10am-12pm- also in the Murphy gym.
Attendance is not mandatory for either event to tryout for the team, but attending will significantly help with understanding the expectations for how the season will run. We are fortunate to have OE varsity players coming to both events to help and show off their talent!
Tryouts will be March 20th and 21st from 3:15-5pm and students must be present for both days! Please make sure all requirements are completed by March 17th!
Saturday is a second open gym, but varsity has practice so they won't be there.
Looking forward to tryouys next week!
Activity Buses are Here
Activity buses are running. Please consider using them for your student's transportation needs. Buses pick up between 4:15 and 4:25 and follow the prescribed routes.
Students can get passes from their teachers, activity sponsors or the office. Students MUST have a bus pass to get on an Activity Bus.
Maps of the stops can be found below.
Murphy Activity Bus Route 1 - Stops include: Grande Park, Auburn Lakes and Prescott
Mills
Murphy Activity Bus Route 2 - Stops include: Homestead Elementary and Willow Springs.
Ms. Walsh's ELA
Student Services Spotlight
WAFFLE BREAKFAST WINNERS!!
Congratulations Ms. Karvleius’, Ms. Avignone’s, and Mr. Erickson’s class for winning the door decorating contest! Ms. Karvelius’ and Ms. Avignone’s class enjoyed waffles this week. Mr. Erickson’s class will receive their prize next Tuesday. See pics below.
PBIS Celebration for Quarter 3
V - Value and Respect Each Other and Our School in the Hallway and Cafeteria
On March 10th, 120 students were rewarded for their behavior in the hallway and cafeteria. These students were able to go to the multi-purpose room for ice cream during their lunch period. Way to go Mavericks!! (See pics below.)
#beimaginative
Here are some suggestions for fostering your student’s imagination.
Imaginative Games for Teenagers
“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.
Waffle Breakfast Winners
PBIS Celebration
MyOwn.edu - March Update
Ever wonder how you ended up in your current career? It probably had something to do with your interests and passions. The same holds true for your 7th grader and now is the perfect time to help them uncover their interests. Continue reading...
8th Grade:
Schools are filled with great professionals ready to help you and your student. The role of the guidance counselor has changed since you went to school. Learn about how this ever-evolving role is important to your student's success! Continue reading...
Upcoming District and Area Events
OEHS Cheerleading Tryouts for Incoming 8th Grade Students
Upcoming Events
March 16
- 8th grade PARCC Testing
March 17
- St. Patrick's Day
- 8th grade Illinois Science Assessment Testing
March 18
- Boys Volleyball Open Gym
- Fine Arts Festival at Thompson
March 20
- 2017-2018 Cheer Tryouts
- Boys' Volleyball Tryouts
March 21
- Boys' Volleyball Tryouts
March 22
- Cheer Tryouts
March 23
- 1st Boys' Volleyball Practice
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