Murphy Middle School eNews
December 2, 2015
Murphy Middle School Events & Information
Toy Drive Sponsored by PAL Class - Tuesday, December 1 through Wednesday, December 9
Murphy Choir Harmaniacs and Melodivas - Thursday, December 3 - Performing at Murphy Christmas in the Park - Murphy City Hall with a parade, tree-lighting, food vendors, activities for the kids, and performances from the Murphy community. The event begins at 5:00 PM with the parade and tree-lighting. Harmaniacs and Melodivas will be the first groups to perform at few songs starting at 6:00 PM. We hope to see you there!!
Secondary Transfer Online Numbering System Opens - Monday, December 14 at 6:30 a.m. Parents must log onto the PISD website at http://k-12.pisd.edu/transfer to receive a number. See document attached to eNews email for further information.
Final Exams - Tuesday, December 15 - Friday, December 18
Winter Break for Students - Monday, December 21 through Monday, January 4 (no school for students on Monday, January 4)
Teachers return to work - Monday, January 4
Athletic Events - December
Admission cost for athletic events is $2 for students and $4 for adults. Please help out our ticket takers by bringing small bills.
7th Grade Girls Basketball (6:00 & 7:00 unless otherwise noted)
Thursday, 12/3 vs. Armstrong at Armstrong
Thursday, 12/10 vs. Frankford at MMS
7th Grade Boys Basketball (6:00 & 7:00 unless otherwise noted)
Thursday, 12/3 vs. Armstrong at MMS
Thursday, 12/10 vs. Frankford at Frankford
8th Grade Girls Basketball (6:00 & 7:00 unless otherwise noted)
Monday, 12/7 vs. Frankford at MMS
8th Grade Boys Basketball (6:00 & 7:00 unless otherwise noted)
Monday, 12/7 vs. Frankford at Frankford
Soccer Club Registration Now Open!
Team and individual player registration is now open!
Use Google Classroom code nxy9sr to view the Club newsfeed and fill out online registration forms (Word docs are available for printing).
All teams and/or players must submit the following by Friday January 8th to Mrs. Isbell (K103) or Mr. Murtaugh (B129):
· Team or individual application (online or paper)
· Permission form signed (paper only)
· Registration fee ($20 team or $2 individual player)
8 v 8 Games on Fridays beginning January 22nd!
Academy Programs of Plano - Information & Meeting Dates Attached To eNews Email
Parents will also have opportunities to learn about each academy during several informational meetings. If your child is interested in one (or more) of the programs, please consider attending one of these meetings. (See schedule below)
An information page about each academy - as well as the schedule below - is attached to the eNews email.
Application Deadline for Academy Programs Approaching Quickly - December 11, 2015
Choir to Perform at Christmas in the Park
The Murphy Choir Harmaniacs and Melodivas will perform at the Murphy Christmas in the Park event this Thursday, December 3rd. The event takes place at the Murphy City Hall with a parade, tree-lighting, food vendors, activities for the kids, and performances from the Murphy community. The event begins at 5:00 PM with the parade and tree-lighting. Harmaniacs and Melodivas will be the first groups to perform at few songs starting at 6:00 PM. We hope to see you there!!
Speech/Debate/Theatre Info
If you are participating in the upcoming Speech & Debate tournament at Robinson this weekend, please come by Miss Owens room to pick up your packet. You cannot participate if you do not complete the packet! Also, there are MANDATORY practices Thursday, December 3rd and Friday, December 4th until 5:30. We will be working on our pieces with the McMillen theatre students. PLEASE check the callboard periodically for any new information!
Are you interested in the competing in acting or tech for the UIL Competition play, These Shining Lives? Then come to an informational
meeting Tuesday, December 1st in Miss Owens room until 4:30.
InfoCenter - Managing Communications From Your Child's School & From the District
Plano ISD has implemented InfoCenter, allowing you to better control how you receive communications from your school or district. The following is a guide to help you get started.
What is InfoCenter?: InfoCenter provides access to all the messages and information sent by your organization. Accessible from any internet-enabled device, InfoCenter visually displays and organizes alerts, notifications, and attachments for easy review and reference. InfoCenter also allows you to customize how you receive communications from PISD (campus and district).
How do I sign up for InfoCenter?: Signing up for InfoCenter is easy. Using the email address that you have on file for your district (emergency card), follow these three steps:
1. Download the InfoCenter by SchoolMessenger app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Market. You can also access the InfoCenter web portal at https://infocenter.schoolmessenger.com/
2. Click the “New User” button, enter your email address, and create a password. An email will be sent to that address with a secure token. Note: If you receive an “already claimed by another user account” error message that means you’ve already created a SchoolMessenger account via another SchoolMessenger product, such as Contact Manager. Simply follow the “Return to login” link and login. Use the “Forgot your password” link if needed.
3. After authenticating via the token sent to your email, return to InfoCenter and sign in using your email and password.
What’s in InfoCenter?:Once you’ve created your account, the records associated with your email address will be linked automatically. You can then:
- View the records associated with your account.
- Review the last 30 days worth of messages for all your associated records.
- View your contact information, and configure how you’d like to receive notifications.
Important Things to Know:
- Regardless of how you choose to receive notifications, all messages associated with your records will be retained in the InfoCenter inbox for 30 days.
- You can opt into receiving Device Notifications (Push) under Notification Preferences. When choosing to receive Device Notifications, a badge or alert will appear when you receive new communications from Plano ISD.
Our provider, SchoolMessenger, makes the security and privacy of your data a top priority. As one of over 100 approved signatories to Student Privacy Pledge, you can feel ensured that your student’s information is safe and will never be sold, rented or shared.
Diversity Leadership Award
The Diversity Leadership Award Nomination Form and further details about this award are attached to the eNews email.
So Many Ways To Be Involved - MMS Clubs (Updated List)
out some simple forms.
Here are the clubs that are formed so far - along with the name and email information of the teacher serving as custodian. Meeting times/dates are set by the teacher, so please direct your questions to him/her.
Book Club with Ms. Pearson in the Library (penny.pearson@pisd.edu)
Nintendo Club with Ms. McCutcheon & Ms. Hargrove in B120 (dena.mccutcheon@pisd.edu or lynda.hargrove@pisd.edu)
Star Wars Club with Mr. Murtaugh in B129 (michael.murtaugh@pisd.edu)
Environmental Club with Ms. Pilgrim in E113 (tina.pilgrim@pisd.edu)
Soccer Club with Mr. Murtaugh in B129 (michael.murtaugh@pisd.edu)
Baseball Club with Mr. Lagattuta in E112 (mike.lagattuta@pisd.edu)
Joy Club with Ms. Perry in J105 (clarice.perry@pisd.edu)
Reading Rain Club with Ms. Byrd in E101 (michelle.byrd@pisd.edu)
Mavs Steep Steppers with Ms. Holt in H102 (jemia.holt@pisd.edu)
Basketball Club with Mr. Henson in D101 (brian.henson@pisd.edu)
- Check out the latest Basketball Club News at www.Tinyurl.com/murphybballclub
Tennis Club with Ms. Hachtel in E111 (joey.hachtel@pisd.edu)
French Club with Ms. Nee in K104 (giang.nee@pisd.edu)
Singing & Dancing Club with Mr. Lagattuta in E112 (mike.lagattuta@pisd.edu)
Chef's Club with Ms. Thompson in D112 (kelly.thompson@pisd.edu)
Poetry Club with Ms. Edenkrans in F103 (elizabeth.edenkrans@pisd.edu)
Harry Potter Club with Mr. Lagattuta in E112 (mike.lagattuta@pisd.edu)
Student Council with Ms. Collins & Ms. McAnderson in F104 (karyn.collins@pisd.edu or melissa.mcanderson@pisd.edu)
PTA News & Updates
Important Dates:
December 8th Deadline to purchase spirit wear online for the holidays
SPIRIT WEAR
Spirit Wear is back for the Holidays!!! Purchase now online at http://mmspta.org/
Order deadline to receive before the Winter Break is December 8th.
True Grit Presentation
If you missed the True Grit presentation at school you can now watch it on http://www.mmspta.org or https://youtu.be/6zRWlfwCyOc. Please take the time to watch this important presentation you won’t be sorry you did!!!!
Mary Fuentes and Vanessa DeVary are the November Volunteers of the Month!
You have gone above and beyond for MMS. Your hard work and planning are appreicated. Thank you so much for all of your do!!
Murphy Middle School PTA Community Partners 2015-2016
Please remember our generous sponsors when shopping for services or supplies!!
For more Murphy information, please visit the Murphy web page:
http://k12.pisd.edu/murphy-middle-school
For Murphy PTA news: http://www.mmspta.org
To unsubscribe from Murphy eNews or change your email address, please go to: http://elist.pisd.edu/
If you are getting eNews because you use Parent Portal, please go to: https://parentviewer.pisd.edu/ to revise your subscription.
PACE Testing
Spring PACE testing referral packets are now available in the front office or through the website, http://pisd.edu/parents/advanced.academics/gifted.pace/.
All referral packets are due by January 13th to Mr. Matisoff in N101. PACE testing at MMS will occur on February 29th for all students. Students should currently be in or plan on taking at least one honor’s class before deciding to test. If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Matisoff, Murphy’s PACE Specialist.
Family and Consumer Sciences donations needed!
Our kitchen labs could use skillets for our pancake and fiesta labs! We could also use fabric pieces half a yard or larger for our seam samples. We appreciate it!
MMS Sixth Grade Science Fair coming Tuesday, January 12, 2016
Any 6th grade student interested in participating should see Mrs. Hachtel, Mr. Lagattuta or Mrs. Pilgrim for a student handbook. You can also access the teacher’s google classroom website for a copy.