Celebrating Teachers!
Teacher Appreciation Week 2020
The Week of May 4-May 8
Dear Teachers,
- Your Admirers
The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you.—B. B. King
Send a shout out to your teachers this week! You can send them an email or tweet @MurphyMiddle and @PISDLearns
Remote Learning in Plano ISD
Phase 3: Teacher Developed Activities Blended With District Wide Virtual Content
Progress Report Information
Parents and students:
New Information regarding student progress reports can be found on the PISD website by accessing this link: Parent Guidance for Viewing Student Progress
Secondary Academics Home Resources page:
https://www.pisd.edu/Page/22439
Grading During Remote Learning page:
https://www.pisd.edu/Page/22656
Grades will be recorded for all assignments as MS (Met Standard) or NM (Not Met Standard)
Plano ISD School Closure Information & Resources-check out this link for additional information
COVID-19 Communication to Families
For the most up to date information from Plano ISD regarding COVID-19, go the PISD website:
Immunization Information from Nurse Boswell
Thank you to those 6th grade parents that have submitted their student’s immunization information for 7th grade. This will enable you to print your student’s schedule at registration time.
An immunization letter as well as a copy of each student’s immunization record went home with your student before Spring Break if your student needed these immunizations.
Please submit the paperwork to the nurse as soon as possible so that the school record may be updated.
Joan Boswell, B.S.N., R.N.
FAX: 469-752-7019 or 469-752-7001
The Williams / Mcmillen HS JROTC program is now taking applications for those interested in membership for the 2020-2021 school year!
If you are a current 8th grader interested in developing your leadership skills, connecting with new students, and building your path to great SUCCESS during and after high school, then JROTC is for you! JROTC is a class like no other class offered in school. You will discover your interest, you will have fun, you will learn how to become a better citizen and most importantly, your grades in all of your classes will improve because of the techniques learned in JROTC.
Plano West Early Learning Center
McMillen High School Color Guard
Join the McMillen HS Color Guard for 2020-2021!
The color guard is a mix of all the visual arts: dance, gymnastics, acrobatics, equipment, dance, and color.
Learn more: https://mcmillenband.membershiptoolkit.com/join-color-guard
*** Yearbook ***
YEARBOOK UPDATE:
As we all adapt to change, one thing that remains constant is the yearbook tradition of documenting the history of our students and our school year. We are pleased to announce that our yearbook adviser and staff are working hard to complete the yearbook and make sure it is printed. Details regarding distribution will be provided closer to the end of the school year.
While the yearbook ordering deadline for a 2020 yearbook was Friday 1-31, our publisher is printing a few overrun copies to be made available on a first come first serve basis until gone. You can purchase these few remaining copies at jostensyearbooks.com or by clicking the below link:
http://jostensyearbooks.com/?REF=A01068334
NOTE BY RECEIVING THIS NOTICE TO PURCHASE A YEARBOOK DOES NOT GUARANTEE THAT A YEARBOOK WILL BE AVAILABLE TO PURCHASE. WE HAVE A LIMITED AMOUNT OF YEARBOOKS MADE AVAILABLE.
*** AVID ***
Attention students looking to join AVID for next year!
*** Library ***
Winner of the Murphy March Book Madness 2020
"Pretend She's Here" by Luanne Rice
Attention All Murphy Poets
We will be having our Murphy Poetry Slam virtually through flipgrid the week of May 4-8. Students who have already turned in a permission form and poem are already signed up. However, If you did not have the opportunity to sign up before, you can sign up now. Go to the Library Google Classroom, Click and Complete the Google Form, and email Ms. Pearson a copy of your poem. Any questions email Ms. Pearson at penny.pearson@pisd.edu
Lone Star Committee Applications 2020-21 School Year
The Murphy Lone Star Committee is taking applications for the 2020-21 school year. We select a group of volunteers from 7th and 8th grade to participate on the committee to read books nominated for the Texas Library Association’s annual Lone Star Award. From the list of 75-85 books, our committee selects the top 20 choices that they feel should win the award. This involves reading at least 10 books and writing a review over the books your read. If you are interested in being on the Lone Star Committee for the 2020-21 school year, please fill out the application at the link below. All applications due by May 8.
https://forms.gle/dmX9jqnDshEcyWi58
For more information, see the Library Google Classroom or email Ms. Pearson at penny.pearson@pisd.edu
*** NJHS ***
Attention NJHS members:
All: Because of COVID 19, we realize that you ability to do community service is limited, if not restricted completely. Because of this, we are not requiring any service hours for March - August. If you have been able to do community service or if you have any service hours lying around, please email pictures of them or scan them to Mrs. Mullen at laura.mullen@pisd.edu as soon as possible as I am trying to update all my records.
This means that 7th grade is in good standing if they have 4 total hours of community service by start of school, and 8th grade needs to have a total of 32 hours to remain in good standing for high school.
7th grade --- Your t shirts are sitting at Murphy MS in a box. I will find a way to distribute them to you (whether that is before school ends or next school year). I am just limited by what the district and the local government will allow as far as access to the school and to you. Also, the Faculty council will be announcing the NJHS officers for the 2020-21 school year next week. Stay tuned for details!
8th grade --- I am working on getting awards for you, but I am not able to do any purchase orders right now. I may have to get them to you over the summer or in the fall, but I promise, you will get the awards that you have earned. I will be sending out information about what happens in high school with honor society. Stay tuned for more details.
I miss all of you so very much. Keep doing good things and making the world a better place!
Mrs. Mullen
National Junior Honor Society Scholarship Winners!!!
Murphy Middle school had 17 winners this year for the National Junior Honor Society scholarship. The Outstanding Achievement Award!! That's our biggest number ever. Remember, they only give 500 of these WORLDWIDE!!
Sally Ismael
Jonah Ismael
Sofia Rueda
Justin Simms
Diya Damodaran
Amaan Khan
Katelyn Gesell
Esha Gupta
Sweta Valisammagari
Danielle Matocha
Sanjana Arulkumaran
Emily Rice
Dheeya Jivnani
Manas Jain
Surabhi Arun
Taarena Rathore
Neela Raman
*** Fine Arts ***
Band
Band Parents: We will continue to communicate with you through our Facebook Group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/mmsband1920/) and through email.
Please note that audition information and music has been distributed. If your child is unclear on what needs to be done, please have them contact us right away.
We have created many resources to help students be prepared for their audition!
** Social & Emotional Well Being **
Counseling Services
The SMU Center for Family Counseling at Plano ISD is now offering telehealth counseling services provided free of charge. Services are provided by SMU Counseling Program students during their Practicum and Internship experiences and will be supervised by SMU full-time and adjunct faculty. Services are for adults, children (play therapy), adolescents (activity therapy), couples, and families for a variety of presenting concerns including anxiety, depression, behavior difficulties (e.g., opposition, defiance, aggression), grief and loss, peer relationships, stress, trauma, career transition, and parenting.
Additionally, clients are being accepted for five new support groups: Adult Mindfulness Group, LGBTQ+ Parenting/Caregiver Support Group, Adolescent Support Group, LGBTQ+ Adolescent Support Group, and LGBTQ+ Adult Support Group.
Service hours and contact information is as follows:
Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday 3:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Appointments are available - please call to schedule (469) 752-3098.
An FAQ for Telehealth Counseling services may be found HERE.
Things you can do to help yourself as well as others
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue. If you do not have a tissue, use your sleeve (not your hands).
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
- Adhere to the preventative measures as recommended by public health officials, such as limiting interaction and practicing social distancing.
- Visit the CDC website for more information.
*** PTA ***
MMS Faculty and Staff Video!
MMS families,
Who doesn’t love snow days and summer vacation? But it’s hard to get as excited about being home when school is closed because of a global pandemic. The MMS faculty and staff made a special video to cheer you up and encourage you as you adjust to your new home classrooms. You’re doing an amazing job during these unprecedented changes to daily life. We miss you, Mavericks! #EverythingsGonnaBeAlright
Shout out to Officer Ashmore and her son Cason for the work of putting this video together.
https://www.facebook.com/MurphyMiddleSchoolPTA/videos/2793113470743702/
School Supplies
*** Informational Links ***
Download the PISD Mobile App
Do you have the Plano ISD App on your phone or device?
The Plano ISD App is a great way to see information about the Plano calendar, news and alerts, the anonymous tip line, and much more.
• Personalize newsfeeds for your school
• View student grades and attendance
• Access school and staff info
• View news stories
• Receive important alerts
• View calendar info
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Murphy Middle School
Twitter: @MurphyMiddle
Murphy Middle PTA Site: