Murphy Middle School eNews

Hello, Murphy Families!

We hope you enjoyed the unexpected snow/ice days last Thursday and Friday. Because of these non-school days, only Maverick Mania is being rescheduled to this Friday, January 17th. (Students will be receiving their invites to their PISD gmail account.) We do not anticipate that the basketball games scheduled on Thursday and Friday of last week will be rescheduled. We will hold our 2nd Quarter Awards Ceremony on Monday, January 13th during Maverick Time. I've updated the calendar of events below through the end of February.

Last Wednesday was eventful, however, for a few of our Maverick students who deserve recognition. Please scroll down to learn who made the top THREE spellers at our district spelling be and will be moving on to the County Bee. Similarly, special recognitions is announced below for our 6th graders who participated and placed in MMS Science/Engineering Fair!

Basketball is in full swing with games on Monday and Thursday of this week. PTA is looking for volunteers to help sell concessions at our home games. Come on out to support our athletes! (Schedule is below.)

Don't forget to access MMS PTA Newsletter to learn how to volunteer for Basketball Home Game Concessions, and more!

New in this eNEWs :

• MMS Staff Superstar Award -- Week of January 6th - Mrs. Kathleen Good

• MMS Student Moves onward to County Spelling Bee

• MMS 6th Grade Science Fair Results

• PISD 38th Annual MLK Diversity Celebration - Thursday, January 23rd @ RFAC, 6:30 p.m.

• Plano ISD School Social Workers Present: Monthly Mental Health Support Workshop on Human Trafficking and Exploitation Awareness

• Flyer for Dazzler Team Tryouts for current 8th Graders continuing to McMillen as 9th Graders

Send anything you'd love to share campuswide to MMSPublications@pisd.edu.

Please access MMS Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/MurphyMiddleSchoolMavericks

Please access MMS Instagram Page: https://www.instagram.com/murphymiddleschoolmavericks/

Upcoming Events for the next few weeks:

January 13 Quarter 2 - Student Recognition Awards Ceremony during Maverick Time

January 13 Safety Drills — Evacuation/Fire & Lockdown

January 13 8th BBB vs Rice @ Rice, 6 p.m.

January 13 8th GBB vs Rice @ Murphy, 6 p.m.

January 14 UIL — Gain/Lose Eligibility based on 12/20 Grades

January 14 PESH Choir Cluster 7th/8th Grade at Allen Americans Game (Choir)

January 15-17 One Act Play Auditions, 3:45 PM - 5:00 PM (MMS Stage, D106) Theater

January 16 7th BBB vs Rice @ Rice, 6 p.m.

January 16 7th GBB vs Rice @ Murphy, 6 p.m.

January 16 MMS General PTA Mtg via Zoom

January 17 Maverick Mania, Qtr 2

January 20 Student/Teacher Holiday - MLK, Jr. Day

January 21 8th BBB vs Carpenter @ Carpenter, 6 p.m.

January 21 8th GBB vs Carpenter @ Murphy, 6 p.m.

January 23 Choir Social, 4:00-8:00 PM (Main Event)) Choir

January 23 7th BBB vs Carpenter @ Carpenter, 6 p.m.

January 23 7th GBB vs Carpenter @ Murphy, 6 p.m.

January 27 UIL — 3 Week Grade Check

January 27 8th BBB vs Schimelpfenig @ Murphy, 6 p.m.

January 27 8th GBB vs Schimelfpfenig @ Schim, 6 p.m.

January 30 7th BBB vs Schimelpfenig @ Murphy, 6 p.m.

January 30 7th GBB vs Schimelfpfenig @ Schim, 6 p.m.

January 31 Group/Club Picture Day for Yearbook

Week of Feb 3 National School Counseling Week

February 3 UIL - Gain Eligibililty based on January 27th Grade check

February 3 8th GBB vs Robinson @ Murphy, 6 p.m.

February 3 8th BBB vs Robinson @ Robinson, 6 p.m.

February 4 Safety Drills — Evacuation/Fire & Hold

February 6 7th GBB vs Robinson @ Murphy, 6 p.m.

February 6 7th BBB vs Robinson @ Robinson, 6 p.m.

February 7 East Cluster Band Ensemble Contest

Week of Feb 10 Friendship Week

February 10 8th BBB vs Otto @ Murphy, 6 p.m.

February 10 8th GBB vs Otto @ Otto, 6 p.m.

February 11 7th BBB vs Otto @ Murphy, 6 p.m.

February 11 7th GBB vs Otto @ Otto, 6 p.m.

February 11 Beginner Solo Festival, 4:00 PM - 6:30 PM (MMS Fine Arts Wing), Band

February 13 - 15 B Team BB Tourneys for Mavs and Lady Mavs

February 15 Speech/Debate Tournament, 7:00 AM - 8:00 PM (Murphy MS), Speech

February 17-18 Student Holiday — Staff PL Days

February 19 7th/8th GBB A Team vs Armstrong @ Armstrong, 6 p.m.

February 19 7th/8th BBB vs Armstrong @ Murphy, 6 p.m.

February 20-22 A-Team BB Tourneys for Mavs and Lady Mavs

February 21 Band/Orchestra Trip to Medieval Times

February 21 UIL - Gain Eligibility based on Feb 14 Grade Check

February 22 Dallas Regional Science/Engineering Fair

February 24 Middle School Spring Open House

February 25 MMSO Beginner Concert and Pre UIL, 6:30 PM (MMS Stage and D101)

February 26 Band Pre-UIL at RPAC

February 26 Choir 6th Grade Concert, 1st period (MMS Stage), Choir

February 28 Choir Pre-UIL at RPAC

**Superstar of the Week**

This week, we’re celebrating the incredible **Kathleen Good** as our **Murphy Middle School Superstar of the Week!**

Kathleen is a constant voice of **reason, creativity, advocacy, and positive energy.** Her dedication to our students is unmatched, and working with her is always a pleasure.

This year, she’s taken on TWO new teaching roles while continuing to support the AVID program she led so successfully for years. Her **passion for students and learning** is absolutely contagious!

And… Happy Early Birthday, Kathleen!

Let’s give Kathleen a round of applause for everything she does to make MMS amazing!

#LevelUp #TeamPISD #ProtectOurHouse #OurActionsMatter #SuperstarOfTheWeek #MaverickPride

**Spelling Superstar Alert!**

Congratulations to **Siddarth Hari** from Murphy Middle School for making it to the **Top 3 Spellers** and advancing to the **Collin County Spelling Bee**!

Siddarth will join the winners from **Rice** and **Renner** Middle Schools to represent their campuses in the next round. We are so proud of you, Siddarth—your hard work and dedication have paid off!

Let’s all cheer Siddarth on as he takes his spelling skills to the county stage!

#LevelUp #TeamPISD #ProtectOurHouse #OurActionsMatter #SpellingBee #MaverickPride

**Science Fair Success!**

The results are in for the 6th Grade Science Fair, and we are thrilled to announce our **Grand Prize Winner**: **Akshay Chakravarthi**!

A huge **congratulations** to Akshay and to all of our incredible Mavericks who competed. Your hard work, curiosity, and dedication to science make us so proud!

Keep reaching for the stars, Mavericks!

#LevelUp #TeamPISD #ProtectOurHouse #OurActionsMatter #MaverickPride #ScienceFair2024 #FutureScientists

Plano ISD invites you to the 38th Annual MLK Diversity Celebration honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The theme is “Together for Tomorrow” and will feature student speakers and performers. This year’s guest speaker is Drew Pearson, Pro Football Hall of Fame Inductee and former Dallas Cowboy.

In addition to highlighting Dr. King’s vision by showcasing how working together as one team can advance his mission of making a better future, this year’s event will celebrate the event founder, Dr. Myrtle Hightower, who helped to champion diversity in Plano ISD and the community. We will also recognize the recipients of the Dr. Myrtle Hightower Diversity Leadership Award and our MLK Art and Writing Contest winners!

Event Details

Date: Thursday, January 23, 2025
Pre-Show: 6:30 p.m.
Program: 7:00 to 8:15 p.m.
Location: Robinson Fine Arts Center
1800 Alma Drive, Plano, TX 75075

Human Trafficking and Exploitation Awareness

Presenter: Valiant Hearts

January 30th, 6 p.m.

Virtual Meeting Zoom Link

The Expanded Learning Pathways Department is thrilled to unveil the lineup for the 2025 summer programs. This year will include a variety of academic learning opportunities and new enrichment courses in our Exploration program.

• Program Descriptions and Dates in English | Spanish

Information about registration for courses will be published in Spring 2025. Please check the summer school website for updates.

Please contact the staff at Summer School with any questions.

The 2025-2026 Intra-District Transfer Request window for families living within the Plano ISD boundaries will open on January 6, 2025, at 10:00 AM. On this date the Plano ISD Transfers webpage will be updated with the link for families to submit their transfer request form. Transfer requests will be processed using a tiered system to prioritize students impacted by school closures and rezoning. Please note that a separate transfer form is required for each student.

Notification of transfer status will be communicated via email within 6–8 weeks of submission. Families are encouraged to review the schools that will be closed to transfers for the 2025–2026 school year, which will be available on the Transfers webpage by December 20, 2024, before completing their applications.

For additional details about the transfer process, eligibility, and district policies, please visit the Transfers webpage.

Please contact the staff at Student Transfers with any questions.

The Plano ISD Library Media Services Department is excited to introduce a new school library system, Library.Solution (LS2), which will be used when school resumes in January after winter break. This system will:

• Automatically email parents/guardians and secondary students with checkout, overdue, and payment notifications
• Empower parents/guardians to set restrictions for their own child(ren)
• Include a graphical online catalog for primary students
• Enable catalog users to build lists, place holds, & rate books

Additional information, including directions for setting restrictions, will be provided in January.

View the information flyer: English | Spanish

This is an advanced notice of immunizations REQUIRED for next year's 7th grader.

• MENINGOCOCCAL Vaccine-One dose required on or after 11th birthday.
• TDAP Vaccine-Booster dose required if at least 5 years have passed since the last dose of a tetanus vaccine.

Proof of these immunizations are needed PRIOR to the beginning of 7th grade.

Vaccine records can be brought to school or emailed to the Nurse Elbanna (Etidal.Elbanna@pisd.edu) Please check your records and provide any documentation to the nurse as immunizations are obtained.

The McMillen Dazzlers are hosting a Drill Team Clinic for Kindergarten through 9th Grade students on January 25th!

Link to Register:

https://mcmillendazzlers.membershiptoolkit.com/drillteamclinic

Clinic Overview:

• Kindergarten-9th grade students are invited to learn a choreographed dance from the MHS Dazzlers, and perform in the Drill Team Spring Show on May 2nd or 3rd!

• Kindergarten-2nd Graders will perform in the Dazzler Spring Show on Friday, May 2nd

• 3rd-5th as well as 6th-9th Graders will perform on Saturday, May 3rd

• Please send your dancer in clothes and shoes they can move in

$50 Clinic Registration Fee Includes:

• T-Shirt (if registered by December 20th)

• One Spring Show Ticket For Clinic Participant

• The Opportunity to Perform in Spring Show

• Snack

Clinic Schedule:

• 8:30-9:00am- Check in

• 9:00-10:00am- Learn Dance

• 10:00-10:20am- Snack

• 10:20-12:00pm- Learn Dance

• 12:00-12:30pm- Family Show Offs

The MMS Library is on Instragram. Follow to see all the fun happenings in the library. https://www.instagram.com/mavericklibrary/

Please view the BB Schedules below:

We are excited to share that Skyward Family Access can now accept attendance notes! If you know your student will be missing school, simply launch your Skyward mobile app and submit an absence request through Family Access. Your campus attendance clerk will be notified and can excuse the absence in just a few clicks! While campuses can still accept paper notes from families, this added feature is intended to streamline family communication with campus staff regarding student absences.

For more information on how to do this, please visit Family Access Help.

If you are having problems uploading your Dr. Notes in Skyward Family Access, then please email 054absence@pisd.edu within 3 days of your student's absence with the following info:

• Student first and last name
• Date of absence
• Reason for absence
• Parent first and last name

Extended Student Absence Form Linked HERE for English

Extended Student Absence Form Linked HERE for Spanish

We encourage students and families to purchase tickets, PRIOR to the day of the event, BEFORE 3:00 p.m.

• All ticket sales will be online through Hometown Tickets at https://www.pisd.edu/Page/23044
• Ticket sales to the General Public will begin on Sunday at 8:00 a.m. for all games for the current week.

INDIVIDUAL TICKET PRICES

Varsity Football

Pre-Game:

• Reserved Seating: $10.00
• Adult General Admission: $8.00
• Student General Admission: $4.00
• PRE-GAME TICKET SALES WILL END AT 3:00 P.M. ON GAME DAY (NOTE New time!!)

At the Gate:

• Reserved Seating: $12.00 (includes 2 yrs. and older)
• All General Admission: $10.00 (includes students K-12)

All other Events:

Individual Tickets:

• Middle School: Adults $4.00 and Students $2.00
• 9th – 12 Grade: Adults $5.00 and Students $3.00

Passes:

• High School:
• Adult 10 game / $50.00 20 game / $100.00
• Student 10 game / $30.00 20 game / $60.00
• Middle School:
• Adult 10 game / $40.00 20 game / $80.00
• Student 10 game / $20.00 20 game / $40.00
• All-Sport Student Pass $30.00 (one scan per event-no limit on scans for school year)
• PASSES ARE NOT ACCEPTED FOR VARSITY FOOTBALL

Maverick Time is a creative response to the feedback that our students gave to us when they completed a High Reliability Schools Survey back in March 2024. (Parents also completed a parental version of this same survey, too). One of the indicators that both parents and students scored the campus low on was:

• The success of the whole school, as well as individuals within the school, is appropriately acknowledged.

For this reason, we created Maverick Time where Admin/Counselors would be able to meet with an entire grade level together for about 30 minutes to highlight students in that grade for various recognitions: growth on any academics (not just core subjects, electives, too); spelling bee; NEHS/NJHS; StuCo; Robotics; Athletics; Speech/Debate; Theatre, etc. We would allow some of our groups to possible perform for the grades as a way for our students to gain exposure and recognition for the many wonderful things happening on campus. This might also be a time where the counselors might what to review some topics without interfering and taking away from a core content class, so we can preserve the learning time in these classrooms.

Maverick Mania occurs quarterly and is by invitation for students who consistently uphold our campus core values of being Respectful, Responsible, and Resilient. Students will socialize during Maverick Mania in three rotations that include purchasing concessions and scheduled food trucks/ice cream trucks to the campus and more! Ideas for activities will be finalized with input from students selected to be part of the Principals' Student Advisory Group consisting of 10 students from each grade level, 6th-8th. (Students interested in being selected for the Principals' Student Advisory Group will need to apply through the Student Senate application process which includes teacher recommendations and a signed petition of 40 MMS students.)

In order to receive an invitation to Maverick Mania, students will need to meet the following criteria:

• Passing ALL Classes

• No unexcused absences without parent/Dr’s Note

• THREE Tardies to any class for the grading period.

• ZERO Discipline Office Referrals in Review360

• Too Many Teacher Managed, can become a Discipline Office Referral

Dates for Maverick Mania this school year are:

• Quarter 1 - Friday, November 1st
• Quarter 2 - Friday, January 10th
• Quarter 3 - Friday, April 4th
• Quarter 4 - Friday, May 23rd (Last Day of School)

Please click on the buttons below the SRP poster for more detailed information about Plano ISD's implementation and response to emergency events.

In partnership with Boys & Girls Club of Collin County, Club Reach is available at three middle school campuses in Plano. Please view the flyer below for information. Visit www.bgccc.org/enroll to enroll your student for this academic enrichment program that starts afterschool to 7 p.m.

Please refrain from cell phone usage in our school zones.

Plano ISD participates in the federal meal program, which provides free and reduced-price meals to students who qualify. Families who may qualify for meal benefits should complete a meal application for the 2024-25 school year via this website.

Families who already have a SchoolCafé account can sign in to complete the meal application. Families who do not have an account can create a new one by selecting that option on the SchoolCafé page. View this SchoolCafé information video for instructions on how to complete the meal application.

Applications will be processed within 10 business days. Eligibility notification letters will be sent via email. If parents have not received the letter in their inbox, please check junk and spam folders.

Students will start the year off based on their 2024-25 eligibility. The grace period ends on September 24 and unless families have reapplied, students will move to paid lunches.

Dressing out for PE is part of the middle school experience, so please scroll down for ordering information for students participating in pre-athletics or athletics. Otherwise, grey tops and blue shorts/bottoms will do for all students.

Please view the image below for Murphy specific school supply lists.

Plano ISD families: As we get closer to the start of the new school year, remember to save the 2024-25 academic to check for early release days, holidays and more!

You can view and download the calendar at pisd.edu/calendar

Fall MAP Testing: August 26 - September 5

Winter MAP Testing & Fall Semester Exam Dates: December 9 - December 20

Spring MAP Testing and Spring Semester Exam Dates: May 5 - May 23

The 2025-26 Plano ISD Academic Calendar was approved by the Board of Trustees during their meeting on Tuesday, January 30, 2024.

The district proposed an academic calendar based on work from the 2024-25 calendar that was approved on November 28, 2023. Both calendars, nearly identical in design, were planned with the best interest of students in mind, taking into consideration valuable input from parents, students, educators and administrators. The first day of school for the 2025-26 school year will be August 12, 2025, and the last day of school is May 22, 2026.

This early calendar approval provides the district more time to secure graduation dates and allows more advanced planning for families and staff. It also gives the district time to adjust the calendar if needed.

Calendar features include:

• Student fall break from October 13-17, 2025
• Staff fall break from October 13-15, 2025
• Thanksgiving break from November 24-28, 2025
• Winter break from December 22, 2025–January 2, 2026
• Student holiday/staff work day January 5, 2026
• Spring break from March 16-20, 2026
• Student holiday/staff work day March 23, 2026

View the full calendar here.

www.pisd.edu/tipline