Murphy Mustangs
News and events for the month of November.
Happy Fall!
A Day in the Life of a Murphy Mustang
Parent & Bus Drop Off
The area directly in front of these west doors is reserved for our school buses as they drop off students. Please drop your children off before or after this area. The area is visibly marked with cones and signs yet continues to be a concern for our buses and student when cars try to swing through and drop off right there.
Morning recess and breakfast runs from 7:40 to 8:15. Students are not released to their classroom until 8:15. First bell rings at 8:25 and the late bell rings at 8:30. Our school day, announcements, and pledge start promptly at 8:30.
Morning Announcments
New Staff
- Classroom Teachers: Mrs. Heather Brown
- Custodial ~ Mr. Bob McDermond
- Education Support Professionals ~ Mrs. Nancy Schlader, Ms. Krista Skyles, Mrs. Melissa Edwards, Mrs. Kathy Bunes, Mrs. Jessica Karnes, Mrs. Terri Knutson
- Food Services ~ Mrs. Heather Wilson
- Physical Education ~ Mrs. Brenda Stoeke, Mrs. Mandy Giffen
- Principal ~ Mr. Sean Martinson
- Special Education: Mr. Derek Bauer
Winter Clothes
If your family is in need of any cold weather items (boots, hats, mittens, snow pants, …) please let your child's teacher or the office know and we’ll figure something out. We do have grant funding available for items such as this and do an excellent job of sharing items without drawing attention to the kids.
Recess
- Children come to lunch hungrier and thirstier thus reducing waste.
- Less visits to the nurse's office, kids that play and then eat tend to have less "tummy aches" than those who eat and then go straight to recess.
- Children have time to eat, there's no need rush to finish lunch early as there is a set amount of time and students all leave at the same time to go back to class.
- Children are ready to learn, they've had time to run around and exercise, they've calmed down, had time to eat, and are relaxed and ready to learn.
Along with recess before lunch we staggered who goes out. We have "three" recesses: Kindergarten, 1st & 2nd, and 3rd & 4th. This helps us provide more activities for the kids when they are outside.
Playground
New activities and a new coat of paint!
Four Square
Bigger boards and color.
Board Games
Nw board games for use in Gym and recess!
AR (Accelerated Reader)
This program has a special feature called Renaissance Home Connect, which you and your child can access outside of school from any computer with an Internet connection. Renaissance Home Connect is fun and easy to use. It allows the teacher, you and your child to share information about your child’s progress in Accelerated Reader.
For many classrooms this information has already went home. The information included access information which will allow you to:
- Receive emails showing your student’s quiz or test results
- View your child’s Progress and reading history.
- See your child’s reading level.
- See your child’s points.
- Search for AR books at your child’s level.
- View their Bookshelf (past books)
After you receive your login information, if you still have questions about Renaissance Home Connect, please speak with your child’s teacher or Mr. Martinson.
End of Day Pick up and Bus Loading
A Responsive School
Responsive School & Responsive Classrooms
The approach includes practices such as: Morning Meetings, Rule Creation, Positive Teacher Language, and more.
Morning Meeting Components
- Greeting: Students and teachers greet one other by name.
- Sharing: Students share information about important events in their lives. Listeners offer empathetic comments or ask clarifying questions.
- Group Activity: Everyone participates in a brief, lively activity that fosters group cohesion (for example, reciting a poem, dancing, singing, or playing a game that reinforces social or academic skills).
- Morning Message: Students read a short message written by their teacher. The message is crafted to help students focus on the work they'll do in school that day.
Source: Responsive Classroom ~ http://www.responsiveclassroom.org
Rule Creation
- Be Respectful
- Be Responsible
- Be Safe
These rules may look different in different areas, yet the three hold true everywhere: Be Respectful, Responsible, and Safe.
Bathroom Rules
Be Respectful, Responsible, and Safe in the bathroom.
Bus Rules
Be Respectful, Responsible, and Safe on the bus.
Hallway Rules
Be Respectful, Responsible, and Safe in the hallway.
Playground Rules
Be Respectful, Responsible, and Safe on the playground.
Classroom Rules
Be Respectful, Responsible, and Safe in the classroom.
Lunchroom Rules
Be Respectful, Responsible, and Safe in the lunchroom.
Social Skills & Mustang Medallions
Over the past few months we’ve been working on the specific school rules of Be Safe, Be Respectful, and Be Responsible.
Something that we’ve added for this year is that we’ll use a different tool to recognize social skills. This year we will utilize “Mustang Medallions” to recognize positive behavior and this could be any positive behavior and isn’t limited to a certain skill of the month.
You may have hear about the medallions or even seen one come home. Each staff member is given a set amount of coins and when they “catch” a kid being good we may sneak them a Mustang Medallion. The purpose of this tool (Mustang Medallion) is to recognize and catch kids being good. We want to avoid having kids expect to get something for an action yet at the same time recognize those that go above and beyond.
You don’t have to look too long before you catch kids doing something downright awesome! When one of our kids receives a coin they can save it to be used at the school store, which is starting next week, or to buy popcorn on popcorn days. Some of the kids are even planning to collect and save them instead, that I didn’t expect.
I hope you have a great month and that your family stays healthy. I hope to see you at conferences in November.
Nuts & Bolts
TITLE I & "Free and Reduced" Lunch Forms
Title I funds which are used for:
- Title I Teachers
- Leveled Literacy Program
- Academic supplies
- Leveled Libraries
- Parent involvement activities and MUCH more!
By filling out a FREE AND REDUCED LUNCH APPLICATION form, your family could help qualify our school for more Federal Education dollars!
By filling out this form:
- Your child DOES NOT have to eat hot lunch at school.
- Your child DOES NOT have to received Title I services.
This is the ONLY way schools can qualify for Federal Funds for students who need extra help and support and also helps to reduce the overall cost of staff.
Also, if you need help filling out the form (it can be confusing) or if you have questions, please feel free to contact me or our Food and Nutrition Department ( 327-5771).
THANK YOU for helping OUR kids!
Telepresence Studio
Online Library for Media Center
Scholastic Bookfair
A Big Mustang THANK YOU!
Projects
Playground Painting
Thank you to the many hands that helped to paint our playground! At the risk of missing anyone here's a list of our helpers.... Nancy Schlader and family, Heather and Ashley Wilson, Paul Zimmerman, The Hills (Debbie, Donna, and Emily), Beth and Addison George, Sonja Hanson, and the City of Grand Rapids.
Book Display Racks in Library
- The Village Bookstore of Grand Rapids
PTC & Families
- Playground Paint
- Equipment for the playground (balls, jump ropes, etc)
- Reading Incentives
- Mustang Medallions
- Headphones for classrooms
- Mileage club equipment
- Equipment for the Phy Ed department
Links
Upcoming Events
Picture Retake Day
Friday, Nov 2, 2012, 08:30 AM
822 NE 5th Ave, Grand Rapids, MN
NO SCHOOL ~ ISD 318
Monday, Nov 5, 2012, 08:00 AM
822 NE 5th Ave, Grand Rapids, MN
Fall Food Fundraising Item Pickup
Tuesday, Nov 13, 2012, 02:30 PM
822 NE 5th Ave, Grand Rapids, MN
Conferences
Tuesday, Nov 13, 2012, 03:30 PM
822 NE 5th Ave, Grand Rapids, MN
Conferences
Thursday, Nov 15, 2012, 03:30 PM
822 NE 5th Ave, Grand Rapids, MN
Conferences
Monday, Nov 19, 2012, 03:30 PM
822 NE 5th Ave, Grand Rapids, MN
Conferences
Tuesday, Nov 20, 2012, 03:30 PM
822 NE 5th Ave, Grand Rapids, MN
No School ~ Fall Break
Thursday, Nov 22, 2012, 08:00 AM
822 NE 5th Ave, Grand Rapids, MN
PTC Meeting
Monday, Nov 26, 2012, 05:30 PM
822 NE 5th Ave, Grand Rapids, MN
About Us
Email: smartinson@isd318.org
Website: www.isd318.org/murphy
Location: 822 NE 5th Ave, Grand Rapids, MN
Phone: (218)327-5880
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/216656585122152/
Twitter: @Murphymustangs