Murphy Middle School eNews

Hello, Murphy Families!

We hope that the extra hour we gained from losing Daylight Saving Time helped you recupe from the activities of last week. It sure helped me! Our Mavericks enjoyed a week long celebration of activities and dress to remind ourselves of the importance of keeping our minds and body free from drugs.

Our phenomenal PTA kicked off the week with sponsoring Dallas Mavericks and the MAVS Man in a motivational, fun filled presentation to remind us that the choices we make have consequences -- upholding the message we have been highlighting all year that "Our Actions Matter". PTA also played a huge part in Maverick Mania on Friday with sponsoring the Pie a Teacher Event to promote the upcoming Fun Run! Students who met the criteria to be invited to attend Maverick Mania enjoyed an afternoon of being social with their peers with access to Food Trucks, concessions, and other fun activities!

Thank you, MMS PTA, for the Boo Treats your provided us! We are VERY thankful for you and the support you provide each and every day!

Don't forget that Parent Course Registration Meeting start this week informing parents of course selections for the 25-26 school year. Your attendance is VERY important to help guide your student into the proper selection of courses for the next school year. See flyers for dates below.

Our Athletes are busy this week!

Come root for our 7th/8th Grade Girls VB A Team as they enter into a tourney on Monday, November 4th @ Robinson MS at 6 p.m. Our 7th Grade Boys FB play against Haggard @ Clark East at 6 p.m. And, our 8th Grade Boys FB will play at Clark Stadium this Wednesday the 6th for the City Champion Title against Rice MS! ALL Games start at 6 p.m.!

Next Monday, November 11, MMS will begin our quarterly Grade Level Awards Recognition during Maverick Time. Each grade level teacher will recognize one student for Academic Excellence (consistently demonstrating outstanding academic performance -- going above and beyond in all tasks -- dedicated to completing every assignment with excellence and commitment to learning) and one student for Citizenship (consistently models MMS mission by demonstrating excellence in acquiring the knowledge, attitudes, and skills to recognize and manage their emotions, care, and concern for others, while establishing positive relationships, making responsible decision, handling challenging situations constructively -- models the core vales of being Respectful, Responsible, and Resilient. We have MANY Mavericks to recognize and we are very proud of their hard work each and every day representing MMS on and off campus!

Don't forget to access MMS PTA Newsletter to learn about incentives for our upcoming Fun Run such as gaining a chance to pie a teacher at Maverick Mania on November 1st or winning an ice-cream party during lunch at the next Maverick Time when the first grade registers 50 students in the Fun Run, how to purchase a Fun Run Tee, as well as information about the annual Reflections Contest (deadline is November 6th), and how to volunteer for Volleyball Home Game Concessions, and more!

New in this eNEWs :

• MMS Staff Superstar Award -- Week of October 28st - Coach Woodyard
• MMS Speech & Debate Tournament Results -- 2nd Place Sweepstakes
• PISD Counseling Services: Parent/Caregiver Support Group --What Parents Need to Know About Substance Use and Its Effects -- October 29
• MMS 7th/8th Grade Volleyball B Team Tournament Results

• Transition Series Webinar: Accessing Accommodations from Law Enforcement and First Responders for Individuals with a Disability - November 12th

• PISD Counseling Services: Parent & Community Workshop -- Grief & Components of Trauma in Grief -- November 21st - Webinar

• Parent Course Registration Meetings for rising 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th grade students for the 25-26 school year

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:

November 4 8th Grade vs Robinson (A Team) @Robinson, 6:30 p.m.

November 4 7th Grade vs Robinson (A Team) @Robinson, 6 p.m.

November 4 7th Grade Football vs Haggard @ Clark East (6:00B/7:30A)

November 5 Student Holiday (Staff Professional Learning Day)

November 6 Find Your Future Event

November 6 5th Grade Parent Course Reg Mtg for 25-26, 5:30 p.m. @ MMS Cafeteria

November 6 8th Grade Football vs TBA Round 2 @ TBA (6:00B/7:30A)

November 7-11 7th-8th Boys Basketball Tryouts (6:30 - 8:00 am)

November 7 8th Grade VB Tourney (A Team) @Rice/Frankford & PSA2

November 7 7th Grade VB Tourney (A Team) @Robinson/Schimelpfenig & PSA2

November 7 6th/7th Grade Parent Course Reg Mtg for 25-26, Zoom @ 8:30 a.m.

November 7 5th Grade Parent Course Reg Mtg for 25-26, Zoom @ 12 noon

November 7 8th Grade Parent Course Reg Mtg for 25-26, 5:30 p.m. @ McMillen

November 8 8th Grade VB Tourney (A Team) @Rice/Frankford & PSA2

November 8 7th Grade VB Tourney (A Team) @Robinson/Schimelpfenig & PSA2

November 8 UIL 3-Week Progress Report Grade Check

November 8 Plano Masterclass Field Trip (Robinson FAC), Band

November 8 8th Grade Parent Course Reg Mtg for 25-26, Zoom @ 12 noon

November 9 8th Grade VB Tourney (A Team) @Rice/Frankford & PSA2

November 9 7th Grade VB Tourney (A Team) @Robinson/Schimelpfenig & PSA2

November 9 Theater Rehearsal, TBD (MMS Cafeteria), Theater

November 11 MMS Quarter 1 - Grade Level Awards during Maverick Time

November 11 6th/7th Grade Parent Course Reg Mtg for 25-26, 5:30 p.m. @ MMS

November 11 Tech Rehearsal, 3:45 PM - 9:00 PM, (MMS Stage, D106) Theater

November 11 Theater Production Week, 3:45 PM - 9:00 PM (MMS Stage, D106) Theater

November 12 Solo and Ensemble Festival, 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM (Otto MS), Choir

November 13 Cross Country Meet #1 @ Robinson MS

November 13 MMS PTA General Meeting, 7:00/7:30pm, via Zoom

November 13 6th/7th Grade Parent Course Reg Mtg for 25-26, Zoom @ 12 noon

November 14 5th Grade Parent Course Reg Mtg for 25-26, Zoom @ 8 a.m.

November 14 Theater Performances, 3:45 PM - 9:00 PM (MMS Stage, D106) Theater

November 14 Band/Choir Fundraiser Delivery Day

November 15 UIL Regain Eligibility

November 15 Theater Performances, 3:45 PM - 9:00 PM (MMS Stage, D106) Theater

November 16 MMS PTA Fun Run/5K

November 16 Theater Performances 5:00PM - 8:00 PM (MMS Stage, D106) Theater

November 16 Band All Region Auditions Phase 1

November 19 Cross Country Meet #2 @ Robinson MS

November 19 Band All Region Auditions Phase 2

November 22 Choir “Friendsgiving”

Link to MMS PTA Reflections Entry Registration

Link to Texas PTA Theme Search for 26-27 Student Contest Entry

**MMS Super Star of the Week: Coach Mark Woodyard!**

Coach Woodyard is a phenomenal role model, inspiring our student-athletes both on the field and in the classroom! He’s a constant supporter of our teachers and goes the extra mile to ensure every student has what they need to succeed. This season, he’s also led our 8th Grade Maverick Football Team to an undefeated record!

We’re so lucky to have you at MMS, Coach Woodyard! Thank you for helping our students shine every day.

Congratulations, Coach Woodyard - you’re amazing!

#ProtectOurHouse #LevelUpPlanoISD #OurActionsMatter

On Saturday, October 26th, Murphy Mavericks Speech & Debate Team competed in their first Tournament of the year with amazing results!

10 of our competitors were finalists, that's a third of our team!

Team Events:

Varshini and Esther- 1st place duet acting

Reyna, Sandhya, Maira, Natasha and Devin- 3rd place in Readers Theater

Varshini, Arianna, Esther and Juhi- 1st place in Musical Pantomime

Gurleen, Esther, Arianna, Juhi, Mahathi and Varshini- 2nd Place Readers Theater

Individual Events:

Varshini 2nd place in Humorous Interpretation

Warren 6th place Congressional Debate

Alice 5th place Dramatic Interpretation

Varshini 3rd place Congressional Debate

Arianna 2nd place Congressional Debate

Overall Murphy Mavericks received 2nd Place Sweepstakes!

Congratulation to all our Speech & Debate team members for all your hard work!

Our Next tournament is in December- come join us if you would like to be apart of our award winning team!

Huge congratulations to our 7th & 8th Grade Volleyball B Teams on their wins this weekend, securing 2nd place and 3rd place respectively!

Your hard work, teamwork, and dedication truly paid off. Keep shining, Mavericks—we’re so proud of you! #ProtectOurHouse #LevelUpPlanoISD #OurActionsMatter

**When:** November 12th, 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.

**Featuring:** Staff Sgt. Harold Mallory, Texas Department of Public Safety, Corpus Christi, TX

**Topic:** Accessing Accommodations from Law Enforcement and First Responders for Individuals with a Disability

Staff Sgt. Mallory, from the Safety & Education/Media Communications Division, is passionate about sharing this essential information to help improve interactions between law enforcement and individuals with unique communication needs. Texans can now choose to disclose “Communication Impediment” on their Driver License, State ID, or vehicle registration through the DMV, notifying officers of an individual’s needs.

**Request the Zoom link** by emailing: **stephanie.fryar@pisd.edu**

Let’s support inclusion and understanding together!

#LevelUp #TeamPISD #ProtectOurHouse #OurActionsMatter #LetsTalkTransition #InclusionMatters

Grief and Components of Trauma in Grief

November 21, 2024 @ 6 p.m.

Link to Flyer with Clickable Zoom Link

Please view the flyer below and attend one of our meeting options to learn about course registrations for the 2025-2026 school year for your student.

Link to clickable flyer with active Zoom links

Please view the flyer below and attend one of our meeting options to learn about course registrations for the 2025-2026 school year for your student.

Link to flyer with clickable Zoom Mtg Links

Hello, Murphy 8th Grade Parents...

Please see the flyers below for two different opportunities for a Parent Course Registration Mtg at McMillen to prepare for course selections for your student's 9th grade year.

Link to Flyers with clickable Zoom Mtg

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

Our records indicate that a number of Plano ISD families have not yet completed the annual registration process in Family Access. Completing this process is essential to ensure that emergency contacts, health information and various consents are up-to-date for your student each year.

If you have not yet completed the annual registration for your student, we request that you take immediate action by logging into Skyward Family Access and promptly completing the required forms. Providing the most accurate information is important to enable the campuses to fully support all of your student’s needs.

For any assistance with accessing your Skyward Family Access account or for further guidance on completing the annual registration, we strongly encourage you to visit the Family Access Help page on the Plano ISD website. This resource offers solutions for common access issues, details about the options available in Family Access and contact information for additional support if required.

The end of the nine-week grading period is tomorrow. Rather than receiving a mailed report card, Plano ISD is excited to now use Skyward Family Access to provide electronic report cards to families!

What can you expect?

• At the end of each grading period, report cards will be available within the Portfolio tile of Family Access for parent signature and review.

What if I still need a paper report card?

• Paper report cards are still available. Please contact your campus to obtain a paper copy.

Where can I find a grading period calendar?

• Please access the Plano ISD website calendar to see grading period information.

For help guides on accessing report cards in Family Access, please visit www.pisd.edu/FamilyAccessHelp.

In compliance with 19 TAC §74.28(f), Plano ISD wants to ensure that all parents are provided with information related to dyslexia and related disorders. This information flyer provides valuable information for parents: Dyslexia and Related Disorders: Information for Parents

Calling current 6th and 7th grade students who are motivated to do well in school and who are serious about their academic future. Check out the Maverick AVID program here at Murphy Middle School. Are you wondering what AVID is? AVID stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination and is a fun and exciting elective class for seventh through twelfth grade students that prepares students for admission to a four-year college or university or a technical career path. In class you will be given tools to help you to reach your full potential academically and personally during middle school and beyond. AVID students are leaders in the school, excellent teammates and good friends. If you think you might be AVID "material" there will be an informational meeting after school on October 30th. You may also please pick up the recruitment packet from the front office or from Mrs. Foster's classroom- E109 at any time. Packets are due back to Mrs. Foster by November 15 and student interviews will be held on November 20.

Open to all 8th graders attending McMillen High School! Come join us for a **FREE** dance class and discover what the Dazzlers are all about!

**Dates:**

- Monday, Sept 23

- Wednesday, Nov 13

- Thursday, Jan 23

- Tuesday, Feb 25

**Time:** 4:45 PM - 5:45 PM

**Location:** McMillen HS Dance Studio

Don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity to learn and have fun with the Dazzlers!

#LevelUp #TeamPISD #ProtectOurHouse #OurActionsMatter

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)

Calling for judges! We're looking for volunteers with backgrounds in science, engineering, technology, and math to help judge our science fair projects! Join us on Wednesday, Dec 4th from 8 AM-12 PM in the Murphy Library. Interested? Email mary.freisner@pisd.edu to sign up!

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