Murray Messenger 9/29/17

Murray Hill Middle
 

Murray Messenger 9/29/17

A Note From The Principal

Dear MHMS Families,

I would like to thank all of the parents who attended Back To School Night on Thursday.  It continues to be a pleasure to meet and get to know our families.  I hope that each of you were able to learn about the exciting opportunities that your students will be exposed to during this school year. 

I would like to thank Ms. Axenfeld, our Data Clerk, for her assistance in the computer lab throughout the evening on Thursday.  We increased our Family File completion rate by nearly 10%.  Currently, 60% of our students have completed Family File!  If you have not completed this very important task yet, please do so this weekend.  Your Family File must be updated and verified at the start of each school year.  Among other things, Family File provides MHMS with contact information, emergency contact information, health information, and different preferences which helps us to ensure the safety of your student.  Please visit:  http://www.hcpss.org/news-posts/2017/08/update-your-family-file-information-before-school-begins/ to update your Family File.  If you have any difficulties accessing or completing Family File online, or you would like a paper copy to complete, please contact our Front Office Staff at 410-880-5897.

Sincerely,

Lisa R. Smithson

Principal

Murray Hill Middle School

Important Dates:

October 6th @ 6:30 p.m.- 8:30 p.m.

Blue Jean Ball

October 11th

MHMS Flu Clinic

October 12th

Interim Progress Reports Issued

October 14th @ 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

MHMS 20th Anniversary Celebration

October 16th

Fall Pictures

October 20th

No School For Students- Professional Work Day

October 24th @ 6:30 p.m.

PTA Meeting

October 25th- October 27th

6th Grade Field Trip- Outdoor Education @ NorthBay

News From The Hill

SCHOOL NEWS

MHMS 20th Anniversary Celebration:  This year marks Murray Hill Middle School’s 20th Anniversary.  Throughout the year, there will be several events in recognition of our 20 years.  Our first event is scheduled to occur on Saturday, October 14th, from 11:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.  During the event we will showcase performances from our very own performing arts groups, and also from the performing arts groups of our feeder high schools, Reservoir High School and Atholton High School.  Families can enjoy performances, music, face painting and more.  Additionally, we will have two food trucks on site, so come with an appetite!  We hope that many of our current and former families and staff members will stop by this 20th Anniversary Celebration. 

MHMS Flu Clinic: The MHMS Flu Clinic has been rescheduled for October 11th. If you have already completed an electronic or paper consent, you do not need to fill out another one.  If you haven't yet filled out a consent and would like your child to be vaccinated against the flu, please fill out either the paper consent that can be obtained from the school nurse or the online consent at www.vaccineconsent.com. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our Cluster Nurse, Susan Casey. 

Blue Jean Ball:  We are excited to host our Annual Blue Jean Ball on Friday, October 6th, from 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.  Ticket sales will continue through, October 3rd.  Students' Family File must be complete, and their HCPSS Policy form must be complete in order to obtain tickets. 

We are still in need of parent/guardians to provide donations of snacks and chaperone for the Blue Jean Ball. See link below for volunteer sign-ups. Click  the following link to sign-up to assist with the 2017 MHMS Blue Jean Ball:  http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0a4ca5a82ba46-blue1

HCPSS Calendar Adjustment:  Please note the HCPSS Board of Education approved a change to the 2017-2018 school calendar.  The last three scheduled days of school, June 12th- June 14th, will be a 3-Hour Early Dismissal for all students.  http://www.hcpss.org/news-posts/2017/09/board-of-education-approves-2017-2018-calendar-change/

MHMS PTA NEWS

PTA Membership: The MHMS PTA drive is still in full effect! Please remember to join the MHMS PTA, by October 31st. Individual Membership (single parent home) $15 and Family Membership- $20.00.  Direction donations are also accepted, if you are unable to pay the full membership fee, or if you wish to contribute more to the MHMS PTA.   PTA Membership.pdf 

Spirit Wear Sales:  Spirit Wear Sales will end on Friday, October 6th.  Students received order forms in their DEN classes on Thursday September 14, 2017.  Please check with your student to get your order form or you can order using the PTA website provide, check or contact Your PTA to pay with credit or debit card. Please support Your PTA and the MHMS community. 

Mixed Bag Fundraiser:  Mixed Bag Brochures will be sent home on Monday, October 2nd.  The fundraiser will run through October 20th.  Please support the MHMS Middle School PTA by participating in this fundraiser.    

PTA Volunteers Needed:  The MHMS PTA has several committees that are in need of volunteers.  Please see the Committees, along with a brief description and contact, PTA President, Femi Williams, if you are interested in volunteering (femiptamhms@gmail.com )

  • 20 Year Anniversary Planning Committee- This is a planning committee to assist with planning year round activities to celebrate Murray Hill Middle School turning 20 years old.  We are looking for fun ideas to make our anniversary celebration enjoyable! (First activity- Fundraisers- GALA – November 11, 2017)
  • Art Show/Art Fair Studio (Chair Needed)- This committee will work closely with the art teacher, to put together an art showcase. This will be the 4th Annual Art Show. The Art Show is an opportunity to show-off what our students have been doing in art class. In order to create excitement and have non-art students excited about attending, we are planning on combining the event with “Make & Take Art Stations” or an art vendor sale where students who make their own jewelry or wallets or pens can come and set-up a booth to sell their products. The Band will also display their talents throughout the night. (May 3, 2018)
  • 5K/1k Run/Walk -Spring (Chair Needed)- This committee is a work in progress. We are striving to host our first 5k sometime in March. We are in the process of figuring out how to get a registered 5k track and all the details of planning such an event. If we successfully plan this event, it could be our biggest fundraiser. (March 24, 2018)
  • World Day for Cultural Diversity (Chair Needed)– Week of May 2018 – 2nd Annual Event. The vision of this event will be in collaboration with MHMS Social Studies department. We will kick off the event with an activity on May 21 and each day we will have various activities during lunch time for the students. On May 22, 2018, there will be a school wide presentations where the students who wish to participate will have an opportunity to talk about their culture (parents etc.) to their grade level peers. On the evening of May 22, 2018, the parents of the students will then prepare a dish from their culture and the students will also present to the parents. The Cultural Arts activities will be held during lunch; The Murray Hill Band will assist with music from around the world.  More information to follow.
  • Reflection Committee (Chair Needed)- This committee chair will be responsible for planning the celebration. The PTA Reflections Celebration is a powerful tool for encouraging students to explore and be involved in the arts. Together, school leaders and families offer positive reinforcement for participation in the National PTA Reflections program.

Community News

For more Community News visit the Community News and Programs page http://www.hcpss.org/community-news-and-programs/ on the HCPSS website for announcements of upcoming events and programs sponsored by non-profit organizations.

Date

Monday, October 2, 2017 - 10:30am