Murray Messenger 10.23.20

Fri, 10/23/2020 - 4:09pm

 

Murray Hill Middle School
 

A Note From The Principal

Dear MHMS Families,

 

We want to continue to strongly encourage all students to attend the synchronous morning and afternoon support classes that are offered during synchronous instructional days.  This time can be a benefit to all students.  The support classes are a great time for students to work independently on asynchronous assignments while the teacher is right there to assist them if needed.  Students can also use this time to ask specific questions that they may have about work or concepts covered in class.  Once again, the support class schedule is as follows.  

Monday’s and Thursday’s:

  • Period 1 Support Class- 8:30-8:50

  • Period 3 Support Class- 2:55-3:15

Tuesday’s and Friday’s 

  • Period 2 Support Class- 8:30-8:50

  • Period 4 Support Class- 2:55-3:15

 

Families please be reminded that the quarter ends on November 6th.  Grades for all quarterly classes, which include Related Arts classes, Reading Modules, and Academic Seminars will be finalized in just a few short weeks.  November 6th, also marks the midpoint for all other courses.  It is important that your student attends all of their Google Meets on a daily basis, submits all asynchronous work on time, and utilizes the Support Classes for extra help and assistance.  Please be sure to log into http://www.hcpss.org/connect/, frequently to access Canvas and review your students academic progress.  

 

We will continue offering make-up sessions for the MAP Assessment.  If your student missed the Math MAP Assessment 14th, or if they did not finish testing, the following make-up opportunities will be provided (Please contact Ms. Couch, MHMS Assistant Principal at alexia_couch@hcpss.org,  with any questions or concerns):

Math

Date

Time

Meet Code

Wednesday 10/28/20

9:00-11:00 AM

OR

1:00-3:00 PM

mhms-math-map

 

Sincerely,

Lisa R. Smithson  

Principal

Murray Hill Middle School

Important Dates:

November 3rd

Schools and Offices Closed

November 6th 

3-Hour Early Dismissal- End of Q1 (Schedule)

MHMS News:

Memory Books:  2019-2020 Memory Books have finally been delivered!!!!  We will facilitate another distribution of yearbooks on Monday, October 26th from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.,  Wednesday, October 28th from 8:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m., and Friday, October 30th from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.  When you arrive in the front of the school, please call the main office (410-880-5897), and a staff member will bring your Memory Book to your vehicle.  If you did not order a Memory Book, but would like one, we have additional copies for sale.  Hard copies will be sold for $25.00 and soft covers will be sold for $20.00.  Only cash or checks made payable to MHMS will be accepted.    

 

Reporting Absences:  Attendance during Virtual Learning is critical.  Students are expected to attend the entirety of their period 1, 2, 3, and 4 classes on Monday’s, Tuesday’s, Thursday’s and Friday’s.  If your student is unable to attend a Google Meet, due to illness, an appointment, etc., a note must be submitted within two days of the student’s return.  To report an absence, please email:  MHMSAbsence@hcpss.org.  

 

Family File:  Please remember that Family File must be updated every school year.  HCPSS uses Family File for parents/guardians to complete emergency information.  Parents/guardians must verify and/or update information for each child, and can do so by logging into http://www.hcpss.org/connect/.  Parents who have forgotten their login credentials for Family File may click the View instructions on resetting passwords. link on the sign in page. 

Parents who are new to the Howard County Public School System will receive a welcome email with instructions to activate an account. 

(Please note- change of address may not be made through Family File.  If you have recently moved, please contact our Student Services Secretary, Brenda Ganzermiller, at brenda_ganzermiller@hcpss.org, as soon as possible)

Thank you to the 475 MHMS families who have completed their Family File for the 2020-2021 school year. 

 

School Supplies:  A number of school supplies have been donated to MHMS.  Reusable bags include a binder, loose-leaf paper, folders, post-it notes, spiral notebooks, index cards, pencils, erasers and earbuds.  If your student is in need of school supplies, please come to the school any day next week, between 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.  When you arrive in the front of the school, please call the main office (410-880-5897), and a staff member will bring the school supplies to your vehicle.

 

Meal Distribution:  Meals are available daily at nearly all HCPSS schools.  Students 18 and under can pick up a grab and go breakfast and lunch Monday through Friday at any meal distribution site.  Food Services Staff have meals available from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and from 10:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.  Both breakfast and lunch can be picked up during either time slot. Several days of meals can even be pre-ordered.  If MHMS is a convenient meal distribution site for your student, you will find our Food Services Staff ready to assist you right inside our main entrance doors.  More detailed information can be found here.  

 

From the Math Office:  As a result of the 2020-2021 4X4 schedule, not every student is engaging in math this semester. We have heard from many families looking for math engagement during the fall semester in order to prepare for the spring semester. We suggest the Get Ready Courses in Khan Academy. This link takes you directly to these courses. These are excellent resources that combine topics from the last course your student took and the new course your student will take this year.

 

Materials Distribution and Collection:  If you have items that need to be returned to MHMS (i.e. textbooks, media center books, instruments), please know that there is a collection bin located inside the first set of doors to our main entrance; items can be dropped off between 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.  Additionally, if you were contacted by a MHMS staff member to receive art supplies, books for Seminar C, spring pictures, or a device, please contact the main office between 7:30 and 3:30 to arrange pick up (410-880-5897).  

 

Building Access:  MHMS is currently not accessible to parents or students.  If you need to get in contact with MHMS staff, you can email staff directly, or call the main office at 410-880-5897.  Main office staff will be available to assist during school days from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.  We ask for your patience, as we will be working with a reduced front office staff. 

MHMS PTA News:

PTA 2020-2021 Membership:  Please visit https://mhms.new.memberhub.store/store to obtain your MHMS PTA membership for the 2020-2021 school year.

 

MHMS SPIRITWEAR:  MHMS Spiritwear is now available to order online!  Support the MHMS PTA and show your MHMS pride by purchasing today!  Spiritwear can be customized and features both glitter and non-glitter options.  All merchandise will be mailed directly to the address of your choice.  FREE SHIPPING is available from October 23rd through November 9th, and will be available for orders over $50.00 after November 9th.

 

Joe Corbi's Fundraiser: Support the MHMS PTA by ordering items from Joe Corbi's.  Visit the Joe Corbi's website, and be sure to include our organization number- 9007, so that the MHMS PTA receives the profits from your order; start shopping today!  Online orders will be accepted through Monday, November 16th, with an expected delivery of December 7th.  Feel free to share the online ordering information with all of your friends and family.  For questions, please contact PTA President, Debra Rhoades, at presidentptamhms@gmail.com

HCPSS News:

Family Survey for Second Semester Planning:   HCPSS staff are currently evaluating possibilities for in-person instructional options for the second semester, which begins February 1, 2021.  Please be sure to complete the survey by Friday, October 23rd.  For instructions on completing the survey, please visit this link.   

Community News:

Fresh Food Giveaway:  Glen Mar UMC in partnership with the MD Food Bank will sponsor a fresh food give away on October 23rd, from 4:00-6:00 pm at the Glen Mar Church parking lot (4701 New Cut Road, Ellicott City, MD 21043).  200 families will be provided boxes of produce at each event.  The boxes are FREE.  See the flyer for more information.  Pantry on the Go- Ellicott City Oct 23 English.pdf   Pantry on the Go- Ellicott City Oct 23 Spanish.pdf 

 

School Supply Giveaway:  Howard County Multiservice Center will sponsor a School Supply Giveaway on Saturday, October 24th, from 10:00 a.m. to noon, at various locations (see the flyer for specific information).  You must register for this event at HoCoSchoolSupply.eventbrite.com SchoolSuppliesOCT2020 (006) II ENG.jpg   SchoolSuppliesOCT2020espanol II.jpg 

 

Food and Coat Giveaway:  Celebration Church, in partnership with the MD Food Bank will sponsor a Free Food and Coat Distribution on Saturday, October 31st, from 10:00 a.m. to noon, in the parking lot at 7101 Riverwood Drive. See the flyer for more information. Coat and Food Giveaway 10.31 in Columbia .jpg 

 

MLS Oratory Contest:  See the attached flyer for more information regarding the Martin Luther King, Jr. Oratory Contest. MLKORATORYPACKET.pdf 

 

The Council of Elders Community Academy:  See the attached flyer for information regarding The Council of Elders Parent Workshop Series.  TCOE Flyer.png 

 

Murray Hill Middle School | 9989 Winter Sun Road, Laurel, MD 20723 | 410-880-5897 | mhms.hcpss.org