Murray Messenger 2.10.23
A Note From The Principal
Dear MHMS Families,
There have been some great things happening at MHMS in the past couple of weeks. The MHMS Robotics team, under the leadership of Mr. Diehl attended a First Lego League competition at the Southern Regional Technology & Recreation Complex in Fort Washington, MD. While our team did not place, they positively represented our school, showed perseverance during the competition, and learned a great deal from the experience. We are so proud of our students. We also had the opportunity to recognize our students who participated in National History Day last week, by hosting a NHD Showcase. Thank you to all of the families who came to see the final NHD projects. Finally, we would like to thank everyone who came to our Family Fun and Wellness Night last week. We were happy to have so many families join the event.
We are excited to celebrate Black History Month during the month of February. Throughout the month students will engage in activities to learn more about Black History as it relates to Freedoms and Rights, Education and Arts, and Sports and Entertainment. We are also facilitating a weekly competition in which students are asked to identify notable African-American’s who have made an impact on America. Finally, we have an amazing display in our front foyer, highlighting notable African-American’s. Check out our post on Twitter @hcpss_mhms.
Sincerely, Lisa R. Smithson Principal Murray Hill Middle SchoolImportant Dates:
February 17th @ 6:00 p.m.
8th Grade Dance
February 20th
Schools and Offices Closed- Presidents Day
February 22nd
Dental Smiles Clinic @ MHMS
March 7 @ 7:00 p.m.
MHMS PTA Meeting
March 15th @ 12:10 p.m.
3-Hour Early Dismissal
March 17th @ 7:00 p.m.
MHMS Musical Production- High School Musical Jr.
March 18th @ 7:00 p.m.
MHMS Musical Production- High School Musical Jr.
March 19th @ 2:00 p.m.
MHMS Musical Production- High School Musical Jr.
March 20th
7th Grade Field Trip- Terrapin Adventures (Day 1)
March 21st
7th Grade Field Trip- Terrapin Adventures (Day 2)
March 23rd
Hearing and Vision Clinic
March 31st @ 12:10 p.m.
3-Hour Early Dismissal- End of Q3
MHMS News:
Quarter 2 Report Cards: In case you missed it, quarter 2 report cards were available for review on February 1st. To view your students report card, log in to HCPSS Connect; select “More Options” from the left panel: select “Report Cards” from the middle; select the report card that you wish to access.
8th Grade Dance: The 8th grade team is very excited to host an 8th Grade Dance, next Friday, February 17th. Students were given permission slips in Social Studies this past Tuesday. Permission slips must be returned before Friday, February 17th in order for students to attend. There is no cost to attend the dance. We are requesting donations for snacks, drinks, and funding towards pizza for the students, as well as volunteers to chaperone. Please use the link below if you are able to help in any way. If you are able to help with pizza, we are asking for donations in $8 increments, as that is the cost per pizza. Any support is greatly appreciated so we can have a great event for our students! Use the link to sign-up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F054CA8AC2EA5FB6-mhms
7th Grade Field Trip- Terrapin Adventures: 7th grade students will have the opportunity to participate in a field trip to Terrapin Adventures, in Savage, in March! Students will have a chance to work on team building, communication, and leadership skills within the context of outdoor challenges. Students will engage in ropes courses, ziplines and more. The cost of the trip is $60.00 per student. Cash, checks to Murray Hill Middle School, and online payments will be accepted. We are also accepting donations to support our scholarship fund. Students were given field trip packets with specific details in math classes this week. Extra copies are available in Ms. Behrens’ classroom- room 214.
Clothing To Cash Recycling Program: MHMS is a part of the Clothing To Cash Recycling Program. The program not only supports environmental efforts, it also serves as a fundraiser for our school. MHMS earns a cash payment for every pound of collected items. So please, bring your used clothing, shoes and other items in plastic bags, and place them in our collection bin located at the entrance of our parking lot. Clothing For Cash.png
Late Arrivals to School: We are experiencing a high volume of late arrivals in the mornings. Please be reminded that doors open to students at 8:15, and students are considered tardy to school at 8:25. If your student is consistently arriving to school after the 8:25 late bell, they are consistently missing instruction in their period one class. We monitor student arrival on a monthly basis, and those who are chronically tardy to school (four or more tardies in the month), will be assigned morning detention.
Early Dismissal From School: Please note that we will only be able to accommodate early dismissals before 2:55. This will ensure that any early dismissal students have been properly signed-out and have cleared the property before our 3:10 dismissal begins. Also, please be reminded that when picking up your student early, you must show ID, and if someone other than a legal parent/guardian is picking up a student, they must be listed as a person who can pick-up on Family File.
Absences To School: If your student is going to be absent, please send a message to MHMSAbsence@hcpss.org. The message will go directly to Ms. Speiser, who manages our daily attendance. Please take time to review HCPSS’s Attendance Policy 9010.
Secondary Student & Parent Handbook: All families are encouraged to take time to review The Secondary Student & Parent Handbook which includes the HCPSS Student Code of Conduct and other important policies/procedures. The handbook is posted on the school system website. MHMS reviewed the information listed HERE with all of our students during the first week of school.
Stay Connected: Please stay connected to our Murray Hill Middle School Community by visiting our website frequently- MHMS Website. You can also follow our school community on Twitter- @hcpss_mhms. Also stay connected with all HCPSS news and information by visiting the HCPSS website and following @HCPSS on Twitter.
MHMS PTA:
PTA 2022-2023 Membership: Please visit THIS LINK to obtain your MHMS PTA membership for the 2022-2023 school year.
MHMS Spiritwear: MHMS Spiritwear is available to order online! Support our MHMS PTA and show your MHMS pride by purchasing today! Spiritwear can be customized and all merchandise will be mailed directly to the address of your choice.
HCPSS News:
HCPSS STARTALK Chinese Language Spring 2023 Virtual After-School Program: This shareable document provides information regarding the free Spring 2023 HCPSS STARTALK Chinese Language After-School Program (virtual) for current HCPSS Grade 7 and Grade 8 students. Please share it with your school community. Parents/Guardians may complete enrollment requests via this Google form by Friday, February 17, 2023 at 8:00 a.m.
Murray Hill Middle School | 9989 Winter Sun Road, Laurel, MD 20723 | 410-880-5897 | mhms.hcpss.org