Murray Messenger 1.29.21

Fri, 01/29/2021 - 7:17pm
Murray Hill Middle School
 

A Note From The Principal

Dear MHMS Families,

 

This week, the members of the HCPSS Board of Education approved a phased-in hybrid model for students to return to schools in person.  I encourage you to review the information shared on the HCPSS website, regarding the hybrid model.  To continue planning for students to return to schools, it is essential that every family complete the Commitment Survey for each HCPSS student in their household.  Emails were sent to all HCPSS families on Thursday, January 28th.  The Commitment survey must be completed by February 5th.  I thank you in advance for completing the survey.  

 

Earlier this week, information was shared with our current 6th and 7th grade families, regarding course selection for next school year.  Parents will be able to make selections through Synergy starting on February 3rd, through February 15th.  Please find the appropriate link below:

6th Grade Students- Rising 7th Grade Letter.doc 

7th Grade Students- Rising 8th Grade Letter.doc 

 

MHMS staff will facilitate a Second Semester Back to School Night, on Thursday, February 4th from 7:00 pm-8:00 pm.  We will follow a similar format as our First Semester Back to School Night.  Parents will have the opportunity to visit all four of their student’s classes.  Parents must be logged into their student’s HCPSS Google account in order to join the Google Meets.

The Schedule for the evening is as follows:

 

7:00-7:10-  Period 1

7:15-7:25-  Period 2

7:30-7:40-  Period 3

7:45-7:55-  Period 4  

 

If you have difficulty accessing your student’s classes, first be sure you are logged into your student’s HCPSS Google account.  If you are, administration will be available to provide assistance in a Google Meet; use Google Meet Code:  mhms-btsn-admin.  

We are looking forward to a great Back To School Night.

 

Sincerely,

Lisa R. Smithson  

Principal

Murray Hill Middle School

Important Dates:

January 29th 

Schools Closed- Professional Work Day

January 29th

Semester 2 Courses Available in Canvas

February 4th @ 6:30 p.m.

Second Semester Back-To-School Night

February 5th

Report Cards Issued (available on Synergy)

February 9th @ 7:00 p.m. (Google Code: MHMS-pta)

Virtual PTA Meeting

MHMS News:

MHMS Black HIstory Month Celebration:  Help us make our Black History Month celebration the best we've ever had! All MHMS students can contribute by sharing their talent, using their voice, showing their pride, and taking a stand for BLM. Participating in our virtual assembly honoring Black History Month and the African Diaspora, is as easy as 1, 2, 3, this year.

  1. Decide how you would like to honor Black History past or present

  2. Record yourself with a video of no more than 3 minutes

  3. Submit the video via the Student Resource Course by FEB 10th! 

If you have any questions, please contact BSAP Liaison, Hope Whye, at hope_whye@hcpss.org

From the Math Office:  The Office of Secondary Mathematics has been working on updated HCPSS Family Math Support Center resources to support students and families enrolled in the following mathematics courses: Math 6 (Gr. 6), Pre-Algebra GT (Gr. 6), Math 7 (Gr. 6/7), Math 8 (Gr. 7/8), and Algebra I (& GT). Parents/guardians may find these resources helpful in supporting students. Many of these resources can also be helpful to students who may NOT be enrolled in mathematics during a particular semester. Dozens of new lesson summary videos are available that focus on important topics found within each unit. They can help students review important concepts, skills, and vocabulary. You can find these updated resources under the Middle School Math and High School Math dropdowns. Visitors will also see the "Get Ready Mathematics" courses through Khan Academy available for Grade 6 Mathematics through  Precalculus.

 

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.  

 

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.  

 

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. 

 

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 our 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.  During the month of January Gildan T-Shirts are 15% off- see details here.  Also, FREE SHIPPING is available on ALL online purchases through February 8th (no minimum order required!  

Community News:

Housing Assistance:  If you are worried about being evicted, or are in need of housing assistance, please see the attached documents:

Housing rental assistance COVID-19.Round 3.Jan 2021.pdf 

COVID Eviction Guidance Checklist.12.22.20.docx 

 

Free Tutoring:  Towson University will be offering FREE online tutoring sessions to students in grades K-12.  Registration began on Monday, January 18th.  See the attached COE_Tutors_Flyer_English.pdf  COE_Tutors_Flyer_Spanish.pdf , and visit the COE Tutors Site for more information.  

 

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