IMPORTANT DATES
Aug. 21st - New Student Orientation 1 PM - 2:30 PM
Aug. 21st - MHMS Open House (Popsicles w/the Principals) 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM (please note update in time)
Aug. 25th - First Day for Students
Sept. 1st - Schools and Offices Closed for Labor Day
Sept. 4th - Back-to-School Night 6 PM - 8 PM
Sept 17th - Schools Close 3 Hours Early
Sept 23rd - Schools and Offices Closed for Rosh Hashanah
Oct. 2nd - Schools and Offices Closed for Yom Kippur
Refer to the Murray Hill Middle School website and the 25-26 School Calendar to stay up to date on events, school closings, and early dismissals.
IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS
School Office: 410-880-5897
Student Services: 410-880-5838
Health Room: 410-880-5937
Dear Murray Hill Families,
We are excited to welcome our new students and families today, Thursday, August 21, at 1:00 PM for our New Student and Family Orientation. Returning Mountain Lions are invited to join us later in the day for an optional Open House/Popsicles with the Principals from 3:30–5:00 PM, where you’ll have the opportunity to walk through the building. Student schedules and locker information can be accessed in Synergy ahead of time.
Please also save the date for Back to School Night on Thursday, September 4, from 6:00 – 8:00 PM. All parents and guardians are encouraged to attend and will have the chance to follow their student’s schedule, meet teachers, and hear about the exciting year ahead.
We look forward to seeing you soon!
Warmly,
Dr. Jones
Principal
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND NEWS
School Meals and Free and Reduced Meals
For the 2025-2026 school year, the meal prices are as follows: lunch $3.30, and milk $.50. You can access your student's lunch accounthere. Students will be given a PIN # to pay for lunch; cash is not accepted. Please ensure your student has this number before the first day of school. Please note that all Murray Hill Middle school students receive a free breakfast.
Many HCPSS families are eligible to participate in the Free and Reduced Price Meals (FARMs) program, which provides children with a wide range of benefits. Families are encouraged to verify their eligibility and submit a FARMs application as soon as possible. Families must submit a new application every school year. Details on Free and Reduced Meals can be found here.
Chromebooks
Each student will utilize their county-provided Chromebook. Our rising 6th-grade students and new HCPSS students will receive their Chromebooks soon. Information around Chromebooks, repair costs, and more is available here.
Family File
PLEASE COMPLETE YOUR STUDENT(S) FAMILY FILE before August 22.
Family File Update - ALL Families. This must be completed each year - don't delay! We need updated information, including emergency contacts. Phone numbers, addresses, and emails can change. Please do this today!
- Link: https://www.hcpss.org/connect/
- Directions: https://www.hcpss.org/f/connect/family-file-user-instructions.pdf
Student Schedules
Student schedules were available via Synergy on August 20 at 8:00 am. Please note we are continuing to balance classes based on changing enrollment, so please have your child check their schedule again on August 22. We will have printed schedules for our 6th-grade students at orientation. STARTING AUGUST 20:
To see the student class schedule:
- Log into Synergy > hcpss.me
- Click on Class Schedule on left side
To see the student locker number and combination, as well as the Food Service PIN number:
- Log into Synergy > hcpss.me
- Click on Student Info on the left side
- Scroll down to the bottom to see locker number, locker combination, and Food Service PIN number
Cell Phones
Before entering the school, students must put their cell phones away in their locker/backpack. Phones are not to be used or seen/heard. Per HCPSS Policy 8080, student use of cell phones is not permitted in Howard County schools during the school day. Families are reminded that students must abide by Board of Education Policy 8080 Responsible Use of Technology, Digital Tools, and Social Media. Additionally, a dedicated phone is available for students in the main office to use during the day.
Student Absences
If your student has to be absent from school, please submit a note to mailto:MHMSabsence@hcpss.org or send a note with your child to submit to the front office. Absence notes must be received within 5 days of your student’s return to school, or the absence will remain unlawful.
- Students who are absent due to lawful reasons per HCPSS Policy 9010 will be considered Absent Excused.
When emailing a note, you will receive an automated message to verify that your email was received.
Please do not send attendance notes to your child's teachers. If you have any questions about your child's attendance, please email mailto:MHMSabsence@hcpss.org
If you would like to request a discretionary absence, please complete the form found here: Discretionary Absence Request and email it to MHMS_absence@hcpss.org
Please review the HCPSS Attendance Policy for further information.
Late Arrivals:
- Students will report to the front office to sign in and receive a pass when arriving late to school.
- Parents must send students in with a note or provide an email explaining the reason for the late arrival. Students who arrive late due to lawful reasons per HCPSS Policy 9010 will be considered Tardy excused.
Early Dismissals:
- We ask all early dismissals to occur by 2:00 PM to reduce disruptions to the end of the school day, as our clerical staff are preparing for student dismissal.
- Parents/ Guardians will sign students out from the front office for early dismissals.
- Parents/Guardians are to show their photo ID upon arrival to confirm their eligibility to pick up the student in the family file.
- If you know that your student will have an early dismissal ahead of time, please send in a note or an email letting us know the time of the dismissal and the name of the person picking the student up. All attendance communications/questions should be sent to MHMS_absence@hcpss.org
News from our Nurses
Medication Drop-off Reminder:
If your child will need medication during the school year, the attached medication form must be completed by your doctor or nurse practitioner. Additional forms can be found on the HCPSS website. If your child will be in band, orchestra, or chorus next year, consider requesting the doctor to include a "self-carry/self-administer" order for your child's emergency medications (EpiPens, inhalers) for extended day and weekend field trips. Orders for each new school year must be dated on or after July 1. All medications must be in containers properly labeled with the following information:
- Student Name
- Medication name
- Dosage to be given
- Time and frequency of medication
- Date of medication order
- Prescriber's name
- Expiration date of medication
Over-the-counter medications such as cold, allergy, and headache medications should be brought to the health room in new, unopened containers.
*Medications should be delivered to school by a parent/guardian to ensure safe arrival. Students should not transport medications.
Connect with Us:
Address
9989 Winter Sun Road
Laurel, MD 20723
Phone
410-880-5897
Website
mhms.hcpss.org