IMPORTANT DATES
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
Oct 13th - MHMS Fall Picture Day
Oct 17th - Schools Closed for Students - MSEA Convention
Oct 20th - Schools and Offices Closed for Diwali
Oct 31st - Schools Close 3 Hours Early - End of 1st Quarter
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
Health Room: 410-880-5937
Student Services 410-880-5838
HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH - SEPTEMBER 15-OCTOBER 15
September 15th through October 15th marks National Hispanic Heritage Month! This month celebrates and honors the contributions, culture, and history of those from or with ancestors from the Caribbean, Mexico, Spain, Central and South America. Newsletter
HCPSS CHANGES IN SCHOOL SAFETY LANGUAGE AND PROTOCOLS
The Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) has implemented new school safety protocol to be used when protective actions are required during the school day. The new protocols are based on the I Love U Guys Foundation’s Standard Response Protocol, a nationally recognized school safety framework that provides clear and simple language and actions for schools to follow during emergency situations. The HCPSS Office of Safety & Security led the process for evaluating and adopting this response protocol, which is endorsed by the Maryland Center for School Safety.
The new protocols integrate practices and terminology specifically for school settings and have been analyzed by school safety experts.
The Hold protocol is used when all hallways must be cleared, but normal classroom operations may continue. This could include scenarios such as a medical emergency or fight between students.
The Secure protocol is used when there is an emergency outside the building. This could include scenarios such as police activity in a nearby neighborhood, an aggressive animal on campus, or a non-specific threat.
The Lockdown protocol is used when there is a perceived or actual threat inside the building and immediate security measures are necessary. This could include scenarios such as an intruder, or a student or staff member within the school who poses an immediate threat to students and staff.
The Evacuation protocol is used anytime students and staff must exit a building or a particular part of the building. This could include scenarios such as floods, fires, hazardous materials incidents, or other situations that may render the school site unsafe.
The Shelter protocol is used when there is a specific hazard that requires you to take protective action inside the building. This could include scenarios such as severe weather, a hazardous materials spill, or other air quality emergency.
Schools will use these terms in messages when protective actions are required during the school day. We encourage parents/guardians to speak with their children to help familiarize them with these new terms. More information about these protocols may be found online.
HCPSS TO OFFER TRAINING PROGRAM FOR PARENTS/GUARDIANS OF ANXIOUS STUDENTS
This fall, HCPSS again will offer a no-cost, evidenced based training program to assist parents/guardians in helping their children manage anxiety. Facilitated by HCPSS licensed social workers, school counselors, and school psychologists, the SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions) program is specifically designed for parents/guardians of children and adolescents with anxiety issues, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and other related concerns.
For more information EnglishSpanish
BSAP SATURDAY MATH ACADEMY
The BSAP Saturday Math Academy is open to all HCPSS students in grades 3–12. Certified teachers provide instruction for students of all ability levels, reinforcing classroom learning and extending problem-solving skills. Students are enrolled in the same math course as their home school and are grouped by ability to maximize growth.
Fall 2025 Session
Registration Opens: Saturday, September 20, 2025, at 9:00 AM (via HCPSS Connect)
Session Dates: October 11 – November 22, 2025
More Information https://news.hcpss.org/news-posts/2025/09/black-student-achievement-program-bsap-saturday-math-academy-fall-2025-program/
RESERVOIR FOOD PANTRY
Reservoir High School is exploring the possibility of starting a school-based food pantry to help support families in our community who may benefit from additional food resources. The mission of this program is to provide food relief and ensure that every family has access to nutritious meals. More information https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeRFEDMe_l-9UaiWsFTl6Xq_M1wHw1QnnCutVwh1WzRkva4lg/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=117395066021982428460
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING OR CHAPERONING THIS YEAR?
Each year, volunteers and chaperones must complete the mandatory training. Here is the location for the training, and you can drop off the completed certificates at the front office, where they stay on file. We must have them on file prior to volunteering at school or chaperoning during the day.
HCPSS FAMILY ACADEMY KICKOFF
Date: Saturday, Sept. 27, 9:00 am–12:00 pm
Location: Oakland Mills High School
This districtwide event is open to all HCPSS families and will feature:
- A session with Superintendent Bill Barnes
- Resource tables hosted by HCPSS offices and local organizations
- Information on programs, resources, and services available throughout the school year
- Childcare and language access provided
For additional information, please visit the Family Academy Kickoff HCPSS News Post.
Flier: English | Spanish | Chinese | Korean
CONTINUING ANNOUNCEMENTS
ABSENCES FROM SCHOOL
If your student is going to be absent, please send a message to MHMSAbsence@hcpss.org. The message will go directly to Ms. Janai Beck, who manages our daily attendance. Please take time to review HCPSS’s Attendance Policy 9010.
CLOTHING TO CASH
MHMS participates in the Clothing to Cash fundraising program. Clothing to Cash is a textile recycling program that donates money to the school for every pound of donated items. Look for the white donation bin at the bottom of the Murray Hill Middle School parking lot. Clothing to Cash will accept items in ALL conditions: new with tags, or torn, stained, worn-out knees, shoes with holes, or only one shoe, backpacks, old sheets, towels, blankets, stuffed animals, and more. What a great way to help the school and clean out your closets! All donations must be bagged and put in the collection bin. We appreciate your support!
COMMUNITY INFORMATION
FAMILY SUPPORT & RESOURCES
More information https://www.hcpss.org/supports/family-resources/
HCPSS Community News and Programs website makes it easy for families to find educational and recreational resources, events, and after-school programs beyond the school day by non-profit organizations.”
HC DrugFree
See all the HC DrugFree current news here.
Howard County Mental Health Community Action Council Fall Newsletter here