Murray Messenger 4.22.19

A Note From The Principal

Dear MHMS Families,

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Spring Break.  As we enter into the fourth quarter of the 2018-2019 school year, I encourage all of our students to stay focused and finish strong.  I am looking for all students to work to their full potential and show their excellence each day as this school year begins to draw to a close.

Please be sure to make yourself familiar with all of the dates for upcoming events and activities at MHMS this spring.  We look forward to our families supporting the Murray Hill Middle School Community. 

Finally, please take notice of the PARCC dates that are listed in this newsletter.  Keep these dates in mind, especially if there is a need to schedule an appointment during the school day for your student.  Research indicates that students perform better on assessments of this nature, when they are present during the scheduled date, rather than testing in a make-up testing session scenario.  We thank you for supporting this. 

Important Dates:

News From The Hill

School News

PARCC Testing Schedule:

UPDATED Cell Phone and Electronic Device Expectations: Please be reminded that our new Cell Phone and Electronic Device Procedures will begin tomorrow, Tuesday, April 23rd.  Information regarding the new expectations was shared with students via MHTV and during classes prior to Spring Break, and communication was also sent home to families.  Please take a moment to review the new expectations with your students, and know that administration will review these expectations again during MHTV on the morning of Tuesday, April 23rd.  Thank you for your support.  

Although cell phones and other personal devices can be a tool in the classroom, sometimes they cause a distraction to learning for the owner of the phone and to those around him/her. Therefore, in order to maintain an engaging, productive learning environment, the following expectations are in place for the remainder of this school year:

• In classrooms and hallways, phones/electronical devices, earbuds, and headphones should be out of sight (not in student’s hands) at all times.  Phones/electronical devices, earbuds and headphones may be kept in lockers, binders, pencil pouches, pockets, purses, fanny packs, etc. (pathways to portable classrooms are considered to be hallways)
• Phones/electronical devices must be away and either off or silent while in classrooms. Phones/electronical devices should not be set to vibrate, or set to flash when a notification is received.
• Students may only use personal technology devices in classrooms when approved by the teacher or administrators, as indicated visually by classroom signage. 
• Students may use their cell phones and electronic devices during lunch and recess, but they are not permitted in hallways at any time.  (pathways to portable classrooms are considered to be hallways)
• Students may listen to music using one earbud during lunch and recess (but not in the hallways); only one earbud/headphone (not two) is permitted during lunch/recess for safety reasons.  External speakers are not permitted.
• Students may use their cell phones and electronic devices on the bus to and from school. (use of devices on the bus during field trips will be determined on a case-by-case basis, and expectations will clearly be communicated with students). 
• Students are not allowed at any time to videotape, audiotape or take photographs during the school day, including during the bus ride to and from school. 
• Students who fail to adhere to these expectations may have their property confiscated.  Such property will not be returned to students, and will only be returned to a parent or guardian during regular office hours.  If a student refuses to give their device to a staff member, additional consequences will be assigned. 
• Murray Hill Middle School is not responsible for lost, stolen, or broken property. 

MHMS Music Boosters BINGO Night:  Bring the whole family out to enjoy a fun night of BINGO, and support the MHMS Music Boosters.  Pre-Orders are due Wednesday, April 24th.  See the attached flyer for more details: Bingo 2.pdf  bingo card.pdf 

MHMS Attendance:  Please be reminded that if your student is absent for any reason, that it is important to provide written documentation of their absence.  Documentation should include student name, the date(s) of absence, and the reason for the absence.  Parents also have the choice to inform us of a student absence by sending an email to the following address:  MHMSAttendance@hcpss.org

8th Grade News

8th Grade Cruise:  The 8th grade class will celebrate the conclusion of a wonderful middle school career by taking a lunch cruise on Friday, June 7th. We will enjoy a buffet lunch and DJ while traveling around the Inner Harbor. This trip is during the regular school day so students can come to and from school in their normal manner. Permission slips were sent home and are due back to ELA teachers by May 17th. There are extra copies of the permission attached here Cruise Student Permission Form 2019.pdf . Payment is $66.00 and can be submitted online through this link. Tickets are required for admittance and will be given on a first-come, first-served basis. Chaperones are not needed for this trip. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Schaefer at molly_schaefer@hcpss.org.

AHS Fall Sports:  Tryouts for all fall sports at Atholton High School will begin on Wednesday, August 14, 2019. Fall sports include cheerleading, girls/boys cross country, football, girls/boys golf, girls/boys soccer, girls volleyball, and girls field hockey. Tryouts last 3 consecutive days, with practices beginning immediately after teams are selected.  Please plan vacations accordingly.  Due to the number of student athletes trying out for our programs, tryouts are mandatory and we cannot make special exceptions for individuals who cannot make the tryout dates.  In June, Atholton HS will host a parent meeting for any incoming 9th grader who would like to tryout for a sport. Dates and times will be sent soon.  It is highly recommended to sign up for the Atholton High School SchoolMessenger to receive important information about Atholton High School.   If you have any immediate questions and/or concerns, please feel free to contact Atholton’s Athletics and Activities Manager, Mike Senisi at Michael_Senisi@hcpss.org

HCPSS News

HCPSS Gifted and Talented Summer Institute:  Enrollment is now open for the HCPSS Gifted and Talented Summer Institutes located at Wilde Lake Middle School. The G/T Summer Institutes provide interested students with advanced-level instruction and enrichment experiences not regularly available during the academic school year. Advanced-level classes are offered in mathematics, science, social studies, language arts, technology, and fine arts. The curriculum is focused on talent development and provides academically and artistically rigorous activities. The program runs for two separate sessions; the first from July 1st- July 12th and the second from July 15th- July 26th. More information can be found at https://www.hcpss.org/summer-programs/

2019 Summer Sports Camps - Atholton High School Athletic Boosters:  Have fun, get active and get some practice in for fall tryouts this summer at one of our many AHS Athletic Booster Sports Camps. NEW this year is a co-ed, full day basketball camp offering before care and after care options for an extra fee. Ages 10 thru incoming freshmen are eligible for these camps.  Tuition cost for camp is $145/half day and $300/full day.  Tuition includes a Raider t-shirt, individual skills testing and specialized instruction from Atholton’s Coaches. For more information please contact: Tracy Boulle at tracyboulle@verizon.net or 443-812-2559.  Camp Schedule, Information and Online Registration http://atholtonboosters.org/athletics/summercamps/

STAY CONNECTED 

Communication is an essential component of a successful school experience for both students and parents.  There are many ways to stay connected to MHMS and to HCPSS.  Please consider the following ways to stay connected:

• Visit the MHMS website often at:  http://mhms.hcpss.org/   
• Follow MHMS on Twitter at:  @hcpss_mhms
• Visit Canvas often
• Visit the HCPSS website often at:  www.hcpss.org
• Download the HCPSS app on your mobile device (search Howard County Public School System)

Community News

For more Community News visit the Community News and Programs page http://www.hcpss.org/community-news-and-programs/ on the HCPSS website for announcements of upcoming events and programs sponsored by non-profit organizations.

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