Murray Messenger 10.11.19

A Note From The Principal

Dear MHMS Families,

Fall pictures will be taken on October 14th.  All students will be photographed for the purpose of the MHMS Yearbook.  If you wish to purchase fall pictures, picture package options were sent home with students yesterday, and also can be found here:  PictureDay1 .pdf  PictureDay2.pdf .  Please complete the appropriate information and submit payment on October 14th, or order and pay online in advance, at mylifetouch.com, and use Picture Day ID:  MJ019394Q0.  Please consider ordering school pictures, as it is a great keepsake, and also serves as a fundraiser for our school. 

At this time 64% of families have completed Family File, through HCPSS Connect.  Your Family File must be updated and verified at the start of each school year.  Among other things, Family File provides MHMS with contact information, emergency contact information, health information, and different preferences which helps us to ensure the safety of your student. 

On October 25th, we will host our Annual Fall Fling.  This is an evening event for our students where they can socialize, enjoy music and light refreshments.  To attend, Family File must be completed, please visit:  https://www.hcpss.org/connect/ to update your Family File right away.  If you have any difficulties accessing or completing Family File, please contact our Front Office Staff at 410-880-5897.

Sincerely,

Lisa R. Smithson

Principal

Murray Hill Middle School

Important Dates:

News From The Hill

School News

Did You Know???:  Did you know that our students attend DEN every Thursday morning, before attending their period 1 class?  DEN stands for Discuss, Enrich and Nurture.  During DEN staff members lead a variety of activities and discussions intended to build a sense of community amongst our student body.  The time gives staff and students the opportunity to engage within one another and build relationships outside of the academic classroom.    

MHMS Intramurals:  Murray Hill’s intramural program will begin on Tuesday, October 15th, but it is not too late to sign up.  If you have not done so already, please consider signing your student up for MHMS’ fall intramural program. It is a great after school opportunity for students to bond with each other and MHMS staff. Intramurals are take place from 3:15pm -4:30 pm every Tuesday and Thursday. The Intramural program provides extracurricular activities such as soccer, basketball, gaming club, art club, and more! Permission slip forms were sent home last week with students. The cost is $15. This covers the cost for the intramural club t-shirt. If you have any other questions, please contact Mr. Ewell or Mrs Blasko at William_ewell@hcpss.org or Jennifer_blasko@hcpss.org. At this time, bus transportation cannot be provided but car-pooling is a great alternative.  Please see the attached form to sign up IntramuralPermissionSlip.pdf 

Vision and Hearing Screening:  Vision and Hearing Screening will take place on October 29th.  All 8th grade students will participate in the screening.  Please review the attached information, that was sent home with your student earlier this week.   VH FlyerEng.pdf  VHLetterEng.pdf   VH FlyerSpanish.pdf   VHLetterSpanish.pdf 

Young Author’s Contest:  Please encourage your student to enter the 2019-20120 Literacy Council Young Authors’ Contest!  Entries are due to Ms. Burnett by October 31st.  Entries must be Word Documents (the coversheet can be a pdf); all must submitted via email to April_Burnett@hcpss.org.  Please see the attached documents for detailed information:  Young Authors Contest Announcement MHMS 2019.pdf   Young Authors Student Coversheet MHMS 2019-20.pdf 

Yankee Candle Fundraiser:  Thank you to those of you who turned in your Yankee Candle Fundraiser orders today.  If you have collected paper orders, and did not submit your orders today, please be sure to submit by the end of the school day on Monday, October 14th.  If you missed out on the paper sale IT’S NOT TOO LATE.  ONLINE ORDERS CAN BE MADE THROUGH JANUARY 8, 2020!  Visit www.yankeecandlefundraising.com, and enter the MHMS Group Number:  990033454.  Thanks for the support. 

A Note from the Nurse:  As we enter into flu season, this is a reminder that good hand washing and covering sneezes and coughs with tissues and sleeves are essential steps to preventing the spread of "germs."    Also, remember that despite concerns about school attendance, your children's health (and the health of other children) is most important of all.    For this reason, we ask you to please:

• Call the school nurse to let us know if your child is absent with a contagious illness such as strep throat, or the flu etc.  Please provide any documentation from your physician about diagnosis and release to return to school.  (Ear and sinus infections, while often a reason for keeping a child home, are usually not contagious.)
• Keep your child home if he/she has a fever of over 100.0.  A fever indicates that your child has an infection that could be passed to other students.  If you give your child Motrin or Tylenol, the fever will, of course, disappear but he/she will still be contagious to others. Children must be fever-free for 24 hours (without medication) before returning to school!
• Have your children wash their hands properly after using the restrooms and prior to eating. 
• If the doctor prescribes medication for your child, please make sure he/she takes it as directed-which means the right amount at the right time and without missing doses.  

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; for the month of September we received $72.00!  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.  Please see the attached flyer to learn about all of the different items that can be donated.  MHMSClothingToCash.jpg 

PTA News

MHMS Spirit Wear:  The MHMS PTA is offering an online Spirit Wear store this year.  SALES ARE ENDING SOON- The online store will be available until October 15th.  You can place your order by visiting:  https://www.bsnteamsports.com/shop/hEZ7hYwqqV.  See the attached Spiritwear Note 19.pdf for a quick look at the Spirit Wear options.  Looking forward to seeing you all sporting your MHMS gear! 

PTA Membership:  Sign up for the PTA while visiting the Murray Hill Middle School PTA website https://mhms.ptboard.com/home

Fall Fling Support:  The MHMS PTA is collecting donations to support the Annual Fall Fling on October 25th.  Please see the attached flyer to see how you can contribute: Fall Fling 2019.pdf 

PTA Meeting:  Our next PTA meeting will be on Tuesday, October 15th at 7 pm.

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

Atholton High School News:  On behalf of the Atholton High School Space RAIDers robotics team, you are invited to our Open House. The event will be on Wednesday, October 16 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm, and we would really love if you could attend. Come meet the team that competed in the 2017 and 2018 FIRST Robotics World Championships and see a meeting in progress! This open house event includes student-led demonstrations and STEM activities for all ages. Students will also share what they have learned, honor our sponsors, and answer your questions. Our mascot (Fred the Space Unicorn) will be available for selfies, and refreshments will be served. The event is free and open to the community!  robotics_poster.jpg 

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