A Note From The Principal

Dear MHMS Families,

We still have many families who ordered the 2019-2020 Memory Book, but have not yet picked their Memory Book up from the school.  We will facilitate another Memory Book pick-up next week.  Please plan to come to the school on Monday, Tuesday, or Thursday, between 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.  When you arrive at the front of the school, please remain in your car, call the main office (410-880-5897), and a staff member will bring your Memory Book to your vehicle.  If you did not order a Memory Book, but would like one, we have additional copies for sale.  Hard copies will be sold for $25.00 and soft covers will be sold for $20.00.  Only cash or checks made payable to MHMS will be accepted.  

Please note that HCPSS meal service will be suspended during Winter Break, December 24th through January 1st.  Meals for December 23rd through December 27th, can be picked up in advance on Wednesday, December 23rd.  Remember meals are available for ALL HCPSS students, and can be picked up at any HCPSS school location.  More information can be found here.  

Sincerely,

Lisa R. Smithson  

Principal

Murray Hill Middle School

Important Dates:

MHMS News:

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.  

Family File:  Please remember that Family File must be updated every school year.  HCPSS uses Family File for parents/guardians to complete emergency information.  Parents/guardians must verify and/or update information for each child, and can do so by logging into http://www.hcpss.org/connect/.  Parents who have forgotten their login credentials for Family File may click the View instructions on resetting passwords. link on the sign in page. 

Parents who are new to the Howard County Public School System will receive a welcome email with instructions to activate an account. 

(Please note- change of address may not be made through Family File.  If you have recently moved, please contact our Student Services Secretary, Brenda Ganzermiller, at brenda_ganzermiller@hcpss.org, as soon as possible)

Thank you to the 530 MHMS families who have completed their Family File for the 2020-2021 school year. 

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 the 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 December select pants are 10% off- see details here.

Community News:

DCRS Holiday Food Support Project:  The Department of Community Resources and Services (DCRS) Holiday Food Support Project provides $100 in direct food support for families experiencing food insecurity and financial hardship this holiday season. ONE support per family, while quantities last. Pick up in person (masks required) on Friday, December 18 between 4:30 and 5:30 p.m. at ONE of four Howard County locations: Elkridge 50+ Center; North Laurel 50+ Center; Howard Crossing Apartment Homes; and Long Reach Village Center. To participate, you MUST register in advance at https://DCRSholidayfoodsupport.eventbrite.com by December 16. 

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