A Note From The Principal

Dear MHMS Families,

We were happy to be able to offer the opportunity for our students to take school pictures this week.  If your student did not have their photo taken by our Lifetouch photographer, please be reminded of the Snap at Home option (see the details below).  If your student did have their picture taken, please consider ordering pictures by visiting the Lifetouch website- https://my.lifetouch.com/mylifetouch/#/ and enter our Picture Day ID- EVTH9D8X4 

Quarter 3 report cards are now accessible through HCPSS Connect.  You must be logged in with your parent/guardian credentials to access your students report card.  Once you are logged into HCPSS Connect:

• Select “More Options” from the left panel

• Select “Report Cards” from the middle

• Select  the report card you wish to access

This year we are excited that the MHMS PTA is working to create and sell a Memory Book for our students.  Be sure to see detail in the PTA News section below.  

Sincerely,

Lisa R. Smithson  

Principal

Murray Hill Middle School

Important Dates:

MHMS News:

MHMS Snap At Home Picture Option:  For this year only, Lifetouch, through the convenience of the Shutterfly app, has an option for families to capture a picture while at home, and add your favorite Lifetouch background, and order a picture package.  Families can order the basic package, or upgrade to the Premium package.  Here’s how it works:

• Download the Shutterfly app HERE

• Select a picture package

• Smile! Snap a quick pic

• Customize your image with your favorite background

• Order your picture package

• Frame it! 

Chromebooks Care- A Message from Ms. Jones: .

• Every Night: Plug in your Chromebook for overnight charging. The plug and charge on the RIGHT SIDE - charges faster & better. The progress light will still go on the left: Blue is good (fully charged) - Orange is OK (charging) - Red or blinking is Bad. (dead)

• Every Week: Clear cache & cookies - Here's a handy YouTube Video with the how-to: https://youtu.be/6NRkhLMiJM8. But do NOT clear your passwords - Logout, Shut down, wait 2 min, & RESTART. Suggest doing this either Friday afternoon or Monday morning.

• Something Not Working? Restart Smart!: Remove any external devices like headphones, microphones, and external mice, logout, shut down, wait two minutes, and RESTART.

• Say YES to Updates: Whenever possible, use an updated Chrome browser and Chromebook. If your device prompts you to update - Do it! Restart. 

• NO FEEDING Your Chromebook or You Will Pay: Don't feed your Chromebook anything but electricity. KEEP ALL FOOD & DRINK far away from your device. We are finding that drinks, snacks, & crumbs are ruining Chromebooks. Food causes sticking keys, trackpad errors, and causes laptops to die. Snack far away from your laptop!  You ARE responsible to pay for damages due to food, drink, neglect, loss, & breakage. Details: https://www.hcpss.org/student-device-agreement/

• Chrome Extensions of Destruction: Some Chrome extensions are built into your Chromebook and are good. Some Chrome extensions are recommended and are helpful. But some extensions cause major problems. The gaming ones are the worst with causing Google Meet and device crashes. When things go wrong, remove extra Chrome Extensions- especially the gaming ones. How? Look for the puzzle piece on top right Extensions > Manage > Remove > Restart

• Chrome Browser Tune-Up: Here are some HCPSS suggested things to try to improve your device experience & performance https://hcpss.instructure.com/courses/77796/pages/chrome-browser-tune-up?module_item_id=7117422

• Resources: Please check out our Tech Help for Students & Families on our MHMS webpage. https://mhms.hcpss.org/news/2020/04/tech-help-students-families.  Also, be sure to review the HCPSS Chromebook Care resource.

MCAP Updates:  The Math and ELA MCAP assessments, formerly known as PARCC, that were scheduled for Spring 2021, are now scheduled to be taken in the Fall of 2021. The tests will be used as diagnostic tests to assess the learning received during the 2020-2021 school year. MCAP assessments that are planned for the 2021-2022 school year are currently still planned to take place in the Spring of 2022. 

For students who took Algebra I or Geometry this school year: a passing grade must be earned to move to the next course. Students will take the MCAP assessment in the Fall, but there will not be a required passing grade needed for high school graduation. 

For additional questions, please contact our Instructional Team Leaders:

Mathematics: molly_schaefer@hcpss.org

ELA: jennifer_stallings@hcpss.org 

MHMS PTA News:

Memory Book ISO:  What a year!  The MHMS PTA is putting together a memory book and would like to include pictures of some of the things student(s) are doing to stay engaged during their time at home with virtual learning—games, puzzles, bike riding, exercising, reading, school work, etc.  If you have any pictures of your students in virtual school at home, please submit them.  Please only include current Murray Hill students in the photos.  Please be sure to include the names of all of the students pictured.  All pictures can be emailed to MHMSmemorybook@hcpss.org. Submissions are due Friday, May 14, 2021. Thank you! 

Memory Book 8th Grade Request:  8th grade families/students are invited to participate in a Baby Picture Gallery for our memory book!  If you would like to submit a baby picture of your 8th grader (0-4 years old), please email photos to MHMSmemorybook@hcpss.org.  Please submit a picture that shows your child's face clearly and is not too close.  Your submission must include the student's name. This is voluntary.  Baby Picture Gallery submissions are due Friday, May 14, 2021. Thank you! 

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 our 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.  This month’s Spiritwear Coupon is 10% off of rainbow hoodies (https://www.murrayhillspiritwear.com/#coupon)- Code:  APR21W.

Community News:

Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month:   In the last year, there has been a  documented increase in hate bias incidents and crimes targeting AAPI groups. To that end, the members of the newly formed Howard County AAPI Workgroup, with the full support of Dr. Calvin Ball's office, would like to invite our students to participate in an opportunity to submit narratives, performances, or art pieces celebrating their heritage.  We want to highlight the wonderful ways in which our AAPI community has made Howard County their home.  Please use this AAPI Heritage Month Submission Form to share any submissions. The deadline for submissions is Monday May 10, 2021.

COVID-19 Mobile Testing Sites:  The Howard County Government is introducing Mobile COVID-19 Testing Sites, starting Monday, March 29th.  See the attached for specific details with dates, times and locations- Mobile_Testing_Site_FinalWeb.jpg 

Food Giveaway at Howard Community College:  HCC will sponsor a free food giveaway on Friday, April 30th, from 11:00-2:00.  Please see the attached flyer for more information. Food Giveaway at HCC April 1st and 30th.pdf

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