A Note From The Principal Dear MHMS Families, We had an amazing first week at MHMS, and we are ready for week two! Students had the opportunity during our first week to learn about MHMS expectations, process and procedures, as well as build community in their homeroom class and other classes. I would like to thank all of our families, and GCES families for following the requests that were made to improve our dismissal procedures. Things did improve through the week, and I appreciate the GCES and MHMS school communities working together. As we continue acclimating to the 2021-2022 school year, I would like to share a few reminders. Please be sure that your student is bringing a fully charged Chromebook and charger daily. At this time, we have an extremely limited supply of loaner Chromebooks. Additionally, students are doing great remembering to wear appropriate facial covering while in the building- keep up the good work! We will continue to offer outdoor seating during all lunch shifts (weather permitting). While we do have many tables set up to accommodate outdoor seating, I strongly encourage students who wish to eat outside, to bring a beach towel or blanket as an option also. Be reminded that both breakfast and lunch are available to all students for free for the 2021-2022 school year. Thank you to the 58% of our families who have already completed/updated their Family File for the 2021-2022 school year (that’s a 10% increase from last week!). Please remember that Family FIle must be updated every school year for each child in HCPSS. Parents/guardians can log 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). Sincerely, Lisa R. Smithson Principal Murray Hill Middle School School Supply List: http://mhms.hcpss.org/news/2021/07/mhms-school-supply-list Important Dates: September 9th @ 5:45 p.m. G.T. Parent Information Session September 9th @ 6:30 p.m. Back-To-School Night September 14th @ 7:00 p.m. MHMS PTA Meeting- Google Code- MHMS-PTA September 16th Schools and Offices Closed October 11th Fall Pictures October 15th Schools Closed For Students- Professional Work Day MHMS News: MHMS Back-To-School Night: On Thursday, September 9th, we will host our Back-To-School Night. This year, in an effort to broaden access for all of our parents, our Back-To-School Night will be offered in-person and virtually, concurrently. Families who choose to attend virtually, will do so as a “fly on the wall,” through Google Meet, using your student’s HCPSS credentials. Links to Google Meets will be found on individual teachers' Canvas Calendars. For those who choose to attend in-person, please be reminded that the program is intended for parents, so please make arrangements for your students to stay at home for the evening. When you arrive, you will report directly to your students homeroom classroom, where you will receive a printed copy of your student’s schedule. During the evening, you will have the opportunity to visit each of your student’s classes, and teachers will share information regarding their courses and their classroom expectations. Prior to Back To School Night, Mr. Dunbar will host a GT Parent Information Session, starting at 5:45 p.m. This session will also be offered both in-person and virtually. Mr. Dunbar will share information regarding Gifted and Talented opportunities at Murray Hill Middle School. This presentation is for all parents who are interested in learning more about the many options (not just G.T. level courses) that are associated with the middle school gifted and talented program. Absences To School: If your student is going to be absent, please send a message to MHMSAbsence@hcpss.org. The message will go directly to, Ms. Speiser, who manages our daily attendance. Please take time to review HCPSS’s Attendance Policy 9010. Secondary Student & Parent Handbook: All families are encouraged to take time to review The Secondary Student & Parent Handbook which includes the HCPSS Student Code of Conduct and other important policies/procedures. The handbook is posted on the school system website. MHMS reviewed highlighted information with all of our students during the first week of school. 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. So 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 Stay Connected: Please stay connected to our Murray Hill Middle School Community by visiting our website frequently- MHMS Website. You can also follow our school community on Twitter- @hcpss_mhms. Also stay connected with all HCPSS news and information by visiting the HCPSS website and following @HCPSS on Twitter. MHMS PTA News: PTA 2021-2022 Membership: Please visit https://mhms.new.memberhub.store/store to obtain your MHMS PTA membership for the 2021-2022 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. Murray Hill Middle School | 9989 Winter Sun Road, Laurel, MD 20723 | 410-880-5897 | mhms.hcpss.org