Principal's Newsletter - Martin Murphy Middle School

Principal’s
Newsletter
Martin Murphy Middle School
September 2011
A Message from the Principal, Mr. Adame
Parents of Martin Murphy
Middle School,
Please take time to review
our first newsletter for the
month of September.
We are off to a great start!
The changes implemented
thus far have been extremely
successful in improving
our positive school
climate and student support.
Our first Academic Dance
was a huge success. We
had over 250 students
complete their academic
cards which entitled them
to attend the dance.
Another highlight is the
implementation of interactive
white boards and student
response systems in
seven classrooms. The
company we selected for
this technology is Promethean.
The integration of
these instruments has elevated
our checking for understanding
and lesson delivery.
If you have not witnessed
their effectiveness,
please stop by our school
anytime and visit these interactive
classrooms.
In closing this newsletter,
I must restate what an 8 th
grade student mentioned to
me several weeks ago,
“Mr. Adame, our school is
much safer; there is no
bullying, and it’s much
more fun!” These types of
comments are routine conversations
since the start of
the school year.
We are on our way!
Go Mustangs!
Respectfully,
Mr. Adame
Principal, MS, MA
Martin Murphy Middle
School
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
New Technology for the classroom!
End of First Grading Period
Benchmark Testing Window
Health Office News
Athletics Calendar
Pat on the Back—Find out how—
Get help for your
student:
The Murphy Staff with Mr. Adame and Ms. Howell
R E M I N D E R
Please turn in your
signed Computer Use
Agreement forms. Of all
the forms we ask from
you, this is one of the
most important. Without
it, your student can’t
use the school computers
at all!

The first grading period of this year ended on Friday, September 23. Following the next grading period,
all students will receive a Progress Report in the mail so parents can view how their children are
progressing. Students receiving “D“ or “F” grades should, with their parents, reassess their commitment
to completing class assignments, completing and turning in homework on time, raising the quality
of classwork and homework, and increasing the amount of preparation for tests. Parents are encouraged
to email the classroom teacher to set up a time to talk to gain further information regarding
their student’s classroom achievement.
Students are taking their first set of Benchmark tests in English, Math and Science to establish the
emphasis in the classroom on standards that the students will need to master. Parents will have a
much better chance to know what effort and skill their children are employing in their classes.
Interactive Smart Boards Are Installed in 7 Classrooms at Murphy
Students in Ms. Udayamurthy’s Science
Classes work on the new interactive Promethean
board. (Adriana Baldwin and
Dennis Vu)
Students can respond with a stylus at the
board, or with Promethean Active Expression
from their desks.
From the Health Office
Thank you to all the parents who turned in your TDAP forms so
that our students could attend school without interruption!
When should you let your child stay home from school? Here are some
guidelines from our district nurses:
Don’t bring your child to school if (s)he has a fever of 100 degrees
or higher within the past 24 hours.
Don’t bring a child displaying one of the following symptoms:
Earache Headache Lice
Runny nose and/or persistent cough
Sore throat
Vomiting
Diarrhea within the past 24 hours
Skin rash
Red, crusty and/or draining eyes
Order your yearbook before Christmas
Break and only pay $40!
Parents: please send digital copies of photos
you take at sports events or other school
events to
Jan.martin@mhu.k12.ca.us
Design contest results will be reported in the
next newsletter.
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ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
Word Generation is a program designed
to increase fluency, vocabulary and writing
skills in our English students. Each
week students focus on 5 new words that
they will practice using and then must incorporate
in an essay with a given writing
prompt. The words will be posted in the
front hall of the school and they will also
be on the Martin Murphy website for parents
to track. Use them at home so your
students become comfortable with them!
SOCIAL STUDIES DEPARTMENT
Eighth grade students are studying the Revolutionary
War. This topic leads directly into the Articles of Confederation
and then the Constitution.
Students will need to be able to grasp the underlying
concepts that inform the Constitution and the Declaration
of Independence.
"The National History Day project has begun for 7th
and 8th grade! This year's theme is Revolution: Reaction
and Reform. For more information, check out the
National History Day website at nhd.org. Also, the
history department just concluded the history benchmark
essay. Our history department is extremely
proud of each student's hard work!"
There are several ways to support the school through just buying
your groceries. Sign up for Escrip on line at www.escrip.com or stop
by the front office and get a Lucky’s Card. A percentage of everything
you spend on groceries will go to the school of your choice—
an easy way to help the school and help our kids!
~ The Home and School Club Members
MATH DEPARTMENT
Math teachers are working very hard,
as are our students. We are teaching
according to key standards. And we’re
starting to see improved results in our
bi-weekly tests.
In Pre-Algebra we finished chapter 3
(equations and inequalities), we are going
to explore chapter 4 (exponents
and roots). Students are working hard
on improving their skills.
Algebra I students are working on solving
inequalities. They are finding similarities
and differences between equations
and inequalities. All students are
progressing toward mastering the covered
skills.
SCIENCE DEPARTMENT
The science department is full of lots of fun and
exciting new activities. The science fair projects
have been assigned and all science students
in the 8 th grade have begun to prepare for
the competition. 7 th grade students may compete
as an optional extra credit assignment.
They will need to let their 7 th grade
teacher know if they are interested
ASAP! Please contact your child’s science
teacher if you would like to be involved or help
with any science department activities.
Ms. Udayamurthy’s science classes: Great job
on the biweekly tests! Excellent results shows
that how are you listening in class! We are in
Chapter 2 right now.
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A Friendly “Pat on the Back”
“Pat on the Back” is designed to encourage positive student behaviors. Students will be rewarded for either
demonstrating consistent practice, or showing noticeable improvement on various standard academic and social
skills.
Generally students should be nominated while considering two types of situations:
A student comes to school following the dress code without a prompt; he or she is respectful towards the staff,
helps a friend refrain from fighting, and assists another student with math. This type of student is a consistent
role model;
A second student is showing significant improvement; he or she is may have come off a suspension – is now
engaged in constructive practices in class and out. The student begins to engage in successful interactions
with staff and other students. This type of student is one that demonstrates new growth.
When nominating a student, it may be helpful to discuss the student with colleagues. Although this
not required, it will authenticate the level of behavior in other classes.
To complete the nomination form, review the Skills list and type your initials into the box of each
descriptor that corresponds with your student. Please complete a description statement that illuminates
the skills of your nominee. Save the document and return it
electronically to timothy.mcguire@mhu.k12.ca.us.
Please refer to the Pat on the Back Timeline sheet as to the dates when nomination forms are to be
returned. It anticipated that each teacher will reward one student every two weeks. Please vary the students,
so the same students do not receive a nomination numerous times.
AT: Great America
Parking Lot (4701 Great
America Pkwy.)
See gigantic illuminated
lanterns depicting features
like the Eiffel
Tower, the Taj Mahal
and the Golden Gate
Bridge.
Also:
~Dinosaur Maze
~International Cuisine
~Live Entertainment
Pick up an order form at
school and let them know
you’re a Martin Murphy
family. 30% of your ticket
prices go toward our
school!
Adults: $10 ($12 at the gate)
Children and Seniors: $8 ($10 at the gate)
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Non-Profit Organization
U.S. Postage
Dr. Wesley Smith, Superintendent
Joey Adame, Principal
MARTIN MURPHY MIDDLE SCHOOL
141 Avenida España
San Jose CA 95139
P A I D
Morgan Hill, California
PERMIT NO. 7
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Sign up for eScrip! See details inside!!
October 2011
4th Furlough Day: No School
10th Cookie Dough Sales begin
11th Home and School Club Meeting at 3:15 pm
12th Rotary Luncheon honoring Murphy student
13th DELAC meeting at the District office at 6 pm
14th End of 1st Quarter
20th DAC meeting at the District office at 7:15 pm
23rd Red Ribbon Week begins
10/25 ELAC meeting
26th School picture make-up day
November 2011
8th Home and School Club Meeting at 3:15 pm
10th School Site Council meeting at 3:15 pm
10th DELAC meeting at the District office at 6 pm
11th Veteran’s Day: No School
17th ELAC meeting at school, 3:15 pm
21st Begin Thanksgiving Vacation
28th Back to School
December 2011
12/5 —12/16 2nd benchmark Testing Window
12/6 Home and School Club Meeting at 3:15 pm
Winter Dance
12/21 End of First Semester
12/22 Christmas Holiday begins
January 2012
1/9 Students return from Holiday Break
1/10 Home and School Club Meeting at 3:15 pm
1/12 Panoramic Picture Day, 11:50 am in park
1/16 Martin Luther King Day—no school
1/19 DELAC meeting, District office, 6 pm
1/26 School Site Council Meeting at 3:15 pm
1/26 DELAC meeting , District office, 6 pm
DAC meeting, District office, 7:15 pm
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