COVID-19 Update

Murphy Middle School PTA Family,

I have observed many challenging issues during my lifetime, and the one thing leaves me in awe – and with a sense of pride – is the resilience of all those associated with Murphy Middle School. No matter the challenge, the Maverick spirit to support each other and our local community has never faltered. Now more than ever we need to lean into this principle to give back and support one another.

As the rapidly changing situation with COVID19 unfolds, we are fortunate to belong to a school district that is adapting learning to the current situation. As a PTA we are 100% committed to supporting Murphy Middle School, it’s administrators and teachers. This includes postponing our PTA events until we are given the all clear. Our intent is simple, keep people healthy and ensure learning continues.

We will continue to work for MMS, our students and our families during this time. Please be on the look out for information regarding purchasing school supplies for next year and our NEW Check Writing Campaign kicking off in April. If you purchased a book for the author visit, we will be reaching out to you.

Finally, for those whose lives have been directly impacted by COVID19, our hearts are heavy. I ask each of you to do your part to help end this pandemic. The kindness within the human spirit and especially within the Maverick Community is unmatched and desperately needed right now. We are all concerned, but we know we are not alone, we are a Maverick family.

For the kids and MMS,

Jolene Leask

MMS PTA President

Student Immunizations

Thank you to those 6th grade parents that have submitted their student’s immunization information for 7th grade. This will enable you to print your student’s schedule at registration time.

An immunization letter as well as a copy of each student’s immunization record will be sent home with your student next week if your student needs immunizations prior to 7th grade.

Please submit the paperwork to the nurse as soon as possible so that the school record may be updated.

Joan Boswell, B.S.N., R.N.

Joan.boswell@pisd.edu

FAX: 469-752-7019 or 469-752-7001

2020-2021 PISD Calendar

Many factors were considered during the calendar development period, which began with a community survey in September. Considerations included: balancing grading periods and semesters; length of school day/instructional minutes; extended planning/professional learning time; exam and testing calendars; survey and stakeholder input; alignment with dual credit/Collin College; and ending the school year before Memorial Day. The 2020-21 calendar features a Wednesday, August 12, 2020 start date and a Thursday, May 27, 2021 end date. Other features include a full week break at Thanksgiving and spring break on March 8-12, 2021.

https://www.pisd.edu/calendar20-21

Want to add the MMS PTA or MMS Athletics calendars to your phone?

1. Go to mmspta.org/Calendar and click the blue Sign up... button.
2 The Subscribe buttons will allow you to subscribe to our calendars. If you are running Outlook, Mac OS X Calendar, or another calendaring program that recognizes iCalendar (ICS) format subscriptions, you can click the Subscribe buttons to automatically subscribe to the calendars. If your calendar doesn't automatically accept subscriptions, you can right-click on the calendar icon and choose Copy link and paste it into your calendar application.

NOTE: You may have to enable the calendar in your phone's Calendar settings.

PISD FAMILY RESOURCE PAGE

A new Family Resource page is now located on the district’s website. This page provides a searchable list that families, community members and school staff can utilize to help find community resources in order to meet a family’s needs. The list is searchable by agency name, zip code and category. Categories include such areas as basic needs (food assistance, housing assistance), health care (medical, dental, vision), and mental health (substance abuse, counseling, etc.).

The family resource page can be found at https://www.pisd.edu/familyresources

Counseling and Mediation Services

Now scheduling appointments, Plano ISD and Southern Methodist University (SMU) have joined together to provide counseling and mediation services to Plano ISD staff, students and their families beginning in September 2019. With a mission to deliver developmentally appropriate and culturally sensitive services to all clients, the clinic is located in the Cox Building located at 1517 H Ave., Plano, TX 75074.

Details at mmspta.org/counseling.

RE-LINK YOUR KROGER COMMUNITY REWARDS

If you shop at Kroger grocery stores, and you have a Kroger Plus Rewards card, you can benefit the families of Murphy Middle.

You must link your card every year, starting August 1st to support Murphy Middle School PTA.

Learn how at Kroger Community Rewards.

Download the PISD Mobile App

Do you have the Plano ISD App on your phone or device?

The Plano ISD App is a great way to see information about the Plano calendar, news and alerts, the anonymous tip line, and much more.

• Personalize newsfeeds for your school
• View student grades and attendance
• Access school and staff info
• View news stories
• Receive important alerts
• View calendar info

It is available for iOS or Android. Search for Plano ISD in your App Store: