Seventh Grade Letter

August 2008

Dear Parents and Seventh Grade Students:

Welcome to RC Murphy Junior High School.  We hope this letter finds you relaxed and ready for the start of a new school year.

This past year was an excellent year for Murphy.  Once again we saw an increase in our 7^th & 8^th grade test scores on the state assessments. The University of the State of New York Education Department has once again recognized Murphy Junior High School as a “High Performing/Gap Closing School/District”.  Our Regents scores in mathematics, earth science, biology, and global languages were exceptional.  We are so proud of our students and our dedicated staff.  Events such as Poetry Slam, Survivor Day, Holiday Breakfast, Cabaret Night, High School Musical, the Senior Citizens Dinner Theatre, and all of our clubs and sports events were great successes.  This year our Theatre Arts Program, under the direction of Anthony Pollera, was bigger than ever.  We had over three hundred students participate in the program.  Our production of “High School Musical” had seven sold out audiences.

Our seventh graders will be part of an Instructional Team in English, social studies, mathematics and science.  This is an excellent transition for our students entering Murphy.  Our team colors are blue, gold, and green. 

Our Athletic Program offers a multitude of teams.  We have over 600 students participate in our sports program.  We encourage all students to join a team or be part of a club.  Our after-school clubs and academic teams are very extensive and offer students opportunities to grow both socially and academically. 

Murphy is pleased to announce the continuation of our Academic Center.  Students in need of extra help will attend the center during part of their lunch period or study hall time.  Teachers will be available throughout the day in all disciplines to work with students.  Students will sign up in the morning before homeroom if they wish to attend an extra-help session. Our library will be open everyday after school from 2:30 to 4:00 pm.

Classes will begin at 7:45 a.m. and end at 2:30 p.m.  (See enclosed bell schedule.)  Throughout the school year we request that parents exercise extreme caution when dropping off or picking up students.  We have a busy parking lot during the morning and afternoon “rush” hours.  We ask everyone to drop off and pick up passengers in the designated area on the side of the school building and not in the front traffic circle.  Parents are reminded that stopped school buses with flashing red lights must not be passed at any time.  If a student rides a bicycle to school, he/she must wear a helmet as per New York State law. In addition, students must bring a lock to secure the bicycle to the racks provided.

PLEASE NOTE:  A pre-school visit has been arranged for all incoming seventh grade students.  Parents and students are cordially invited to an informal “Walk Through” on  Thursday, August 28th                                         at 10:00 AM.   When you arrive at school, please pick up a map in front of the lobby by the Information Center.  Our eighth and ninth graders will be here to give tours of the building and help you with your locker.  Please make sure to have your schedule, locker number, and locker combination with you on this day.

In order to insure the safety of all students at all times, please remember that the following rules are in effect:

           *All electronic gadgets (walkman, IPods, cell phones, etc.) are to remain at home or be in student backpacks during the school day. 

*Students will dress appropriately at all times.  Our Board of Education policy prohibits hats, clothing, jewelry, and other attire which displays an expression or insignia that is obscene or libelous, that advocates prejudice or violence, and that promotes the use of or advertises drugs, alcohol or tobacco.

Opening  day  of  school  is  on  Wednesday,  September 3, 2008  for  all  students.  We will be meeting with the seventh graders during an assembly period scheduled for the first week of school.  

Enclosed is your child’s schedule for the upcoming school year.  In the event of an error or omission on the schedule, please contact the Guidance Office.  Guidance counselors will be available the last week of August.  Requests for teacher changes will not be considered at this time.  Also included is your child’s locker number and combination.  Please let your child know not to share this number with anyone.

All students trying out for a fall sport should be aware that there will be an after-school meeting on or about  Thursday, September 4^th. (Announcements will be made during homeroom on the first few days of school) These students will be arriving home on one of the late bus runs available at 4:10 p.m. and 4:50 p.m. 

Open House for parents is scheduled for Thursday, September 25^th at 7:00 p.m.  The Murphy PTO will hold its annual membership drive on that evening.  Our Murphy PTO can be an important part of your child’s Murphy experience.  We encourage parents to join our PTO and attend our meetings.  We have enclosed an envelope for you.  Our first PTO meeting is set for Wednesday, September 10^th at 7:30 p.m. in our Information Center.  Please join us and get involved in your school community.

We are looking forward to working with the students, parents, and staff at Murphy.  We will continue to strive to achieve high academic standards and pay close attention to ALL students.  We encourage all of you to become actively involved in the life of our school community.  We will maintain an open-door policy for students, parents, and staff.  We look forward to meeting all of you.  Enjoy the remainder of the summer.

Yours truly,

Vincent Vizzo                                                                          Patrick J. DiClemente

Principal                                                                                  Assistant Principal

RC Murphy JHS                                                                     RC Murphy JHS

Enclosures