Mod 3 Harlem Shake-Bruzzini

Hope the first few days of summer have been fun for everyone!

6th Grade Summer Reading List

7th Grade Summer Reading Lists

8th Grade Summer Reading List

Having collected the data and analyzed the results, the Team Leaders and I determined that their is an overall discrepancy between what is assigned and how long it takes to complete. Simply put - too many kids are spending too long on homework.  The specific data can be viewed at:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1yiHMqpob9AQyK-wcs9fs0PKw1eRX-4TG0UDjgqX88AI/edit?usp=sharing

Having admired the problem long enough, we decided action was needed. In working with the Team Leaders, we developed a rough draft of an action plan on how to address this issue. That plan, along with the results, was shared at the June 5th PTC meeting at Avoca West. In summary, several groups are taking on several responsibilities.

The teachers will re-examine their current homework assignments and make adjustments on the length/amount that they assign, and eliminate entire assignments, like Study Island, as well. Additionally, grade level teams will spend more time coordinating special projects to ensure they do not overlap. Long term projects will have "checkpoints" added in to ensure that no student can procrastinate on a major project and then have to spend multiple hours the night before it is due. Finally, recognizing that individual students will vary greatly on how long it takes to complete specific assignments, teams will communicate more effectively to parents at what point students should be "cut off" from doing any more work on a particular evening.

As principal, I have several next steps as well. I will be reaching out to other New Trier feeder principals to gain a better understanding of what the norms are for homework amongst other middle schools on the North Shore. Additionally, I will be working with Dr. Gendell and the 5th grade team of teachers at Avoca West to help ensure that there is not a inappropriate discrepancy between the expectations of the 5th grade team at Avoca West and that of the 6th grade team at Marie Murphy.

Lastly, PTC also discussed how they could help facilitate more parent education so that parents could have a better understanding of how to help their children cope with the stress that comes with increased responsibilities and more homework.

Ultimately, we want to be responsive to the information that you, the parents, have given us, but not be knee-jerk in our reaction. We, the staff at Marie Murphy, believe in a rigorous academic experience that stresses quality of thought and student work, not quantity. In doing so, we hope to ensure that our students are happy, well-rounded, prepared for success at New Trier, and continue to perform at the highest level possible. Homework will always be a part of that equation, but we hope that making adjustments along the way helps everyone see its value.

Avoca 37 is in the process of evaluating the existing buildings and grounds in the District to develop a long-range facilities plan. As an important aspect of this process, we invite you to complete an online survey so that your input and priorities for the school facilities can be considered in the long-range vision of our School District.

Thanks so much!

This marks the fourth year in a row the Marie Murphy Science Olympiad Team finished their season with a Top 5 finish at the national competition.  This year's third place finish was highlighted by two national titles in individual events. Stefan I. and Youngin K. earned the national title for "Helicopters", while Jason L. and Carissa Y. earned the national title for "Crime Busters".

The team is coached by Jim Gravagna, Peter Ogden, Darren Persino, and Shannon Wright, with parent coaches Anne Nagle, Rory Wolfe, Derrick Wall, Kurt Link, Won Kim, Shenchen Xu, Vincent Ye, Lu Tueber, and Carlos & Maria Zambrano.

The play bill is below highlighting our phenomenal thespians! Click on the individual image to see a larger view.

http://www.istem.illinois.edu/news/iso.mariemurphy.html

The teams' success at the state level has earned the Science Olympiad team an invitation to the national competition taking place at Wright State University in Ohio, May 16-19.

Everyone pulling together was much appreciated! Stay dry tonight and hopefully we get to have school tomorrow!

~Mr. Palcer