Welcome to the 23-24 School Year!  

Thank you, Vashon Partners In Education!

A grant from Vashon PIE made it possible to purchase tea plants for our 7th grade Humanities students.  The seventh grade curriculum focuses on the global trade routes such as the Silk Road. One of the main commodities was tea. The history of tea itself tells us much about medieval technology, the exchange of ideas and how the medieval world was actually far more connected than one might anticipate. This grant allows us to purchase one mature tea plant (Camellia sinensis) for each section of 7th grade Social Studies along with the tools to prune and dry our own tea. This will enable kids to dig into the history of the product that has shaped our world from the early trade routes, America’s rebellion from the British to the modern day Milk Tea Alliance. Students will gain an appreciation of the process of cultivating tea as well as cultural practices around the tea service. This means our students will have the opportunity to engage in deeply held cultural practices all the way from China to South Africa. 

August, 2022

Dear McMurray Students and Parents,

We are honored to welcome you to McMurray Middle School for the 2022-2023 school year.  Our team is busy creating the foundation for an awesome school year and developing a close-knit learning community and increasing school spirit this year!  This year school begins on Monday, August 29th with a full day of classes.  Student schedules can be viewed on Skyward Student and Family Access later in August, and students will also receive a hard copy of their schedule on the first day of school.  Please continue reading for the student supply list and other important information. 

We invite all 6^th graders and those students new to the district to an orientation on Thursday, August 25th, from 9:00  to 10:30 a.m.  Students will meet their teachers, be welcomed by McMurray Student Mentors and receive a printed copy of their schedules at that time.  We encourage parents to stay for their very own event that includes a special welcome from our administration and a session with renowned parent educator, Yvonne Monique-Aviva, designed to help parents navigate a positive transition to middle school and support students and their continued development. 

For support from your school counselors, please contact Yvette Butler if your student’s last name begins with letters A-K and contact Mallory Shull if your student’s last name begins with letters L-Z.  They will be working with these students as they progress through their middle school years.  Counselors return to regular office hours beginning August 16th and are most easily reached by email.  Please contact Yvette at ybutler@vashonsd.org or Mallory at mshull@vashonsd.org.

The Vashon Island School District will be implementing our recently approved Strategic Plan for this upcoming school year.   A key part of this plan is our promise, “Every student is welcomed, known, and treasured, and graduates confident and competent to thrive in a future they imagine.” 

Additionally, we will be focused on these guiding principles as we enter the school year: 

• We believe that learning is a joyful act that sparks each student’s unique imagination.
• We believe that a sense of belonging and feeling valued increases trust and learning.
• We believe that equal outcomes for every student, without exception, is Vashon's collective responsibility.
• We believe that our students must have a voice and see themselves in their schooling.
• We believe that sustained connections with families and communities build thriving schools.

We look forward to an amazing school year, and we appreciate each of you as a member of our school community!

What’s new this year?

Later Start Times

McMurray will have our 1st bell at 8:15 AM and finish our day at 2:55 PM Monday-Thursday this year, and on Fridays the 1st bell is at 9:45 AM with the same ending time of 2:55 PMs.

Late Arrival Friday instead of Early Dismissal Friday

We took family and staff input into consideration and will be moving to a 1.5 hour late arrival schedule every Friday for staff Professional Development, replacing early dismissals.  McMurray will begin at 9:45 AM every Friday.. This will give our staff essential time to work together, while providing more consistent weekly schedules for students.

Student Meals

Student lunch fees return this year; breakfast for McMurray students is $2.50 and lunch is $4.00.  For information on applying for free/reduced programs, please visit our website.  Families that qualify for free/reduced meals will need to complete the Consent to Share Information form in addition to the free/reduced meals application in order for fees such as sports, ASB, and electives to be waived.

Lockers

We will be issuing lockers again this year.  Students will receive their locker information either at the new student orientation day or the first day of school!

Chromebooks

7th and 8th grade students will retain the Chromebook issued to them during a previous school year.  6th graders will not be issued individual Chromebooks, but will have them available in classrooms for daily use.  If your student does not have access to a computer or device at home to use for schoolwork, a loaner Chromebook can be requested. 

NEW BELL SCHEDULE

We have a couple modifications to our prior schedule, including the reinstatement of a morning break and moving Homeroom from first period to after second period.  The bell schedule for 22-23 is available on our website.

Visitors and volunteers are welcome and I encourage you to become involved in our school in whatever way you can. Volunteers are needed August 29, 30 and 31 and on and September 7; please see more information on volunteering below.  Visit our website for information updates at www.vashonsd.org/mcmurray.  I also encourage you to check out our Vashon Schools Foundation/FACE website.

We will communicate with you this year primarily via email, so please make sure we have your current email address.  Report cards will be posted on Skyward and will not be mailed.  You may update your contact information via Skyward Family Access or by contacting the office at 206-463-9168.  Don’t hesitate to connect with us if you have questions regarding the upcoming year, and please see the information following this letter for more specific information about the start of the 22-23 school year.  I appreciate your involvement and look forward to working with you this year!

Sincerely,

Greg Allison, Principal

McMurray Office Hours:  Beginning on Tuesday, August 16, daily from 9:00-3:00.  *Please note that the McMurray office will be closed on Friday, August 26 and Monday, September 5.

New Student Orientation: Thursday, August 25 from 9:00-10:30 (see information above).  (No transportation provided)

Student Picture Day:  Wednesday, September 7.

Open House:  Tuesday, September 27, 6:00 p.m.

Sports at McMurray:  VISD is continuing to utilize Final Forms to register for sports.  Registration for Fall sports (Cross Country and Volleyball) begins on Monday, August 29 and practices begin on September 7.  Please visit the McMurray Extracurricular webpage for additional information about McMurray sports, and note that a Sports Physical is required prior to participation (including practices).

 Andy Sears (asears@vashonsd.org) will continue as District Athletic Director this year.

SUPPLIES NEEDED FOR MCMURRAY MIDDLE SCHOOL

Volunteer Opportunities:  Parent assistance is needed in the following areas: