What's the Buzz?!

Dear Murphy Families,

As we wrap up the final phase of state testing, with AASA ELA assessments taking place for our 3rd–8th grade students, I want to take a moment to recognize the collective effort across our district.

I am incredibly proud of our students for showing up each day, staying focused, and doing their best. These moments are not just about testing—they reflect the hard work, growth, and resilience our students have demonstrated all year long. Thank you to our families for your continued partnership in supporting attendance, encouragement, and preparation during this important time. Your role makes a meaningful difference.

I also want to extend my deepest appreciation to our teachers and staff, who have worked tirelessly throughout the year to ensure every student is prepared, supported, and confident. Their dedication is what makes Murphy such a special place for our students to learn and grow.

As we move beyond testing, we look forward to finishing the school year strong—continuing to build on the progress our students have made and celebrating all that they have accomplished.

Thank you for being part of the Murphy community and for your continued support of our students.

Warm regards,
Mr. Dettmar
Superintendent

This month, we proudly recognize and celebrate our incredible paraprofessionals across Murphy Elementary School District. Their dedication, patience, and commitment to supporting students and teachers make a lasting impact in our classrooms every single day.

Whether they are providing one-on-one support, assisting in small groups, or helping create a positive learning environment, paraprofessionals play a vital role in student success. Their work often happens behind the scenes, but the difference they make is seen and felt throughout our schools.

Thank you for all that you do—we appreciate you and celebrate you today and every day!

Field Day at Kuban Elementary continues to be a great way to keep students engaged and motivated—and this time, it came with a creative twist! As part of our PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) program, students earned a special incentive: participating in classroom escape rooms designed by their teachers.

Students worked together to solve clues, think critically, and unlock the mystery, turning their classrooms into exciting, interactive learning environments. This unique Field Day experience encouraged collaboration, problem-solving, and a whole lot of fun.

While each Field Day brings something new, this activity was a memorable way to celebrate positive behavior and student effort. Great job, Cougars!

We stopped by one of our middle school ELA classrooms and found our Sullivan students engaged in collaborative group discussions on their latest read. Dissecting stories, finding themes and messages throughout the text is giving our students a clear understanding of literature. Not only is this lesson opening up the lines of communication and working social skills, but our students find themselves sharing new findings from their classmates' takes on their reading assignments.

From learning how to read, to picking up lengthy novels–we are proud to be here every step of the way for our students' growth.

Kuban middle school students are bringing color and creativity to life in art class! Using watercolors, students are designing ombre spinwheels, exploring blending techniques and experimenting with color gradients.

This hands-on project allows students to express themselves artistically while learning new skills and techniques. From bold color choices to smooth transitions, each spinwheel is a unique reflection of student creativity.

At Kuban, our students continue to shine through art, innovation, and imagination.

There’s something special about lunchtime across our schools—it’s a time for students to relax, connect with friends, and recharge for the rest of the day.

We recently caught up with our students during their lunch hour at both campuses and captured some great moments filled with smiles, laughter, and conversation. From sharing meals to enjoying time together, these everyday moments are what make our school communities so special.

Plus, with three free meals offered daily, we’re proud to ensure our students are nourished and ready to learn.

A Message From Kuban Principal, Dr. Martinez

As we enter the final stretch of the school year, I want to encourage our entire community to make these last 27 days impactful—not only for how we finish this year, but for how we prepare our students for continued success next year. We are focused on finishing strong, staying engaged, and continuing to build positive habits that will carry our students forward.

Our 3rd–8th grade students will complete their final day of state testing next Tuesday, with the remainder of the week dedicated to make-up testing for any students who may have missed a session. We are proud of the effort our students have shown and appreciate your continued support in ensuring they are present and ready each day.

We also invite you to join us for a very special milestone—Kuban’s 40th Anniversary Celebration on April 29 from 4:00–7:00 p.m. Our planning committee has been working hard to create a fun-filled event for our entire community, with activities including bounce houses, games, challenges, and booths for families to enjoy together.

Thank you for your continued partnership. Let’s finish the year strong, Kuban!

A Message from Sullivan Principal, Mrs. Mancilla

As we move through the final quarter of the school year, we remain focused on finishing strong and supporting our students every step of the way. Our students have been working hard, and with state testing underway, we are proud of the effort, focus, and determination they continue to show each day. Your support at home—ensuring students are well-rested and present—makes a meaningful difference during this important time.

I would also like to take a moment to celebrate some outstanding achievements on campus. A big congratulations to Miss Barnes’s class for earning 1st place with 100% perfect attendance last week! Mrs. Anderson’s class came in 2nd with 90%, and Ms. Wilson’s class placed 3rd with 86%. We are so proud of our students for showing up and staying committed to their learning. As an added incentive, classes in grades 3rd–8th that achieve 100% attendance this week will be rewarded with a movie afternoon on Friday, April 24th.

Finally, I want to give a heartfelt thank you to our entire staff for their hard work, dedication, and consistency. Their commitment to our students is what makes Sullivan such a special place to learn and grow.

Let’s continue working together to support our students and make these final weeks of the school year meaningful and successful. Thank you for being part of our Sullivan community!

Today is the final day to make your Arizona Public School Tax Credit donation to Murphy Elementary School District!

This is a great opportunity to support our students while receiving a dollar-for-dollar credit on your state taxes. Your contribution helps fund important programs like athletics, extracurricular activities, and enrichment opportunities that directly benefit our students.

Don’t miss out—make your impact today and help us continue growing strong minds for a bright future!

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