What's the Buzz?!

Dear Murphy Families,

As we head into an exciting and meaningful time in our district, I would like to take a moment to recognize and celebrate the incredible people who make Murphy Elementary School District so special.

Next week is Teacher Appreciation Week, and I want to extend my deepest gratitude to our educators. Every day, our teachers go above and beyond to support, inspire, and guide our students. Their dedication, patience, and passion shape the future of every child who walks through our doors. We are grateful for the impact they make—not just in the classroom, but in the lives of our students and families. Please join me in taking time next week to thank a teacher and show appreciation for all they do.

I would also like to thank our families and community members who joined us yesterday to celebrate Jack L. Kuban Elementary’s 40th Anniversary. It was a wonderful event that highlighted the pride, history, and strong sense of community that defines Murphy. Kuban represents a legacy of service—generations of families have trusted Murphy with their children’s education, and we are proud to continue that tradition.

As we look ahead, we invite you to share your Murphy experience with others. Encourage your friends and family to discover what makes our district so special. At Murphy, we are committed to growing strong minds for a bright future, and we are just getting started.

With only 16 days of school remaining, let’s stay focused, finish strong, and make every day count for our students.

Thank you for being part of the Murphy community.

Warm regards,
Mr. Dettmar
Superintendent

Jack L. Kuban Elementary recently celebrated a major milestone—40 years of serving our community! Families, students, staff, and alumni came together for an evening filled with fun, laughter, and school pride.

From bounce houses and games to community booths and friendly challenges, the campus was alive with energy. It was a beautiful reminder of the strong connections that make Kuban so special. For generations, Kuban has been a place where students grow, learn, and thrive—and this celebration honored that legacy.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make this event unforgettable. Here’s to many more years of Kuban excellence!

This past Tuesday, we celebrated School Bus Appreciation Day, recognizing the incredible individuals who safely transport our students each and every day.

Our bus drivers are often the first and last smiling faces our students see during the school day. Rain or shine, they show up with dedication, care, and a commitment to student safety. Their role is essential in ensuring our students arrive at school ready to learn and return home safely.

Thank you to our amazing bus drivers for all that you do—we appreciate you! Check out our video below!

This Friday, we will be recognizing our amazing School Lunch Heroes—the team members who work hard behind the scenes to keep our students nourished and ready to learn.

From preparing meals to greeting students with a smile, their impact goes far beyond the cafeteria. They play an important role in creating a positive school experience and ensuring every child has access to healthy, delicious meals each day.

Thank you to our nutrition services team for your dedication and care—you truly make a difference!

Creativity was on full display during our District-Wide Cupcake Competition! Students were given one hour to decorate their cupcake masterpieces, showcasing their imagination, attention to detail, and artistic flair.

Each participant created two cupcakes—one to be judged and one to take home. From colorful designs to unique themes, students truly impressed with their creativity and effort.

This fun and engaging event gave students the opportunity to express themselves while building confidence and enjoying a little friendly competition. Great job to all who participated!

In honor of National Principal Day this Friday, we proudly recognize and celebrate the outstanding leadership of our principals at Kuban and Sullivan.

Their dedication, vision, and commitment to student success help create safe, supportive, and thriving school environments. From leading their teams to supporting students and families, their impact is felt throughout our entire district.

Thank you, Mrs. Mancilla and Dr. Martinez, for your leadership and for all you do to make our schools exceptional places to learn and grow!

Our 5th grade students recently had the opportunity to explore the world of music during their field trip to the Musical Instrument Museum (MIM).

Students experienced instruments and musical traditions from around the globe, gaining a deeper appreciation for different cultures and the power of music. The hands-on exhibits and immersive displays made learning both fun and memorable.

Field trips like this bring learning to life and create experiences our students will carry with them for years to come!

Thank you to our incredible community for helping us celebrate Kuban’s 40th Anniversary! It was truly a special event filled with fun, connection, and memories that we will carry with us for years to come. We are grateful for the continued support of our families—your presence and pride in our school made the celebration even more meaningful.

As we look ahead, we have a busy and exciting few weeks coming up. We will kick things off with our Student of the Month celebration tomorrow, May 1st, followed by our Science Fair on May 12th. We look forward to seeing the creativity and hard work of our students on display!

We also want to remind families that end-of-year testing will take place all next week. Please help us ensure students are present, well-rested, and ready to do their best each day.

Let’s continue working together to make these final weeks of the school year meaningful and successful. Let’s finish strong, cougars!

I would like to take a moment to recognize some of the great things happening on our campus and celebrate the efforts of our students and staff.

A big congratulations to Mr. Martinez’s class for earning 1st place in attendance last week with an impressive 87%! Ms. Arellano’s and Ms. Wilson’s classes tied for 2nd place with 86%, and Ms. Castillo’s class followed closely behind with 85%. We are proud of our students for showing up and staying committed to their learning. Great job, everyone!

I would also like to give a special thank you to Mr. Curtis for his dedication in coaching our track and field team this season. Our students had a fantastic experience, and we appreciate the time, energy, and support he provided to help them succeed both on and off the field.

Thank you for your continued support of our students and school community. Let’s keep up the great work, Sullivan!

School hours for the 2026-2027 school year will remain as follows for both schools:

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday

Start: 7:30 AM

K–4 Dismissal: 2:15 PM

5–8 Dismissal: 2:45 PM

Wednesday (Early Dismissal)

Start: 7:30 AM

K–4 Dismissal: 12:15 PM

5–8 Dismissal: 12:45 PM