Murray Pilots
October 30, 2026
A Note from Your Principal
Parents/Families and teachers are two wings of the same bird - both needed to fly. Iyenemi Alasia
I would like to take this newsletter moment to say how thankful we are to have such immense support from our Murray Parent Teacher Organization. In our most recent PTO meeting, I was absolutely amazed at the commitment and persistence of our families as they continue to seek out every possible resource to perpetuate our good work and support our Pilots in the classrooms. One striking example was the sheer number of companies/organizations that have been contacted to support Murray. The PTO has contacted over 60 individual entities with many of them contributing in some way toward our school. According to the future plans of our PTO, many more above the 60 are still on deck to be reached. Additionally, the Murray Market continues to be a resource for our students and families. While the donations have slimmed down a bit, the dedication and commitment of our PTO members remains high. This work is absolutely amazing and as Pilot staff members, we are so grateful for the kind donations from so many community partners. As the quote above describes, it takes all of us working together to raise our Pilots up and set them on the path to success.
On behalf of our Murray staff, I want to give a HUGE shout out to Lynnae Erwin, Mandi Rupp, Nia Anderson, Kerrin Flanagan, Jon and Sandy Johnston, Dolly Langer, Lauren Renner and Anita Severt.
There are many different ways that families support Murray, however, if PTO is your jam and you would like to get involved, please consider attending an upcoming meeting. You can get more information by connecting with our family engagement coordinator, Ms. Stefanie Folkema at stefanie.folkema@spps.org.
Celebrations:
#Pilotprops of the week! Ms. Steiner would like to celebrate Hazel Hansen. Hazel is a hard worker and a great helper to her peers and teachers! Hazel always asks great questions in class that are helpful for her classmates to gain a better understanding. Hazel also offers to help out around the classroom when she finishes her work early.
Your Co-Pilot,
Jamin McKenzie
Principal, Murray Middle School
Staff Spotlight
Hello, my name is Ms. Steiner (she/her)! I am a first-year social studies teacher. I graduated from the University of Minnesota with a bachelor's degree in history and a master's degree in social studies education. I student-taught at Murray last fall, and worked with Murray 6th graders in MN Studies when I was in undergrad. This year, I will be teaching 7th grade U.S. History, a History Day elective in the fall, and an Activism Through Arts elective in the spring.
I grew up in Saint Paul, and now live with my partner and our two cats Ivey and Misty. I play electric guitar and enjoy arts and crafts. I also love reading, watching movies, and playing computer games. I like to cook and try new foods.
Email: nicole.steiner@spps.org
Classroom Happenings
Sixth Grade
English Language Arts with Ms. Williams and Ms. Steinhoff:
Our sixth-grade Readers Workshop students are analyzing our class text, A Spoonful of Time, in our unit, A Deep Study of Character. Students are reading their own book and implementing the strategies we are learning in the classroom via a daily 'Stop & Jot'. Please ask your student what book they have chosen to read. In Writers Workshop, students are wrapping up the Grammar 101 unit with a menu project, where they identify the parts of speech in a menu they create.
Eighth Grade
Global Studies with Ms. Croone:
We have learned all about maps, how to read maps, finding places with latitude and longitude for absolute location and giving general directions that are relative to where students want to go. Students are currently creating their own country using all of the skills and concepts we have covered in our first unit. Check in with your person and see what country they have created and where it's located!
Sixth/Seventh/Eighth Grade
Announcements
Athletics
Winter Sports: Boys' Basketball, Girls' Basketball, Wrestling
Please register on Bound:
Murray's game schedule page
Registration - Activities
Extended Day Learning (EDL)
EDL will not meet on Tuesday, November 3rd due to elections!
Tuesday and Thursday from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Classes will start on October 20, 2026 and run through May 20, 2027.
· 26/27 Murray EDL registration (English)
· 26/27 Murray EDL registration (Spanish)
· 26/27 Murray EDL registration (Hmong)
· 26/27 Murray EDL registration (Karen)
· 26/27 Murray EDL registration (Somali)
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me through email or phone. My email address is lise.ciancio@spps.org or you can reach me at (651) 744-1611.
Give To the Max Day 2026 - November 19th!
Help Murray Middle School raise $2,500.00 to support our students!
Your Donations Support:
- Academics
- Classroom Supplies
- School Events
https://www.givemn.org/organization/Murray-Junior-High/welcome
Library Go: A Saint Paul Public Library and Saint Paul Public Schools Partnership
Did you know your SPPS student has a virtual public library card? With Library Go, all Saint Paul Public School students automatically get a public library card when they enroll in school. It’s ready to use today! Students can check out books and other physical materials at any SPPL location, download e-books and e-audiobooks through Libby, and access all of SPPL's digital resources. SPPL is a fine free library, and with Library Go, there is no financial risk to your family.
Each student is assigned a barcode number connected to their student ID. This number works just like a library card! To get started, your student can log into their account on SPPL's website: sppl.org
Barcode: 22091600 + 6-digit SPPS student ID
Password: Student's birthday (MMDDYYYY) - for example January 1, 2015 = 01012015
Not sure what to look for? Try some of these top resources! Find them on SPPL’s website.
· Bookflix: Animated picture books in English and Spanish. Great for Elementary schoolers!
· Libby: Your one-stop shop for e-books and e-audiobooks for kids and teens.
· HelpNow (virtual homework help): Get immediate help with a variety of subjects! Log in a get connected with a live tutor 24/7/365 (tutors are humans, not AI or chatbots). Offered in English and Spanish.
· CultureGrams: Information about cultures and countries around the world. Perfect for learning about your community or next travel destination!
· PebbleGo Next: Facts, information, videos, and more about animals, Indigenous cultures, famous people, and science topics. Excellent for curious kids who love learning about the world around them.
Questions? You can learn more by visiting the Library Go help page at sppl.org/LibraryGo or contacting any Saint Paul Public Library.
Murray Market Wishlist!
Please check out the list below to see our current and ongoing needs. As always, we are so grateful for the incredible support from our community. Every donation helps us continue our mission.
Cooking oil
Instant coffee
Sugar
Rice
Canned protein (e.g. chicken, beans, SPAM)
Macaroni & Cheese
Shampoo, Conditioner, Bar soap, Deodorant, Toothpaste, Feminine products
Toilet paper
Dish soap, Tall kitchen garbage bags
Powder laundry detergent
School Pictures are Ready!
View and order at: https://shop.jostenspix.com/login
School Name: MURRAY MIDDLE SCHOOL
Event Code: FE186826
Student Identifier: Also Needed: Infinite Campus Student ID
WEB (Where Everybody Belongs)
WEB is putting on a food drive again this fall/holiday season! Please see attachment below.
Washington DC Trip
This MEA break, an excited group of 8th graders accompanied by Ms. Helmen, Ms. Steiner, and Ms. Steinhoff enjoyed a beautiful long weekend in Washington D.C. Students spent time exploring museums including the National African American History Museum, Holocaust Museum, and Natural History Museum. We stopped by all the classic D.C. monuments: the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, MLK Memorial, Korean War Memorial, and more. The weather was warm and sunny for our outdoor excursions to Arlington Cemetery and Mount Vernon, home of our first president George Washington. The students had a lot of fun, learned some U.S. history, and kept their positive energy going throughout the trip.
Counselor's Corner
Here at Murray Middle School, we have 2 school counselors:
· Ms. Justine Revermann (Student Last Names A-L)
· Ms. Lisa Engelstad (Student Last Names M-Z)
Student GSA
Murray will be starting a GSA (Gender Sexuality Alliance) to create a safe space for LGBTQ+ students and allies to celebrate and talk about LGBTQ+ topics, events, and activities
Students can sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfly_njDkto4hquzQaHyGg8N90VkBoju7Kq6hZ7b1LxJiGnWg/viewform
Schoology and Campus Reminder Links
Schoology: https://schoology.spps.org/ (grades, classes, coursework, missing assignments)
Campus: https://spps.infinitecampus.org/campus/portal/parents/stpaul.jsp (schedule, bus, attendance, etc.)
Here is the link to a webpage that has tutorials about how families can access and use Schoology and Campus: https://www.spps.org/about/departments/infinite-campus/campus-parent-information
Direct link to Schoology tutorial: https://youtu.be/f6-FofTJESE?list=TLGGx1ANm6Za9gUzMDA5MjAyNA
Community mental health resources:
Ramsey County Children’s Mental Health Collaborative: (800) 565-2575
En Español: https://www.rccmhc.org/espanol
Ramsey County Youth Mental Health Crisis Team: 651-266-7878
Ramsey County Adult Mental Health Crisis Team: 651-266-7900
Call CRISIS (274747) from anywhere in MN to reach the local County crisis team
Crisis Text Line: Text Hello to 741741
National Suicide Prevention Line: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
Trevor Project: Text Start to 678678 or call 1-866-488-7386, chat here
Compass Health Center Referral Line: 877-552-6672
We have 2 school-based Mental health therapists, through our partnerships with Change Inc. and LifeStance. Please connect with a counselor or social worker to put in a referral for your child to work with one of our therapists.
Link to request Meal Bags through EveryMeal to go home with your child every Week: https://forms.gle/rCEvv6ya2h74u3ZJ6
PTO Corner
Spirit Wear
Visit our showroom at ThreadArt to order your custom Murray Middle School clothing! Now available: Debate shirts!! You can also purchase a Debate shirt to donate to a student.
**AVAILABLE NOW**
Murray Pilots 100 Years throwback shirts to celebrate 100 years of Murray Greatness!
6:00pm in the Murray Media Center
Monday, November 16th
Thursday, December 17th
Monday, January 25th
Thursday, February 18th
Monday, March 29th
Thursday, April 29th
Monday, May 24th
Additional Information
Important Dates
Monday, November 2
Murray PACT Meeting
5:00pm - 6:30pm
Thursday, November 12
End of First Quarter
Friday, November 13
No School for Students - Professional Day
Monday, November 16
Murray PTO Meeting
5:00pm - 6:15pm
Thursday, November 26 - Friday, November 27
No School - Thanksgiving Break
Thursday, December 3
Barnes & Noble Bookfair
Monday, December 7
Murray PACT Meeting
5:00pm - 6:30pm
Tuesday, December 15
Winter Band/Orchestra Concert
5:30pm
Thursday, December 17
Murray PTO Meeting
5:00pm - 6:15pm
Wednesday, December 23 - Friday, January 1
No School - Winter Break
Monday, January 4
School Resumes
Monday, January 18
No School - Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Thursday, January 21
Parent Forum @ Como Park Sr. High
8th Grade Como Park Pathway
Monday, January 25
Murray PTO Meeting
5:00pm - 6:15pm
Wednesday, January 27
Showcase
5:30pm - 7:30pm
Thursday, January 28
Activity Day
End of Second Quarter
Friday, January 29
No School for Students - Grading Day
Monday, February 1
Murray PACT Meeting
5:00pm - 6:30pm
Monday, February 15
No School - Presidents Day
Thursday, February 18
Murray PTO Meeting
5:00pm - 6:15pm
Monday, March 1
Murray PACT Meeting
5:00pm - 6:30pm
Wednesday, March 10
No School for Students - Professional Day
Friday, March 12 - Sunday, March 14
School Musical
Thursday, March 18
Family/Teacher Conferences
Tuesday, March 23
Family/Teacher Conferences
Monday, March 29
Murray PTO Meeting
5:00pm - 6:15pm
Friday, April 2
End of Third Quarter
Monday, April 5 - Friday, April 9
No School - Spring Break
Monday, April 12
Murray PACT Meeting
5:00pm - 6:30pm
Saturday, April 24
State History Day
Thursday, April 29
Murray PTO Meeting
5:00pm - 6:15pm
Monday, May 3
Murray PACT Meeting
5:00pm - 6:30pm
Monday, May 17
No School for Students - Staff Development
Monday, May 24
Murray PTO Meeting
5:00pm - 6:15pm
Thursday, May 27
Spring Band/Orchestra Concert
5:30pm
Monday, May 31
No School - Memorial Day
Thursday, June 10
8th Grade Recognition
9:30am & 1:30pm
Friday, June 11
6th Grade Awards - 10:00am
7th Grade Awards - 1:30pm
8th Grade Valleyfair