Murray County Schools - Committed to Student Success... No Exceptions, No Excuses!

At last night's Board of Education meeting, Superintendent Dr. Wright and the Board of Education celebrated the incredible service of several outgoing Board members who have dedicated themselves to the students, staff, and families of Murray County Schools. Greg Shoemaker, Chairman, has served on the Murray County Board of Education for nearly 20 years. His steadfast leadership and commitment to excellence have left an indelible mark on our district. To show our gratitude, past Vice Chair Heath Jones and current Vice Chair Kelli Reed presented Greg with a special token of appreciation. Aaron Phillips has devoted the past 8 years to serving as a Board member, consistently bringing thoughtful perspectives and a heart for service. Tanner Davis with 3 years of dedicated service, has been a valuable voice on the Board, contributing to key decisions that impact our schools. Serving as a member of the Board of Education is a unique and challenging role, requiring vision, dedication, and a passion for shaping the future of our community through education. Greg, Aaron, and Tanner have embodied these qualities, and their impact will be felt for years to come. While we will miss their presence and leadership, we are excited to welcome our new Board members in January and look forward to the bright future ahead for Murray County Schools. Please join us in thanking Greg, Aaron, and Tanner for their incredible service! #YouAreMurray

This morning, MCS and Northwest Elementary were honored to host State School Superintendent Richard Woods, who presented banners to our schools recognized as Math and Literacy Leaders! 🎉 Superintendent Woods praised the incredible work being done in Murray County Schools and shared his confidence that even more schools in our district will be celebrated next year. We’re proud of our students, teachers, and staff for their commitment to excellence in education. #YouAreMurray #LeadersInLearning

Don't forget Christmas in the Park tomorrow! Make sure to stop by the Purposity Tree.

🌟 Good News Spotlight 🌟 We have received another incredible Good News nomination, this time recognizing Greg Burns, the talented and dedicated Band Director at Gladden Middle School, for his commitment to students at Chatsworth Elementary School! CES Principal Audre Allen shared, “Mr. Burns is giving up his planning period each Monday to help the CES band students. These kids wouldn’t have band without his unselfishness! He even created handouts with examples of positive self-talk and encouragement to practice. He is one of a kind!” His principal at Gladden Middle, Jennifer Jones, added, “He goes above and beyond not only for GMS but for his community. He’s an active member of his church and is always positive, even in difficult situations.” Thank you, Mr. Burns, for going above and beyond to inspire young musicians and for showing how dedication and passion can change lives. Your selflessness and support make a lasting impact! 🎶✨ You can catch Mr. Burns at the Christmas Concert tonight at GMS at 7:00 PM. I know he and his students would love to have you attend! #GoodNewsSpotlight#YouAreMurray You can share your story of Good News here: https://www.murray.k12.ga.us/forms/good-news-to-share

🎄✨ Tis the Season for.....The Purposity Tree! ✨🎄 Christmas in the Park is THIS Friday! Murray County Schools will bring back the Purposity Tree—a simple and meaningful way to spread joy this holiday season. Here’s how it works: 🎁 Stop by our Purposity Tree in the park. 🎁 Choose an ornament. 🎁 Scan the QR code to meet a real need for a local student—whether it’s essentials or a special gift. Your generosity will help brighten the season for families in our school district and community. Together, we can make a difference! Let’s rock around the Purposity Tree and share the spirit of the holidays. We can’t wait to see you there! Kick-off starts at 5:00 pm in the Chatsworth City Park.🌟 Can't make it Friday? No problem, stop by anytime over the next couple weeks to pick an ornament OR scan the QR code below and give from right where you are! #YouAreMurray #Purposity

Did you know? Special Education Day is celebrated every year on December 2 to commemorate the signing of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) into law in 1975. This landmark legislation granted children with special needs access to free, high-quality public education, changing countless lives for the better. Today, we honor the incredible special education teachers, our ESS department, and therapists in Murray County Schools who carry out the spirit of IDEA every day. Your dedication, compassion, and tireless work make a profound impact on our students and their families, ensuring all learners have the opportunity to thrive. 💙 Thank you for all that you do to empower and inspire! 👏🌟 #NationalSpecialEducationDay #IDEA #MurrayCountySchools #SpecialEducationMatters #ThankYou #YouAreMurray

🍂🦃 Happy Thanksgiving from Murray County Schools! 🦃🍂 This Thanksgiving, we are especially grateful for the amazing students, dedicated teachers, caring staff, and supportive families who make up our wonderful community. Your hard work, kindness, and partnership truly make Murray County Schools a special place to learn and grow. As you gather with loved ones, may your holiday be filled with warmth, joy, and gratitude. Thank you for being a part of our MCS family. Happy Thanksgiving! 🧡 #Thanksgiving #Gratitude #WeAreMurray#YouAreMurray

🌟 Another Good News Spotlight! 🌟 Back in September, Aven Cameron, Jace Cameron, and Ben McGrath displayed incredible bravery when they noticed Ms. Brindle's house on fire at 2 a.m. They immediately ran to wake her family and helped them to safety. Their heroic actions did not go unnoticed! Their principal, Dr. Daphne Winkler, recognized them for their courage and quick thinking, and we want to echo her pride in these young men. Although this story has already been shared widely, we are honored to celebrate Aven, Jace, and Ben as shining examples of kindness, selflessness, and community spirit. This is a perfect example of the good news we want to share! 👏 #GoodNewsSpotlight#YouAreMurray You can share your story of Good News here: https://www.murray.k12.ga.us/forms/good-news-to-share

🎉 Happy Substitute Teacher Appreciation Day! 🎉 Today, we want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude to the incredible substitute teachers who step in and ensure learning never skips a beat. 💚🍎 Your flexibility, dedication, and care make a world of difference for our students and staff. A special thank you also goes to ESS for partnering with us to provide such amazing substitute teachers who keep our classrooms running smoothly. We couldn’t do it without you! Let’s all take a moment to thank a substitute teacher today — because of you, learning thrives! ✨ #YouAreMurray

🦃🍂 Thanksgiving Break Reminder! 🍂🦃 Thanksgiving holidays begin Monday, November 25th, and run through Friday, November 29th for all students and staff. We hope you enjoy this time with family, friends, and plenty of delicious food! 🧡 We'll see everyone back on Monday, December 2nd!

🌟 Good News Spotlight 🌟 We received a wonderful Good News nomination recognizing Shelley Arthur, our dedicated executive secretary at Bagley Middle School! Shelley was nominated by Jen Jones, the mom of a proud Bagley Blazer. She shared, 'My daughter says she is always smiling and goes the extra mile to make kids feel special.' Her principals were not surprised by the nomination. “She treats all the kids like they are her own,” said Adrian Stone, Assistant Principal at Bagley Middle School. “She is always helpful, always willing to lend a hand,” added Principal Greg Welch. Thank you, Shelley, for bringing joy and kindness to our school community and for being a true example of warmth and care. Your positive impact is felt by so many!"

🏹🏈🤼‍♂️🎉 There are lots of events happening at our middle and high schools! From archery and football to cheer and wrestling, as well as fine arts there are plenty of ways to support our talented students. Check your school's social media and websites for event details, and come out to show your school spirit! Wishing all our teams the best of luck as they compete.

Don't forget the food drop this Saturday!

🌟 Exciting News, Murray County Community! 🌟 We’re thrilled to announce a new feature on our website: the Good News Form! This is your opportunity to share positive stories, recognitions, or impacts within our schools and community. Whether it’s a student success, a teacher going above and beyond, or a moment that made you proud to be part of Murray County, we want to hear from you! 📝✨ Sharing is simple and helps us celebrate the incredible things happening in our district. Submit your stories and photos today, and let’s spread the joy together! 🎉 Link: https://www.murray.k12.ga.us/forms/good-news-to-share Visit our website to find the form and share your good news. #YouAreMurray #GoodNewsMurray

The Murray County Board of Education proudly honored the schools recognized by the Georgia Department of Education as Math and ELA Leader Schools. Principals and dedicated grade-level/subject teachers joined the celebration for their exceptional leadership in education. CES: 5th Grade Gateway Growth (Math) NWE: 5th Grade Gateway Growth & 4th Grade Growth (Math) NWE: 6th Grade Gateway Growth & 5th Grade Growth (ELA) GMS: High School Achievement (Math) NMHS: High School Growth (Math) 📸 Pictured are: Chatsworth Elementary: Principal Audre Allen, Courtney Guinn, Tiffany Acosta, Assistant Principal Katie Mason Northwest Elementary: Hayley Vaughn, Amanda Riley, Carrie D'Angelo, Heather Bridges, and Principal Amy Petty. North Murray High School: Rolando Ambriz, Donna Eskut, Principal Dr. Daphne Winkler, Amanda Bynum, Traci Rankin, and Assistant Principal Dustin Strickland Gladden Middle School: Sarah Jones, Principal Jennifer Jones Thank you to these outstanding educators for their commitment to academic excellence and student success! 🌟 #YouAreMurray #LeaderSchools #MurrayCountyExcellence

National School Psychology Week (NSPW) is November 11-15! 🎉 This week celebrates the valuable contributions of school psychologists to schools and communities. School psychologists play a crucial role in helping children succeed in school, at home, and in life. They provide support, counseling, and assessments to address students' academic, social, and emotional needs. This year's theme, "Spark Discovery," recognizes the work of school psychologists in helping their communities explore new ideas and find innovative solutions. Let's take a moment to appreciate the amazing work of our school psychologists! #NSPW #SchoolPsychology #Education #MentalHealth #StudentSupport

Honoring Our Heroes: Veterans Day 2024 This week, schools across our district came together to celebrate and show gratitude to the brave men and women who have served our country. Our students were proud to host special programs, featuring heartfelt performances from school choruses and the warm tradition of serving lunch to Veterans from our students' families. We are thankful for the opportunity to express our deepest appreciation to these heroes and create lasting memories with our students and their loved ones. To all Veterans: we honor your courage, sacrifice, and dedication. Thank you for inspiring us and for your unwavering service to our nation. #VeteransDay #YouAreMurray #HonoringOurHeroes

Empowering healthy habits and supporting our community! 🌱 This year, Murray County Schools made incredible strides through the SNAP-Ed program and HealthMPowers partnership. Highlights include: Over 2,300 students received direct nutrition and physical activity education. Weekly family meal bags provided 43,009 meals, helping 2,283 families across the county. Four schools were awarded $750 each to sustain impactful, site-driven changes. A special thank you to our dedicated Wellness Department for fostering these vital partnerships and championing student health. We're proud of these efforts to nourish and uplift our students and families!

🎉 Celebrating Excellence in Murray County Schools! 🎉 We’re thrilled to announce that several of our schools have been recognized by the Georgia Department of Education as Math and Literacy Leaders for growth and achievement on the 2023-2024 Georgia Milestones assessments. 🏆📚✨ Congratulations to: Chatsworth Elementary Northwest Elementary Gladden Middle North Murray High School Thank you to our incredible students and staff for making this achievement possible! We are so proud of all your hard work and commitment to excellence. #YouAreMurray

Today, elementary students across our district took part in their own mock elections! 🗳️ Students had a chance to experience the voting process, learn about civic responsibility, and make their voices heard. A big thank you to our teachers and staff for making this hands-on lesson in democracy so engaging for our young learners! #FutureVoters #CivicEducation #YouAreMurray