Due to the restrictions in place, many of our signature in-person programs will now be held virtually. While we will miss gathering in community, the health and safety of all Murphy Scholars and staff is most important.
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TutoringWe have not been able to open our Tutoring Center for guided study sessions at our DMSF office this year. Scholars have been meeting virtually with private tutors in the Spring and throughout the Fall of 2020. All current scholars requesting private tutoring have been working virtually with a tutor from Educational Endeavors at almost the same capacity as they would typically work with a tutor in person. Both boarding school and day school Scholars have been able to access and use our tutoring supports throughout the remote learning experience.
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Freshman Orientation
While we couldn't host incoming Scholars and their families in person, we brought orientation online. This portal showcases the different facets of being a Murphy Scholar including expectations, available programming, and an organizational overview.
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Caddie
We were not able to offer our residential program this year, but the DMSF team did its best to replicate the relationship-building that takes place over a typical summer by creating an online “Caddie Corner.” Here, caddies completed training, connected with other caddies, and received important updates surrounding pandemic-related restrictions. Scholars are participating in the program this summer by commuting to golf courses (LaGrange Country Club, Ruth Lake, Lake Shore, Skokie, Oak Park) from their homes.
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College CounselingDMSF, while unable to provide in person support, continues to provide College Counseling guidance and programs virtually. We provided college support workshops this Summer and Fall via Zoom, and continue to meet individually with students and families remotely. We will continue to convert our college counseling programs, such as our test prep and college information sessions, into virtual opportunities until we can safely offer these opportunities in person.
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AlumniWhile unable to provide in-person programming for Murphy Scholar alumni due to the pandemic, DMSF has continued to provide virtual programming for our alumni in college and pursuing careers. Graduating Scholars had the chance to participate in a college transition panel, gaining valuable insight from successful alumni who shared their own experience and keys for college success. Through resume revisions and virtual workshops, like personal brand-building, interview skills, career navigation, and mock interviews, collegiate alumni have sharpened their own career development skills. Those participating in our College Internship Program have also begun to build their own professional networks with other Murphy Scholar alumni, DMSF staff, and trusted organizational partners. We continue to build and maintain positive relationships with our alumni, constantly looking to engage in virtual conversations, celebrating alumni and their important achievements and milestones, and hosting virtual social events.
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Summer Bridge
Our 130 incoming Scholars attended this virtual "preparatory boot camp" during the first few weeks of July. This mandatory two-week program was hosted via Zoom by our partners LEAP and Educational Endeavors.
The first workshop teaches Scholars how to use the academic and business language that is expected of them in high school.
The second helps students prepare to be an “Ideal Student” and covers such topics as time management, organizational skills, and note-taking.
To prepare our incoming Scholars for a rich experience, the DMSF team created packets containing pre-work and materials needed for the workshops and arranged for safe and socially distanced packet pickup. DMSF also provided laptops to Scholars without access to a computer at home so they could access the online programming.
Virtual Summer Bridge delivered the same strong, valuable content as in previous years and featured a virtual space for Scholars to build community and address the ongoing unrest in our city and county. A Justice Board was also introduced where Scholars had an opportunity to share inspirational poems, song lyrics, and their own work. While the format was different, it was a powerful learning experience for all.
The first workshop teaches Scholars how to use the academic and business language that is expected of them in high school.
The second helps students prepare to be an “Ideal Student” and covers such topics as time management, organizational skills, and note-taking.
To prepare our incoming Scholars for a rich experience, the DMSF team created packets containing pre-work and materials needed for the workshops and arranged for safe and socially distanced packet pickup. DMSF also provided laptops to Scholars without access to a computer at home so they could access the online programming.
Virtual Summer Bridge delivered the same strong, valuable content as in previous years and featured a virtual space for Scholars to build community and address the ongoing unrest in our city and county. A Justice Board was also introduced where Scholars had an opportunity to share inspirational poems, song lyrics, and their own work. While the format was different, it was a powerful learning experience for all.
