McPherson News Dec 15, 2024
Minimum Day on Friday, 12:20
Principal's Message
We are headed into our last week before the holiday break! This week, we have a minimum day on Friday, 12/20. Students may wear their coziest pajamas to school on Friday.
Thank you to all who attended our Saturday Enrichment Academies over the last two weeks. We were able to recoup over $10,000 in lost attendance revenue and we had a lot of fun in the process!
Please be sure to see the newsletter for details regarding the 2025-2026 lottery process if you have younger siblings at home or share with neighbors and friends interested in attending McPherson. Lastly, be sure to check the lost and found this week. All items remaining will be donated over winter break.
Have a great week Meteors,
Dr. Godsey
Principal
Minimum Day - 12/20
Reminder: Friday, 12/20, is a MINIMUM DAY SCHEDULE for all students.
Holiday Grams On Sale
Fact: The holidays are happier with a gram!
When? Holiday Grams will be on sale from12/5 through 12/16. Grams can be purchased before school, during lunch, and after school.
Where? In front of the main office.
Delivered on Wednesday, December 19.
Gram prices vary from $0.25 to $0.75 depending on which gram is bought. Spread holiday cheer by sending a friend a Holiday Gram!
Pajama Day - 12/20
No tank tops, spaghetti straps, cut off shirts, or torn clothing. All shorts/skirts should reach mid-thigh, or MUST reach a minimum of one inch from your fingertips. Shorts shorter than mid-thigh are prohibited. No slippers are allowed.
LOST AND FOUND!!!
PLEASE CHECK THE LOST AND FOUND!!! WE HAVE SO MANY ITEMS THAT BELONG TO STUDENTS AND WE WOULD LOVE FOR THEM TO GET THEM BACK!! ALL LOST AND FOUND THAT IS NOT PICKED UP BY DECEMBER 20, WILL BE DONATED TO CHARITY. PLEASE PLEASE STOP BY AND TAKE A LOOK. THERE MAY BE SOMETHING THAT BELONGS TO YOUR STUDENT.
Teacher's Holiday Wish List
As the holidays approach, we want to show our appreciation for our hardworking teachers and staff. Here is a list of their favorite items to help you spread some holiday cheer:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/18LPtycd8i2UFiEj8O_awUkwm28Zek03d-VxfPdsOZXw/edit?usp=sharing
Happy Holidays from McPherson PTSA
Parent Workshops Offered by Santiago Canyon College
Santiago Canyon College is available to provide Parent workshops free of charge to the McPherson community!
Please give your input for planning:
McPherson Lottery Information for 2025-2026
Lottery Information for 2025-2026
McPherson's Virtual Lottery Orientation Will be Held on
January 28, at 9:00am
PLEASE GO TO McPHERSON'S WEBPAGE AND READ ALL ABOUT McPHERSON''S LOTTERY,
https://mcphersonhome.meteormail.net/home/about/lottery-information
THE LOTTERY APPLICATIONS WINDOW WILL BE OPEN
ON JANUARY 28, 2025 @ 10:00AM
ANY APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED AFTER
JANUARY 30, 2025, 3:30pm, WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED
McPherson's Lottery will be run on Wednesday, February 5, 2025. You will receive an e-mail from Lotterease by the end of the day on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, regarding your lottery status.
Sibling Staff Lottery for McPherson
Priority #1 - Siblings of current Kindergarten through 7th grade Students and Children of McPherson Employees
Sibling status will be verified. In case of guardianship other than same birth parents, legal proof must be provided to our registrar, Christina Cruz. The Sibling and McPherson Staff Lottery application window will be open from Friday, January 17, 2025 @9:00am to Wednesday, January 22, 2025 @ 3:00 pm. Sibling status will be verified. Siblings include brothers, sisters, step-brothers and step-sisters only. Siblings must reside within the OUSD school boundaries. There are NO EXCEPTIONS for Sibling Status. If we are unable to verify sibling status, the application will be removed and disqualified for the 2025-2026 Lottery.
Prospective McPherson students who have siblings currently attending kindergarten through 7th grade at McPherson must submit the required application. If a sibling application is submitted during the General Public Lottery application window, the application will run with the General Public Lottery and not given priority.
Inaccurate or incomplete information on the lottery entry submitted will result in disqualification.
PLEASE GO TO McPHERSON'S WEBPAGE AND READ ALL ABOUT McPHERSON''S LOTTERY,
https://mcphersonhome.meteormail.net/home/about/lottery-information
School Tours for Prospective Families
Our annual lottery will be opening in January and we want to get the word out about McPherson! If you have friends, family, or neighbors interested in McPherson, please share the flyer below. We are hosting school tours for prospective families starting in December.
Visual and Performing Arts McPherson 5th Grade Winter Showcase
Visual and Performing Arts McPherson 5th Grade Winter Showcase
Monday, January 27th - At 8:20 AM
Location: McPherson Stage
THEATER STUDENTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO WEAR COSTUMES PER CHARACTER
BAND AND ORCHESTRA ARE ENCOURAGED TO WEAR DARK PANTS AND WHITE SHIRT
(See Attached Flyer)
8th Grade Yearbook Ads
Looking for a way to recognize your child's hard work and amazingness over the past 8 years? Want to show your child how proud you are of them for finishing up this K-8 chapter of their lives? Then a recognition ad in the yearbook (section or full page) is the perfect way to do it! The deadline will be here before you know it so don't delay! More details are in the attached flyer. Open attached flyer, or open link below to order this special page for you 8th grade student. When opening the link, choose California, McPherson Magnet School and the phone number of 7149976384 (no spaces in phone number)
Your Feedback is Needed! Participate in the OUSD LCAP Survey
We are committed to providing the best possible educational experience for all of our students, and your input is essential to help us achieve this goal. As part of our ongoing efforts, we invite you to participate in the OUSD Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) Survey.
The LCAP Survey is an important opportunity for parents, guardians, students, and community members to share their thoughts on how we can improve academic programs, school facilities, student support services, and more. Your feedback directly impacts decisions that shape our schools and ensures we continue to meet the needs of all students.
How You Can Help:
- Please take a few minutes to complete the survey and let us know your thoughts.
- Your responses will help us prioritize areas of improvement for the upcoming school year.
Take the Survey Here: https://tinyurl.com/ousdfamily24
Survey Deadline: 1/17/25
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback and help us build a brighter future for our students.
GATE Testing - Please Open Attachment for Information on Gate Testing
Attached please find information on the GATE testing provided by OUSD Universal Screening
All 3rd-grade students are tested in their classrooms unless parents "opt out "of testing.
3rd Grade Students will be tested between 1/27/24 and 2/7/24.
See Flyer Attached for Fall Parent Information Sessions and GATE Testing Dates
ELAC Meeting Information
ELAC Meetings this year are scheduled for September 30, October 28, January 27, and April 28. Meetings review the resources available for all our English learners and ways to help support students in succeeding. All families are invited to attend.
Please join us at 8:15 AM in room 500 for ELAC.
FREE MIDDLE SCHOOL MATH TUTORING
We are excited to offer math tutoring BEFORE school for all middle school students on Thursdays and Fridays (starting September 5). This is a great opportunity for students to get extra help with math assignments, prepare for tests, or simply improve their math skills. No sign-up necessary. These are drop in tutoring sessions.
When: Every Thursday & Friday morning from 7:15am to 8:00am (Starting September 5)
Where: Mr. Castro's Room #107
Who: Any 6th, 7th or 8th grade student
Campus Volunteer Procedures
At McPherson, we value a partnership with parents and families and we want you to take an active role in your child's education. We do have an expectation that every family will contribute ten hours of volunteer time every year. There are many ways to volunteer throughout the year but if you intend to volunteer on campus during the year (classroom help, parties, field trips, etc) we must have you complete OUSD's volunteer application. You can complete this now and it will be good for the entire school year. The majority of our campus volunteers will be working 5 hours or less on campus so you will only need to complete the requirements listed under #1 and #2 on the links below. Please call the office if you have any questions regarding the volunteer application process.
English:
https://apps.raptortech.com/Apply/MjY4OmVuLVVT
Spanish:
PTSA BIRTHDAY MARQUEE
It is always fun to post a special message for your child's birthday. You can purchase Birthday Marquee messages now at - https://mcp-birthday-marquee.cheddarup.com
All birthday marquee messages must be purchased by the Wednesday prior to the week you are requesting.
PLEASE COLLECT YOUR BOXTOPS TO HELP McPHERSON
Our school is participating in BoxTops, which means that you can earn cash with the products you already buy to help our school earn money for classroom supplies. We need your help, collecting Box Tops to earn cash for McPherson. Each one is worth 10¢! Everyone’s participation is helpful. Let's work together to give our students what they need to succeed — and see how much we can earn this year!
If you're new to BoxTops, you can download the app, select McPherson and input referral code C86O5H22 to earn an extra $2.50. Spread the word!
Here's how you can help:
· If you haven't done so already, Download the Box Tops app on your smartphone.
· Buy Box Tops products, Scan your receipt with the Box Tops app within 14 days of purchase and earn for McPherson with every Box Tops product you buy. The earnings through the application are recognized immediately.
· Our school will get a check to spend on classroom supplies. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE STUDENT & TEACHER’S NAME UNDER “GIVE CREDIT MEMO.”
· Refer your friends, family and other parents in the school to sign up for Box Tops. You'll earn Bonus Box Tops for our school when your referral scans their first receipt!
· Turn on notifications in your Box Tops app to get scan reminders and stay updated on special offers, new products and opportunities to earn for our school. Go to your Communications Settings by tapping on the person icon in the upper-right corner of the app.
· If you shop online, you can earn with your digital or email receipt, too.
MCPHERSON MAGNET SCHOOL | School ID: 227368
If you have trouble scanning your receipts, please email Trinh a copy of the receipts immediately.
Thank you for your support of the Box Tops Program and McPherson! We couldn’t do it without you!
Trinh Guevara
Box Tops Coordinator
trinhandcarlo@gmail.com
UPCOMING DATES
12/5 through 12/16 - Holiday Grams for Sale
12/19 - Holiday Grams Delivered
12/20 - MINIMUM DAY FOR ALL STUDENTS
12/20 - Holiday Pajama Free Dress Day
1/27/25 - VAPA 5th Grade Performance