Principal's Message
Hello McPherson Families,
This week, please join us for an Education Foundation meeting on Tuesday at 7:00 pm in the McPherson library or virtually through Google Meets. This Friday, 12/15, is a minimum day for all students. Students may wear their coziest, festive pajamas to school on Friday. Winter break is from December 18 - January 7.
Have a great week Meteors,
Dr. Godsey
Message from our Assistant Principal, Ms. Manion
The safety of our students and staff is our number one priority at McPherson. We thank you for following our staff’s directions in the parking lots at dismissal. We appreciate both students and parents using the crosswalks for crossing.
Here are a few helpful hints for morning drop-off.
Please use CROSSWALKs for all street crossings. We want to ensure all students and parents are safe crossing streets.
Be MINDFUL to watch the crosswalk and check both ways before proceeding.
Please use the loading zone for drop-offs only. If you want to exit your vehicle to say goodbye, then please park in one of our parking lots.
Vehicles should not be parked or linger in this zone as it disrupts the flow of traffic.
Thank you for your support as we continue to work to make our parking lots a safe place for all students and staff.
McPHERSON SIBLING & STAFF LOTTERY INFORMATION FOR 2024-2025
The Sibling and McPherson Staff Lottery application window will be open from Friday, January 12, 2024, @ 9:00am to Monday, January 15, 2024, @ 3:00pm. We are using a third-party online software, Lotterease, to run the lottery, therefore, please visit our website on how to fill out the application. In regards to the Sibling Lottery, the McPherson student must be currently enrolled in Kindergarten through 7th Grade. Current 8th grade students will not qualify your younger student for entry under the sibling status. Sibling status will be verified prior to January 23, 2024. 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 2024-25 Sibling Lottery. Please go to our website and read the details of our Lottery system.
McPHERSON GENERAL LOTTERY INFORMATION FOR 2024-2025
McPherson will hold a virtual lottery orientation and will also be using a third party online lottery software system, Lotterease. On Tuesday, January 23rd, 2024, Mrs. Godsey will host a live orientation about McPherson and the process for applying to our lottery. The live session will be at 9:00am using Microsoft Teams. A link for the virtual meeting will be posted on our webpage on Monday, January 22nd. If you are unable to attend the live meeting, the link to the recording will be posted on our website at the conclusion of the meeting. During the orientation, parents will be given directions on how to register for a Lotterease account. Directions are also on our webpage. The lottery will be open for applications on Tuesday, January 23rd, 10:00am to Thursday, January 25th at 3:30pm. Parents will be sent an email from Lotterease confirming that the lottery application was received. The lottery draw will be run via Lotterease on Wednesday, February 1st at 9:00am. Parents will receive confirmation from Lotterease of their lottery number and enrollment status (accepted or waitlisted) via email by 3:00pm on Wednesday, January 31st. Students who are accepted to McPherson will have 5 calendar days from the date the email is sent, to accept enrollment or the lottery spot will be given to the next student on the waitlist.
Basketball practice begins on January 22, 2024 for our middle school basketball teams. The first soccer game will be on Monday, February 12. See all practice and game dates in "Upcoming Dates". Athletic Packet is required for all students to participate in any sport at McPherson. If your student is going to play basketball and has not filled out the athletic packet, please complete the packet by Friday, January 12 . ATHLETIC PACKET MUST BE TURNED IN TO PARTICIPATE IN SPORTS.
PTA Private Movie Theater Event on 12/16 - Wonka
Tickets are on sale for Wonka - a private movie screening with your schoolmates on December 16th at 10am. Tickets are $10 each. The last private screening sold out fast so set yourself a reminder to get tickets as soon as they go on sale.
Holiday Grams - Being Sold Starting 11/29
Fact: The holidays are happier with a gram!
When? Holiday Grams will be on sale from Wednesday, November 29 through December 11 . Grams can be purchased before school, during lunch, and after school.
Where? In front of the main office.
Grams Delivered on Thursday, December 14
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!
Yearbooks Are Now On Sale!!! - ORDER BEFORE PRICE GOES UP!!!
Order your McPherson Magnet School 2024 yearbook now at a discounted price and save $$. Order before January 26 for $50, after that the price will increase. The yearbooks will only be offered to purchase online. Cash sales will ONLY be accepted at the end of the year provided there are books left to sell. To guarantee your child a copy at a discounted price now, go to www.jostensyearbooks.com. Don't let your child miss out on the opportunity to ask their friends "Will you sign my yearbook?". ORDER YOUR 2024 YEARBOOK ONLINE AT WWW.JOSTENSYEARBOOKS.COM, locate McPherson Magnet school, choose to purchase the yearbook, and select any additional optional options you would like to purchase.
McPherson Parents: WE NEED YOUR INPUT
It is time for our annual LCAP (Local Control and Accountability Plan) Survey. Our survey is essential in informing our actions outlined in our LCAP. Thank you in advance for participating in our survey! Please use the link provided to take the survey today on any device.
Please use the link provided to take
the survey today on any device. Survey window is open from October 23, 2023 through January 12, 2024. https://bit.ly/LCAPSurvey23-24
GATE Testing - Please Open Attachments 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.
OUSD 3rd grade students: May Opt Out and the Opt Out Form is attached.
Students will be tested between 1/30/23 and 3/3/23.
All OUSD 2nd and 4th-6th graders are eligible for GATE testing. Parents, teachers & staff may refer students by January 10th, 2024. See attachments for more details.
VPHS DANCE PROGRAM - 2024 ANNUAL SPARTAN MINI DANCER CLINIC
Mini Dancer Clinic - Sunday, January 14th AND Varsity Basketball Game – Tuesday, January 16th
Participants will experience the excitement of being a VPHS dance team member! Your VPHS Dance Team and Coaches will share our latest dances! SEE FLYER ATTACHED FOR ALL THE DETAILS
OUR SPARTAN MINI DANCER CLINIC: (Sunday, January 14 th ) is open to grades K-8th.
Cost : $50.00 (includes VPHS Dance T-Shirt, treat, and free admission to the basketball game for the
participant.) Parents/Guardians, siblings, etc. will have to purchase a ticket for the game.
Check in Time : 12:00pm – 12:30pm Clinic Time : 12:30pm - 3:00pm
***For more information, please feel free to contact Jennifer Howerton at jhowerton@orangeusd.org
McPherson Wellness Center
We are developing the McPherson Wellness Center for the support and well-being of all students on our campus. If you would like to support us with purchasing any of the items on the Amazon Wish List or Target Wish List. The Links are listed below, we would appreciate your kindness and assistance.
Amazon Wish List Link: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2Q0D5VI9UVBOC?ref_=wl_share
Target Wish List: https://www.target.com/gift-registry/gift/mcphersonwellnesswishlist
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://my.cheddarup.com/c/map-birthday?cart=558b524f-dfb5-4dff-b5ee-620c1d38e040%21%2159728133
All birthday marquee messages must be purchased by the Wednesday prior to the week you are requesting.
BOX TOPS - WE NEED YOUR HELP!!
Hello McPherson Families! My name is Trinh and I'm your school Box Top for Education Coordinator.
Our school is participating in Box Tops, 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!
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
12/11 - LAST DAY FOR Holiday Grams For Sale
12/12 - Education Foundation Meeting
12/14 - Holiday Gram Delivery
12/15 - Pajama Day for All students
12/15 - MINIMUM DAY BEFORE WINTER BREAK. ALL STUDENTS OUT EARLY RELEASE TIME
12/16 - PTA Private Movie Theater Event - Showing WONKA
1/25/24 - VAPA showcase for All 5TH GRADE STUDENTS
1/12-1/15 - Staff/Sibling Lottery Window
1/23-1/25 - General Public Lottery Window
ATHLETIC SCHEDULES
Students should have no D’s or F’s for grades and citizenship
with no U’s to be eligible. Tryouts will be based on grade standings, effort, and skill for Football and Volleyball
FLAG FOOTBALL
Mondays Practices 3:00-4:00
Wednesdays Practices 1-2 (supervised lunch 12:40-1)
December 11- Game @ Santiago 3:00 (bus @ 1:30)
Football Coaches: Jeno Jorgensen and Marc Merchant
VOLLEYBALL
Volleyball Practice/ Game Dates
Mondays and Thursdays Practices 3:00-4:00
December 11- Game vs Santiago 3:00
Volleyball Coaches: Julie VanderWall and Nicole Wyckoff