McPherson News for Oct 6, 2024

Hello McPherson Families,

McPherson's "Reach for the Stars" fundraiser is blasting off this week! Information on how you can be involved will go out on Monday. Our PTSA is raising money to support all of our great programs and for a future outdoor STEM lab at McPherson!

This week, our elementary classes will be on a minimum day schedule all week! Middle school students are on a regular schedule. Also, students may wear pink on Wednesday in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness month. Please see the newsletter for more information on our Fall fundraiser, PTSA Reflections Program, and upcoming campus events!

Have a great week Meteors,

Dr. Godsey

Principal

Congratulations to Dr. Godsey and Ms. Wyckoff for being recognized as C-STEM Administrator and Teacher of the Year! The C-STEM Educator Awards recognize exemplary leadership and teaching in supporting computer science and STEM education through systematic implementation of the C-STEM program.

Parent-teacher conferences for elementary classes are October 7 - October 11. Teachers will send out their schedules directly to parents to fill in a time for their conference. Elementary students will be on a minimum day schedule Monday - Friday, 10/7-10/11. Middle school students are on a regular schedule this week.

Calling all cosmic cadets and space explorers! McPherson Magnet "Reach for the Stars" fundraiser is blasting off, and we need your help to make our mission a success!

We're on a galactic quest to raise $40,000 for to support our programs and an out-of-this-world outdoor STEM lab. It's time to suit up and recruit your friends and family as mission sponsors! Fundraiser runs from October 7 through October 25.

Your mission, should you choose to accept it:

1. Spread the word across the universe (or at least to your loved ones)
2. Collect space bucks (aka donations) to fuel our cosmic dream
3. Earn stellar prizes as you zoom past fundraising milestones

But wait, there's more! If we reach our goal, prepare for a close encounter of the Godsey kind! Dr. Godsey will transform into an extraterrestrial creature and invade our campus!

Are you ready to embark on this interstellar adventure? Let's show the galaxy what McPherson Magnet is made of! To infinity and beyond!

Wear PINK to support Breast Cancer Awareness Month on Wednesday, October 9th. Also, bring $2 donation to support Breast Cancer Research. Please turn in to your donations to your teacher or in to the office. The office will have envelopes for your donation if you need them.

It's that time of year again for our fall Scholastic Book Fair 10/14- 10/18!!
Students will be able to shop during their library time, lunch, recess and after school until 3pm on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. Book Fair will close at 1pm on Wednesday, October 16, and will be packed up concluding our Lunch on the Lawn on October 18. WE NEED VOLUNTEERS IN ORDER TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409044DACA723A6FD0-51921220-scholastic

Instead of sending your student with cash, consider signing them up for an e-wallet. They are able to use the money uploaded to their account to make purchases from our fair. https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/mcpherson

Picture retake day is Tuesday, October 15. Only those students having their picture taken can wear free dress. If your student is having their picture retaken, they MUST BRING THE FOLDER THEY RECEIVED FROM THE PREVIOUS PICTURE DAY. ALSO, ANY STUDENT THAT HAS NOT HAD THEIR PICTURE TAKEN WILL DO SO ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15. MIDDLE SCHOOL WILL ALSO GET THEIR ID CARD IF THEY DID NOT GET THEIR ID OR TAKE THEIR PICTURE DURING REGISTRATION.

Boo Grams will be on sale Thursday, 10/17 thru Monday, 10/28. Show you care and send a scare!!! Boo Grams are on sale before school and after school at the back gate and in front of the office. Boo Grams are also sold at lunch in the quad. Grams cost 25 cents to 75 cents and will be delivered on Thursday, October 31st.

PLEASE READ BELOW FOR IMPORTANT DETAILS FOR LITERACY LUNCH ON THE LAWN

Friday, October 18

Schedule

Kindergarten: 11:35 to 12:20

1st through 2nd Grade: 11:20 to 12:05

3rd through 5th Grade: 11:49 to 12:26

6th through 8th Grade: 12:34-1:09

• Parents or family members may bring lunch, picnic baskets, lawn chairs or blankets and a book to the McPherson Literacy Lunch (easy ups and umbrellas are also allowed, and the entire grassy lawn area is available to use). School lunch is still available for all students.

• We will open the Palmyra gate located on the north east side of campus (on Palmyra) at 11:15am. Please be sure to park in our parking lots as the north side of Palmyra is parking by permit only. You may drop off family members at the Palmyra gate that are not able to walk from the Prospect lot.
• Students 1st through 5th will line up on the playground by teacher name during the first 5 minutes of the schedule ABOVE (please be sure to note that lunch schedules vary by grade level). After students are in line for 5 minutes they will be released to eat lunch and play. No one will be eating in the quad area near the cafeteria as everyone will enjoy lunch and a book on the lawn.
• ·Students that get school lunch will be picking it up before they line up. Please make sure your student knows if you are coming with lunch, they should not get a school lunch on Friday.
• PLEASE GO TO THE LIBRARY AND VISIT THE BOOKFAIR DURING LUNCH! THEY WILL BE OPEN FOR BUSINESS.
• Administration will make announcements for students to line up at the end of each lunch period. Please be sure to encourage students to line up at this time and then ONLY parents will exit out through the Palmyra gate. We want to make sure that everyone has exited and the gate is locked by 1:20.
• Should you want to take your student home after Literacy Lunch, you will need to check your student out.

McPherson PTSA's annual Trunk or Treat is October 25th 5:30-7:30pm. We are in need of candy/ small prize donations. Your donations can be dropped off to our candy container in front of the front office.

Are you interested in joining in on the fun and decorating your trunk? Spots are going quickly! Sign up here

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1g6ZQJK2OVXTSyG8g_utrh8mj5Rj1UExz99x56_Sun3A/edit?usp=sharing

Red Ribbon week is 10/28-11/1. We need volunteers on Sunday 10/27 at 9am to help get our campus ready for Red Ribbon Week!! If you are able to help please fill out the google form so we can send out any needed information as the date gets closer.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1tttn-p3xz35nrK6159ZL1jd7b588xJrleOO4Do6M1CQ/edit?usp=sharing

On Thursday, October 31 students will be able to dress in their school appropriate Halloween costumes or wear Fall Colors to celebrate the fall season. No masks and no bloody costumes and no weapons of any kind.

PTSA Reflections Program 2024-2025 “Accepting Imperfection” MUST SUBMIT BY 10/22/24

Is your student interested in art, music, dance, writing, producing film or taking photos? Encourage your child to showcase their talents by participating in the National PTA Reflections program. California State PTA and its members, families, and kids are on the forefront of this amazing program, which increases community awareness of the importance of arts in education. This year’s theme is “Accepting Imperfection.” There are opportunities for awards and fun prizes just for participating!

More information can be found at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1gmGlIbSKQQ-0T9kJwF_MRt5pNf1H5mASPzF1iRcW5qE/edit

All submissions will be submitted electronically by October 22, 2024

Any questions can be emailed to reflections@mcphersonptsa.org

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 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.

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

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:

https://apps.raptortech.com/Apply/MjY4OmVzLVVT

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.

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

10/7-10/11 - Parent Teacher Conferences

10/9 - Wear Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

10/14-10/18 - BOOK FAIR

10/15 - Picture Retake Day

10/18 - Lunch on the Lawn

10/24 - Totally Thrilling Thursday - TBD

10/25 - Trunk or Treat

10/31 - Free Halloween Costume Day