McPherson News for Sept 29, 2024

Hello McPherson Families,

This week, students may wear college shirts or sweatshirts with their uniform bottoms on Wednesday. The first Wednesday of every month is College Shirt day! Also, on Wednesday, we are recognizing Bully Prevention Month and students may wear all of their blue accessories.

Be sure to review the newsletter for information from PTSA regarding the Art Reflections Contest and our membership drive. Please help us reach our goal of 400 members so the whole school can earn a popsicle party!

Lastly, please see the newsletter for important information regarding school attendance, GATE testing information, ELAC, and upcoming dates.

Have a great week Meteors,

Dr. Godsey

Principal

School attendance is vital for students to succeed. Developing the habit of being at school each day is important. We need your help to ensure our students are present and ready to learn daily.

McPherson's Attendance rate is 97.50%

Chronic Absenteeism was 4.75% for the last year.

Our goal is for every student to have at least 90% attendance.

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.

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.

In Observance of National Bully Prevention Month – McPherson students and staff will be encouraged to wear Blue Accessories on Wednesday October 2. Help us support bully prevention!

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 TAKE THEIR ID OR PICTURE DURING REGISTRATION.

Please JOIN OR RENEW your McPherson PTSA Membership today to help us reach our goal of 400 memberships for the schools. If we hit our goal there will be a popsicle party for the entire school!

AND, if you make sure to enter your students as "Student (Non-Member)" and list their teacher - ALL TEACHERS WITH 50% OF THEIR STUDENTS ENTERED WILL RECEIVE AN ADDITIONAL $50 IN GRANT MONEY FROM THE PTSA.

Your membership fees help support Teacher grants, teacher appreciation week, school activities and much more, click here to renew your membership today - Join McPherson PTSA (jointotem.com)

When you renew, please also update your student's information with CURRENT grade and teacher information - thank you!

🚀

https://jointotem.com/ca/orange/mcpherson-ptsa

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

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

10/2 - Blue Accessories for Anti Bullying

10/7-10/11 - Parent Teacher Conferences

10/15 - Picture Retake Day