Principal's Message
Hello McPherson Families,
Thank you to all our students, parents, teachers, and staff for making the start of the 2024-2025 school year a success. It has been wonderful to see our community come together, and I am excited for the year ahead!
As we settle into our routines, I want to remind everyone about the importance of safety during drop-off and pick-up times. Please be patient and be sure to follow all traffic laws to ensure the safety of our students. Additionally, I want to remind you that there are no crossing guards at the streets surrounding the school. Please be mindful of children crossing the street and be sure not to block the crosswalks.
Please see the newsletter for more information about the middle school soccer season, picture day for Kinder-5th grade, and news from PTA and Education Foundation about upcoming events.
Have a great week Meteors,
Dr. Godsey
Principal
THANK YOU PARENTS!!
A heartfelt thank you to all the parents who made Beautification Day on Saturday, August 17, such a success! We were thrilled to see so many families come out to help enhance our school environment. Your dedication and hard work are truly appreciated, and we are incredibly fortunate to have such a supportive and caring community. Thanks for helping make McPherson Magnet School a beautiful place to be!!
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
PICTURE DAY - KINDERGARTEN THROUGH 5TH
Free and appropriate dress for Kindergarten through 5th grade for PICTURE DAY on Tuesday, September 10th. Our new picture vendor is Pictures with Class. MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS, 6TH-8TH, WILL NOT BE TAKING PICTURES ON THIS DATE. MIDDLE SCHOOL PLEASE WEAR YOUR McPHERSON UNIFORM. MIDDLE SCHOOL MAKE UP PICTURES WILL BE TAKEN ON MAKE-UP DAY IN OCTOBER.
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:
Ice Cream Sales - Will Start After School on Monday, September 9
We will be selling ice cream beginning Monday, September 9. Ice Cream will be sold at the FRONT GATE ONLY, at 2:00 pm and at 2:55 pm. We have a new ice Cream Vendor, Andrades Fruit Filled Bars. Andrades has been making delicious, high-quality, fruit-filled ice bars and ice milk bars since the 1940's. Students will be able to choose from over 7 natural flavors of fruit-filled ice bars and milk bars, and they have the highest quality ingredients. Stop by and purchase some "Yummy" Ice Cream Bars for only $3,00 per bar, to help support students overnight trips in 6th through 8th grade.
COME AND JOIN PTSA FOR A PARENT SOCIAL!!! - FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 13TH
Join fellow McPherson parents at Chapman Crafted to get to know each other. Food truck and beverages will be available for purchase (not included). Limited availability for our private room, please purchase your tickets as soon as possible. Adults only please!
Event Date: Sep 13, 2024
Event Time: 5:00pm- 7:30pm
Event Location: Chapman Crafted- 123 N Cypress St, Orange, CA 92869
Purchase tickets here - https://mcpherson-ptsa-parent-social-2024.cheddarup.com
PTSA Spirit Wear Shirt
Spirit Wear!! If you haven't purchased your students fun Friday Spirit wear shirt you can purchase it here and the shirt will be delivered to your students classroom.
https://2023-24-mcpherson-spirit-wear.cheddarup.com
This year we have some fun meteor socks that are available for just $5. After purchase socks will be delivered right to your student's classroom. https://meteor-socks.cheddarup.com
Back to School Street Safety Workshops
We are pleased to announce that, in partnership with the Orange Police Department, the District held its first set of workshops on best practices and tips for safe travel to and from school for the new school year. The next set of workshops, offered in both English and Spanish, will be held at the District Office on September 4 at 5 p.m (Date change from original flyer). Recordings are available on the District website for those who cannot attend in person.
These workshops are part of Orange Unified’s collaborative efforts with the Orange Police Department and the City of Orange to help ensure the safety of students and other pedestrians following Orange City Council’s June 2024 decision not to provide crossing guard services to OUSD schools in the city of Orange due to budget shortfalls.
While the absence of crossing guards in the city of Orange poses a challenge, the combined efforts of parents, schools, and the community can help maintain pedestrian safety, especially during school hours. We ask our community members to remain diligent, drive safely, and observe the speed limits around our schools. The Orange Police Department remains committed to providing traffic safety and enforcement at and around our school campuses, and Orange Unified staff is working with the City of Orange to explore crosswalk visibility enhancements to high-traffic intersections. If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Student & Community Services. Thank you.
Announcing dates for the Fall Middle School Sports Program at McPherson Magnet
Soccer practice begins on Monday, August 26 for our middle school soccer teams. The first soccer game will be on Monday, September 16. 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 Soccer, Basketball, Volleyball, or Football, please complete the pack NOW and check all sports your student will be trying out for through the year. ATHLETIC PACKET MUST BE TURNED IN TO PARTICIPATE IN SPORTS. PLEASE TURN IN PACKET TO PATRICA PEREZ/OFFICE, BY AUGUST 28.
McPherson Education Foundation Needs Your HELP!!
The McPherson Education Foundation has a wristband booth at the Orange International Street Fair from Friday, Aug 30 - Sunday, Sep 1. We are looking for volunteers to help staff the booth (your time will be credited to your volunteer hour requirement at McPherson Magnet). We are only asking for 3 hours of your time, which earns us about $100 in donations per volunteer. It’s a fun way to hang out and meet your fellow McPherson parents. You are also welcome to sign up and bring a friend with you (must be 21+). All volunteers will receive a free McPherson Spirit Shirt. Please sign up at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0944adad2ba3f8ce9-orange#/
Volunteers need to be 21+, but students are welcome to attend the street fair and support their adult family members. (Students may not be in the booth while parents are selling). All proceeds from the Orange International Street Fair Booth benefit current and future students at McPherson Magnet by supporting the STEM programs at the school.
SUPPORT McPHERSON LEADERSHIP AT THE ORANGE STREET FAIR
MPherson Leadership – Will Be At the Street Fair – “Swiss Booth”
Come and support our leadership class Saturday, August 31, and Sunday, September 1, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, at the Street Fair at the Orange Plaza on Glassell. Leadership will be selling Polish and Bratwurst sandwiches. The leadership is asking for your “tip” donations. Only tip profits go to McPherson Leadership class.
PLEASE COLLECT YOUR BOXTOPS TO HELP McPHERSON
This month you can help McPherson earn 50 Bonus BoxTops ($5) for our school when you connect your BoxTops and Walmart accounts for the first time, now through 8/31.
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!
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!
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
Student Fees
Section 5 of Article IX of the State of California Constitution guarantees students a “free public education.” The State Supreme Court concluded in the 1984 case of Hartzell v. Connell, “that all educational activities carried on by public school districts, extra-curricular as well as curricula, must be without cost to the students who participate in such activities.” This same ruling found that “mandatory fees for participating in such extra-curricular activities as drama, music, and athletic competition were illegal under the State Constitution.” Furthermore, they also rejected the argument that “fees could be charged so long as the district waived fees for students who were financially unable to pay.” Recent proposed legislation includes reimbursement with interest for any illegally-collected fees as well as a district sanction.
Uniform Complaint Procedures Notification
The Orange Unified School District and McPherson Magnet have the responsibility to ensure compliance with applicable state and federal laws and regulations and has established procedures to address allegations of unlawful discrimination and complaints alleging violation of state or federal laws governing educational programs. Accordingly, annual notification is provided for students, employees, parents or guardians of students, school and district advisory committees, appropriate private school officials or representatives, and other interested parties. The Orange Unified School District and McPherson Magnet shall investigate and seek to resolve complaints using policies and procedures known as the Uniform Complaint Procedures (UCP) adopted by the Board of Education. The Uniform Complaint Form is available on the District’s website. Unlawful discrimination complaints may be based on actual or perceived sex, sexual orientation, gender, ethnic group identification, race, ancestry, national origin, religion, color, or mental or physical disability, or age, or on a person’s association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics, in any program or activity that receives or benefits from state financial assistance.
