Principal's Message
Hello McPherson Families:
I hope everyone had a wonderful winter break and enjoyed some quality time with friends and family. We return to school on Monday, January 13.
I am excited to share that construction on a new lunch structure has started over winter break! With the start of construction, we will have some changes to drop off/pick up and lunch procedures in order to maintain safety for students and staff. Please see the newsletter for more details.
The McPherson staff and sibling lottery opens this Friday, January 17, at 9:00 am. See the newsletter for more information on the process for entering the lottery.
Have a great week Meteors,
Dr. Godsey
Principal
Lunch Structure Construction
Construction on a new lunch structure has started over winter break! With the start of construction, we will have some changes to drop off/pick up and lunch procedures in order to maintain safety for students and staff.
Most notably, the back gate (off of Prospect) will be closed to students and staff. It will be used for construction access only.
We will use the Kindergarten gate for drop off of any grades in the morning. For dismissal, 1st-2nd grade students (who normally leave through the back gate) will be taken to the City Athletic Park Gate farther down the south end of the parking lot. Students will still be able to access the pick-up lane at dismissal and staff will be out for supervision. The front gates (by the main office) will open as usual for drop off and pick up. If you have multiple children, please communicate with them about which gate you will be picking them up from.
Please be patient as we navigate these changes. Our top priority is safety, so please plan ahead and know that drop off and pick up might take a little longer as we adjust to these new routines. Thank you for your support!
Morning Waiting Areas K-8 :
Grades K-2 will wait at tables in the cafeteria
Grades 3-5 will wait in the area between the 100-200 buildings
Middle school students will wait in the quad
*Breakfast will be served in the cafeteria as usual
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.
Science Fair Judges Needed
Please help our students by becoming a Science Fair Judge.
WHO: You can come judge if your have a professional degree
WHAT: Middle School Science Fair
WHY: -Help our students understand their projects and practice public speaking by defending their research
-Learn how the Science Fair works at the Middle School Level
-Get Volunteer hours for your Family
WHEN: Jan 23 and Jan 24th
WHERE: McPherson Cafeteria
Contact: Mrs. Conrad if you have additional questions. econrad@orangeusd.org
SignUp: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0949AFA72FA2FD0-53852544-science
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)
Middle School Basketball Practice Begins in February
Middle School Basketball Practice Begins in February
Basketball practice begins on February 3, 2025 for our middle school basketball teams. The first soccer game will be on Monday, February 24. 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 17 . ATHLETIC PACKET MUST BE TURNED IN TO PARTICIPATE IN SPORTS. ** All practices are from 3:00- 4:00 PM. Coaches may add additional or alternate practices dates. See Attached Flyer for ALL DATES of practices and games.
Calling all student RUNNERS!
Calling All Student RUNNERS!
We want to bring back the McPherson Magnet KROC team this year. We are excited to launch in the new year, so please consider joining the team.
Event Date: May 3, 2025 at the OC Fairgrounds
Entry fee is $29 which gives each runner a bib, shirt, and the marathon kids' medal
The entry fee also allows you to participate in the 10-week training program which begins in March.
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)
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
1/16 & 1/22 - School Tours
1/27/25 - VAPA 5th Grade Performance
1/17 - 1/22/25 - Sibling and McPherson Staff Lottery (Closes @ 3:00pm on 1/22/25)
1/28/25 - McPherson's Virtual Lottery Orientation
1/28/25 - Lottery Application Process Opens @ 10:00AM
1/30/25 - Lottery Application Closes @ 3:30pm, (Applications will not be accepted after 3:30PM)
2/5/25 - McPherson's Lottery Will Be Run