Principal's Message
Hello McPherson Families,
This week, our Education Foundation is hosting an Astronomy Night on Wednesday, November 15, starting at 5:30. Come enjoy a night of star gazing with a NASA JPL Astronomer and other McPherson families!
This week, we also have a McPherson Eats event at Jersey Mike's on Wednesday and a Squad Spirit day on Friday, 11/17. Please see the newsletter for more information on upcoming events, a link to take the LCAP survey, and links to sign up for our upcoming Saturday Enrichment Academy events.
Have a great week Meteors,
Dr. Godsey
Principal
Jersey Mike's Family Lunch/Dinner Fundraiser
Family Lunch/Dinner Fundraiser for Wednesday, November 15 @ Jersey Mike's
Our NEXT Family Lunch/Dinner Fundraiser for November 15 is at Jersey Mike's
McPherson will receive 20% of all SALES
Wednesday, November 15 - ALL DAY
3428 E Chapman Avenue, Orange
Please show the flyer attached when ordering from Jersey Mike's.
ASTRONOMY NIGHT at McPherson
ASTRONOMY NIGHT at McPherson
November 15, 2023 - 5:30 - 8:00
Bring your telescope! Family and friends are welcome. Free event hosted by the McPherson Education Foundation.
Come out and enjoy the evening and learn about our solar system. We will be treated to a presentation by Dr. Gray, a NASA JPL astronomy expert, where you’ll learn cool facts about the skies above! Local astronomy enthusiasts will also be on hand to help you learn how to properly use and take care of your telescopes. Make sure to stop by the Science Olympiad Bake Sale for some yummy treats! Join us for a night under the stars. See you all there!
Operation Gift Giving-You Can Help A Child by Giving A Gift!!
Mark your calendars to drop off your gifts, under our tree starting November 27.
“It's not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.” Mother Teresa
Donating gifts to McPherson’s Operation Gift Giving is one way you can take your part in giving during this Holiday Season. How YOU can help! Leadership will be collecting gifts for McPherson’s Operation Gift Giving, which will run from Monday, November 27 through December 6. Please drop off an unwrapped new toy in the Holiday Boxes located at the entrance of the back gate and the front gate parking lot. These gifts will be given to children who do not have the means for receiving gifts during the Holiday Season. This is a great way to share the gift of giving during the holiday season!!!
PTSA SKATE & PIZZA NIGHT
Skate Night and Pizza Night!!
Come out and enjoy skating with your McPherson Friends!
Thursday November 30th, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Holiday Skate, 175 N Wayfield, Orange,CA
Tickets will be sold at the door. $15 per ticket which includes skate rental. $5 each for spectators/non- skaters. Skate mates are an additional $5.
Visit Lamppost Pizza (same shopping center- 1829 E Chapman Ave) any time on November 30th and mention "McPherson" when ordering for dine in or carry out, and a portion of your purchase will be donated back to McPherson PTSA.
PTSA Holiday Shop Coming Soon - Need Volunteers
Holiday shopping! How can it be? Yes we know it's a bit early but PTSA will be having our holiday shop and need your help. If you love to see the joy on little faces as they pick out gifts for their family and
friends this is your time to shine. See the link below to sign up to volunteer.
Save the Date - PTA Private Movie Theater Event on 12/16 - Wonka
Save the Date to see Wonka at a private screening with your schoolmates on December 16th at 10am. Tickets will go on sale Monday November 27th for $10 each. The last private screening sold out fast so mark your calendars to get tickets as soon as they go on sale.
LOST & FOUND
We have a lot of jackets and sweaters that get left behind on the playground. Please check our lost and found, located in front of the school office, for any lost clothing items, water bottles and lunch pais.
PLEASE PICK UP BEFORE THANKSGIVING BREAK!!
ALL ITEMS NOT PICKED UP BY FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17, WILL BE DONATED TO CHARITY
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.
Delivered on Wednesday, December 13.
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!
El Modena High Middle School Soccer Camp
The El Modena Boys & Girls Soccer teams are working with Orange Unified Public School Foundation to put on a soccer camp for 7th and 8th graders on Saturday, November 18th from 8:30am-11:00am. We are asking any student-athletes that are interested to register using the link or QR code that is provided on the attached flyer.
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! Click on the following link and follow the easy steps! The deadline will be here before you know it so don't delay! More details are in the attached flyer.
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
Saturday Enrichment Academy - 12/2 and 12/9
On Saturday, December 2 and 9, we will be holding Saturday Enrichment Academy (SEA) sessions! We will have fun activities for the kids and parents can have the morning off to take care of errands or start planning for the holidays! Also, for any student who has missed a day of school because of illness or other personal reasons, we are able to recover the lost ADA funding if you “make up” your absence by attending SEA. Our goal is to provide students with additional academic instruction in a more relaxed and fun environment while recovering lost attendance funds for McPherson! Please register your child on the Google form if they are able to attend by November 29, 2023.
When: Saturday, December 2 and 9, 8:00 am - 12:15pm
What: Fun, Winter Themed STEAM Activities
Drop off/Pick Up: Front gate, near the office
What to wear: Cozy PJs (no slippers)
What to Bring: A charged device for 3rd-8th graders; a free school snack will be provided
Fill out the Google Form to Sign Up by 11/29/23:
12/2 Sign Up Link: https://forms.gle/9sCGTea7AaxQEzPT7
12/9 Sign Up Link: https://forms.gle/mPTuudiUsoGsAjL87
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
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.
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
11/15 - Jersey Mike's Fundraiser
11/15 - Astronomy Night
11/17 - Spirit Day
11/27 thru 12/6 - Operation Gift Giving
11/29 - PTSA Meeting - Principal's Coffee
11/29 thru12/11 - Holiday Grams For Sale
11/30 - PTSA Skate & Pizza Night
1/25/24 - VAPA showcase for All 5TH GRADE STUDENTS
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)
November 13- Game vs Portola 3:00
November 15- Practice
November 27- Game @Yorba 3:00 (bus @1:30)
November 29- Practice
December 4- Game vs El Rancho 3:00
December 6- Practice
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
November 13- Game @Portola 3:00 (bus @ 1:30)
November 16- Practice
November 27- Game vs Yorba 3:00
November 30- Practice
December 4- Game @ El Rancho 3:00 (bus @1:45)
Please note that the return time will be 5:30-6 PM
December 7- Practice
December 11- Game vs Santiago 3:00
Volleyball Coaches: Julie VanderWall and Nicole Wyckoff