McPherson News for 1/26/25

Hello McPherson Families,

This week, our general lottery for enrollment for the 2025-2026 school year will open on Tuesday, January 28. If you have friends or neighbors interested in attending McPherson next year, please share the information about the lottery with them. On Wednesday, we have our a Principal's Coffee and PTSA meeting immediately following our awards assembly.

Please see the newsletter for more information on upcoming school, Leadership, and PTSA events.

Have a great week Meteors,

Dr. Godsey

Principal

Come and enjoy coffee and donuts and join our Principal's Coffee/General PTSA Meeting on Wednesday, January 29 @ 8:30 am in the library. All Parents are welcome to join us!

The meeting will also be broadcasted virtually: https://meet.google.com/bcb-peap-nry

Dear McPherson Families

Sarah Valdivia was a McPherson Student who started Kindergarten at McPherson Magnet in 2019. She was well known for wearing big bows, loving unicorns, and being a good friend. When she was in second grade, Sarah was diagnosed with terminal brain stem cancer on January 26, 2022. Sarah endured three brain surgeries, and two clinical trials during her battle with cancer. Sarah fought with courage, and a positive attitude every step of the way. She gave us the drive to keep searching for a potential cure. She taught us to enjoy every moment and to always look for light amidst darkness.

There will also be a Reaching for the Cure walk on March 23 and Team Forever Sarah will participate with PCRF to raise funds for research. The 5k is free for anyone who would like to participate. Please open the attached flyer for information on the Reaching for the Cure Walk for the Forever Sarah Foundation

JOIN the McPHERSON RUN CLUB!

● Who: Students K – 8

● What: Running, Games, Fun, Community

● When: Wednesdays After School / Feb 5 th – April 30th / 12:30 – 1:30pm

● Where: McPherson Field

● Why: Inspire Kids to Fitness! The McPherson Run club will be participating in the Kids Run the OC (KROC) Spring "Marathon" Program. During the 12 week training program, kids will accumulate 25+ miles towards their personal ‘marathon’ through various games and activities with their school’s coaches. Together, they will run the Final Mile Event during OC Marathon weekend and celebrate their accomplishment! The Final Mile event will take place Saturday May 3 rd , 2025 @ the OC Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa. $29 entry includes: Runner’s bib, T-shirt, timed race result, & medal! ● Complete Student/Parent contact information for McPherson Run Club HERE

● Final Mile event Registration HERE **Bonus – Student’s training will be a great foundation for those interested in the upcoming Middle School & Elementary Track Meet.

Skate Night

Bring the ones you love and join us for Sweetheart Skate Night - Thursday, February 13th at 5:30pm-7:30pm.

Holiday Skate - 175 N Wayfield St, Orange, CA 92867

Price is $13 for skaters (includes skates); $5 for spectators (this is the facility policy); $5 for skate mates (paid at the door)

This IS NOT a drop-off event, please make sure there is an adult present supervising your child.

Buy your pre-sale Wristbands here: https://sweetheart-skate.cheddarup.com/ Wristbands will be distributed to the student the day before the event.

Don’t forget to wear your Valentine’s Day colors!!!!

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.

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)

Valentine Grams Will Be Delivered on Thursday, February 13

Grams will be sold Wednesday, 1/31 thru 2/10. Grams will be handed out on Thursday, 2/13 to all classes.

Valentine Spirit Day - Thursday, February 13

Show your school spirit and wear red, pink, or white on Thursday, February 13. Students are allowed to wear jeans with Valentine’s Day attire. All spirit day attire must be school-appropriate.

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)

https://tinyurl.com/McPh-8th-Grd-Yrbk-Ads

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

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

1/29 - Principal's Coffee & PTSA Meeting

1/30/25 - Lottery Application Closes @ 3:30pm, (Applications will not be accepted after 3:30PM)

1/31 thru 2/10 - Valentine's Grams for Sale

2/5/25 - McPherson's Lottery Will Be Run

2/13/25 - Free Valentine's Day Dress