McPherson News April 7, 2024

Hello McPherson Families,

SBAC testing for 3rd-8th grade students is coming up in May. We will be taking some practice tests to prepare for the tests in the coming weeks. All 3rd-8th grade students need a laptop to take the tests on. If a student is using a personal device, instead of a school issued laptop, you will need to download a secure browser to access the SBAC tests. Directions for how to do this are in the newsletter. This week, the Book Fair will be open in the library and there is a Lunch on the Lawn event on Friday. We also have Kindergarten and 8th grade Promotion pictures and an Education Foundation meeting on Tuesday. Please see the newsletter for more information on all of these events and more. Lastly, as we are all excited for the eclipse on Monday, please remind your child that they should never look directly at the sun for safety purposes.

Thank you,

Dr. Godsey

Principal

As we approach the upcoming solar eclipse on April 8, it's crucial that we remember the importance of eye safety during this remarkable event. Solar eclipses are a captivating natural phenomena, but viewing them without proper precautions can pose significant risks to eye health.

Please remind your students to never look directly at the sun: Looking directly at the sun, even during an eclipse, can cause permanent eye damage or blindness.

According to NASA, people in our area will see about 50% of the sun being eclipsed by the moon. The process will begin just after 10:00 a.m., reach its peak at 11:12 a.m., and end at 12:21 p.m.

In May, our 3rd-8th grade students will be taking SBAC Assessments in English Language Arts and Mathematics. Before then, students will be taking interim assessments, which serve as smaller practice tests, to prepare for the test in May. Some classes have already started taking these assessments, but we want to be sure that everyone is prepared.

If your child uses a personal device, rather than a school issued device, you will need to download the secure browser for the assessments. Please follow the steps below to install the browser on a personal device. **If your child is using a school-loaned device, the browser is already on it, so you will not need to do these steps.

1. Click here for the Secure Browser Download for Personal Devices.
2. Click on your device's operating system on the left side of the screen.
3. Click on the blue "Download Secure Browser."
4. Follow directions for installation.

If you have difficulty installing the browser, your child may check out a school device from the library.

Your child will also need a pair of headphones for the tests. They must be hard wired headphones.

McPherson PTSA will be hosting a school carnival on 4/19 from 5:30- 7:30pm. Wristbands are $20 pre-order and $25 at the door. Wristbands give you access to face painting, the balloon artist, games, Photo Booth and more. There will also be a magic show for all to enjoy. Any person wanting to play games or participate in activities will need a wristband. Food will be available for additional charge. You can purchase your pre-sale wristbands online Now! https://carnival-48127.cheddarup.com

In order to make this event a success we need volunteers like you to help us out the day of the carnival!! If you are interested in helping out sign up here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1h6iMLxuWCHnf7kLD3mXbNBFrSE8SlRFIoAgJRiGGxDU/edit?usp=sharing

Book Fair

It's that time of year again for our Spring Scholastic Book Fair April 8th- 12th!!!

Students will be able to shop during their library time, lunch, recess and after school until 3pm on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. Book Fair will close at 1pm on Wednesday 4/10 and will be packed up concluding our Lunch on the lawn on 4/12.

Instead of sending your student with cash, consider signing them up for an e-wallet. They are able to use the money uploaded to their account to make purchases from our fair. https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/mcpherson

In order to make this book fair a success we need your help! Please sign up to volunteer at the book fair here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409044DACA723A6FD0-48650594-book

PLEASE READ BELOW FOR IMPORTANT DETAILS FOR LUNCH ON THE LAWN

Friday, April 12

Schedule

Kindergarten: 11:35 to 12:20

1st through 2nd Grade: 11:20 to 12:05

3rd through 5th Grade: 11:49 to 12:26

6th through 8th Grade: 12:34-1:09

• Parents or family members may bring lunch, picnic baskets, lawn chairs or blankets and a book to the McPherson Literacy Lunch (easy ups and umbrellas are also allowed, and the entire grassy lawn area is available to use). School lunch is still available for all students.

• We will open the Palmyra gate located on the north east side of campus (on Palmyra) at 11:15am. Please be sure to park in our parking lots as the north side of Palmyra is parking by permit only. You may drop off family members at the Palmyra gate that are not able to walk from the Prospect lot.
• Students 1st through 5th will line up on the playground by teacher name during the first 5 minutes of the schedule ABOVE (please be sure to note that lunch schedules vary by grade level). After students are in line for 5 minutes they will be released to eat lunch and play. No one will be eating in the quad area near the cafeteria as everyone will enjoy lunch and a book on the lawn.
• ·Students that get school lunch will be picking it up before they line up. Please make sure your student knows if you are coming with lunch, they should not get a school lunch on Friday.
• PLEASE GO TO THE LIBRARY AND VISIT THE BOOKFAIR DURING LUNCH! THEY WILL BE OPEN FOR BUSINESS.
• Administration will make announcements for students to line up at the end of each lunch period. Please be sure to encourage students to line up at this time and then ONLY parents will exit out through the Palmyra gate. We want to make sure that everyone has exited and the gate is locked by 1:20.
• Should you want to take your student home after Literacy Lunch, you will need to check your student out.

Kindergarten and 8th Grade Promotion pictures will be taken on Tuesday, April 9.

The promotion pictures for Kindergarten and 8th-grade students are placed in a nice portfolio and given to the students on the last day of school. The portfolio picture is at no cost, however, you can order additional pictures from Pictures With Class. The 8th grade Panoramic Picture. Orders from will be coming home, and they have your student's name on them.

If you would like to order on line at www.pictureswithclass.com

Promotion Pictures - Online Password is FUC7C484SF

Panoramic Pictures - Online Password is VZQ3CXBB97

This is a FREE DRESS in your BEST Dress for Success for Kindergarten and 8th grade only.

This is NOT blue jeans, casual free dress day. There are NO make-up pictures.

OUSD is hosting an Elementary "Carnival of Champions" Track Meet on Saturday, April 27, at 9:00am. Celebrate our student athletes while observing the beauty of Fred Kelly Stadium. If you are interested in your student participating in any of the sports listed below, please send an e-mail to Ms. Manion, our assistant principal.

Dates for practice:

Monday 4/8, Tuesday 4/9, Tuesday 4/16, Thursday 4/18, Tuesday 4/23 and Thursday 4/25

All practices will be from 2:00pm-3:00pm after school. Students should meet Mrs. Angel and Mrs. Meza-Cerne by the flagpole.

The event is on April 27.

LAST CHANCE TO SIGN UP - Please include your child's full name, grade, and the event they are interested in participating in on your e-mail to Ms. Manion.

Events include:

Running events- 100 m, 200 m, 300m 400 m, and 800 m

Football Throw

Softball Throw

Broad Jump

Long Jump

Thank you McPherson families for your support in a successful STAR Mission. We collectively raised over $62,000 exceeding the school-wide goal! The funds will go directly to supporting the school's STEM focus and teacher grants.

Please join us at our next foundation meeting on:

Tuesday, April 9th at 7:00PM in room 500

The meeting is also available on Google Meets:

meet.google.com/cem-yxzj-nri

Questions? Send us a message - officers@mcpherson-foundation.org

April marks the Month of the Military Child, when our Nation pays tribute to the resilience and tenacity of our military children; over 2 million active duty, National Guard, Reserve, and children of veterans who did not make the choice to serve but live each day supporting their brave parents. We see their service and want to thank them for it.

(“A Proclamation on Month of the Military Child”, The White House, 2021)

On Wednesday, April 10, we will wear purple shirt and accessories with uniform bottoms to honor and celebrate the month of the Military Child.

Do you have a Talent??

Show it off and have some fun! McPherson PTSA is hosting a talent show for all McPherson students/staff on May 30, 5:30- 7:30pm. All types of talents are welcome to try out including single and group entries! All participants will receive a prize! More details to follow on tryouts and dress rehearsal dates.

If you are interested in showing your 2 minute talent please fill out the interest form by 3/20:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1MsEEaX5YeQfU5L1G8rlqgPzEqsG_xsGtLhfAGsPywvk/edit?usp=sharing

Please see the ELOP class schedule linked below, and registration is completed through the Eleyo site. All students will be put on a waitlist upon registration. ELOP qualified students (Low income, EL, McKinney Vento or Foster Youth) are given priority and then other students will be placed in the class.

McPherson ELOP Spring Schedule

Enrichment - OUSD Expanded Learning Programs (eleyo.com)

REMINDER - If your 6th-grade student has not turned in proof of the T-Dap vaccination before they enter 7th grade next year, they will not be able to register nor attend school until their T-Dap proof is turned in. Please make sure you turn in your T-Dap vaccination record before your student enters 7th grade for the 24/25 school year.

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

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.

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

Mark your calendars:

April 8 - Solar Eclipse

April 8 - 12 - Book Fair in LIbrary

April 12 - Lunch on the Lawn

April 9 - Kindergarten and 8th Grade Promotion Pictures

April 19 - PTSA Carnival

April 27 - OUSD Elementary "Carnival of Champions" Track Meet

May 2 - Open House

May 13-24 - SBAC Testing

May 30 - McPherson Talent Show

June 1 - 8th Grade Promotion Party