McPherson News for Oct 13, 2024

Hello McPherson Families,

We're off to a great start with our Reach for the Stars fundraiser! Thank you to everyone who registered and got us started last week. There is still time to participate as the mission continues for two more weeks! Also, the Book Fair is here! The Book Fair is located in the library and will be open Monday through Thursday after school. Elementary students will visit the Book Fair during their library time. This Friday is also Literacy Lunch on the Lawn! Come enjoy a book and quality time with your child at lunch. Please see the newsletter for details and schedules. You are welcome to park in the Revive Church parking lot if space is limited in our lots.

This week, we also have Picture make up/retake day on Tuesday. Only students taking their picture may wear free dress. Lastly, congratulations to our annual middle school chess tournament winners!

Have a great week Meteors,

Dr. Godsey

Principal

Cosmic Cadets of McPherson Magnet,

Our mission continues! Key updates:

• 2 weeks left (through October 25)
• Goal: $40,000 towards an outdoor STEM lab
• Current total: $15,985 (40% of goal)

🌟 Your mission:

1. Keep collecting donations: Link HERE
2. New recruits: There is still time to register & send 10 emails for more prizes!

Remember: If we hit our goal, Dr. Godsey turns into an alien! 👽

Top Class Fundraisers:

1. Conrad
2. Johnson
3. Angel

Let's keep up the great work! To infinity and beyond!

It's that time of year again for our fall Scholastic Book Fair 10/14- 10/18!!
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, October 16, and will be packed up concluding our Lunch on the Lawn on October 18. WE NEED VOLUNTEERS IN ORDER TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409044DACA723A6FD0-51921220-scholastic

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

PLEASE READ BELOW FOR IMPORTANT DETAILS FOR LITERACY LUNCH ON THE LAWN

Friday, October 18

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 mindful of parking signs as the north side of Palmyra is parking by permit only. The Revive Church is kindly allowing us to use their parking lot as well.
• 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, please have them bring their backpack from the classroom when they come out for lunch. If they have their things, you will be able to check them out at the Palmyra gate. I

Picture retake day is Tuesday, October 15. Only those students having their picture taken can wear free dress. If your student is having their picture retaken, they MUST BRING THE FOLDER THEY RECEIVED FROM THE PREVIOUS PICTURE DAY. ALSO, ANY STUDENT THAT HAS NOT HAD THEIR PICTURE TAKEN WILL DO SO ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15. MIDDLE SCHOOL WILL ALSO GET THEIR ID CARD IF THEY DID NOT GET THEIR ID OR TAKE THEIR PICTURE DURING REGISTRATION.

8th-grade student, Adam Petz, defeated 6th-grader, Parker Vu, to be crowned the McPherson Middle School Chess Champion in 2024. In the third-place matchup, 8th-grader, Jaxon Tram, beat 7th-grader, Roman Ayala, to win the third-place trophy. All four students earned a trophy to commemorate their showing in this annual event, held during lunch. Thank you to Mr. Turner for hosting this fun annual event.

(Pictured Below - L-R, Jaxon Tram, 3rd place; Parker Vu, 2nd Place; Adam Petz, 1st place; Roman Ayala, 4th place)

Please plan on taking your family to Rodrigo's Mexican Grill on Wednesday, October 16 - ALL DAY

McPHERSON WILL RECEIVE 20% OF YOUR ENTIRE PURCHASE!!!!!

MUST PRESENT FLYER ATTACHED

GREAT MEXICAN FOOD

Rodrigo's Mexican Grill

Event Date: Wednesday, October 16, 2024

Location: 1230 E Katella Avenue., Orange

(714) 633-0330

MUST PRESENT FLYER ATTACHED

(WILL ONLY ACCEPT FLYER FOR US TO RECEIVE DONATION)

On Friday, October 18, we will have our first middle school dance of the year! The dance is from 3:00-5:00 pm and the theme is “Black Out/White Out”. Students may wear free dress to school on Friday to go with the dance theme, as they will go directly into the dance after school. Free dress needs to be school appropriate and follow all dress code rules. Dance tickets are $7 and pizza tickets are $1.50. Tickets are sold at lunch or after school. Please review the dance agreement from our McPherson Handbook with your child.

McPherson Magnet School will be holding dances for 6th, 7th and 8th grade students throughout the school year. The hours of the dance are from 3:00 to 5:00 pm and will take place in the school cafeteria or in the outdoor quad area. This agreement has been established to clarify expected behavior during our dance. Dance tickets may be purchased during nutrition, lunch, and after school. All students must have their dance tickets with them the day of the dance to be admitted. If a student violates the guidelines described below, he or she will lose the privilege of attending the remaining McPherson dances, and parents will be called to pick up their child.

1. Dances are for McPherson Magnet School students only. No guests will be permitted to enter the dance. McPherson teachers and staff will chaperone the dance.

2. No student will be allowed to leave the drop-off/pick-up area of the school parking lot or go to any place of business after the dance. All students must be picked up from the parking lot by a parent no later than 5:15 pm (leadership students will be picked up by 5:45pm).

3. Students who are not picked up on time, unless an emergency occurred, may have their dance privilege revoked for the next dance.

4. Students may not leave the dance until its conclusion unless other arrangements have been made with administration, in advance. In such cases, parents must pick students up at the door.

5. Students who are absent the day of the dance may not attend the dance.

6. Appropriate school attire is required. Dance Dress code will be enforced. Students not adhering to the dress code the day of the dance will receive an office referral and will not be allowed to attend the dance. (Please see school dress code in the handbook for further clarification.)

7. So that every student can enjoy the dance, any student who is dancing in an inappropriate manner, including slamming, pushing, running, jumping, or “freak dancing” will be removed from the dance and not allowed to attend the next dance. Any student removed from the dance must immediately call parents for pick up.

8. No cell phones or electronic devices are allowed in the dance area at any time. Students may leave their cell phones in their backpacks and backpacks will be kept in a secure location during the dance. Students bringing electronic items into the dance will be subject to disciplinary consequences

Boo Grams will be on sale Thursday, 10/17 thru Monday, 10/28. Show you care and send a scare!!! Boo Grams are on sale before school and after school at the back gate and in front of the office. Boo Grams are also sold at lunch in the quad. Grams cost 25 cents to 75 cents and will be delivered on Thursday, October 31st.

McPherson PTSA's annual Trunk or Treat is October 25th 5:30-7:30pm. We are in need of candy/ small prize donations. Your donations can be dropped off to our candy container in front of the front office.

Are you interested in joining in on the fun and decorating your trunk? Spots are going quickly! Sign up here

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1g6ZQJK2OVXTSyG8g_utrh8mj5Rj1UExz99x56_Sun3A/edit?usp=sharing

Pack 453 is for boys ages Kindergarten through 5th grade.

We meet the 3rd Wednesday of the month at McPherson in the cafeteria @6:30pm.

We invite you to come check us out this Wednesday, October 16th @6:30pm.

We will be racing our Cardboard Box Race Cars.

Please bring your assembled box cars to the meeting for some racing and fun.

The cars can be as simple or elaborate as you desire. We look forward to meeting you.

Any questions please contact Pack453cubs@gmail.com

Red Ribbon week is 10/28-11/1. We need volunteers on Sunday 10/27 at 9am to help get our campus ready for Red Ribbon Week!! If you are able to help please fill out the google form so we can send out any needed information as the date gets closer.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1tttn-p3xz35nrK6159ZL1jd7b588xJrleOO4Do6M1CQ/edit?usp=sharing

On Thursday, October 31 students will be able to dress in their school appropriate Halloween costumes or wear Fall Colors to celebrate the fall season. No masks and no bloody costumes and no weapons of any kind.

PTSA Reflections Program 2024-2025 “Accepting Imperfection” MUST SUBMIT BY 10/22/24

Is your student interested in art, music, dance, writing, producing film or taking photos? Encourage your child to showcase their talents by participating in the National PTA Reflections program. California State PTA and its members, families, and kids are on the forefront of this amazing program, which increases community awareness of the importance of arts in education. This year’s theme is “Accepting Imperfection.” There are opportunities for awards and fun prizes just for participating!

More information can be found at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1gmGlIbSKQQ-0T9kJwF_MRt5pNf1H5mASPzF1iRcW5qE/edit

All submissions will be submitted electronically by October 22, 2024

Any questions can be emailed to reflections@mcphersonptsa.org

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

10/14-10/18 - BOOK FAIR

10/15 - Picture Retake Day

10/16 - Family Lunch/Dinner Fundaisier @ Rodrigo's Mexican Grill

10/18 - Lunch on the Lawn

10/24 - Totally Thrilling Thursday - TBD

10/25 - Trunk or Treat

10/30 - Flag Awards - PTSA Meeting & Principal's Coffee

10/31 - Free Halloween Costume Day