McPherson News for May 14, 2023

Hello McPherson Families,

This week, students in 3rd - 8th grade will participate in SBAC testing. Middle school students will start testing on Monday and 3rd-5th grade will begin on Tuesday. It is very important that students come to school prepared for these assessments with a charged device and headphones.

Please see the newsletter for more information on upcoming school events happening at McPherson.

Have a great week Meteors,

Brenna Godsey

Principal

We are so excited that our McPherson Library is being remodeled this summer. However, this means we need to pack everything up and put it in another room. WE NEED YOUR HELP!!! We need six (6) volunteers on Monday through Friday, May 22 through May 26. You can sign up on a Google Sheet. Please only fill in time slots listed. Times are each day for 3 hours shifts, 8am to 11am and 11am to 2pm. "Many Hands Make Light Work" Please open the following Google Sheet and Sign up!! https://tinyurl.com/Library-Packing-Sign-Up

This month we will have TWO CHOICES FOR FAMILY DINNER NIGHT. Please stop by either Panda Express Or Rubios - Both in the Village Mall in Orange - on Wednesday, May 17.

Panda Express - 10:00am to 10:00pm (Will donate 20% to McPherson)

Rubios - 11:00am to 8:00pm (Will donate 30% to McPherson)

Both Located at 2318 N. Tustin St., Orange

The fundraising profits go to purchasing classroom supplies for all students!!

Come and Join us for a fun Mother & Son Glow Party!!!! May 19th 5:00-7:30 pm. Tickets are $10 for Mom and $5 for Son. Tickets includes: Pasta dinner, drinks, dessert, dj, games and glow gear! This will be a fun night you won't want to miss! Tickets can be purchased online at: https://mcpdance.cheddarup.com/.

*If Mom is unavailable another special adult is welcome to accompany.

Starting this week, our 3rd-8th grade students will be taking SBAC Assessments in English Language Arts and Mathematics. Please be sure students come to school with a charged device and headphones. It is important for students to have a good night of sleep and breakfast before taking these important assessments.

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.

CAPS FOR CURE - Sarah Valdivia radiated positive energy every time she walked into a room. She was a ray of sunshine. Sarah 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, always look for light amidst darkness. She will always be our super hero. We will be showing our support for pediatric brain cancer patients and the need for research to cure this deadly cancer by participating in Caps for the Cure. Students will be allowed to wear a hat for the day and in exchange, the students are asked to donate $1 which will be given to The Cure Starts Now Foundation. Or be like Sarah and wear a big bow.

Caps for the Cure is a fun and easy way to raise much needed funds and awareness for pediatric brain cancer research. McPherson Magnet is partnering with The Cure Starts Now May 29th– June 2nd so no other family has to endure this battle. All students and staff are encouraged to bring in donations May 29 through June 2, and show their support for Sarah and other children by wearing a hat or big bow.

JOY JAR - McPherson Girl Scouts will also have a "Joy Jar" drive to collect toys for kids fighting cancer. A jar will be located in the front office for students and parents to donate toys to Courageous Kids fighting cancer and for their SuperSibs. See flyer attached for what kinds of items we would like to have donated for this very worthy cause.

Come and support McPherson by shopping at our Scholastic Book Fair! Book Fair will be open on 5/30 and 6/2 in McPherson's Library. The Book Fair will be open every day 8:00am to 3:00pm.

We are also hosting our Literacy Lunch on the Lawn on Friday, June 2. Come enjoy a book and some quality time with your child. Make sure to stop by the Book Fair and and make a purchase to support our library. Lunch on the lawn will be during your students lunch time:

Kindergarten - 11:35 to 12:20

1st & 2nd - 11:20 to 12:05

3rd, 4th & 5th - 11:49 to 12:26

6th, 7th & 8th - 12:34 to 1:09

On Thursday, May 25, Orange County Department of Education will be providing a Parent Presentation on Mental Health Awareness. It will be held in person in the McPherson Cafeteria from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm. Please look at the flier linked below.

In addition, you may join the Mental Health Awareness presentation through the Zoom Link below at 5 pm on Thursday, May 25, if you cannot attend in person.

Join Zoom Meeting with this link at 5 pm:

https://ocde.zoom.us/j/81107020176

In Addition, if you were not able to attend our OCDE Parent Presentation on Cyberbullying on May 11, please check out the canvas course for parents using this link: https://ocde.instructure.com/courses/237

Please look at the resources linked below.

Red Sox vs. Angels- Tuesday, May 23rd @6:38pm!

Buy your tickets now! You can select seating from different sections. Can't make it on May 23rd? That's ok, you can also purchase tickets for many other dates at this link. McPherson receives $6 per ticket sold. You are able to purchase tickets for as many games as you would like and help the school earn money at the same time!

Purchase your tickets here https://fevo.me/schoolfundraisingprogramrr3

This week’s games of the week are week are Color Corner and the Maze Game. While playing the games, students will also learn about optimism.

Optimism is an attitude reflecting a belief or hope that the outcome of something will be positive, favorable, and desirable. Words similar to optimism are hope and positivity.

Optimism builds resilience. It strengthens us to try again rather than give up. It allows us to keep our goals and dreams in play so we can act on the motivation to keep working toward them.

Remember that every Friday is McPherson Spirt Shirt day. Wear only your McPherson spirit shirt. The first Wednesday of every month is College Shirt Day. Wear your favorite college shirt. These days are NOT FREE DRESS DAYS.

Hello McPherson Families!
We need your help, collecting Box Tops to earn cash for McPherson. Each one is worth 10¢! Everyone’s participation is helpful.

You can now download the Box Top application on your phone then scan or snap a photo of your receipt within 14 days of purchase. 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.” If you have trouble scanning your receipts, please email Trinh Guevara a copy of the receipts immediately.

Physical Box Top clippings are being phased out of production but may continue to be found on many products throughout the stores. Drop off your clipped Box Tops to the front office. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THEM IN A ZIP LOCK BAG WITH STUDENT & TEACHER’S NAME.

Thank you for your support of the Box Tops Program and McPherson! If you have any questions, please email Trinh Guevara. Thanks again for all your help and support of our school. We couldn’t do it without you!
Trinh Guevara
Box Tops Coordinator
trinhandcarlo@gmail.com

ALL EVENTS FOR THE YEAR CAN BE FOUND ON OUR WEBPAGE AT:

https://mcphersonhome.meteormail.net/home/about/upcoming-events

Mark your calendars:

May 17 - Family Dinner Night - Rubios Mexican Grill or Panda Express

May 19 - Mother & Son GLOW Party - Cafeteria 5:00pm to 7:30pm

May 23 - Red Sox vs. Angels- @ 6:38pm!

May 25 - OCDE Parent Presentation on Mental Health Awareness

May 29 thru June 2 - Caps for Cure & Joy Jar Donation Fundraiser

May 30 to June 2 - Bookfair - Library

June 2 - Lunch on the Lawn