Fins Up Newsletter

Thank you to all of our families who joined us to view our final PBL public products! Our students worked hard to complete creative advertisements, coding projects, and informational bulletins as part of this showcase. Each class also read The One and Only Bob, integrating literacy into their project-based learning experience.

Next week will be a four-day week, as Friday (Halloween) is a student holiday. We have many engaging and fun activities planned for the week, and we can’t wait to see our Sharks back on Monday, ready to learn and explore!

Have a wonderful weekend, and as always—FINS UP! 🦈💙

Committed to Success,

Heather Touchberry

October is Bullying Prevention Month!
This month, Ms. Moore is helping students learn how to recognize the difference between bullying, conflict, and a mean moment. She’s also teaching them strategies to stand up for themselves or seek help when needed.

We encourage you to continue the conversation at home—talk with your child about what bullying looks like and how they can respond safely and confidently.

Students can dress up during Red Ribbon Spirit Week (October 27th-30th) to show others they are going to stand up against bullying and they are going to make healthy choices.

We’re looking for parent and family volunteers to share their careers with our students! We want to expand the learning from Career Day. These can be presented inside the building or outside (tractors, animals, trucks, etc.).

This is a wonderful chance to inspire our sharks, show them the many paths their futures can take, and spark new dreams. Students love seeing their families participate in the learning and the events we have at school.

📅 Date: Friday, November 21st 12:00-2:00

If you’re interested in participating, have contact information to share, or need more information, please email Ms. Moore at whitneymoore@pickens.k12.sc.us.

These are some ideas, but certainly open to any suggestions or help: military, anything with animals, stem careers, welding

We would also love donations so we can provide our volunteers with lunch.

Thank you for helping make Career Day an exciting and meaningful experience for our students! 💙✨

We have some exciting news that may help our busy families with meeting our volunteer requirements. We are now offering a VIRTUAL VOLUNTEER TRAINING! Follow the steps in the attached file to be cleared to chaperone for field trips and other school events. Please note that MAST requires that all volunteers have a current background check through our Raptor system (information about how to order is in the attached document). Background checks are good for 3 calendar years. If you have any questions, please contact me at whitneymoore@pickens.k12.sc.us. We look forward to working with you this year!

Also, let me know if you would like to be added to PTO's email distribution list for opportunities to help volunteer through their events and activities this year.

https://www.pickens.k12.sc.us/page/volunteers

This year, our focus will be on inspiring stories of famous people in STEM and the exciting range of STEM careers available today. We’ll also share practical ideas to help you encourage your child(ren) to explore and stay engaged in STEM—now and in the years ahead.

This week, we highlight Tesla CEO, Elon Musk:

Billionaire Elon Musk, the co-founder of PayPal and founder of SpaceX and Tesla, is a perfect example of what taking advantage of resources outside school can do. Musk first had his taste of entrepreneurship when he coded and sold a computer game called Blaster. His drive for knowledge in different forms helps lead him to these revolutionary companies.

The Spirit Rock is available for families to rent, offering a special way to celebrate your student! Check out the guidelines and sign-up link below. All proceeds will go toward funding our field trips this year!

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vBLqddeF8_VIOX9hdDiv9yMhXzOjgDY4qjpdcpUdO84/edit?usp=sharing

Did you know you can earn money for our school just by submitting your grocery receipts? The Box Tops for Education Program has never been easier. Follow the steps below to download the app. You can upload paper or digital receipts OR connect your Walmart account and it will automatically connect each time you make a purchase.

Don't want to download the app? No problem. Send in your grocery receipts with your student and we will upload it for you.

Share the referral code with all of your friends and family to maximize our earnings!

https://btfe.smart.link/c2jjdifkw?referral_code=HZ5F0LUF&school_id=59989

And....National Box Tops Week is October 13-19. All that week, we can earn double Box Tops on all participating products and earn 20 Bonus Box Tops when you buy 4 participating products. Refer a Friend Bonus also runs the month of October with our referral code.

October 28 Boo Grams delivered

October 30 Field Trip to 5 Point; Book Character Dress Up Day

October 31 No School

11/6 Beta Club Meeting 3:00-4:00

11/8 National STEM/STEAM Day

11/10 Interim Reports

11/11 Veterans Day Breakfast

11/14 Shark of the Month 8:00 AM

11/14 Hat Day

11/17-21 PTO Fundraiser: Clemson v. Carolina Penny Wars

11/18 Pup Tales 8:15 AM

11/18 i-Ready Diagnostic ELA

11/19 - i-Ready Diagnostic Math

Email: heathertouchberry@pickens.k12.sc.us
Website: https://mast.pickens.k12.sc.us/
Location: 156 McKissick Road, Easley, SC, USA
Phone: 864.397.2200
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MASTFINSUP
Twitter: @mastfinsup