McGuire Minute

Let us know how our staff is doing and help us to recognize them by completing our Staff Shout Out. You can recognize an amazing teacher by filling out a few questions in the link below. We will present them with a Staffirmation Certificate that tells what they were recognized for and by who.

As we wrap up March is Reading Month and our Capturing Kids’ Hearts focus on Courage, we are proud of how our students have shown the perseverance to tackle new challenges. With Spring Break just around the corner from March 27th to April 5th, it’s a wonderful time to keep the momentum going at home. Consider staying active with a "reading camp-out" in the living room, a neighborhood scavenger hunt, or even trying out some simple reading or math activities to keep those young minds sharp while enjoying the well-deserved rest!

As we return from spring break on April 6th, we are entering the most critical stretch of our school year. While the finish line may feel close, a significant amount of core learning and essential curriculum is packed into these final 8 weeks. This is the time when previous lessons truly "click" for students, and we dive into some of our most engaging year-end projects and assessments. We are asking for your help in keeping our Mustang Pride strong by maintaining consistent attendance and a focused routine at home. Let’s work together to ensure every student finishes the year with confidence, curiosity, and the momentum they need to succeed and be ready for their next grade!

Mrs. King

National Teacher Appreciation Week is May 4-8, 2026. The Michigan Department of Education’s (MDE) Office of Educator Excellence wishes to celebrate teachers across Michigan for the entire month of May.

MDE invites parents/guardians to submit 15-30 second videos of their students recognizing and thanking a specific teacher for their impact. Cell phones easily capture the videos. Please follow the directions on theflyer. Videos and parental consent must be submitted via the Teacher Appreciation Video Project Google Form. Videos are currently being accepted until April 15, 2026.

Submitted videos may be posted on the Teacher Appreciation Month webpage and MDE’s YouTube channel. Additionally, the Office of Educator Excellence’s Facebook (@MIeducator) and X (formerly Twitter) will promote the videos throughout the month of May.

If your child has great things to say about a teacher, use the instructions found on MDE’s website to submit a video today!

Check out these shades!

We are so thankful that we get to work with such amazing students!

Teamwork makes the dream work. These kiddos built a skyscraper out of blocks that made it to the ceiling. You can see by the look on their faces just how proud they were of their accomplishment. Library time isn’t only about great books, we are about fun and connecting with peers too!

We would love for you to turn in any books your student is not currently reading in an effort to restock the shelves and account for any books that are checked out/missing. If your student finds any McGuire Elementary (labeled barcode on the book cover) books tucked away in desks, classroom libraries, bedrooms, couches at home, etc., please be sure to send them our way.

We LOVE keeping books in the hands of our Mustangs and thank YOU for your help!

McGuire is so excited to bring back a Girls on the Run team this year! Our first practice will be Tuesday, April 7th! Please scan the QR code below to sign up!

Our school is participating in a creative fundraiser with Art to Remember that allows you to purchase keepsake products customized with your child’s art. There are over 60 products and many are less than $20. These make great gifts and a percentage of every purchase goes right back to our school. Your child will be coming home with a flyer today that has a QR code or you can click on the link below to search for your child’s artwork. Orders are due on or before April 15th. Thank you for your support!

We are so grateful for our amazing music teacher, Ms. Bucholtz, and our phenomenal art teacher, Mrs. Skonieczny and our talented students!

Our 4th Graders went to Impressions 5 in Lansing where they enjoyed time together and learned about science concepts through hands-on activities. Thank you so much to the Saginas Chippewa Indian Tribe for the 2% grant to make this trip possible.

Attention 5th Grade Families-check out the camp packet for information about camp. This was all shared at the camp meeting last month but in case you needed it, it's linked here. Reach out to the McGuire office or your student's teacher if you have any questions and we are happy to help!

Join the Oiler team here at MPPS and register for Kindergarten today!

Our Mustangs are showing up daily at McGuire in a mighty way! Check out our Students of the Month.

Check out what our local Isabella County Central Dispatch is doing to help keep us safe! Smart911 is a free service that helps share information in an emergency.

We would LOVE to have you join us to honor our amazing McGuire Staff. Staff Appreciation Week is May 5-9!

Our students are THRIVING in our specials classes here at McGuire!

GRASP Summer Workbook forms can be requested if you are interested in signing up for summer learning workbooks to do at home. You are able to sign up for a math/and or reading practice book to continue to work on skills over the summer at a low cost. Feel free to contact your child's teacher or the office via email or phone at 989.775.2260 or Sarah Burkhart, sburkhart@mp.edzone.net. Money and order forms are due May 1st. Checks can be written directly to McGuire Elementary.

Every day in school helps build skills, confidence, and success over time. Regular attendance truly makes a difference.

Show Your Oiler Pride. Strive for Five or less. Every day counts.

The monthly CKH theme for this month is Perseverance. Perseverance is the willingness and ability to keep going when things are tough. People who persevere show steadfastness and give the extra effort needed to do something despite how hard it is or how long it takes to reach the goal.

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  • March 27th - April 3rd - Spring Break

  • Apr. 24th- GRASP Workbook Orders Due

  • April 29 - Art Reach Kids Concert @ CMU, 4th-5th Grade FT, 9:10-10:30

  • May 11th - 22nd (NWEA/DIBELS)

  • May 18 - 2nd Grade Welcome @ McGuire, 9:30-11am

  • May 19 - Student Council Field Trip to the Loons Game

  • May 21 - Assembly sponsored by Veteran’s Memorial Assembly @ McGuire

  • June 1 - Field Day

Please be sure to communicate all absences through the office. Please call 989-775-2260 to report a child's absence. Thank you!

Please remember that changes for end of day routine for your students MUST be communicated with the office or in the student's daily communication log that comes home. Teachers will not be able to honor changes communicated over email or Dojo. Thank you for your help with this so we can help your student get to where they need to go!

Typically, twice per month, each building reviews student attendance to be sure students are attending school consistently. Our attendance pulls are based on 10% of the days we have been in session at that point. Following attendance reviews, truancy notification letters will be sent to families.

• Level I – First Time Reaching the 10% Absence Threshold:

• A Level I Truancy Letter will be sent via email to inform parents/guardians of the concern.

• Level II – Second Time Reaching the 10% Absence Threshold:
  A Level II Truancy Letter will be sent via email. Additionally, an intervention may be put in place to ensure your student's regular attendance.

• Level III – Third Time Reaching the 10% Absence Threshold:
  A Level III Truancy Letter will be sent via email. Additionally, an intervention may be put in place to ensure your student's regular attendance.

We are supported by the GIRESD Truancy Officer for student cases that meet the threshold when there has not been improvement in attendance. We appreciate home support before getting to this level.

Please note: If no improvement is made in a student’s attendance, the levels will progress, with additional interventions and notifications occurring at each stage.

Thank you for your support in helping ensure students attend school regularly and succeed academically.

All students will receive free breakfast and lunch for the 25-26 school year!

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Using Your Words

We all get frustrated sometimes. When that happens, it’s important to use your words instead of your hands. Talking things out, asking a trusted adult for help, or taking a small break can help stop small problems from turning into big problems! Strong kids know how to speak up and ask for help when needed.

Stay safe!

Officer Leonard

During the course of the school year, our buildings are obligated to practice at least 5 Fire Drills, 2 Tornado Drills and 3 Lockdown drills. At times, we do have our YSU Liason or other officers from the Police Department assist in our drills. We cover with our students the locations of where to go for each drill, what to do during specific drills, and how to properly evacuate when it is needed. You can also find this information in your child's Handbook at the front of the student agenda.

During the first weeks of school, classes read the story, I'm Not Scared, I'm Prepared book in their class with their teachers. This book focused on the main components of the safety protocols that we work on with children.

I also encourage you to check out our district website where we have information that pertains to our district school safety. Click here to get to the website.

At McGuire Elementary, our school expectations are Be Safe, Be Respectful, and Be Responsible and we are committed to teaching and reinforcing positive behavior expectations in all areas of the school from the classroom to the playground. Each area of our school day, has a focused set of positive expectations that we teach, model, and practice - on what it looks like to be safe, respectful, and responsible.

Our Mustang matrix is at the front of your student's agenda in the pages included for the student handbook, we encourage you to review these expectations at home with your child too.

Daily our students earn Dojo Points for meeting positive expectations, we recognize students with our Mustang Tickets, Weekly Drawings, Positive Office Referrals, Positive Postcards mailed home, and Students of the Month.

We know our students are still growing and developing mentally and socially, so we recognize it is always a work in progress when teaching and reteaching expectations. We utilize restorative practices - including repairing the harm, circle ups, and more.

We appreciate your partnership in supporting our McGuire Mustangs to help make McGuire a great place to be!

Mrs. Erin King and the McGuire Elementary Staff

Student cell phones are not permitted and should remain at home or in a backpack if a child needs it after school. If a cell phone comes to school with a student it should be turned off and stored in their locked from 8:40am-3:49pm. Other electronic devices and toys/trading cards/etc. from home are not permitted.

Hats & hoods are for outside use only. Students are not allowed to wear them inside the school.

If your student will be taking medications at school we have a form for that:

https://www.mtpleasantschools.net/o/mpps/page/health-forms

All medications must be brought to the office with the appropriate health form. Please do not send medications to school with your child. This includes inhalers and epi-pens.

All students will be dropped off at the front door and will walk to the west playground entrance at 8:35. When you see the adult supervisor come out the front door, please feel free to begin dropping off if you are within our loading zone, between the McGuire sign in front of the school and the front porch. Come in the east entrance, drive to the front, drop off and exit the parking lot. Use the exit closest to the front door of the school. The first bell will ring at 8:40 and then school will officially start at 8:45. If it is too cold or raining, you will follow the same drop-off time and the student will come in the school at the west entrance.

Afternoon will be very similar to the morning. Dismissal is at 3:49. 3rd and 5th will be dismissed in front of the school and 4th grade has the option to park in the small parking lot in front of the gym to be dismissed. Please remain in the vehicle if you are in front of the school in the line and we will bring your student to you. If you would like to park and walk to the porch area, you are welcome to park in the far west lot and walk over to the front of the school.

Request for Transportation use the form linked here

https://mtpleasantschools.net/district/transportation/

Other forms linked on the Transportation website:

• Permission to Leave Alone
• In City Busing Reduction

Website: https://mtpleasantschools.net/district/transportation/
Phone: 989-775-2323

• PEAK (after school): https://www.mtpleasantschools.net/page/peak-program

• SACC (before school)- School Aged Child Care (Before School Program)- 775-2340

If you aren't currently following us at McGuire Elementary on Facebook, please like our page to you can see our district updates, information about our school, and more.

Like @McGuire Elementary

https://www.facebook.com/McGuireElementary

Have you checked out our website?

https://www.mtpleasantschools.net/

Download the Mt. Pleasant Public Schools app!

Download on the App Store

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/mt-pleasant-public-schools/id1632483662

or Get it on Google Play

*scroll to the bottom of the MPPS website and see Stay Connected and the links to download

McGuire Elementary Mission Statement:

Empower Excellence

Office Hours 8:00-4:00 p.m.

Erin King, Principal

Email: eking@mp.edzone.net
Website: mtpleasantschools.net/McGuire
Location: 4883 East Crosslanes
Phone: (989) 775-2260
Facebook: facebook.com/McGuireElementary
Twitter: @McGuireschool