The Magruder Memo

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Dear Mustang Families,

Welcome to the new school year! It has been an absolute joy watching our campus come alive over the past week. Everywhere I look, our students are settling in, building strong friendships, actively engaging in their classrooms, and bringing fantastic energy to our halls. We are off to a wonderful start, and our entire staff is excited for everything this school year has in store for our community.

As we kick off the year, I want to share how this bi-weekly newsletter will serve as our primary home-to-school connection. Every two weeks, you can expect an update from me alongside key campus highlights and reminders. Please make it a habit to review the Save the Date section in each issue so your family never misses out on important deadlines or upcoming events.

Speaking of key events, please mark your calendars for Back to School Night on Tuesday, September 8th. We will begin at 5:15 PM in the gym with a joint presentation from our PTSA and administrative team. Following the presentation, classroom visits will begin at 6:00 PM, giving you the opportunity to walk in your student's footsteps, meet their teachers, and learn about their daily routines. Please note, we will be on late start schedule Tuesday 9/8 and Wednesday 9/9.

Finally, starting with this issue, I am introducing a Principal’s Parent Challenge—a simple, actionable way for us to partner together in supporting your middle schooler's growth.

This Issue's Challenge: At least one parent or guardian for each student attend Back to School Night

The Reward: Every student who has at least one parent or guardian sign in at Back to School Night will be entered to win an In-n-Out Gift card!

Thank you for your partnership, your enthusiasm, and your commitment to making Magruder a supportive place for all of our students to thrive.

Sincerely,

Keely Hardage
Principal
Magruder Middle School

• Week of Aug 31 - Back to School Spirit Week. See below for details!

• Sept 1 and Sept 3 - Girls Soccer Try Outs 3:30pm

• Aug 31 and Sept 3 - Boys Soccer Try Outs 3:30pm

• Sept 7 - No School, Labor Day

• Sept 8 - Late Start Schedule and Back to School Night. Join us starting at 5:15pm in the gym followed by classroom visits from 6-7:15pm

• Sept 9 - Late Start Schedule

• Sept 11 - Last day for orders for PE Clothes or Spirit Wear!

• Sept 15 - School Site Council 3:30pm on Zoom

• Sept 17 - Soccer @ Hull

• Sept 21 - Non-Instructional Day, no school

• Sept 24 - Soccer vs. Richardson

• Sept 25 - Back to School Dance 4:30-6:30pm

What is a Portrait of a Graduate? It is the TUSD collective vision that articulates the desired outcomes of all K-12 students in Torrance Unified, including competencies and personal qualities that positions them for success in life and career.

At Magruder, Mustangs embody these skills and characteristics in a variety of ways every day—both inside and outside the classroom.

Meetings are held September 15th, October 26th, January 19th, April 19th, and June 1st. All meetings start at 3:30pm and are held on zoom.

If you are interested in running or would like more information, please contact hardage.keely@tusd.org. All names must be received by Tuesday September 8th.

Attention all Mustangs! If you are looking for a quiet place to do homework after school, stop by room 8 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays from 3:30-4:30. Any questions ask Mr. Bermudez

Hi Mustangs!

This is Mrs. Wild, your Magruder Middle School Mental Health Therapist, and I am very excited to support you this year! I am here to help students address issues related to daily stress, anxiety, depression, healthy coping skills, peer relationships, grief and loss, and more. Come by my room (RM34) during snack or lunch, and we can set up a meeting.

Families, feel free to email or call me regarding your student. apuanwild.lanayah@tusd.org

As we begin this school year, we look forward to working with you to ensure your child’s academic and personal success. You play a vital role in your child’s life both in and outside of school, and excellent attendance is one of the most effective ways to pave the way for achievement. This year, we want every student to be a HERO: Here, Everyday, Ready, On Time

To support this goal and ensure our daily operations run safely and efficiently, please keep these attendance procedures and daily habits in mind:

• Reporting Absences: All student absences must be submitted through our Online Absence Notification Portal.

• Early Pick-Up: If you need to pick up your child early, please call the main office or submit an online notification in advance. Giving us a heads-up helps us prepare your child and guarantees a much smoother, quicker checkout process.

Tips for Building Strong Attendance Habits

• Set Up Consistent Routines: Create structured morning and evening routines. Monitor and limit screen time, especially at night, to ensure your child gets enough rest and starts the day with a nutritious breakfast.

• Keep School Time Sacred: Schedule medical appointments after school, on weekends, or during school holidays whenever possible. Please plan family vacations exclusively during scheduled school breaks.

• Stay Organized & Connected: Post school calendars and schedules in a visible place at home.

We are always available to offer guidance, resources, and support to ensure your child attends school regularly and thrives. Thank you for your continued partnership!

Don't forget the back to school dance is quickly approaching on September 25th and all students who are PTSA members will get in free to the dance. Tickets will go on sale in a few weeks so skip the line and join the PTSA today! Remember students must be in good academic standing to attend.

Be on the lookout for more information about the Skecher's walk coming soon!

We are thrilled to share that South Bay readers have once again voted Torrance Unified School District as the #1 Best School District for the sixth consecutive year, while also recognizing our District as a Best Workplace! Magruder Middle School was also named as a South Bay Favorite middle school for the 3rd year in a row.

Thanks to the incredible dedication of our teachers, staff, administrators, students, and families, Torrance Unified earned an astounding 32 total awards in this year's Daily Breeze Readers’ Choice Awards.

This remarkable achievement reflects the strength of our entire school community and our collective commitment to educational excellence. Thank you to everyone who voted and continues to support our schools every day!

TPD eBike Safety Flyer
TPD Traffic Safety Notice

We are excited to invite the students of your school to participate in our North High School Jr. Cheer Clinic for the upcoming football season.

Participants will enjoy two clinic days, receive a bow and T-shirt, cheer alongside our team during the first and second quarters, and perform with us during halftime. The game will take place on September 18, 2026, with clinic dates scheduled for September 15 and 17 from 4:30–6:30 PM at North High.

Registration is $70 and is due by September 14, 2026. Please see the attached flyer or use this link for full details. We would love for you to share this opportunity with your students and their families.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact fulton.aria@tusd.org.

Find Past Magruder Memos here.