McPherson News for October 25, 2026

Principal's Message

Hello McPherson Families,

I am proud to share that McPherson has been named a California Honor Roll School! This is a wonderful recognition of the hard work, dedication, and support of our entire school community. We have so much to be proud of at McPherson!

This week is Red Ribbon Week, and we will be celebrating with a Superhero theme! Monday is “Red-Y to Save the Day!” Students can wear red shirts with uniform bottoms and red accessories. We look forward to a fun week celebrating healthy choices!

Our PTSA Fall Fundraiser has raised $24,000 so far! Thank you to everyone who has contributed! This fundraiser is so important to our school and helps fund many of the special programs we offer, including elementary PE and middle school enrichment. We would love to see even more families get involved! Your participation helps us continue providing these great opportunities for our students, and every contribution makes a difference!

Have a great week Meteors,

Dr. Godsey, Principal

McPherson Recognized as California Honor Roll STAR School

Congratulations! Our school has been named a 2026 California Honor Roll School by Educational Results Partnership.

The Honor Roll recognizes schools that consistently outperform their peers in English language arts and math across every student group and grade level, based on three years of state assessment results. This honor reflects the dedication of your teachers, staff, students, and families, and we are so proud of you.

McPherson is one of 14 OUSD schools recognized this year, and Orange Unified was also named a California Honor Roll Star District for the second consecutive year.

Good news! We’re EXTENDING the fundraiser deadline to October 29 to give us more time to reach our goal! Now it’s time for one final push—and we need EVERYONE on the team!

We’re over halfway there, and if each of our remaining students raises just $25, we can reach our goal and provide the resources our teachers and students need to succeed. Our fundraiser supports the elementary P.E. program requested by our teachers and monthly enrichment activities for our middle school students.

And there’s even MORE motivation to get the ball rolling!

🏆 REACH $40,000: Watch Dr. Godsey and the teachers from our top-fundraising classes battle it out in a fun activity for the whole school!

👕 GET 400 STUDENTS TO RAISE JUST $25 EACH: We’ll earn FREE DRESS for the entire school!

Every donation counts, and every student can help us get across the finish line. Whether you’ve already raised money or are just getting started, now is the time to rally your family and friends and help us reach our goal!

👉 Donate or start fundraising today: https://tinyurl.com/McPhersonPTSA2026

Thank you for being part of what makes McPherson so special. When we work together, amazing things happen!

Let’s rally our teams, score some prizes, and GET THE BALL ROLLING toward $40,000!

Red Ribbon Week Theme - "Make a Difference. Be a Hero. Stay Drug Free.
Let’s work together to help our students make positive choices and build a healthy, drug-free future.

Monday, 10/26 - "RED-y to Save the Day"

Wear a Red Shirt & RED accessories with your uniform bottom and show that you're ready to make a difference.

Tuesday, 10/27 – Spirit Day "Western Day"

Heroes Ride for What's Right! Saddle Up and Say Yeehaw to a Drug-Free Life" Wear jeans, plaid, boots or cowboy hats and ride toward a healthy future!

Wednesday, 10/28 – "Pajama Day"

Dream Big!! Heroes Stay Drug Free!" Wear your favorite pajamas and dream of a bright, healthy future!

Thursday, 10/29 – Sunglasses Day

Heroes Have a Bright future and Mine is So Bright, I don't need drugs. Wear your sunglasses show that heroes make choices for a bright future!

Friday, 10/30 - "Scare Drugs Away"

Wear your favorite school-appropriate Halloween Costume or Fall Attire and celebrate making positive choices!

McPHERSON LEADERSHIP NEWS

Boo Grams

Leadership is selling Boo Grams this week through 10/27. Grams range from 25 cents to 75 cents. Boo Grams are a fun way to celebrate this spooky season. Boo Grams are fun decorated cards that you can send to friends or teachers at McPherson. Leadership will begin to accept class-set orders after the 19th of October. Grams will be sold to students before school, after school, and during lunch this week. Just as a reminder if you are buying grams, please make sure to include the first and last name of the student you are sending the card to. Leadership would like to have all of the Boo Grams returned by October 29th because grams will be delivered to classes on Friday October 30th.

All School Flag Assembly and PTSA Meeting - 10/28

All School Flag Assembly and PTSA Meeting

Our school Flag assembly will be on Wednesday, October 28. Each grade level will be recognizing one student each month as "Meteor of the Month". All parents are welcome to attend. If your student is receiving an award, you will be notified via ParentSquare. The Flag assembly is immediately followed by a Principal's Coffee and PTSA meeting in Room 700.

Virtual Link for Principal's Coffee/PTSA: https://meet.google.com/nah-fvuc-vrf

IMPORTANT INFORMATION - Parking Lot Procedures

Our administration has learned that many people are not following the proper drop-off and pick-up procedures in the McPherson parking lots. We would like to inform all our parents of our procedures and request that you share this information with all those who drop-off or pick-up your child(ren). EVERYONE must follow these parking lot procedures to ensure the safety of all our students and staff.

PARKING LOT PROCEDURES

Please cooperate fully with the McPherson Staff on parking lot duty as they have the safety of all children in mind as their highest priority.

· North Parking Lot: Enter off Prospect Ave. and Exit out to Palmyra Ave.

· South Parking Lot: Use the southern driveway located at the athletic field Entrance, and Exit from the north driveway, located near the McPherson cafeteria.

· Pick-up/drop-off zone: The right lane of the front and back parking lot is for students' immediate drop-off and pick-up only. THERE IS NO PARKING HERE.

· NEVER park or leave your car unattended while in the “pick-up/drop-off zone.”

o Pull all the way forward in the pick-up/drop-off zone.

o Do not stop in the crosswalk.

· Students will exit vehicles on the curbside only.

· Drivers should NOT exit their vehicles while in the drive-through lane. If you need to exit your vehicle to help your child, please park in a designated parking space and not in the drive through lane.

· Left Hand Lane: This is a drive-through lane only. This is a drop off ONLY. Do not exit your vehicle at any time.

· Do not park behind parked cars. Not only does this block cars that may be parked, but it increases the danger in the parking lot.

· Do not park your car near the entrance gates as this is part of the coned-off area for the pickup and drop-off zone.

ASTRONOMY NIGHT - 11/10

SAVE THE DATE: SciOly Astronomy Night is Tuesday, Nov 10 from 5pm-7:30pm. In addition to the annual Bake Sale to raise funds for SciOly competition fees, the In N Out truck will be there to make it a full dinner family night.

Pre-order your In N Out meal now for only $8! Yes, a full In N Out meal, hamburger or cheeseburger, chips and a drink for $8 with 75% of the proceeds benefiting the McPherson Education Foundation to support SciOly and all of our other STEM programs.

Quantities and Time slots are limited, so order early for the most options. When we are out, that’s it, we are limited with how many we can sell. There will be no In N Out sales at Astronomy Night as the focus will be on the Bake Sale! More info about the Astronomy Night program and Bake Sale coming soon.

Purchase your In N Out meal here: https://www.jotform.com/form/262255082291051

🎓❤️ Support Our 8th Graders! ❤️🎓

Help us make the end of the year extra special for our 8th graders! Purchase a beautiful $15 red poinsettia and support their end-of-year events and celebrations.

🌺 15" Red Poinsettia
💲 $15 each
📅 Pick-Up: Wednesday, December 9

We want to give our 8th graders a memorable end to their elementary/middle school journey, and we can’t do it without our amazing school community's support! Every purchase helps us get one step closer to making their celebrations unforgettable. 🎉

Thank you for supporting the Class of 2027! ❤️

https://8thgradepoinsettiasale.cheddarup.com

PTA Reflections Contest

Great news! The deadline for Reflections entries has been extended to Tuesday, October 27!

This year’s National PTA Reflections theme is “What My Culture Means to Me.” Students may submit original work (no group projects) in visual arts, photography, literature, film, music, or dance.

All participants must complete a submission form: https://forms.gle/gAB35KpgsoSwinSu6

Submit physical entries to the front office by October 27. No late entries will be accepted.

We look forward to seeing our Meteors’ creativity shine!

McPHERSON PARENT VOLUNTEER PROCEDURES

At McPherson, we value our partnership with parents and families, and we encourage you to take an active role in your child’s education. We have an expectation that every family will contribute 10 hours of volunteer time each school year.

There are many opportunities to volunteer throughout the year. However, if you plan to volunteer on campus or with students during the school year—including classroom help, classroom parties, field trips, school events, and other activities—you must complete the OUSD Volunteer Application and approval process.

You may complete the application now, and once approved, it will be valid for the entire school year.

The majority of our McPherson volunteers will be volunteering 5 hours or less on campus, so please complete the requirements listed under #1 and #2 on the links below and select the “5 Hours or Less” Volunteer Application.

IMPORTANT – PLEASE READ

Completing the required trainings alone does NOT mean you are approved to volunteer.

To receive volunteer approval, you must:

Complete all required trainings.
Take and upload screenshots of your completed training documents/certificates.
Complete the 5 Hours or Less Volunteer Application in its entirety.
SUBMIT the application.
Receive an email confirming that your application has been approved.

YOU MAY NOT VOLUNTEER UNTIL YOUR APPLICATION HAS BEEN COMPLETED, SUBMITTED, AND APPROVED.

Please do not wait until the day of a field trip, classroom party, or other activity to complete the process. You must receive your approval email before you are permitted to volunteer.

If you have any questions regarding the volunteer application process, please contact Ms. Erica in the McPherson office.

English:

https://apps.raptortech.com/Apply/MjY4OmVuLVVT

Spanish:

https://apps.raptortech.com/Apply/MjY4OmVzLVVT

HELP MCPHERSON EARN CASH WITH BOX TOPS!

McPherson Magnet School participates in Box Tops for Education, which means you can help our school earn cash simply by purchasing products you may already buy!

Each Box Top is worth 10¢ for McPherson! Every scan counts, and everyone’s participation makes a difference. Let’s work together to help provide our students and classrooms with the supplies they need — and see how much we can earn this year!

NEW TO BOX TOPS? EARN AN EXTRA $2.50!

If you are new to Box Tops:

Download the Box Tops app, select McPherson Magnet School, and enter referral code C86O5H22 to earn an extra $2.50 for our school!

Please spread the word to grandparents, relatives, friends, neighbors, and other McPherson families!

HERE'S HOW YOU CAN HELP:

• Download the Box Tops app on your smartphone if you haven't already.

• Purchase participating Box Tops products.

• Scan your receipt within 14 days of purchase. Every eligible Box Tops product on your receipt earns money for McPherson, and your earnings are recognized in the app right away.

• Give your student credit! Be sure to enter your student's name and teacher's name under "Give Credit Memo."

• Refer friends and family! Invite others to sign up for Box Tops. Our school can earn Bonus Box Tops when your referral scans their first qualifying receipt.

• Turn on notifications in the Box Tops app to receive scan reminders and information about special offers, bonus opportunities, and new participating products. Tap the person icon in the upper-right corner of the app to access your Communication Settings.

• Shopping online? You can earn Box Tops with eligible digital and email receipts, too!

MCPHERSON MAGNET SCHOOL

School ID: 227368

MEET OUR NEW BOX TOPS COORDINATOR!

A BIG THANK YOU TO OUR NEW BOX TOPS COORDINATOR, JULIE ALTSTAETTER!

If you have any questions about Box Tops, you can reach Julie at meteorsboxtops@gmail.com. If she doesn't have the answer right away, she will find it for you!

Thank you for supporting the Box Tops Program and McPherson Magnet School. We couldn't do it without you!