Fins Up Newsletter
McKissick Academy of Science and Technology - 10.17.2025
October 17, 2025
Happy Friday!
I hope everyone enjoyed the short week and the two days off! Even with just three days, our students accomplished so much through engaging lessons and hands-on experiences. We wrapped up the week with our Honor Roll Call and the Color Run—both filled with excitement, smiles, and sunshine! It’s always a joy to celebrate our students’ hard work and provide them with positive, memorable experiences.
Next week will be a full five-day week, and we can’t wait to see everyone back on Monday, ready for another great week of learning! Have a wonderful weekend!
Committed to Success,
Heather Touchberry
5th Grade Ellis Island Day
Our fifth grade students participated in Ellis Island Day where the teachers transformed classrooms to help them understand what it was like for people coming to America during that time.
2025 Color Run Fun!
Thank you to everyone that helped raise money for our Color Run. These funds help students go on field trips to have experiences beyond our classrooms. The students had a blast and they were all so very colorful by the end of the run!
Honor Roll Call and Principal's All As Breakfast
Report Cards went out Wednesday so that means Honor Roll Call for the first Quarter was today! Students receive awards for Perfect Attendance, Hardest Working Shark, Most Improved Shark, A/B Honor Roll, and All A Honor Roll. They came to ring the bell and then All A Honor Roll had a special breakfast with Mrs. Touchberry because it is extremely hard to have all As for a whole quarter! Way to go Sharks!
Bully Prevention Month
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.
MAST Happenings
🌟 Career Day is Coming! 🌟
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! 💙✨
Volunteer Training - New Procedures for 2025-2026
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.
STEM Corner
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 google co-founder, Larry Page:
Google co-founder Larry Page was introduced to computers at a young age. If you Google Page, you’ll find that his home was full of computers and science magazines. This helped to ignite his fascination with technology. This, combined with an interest in business, led Page to discover that he wanted to start his own company when he turned 12. He continued his interest in technology and eventually co-founded Google in 1998 with fellow Stanford Ph.D. student Sergey Brin.
Title I Corner
MAST Fundraisers
SHARK Spirit Rock
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!
Please be sure to pay AND sign up on SignUp Genius.https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vBLqddeF8_VIOX9hdDiv9yMhXzOjgDY4qjpdcpUdO84/edit?usp=sharing
Box Tops for Education
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.
MAST Calendar of Events
October 9th-24th- PTO Boo Grams sales
October 13 No School
October 14 Teacher In-Service
October 15 Report cards
October 17 Fun Friday: Color Run
October 17 Honor Roll Call - Principal’s Breakfast
October 21 Pup Tales 8:15 AM; Spirit Night: Merrell’s Pizza 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
October 23 Title 1 Parent Workshop #2 - Power of Play 8:15 OR 1:30 PM
October 24 Shark of the Month 8:00 AM; Slushies $1
October 28 Boo Grams delivered
October 30 Field Trip to 5 Point; Book Character Dress Up Day
October 31 No School
McKissick Academy of Science and Technology
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