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.

"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much" -Hellen Keller

Our PTO coupon card fundraiser was wonderful and we so appreciate your support! PTO is able to help with funding for some of 5th Grade Camp which takes place in May, Staff Appreciation throughout the year, and Family Engagement events because of the fundraiser. Thank YOU!

In CKH, our students will learn about what it means to be a team here at school. We will work as a team to continue to share Good Things in our classrooms, rate and affirm one another with our Social Contracts (classroom promises), and launch each other daily with good vibes and positive messages.

We Value Your Voice!

Your feedback matters!
As part of our Capturing Kids’ Hearts journey, we want to hear from our families about how our school culture feels to you and your child. Your input helps us celebrate what’s working well and identify ways to continue growing together.

Please take a few minutes to complete the CKH Family Survey linked below.
We truly appreciate your time and thoughtful feedback—it makes a difference!

https://app.ckh.org/public-survey/dtk8cjpx

Have additional thoughts or suggestions? You can also share them here:

MPPS Family Perception

Have a great fall weekend,

Thank you your efforts to support building a positive school culture! Have a great weekend!

Mrs. King

As a part of our Capturing Kids’ Hearts program, we do a daily launch from our classrooms which sends our students off with something to think about something and have an amazing evening with their families. On Fridays, we do a school-wide launch to give students something motivational and encouraging as we say goodbye to them for the weekend. Check out our launch from last week that was all about teamwork, the theme for November.

All students brought home a feather and your student is welcome to write something that he/she is thankful for and then decorate it. We will be putting them up here at school on our Thankful Turkey to celebrate all the things we have to be thankful for on a turkey in the main hallway. We will send pictures home as our turkey grows!

Our students and staff at McGuire were so excited to honor those who have served our country at our Veterans Day assembly last week! We are so very grateful for your sacrifice and service to our community and our nation!

Thank you to Biggby on Pickard and Brickner & Bunker Insurance for donating dessert and coffee for our reception after the assembly and 3 Wishes Floral who donated the flowers!

Check out our students that are knocking our socks off here at McGuire!

Check out all that is happening in Specials here at McGuire!

This month's theme for CKH is Teamwork! Teamwork is about working together toward a common goal or purpose. We are all BETTER TOGETHER!

• Nov. 26-28 - No School-Thanksgiving
• Dec. 12 - PTO Family Night-TBA-6:30-7:30pm

• Dec. 22-Jan. 2 - Winter Break

• Jan. 5 - School Resumes

• Jan. 7 - Hoops for Hunger Women’s Basketball Game Field Trip-10:15-12:45pm @ CMU

Kindness Day was celebrated last week and organized by our Student Council.

On Thursday, November 14th, it was world kindness day! To celebrate, each classroom had a special activity led by the student council representatives! Throughout the day on Thursday last week, the class’s goal was to complete the Kindness Bingo board by performing the acts of kindness listed on it. Student Council representatives were on the lookout, trying to catch acts of kindness taking place and they handed out Mustang Tickets to the students involved. We were spreading kindness all over McGuire!

Hoops for Hunger:

This year McGuire will be collecting canned goods for CMU's "Hoops for Hunger" initiative! All of the items collected will be picked up by the Isabella Soup Kitchen and distributed to those in need within the community. The most needed items that can be donated include canned fruit/vegetables, canned chicken/tuna, pasta, rice/beans, peanut butter, pet food, diapers, deodorant, socks, and toothbrushes. There will be a box in the front lobby (by the lost and found) for each grade level in which students can place their donated items. The grade level that collects the highest number of items will win temporary basketball themed tattoos to wear during the Hoops for Hunger CMU basketball game in January. This fundraiser will begin on Monday, November 17th and end on Thursday, December 18th.

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!

• The McGuire Elementary School spirit wear sale is below! You can order a variety of garments that are delivered to your home in days! Visit https://1stplacespiritwear.com/schools/MI/Mount%20Pleasant/McGuire+Elementary+School?utm_source=shortcode&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=school-direct

  • Sale Details:
  • • Polos and quarter zips are 30% off with code TREAT30
    • Free shipping on orders over $75

A few helpful tips!

Social Media Safety

Social media is a great way to connect with friends, but it can also create risks if not used carefully. Remember that once you post something online, it’s very hard to take back, even if you delete it. Avoid sharing personal details like your address, phone number, or school schedule. Only accept friend requests from people you know in real life, and think twice before posting or sharing pictures that could be embarrassing later. If you use social media, use it for positive connections with friends and avoid drama and cyberbullying! Staying safe online means protecting your reputation and your privacy.

Stranger Safety & Situational Awareness

Most people are kind, but it’s important to be cautious around strangers. If someone you don’t know approaches you, whether in person or online, and makes you feel uncomfortable, trust your instincts. You don’t need to answer questions, give directions, or share personal information. Walk away and get to a safe place if needed. Never go with somebody you don’t know. For example, if you’re walking and a stranger offers you a ride, say no and quickly get away from them, and always tell a trusted adult what happened. Being aware and speaking up can keep you safe.

Situational Awareness means being aware of your surroundings and understanding what’s happening around you. It involves paying attention to people, places, and potential dangers so you can make quick, smart decisions to keep yourself and others safe. Whether you’re walking alone, in a crowded area, or trying something new, staying alert and trusting your instincts can help you avoid risky situations and respond quickly if something feels off.

Lock It Up!

Theft often happens because something is left unlocked or unattended. Whether it’s your bike, locker, or electronics, always take a few seconds to secure your belongings. Don’t leave valuables out in the open where they can tempt someone to take them. Each year, 2.4 million bikes are reported stolen in the US. The number is even higher due to many not reporting thefts. If possible, keep your bike secure inside when at home, and if left outside, lock it up with a strong lock. “Kryptonite” is a trusted, highly rated brand offering strong locks at various prices.

A simple lock can prevent a big problem, and it sends a message that you’re looking out for your own safety. Protecting your things helps keep our school and community safer, too.

Bullying & Kindness

Bullying, whether in person or online, can have serious effects on a student’s well-being. If you are currently bullying someone now, or have in the past, take a moment to put yourself in their shoes. How would you feel if it was happening to you?

Remember, not everyone thinks, dresses, speaks, or has the same interest, and that’s what makes each person unique. If you witness bullying, don’t join in and don’t stay silent. Instead, support the person being targeted by standing with them or getting help from an adult.

Kindness is powerful! It can turn someone’s bad day into a better one. Treating others with respect not only helps individuals but also makes our schools stronger and more welcoming for everyone. Small actions of kindness add up to a safer, happier environment.

The Mt. Pleasant Sex Advisory Board has an opening for a Mt. Pleasant parent.

Please complete this application if you are interested.

SEAB MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION

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