NOV10
Astronomy Night
Enjoy Science Olympiad stargazing and a bake sale. Bring a telescope or use one shared by volunteers. In-N-Out presales are closed. Meals are for families who already ordered; no on-site In-N-Out sales.
Events & important dates
Astronomy Night, family activities, and the school-day details McPherson families need in one place.
November–December 2026
Upcoming calendar
Updated from the November 8 school newsletter. Check ParentSquare for changes and meeting times.
NOV11
Veterans Day — no school
No school in observance of Veterans Day.
NOV12
Eighth-grade recognition ad early-bird deadline
Find the recognition ad link in School reminders on the PTSA Resources page.
NOV13
End of trimester — minimum day
Check ParentSquare for dismissal times.
NOV13
Multiplicity Day
Dress as twins, triplets, or a whole team. Choose a theme with friends and dress alike.
NOV18
Principal’s Coffee & PTSA meeting
Connect with the principal and PTSA. The newsletter does not specify meeting times.
NOV18
Chick-fil-A Family Dinner Night
2575 N. Tustin, Orange. Show the flyer or use mobile code METEORS to support McPherson.
NOV20
Lost-and-found donation day
Check the racks in the front office quad. Collect unclaimed clothing, lunch pails, and water bottles before donation.
NOV30
Joy for the Holidays begins
Donate a new, unwrapped toy in the holiday boxes at the back gate and front gate parking-lot entrance. Through December 10.
NOV30
LCAP survey signature page due
Return the signed confirmation page by November 30 to earn your student free dress on December 4.
DEC03
GATE parent focus group
For parents of GATE-identified students. Complete the interest form on the PTSA Resources page.
DEC04
LCAP participation free dress day
For students who returned their signed survey confirmation page by November 30.
DEC08
GATE parent focus group
An alternative session for parents of GATE-identified students. See PTSA Resources for the interest form.
DEC09
Poinsettia Pickup
Pick up your poinsettia order. Each $15 plant supports eighth-grade end-of-year celebrations.
DEC10
Joy for the Holidays ends
Last day to contribute a new, unwrapped toy to the school holiday gift collection.
Fundraisers & family activities
Take part in simple ways to support McPherson students and school programs.
Tuesday, November 10 · 5:00–7:30 PM
Astronomy Night
Join Science Olympiad for an evening of astronomy and a bake sale supporting competition fees. Bring your own telescope or enjoy the telescopes shared by volunteers. In-N-Out presales are closed. Meals are for families who already ordered; no on-site In-N-Out sales.
Read the latest Astronomy Night updateWednesday, November 18 · 6:30 AM–10:00 PM
Chick-fil-A Family Dinner Night
Visit Chick-fil-A at 2575 N. Tustin, Orange. Show the flyer to a team member or use mobile code METEORS so a portion of your purchase supports McPherson.
Open the dinner night flyer (PDF)Rescheduled date pending
Lunch on the Lawn
The October 2 event was canceled due to heat. Watch ParentSquare for a new date.
Unclaimed items donated November 20
Check the lost and found
Check the racks in the front office quad. Unclaimed clothing, lunch pails, and water bottles will be donated November 20.
November 30–December 10
Joy for the Holidays
Leadership is collecting new, unwrapped toys for children in need. Drop off gifts in the holiday boxes at the back gate entrance or front gate parking lot.
Pickup Wednesday, December 9
Poinsettias for eighth grade
Each $15, 15-inch red poinsettia supports eighth-grade end-of-year celebrations. Check the sale page for order details. Pickup time has not been announced.
View the poinsettia saleAvailable now
PTSA Birthday Marquee
Celebrate your student with a special message on the school marquee.
Order a birthday messagePast fundraiser: Get the Ball Rolling October 2026 · View details and prize guide
October 29 deadline has passed · $40,000 school-wide goal
Get the Ball Rolling.
Thank you for supporting McPherson students.
Read the October 25 fundraiser update
More movement. More possibilities.
Elementary PE: dedicated physical education time requested by our teachers, giving them more time for lesson planning and classroom preparation.
Middle-school enrichment: monthly activities to help students learn, explore, and connect throughout the year.
Thank you, McPherson families
The announced fall fundraiser deadline was Thursday, October 29. As of the October 25 newsletter, families have raised $24,000 toward our $40,000 goal. Final results have not been confirmed. The fundraiser supports elementary PE and monthly middle-school enrichment. The October 9 early-registration rewards have ended.
The more you raise, the more you score.
- $25 by October 9 (ended)
- Super Bouncy Ball
- $50
- Handheld Sports Game
- $75
- Rock Paper Scissors Game Keychain
- $100
- Stretchy Noodle Fidget
- $125
- Two Tiny Finger Hands
- $150
- Mystery Squishy Dumpling, distributed at the end of the fundraiser
- $200+ as a family
- Private Family Movie Screening
- $250 individually
- Catered Hot Lunch with a Friend; date to be announced
Get your class in the game.
- 50% registered
- Punch Balloon for the whole class
- 75% registered
- Extra Recess
- 100% registered
- Popsicle Party
- Most donations in each grade
- Pizza Party for the winning class
Bring home the TopBall trophy.
At $40,000, the principal and teachers from the top-fundraising classes face off in the McPherson Ball Challenge. Let’s get the ball rolling together!
Arrival & dismissal
Gates open at 7:30 AM. Supervision is not available earlier. If you have children in multiple grades, use the gate for your youngest child. Please keep crosswalks clear and follow traffic laws.
Kindergarten gate
Kindergarten
Drop off and pick up at the kindergarten playground gate. At dismissal, park and come to the gate so staff can release each child to the correct adult.
Back gate
Grades 1–2
Use the school’s back gate for both drop-off and pick-up.
Front main gate
Grades 3–8
Use the main gate at the parking-lot entrance near the school office for drop-off and pick-up.
Recent PTSA event highlights
A look at the community gatherings and staff appreciation activities McPherson families have helped bring to life.
For readers
Book Fair
McPherson’s Book Fair brings books, journals, and student favorites to campus while supporting the school library.
See the Book Fair on Instagram
For teachers
Teacher Appreciation Week
PTSA celebrates McPherson teachers with on-campus appreciation events, including the mini pancake and crêpe bar pictured here.
See Teacher Appreciation on Instagram
Want to help at an event?
Find the volunteer team’s contact information and school approval requirements in one place.
Find ways to helpRegular Wednesday schedule
Early-release times
Wednesday start times are 8:00 AM for kindergarten and grades 1–2, 7:50 AM for grades 3–5, and 8:00 AM for grades 6–8.
- Kindergarten
- 12:20 PM
- 1st & 2nd grade
- 12:25 PM
- 3rd, 4th & 5th grade
- 12:30 PM
- Middle school
- 12:40 PM