McSwain Union Elementary School District Home

Hello McSwain Community,
I hope you are doing well. Last week, we shared information with our school community regarding the process for becoming a Tier 1 or Tier 2 volunteer.

As part of our volunteer opportunities at McSwain, we are seeking a few dedicated volunteers to assist with morning crosswalk supervision from 7:30 to 8:15 a.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Volunteers will help ensure that our students arrive on campus safely.

If you are interested, please complete the volunteer interest form below. Once submitted, a member of our team will contact you to confirm available dates and complete the required onboarding process.

All volunteers will need to attend a short training session before starting.

If you are interested, please fill out the volunteer form, and we will be in contact with those who would like to participate.

Thank you for helping us create a safe and supportive environment for our students.


Road Construction

Road Construction will soon begin on Buhach Road between State Route 140 and SP Avenue.

The work is expected to continue through September 28, with one-way traffic control in the construction area.

Vehicles will still be permitted through the area; however, delays should be expected. Please allow additional travel time when arriving at and departing from school.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation.

Best regards,
Mr. Pannu
Superintendent
McSwain Union Elementary School District

Greetings McSwain Mustangs,


Now that we are back in the full swing of school, we want to share some important reminders and updates regarding student transportation. Please review the attached Transportation Best Practices & Expectations document for complete details. It is attached to this email.


Our Maintenance, Operations, and Transportation (MOT) Department has been working hard to ensure a safe and smooth start to the school year.


Transportation Safety Policies & Expectations

Please review these guidelines with your student:

Arrive on time: Be at the bus stop at least 10 minutes early.


Wait safely: Stand back from the curb or roadway and avoid pushing or crowding.


Follow directions: Listen to and follow the driver’s instructions.


Stay seated: Keep aisles clear and remain seated while the bus is in motion. Seat changes are only allowed if directed by the driver.


Use quiet voices: Loud noises can distract the driver.


No throwing objects: This includes inside the bus and out the windows.


Keep it clean: No litter, food, or drinks on the bus.


Show respect: Be courteous to the driver and other students; use appropriate language.


Bus Rules & Consequences

Students who violate bus rules may receive a bus referral, which can result in a warning or suspension of transportation privileges.


The driver will notify parents for the first offense and contact them by phone for subsequent offenses.


Suspension from the bus includes all school activities requiring bus transportation during that period.


TK–2 students must have an adult in clear sight at drop-off. Without an adult present, the student will be returned to school.


Three or more “no receiver” instances may result in suspension of bus privileges.


Students causing damage to bus property will be responsible for repair costs.


Repeated refusal to follow rules may result in the loss of transportation services.


Additional Transportation Information

Bus Capacity: All buses are currently full. New requests will be placed on a waitlist. Please contact the office for new requests.


Morning Drop-Off: Campus gates open at 7:30 a.m.


Attendance for Riders: If a student does not ride for three consecutive days without notice, their seat may be reassigned to a waitlisted student.


Sports Transportation: McSwain will not provide transportation to athletic events this year. Families are responsible for arranging rides to and from games as has been done in the past.


For a helpful review, check out the Mr. Lance Talks video attached, which goes over school bus expectations in a fun, engaging way.


Thank you for partnering with us to keep our students safe and our buses running smoothly.


Best,

Mr. Pannu

Hello McSwain Community,

I am excited to share some wonderful news about our district! According to the Merced Sun-Star’s comparison of schools throughout Merced County, McSwain has been recognized among the top schools at both the elementary and middle school levels.

I want to personally thank our incredible staff, students, and families whose hard work, dedication, and support made this recognition possible. This is an achievement our entire McSwain community can be proud of.

While we celebrate this accomplishment, we know there is still much work ahead. We look forward to building upon our strong foundation and continuing to provide the best possible educational experience for every student.

A key part of our programming at McSwain is the connection we build with families through the use of volunteers on campus.

As a school community, we truly value the presence of our families and parents in supporting both inside and outside of the classroom.

Over the past several years, we have successfully implemented the Raptor check-in system to monitor all individuals entering and leaving campus. This system ensures that every visitor is accounted for, and we will continue to use it to maintain a safe and secure environment for students and staff.

Volunteering on Campus

As a community school, we welcome families who wish to volunteer in their child’s classroom.

Please contact your child’s teacher in advance to confirm the date and time of your visit.


The teacher must verify your visit with the office before you arrive.


All volunteers must check in at the office with a valid ID.


Anyone who has not been cleared in advance will not be allowed to remain on campus.


Please reach out to your child’s teacher several days ahead of time so they can plan accordingly.


Please also be on the lookout for additional volunteer opportunities. For example, I will soon be asking for a few volunteers to help with morning crosswalk duty and traffic flow. More information on this will be shared next week.


Tier 2 Volunteers

To further increase student and staff safety, we continue to use Tier 2 Volunteers. These volunteers have an additional layer of clearance that allows them to be unsupervised with children. Tier 2 Volunteers follow the same security requirements as our coaches and staff members.

We have created a step by step guide for parents interested in becoming Tier 2 Volunteers.

Please review the information sheet and follow the outlined steps if you would like to participate.

We are grateful for the continued support of our families and community. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.


Best,

Mr. Pannu

Superintendent