Recent News

Weekly Community Update

Good evening Mustang Families,

We’ve had a wonderful first week of February! Our students have been engaged, learning, and making great strides as we progress through the school year. Thank you for your continued support in making our school community strong.

Upcoming Events

Monday, February 10

College Spirit Day. Wear your favorite college gear!

Tuesday, February 11

5th Graders leave for camp

Wednesday, February 12

Minimum Day for both campuses

East Campus Dismissal: 12:20

West Campus Dismissal: 1:20

Thursday, February 13

Friday, February 14

Mustang Pride Day. Wear your McSwain Swag!

5th Graders return from camp

Please see Parent Square Communication Regarding Parent Survey

Hello McSwain Community,

Happy New Year! As we step into 2025, we remain committed to engaging directly with our stakeholders to build a stronger McSwain community.

We kindly ask you to take a moment to complete our Family School Climate Survey, linked here.

Your responses are completely anonymous but provide us with valuable feedback to help improve and continue supporting our students, staff, and families.

The survey will remain open until January 17th, 2025.

Thank you for your time and input—it truly makes a difference!

Warm regards,
Superintendent Pannu

Good evening Mustang Families,

As we gear up for the final week before the Winter Break, we’re excited about the many activities happening on campus! From holiday performances to classroom celebrations, it’s a wonderful time to come together and enjoy the season’s spirit. We’re also wrapping up our NWEA testing, and we appreciate your support in ensuring students are well-rested and ready to finish strong.

Next Week’s Events

Monday, December 16

Holiday Headwear Day: wear your favorite Holiday headwear

B Boys and Girls Basketball vs. Winton

Tuesday, December 17

Holiday Socks Day: stay warm with your favorite pair of Holiday socks

A Boys and Girls Basketball vs. Winton

Wednesday, December 18

Holiday Ugly Sweaters Day: wear your tacky Holiday sweater or shirts

Winter Dance (grades 7th/8th 12:30-2:30)

Winter Band Concert 6pm

Minimum Day for both campuses

East Campus Dismissal: 12:20

West Campus Dismissal: 1:20

Thursday, December 19

Holiday Colors Day: show your Holiday spirit by wearing green, red or white

Friday, December 20

Holiday Pajamas Day: cozy up in your Holiday pajamas to get ready to relax on break

Weekly Community Update

Good evening McSwain Community,

We hope everyone had a restful and joyful Thanksgiving week. Thank you to everyone who joined us for the 5th Grade Pancake Breakfast today. Your support helps make the upcoming camp experience possible for our 5th graders. We’re grateful for your generosity and Mustang spirit!

As we gear up for the week ahead, below are a few highlights:

Next Week’s Events

Monday, December 2

College Spirit Day. Wear your favorite college gear!

B Boys and Girls Basketball vs. OLM

Tuesday, December 3

B Boys and A Boys/Girls Basketball vs. Mariposa

Wednesday, December 4

B Boys and Girls Basketball vs. Livingston

Minimum Day for both campuses

East Campus Dismissal: 12:20

West Campus Dismissal: 1:20

Thursday, December 5

A Boys and Girls Basketball vs. OLM

Friday, December 6

Mustang Pride Day. Wear your McSwain Swag!

Girls Basketball Ballico Tournament

Saturday, December 7

5th Grade Poinsettia Pick-ups

Girls Basketball Ballico Tournament


5th Grade Poinsettia Sales

Please help support our 5th grade campers and send them to camp!

Poinsettia pick up is Saturday, 12/7/24 from 9AM-12PM.

Dear McSwain Community,

As we enter the veteran’s holiday weekend, we want to take a moment to express our gratitude to our veterans. On behalf of the McSwain staff and students, we thank those who have served and sacrificed to protect the freedoms we hold dear. Your bravery, dedication, and service are an inspiration to us all. Let us remember and honor our veterans for their commitment to our country and their role in safeguarding our way of life.

With heartfelt appreciation,

Kamal Pannu
Superintendent, McSwain


Exciting News, McSwain Community!

We’re thrilled to announce that we’re exploring the possibility of hosting a blood drive right here at McSwain, and we’d love to have your support! To make this happen, we're gauging interest from those who might be interested in donating or helping out.

If you'd like to participate or support the event in any way, please fill out our interest form survey. With enough community interest, we’ll be able to move forward and share the next steps soon.

Your involvement could have a lasting impact on our community, and we’re grateful for your support in this life-saving effort!


New Episode Alert: Mr. Lance Talks with McSwain's Mr. Brigham!

In the latest episode of Mr. Lance Talks, we’re excited to feature McSwain's Jr. High Science teacher, Mr. Brigham! Hear about his unique approach to teaching science, from hands-on experiments to sparking curiosity about the natural world. Tune in to discover his insights, the methods he uses to make science engaging, and stories that highlight the thrill of learning at McSwain. Don't miss this inspiring conversation—perfect for anyone passionate about education and science!

Thank you, McSwain Community, for your ongoing support and involvement!

Click here to watch and add us on Facebook!

#MustangsPride #McSwainExcellence #MrLancePodcast

Dear McSwain Community,

As we conclude Red Ribbon Week, I want to recognize the shared commitment to making safe and healthy choices. This week has highlighted our dedication to a drug-free community, and with Halloween celebrations tonight, let’s keep this spirit alive to ensure a fun, safe evening for everyone. Please remember to look out for each other as we enjoy this festive time.

A special thank you to the Sheriff’s Office last week for providing valuable insights and education on community safety, especially regarding the dangers of fentanyl. Your participation in our community safety meetings has been invaluable. Thanks to the parents and community members who attended—your involvement reinforces our collective effort to raise awareness, prevent tragedies, and prioritize our community's well-being.

Tomorrow, while students enjoy a well-deserved day off, our dedicated McSwain teachers will engage in professional development sessions focused on refining instructional practices, exploring best practices, and collaborating to enhance student success. This focus on professional growth extends into our early-release Wednesdays, where we consistently dedicate time to building skills and strengthening the supports we provide. These sessions are critical in ensuring that every student at McSwain thrives in a supportive learning environment.

Thank you to our families and staff for your continued support and commitment to making McSwain a place of success, safety, and unity.

Warm regards,
Mr. Pannu
Superintendent

Dear McSwain Community,

We are excited to announce that 375 of our students achieved perfect attendance for the month of September! Their dedication to learning and commitment to being present every day is truly admirable, and we are incredibly proud of their accomplishment.

Regular attendance plays a vital role in every student's academic success. Even missing a few days of school can have a significant impact, creating gaps in learning, reducing engagement, and missing valuable opportunities to connect with teachers and peers. Research shows that students who miss just two days a month are more likely to fall behind and face challenges in reaching their full potential. We encourage all of our students and families to prioritize consistent attendance to ensure that every child has the chance to excel.

Here are some helpful tips for families to promote regular attendance:

Establish a consistent morning routine to ensure students are ready and enthusiastic for school each day.

Whenever possible, schedule appointments and vacations outside of school hours to limit disruptions.

Reach out to your child’s teacher if your student is facing any challenges so we can provide the necessary support.

Celebrate attendance milestones as a way to highlight the importance of being present and engaged.

In addition to celebrating perfect attendance, we are excited to share news about our upcoming Bus Safety Week at McSwain! Led by our Transportation Department, students will take part in important safety reviews to ensure they know how to stay safe while riding the bus. Ensuring the safety of our students is our top priority, and this event will help reinforce critical bus safety practices.

Community Reminder: Fentanyl Awareness Presentation

To address this urgent concern, McSwain Union Elementary School District is once again partnering with the Merced County Sheriff’s Office to present vital information on fentanyl awareness. The presentation will cover the dangers of fentanyl, how to recognize overdose signs, and steps we can take to keep our community safe.

Event Details:

Date: October 22nd

Time: 6:00 PM

Location: West Campus Cafeteria

We strongly encourage all parents, guardians, and community members to attend. Experts from the Sheriff’s Office will provide valuable insights and answer any questions you may have. Your involvement is crucial in our shared effort to raise awareness and prevent further tragedies. Keeping our community informed and safe is a priority for us all.

Thank you to our families and staff for your continued support of our students and for working together to make McSwain a place of success, safety, and unity.

Warm regards,
Kamal Pannu
Superintendent

Dear McSwain Community,

The safety and well-being of our students, families, and community members are our highest priorities. As we head into October and with Halloween around the corner, we want to take this opportunity to educate our community on the growing concern and dangers of fentanyl—a powerful and deadly synthetic opioid that has led to a dramatic rise in overdoses across the country, including right here in Merced County.

Fentanyl is often disguised as other drugs, making it incredibly dangerous, especially to young people who may not realize what they are taking. Even a small amount of fentanyl can be lethal. This crisis affects all of us, and it’s crucial that we come together as a community to protect our children and educate ourselves on the risks.

Community Presentation on Fentanyl Awareness

To address this urgent issue, McSwain Union Elementary School District is once again partnering with the Merced County Sheriff’s Office to host an informative presentation on fentanyl awareness. The presentation will cover the dangers of fentanyl, how to recognize the signs of an overdose, and what steps we can take to keep our community safe.

Event Details:

Date: October 22nd

Time: 6:00 pm

Location: West Campus Cafeteria

We encourage all parents, guardians, and community members to attend. Experts from the Sheriff’s Office will share valuable information and answer any questions you may have. Your participation is vital in our collective effort to raise awareness and prevent further tragedies. It is imperative that we keep our community safe and well-informed.

If you have any questions about the event or need additional resources, please feel free to contact me directly.

Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to seeing you at this important presentation.

Sincerely,

Kamal Pannu
Superintendent
McSwain Union Elementary School District