Recent News

Dear McSwain Community,
I hope this message finds you well and you are enjoying a wonderful summer break. As we gear up for the upcoming school year, I wanted to share some exciting updates and initiatives that we have in place to ensure a successful and enriching year for our students and staff.

Training for Classified Staff We are pleased to announce a comprehensive training program for our classified staff. This initiative is designed to enhance their skills, ensure they are well-equipped to support our students, and contribute to a positive and effective learning environment. Our classified staff play a crucial role in the daily operations of our school, and this training will empower them to perform their duties with excellence.

Focus on Professionalism At McSwain, professionalism is a core value that we uphold across all levels of our staff. For the upcoming school year, we are placing a strong emphasis on professional development and continuous improvement. We believe that fostering a culture of professionalism will not only benefit our staff but also create a more supportive and inspiring environment for our students. We will be implementing various professional development sessions and workshops to support this goal.

Welcoming New Hire Teachers We are thrilled to welcome several new teachers to the McSwain family. These talented educators bring a wealth of knowledge, experience, and passion for teaching. They are eager to contribute to our school's mission of providing a high-quality education to all our students. Please join me in extending a warm welcome to our new teachers as they embark on this exciting journey with us.

Administration Team Our administration team, under the leadership of Mrs. Sanders is equally excited to discuss their plans for the upcoming school year. Ms. Sanders, Ms. Lourenco, and Mr. Perez will be focusing on key areas such as professionalism, learning, and building a strong community. We are confident that their vision and dedication will help us achieve our goals and foster a positive and collaborative environment for everyone at McSwain.

As we prepare for the new school year, I am confident that these initiatives will enhance the overall experience for our students, staff, and the entire McSwain community. Thank you for your continued support and dedication to our school. Together, we can achieve great things and make this school year one of the best yet.

More information to come next week!

Looking forward to seeing everyone soon!

Warm regards,

Mr. Pannu
Superintendent
McSwain Union Elementary School District

Dear McSwain Community,

I hope this message finds you all well.

I’m writing to share some important news with mixed emotions. Our wonderful Superintendent, Mr. Kersten, is retiring after 33 amazing years in education. We want to thank Mr. Kersten for his dedication, vision, and leadership throughout the years.

As we say goodbye to Mr. Kersten, I’m excited to announce that I, Kamal Pannu, will be stepping into the role of Superintendent. It’s a privilege to serve this incredible community, and I’m committed to maintaining the high standards we’ve set together.

I’m also pleased to share that Sara Sanders will be taking over as Principal. Mrs. Sanders’ passion and dedication to our school have always been clear, and I’m confident she’ll continue to create a nurturing and dynamic environment for our students.

We’re sharing this news with you, our valued community, and we look forward to your support as we transition into these new roles. Together, we’ll keep striving to provide the best education for our students.

Please join me in congratulating Mr. Kersten on his well-deserved retirement and welcoming Mrs. Sanders to her new role as Principal.

Thank you for your ongoing commitment to McSwain and our students.

Best,

Kamal Pannu
Superintendent
McSwain School District

Hello, McSwain Family!

First and foremost, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us for our family BBQ. It's a cherished tradition at McSwain to come together and celebrate over a meal. On behalf of the McSwain staff, we thank our amazing families. It was a great opportunity for us all to recognize our students' remarkable progress in and outside the classroom this year and enjoy one another’s company. Thank you to our incredible community for your ongoing support. As we approach the end of the school year, we look forward to continuing to celebrate our students' achievements.


Best regards,

Mr. P

Day of Awesomeness

From the McSwain Parent Club: Just a quick THANK YOU for helping your student use their AWESOMENESS to help others! We are so grateful for all the support and participation in Step It UP! Program! We raised a total amount of $37,408.88 in donations.


Top 5 Teachers by total donations collected:

Kellner: $3,062.50

Fluetsch: $2,536.24

Ramsey: $2,081.16

White: $1,889.15

Sprinkle: $1,734.16


On May 24th, your student will attend the Day of Awesomeness. This will be a field day, and all students can participate.

McSwain Parent Club Announcement

Come to the upcoming McSwain Parent Club meeting on Monday, May 20th, at 6 PM in the West Campus Cafeteria.

We also extend our heartfelt thanks to the Parent Club for their efforts in celebrating our staff during last week's Educator Appreciation Week. Thank you!


SSC/DELAC Meeting

Our next School Site Council (SSC) and English Language Advisory Committee (DELAC) meetings are scheduled for next Wednesday at 3:45 PM, also in the West Campus Cafeteria.


Memorial Day Closure

Remember that school will be closed on Monday, May 27th, 2024, in observance of Memorial Day.

Hello McSwain Community,

I hope you are well. As we head into the last few days of school, please take a look at the information below.

NWEA Scores

Next week, we will be sending home the NWEA (Northwest Evaluation Association) scores for students. This important assessment tool has been instrumental here at McSwain in tracking and showcasing the academic growth of our students. Throughout the year, our teachers have utilized these scores to tailor instruction and support individual student needs, ensuring that every child can achieve their personal best.

We encourage parents to review these scores and celebrate their children's progress. This year, our students have shown tremendous growth, and let's continue to work together to support their learning journeys!


Minimum Day Reminder/Last Day of School

We will have a minimum day on Wednesday, June 5th

This is also the last day of school

Dismissal for West Campus will be at 12:50 p.m.

Dismissal for East Campus is at 12:00 p.m.




Drop-Off and Pick-Up Zones Reminder

Please utilize the designated drop-off and pick-up zones for your children. Stopping at non-designated areas may disrupt traffic flow and pose a safety risk.

Do not use the district parking lot for drop off and pick up during school hours.


Lost and Found Items

As we head into the summer break, please look at the items in our lost and found.

We will donate any items that are left over.


McSwain Foundation

Hey there, McSwain community! Interested in joining our McSwain Education Foundation Board of Directors? We are looking for new membership!

Complete the application on our website linked below and drop off to the office or email [email protected] for more information.

Mcswaineducationfoundation.weebly.com, click on OUR BOARD then APPLY HERE






Weather Reminder

As the temperature reaches over 100 degrees next week, please send your child with a refillable water bottle. We have water stations on campus and want to make sure your child stays hydrated.

Dear McSwain Mustangs Community,


As we wrap up another fantastic school year, I want to express my deepest gratitude to all of you for making this year truly special. Despite our challenges, our community's resilience and dedication shone brightly, reflecting the spirit of the Mustangs we are so proud to be.


This year was filled with memorable moments, from exciting classroom projects to our spirited assemblies. Your enthusiasm and participation have been the heartbeat of McSwain Elementary, and I am profoundly thankful for your ongoing support and engagement.


One of the highlights of our year has been the insightful Mr. Lance Talks, where we’ve learned and grown together. These discussions have not only been enlightening but have also strengthened the bonds within our community.


As we say goodbye for the summer, let’s cherish these memories and look forward to creating more in the coming school year. We are excited to welcome you back this fall, ready for new adventures and continued learning.


Please join us in viewing this goodbye video from our graduating 8th-grade class and Mr. Lance. Thank you once again for a fantastic year. Enjoy a safe and joyful summer break!


Warm regards,


Mr. Pannu

Principal, McSwain Elementary School

Hello McSwain Families,
I hope you are well. As we head into the next week, please take a look at the announcements below.
Theme Days Announcement
Reminder, next week promises to be an exciting one at McSwain! Our leadership class is thrilled to extend an invitation to all students to express their school spirit in a fun and creative way.
Below are the details regarding the special theme days planned for next week.




Holiday Dress-up Week

Monday 12/18
Stay warm with your favorite pair of Holiday socks!
Tuesday 12/19
Wear your Favorite Holiday Headwear
Wednesday 12/20
Wear you tacky Holiday Sweater or Shirt
Thursday 12/21
Cozy up in your Holiday Pajamas to get ready and relax on break!


Mr. Lance Podcast Episode 2

Its official, we have our second episode of the Mr. Lance talks podcast!
Insightful Discussions: From community matters to global topics, Mr. Lance will delve into a range of subjects that matter to us all.
This week’s episode features our very own Ms. Mcintyre from our 2nd grade team!
Click here to listen!

How to Join:
Subscribe to our podcast channel on pod bean
You can click this link to subscribe. You will be asked to downlaod the Podbean app which is avalibale on android, PC, and the Apple store.
Tune In for on going episodes.


Minimum Day
We will have a minimum day on Thursday, December 21st
Dismissal for West Campus will be at 12:50 p.m.
Dismissal for East Campus is at 12:00 p.m.
The pick-up logistics are the same as they are on a regular day, The only difference is that EastCampus is dismissed first.

Safety Committee Meeting on 12/19 in the PDC at 3 pm

Good Morning Mustangs!


We hope you are having a great weekend; here are some updates.


4H Easter Egg Hunt

Our amazing 4H will be having its annual easter egg hunt on Sunday, March 24th.

The event is open to ages 1-8 and will begin at 2:00 pm

Students participating will need to bring their basket

Please see the flyer below for more information






Construction Update

As we proceed with enhancing and modernizing our campus, you may observe an increase in construction activity.

We appreciate your patience and understanding during this process.



6,7, and 8th Grade Opportunity!


Calling all 6th, 7th, and 8th garde students

Merced County Presets the Y2K Conference on 4/13/24

The event is from 8:30 am - 9:00 pm

Please see the attached flyer below (This is non school school-affiliated event)






Coffee with Mr.P!

Once a month, we host Coffee with Mr. Pannu. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss ongoing events here at Mcswain and how we could continue to strengthen the partnership between our school and our students and families. Our next session of the year will be Thursday, 3/26, at 8:30 am in the West Campus Cafeteria.

Our meeting will focus on the upcoming state assessment, CAASPP

For parents who cannot make the meeting, we will also upload a copy of the presentation onto our website.

Donuts and Coffee will be served.

This is open to all Parents! Spanish Translation will be available.



Tutoring Resource


As a reminder, the California State Library provides free online tutoring for California K-12 students through public libraries. Through HelpNow, real-time homework assistance is available 24 hours a day by laptop, tablet, or phone from qualified tutors using state curriculum and standards.

24/7 assistance is available in English and Spanish for Language Arts and Mathematics.


Every day between 10:00 am and 10:00 pm, assistance is available in core K-12 subjects in the following languages:

English

Spanish

Mandarin

Cantonese

Vietnamese

Tagalog.


Tutors can provide a virtual whiteboard, conduct live audio interactions with students, and work with learners on various concepts. Students are expected to work through the content and learn from the feedback.


The California State Library is partnering with the Pacific Library Partnership (PLP) to bring this resource to California public libraries.


Our Merced County Public Library is participating. Please see the link in your parent square to get your student get started!

Safety Committee Meeting on 3/21 at 3 pm in the PDC, all welcome!

Hello, McSwain Community!

Family BBQ Reminder


Thank you to everyone who purchased tickets for our Family BBQ, which is this Friday, May 17th. We have sold out of tickets and reached capacity, and we appreciate the incredible support from our amazing families!


Day of the BBQ:


- Parents and families will enter through the district gate.











- Upon arrival, you will receive your ID badge.

- Please drop off your items in the quad before picking up your food.

- Food will be served in the East Campus Cafeteria.

- Students will be escorted to the BBQ by their teachers.

- Once you have your meal, please find your student and enjoy.

- As part of our program, a few students will showcase their talents during the event.


Below are the lunch times for each grade level. The gates will open at 10:15, so please plan your arrival time accordingly.



Grade

TK

K

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

5th

6th

7th/8th

Time

10:45

11:00

11:15

11:30

11:45

12:00

12:15

12:30

12:45



Additional Information:


- Please do not bring tables, coolers, or any additional items to the BBQ.

- Lawn chairs are fine. No outside food is permitted.

- To combat the heat, we will open the cool-down zone in the East Campus Gym.

- Water & Shirts will be available for purchase (cash only).


We look forward to seeing you there!

Dear McSwain Students and Families,

As we celebrate Mother's Day this weekend, I want to extend a warm and joyful greeting to all the mothers, grandmothers, and mother figures in our community. Your love, sacrifice, and support shape the lives of our students every day.

On this special day, I am reminded of the profound impact my own mother had on my path to education. Despite leaving school in the third grade and being unable to read, she understood the power of education and worked tirelessly to support our family. Her encouragement and belief in the importance of learning inspired me to pursue a career in education and continue to advocate for every child's educational journey at McSwain.

Let's take this opportunity to thank and honor all the mothers who, much like my own, have made countless sacrifices to ensure a better future for their children. Your unwavering belief in the benefits of education continues to inspire and motivate us all.

Wishing you a Mother's Day filled with love, gratitude, and joy.

Best,

Mr. P