Welcome Back, Mather Families!
We are almost through our second week of school, and it’s been such a joy to see our hallways full of energy, curiosity, and kindness. Thank you for partnering with us to make these first days smooth, positive, and filled with learning.
As we continue building strong routines, we encourage everyone to celebrate small successes, keep showing kindness, and support one another as we settle into the year. Every smile, high five, and positive choice makes a difference!
Look out for the Pony Express Newsletter. It will be coming home with your student and is attached to this post. Each edition will feature: Student work and celebrations, Important upcoming events, with Announcements and reminders.
This is a great way to stay connected with all the exciting things happening at Mather Elementary!
Together, let’s make this school year one filled with growth, joy, and success for all our students.
We are almost through our second week of school, and it’s been such a joy to see our hallways full of energy, curiosity, and kindness. Thank you for partnering with us to make these first days smooth, positive, and filled with learning.
As we continue building strong routines, we encourage everyone to celebrate small successes, keep showing kindness, and support one another as we settle into the year. Every smile, high five, and positive choice makes a difference!
Look out for the Pony Express Newsletter. It will be coming home with your student and is attached to this post. Each edition will feature: Student work and celebrations, Important upcoming events, with Announcements and reminders.
This is a great way to stay connected with all the exciting things happening at Mather Elementary!
Together, let’s make this school year one filled with growth, joy, and success for all our students.
MUNISING PUBLIC SCHOOLS THANKS VERN REED & ALGER MATTERS (AC3)
The teachers and administrators at MPS would like to express our gratitude to Vern Reed III, Marjorie Moore, and AC3 (now Alger Matters) for helping to provide another outstanding professional development opportunity for our teachers and paraprofessionals on August 26th and 27th. Vern has worked with our staff 3 times now over a two year period and his expertise as well as his delivery style resonates with our educators and is helping to make a difference for all learners, especially those that are under-resourced. Vern's experience as a long time alternative education teacher and professional consultant on poverty and brain research has really benefitted our students and staff. Vern knows how to translate theory into practice and along with Jon Young at MARESA, these gentlemen have helped us develop our Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) to improve rigor, relevance, and relationships for all types of learners. Thank you Vern, Jon, and Alger Matters!
The teachers and administrators at MPS would like to express our gratitude to Vern Reed III, Marjorie Moore, and AC3 (now Alger Matters) for helping to provide another outstanding professional development opportunity for our teachers and paraprofessionals on August 26th and 27th. Vern has worked with our staff 3 times now over a two year period and his expertise as well as his delivery style resonates with our educators and is helping to make a difference for all learners, especially those that are under-resourced. Vern's experience as a long time alternative education teacher and professional consultant on poverty and brain research has really benefitted our students and staff. Vern knows how to translate theory into practice and along with Jon Young at MARESA, these gentlemen have helped us develop our Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) to improve rigor, relevance, and relationships for all types of learners. Thank you Vern, Jon, and Alger Matters!
MPS TRANSPORTATION NOTICE - SUNDAY, 9/7 - We are currently down to three bus drivers and will be running 3 bus routes indefinitely. Please refer to the 3 Bus Route document that has been shared.
MPS TRANSPORTATION NOTICE - FOR THU 9/4 & FRI 9/5: Due to continued driver absence, we will only be running 3 Bus Routes for the rest of the week. The 3 routes and 3 drivers are listed below in attached document. Please note the pick ups will be earlier as shown. For questions, please contact Driver Coordinator, Jeff Meyer 906-387-4145.
Tomorrow's home volleyball match vs. Carney Nadeau will be VARSITY ONLY due to low roster numbers on the JV Carney team. Start time 6pm!
Today's tennis match in Ishpeming has been canceled due to rain. Practice will be held at the Mather Gym from 4-5:30 pm today.
MPS TRANSPORTATION NOTICE - FOR PM BUS RUN - WEDNESDAY 9/3
Due to unexpected driver absence, we will only be running 3 Bus Routes this afternoon. The 3 routes and 3 drivers are listed below in attached document. For questions, please contact Driver Coordinator, Jeff Meyer at 906-387-4145 or jeff.meyer@mps-up.com.
Update: Bus 5 is running late as they adjust to the new route. Students assigned to Bus 5 are safe and supervised. Thank you for your patience. Feel free to call the office if you have any questions. 906-387-2102
MPS TRANSPORTATION NOTICE - AUGUST 28, 2025
Parents, Students, & Community Members, please note the Regular (4) Bus Routes and the Emergency (3) Bus Routes for 2025-2026. These routes are also posted on the district website. The first day of school is Tuesday, September 2nd. Until all drivers and student riders are in a routine, it is strongly advised that students are waiting visibly at their bus stop 10 minutes earlier than usual. For questions, please contact Jeff Meyer, Bus Driver Coordinator at jeff.meyer@mps-up.com or 906.387.4145.
Parents, Students, & Community Members, please note the Regular (4) Bus Routes and the Emergency (3) Bus Routes for 2025-2026. These routes are also posted on the district website. The first day of school is Tuesday, September 2nd. Until all drivers and student riders are in a routine, it is strongly advised that students are waiting visibly at their bus stop 10 minutes earlier than usual. For questions, please contact Jeff Meyer, Bus Driver Coordinator at jeff.meyer@mps-up.com or 906.387.4145.
Here are some Frequently Asked Questions about our Away for the Day Cell Phone Policy, which starts for all students Tuesday, September 2nd!
Need a schedule change? Now is the time! Email or stop by the middle/high school to see Mr. Mattson!
If you have not registered, please come down to the office as soon as possible!
If you have not registered, please come down to the office as soon as possible!
✨ Mather Elementary Open House ✨
We are so excited to welcome our STANG families back to school!
📅 Tuesday, August 26th
🕔 5:00–7:00 PM
* Preschool Orientation - 5:00 PM in the Auditorium
*Kindergarten Meet & Greet
5:00–6:00 PM → Students with last names A–L
6:00–7:00 PM → Students with last names M–Z
*Grades 1–5 Families
Drop in anytime between 5:00–7:00 PM to meet your teachers and visit classrooms.
☎️ Questions? Call the Mather Office at 906-387-2102
We can’t wait to see our students and families as we kick off another amazing year of STANG Pride!
We are so excited to welcome our STANG families back to school!
📅 Tuesday, August 26th
🕔 5:00–7:00 PM
* Preschool Orientation - 5:00 PM in the Auditorium
*Kindergarten Meet & Greet
5:00–6:00 PM → Students with last names A–L
6:00–7:00 PM → Students with last names M–Z
*Grades 1–5 Families
Drop in anytime between 5:00–7:00 PM to meet your teachers and visit classrooms.
☎️ Questions? Call the Mather Office at 906-387-2102
We can’t wait to see our students and families as we kick off another amazing year of STANG Pride!
Please help us welcome our new social worker Ms. Browning! She will be working at both school buildings this school year and we are so happy to have her as a part of our team!
Attention all 6th grade parents and students! In order to help our 6th graders have a easier start to their school year, we have a committee of peers ready to help the kids with their schedules and lockers on the first day of school. We ask all 6th graders interested meet in the middle/high school cafetera at 7:45 am on Tuesday, September 2nd.
We hope you can join us a week from today as Munising Public Schools honors 1980 State Championship Football Coach and Educator Terry Sayen at the Terry Sayen Athletic Field Dedication Ceremony being held between our JV and Varsity home opening football games vs. North Central High School at Mustang Stadium. All Mustang Football Alumni are welcome on the field at 6:30 pm to help us celebrate Coach Sayen's amazing career!
Please help us spread the word by sharing the event!
Please help us spread the word by sharing the event!
That’s a Wrap on Summer School 2025!
Yesterday marked the final day of our K–5 Summer School program—and what a fun and meaningful few weeks it’s been!
Each grade level celebrated the day with some hands-on, engaging activities:
🍦 K–1 students made homemade ice cream, learning about measurements, following directions, and (of course) patience!
🐟 Grades 2–3 completed an exciting scavenger hunt to find a “missing fish,” building teamwork, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
🧠 Grades 4–5 played Scrabble and vocabulary games, applying new words in creative ways and reinforcing spelling and language skills.
Beyond the fun, students spent this August strengthening key skills in reading, writing, and math—helping to prevent summer learning loss and build confidence for the year ahead. Summer school provides a valuable opportunity for students to review important concepts, stay engaged academically, and grow socially in a smaller, supportive setting.
A big thank you to our dedicated teachers and staff who made this summer program a success, and to our students who showed up ready to learn, explore, and have fun!
We’re proud of all the progress made and can’t wait to welcome everyone back this fall.
Yesterday marked the final day of our K–5 Summer School program—and what a fun and meaningful few weeks it’s been!
Each grade level celebrated the day with some hands-on, engaging activities:
🍦 K–1 students made homemade ice cream, learning about measurements, following directions, and (of course) patience!
🐟 Grades 2–3 completed an exciting scavenger hunt to find a “missing fish,” building teamwork, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
🧠 Grades 4–5 played Scrabble and vocabulary games, applying new words in creative ways and reinforcing spelling and language skills.
Beyond the fun, students spent this August strengthening key skills in reading, writing, and math—helping to prevent summer learning loss and build confidence for the year ahead. Summer school provides a valuable opportunity for students to review important concepts, stay engaged academically, and grow socially in a smaller, supportive setting.
A big thank you to our dedicated teachers and staff who made this summer program a success, and to our students who showed up ready to learn, explore, and have fun!
We’re proud of all the progress made and can’t wait to welcome everyone back this fall.
Thank You to the Rotary Club and Our Supportive Community!
We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Rotary Club and President Phill Hansen for their incredible support, donations and for championing the bake sale at Peoples State Bank last Friday. Your leadership and dedication to our schools make a lasting difference.
We’re also deeply grateful to the community members who contributed, including those who made generous donations. Your support is a powerful reminder of how much our school matters to this community.
Because of your collective efforts, we are able to purchase document cameras for every teacher at Mather Elementary, as well as several for the middle school. These tools will enhance instruction by allowing teachers to share books, student work, and live demonstrations more effectively. Document cameras increase engagement, support diverse learning styles, and make lessons more dynamic and inclusive.
Supporting our school is an investment in our children, our educators, and the future of our community. We appreciate you standing with us to make a meaningful impact.
With heartfelt gratitude,
The Staff and Students of Mather Elementary
We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Rotary Club and President Phill Hansen for their incredible support, donations and for championing the bake sale at Peoples State Bank last Friday. Your leadership and dedication to our schools make a lasting difference.
We’re also deeply grateful to the community members who contributed, including those who made generous donations. Your support is a powerful reminder of how much our school matters to this community.
Because of your collective efforts, we are able to purchase document cameras for every teacher at Mather Elementary, as well as several for the middle school. These tools will enhance instruction by allowing teachers to share books, student work, and live demonstrations more effectively. Document cameras increase engagement, support diverse learning styles, and make lessons more dynamic and inclusive.
Supporting our school is an investment in our children, our educators, and the future of our community. We appreciate you standing with us to make a meaningful impact.
With heartfelt gratitude,
The Staff and Students of Mather Elementary
IMPORTANT - MPS TRANSPORTATION UPDATE FOR 2025-2026 - 8.20.25
Attention MPS students and parents. Please read the letter posted below. This will also be shared via email.
Attention MPS students and parents. Please read the letter posted below. This will also be shared via email.
IMPORTANT MPS FOOD SERVICE UPDATE - AUGUST 20, 2025
Please carefully review the letter posted here. Please note that for the first month of school we will continue providing free meals (breakfast and lunch) as we have in prior years. However, that could change after September 30th, depending on what we learn from Lansing with the eventual passage of the state's budget. Also, please note that we are still understaffed for food service workers and will be making creative plans to ensure that we have as much kitchen help as possible to start the year. If you know anyone wanting a part-time food service job, the part-time "Cook's Helper" position is still posted on the "Employment" page of our district website. So, please urge interested individuals to apply. Please contact me at mike.travis@mps-up.com if you have questions regarding food service or are interested in applying for the open Cook's Helper position. We look forward to seeing all of our students soon :-)
We are so excited to announce the hiring of Industrial Arts /CAD Teacher - Mark Davis! Please help us welcome him to our school community!
