Just a reminder that Monday, October 13th there will no school as teaching staff will be attending a regional professional development conference!
Fire Prevention Week Visit
Huge thanks to Mrs. Murk, Mather's own Firefighter and the Munising Fire Department for visiting Mather yesterday and leading engaging, age-appropriate lessons for Fire Prevention Week. Our students loved learning with a real firefighters—and our kindergartners even took a short walking field trip to the fire station for a tour and hands-on look at the gear and engine!
Key takeaways students practiced:
Creating a home fire escape plan and a family meeting spot
Checking smoke detectors and knowing the sound
“Stop, Drop, and Roll” and crawling low under smoke
When and how to call 911
Never hiding from firefighters—they’re helpers
Families, please take a moment tonight to review your home escape plan and test alarms together. Thank you again to Mrs. Murk and the MFD for keeping our kids informed, confident, and safe.
Huge thanks to Mrs. Murk, Mather's own Firefighter and the Munising Fire Department for visiting Mather yesterday and leading engaging, age-appropriate lessons for Fire Prevention Week. Our students loved learning with a real firefighters—and our kindergartners even took a short walking field trip to the fire station for a tour and hands-on look at the gear and engine!
Key takeaways students practiced:
Creating a home fire escape plan and a family meeting spot
Checking smoke detectors and knowing the sound
“Stop, Drop, and Roll” and crawling low under smoke
When and how to call 911
Never hiding from firefighters—they’re helpers
Families, please take a moment tonight to review your home escape plan and test alarms together. Thank you again to Mrs. Murk and the MFD for keeping our kids informed, confident, and safe.
🌺 Mather Elementary Literacy Luau — Friday, Oct. 24 (8:20 AM–2:00 PM)
Aloha, Mather family! Our second annual Literacy Luau is almost here. Students are invited to wear school-appropriate tropical attire and rotate through engaging literacy skill stations that build reading, vocabulary, fluency, comprehension, and writing—all with a little island fun.
Volunteers needed! We’d love family and community helpers any time between 8:20 AM–2:00 PM. Even one hour makes a big difference—greeting classes, supporting stations, or being a guest reader.
How to help:
📞 Call the Mather office at 906-387-2102 (or email the office) to sign up and fill out a Volunteer form.
Thank you for partnering with us to make literacy joyful for every child. Mahalo! 🌺
Due to low roster numbers in Gwinn, the 7th grade girls basketball game on Thursday is canceled. The 8th grade game will start at 5:30 pm.
Screen Time & Content: Quick Guide for Families (K–5)
We’re noticing more young students exposed to violent or fast-paced shows/games—even in “cartoon” form. To keep screens healthy and age-appropriate, please review the two flyers attached:
Screen Time & Content (orange): simple tips—choose age-appropriate content, aim for about 1 hour/day of high-quality programming for ages 2–5, co-view when possible, avoid violent content, make a family media plan, and turn off autoplay/enable parental controls.
Family Screen Time Rules (green): no screens during meals, set daily limits, keep bedrooms device-free, and watch/play together.
If you’d like help setting up controls or finding great, calm content, call the office—we’re happy to support. Thanks for partnering with us to keep media healthy and aligned with our STANG values! 🧡
We’re noticing more young students exposed to violent or fast-paced shows/games—even in “cartoon” form. To keep screens healthy and age-appropriate, please review the two flyers attached:
Screen Time & Content (orange): simple tips—choose age-appropriate content, aim for about 1 hour/day of high-quality programming for ages 2–5, co-view when possible, avoid violent content, make a family media plan, and turn off autoplay/enable parental controls.
Family Screen Time Rules (green): no screens during meals, set daily limits, keep bedrooms device-free, and watch/play together.
If you’d like help setting up controls or finding great, calm content, call the office—we’re happy to support. Thanks for partnering with us to keep media healthy and aligned with our STANG values! 🧡
FREE PARENT WORKSHOP - PROTECTING CHILDREN IN OUR NEW DIGITAL WORLD - FOR PARENTS OF STUDENTS GRADES 6-12 - WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8TH 6:00-8:00PM @ MARQUETTE-ALGER RESA, 321 E. OHIO STREET, MARQUETTE, MI
Congratulations to Joy and her parents!
4th Grade Sets Sail with Pictured Rocks Cruises!
Our fourth graders explored Lake Superior and the breathtaking cliffs of Pictured Rocks while learning about sandstone layers and erosion, Great Lakes ecology, and local maritime history.
Huge thanks to Ms. Martin, Mrs. Kelto, Mr. Ethan, our dedicated paraprofessionals, amazing parent volunteers, and our generous hosts at Pictured Rocks Cruises for an unforgettable learning experience.
A special thank-you to Officer Patrick Mellon for providing safe transportation support to the docks for a student who needed assistance.
Community partnerships like this deepen learning and show our STANG values in action!
Our fourth graders explored Lake Superior and the breathtaking cliffs of Pictured Rocks while learning about sandstone layers and erosion, Great Lakes ecology, and local maritime history.
Huge thanks to Ms. Martin, Mrs. Kelto, Mr. Ethan, our dedicated paraprofessionals, amazing parent volunteers, and our generous hosts at Pictured Rocks Cruises for an unforgettable learning experience.
A special thank-you to Officer Patrick Mellon for providing safe transportation support to the docks for a student who needed assistance.
Community partnerships like this deepen learning and show our STANG values in action!
3rd Grade at Sand Point Beach! Field Trip
Our third graders spent a sunny day learning with Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore rangers at hands-on stations about the shoreline, wildlife, and Great Lakes stewardship. Thank you to the PRNL Rangers, teachers Mrs. Butler and Mrs. Bogater, our dedicated paraprofessionals, supportive parent volunteers, and our bus drivers for a smooth and memorable trip
Our third graders spent a sunny day learning with Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore rangers at hands-on stations about the shoreline, wildlife, and Great Lakes stewardship. Thank you to the PRNL Rangers, teachers Mrs. Butler and Mrs. Bogater, our dedicated paraprofessionals, supportive parent volunteers, and our bus drivers for a smooth and memorable trip
5th Grade Visits the Farm — Field Trip
Fifth graders had a fantastic hands-on day at the farm exploring animal care routines, crop-to-table connections, pollinators, soil testing, and equipment safety. Students measured, observed, asked questions, and practiced our STANG values all day long.
Thank you to Mrs. Schalow, Mrs. Mattson, our wonderful Paraprofessionals, parent volunteers/chaperones, bus driver, and our generous farm hosts—your time and support turned science and math standards into real-world learning. We appreciate you!
Fifth graders had a fantastic hands-on day at the farm exploring animal care routines, crop-to-table connections, pollinators, soil testing, and equipment safety. Students measured, observed, asked questions, and practiced our STANG values all day long.
Thank you to Mrs. Schalow, Mrs. Mattson, our wonderful Paraprofessionals, parent volunteers/chaperones, bus driver, and our generous farm hosts—your time and support turned science and math standards into real-world learning. We appreciate you!
October Pony Express is here!
This month’s newsletter is packed with updates, celebrations, and key dates. Highlights include:
No School — Oct 13 (Fall Ed Conference)
Parent–Teacher Conferences: Oct 22 (1:00–3:30) & Oct 23 (5:00–7:00) — K–3 by appointment
Literacy Luau — Oct 24: Classes rotate all day; volunteers needed-please call the office
Attendance reminder: Please call the attendance line to report absences (not classroom lines)
Student spotlights; All 5 STANG Citizens—Annika Hand, Brooklyn Brewer, Izaak Richardson, and Hadley Lasak.
Read the full Pony Express for details, helpful resources, and photos. Thank you for partnering with us to Stay Safe, Take Responsibility, Act with Kindness, Never Give Up, and Give Respect—the STANG way!
This month’s newsletter is packed with updates, celebrations, and key dates. Highlights include:
No School — Oct 13 (Fall Ed Conference)
Parent–Teacher Conferences: Oct 22 (1:00–3:30) & Oct 23 (5:00–7:00) — K–3 by appointment
Literacy Luau — Oct 24: Classes rotate all day; volunteers needed-please call the office
Attendance reminder: Please call the attendance line to report absences (not classroom lines)
Student spotlights; All 5 STANG Citizens—Annika Hand, Brooklyn Brewer, Izaak Richardson, and Hadley Lasak.
Read the full Pony Express for details, helpful resources, and photos. Thank you for partnering with us to Stay Safe, Take Responsibility, Act with Kindness, Never Give Up, and Give Respect—the STANG way!
Student of the Week: Dean Johnson!
Nominated by Mrs. Van Buren, Dean shows our STANG values every day—he arrives with a smile, is ready to learn, tries his best, and shows great respect by offering kind compliments to classmates and teachers. His favorite class is gym, and outside of school he loves riding his scooter, hockey, and football.
Congrats, Dean (son of Randi & Cliff Johnson)—we’re proud of you! 🧡
Nominated by Mrs. Van Buren, Dean shows our STANG values every day—he arrives with a smile, is ready to learn, tries his best, and shows great respect by offering kind compliments to classmates and teachers. His favorite class is gym, and outside of school he loves riding his scooter, hockey, and football.
Congrats, Dean (son of Randi & Cliff Johnson)—we’re proud of you! 🧡
Attention Seniors and their parents: Save the Date for this upcoming important workshop!
Mather Elementary October Breakfast & Lunch Menu
Hello Mustang Families!
The October breakfast and lunch menu is now ready. Please see the attached menu for all the delicious options this month.
Reminder:
Breakfast is served daily before classes begin.
Lunch includes a fruit, vegetable, and milk option each day.
Menus are subject to change based on availability.
We know how important good meals are for growing minds—thank you for helping us keep our Mustangs fueled up and ready to learn!
Hello Mustang Families!
The October breakfast and lunch menu is now ready. Please see the attached menu for all the delicious options this month.
Reminder:
Breakfast is served daily before classes begin.
Lunch includes a fruit, vegetable, and milk option each day.
Menus are subject to change based on availability.
We know how important good meals are for growing minds—thank you for helping us keep our Mustangs fueled up and ready to learn!
IMPORTANT - MPS FOOD SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT 9.30.25
Good News! FREE MEALS FOR ALL STUDENTS TO CONTINUE FOR NOW! Yesterday afternoon, we received the MDE memo below and based upon what has been communicated we will continue serving free meals (breakfast and lunch) to ALL students until we know the status of the state budget and the Michigan School Meals (30d) funding which will hopefully begin flowing again from the School Aid Fund by mid to late October. Based on the tenor of the memo, we do NOT intend to start charging for meals at this time and we are optimistic that the legislature and Governor will prioritize and continue free meals for all through the remainder of the 25-26 school year. Please spread the word.....we will share any additional information that we receive on this matter. Sincerely, M. Travis, Superintendent.
Good News! FREE MEALS FOR ALL STUDENTS TO CONTINUE FOR NOW! Yesterday afternoon, we received the MDE memo below and based upon what has been communicated we will continue serving free meals (breakfast and lunch) to ALL students until we know the status of the state budget and the Michigan School Meals (30d) funding which will hopefully begin flowing again from the School Aid Fund by mid to late October. Based on the tenor of the memo, we do NOT intend to start charging for meals at this time and we are optimistic that the legislature and Governor will prioritize and continue free meals for all through the remainder of the 25-26 school year. Please spread the word.....we will share any additional information that we receive on this matter. Sincerely, M. Travis, Superintendent.
Civics came to life for Mather Elementary's 4th grade students at the courthouse! From investigators and attorneys to jurors and the accused, students put their new Judicial Branch knowledge into action during a mock trial with Judge Nebel. We’re grateful for the community partnerships that bring rich, real-world learning to our students. Thank you!
Mather Elementary's 4th graders soaked up yesterday's sunshine with an outdoor reading block! Students found cozy spots, dove into choice books, and practiced stamina and fluency—proof that a little fresh air can spark big thinking.
Join the Alger County 4-H Youth Garden Club! Youth ages 8–19 can dive into food & flower gardening, build confidence, and connect with friends—all while learning to “follow through” the 4-H way. The club meets once a month on Tuesdays; the next meeting is Tue, 10/14/25, after school–5:00 PM in the Daycamp Room at Alger Parks & Rec. Enrollment is free through 4HOnline Questions? Contact Tyreen Prunick (Alger County 4-H/MSU Extension, 906-387-2530) or Anne O’Neill (annieoneill2@gmail.com, 906-553-2238). Come get rooted in 4-H!
Congratulations to Kaden and his parents!
School Pictures Are Ready! (Ordering Info + Retake Day)
Dear Mather Families,
Good news—school pictures from this past Wednesday are ready to view and order.
How to order:
-Go to mylifetouch.com
-Sign in or create an account.
-Link your student using their Student ID number.
-Enter our Event Code: EVT3CWR9P and choose your package.
-Orders ship directly to your home
At checkout, all families can add a FREE Digital SmileSafe card—a child safety resource provided by Lifetouch. (Learn more on the Lifetouch site.)
Retake Day:
If your child was absent or you’d like a new photo, Picture Retake Day is Monday, October 20, 2025.
Need help?
If you don’t know your child’s Student ID or have trouble ordering, please contact the Mather Elementary office and we’ll be happy to assist.
Thank you for partnering with us!
—Mather Elementary School 906-387-2102
Order prints anytime at www.mylifetouch.com (Event Code: EVT3CWR9P)
Dear Mather Families,
Good news—school pictures from this past Wednesday are ready to view and order.
How to order:
-Go to mylifetouch.com
-Sign in or create an account.
-Link your student using their Student ID number.
-Enter our Event Code: EVT3CWR9P and choose your package.
-Orders ship directly to your home
At checkout, all families can add a FREE Digital SmileSafe card—a child safety resource provided by Lifetouch. (Learn more on the Lifetouch site.)
Retake Day:
If your child was absent or you’d like a new photo, Picture Retake Day is Monday, October 20, 2025.
Need help?
If you don’t know your child’s Student ID or have trouble ordering, please contact the Mather Elementary office and we’ll be happy to assist.
Thank you for partnering with us!
—Mather Elementary School 906-387-2102
Order prints anytime at www.mylifetouch.com (Event Code: EVT3CWR9P)
