❄️ Mather Pony Express – January Highlights! ❄️
We’re kicking off 2026 with lots of excitement at Mather Elementary!
Winter Carnival is coming up on January 13 from 5–7 PM!- Tomorrow!!
Join us for bounce houses, hallway skating, hot dogs, snowball toss, face painting, and so much more. This free family event is a great way to connect, have fun, and celebrate our amazing school community!
📚 i-Ready Winter Testing begins this week- Be sure your child is well rested & in attendance!
✏️ Popcorn Fundraiser – January 19
🎉 All-School Trivia Day – January 23
✈️ Paper Airplane Contest – January 30
🌟 Recess Hero Initiative is underway—students are working hard to show responsibility, kindness, and safe winter behavior outside!
We are so proud of our 4th & 5th Grade Student Leaders—Jake, Simon, Nora, Henry, Petra, Warren, Hadley, and Jayden—who were nominated and chosen to be part of our new Student Leadership Team. Their leadership and positivity truly shine at Mather!
💙 Thank you, Mather families, for your continued support. Let’s make 2026 a great year together!
We’re kicking off 2026 with lots of excitement at Mather Elementary!
Winter Carnival is coming up on January 13 from 5–7 PM!- Tomorrow!!
Join us for bounce houses, hallway skating, hot dogs, snowball toss, face painting, and so much more. This free family event is a great way to connect, have fun, and celebrate our amazing school community!
📚 i-Ready Winter Testing begins this week- Be sure your child is well rested & in attendance!
✏️ Popcorn Fundraiser – January 19
🎉 All-School Trivia Day – January 23
✈️ Paper Airplane Contest – January 30
🌟 Recess Hero Initiative is underway—students are working hard to show responsibility, kindness, and safe winter behavior outside!
We are so proud of our 4th & 5th Grade Student Leaders—Jake, Simon, Nora, Henry, Petra, Warren, Hadley, and Jayden—who were nominated and chosen to be part of our new Student Leadership Team. Their leadership and positivity truly shine at Mather!
💙 Thank you, Mather families, for your continued support. Let’s make 2026 a great year together!
Mather Elementary is thrilled to recognize Henrik MacArthur as our Student of the Week! Henrik, nominated by Ms. DeFrancesco, is the son of Rachel and Willard MacArthur.
Ms. DeFrancesco shares, “Henrik is very consistent in his daily routine. He comes to school excited and eagerly participates in Morning Meeting and Small Group. Every day, he makes sure to greet all of his friends, helping our classroom feel welcoming and joyful.”
Henrik’s favorite subject is literacy, where he loves sharing his alphabet knowledge and enthusiastically participates during story time. He demonstrates excellent listening skills by identifying and discussing the pictures in each book.
Congratulations, Henrik! We are so proud of you and this well-deserved honor!
Ms. DeFrancesco shares, “Henrik is very consistent in his daily routine. He comes to school excited and eagerly participates in Morning Meeting and Small Group. Every day, he makes sure to greet all of his friends, helping our classroom feel welcoming and joyful.”
Henrik’s favorite subject is literacy, where he loves sharing his alphabet knowledge and enthusiastically participates during story time. He demonstrates excellent listening skills by identifying and discussing the pictures in each book.
Congratulations, Henrik! We are so proud of you and this well-deserved honor!
Congratulations to Rylen and his parents!
HOP has been rescheduled!!
ATHLETICS UPDATE FRIDAY, JANUARY 9TH:
-Boys Basketball at Newberry will be PLAYED tonight as scheduled.
-Girl Basketball vs. Carney at home tonight has been RESCHEDULED to a doubleheader on Monday, January 12th - Boys JV 4:30 pm, Girls Varsity at 6pm, Boys Varsity at 7:30 pm.
-Athletic and Extracurricular practices are allowed after 3pm.
Go Stangs!
-Boys Basketball at Newberry will be PLAYED tonight as scheduled.
-Girl Basketball vs. Carney at home tonight has been RESCHEDULED to a doubleheader on Monday, January 12th - Boys JV 4:30 pm, Girls Varsity at 6pm, Boys Varsity at 7:30 pm.
-Athletic and Extracurricular practices are allowed after 3pm.
Go Stangs!
MUNISING PUBLIC SCHOOLS IS CLOSED TODAY, FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2026
Due to rapidly changing weather conditions and slushy slippery roads.
Due to rapidly changing weather conditions and slushy slippery roads.
Mather Elementary Second Grade Celebration Today!
Today, our second grade Hallway Hero Competition winners enjoyed a special reward of sledding and hot cocoa. This recognition celebrated students for consistently keeping the hallways clean, maintaining tidy winter gear and steps, and walking quietly in single file throughout the building. Their responsible and respectful choices helped create a safe and positive learning environment for everyone. We are proud of our students for setting such a great example!
Today, our second grade Hallway Hero Competition winners enjoyed a special reward of sledding and hot cocoa. This recognition celebrated students for consistently keeping the hallways clean, maintaining tidy winter gear and steps, and walking quietly in single file throughout the building. Their responsible and respectful choices helped create a safe and positive learning environment for everyone. We are proud of our students for setting such a great example!
❄️ You’re Invited to the Mather Elementary Winter Carnival! ❄️
Join us for an evening of fun, laughter, and community at our Winter Carnival on:
Tuesday, January 13th
5:00–7:00 PM
@ Mather Elementary School
Enjoy bounce houses, games, winter crafts, face painting, hot dogs, a raffle, and more! This free event is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate community, connection, and the joy of coming together as a school family.
🎉 Free entry — all are welcome!
📌 Backup date: January 29th
Join us for an evening of fun, laughter, and community at our Winter Carnival on:
Tuesday, January 13th
5:00–7:00 PM
@ Mather Elementary School
Enjoy bounce houses, games, winter crafts, face painting, hot dogs, a raffle, and more! This free event is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate community, connection, and the joy of coming together as a school family.
🎉 Free entry — all are welcome!
📌 Backup date: January 29th
MUNISING PUBLIC SCHOOLS - SCHOOLS OF CHOICE (SOC) NOTICE - 1.7.26
MPS IS ACCEPTING NON-RESIDENT STUDENTS IN ALL GRADES FOR THE SECOND SEMESTER 2025-2026.
As reported in the Munising Beacon, applications can be found on the "District Information" tab of the District's Website at https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DcXrtPiaNgMX0BP8w4z9OUEjapfxX5rS/view. The application and enrollment deadline for students accepted under the SOC program is Friday, January 23rd, 2026. For more information, please contact Ms. Valerie Goings at valerie.goings@mps-up.com. Apply Now to becoming a MUSTANG!
MPS IS ACCEPTING NON-RESIDENT STUDENTS IN ALL GRADES FOR THE SECOND SEMESTER 2025-2026.
As reported in the Munising Beacon, applications can be found on the "District Information" tab of the District's Website at https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DcXrtPiaNgMX0BP8w4z9OUEjapfxX5rS/view. The application and enrollment deadline for students accepted under the SOC program is Friday, January 23rd, 2026. For more information, please contact Ms. Valerie Goings at valerie.goings@mps-up.com. Apply Now to becoming a MUSTANG!
Munising High School students are formally invited to our annual winter HOP! Tickets will be on sale soon!
Student of the Week – Mather -STANG Spotlight!
Please join us in celebrating Brantlee Goings as our Student of the Week! Brantlee demonstrates our STANG values each day by coming to school with a positive attitude, helping others, and giving her best effort in learning. Nominated by Mr. Johnson, Brantlee is a fantastic role model for her peers.
Congratulations, Brantlee—we are so proud of you!
Please join us in celebrating Brantlee Goings as our Student of the Week! Brantlee demonstrates our STANG values each day by coming to school with a positive attitude, helping others, and giving her best effort in learning. Nominated by Mr. Johnson, Brantlee is a fantastic role model for her peers.
Congratulations, Brantlee—we are so proud of you!
MPS TRANSPORTATION NOTICE - TUES. JAN. 6, 2026 - 6:25AM
Due to unexpected driver absence this morning, there will be NO DEER BUS. The 3 Bus Routes are posted on the Live Feed of the District's Website and on Facebook. Riders can expect pick-ups to be delayed by 10 or more minutes, especially toward the end of each route.
Due to unexpected driver absence this morning, there will be NO DEER BUS. The 3 Bus Routes are posted on the Live Feed of the District's Website and on Facebook. Riders can expect pick-ups to be delayed by 10 or more minutes, especially toward the end of each route.
MUNISING PUBLIC SCHOOLS IS NOW CLOSED, TODAY MONDAY, JANUARY 5TH 2026.
MPS WINTER WEATHER NOTICE - 3 HOUR DELAY TODAY 1.5.26 - Due to 6-8” of snow on district roadways making the morning commute difficult, the Munising Public Schools will be under a 3 hour delay today, Monday, January 5th, 2026. Munising Middle/High School will begin at 11:00 am and Mather Elementary at 11:15 am.
Due to the expected winter storm, the Girls Basketball game scheduled to be played tomorrow at Michigan Tech University will now be played on Wednesday at 4pm at Houghton High School.
Due to travel conditions and athlete illnesses in Forest Park, tonight's boys basketball game has been canceled. A reschedule date will be announced when available. An announcement on other athletic events and practices will be made by noon today. Stay safe!
MUNISING PUBLIC SCHOOLS WILL BE CLOSED TOMORROW, FRIDAY 12.19.25 - Due to icy backroads and hazardous travel conditions which are predicted to persist through the morning commute.
The following schedule changes have been made for our upcoming high school basketball schedules:
JV/Varsity Boys Basketball vs. Gogebic rescheduled to HOME on January 19th at 6pm
Varsity Girls Basketball at Superior Central moved from February 12th to February 11th at 6pm
Mather Thanks Our Amazing Community Supporters!
We are incredibly grateful to the community members who contributed to Mrs. Kelto's 4th Grade Book Campaign, making it possible for our 4th graders to gift their Kindergarten buddies a brand-new book each month. This meaningful program not only builds a love of reading, but also strengthens the special connections between our older and younger students.
For the month of December, our Kindergarten buddies were thrilled to receive a special holiday book, How to Catch a Gingerbread Man, as their Christmas gift. The joy on their faces—and the pride of our 4th graders as they shared the story—was truly heartwarming.
Thank you for investing in literacy, kindness, and the power of mentorship at Mather Elementary. Your generosity is helping create lasting memories and a lifelong love of reading.
We are incredibly grateful to the community members who contributed to Mrs. Kelto's 4th Grade Book Campaign, making it possible for our 4th graders to gift their Kindergarten buddies a brand-new book each month. This meaningful program not only builds a love of reading, but also strengthens the special connections between our older and younger students.
For the month of December, our Kindergarten buddies were thrilled to receive a special holiday book, How to Catch a Gingerbread Man, as their Christmas gift. The joy on their faces—and the pride of our 4th graders as they shared the story—was truly heartwarming.
Thank you for investing in literacy, kindness, and the power of mentorship at Mather Elementary. Your generosity is helping create lasting memories and a lifelong love of reading.
Holiday Fun in Ms. Kyley’s ECSE Preschool!
Today was full of smiles and sweet memories in Ms. Kyley’s ECSE Preschool classroom as Santa and Mrs. Claus stopped by for a special visit! Students had a wonderful time decorating cookies, sharing giggles, and enjoying the magic of the season.
Moments like these help build joy, connection, and a sense of belonging for our youngest learners. Thank you to everyone who helped make this festive experience so special for our students!
Today was full of smiles and sweet memories in Ms. Kyley’s ECSE Preschool classroom as Santa and Mrs. Claus stopped by for a special visit! Students had a wonderful time decorating cookies, sharing giggles, and enjoying the magic of the season.
Moments like these help build joy, connection, and a sense of belonging for our youngest learners. Thank you to everyone who helped make this festive experience so special for our students!
